Chapter 32: Tenacity, Invincibility, the Strongest

No one could intervene in this situation. The only way out was...

Unless... unless the solution was right here.

Rounding the third turn, the race entered its final stretch. The gap between Tokai Teio and Leo Durban widened with each stride. As the race progressed, Teio surged ahead by six lengths. Though sweat beaded on Teio's forehead, Leo Durban's condition was far more concerning than Teio's fatigue.

"What's happening? Has Leo Durban lost her nerve against Tokai Teio?"

Initially, people assumed Leo Durban was merely faltering slightly. But her performance had plummeted, bearing little resemblance to her earlier Kingslayer-like ferocity. Though Teio had swiftly overtaken her after Leo Durban's initial burst, Leo Durban now seemed like a toothless tiger—defeated and dispirited.

"Don't disappoint me, Hero."

Leo Durban could no longer see Teio ahead. Instead, the sound of other Umamusume closing in from behind grew louder. The chaotic, hurried footsteps behind her sent her thoughts into disarray.

I guess I can't catch up after all.

Umamusume are always filled with regrets, and Leo Durban feared she might fade into obscurity here. She knew that if she lost this race, she would never run again as an Umamusume.

The vision she had painstakingly crafted in her heart had been completely shattered, leaving behind only an empty shell.

What is Onee-san doing now? Leo Durban wondered suddenly.

I'm watching you, her sister's voice echoed in her mind as if she had been struck by lightning. Despite the sea of faces at this championship race, Leo Durban spotted her instantly.

The figure who had haunted her dreams, unchanged by the years, still smiled with the same gentle warmth she remembered.

Onee-san is here! But I—!

Her legs continued to tremble uncontrollably. To run so poorly in such an important race, in front of someone so dear, was utterly humiliating.

A layer of ice began to form around Leo Durban's heart.

With a smile, her sister raised the support sign she had prepared, took a deep breath, and shouted: "Leo Durban! The strongest of her generation!"

Amidst the deafening roar of ten thousand voices chanting "Teio," a single, clear shout rang out with astonishing clarity, silencing the Kyoto Racecourse in an instant.

Leo Durban couldn't hide her shock as she numbly turned toward the stands. The bold calligraphy on the support banner proclaimed "Leo Durban," her title as the strongest racing horse emblazoned before her eyes. The supporter's gaze burned with unwavering conviction. Standing alone, she seemed to defy the collective roar of ten thousand.

There's always someone who believes in you more than you believe in yourself.

A hot tear trickled down Leo Durban's cheek. Her nose stung, and her vision blurred with moisture as she buried her face in her hands and wept openly on the racetrack.

"What's going on? What happened?"

Confusion rippled through the crowd. They assumed Leo Durban had completely broken down. How could one person's voice possibly drown out ten thousand? It was merely a silent conversation between hearts.

In the VIP box, Rudolf glanced sideways at the elder sister, who held the support banner. Sensing Rudolf's gaze, the elder sister looked up and smiled faintly. Rudolf paused for a moment before returning the smile. "It's you," she said warmly. "It's been a while."

The race took an unexpected turn as it plunged into its final stretch. Overwhelmed and disoriented, Leo Durban was swallowed by the pack behind her. Who could fathom the thoughts of a weeping Hero in that moment?

"Can you hear me, Hero?"

In this sealed world, a voice other than her sister's echoed for the first time.

Tokai Teio materialized before her, finding Leo Durban still weeping—a sight perhaps somewhat out of place at this moment. But now that the words had formed, there was no turning back.

"Tell me, what is it you truly yearn for in your heart?"

Leo Durban's sobs continued unabated, her kneeling figure, drenched in tears, evoking a sense of pity.

Yet Tokai Teio knew Leo Durban wouldn't stop here. The Forbidden Gate loomed before them!

The weeping gradually subsided. Leo Durban's eyes were swollen and bloodshot from crying. She had cried her heart out, unleashing years of pent-up emotions. Slowly, she rose and gazed calmly at the Forbidden Gate before her.

She knew Tokai Teio stood on the other side, but the gate prevented her from seeing the other woman's expression.

They had never spoken before. This was their first true exchange.

"What I truly yearn for..."

Was it to defeat Teio and avenge her sister?

No. Leo Durban now knew the answer with absolute clarity.

"I want to be the strongest! The champion!"

Not just to defeat Tokai Teio, but to become the greatest of all time! To claim victory!

"To etch my name into the annals of history! I'm not just another Umamusume from Tokai Teio's era! I am Leo Durban! I am the strongest!"

Thunder cracked across the clear sky, and a wild wind roared in celebration. Rejoice! Witness the birth of a new Umamusume!

The Kingslayer has awakened. Come forth and ignite the rebellion!

As the war horn blared, the Hero emerged from the chaotic fray. The King's challenge rang loud and clear: If none dare defy his authority, then I shall be the one!

Powerful strides propelled her forward like a coiled spring, her gait fierce yet her breath remained calm. The King's radiance could no longer shake her. This time, she refused to cower in his shadow.

"Excellent! How could I dare call myself the strongest and most invincible without defeating the true you?!"

The undefeated Triple Crown means nothing. Victory over you is my true glory!

The Hero charged into the heart of the King's domain, her thunderous hooves tearing across the racetrack. A King rules alone, and none shall slumber soundly beside his throne!

A blue light shimmered, revealing the symbol of royal authority.

Venturing into uncharted territory, surpassing all limits with a second burst of acceleration! Breaking the sound barrier, flying at ultra-low altitude!

