Pegasus? Actually, I'm a doctor!

Under the terrifying influence of the dark aura, the most brilliant radiance, like a soaring Heavenly Horse, arrived at Kyoei March's side with the spirit to tear everything apart.

Without even giving her time to run side-by-side, the silver-white figure had already overtaken Kyoei March, who had used her trump card and was full of confidence!

Before the third corner, Platinum, who should have been a Mid-runner, changed her running style to take the lead and was advancing unchecked towards the front!!

41. Looking Back at the Moon, Dominant Victory! (Vote!)

In the spectator stands, a pair of incredibly petite Uma Musume were seated in the front row.

One had long brown hair, with the hair in front of her forehead shaped like a diamond. Despite her small size, she possessed an elegant aura. This brown-haired Uma Musume had an expectant look on her face.

The other was a lively black-haired Uma Musume brimming with smiles.

Sato no Diamond! Kitasan Black!

These two young, petite Uma Musume, who hadn't even begun their Formalization, were currently watching this race with great interest as spectators.

Sato no Diamond, with her brown hair, was a loyal fan of Mejiro McQueen, and thus also had some interest in the race of Mejiro Dober, another genius from the Mejiro family.

Love me, love my dog!

In her arms, she was holding a small cheering sign that read, "Mejiro Dober, Victory!"

Sato no Diamond first looked at Platinum and Kyoei March at the very front, then at Mejiro Dober in the Mid-runner group, and couldn't help but praise her.

"Miss Dober is so composed. Just as expected of Miss McQueen's junior, she's as steady as her!"

In the eyes of countless Japanese spectators and even Uma Musume, the most promising and classic running styles were always Follower and Mid-runner!

Compared to Platinum and Kyoei March, who were competing for the Escape Horse lead position, Mejiro Dober, with her excellent physical condition and being well-rested, seemed more worth looking forward to.

But in the very next moment—

"Eh?!"

"Huh? What… what happened? Why did Miss Platinum suddenly take the lead?"

"Is Miss Kyoei March deliberately giving up the lead to wait for an opportunity to overtake?"

After the third corner.

"H-how is this possible!"

Kyoei March, despite having exerted her utmost effort and even used her race skills, was left dumbfounded.

Currently, her earnestly used aura was instantly suppressed and even covered.

The aura originating from the Heavenly Horse, Platinum, had an indescribable suppressive power, making even a popular and excellent Uma Musume like Kyoei March feel what… "suffocation" truly was!!

Her prideful aura couldn't even resist in front of Platinum's aura, and was immediately suppressed to a minuscule degree.

It was as if one was a flower nurtured in a school greenhouse, while the other was a warrior who had survived countless battles on the front lines! Their auras were simply not on the same level!

Her full-speed gallop didn't bother the silver-white Heavenly Horse beside her at all!

The gap between their auras was like a cat baring its fangs… with a majestic tiger appearing behind it!

What Kyoei March never dreamed of was being so easily overtaken, without even a moment of running side-by-side?!

Only at this moment did she truly realize that she thought she had underestimated Platinum enough… but in reality, she was still underestimating that Heavenly Horse!

"Gulp… It's over!"

Kyoei March already lacked excellent stamina and relied heavily on her aura. After her strongest trump card was easily suppressed by that Heavenly Horse, she completely lost the ability to resist.

"Oyster!!"

[Simply… shocking the entire stadium!]

[Platinum, a contestant full of talent but considered too young and underestimated, she actually took the lead before the third corner and started leading!]

[One horse length! Two horse lengths! The young Heavenly Horse is freely expanding her advantage. Can she maintain this lead all the way to the finish line in this 2400-meter race?!]

As the commentator's astonished voice rang out, the tens of thousands of spectators also gradually became tense and excited.

In the foremost position, the galloping hooves of the silver-white Heavenly Horse were swift.

In her mind, she was contemplating whether to use her aura skill.

Currently, the Heavenly Horse Miss's Formalization level had reached 15%, and she had mastered skills, but she had never used them before.

(Kyoei March and Mejiro Dober's auras should be no different from mine. They must be feigning weakness to lure the enemy.)

(For the sake of the race prize money, I should be cautious! I'll activate my skills when they try to catch up!)

With Platinum's decision made, her terrifying aura continued to be maintained, and her advantage subsequently grew!

Three horse lengths!

Four horse lengths!

Platinum hadn't noticed, but before the final straight arrived, her advantage had already become this significant!

And in the Mid-runner group!

"Hah..."

"This Aura, how can it be this powerful?"

Another favorite to win, Mejiro Dober, her pupils suddenly constricted as she stared intently at the leading position.

