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

Its crimson pupils were completely soaked with the blue wind and raging flames. These two forces had utterly extinguished its reason, giving rise to the eyes that truly belonged to a monster.

The reflection in Stardust Illusion's eyes wasn't just of herself running ahead of her, but also of a runner who didn't exist in this race—

Alice realized the origin of the phantom that was now appearing in front of her.

That was a mirror image projected from the mind of Stardust Illusion, perfectly in sync with her at this moment!

(Clear Mind...a heart as clear as a mirror and as still as water.)

The emotionless declaration of Stardust Illusion resonated in the hearts of the runners.

Before they could even think about why everyone was of one mind at this moment, they were all drawn to the phoenix's cry that resounded in their ears!

She wants to be reassigned again?!

But how could that be!

Stardust Illusion's mental state was absolutely insufficient to support her in reflecting new runners into the Heart of Mirror.

But why do I feel a chill run down my spine, as if being surpassed is about to happen?!

(The Empress...)

The unconscious monster still murmured in its heart, containing anger stemming from Suko's earlier denial of the East Sea Emperor:

Stardust Illusion's eyes were bloodshot as it stared intently at the scenery ahead and stomped its feet heavily.

The images that flashed through my mind were of Satsuki Sho running back and forth during the Japanese derby.

She was a proud young girl who was more radiant than anyone else and never gave up on any possibility of victory.

That is the indomitable phoenix of hell, who can still awaken its fighting spirit even after two defeats!

That was the true nemesis that Stardust Illusion recognized, its own sworn enemy!

"The Empress... isn't as simple as you think..."

"Fragile!!!"

He gritted his teeth and then roared.

In the final 200 meters of the final game, the phantom that was in sync with the stardust illusion suddenly changed its movement.

The already flawless Ultimate Emperor Dance was further sublimated before the eyes of Sugo and Stardust Illusion, transforming into the final form that the East Sea Emperor had performed.

Only one person will win—

[My inherent skill is definitely... I've mastered it!]

Consciousness went dark in that instant, but instinct still drove hands and feet to run toward the finish line.

This is both Stardust Illusion's answer to Alice's question and her final, desperate act of risking everything.

I see--!

Since the Ultimate Emperor Dance isn't enough to catch me before the finish line, shall we add another weight?

Only then did Alice realize that Stardust Illusion had chosen its final tactic under the influence of instinct.

At this moment, both she and Stardust had reached their physical and mental limits. It could be said that even the slightest difference would result in a huge gap in the final 200 meters.

And what Stardust Illusion is now unleashing by exhausting all its energy is what she believes to be the last straw that broke the camel's back.

It is the final weapon that, when combined with the Ultimate Emperor Dance, can catch up with oneself!

But first of all... you have to make sure you don't completely collapse before the finish line.

In this match, Stardust Illusion activated her domain twice, and then continued to perform exceptionally well until now. Even the last running technique she used almost made her collapse.

Judging from his unsteady steps, it's no surprise that Stardust Illusion is still in a state where it wouldn't be surprising if he fainted at any moment.

How many more seconds can you hold on?

3 seconds? Or 5 seconds?

The hill of death will eventually be traversed.

All that remained for Alice and Stardust Illusion was this final, less than 200-meter straight track.

The final showdown is between these two; who will ultimately cross the finish line?

--no.

"Don't even think about walking alone...!"

Like whispers echoing through hell, the third person who attacked from behind did not give up at all!

The runner, covered in mud, was struggling to breathe, his chest and abdomen heaving like bellows.

When it comes to the agony of being on the verge of collapse, Manchester City's tea house is no less than anyone else's.

But she also harbored a desire for victory and a year-long suppressed thirst for revenge, which is why she has come this far.

"The...Final...Battle!!!"

The idea of ​​leaving myself behind and fighting the stardust illusion alone...

Although she hadn't fully grasped the true meaning of this relationship, she was absolutely certain that she would never allow such a situation to happen before her eyes!

Absolutely, even if it means pushing beyond limits, even if it means running until you're shattered to pieces—

They outran the two of them!

It was the final battle between the three of them again, and everything seemed to have returned to the scene when they rushed into the final straight line.

But at this moment, each of them had completely exhausted their bodies, and even a miracle could not change this painful fact.

When it comes to running posture, the three runners are arguably the most ugly of all, completely lacking the elegance expected of top runners.

Staggering, swaying, and about to collapse.

However, for them, it was all an illusion.

The fiery phoenix shone with its last remaining flames, and the pitch-black hole gradually dissipated. The last [Shyuko] fell from Alice's body.

The reasons for rising up, the grief and indignation in my heart, the high morale, the arrival of a miracle... all of these have become completely meaningless at this moment.

Stardust Illusion is now in extremely poor condition. It's not just its movements; the light in its eyes is still empty and lifeless, and its eyelids are drooping precariously.

And this was also fully noticed by Alice:

(To be able to create even a sliver of a chance of winning under these circumstances is still a miracle—are you going to surpass even that miracle?!)

"I will... surpass... and show... you..."

The monster in the arena opened its mouth wide, revealing its fangs, and squeezed out words from its throat, which was so dry it was almost smoking.

However, before she could finish speaking, she had completely lost her voice, and could only silently recite the second half of the sentence in her heart:

(I want to push my limits...)

(A miracle that transcends... grasps the possibility...!!!)

We must win!

We must win!

Even the power of an emperor has descended upon me, so what reason is there to lose?

Now, what Stardust Illusion should do is sweep away all the obstacles in front of her and use her last strength to seize that brilliance called victory!

From the very beginning of the race, the illusory images of each runner reflected in the mirror-like heart of Stardust Illusion appeared one by one beside her.

Little Chestnut Hat, Big Tree Express, Divine Eagle, Emperor of the East Sea...

The ground rumbled as the runners raced forward!

The star hanging high in the sky, named Right Pivot Alpha, gradually began to tremble.

Then, a crack appeared on it!

[150m remaining!]

Manchester City's tea house also anticipated the current situation of the match.

At this moment, she was also in a difficult state to maintain, and she couldn't even hear the voice of her "friend" clearly, which was a desperate situation for the teahouse.

but……

Even if she's so exhausted she staggers forward, even if she has to use her own hands, she'll absolutely crawl to the finish line—

Even so, if you're determined to leave me behind, then bring it on!

At the same time, the dark aura emanating from the girl spread out again towards the two people ahead as she raced forward—

The scene was devastated and scarred... but no concessions would be allowed!

Staring in disbelief, the Manchester tea house threw itself wholeheartedly into this final, demonic assault!

[Remaining... 130m!]

"Hahaha……"

On the track, Alice could feel the Stardust Illusion closing in on her back, its heavy breathing clearly audible even to herself.

How far is it exactly?

Two horse-lengths? One horse-length?

Or... will I see her rush into my field of vision soon?

The phoenix, soaring through the sky, appears and disappears, symbolizing the final fighting spirit of the stardust illusion.

It's not for the glory of victory, nor for the unwavering pursuit of invincibility...

Alice could understand that Stardust Illusion had completely abandoned everything about her, leaving only her final self as a racehorse girl.

His running style was loose, and his footsteps were weak, yet Stardust Illusion did not fall, continuing to gradually erase the gap between him and her—

(Stardust illusion, is this what you meant by...)

[The last 100m!!!]

That's right!

This is the miracle that Hayako once told me about, the miracle contained within Uma Musume!!