Why was I assigned to be a horse girl?

"I don't know... I'm a draft horse girl, I don't study this. At a five-kilometer pace... what's the point of talking about wind resistance or wind-breaking?"

"She's so fast, can she really keep up with the endurance? How are her trainers managing her?"

"They don't have a trainer, do they?"

"Uh, she's already been overtaken! Can we just wait until she's exhausted?"

"I have no idea……"

Although most of the horse girls present were not very clear about the differences in the running style of the horse girls, falling so far behind at the beginning and then chasing after them from last place was undoubtedly a severe test of endurance and strength.

If she can win even this... then Hitoko's strength is truly terrifying. Not to mention the one or two hundred spectators in the arena will become her loyal fans...

Many female racehorses on the track may also be won over by Hitoko's strength.

Now, Hitoko Amber, who was once in last place and was not favored by everyone, is continuing to exert her strength to chase and surpass the racehorses ahead.

And gradually closing in on Kinkaku-ji, which was in first place and had gained a huge advantage.

Like a flame, there's a horse racer named Kinkakuji...

A possibility arose in the minds of all the audience members present, and even the commentator.

Is it really going to happen again that the burning of Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) takes place once more?

"Such immense power...such incredible speed."

"As you can see, the marks left behind Hitokohaku, the spike marks, were not covered by the tire tracks from the prying... This means that Hitokohaku's stride is stronger than other racehorse girls!"

"When she passed the 1000-meter marker, Hitoko Amber's ranking had even moved up to fourth!"

"Judging from the amount of sweat on Hitsu Amber's forehead and the frequency of her breathing... she seems to have quite a lot of energy left to continue this way."

The commentator's voice was loud and clear, each word pronounced with great emphasis, as if to match the powerful strides of the Hibiki Amber.

In the audience, Kotobuki Toru crossed his arms and smiled, “Aiming high will get you somewhere in the middle, aiming for the middle will get you somewhere in the lower end, aiming for the lower end will get you nothing… In training, you’re always just a little short, and in the competition, you’ll be miles apart. But if you’re just a little bit better… you’ll be grateful for all the effort you put in before.”

"I've done everything I can... but I didn't expect Kinkakuji to have such a hidden trump card... Whether we can win or not depends on you, Kohaku. Good luck."

After Kotobuki offered his blessing to Hitoko, he glanced around at the audience in the stands, wanting to see how they would react to Hitoko's performance.

The audience was also very enthusiastic, especially after seeing Hitotsu Amber fall down and then accelerate forward with unstoppable momentum... some people were so excited that they almost cried.

Kotobuki Toru could understand these feelings, after all, horse racing is such a thrilling sport.

But suddenly, a jet-black Western-style parasol appeared in Kotobuki Toru's line of sight.

The edging is gorgeous, and it stands tall and elegant.

The sun wasn't particularly strong today. Without an umbrella, letting the sunlight shine on you could even create a comfortable warmth, making it an excellent time for sunbathing.

Those who can use an umbrella in this kind of weather are either extreme umbrella enthusiasts or nobles who have received aristocratic education since childhood and have elegance ingrained in their bones.

Coincidentally, Kotobuki Toru had indeed seen such noblemen before, and he had also seen that parasol before.

Kotobuki Toru pursed her lips. Just by looking at her back, she could already recall a certain horse girl she knew. And when she saw the brown tail swaying back and forth behind the girl, she was even more certain of her identity as a horse girl...

"That's... Donna? What's she doing here?"

Shouldn't this noblewoman, who is a racehorse enthusiast, be uninterested in a less popular and more down-to-earth competition like the draft horse race?

---

Chapter Fifty-Two: The Battle of the Generals

Just as Kotobuki Toru in the audience was wondering why the noblewoman had arrived at this moment, Hitoko in the arena had already quickly passed the 1200-meter marker.

"What? I'm actually quite strong."

After passing the 1200-meter marker, a surprised and happy smile appeared on Hitotsu Amber's lips.

It has to be said that the feeling of suddenly discovering that you have hidden backup power is just like the surprise of wearing old clothes and inexplicably pulling out a 10,000 yen bill from the pocket.

It is both exciting and allows one to become more relaxed and at ease.

Right in front of her, the leading racehorses were being closely chased and overtaken by her.

At the current speed and in the current situation, if we continue to move forward by towing, the only opponent we will face will be Kinkakuji, which is at the very front!

