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Chapter 587
Chapter 587
Chapter 587
Conclusion
Mia was the first to enter the final stretch, but Rakuro quickly followed. The gap between them continued to narrow steadily.
‘As expected, Rakuro is quite fast and incredibly tenacious.’
If Mia had been running on her own two legs, she would have given up as soon as she started climbing the slope.
Hu, hu.
It was the sound of Rakuro’s breathing. Feeling its hot breath close behind her caused Mia to groan in frustration.
Mia was in a position where it would be fine even if she lost. That said, the sensation of someone chasing after her was not particularly pleasant.
Furthermore, Rakuro did not stop there. After creating some distance between them, it surged forward as if it had suddenly grown larger, nearly lining up with Mia side by side.
“Damn! Not yet. I won’t lose just yet. Just a little more to go!”
Mia opened her mouth, intending to say something encouraging to Tofu.
“Tofuuu–-hiyaaah!”
At that exact moment, Tofu accelerated! Once again, Mia let out a shriek that sounded like a battle cry to the spectators.
The crowd grew even more excited after witnessing Mia’s spirited scream.
After all, it was perfect timing. It was a crucial moment in the race. Even for the people of the Equestrian Kingdom, who had discerning eyes, and had witnessed many horse races, it was a watershed moment.
After racing a long distance and finally catching up, just as Rakuro was about to overtake, Tofu accelerated. It was an acceleration that could break the opponent’s spirit.
“Princess Mia looks valiant, letting out a war cry at this crucial moment. As expected, she is no ordinary person.”
It wasn’t surprising to the crowd that someone in Gouma’s group muttered something like that.
“Not yet! Rakuro!”
Xiaolei also shouted to rally Rakuro and counter Mia. In response, Rakuro accelerated and chased after Tofu with all its might.
“Absolutely never! I won’t lose!”
Encouraged by Xiaolei’s passionate words, Rakuro surged forward, gradually closing the distance again until its snout edged ahead of Tofu. Not to be outdone, Tofu quickened its pace. It was a close battle of overtaking and being overtaken. Their skills were evenly matched and so was their fighting spirit. In such an intense race, where both sides refused to give an inch, it was often the tiniest factors that ended up deciding the outcome.
Then, a tiny factor that could decide the outcome came into play quietly. It was the wind—a breeze blowing down from the hill. The cold wind, which had been blowing since morning, changed direction to blow directly at Mia and the others.
It seemed like a spiteful wind, trying to strike down the challengers who dared to defy the heavens.
Clashing head-on with that fierce gust of wind was another low wind, climbing up the slope as if it were gliding.
The horse named ‘East Wind,’ also known as ‘Tofu,’ resolutely charged up the hill, undeterred by the headwind.
Like a spring breeze carrying the season, its running was powerful and carefree. It moved weightlessly and lightly, almost as if it had wings on its back like the heavenly Pegasus.
Mia instinctively hid her face from the strong wind hitting her.
“Tofu, I’m counting on you! Charge forward!”
In response to Mia’s instructions, Tofu gave a conspicuously loud neigh and, with the same intensity and vigour, surged across the finish line!
There was a moment of silence, and then the crowd immediately erupted in loud cheers!
When Mia reflexively looked up, Rakuro and Xiaolei were no longer beside her. She turned around in panic and saw Xiaolei and the others coming in late.
“Oh… I lost… right?”
When she saw Xiaolei muttering in an exhausted and dazed state, Mia almost breathed a sigh of relief—until something unexpected occurred at that very moment!
“Ah…”
A strong gust of wind blew, causing Xiaolei’s body to tilt backward.
“What’s happening?”
Just when everything seemed to be over, a tiny crack appeared in her resolve. The cold wind, combined with the two-day journey, had worn Xiaolei down more than she had realised.
“Xiaolei-san!”
Mia hastily reached out her hand, but, naturally, she couldn’t reach Xiaolei…
Blown away by the strong gust of wind, Xiaolei’s body arched backward, and she was about to fall headfirst to the ground… but at that moment!
“I won’t let any misfortune tarnish the victory of my friend, Princess Mia.”
Immediately after that dignified voice, a grey shadow leaped into the air, grabbed Xiaolei by the collar in its mouth, and set her down in a perfect landing. It was a large wolf. Xiaolei fell to the ground and stared at the beast before her with wide, saucer-like eyes.
“Huh… w-w-wolf…?”
Her face turned blue in an instant. The people of the Equestrian Kingdom panicked and tried to rush over to Xiaolei, but…
“Y-You just…saved me now…right?”
Although she was trembling, Xiaolei looked at the wolf and then at the approaching girl, Ka Aima.
“If you, her rival, were to be injured, Princess Mia would not be able to truly enjoy her victory. As her friend, I could not ignore it.”
“That’s right. Umm, Aima-san, is it okay to pet this wolf?”
“Yeah. It won’t bite. I think.”
“Is that so? Huh? You think?”
As Xiaolei jumped up in surprise, Aima laughed brightly.
“Hahaha. I was just joking. It won’t bite unless I give an order.”
“Your joke isn’t much of a joke. It’s not funny.”
Xiaolei sighed deeply, exhausted, and then stroked the wolf’s neck.
“Thank you for saving me, okay.”
In response, the wolf turned its face away as if it had nothing to do with it, and yawned indifferently.
Thus, the horse match-up finally concluded.
What would the East Wind, blown by the Mia Luna Tearmoon, the Wisdom of the Empire, bring to the Equestrian Kingdom?
No one knew the answer yet.