Uma Musume Girl, I'll tell you about my Santa Hat special move too?

The runners, leaning forward and speeding across the grass track, smiled.

Stardust Illusion's footsteps tread on the grassy path at the bend. Her sudden lightness of movement meant that the bend did not hinder her at all. Instead, she stayed close to the inner edge of the path and moved faster and faster, with no unnecessary movements.

That figure riding the wind has become a complete artist controlling the curves.

This completely shattered the hopes of the other runners who had a sliver of expectation to close the gap on the curves.

[Golden Skill: Arc Artist, activated!]

The cornering sections that used to be his biggest challenge are now a piece of cake for Stardust Illusion...

No, it's not just about walking on flat ground.

That figure, sweeping past like a whirlwind, will utterly tear everything apart.

Sprint, then leap.

The gap had been narrowed to less than five horse lengths... Although very slowly, the professional commentators in the studio could see that the gap had widened again.

That's right. By training every day and enduring pain that ordinary racehorse girls can't even imagine, Stardust Illusion has completely overcome its original weakness and even turned it into an advantage!

Faced with this situation, what would you do?

The stardust illusion racing on the track stirred my heart, filled with joy at this moment.

However, she was not happy about having such an advantage.

It could even be said that quite the opposite is true; the more Stardust Illusion ran here, the more it looked forward to how its next opponents would make their moves.

Can they erase this advantage? Is there anyone who can catch up with them?

This is not because she was throwing the game or not taking it seriously, nor is it because Stardust Illusion didn't want to win the Satsuki Prize.

She was giving it her all and hoping someone could keep up with her pace.

Ibuki Kagura, Sky Shrine, Narita Shirahito, East Merchant Reform... and the Emperor of the East Sea.

Stardust Illusion closed its eyes slightly, letting the strong wind blow against its face.

(If... there's anyone who can truly meet my expectations, it's probably you, right?)

Footsteps, the sound of wind breaking, panting...

When you close your eyes, your hearing becomes even more amplified.

The countless sounds from the racecourse flooded Stardust Illusion's mind, and after filtering out the noise, she seemed to be able to construct the phantom of that runner in her mind.

Her petite figure, her crisp movements, her dance-like steps, and most importantly... that burning, unquenchable imperial fighting spirit, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

(Emperor of the East Sea, you'll surely catch up, won't you!)

--------------

"Charge! Charge! Stardust Illusion, charge!!!"

In the stands, the little girl, who was so excited she forgot herself, listened to the people around her discussing Stardust Illusion's performance on the bend.

She was so excited she wanted to jump off the railing and run around like crazy, her tail swishing wildly behind her and her ears twitching incessantly.

To be honest, Good Opera is not yet at the age where she can really learn about running, so she can't fully see the intricacies of the competition among these runners.

Just watching the game and cheering for her as she raced around as usual, I could hear the chatter of the others around me.

The bend presents an opportunity to surpass Stardust Illusion; who will succeed?

The most likely candidates are either the Eastern Merchants' Revolution or the Eastern Sea Emperor, or the Sky Divine Palace; they are both very adept at taking shortcuts...

The adults around were all saying the same thing, though it was unclear whether it stemmed from anticipation of a change in the competition or simply from disbelief that Stardust Illusion's advantage could be maintained.

However, good opera does not like this kind of questioning.

Why can't we simply believe that Stardust Illusion can achieve a complete victory?

That's the woman everyone calls the Overlord!

With her mother right beside her, Good Opera didn't dare to be impolite and argue with others. She could only pout and sulk, wondering what Stardust Illusion would do next.

However, Stardust Illusion then widened the gap again with a perfect cornering technique that surprised everyone.

Although good opera cannot know what the stardust illusions racing on the track are thinking.

But if she were the one driving the Mercedes right now, there would only be one thought...

No rudeness allowed in front of a tyrant!

With irrefutable facts, all doubts are rendered ineffective.

The sheer aura displayed by the Stardust Illusion at this moment, that domineering confidence of "Since you dare to question me, then I will widen the gap even further"—

It has already completely conquered the world of fine opera!