Kinkakuji, a racehorse girl with a superior draft horse lineage, is not insurmountable.

Moreover, although fatigue surged up at this moment, it was not the kind of pain that comes with physical exhaustion, where your legs feel like lead and your lungs feel like they're on fire.

It was not so much a feeling of joy and anticipation, but rather a sense of excitement and anticipation... the power within this body was yearning to be released.

Could it be that the three goddesses, instead of being assigned to some unpopular track as usual, actually stumbled upon a great opportunity?

If that's really the case, then I'll never wash my feet in the Three Goddesses' fountain again... Um, next time before I wash my feet in the Three Goddesses' fountain to cool them down, I'll wipe the sweat off my feet first.

The more Hitotsu Amber thought about it, the more excited she became. Her steps became more solid and stable, and her golden gaze focused on Kinkakuji ahead.

If we could defeat Kinkakuji...

First, there's the pork chop rice; then, the rent for the apartment; and finally, Kotobuki Toru, who can serve as a trainer. I should be able to get all of that!

The Golden Pavilion, is it? I'll cut it down!

The next moment, an indescribable and powerful aura suddenly erupted from the small, soft, and cute crimson fox that the many horse-drawn carriage girls regarded as petite, soft, and cute.

Even if people still want to call Hitotsu Kohaku the Burning Fox, they can only refer to her as a legendary demon fox like Su Daji or Tamamo Gozen...

"Eek... Oyster Oyster Oyster, wasn't it said that the debut race was only open to race girls who had never participated in a professional race before?"

"After losing to Kinkakuji, I lost to Hisakohaku... I'm so ashamed."

"Is this still a draft horse? What did she do to me? I feel like Hitotsu Amber isn't even aiming for the finish line, but rather to kill me? Is this still a draft horse race where people love farming and hauling goods?"

Don't mistake a draft horse cart for a war chariot and drag it along!

Several tall, strong racehorse girls at the front stared wide-eyed with resentment and fear, only able to watch as Hitotsu Amber mercilessly overtook them and moved forward.

The tire tracks and spiked shoe prints left behind her were so cruel and merciless... as if they had been run over her face.

"Wow, that's fast! I mean, Hibiki Amber's pulling speed is amazing... So, does the red paint job really triple the machine's propulsion? And it doesn't even have horns."

The not-so-large horse racing track was instantly brought to a boil by the enthusiastic cheers of the audience. Farmers, express delivery sorters, and ordinary spectators who had time to watch the race all recognized the power of the Scarlet Amber.

This kid would be really good if he came here to work!

"Hito Kohaku, who had a slow start and almost kissed the ground, has actually caught up and overtaken the racehorse girls in the back, middle and front rows, and has taken second place!"

"Currently, the only one standing in her way is the Golden Pavilion of Power, the Golden Pavilion warrior!"

"The ultimate showdown has begun! A true epic battle! A duel between military commanders!"

At the scene, all the spectators who had watched horse races many times were completely focused on the spectacle.

They were absolutely certain that although this draft horse race was just a debut race, it was the most exciting one in recent months, or even this year, without a doubt.

From Kinkakuji's initial dominance and unstoppable advance to Hitokohaku's sudden rise from its lowest point.

If I can see the outcome of this game, even if I get caught skipping work by my boss, it will be worth the price of admission!

……

"Hmph... How arrogant... This fox has a terrible conscience! No wonder those who brought disaster to the country in ancient times were all cunning and scheming women like her!"

Not only did she silently conceal her true strength just like me, but even when I told her the cruel truth, she still perfectly acted as if she knew nothing and was anxious!

It's important to know that the horse girl's observation and perception abilities are top-notch. In some places, special agents even use "lying without being detected by the horse girl" as a graduation standard.

Fei Tu Hu Po's micro-expressions, tone of voice, and breathing were so subtle that there was not a single flaw. She must be a powerful person with a deep and cunning mind and extremely strong facial muscles!

"But my legs are strong too!"

Although Kinkakuji was also taken aback by Hitsukohaku's schemes and sudden rise to power, she remained defiant...

While reminding himself to never lose face, Kinkakuji had successfully passed the straight section and arrived at the last bend.

Anyone can do a straight line. Just close your eyes, grit your teeth, pull the rope in your hand, and charge forward.

However, when cornering, since the skid car doesn't have a differential like modern vehicles for smooth cornering, the strength and endurance required for the racer girl to drag the skid car through a corner is incomparable to straight-line acceleration.

