The figure Anthony spotted was undoubtedly Symboli Rudolf and the others.
As Dream Weaver's supporters, every member of their entire team had come to the venue this time.
Unlike the previous two races, the mindsets of those in the support team had shifted considerably.
During the Satsuki Sho, they were generally filled with a complex mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.
On one hand, from crafting Dream Weaver's daily training plans, they knew exactly how strong she was.
But that was, after all, their first time stepping onto such a stage. Even knowing victory was highly likely, a sense of trepidation was unavoidable.
The Japanese Derby period was dominated more by tension.
After all, it was a joint suppression by five elite, Triple Crown-level Uma Musume. Even for someone as formidable as Dream Weaver, breaking through that siege to seize the championship was an immense challenge.
What none of them had anticipated, however, was that Mr. C.B. would deliver a stunning surprise to everyone in the Japanese Derby.
When the championship fell into Dream Weaver's embrace, many in the support team were still reeling from the shock of the race.
And this time, for the final leg of the Triple Crown, the final Kikuka Sho, even knowing their opponent was the legendary Shinzan, there was no trace of panic in their hearts.
Only unconditional trust in Dream Weaver.
Over a year of companionship, they had pushed themselves to their limits, and they had watched Dream Weaver charge toward her own limits every single day.
Through these days, they had journeyed together past most of the Triple Crown road.
At this final moment, they would harbor no more hesitation.
Even if they, sitting in the spectator stands, could no longer offer Dream Weaver tangible aid, they would use their voices to add a measure of strength for her.
Holding this belief, they strode directly through the tide of people and arrived at their respective seats.
Mr. C.B. shook her head, declining her companion's offer of support, and slowly found her seat alone.
Several months had passed since the Japanese Derby ended. Her injuries were actually mostly healed, but her teammates still couldn't quite let go of their worry.
"This is the final battle..."
As Mr. C.B. settled into her seat, Symboli Rudolf spoke up from beside her.
Hearing this, a touch of nostalgia involuntarily surfaced in Mr. C.B.'s eyes.
"It feels like the experiences of this past year are more precious than all the years of my life before combined. A story that started with us watching her back, and now ending watching her back..."
'Perhaps we've always been guided by Dream,' she mused internally, 'Just like her name suggests, like a Weaver who twists the loom to our dreams.'
"Then let her continue to guide us to victory. The Triple Crown is absolutely not our endpoint. In the future, we will surely seize the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, that treasure the Europeans hold so dear!"
Symboli Rudolf gazed intently at the track; her eyes never once strayed from the competitor's tunnel.
"Now, let us witness with our own eyes, witness our Star of Victory win this final Kikuka Sho!"
As Symboli Rudolf's words faded, the impassioned cry of announcer Kimura immediately erupted from the commentary box.
"In the past, whenever I saw Uma Musume from Europe, I always felt a sense of inferiority. They were like towering mountains; their mere shadow was enough to crush me."
"But now, such feelings will never rise in my heart again. When I see European Uma Musume facing off against Japanese ones, what surges within me is no longer sorrow, but excitement!"
"The mountain stands before us. Now, I have the courage to climb it! And the Uma Musume who gave me, who gave all of us this courage, will once again face a mountain."
"This mountain might be the tallest in the world, but I believe she can conquer it, she can scale it!"
"Go! Climb this mountain, and let the world hear your story!"
"First in Popularity! Gate Number One! Dream Weaver!"
With his near-shouting cry, the entire Kyoto Racecourse was rocked by a wave of sound.
People from all over the world roared Dream Weaver's name in their respective languages.
Her name was like a link, gathering people who loved Uma Musume from across the globe, gathering them here at the Kyoto Racecourse.
Amidst these cheers that seemed to shake heaven and earth, a figure slowly emerged from the competitor's tunnel. That striking flash of red once again swept across everyone's vision.
"She's here..."
Richard murmured to himself.
"Has the moment finally arrived?!"
Symboli Rudolf clenched her fists.
"Lead us forward with your back once more."
Mr. C.B. smiled, watching the track.
And in the crowd, Shiragawa, who had been hanging her head in silence, suddenly stood up. Cupping her hands around her mouth like a megaphone, she shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Dream! Go for it!!"
Dream Weaver looked up, waved to the entire Kyoto Racecourse, and after inciting another earth-shaking wave of cheers, turned and walked onto the track.
The dirt of the Kyoto Racecourse was slightly damp, likely from a recent rain. The distinctive scent of turf brushed lightly past Dream Weaver's cheeks on the gentle breeze.
Looking at the emerald green grass before her, she silently called up the system panel in her mind.
As she willed it, that semi-transparent blue panel appeared before her eyes once more.
--+--
[Uma Musume Training System — Scenario Panel]
Character: Dream Weaver
-+-
Speed: SS [Supreme Tier] Limit Broken
Stamina: S+ [Crown Tier] → B [Elite Tier] Locked
Power: B [Elite Tier] Locked
Guts: SS [Supreme Tier] Limit Broken
Wit: B [Elite Tier] Locked
-+-
Aptitude: Turf A, Dirt C
Zone: [Cursed Blade]
Skills: Intuition (Purple), Nirvana (Purple), Kindling Flames (Purple), Pilgrimage of Pain (Blue)
[Hidden Skill: Tokyo Swift (Purple)]
--+--
SS-rank Guts and Speed—this was the new realm Dream Weaver had reached, honing herself to the absolute limit in the months following the Japan Derby.
This was a height she had never reached before, and more so, a height she had never seen anyone else reach before.
Whether it was T.M. Opera O, Orfevre, or Narita Brian, when Dream Weaver faced them in competition, none had attained this realm.
That blade named Murasame, the cursed sword, lay sheathed, its edge honed to a chilling, razor-sharp gleam, exuding a fierce and intimidating aura.
It awaited only the start of the race to unleash their carnage-bringing light and secure victory for their master.
Gazing at the panel before her, Dream Weaver took a deep breath, pressing down all her emotions. At this moment, victory was her one and only pursuit.
But just at that instant, that icy mechanical voice actually sounded in Dream Weaver's ear.
[Challenger's Badge, activated.]
As the system's prompt rang out, an extremely formidable power instantly swept across the entire racecourse.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.