Fast!

So fast!

Tokai Teio transformed completely into a streak of light, her radiance blazing in the eyes of the world. Wherever she passed, the sky itself became her canvas, her footprints twinkling like scattered stars.

Give up?

No!

No matter the opponent, a true hero never backs down!

From this moment on, she would unleash her full power! Leo Durban absorbed every glimmer of this dazzling display, her heart burning with fervor.

"I will burn myself until I crush the King!"

Leo Durban's body underwent a transformation, her physical attributes skyrocketing. She adjusted her stance, her powerful legs exploding forward with bullet-like force.

This stance strained her stamina to its limits, but the Forbidden Gate had already been shattered, leaving behind only the purest essence of an Umamusume. Madness was her innate gift, and nothing could stop a racing Umamusume in full stride.

Charge! Charge into the celestial canopy, dancing on the edge of a blade with the King!

"As expected! These two are the strongest!"

Come! Cheer! Witness the birth of a legend!

Crack!

The crisp sound of a bone breaking echoed deafeningly through the air, shattering the dazzling afterimage before their eyes. They saw it—Tokai Teio.

"Hmph... So she couldn't hold on after all."

"Teio!" Kousei and McQueen cried out in alarm. Rudolf's composure shattered. "Quick! Get Dr. Fujino!"

Leo Durban surged past Tokai Teio, who had been leading the race. But she knew beyond any doubt: Teio's bone had fractured. She hadn't misheard.

"How could this happen?! How could Teio break a bone?!"

The shock sent her own steps into disarray.

"Keep running forward, you foolish Hero."

Tokai Teio's gaze met hers, unwavering even in pain, her regal pride unbroken.

Leo Durban's heart churned with conflicting emotions, yet her stride grew steadier. Tokai Teio's gait had become unnatural; she was losing momentum, gradually falling behind the pack. An eerie silence descended over Kyoto Racecourse as the unthinkable unfolded.

Tokai Teio fractured her leg just before the final stretch, as if fate were playing a cruel joke, shattering her Triple Crown dream.

"How could this happen...?"

"Hey! Don't be so cruel!"

"Why now?!"

Even the commentators were stunned; they had already prepared their triumphant victory announcements for Teio.

So that's how it is. Fate's gifts always come with a hidden price tag.

We all must face failure eventually.

"It's okay, Teio. As long as you're safe," McQueen prayed silently.

Narita Brian sighed. "Is it over? What a shame."

No one could have imagined that the Royal Road would end in such a farce.

"Ehehe! Ready or not! The strongest, most invincible Teio is here!"

Huh?!

That voice!

Every head in the Kyoto Racecourse snapped upward in astonishment. The streak of light hadn't completely faded! Tokai Teio was still galloping hard behind the pack!

"Why?! Why is Tokai Teio still running?!" the commentator shouted in disbelief.

The commentator's question echoed through the crowd: how could Tokai Teio, who should have a fractured leg, still be running the race?

"Stop! Teio!" Even the usually composed Rudolf panicked, shouting instinctively despite knowing Teio couldn't hear.

Kousei and McQueen's eyes reflected the same turmoil as Teio, drawing closer, took in everything.

"Actually, I can hear you~"

Before the Kikuka Sho, Dr. Fujino had warned Teio, "If you maintain your pace, you can finish the race without any trouble. But if you push yourself further, your legs are likely to fracture."

Teio understood: Dr. Fujino was telling her not to overexert herself.

Now, her leg was undeniably broken. The pain was excruciating, as if a part of her body had been severed.

"If this trial is my destiny, I won't back down!"

[The Kikuka Sho marks Teio's first long-distance race. Concerns linger about her stamina.]

Why? If the President can win the Tenno Sho, why can't I win the Kikuka Sho?

[Tokai Teio is truly amazing. It's like seeing Symboli Rudolf herself.]

Why? Why do they see "The Emperor" instead of "The Teio"?

[If Teio is aiming for the Triple Crown Route, it must be because of Rudolf, right?]

Why? Why doesn't anyone ask about my dream?

"I have a dream that no one in history has ever dared to pursue: to claim the undefeated Triple Crown! I will usher in a new era for us all!"

Leo Durban felt a powerful will surging from the back of the pack.

Here it comes—that beam of light shooting forward from behind!

"The Emperor Returns"? What utter nonsense! I am Tokai Teio! I run here for myself! These legs will never surrender to so-called destiny!"

The newly crowned King offers her tyranny—

The strongest! The most invincible!

"Where is she? Where's Tokai Teio? From where will she launch her attack?"

Tokai Teio was nowhere to be seen. This was the final stretch, with no place to hide.

Leo Durban's ominous premonition had come true: the Genius was coming from the outermost lane!

Anxiety gave way to an intense longing.

"Come! The sole monarch reflected in my eyes!"

Her legs screamed in agony, her battered body burned.

Her goal: to reach the pinnacle of generations!

Betting everything, she would crush her formidable foe!

"The future is uncertain, but this moment is my very existence!"

An instant could be eternity!

Dreamlike strides carried her across the Milky Way, shimmering light bending the inverted galaxy. Nothing could stand in her way now.

Regrettably, the Genius truly existed.

Drifting beyond the herd, supreme and transcendent.

At this Kikuka Sho, she delivered the Genius's decisive blow.

Her cape billowed wildly as she seized the proof of her supreme strength by a nose.

A mere nose—yet a crushing victory. Unprecedented, unparalleled, and utterly unique.

Standing before you is—

The Teio