"I too will become a tyrant like Stardust Illusion! So let's do our best!!!"

The girl raised her hand and shouted desperately at the figure that moved like lightning in the middle of the track.

She knew the other person definitely couldn't hear her, but that didn't matter.

Because it wasn't just what she said to the stardust illusion, but also a decision she made in her own heart.

Although the competition is far from over, the best opera has already made its own judgment in its mind.

It is not based on logic or knowledge, and it makes no sense at all.

But Good Opera remains convinced of her current thought, which is the strange resonance she feels with the stardust illusion.

It felt as if I were attached to her and running alongside her.

Good Opera tightly gripped the clothes on her chest with her right hand, feeling the inexplicable throbbing emanating from there.

That was the confidence of a tyrant, a sense of certainty that victory was assured!

That's right, the winner of this match can't be anyone else.

Without a doubt, the only person who can win the Satsuki Prize is one with their own goal—

The illusion of Tyrant Stardust is just one person!

-----------

Chapter 223 The Great Beech Tree That Swallowed the Runners

[All the racehorses have entered the second turn, and Stardust Illusion remains in the lead, having already entered Zhongshan's iconic steep downhill section!]

[The curves already require more skill, and with the added downhill section, this driver must be extremely careful with his running style, otherwise...]

The announcer's voice continued to echo across the Zhongshan Racecourse, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the figure that had once again widened the distance between herself and the others.

Indeed, under these circumstances, runners at full speed are quite prone to accidents, especially since Stardust Mirage employed an escape run and accelerated on the curves.

Almost all runners who have accidents while going downhill do so because they lose control of their speed, ultimately leading to tragedy.

The commentator sitting next to the host didn't want to talk about this topic, since bringing up injuries at this time was like jinxing the situation.

I'm afraid many viewers are already criticizing themselves now, right?

You have to understand that in the Zhongshan Racecourse, the topic of injured racehorse girls is extremely sensitive. Not to mention that Stardust Illusion itself also fled...

The commentator thought to himself helplessly.

But the host sitting next to him was already caught up in the excitement, so it was inevitable that he would make some linguistic mistakes like this.

As someone with professional expertise, he could only try to smooth things over as he did.

In short, regardless of the circumstances, the fact that the person was injured has undoubtedly been conveyed to all the spectators present.

People who were already so excited they were almost oblivious to their surroundings suddenly realized what was going on:

Yup!

What if something goes wrong with the Stardust Illusion in this situation?!

As if by divine intervention, the spectators who had gathered to support her because of their love for escape all began to recall another runner—

Silent Suzuka.

This escaped horse girl, known as the "Otherworldly Runner," was once like that too.

She led the race alone, speeding across the track where the Heavenly Kings were enjoying the autumn scenery.

The runner's running form, which exceeded everyone's expectations, still seems vivid in my mind...

Then, she disappeared into the back of the large beech tree.

Then, it was swallowed up by that big beech tree.

The now-silent Suzuka has probably been sent to the United States for leg treatment, right?

However, this tragedy is undoubtedly unforgettable for everyone.

However, at this very moment, at the same Zhongshan Racecourse, it could even be said to be a replica of that Tianwang Appreciation of Autumn.

The stardust illusion transformed into a raging storm with the same resolute force, and neither curves nor downhill slopes could stop the runner's escape.

Her figure was so graceful, leaving everyone behind. The ever-widening distance indicated that the speed of the Stardust Illusion was constantly increasing, just like—!

Just like... the silent Suzuka that day.

The great beech tree that had once swallowed up the silent Suzuka was now right before her eyes.

Between the second and third bends, there is a 400-meter downhill section.

On such a long downhill stretch, even maintaining a steady pace, every step is a huge burden for these racehorse girls.

Not only did they have to bear the impact with their knees, but they also had to constantly control their speed so that the downhill rhythm wouldn't be disrupted, and they could only watch helplessly as the Stardust Illusion rushed forward alone.

Everyone in the stadium held their breath, their eyes fixed on the girl riding the wind in the center of the track.