My goal in this competition is to beat all the other racehorse girls by one car body!

"After this match, I'll talk to the trainer..."

"You can't say that, you'll lose!"

The next moment, Kinkakuji seemed to have witnessed something incredible, and his dark pupils were instantly stained with crimson flames.

In the wide field of vision of the Golden Pavilion, the crimson figure had already arrived beside him.

They came from the outer track!

In ancient times, horse-drawn carriage girls were similar to dump truck drivers. To ensure that they wouldn't accidentally injure other pedestrians while pulling the carriages, their sensitivity to their surroundings was slightly higher than that of racehorse girls...

At that moment, Hitotsu Amber's figure suddenly appeared in her line of sight, which meant that the other racehorse girls were about to change lanes... and overtake her!

Kinkakuji felt his tail begin to tremble in that instant, probably due to a surge of adrenaline caused by nervousness...

The surge of adrenaline even made Kinkakuji feel that the rope in his hands was much lighter.

Therefore, in order to avoid being caught up by Hitoko, Kinkakuji once again increased his strength.

"Kinkakuji and Hitsukohaku, the two racehorse girls, have entered the final corner one after another. Kinkakuji is on the inside lane and Hitsukohaku is on the outside lane."

This time, the commentator was no longer sure which racehorse had a higher chance of winning... She had a huge disadvantage at the start, and her track was occupied, so she could only pull on the outside lane, but she still managed to catch up.

This racehorse girl definitely deserves to win the championship!

----------

Chapter 53 I Won!

In the arena, the racehorse girls who started first and those who started last are engaged in a battle of wits and strength.

The Higanbana Kohaku is coming on strong, and Kinkakuji has the advantage of its location.

The air above the track was filled with a sickening metallic creaking sound, the groans of the shovel trucks as the blades of the shovels succumbed to the strain of the lateral pull on the curves.

Some of the racehorse girls with excellent hearing had already turned their ears away, trying to block out the extremely unpleasant sound.

But people's joys and sorrows are not the same.

Fei Tu Hu Po found the sound of metal clanging together incredibly pleasing, but the chilling, thunderous clang of the metal, along with the drum-like shouts from the audience, made her hair stand on end...

It was a feeling of exhilarating awakening, as if some distant memory was about to surface.

But Fei Tu Hu Po didn't have any distant memories at all. She just remembered the days when she was a sports student... She rarely had anyone to accompany her and rarely had the opportunity to be praised. When she stood on the sports meet, she received everyone's cheers for the first time. Since then, she has fallen in love with sports and running.

Even now, I still really enjoy working up a sweat on the sports field.

I like it more!

Since it's a competition, there has to be a distinction between the best and worst... I want to hear more cheers and receive more recognition.

You also need a certificate to find a trainer, called a talent certificate.

"Therefore, at the Golden Pavilion, as the saying goes, 'One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand...' this match will become my stepping stone!"

With a sudden stomp of her left foot, Fei Tu Hu Po squeezed water out of the grassy mud ground, which was just the right amount of moisture and hardness.

"Huh? You! Strength competitions aren't your arena. Go seduce men instead!"

"Seduce men?" Amber's pretty, slanted eyes narrowed slightly. "You mean seduce your trainer? Sorry, I already have a trainer I like... I don't really like your trainer."

Kinkakuji was taken aback at first, but when she understood what Hitsukohaku meant, she was so angry at Hitsukohaku's arrogant and overbearing remarks that she was furious.

But there was nothing he could do... Kinkakuji seemed unable to think of anything more offensive than what Hitoko had just said.

If I were to swear and get reported, I would definitely be penalized, and maybe that was part of that wicked woman Fei Tu Hu Po's plan!

But Kinkakuji still had her pride, and she wouldn't allow herself to lose to this silver-tongued vixen!

She doesn't even have a trainer!

So Kinkakuji, who was absolutely unwilling to admit defeat, stepped forward with more seriousness than ever before in his life, imagining the ground as Hitokohaku's face!

To everyone's surprise, on the outer track of the bend, there were two female racehorses walking side by side, one on the inside and one on the outside. From a distance, the two looked so aligned that it was as if they were tied to the same pole.

But this also means that... Hitokohaku is more efficient at navigating curves than Kinkakuji!

"The two of them moved forward side by side! Together they entered the final straight line!"