Even she was shaken by such an Aura, but to pursue victory, she quickly regained her composure.

(I underestimated Platinum too much. I can't let her keep leading like this!)

The second-place Kyoei March was already a considerable distance behind her, and Platinum was a full four or five horse lengths ahead of second place!

If this continued, they would soon reach the final straight. If Platinum was allowed to sprint and lead, her own finishing kick might not be enough to catch her.

In that case—!!

"Let's gradually pick up the pace, try to close the gap, and then decide the winner in the final straight!"

This honor student from the Mejiro family unleashed an Aura that was even stronger than Kyoei March's!

However... there was still a significant gap compared to the oppressive, dark "ruined battlefield" that continued to dominate the vast arena.

The gap was so large that Mejiro Dober couldn't suppress Platinum with her Aura, but it was enough to strengthen herself and activate her race skills!

[Perseverance: Slightly increases acceleration when chasing opponents]

[Fearless Heart: In the latter half of the race, when positioned in the middle of the pack, speed increases and acceleration slightly improves]

In an instant, Mejiro Dober's speed astonishingly surpassed everything around her.

She paid no mind to the other Uma Musume, not even glancing at her most feared competitor before the race, Kyoei March, her gaze fixed solely on Platinum's receding back.

Before long, even the Follower Uma Musume ahead were gradually overtaken, posing no obstacle!

And Platinum, ahead of them, was the first to pass the final corner, entering the final straight first!

"The glory of the Mejiro family can't be carried by McQueen alone."

Mejiro Dober, gritting her teeth, her swift steps finally drew alongside the former second-place Kyoei March, who had lost stamina and was slowing down, before overtaking her.

The second-place position changed hands, but this did not satisfy Mejiro Dober!

Finally, she too entered the final straight.

But what made Mejiro Dober feel even more uneasy was that the gap Platinum had achieved had expanded to... six horse lengths!!

If she didn't close the gap now, she would truly lose, and by a humiliating, crushing defeat!

[Slight Rest: Recovers a small amount of stamina in the latter half of the race]

[Desperate Push: In the final straight, slightly increases stamina consumption while boosting acceleration]

"It's time to decide the winner!!"

The Mejiro family's young lady, finally in a desperate sprint, her form running with all her might shone beautifully, creating a significant gap with the pack behind her!

But—

Mejiro Dober, who was almost perfect in every aspect—determination, physique, finishing kick, Aura, and skills—after giving her all!

Just seconds later, the extremely cruel reality was laid bare before Mejiro Dober, making it unbelievable: Platinum's dazzling back in the distance had not shortened.

Instead, had it somehow become even more distant?

Even with her full finishing kick, she still couldn't close the distance with that pure white, cold Heavenly Horse at all!

(This... how is this possible?!)

Platinum, who had been accelerating all this time, changing from a Mid-runner to an Escape Horse, still couldn't catch up?

What kind of monster was that!

(Is that person... really an Uma Musume?)

And at the very front, the final straight was approaching the finish line!

Seven horse lengths!

Eight horse lengths!

When the gap reached nine horse lengths, the entire venue, which had been tense and excited, turned into... utter shock!

[Nine horse lengths! No one can catch up anymore!]

[From Mid-runner to Escape Horse, the Heavenly Horse Platinum is about to achieve a Dominant Victory, what kind of terrifying monster is she?!]

[Her stamina is practically endless! This is clearly a "common sense-breaking Heavenly Horse!"]

At the very front!

Miss Heavenly Horse's delicate face remained unfazed, showing none of the grimaces, strain, or shock expressions of the other Uma Musume.

And within her gem-like, sparkling eyes, there was still confusion and bewilderment.

No, where did the others go?

I'm almost at the finish line myself. Where are Dober and Kyoei March's trump cards? Their auras?

Why aren't they activating?

Gazing at the finish line, so close she could almost touch it, Heavenly Horse Platinum, unable to comprehend what was happening, just before crossing the line...

She couldn't help but turn her head, looking back at the other Uma Musume racing towards the finish line, her gaze falling on Mejiro Dober far behind.

This moment was vividly captured by the high-speed camera at the finish line, destined to become a classic, world-renowned image!

That is, "Looking Back at the Moon"!!

[Heavenly Horse Platinum crosses the finish line first, by ten lengths!]

[She... Looking Back at the Moon, achieving a Dominant Victory!!]

[Rejoice, for an unprecedented new king has been crowned, becoming a GI champion in the shortest time ever!!]

42. Sorry, I couldn't let you go all out.

Looking Back at the Moon!

A Dominant Victory in a top-tier GI race!