The moment she crossed the finish line, deafening cheers surged from all directions like a tsunami, instantly swallowing Myriad Dreams.
Tens of thousands of spectators rose to their feet to applaud.
Shouts and praises in different languages intertwined, converging into a hymn dedicated to the new Queen.
Myriad Dreams stood where she was, breathing slightly hard, her blue eyes still carrying a hint of trance and unreality.
She looked down at her mud-stained horseshoes, then looked up at the boiling grandstands and the blue sky.
'I... I really did it? At the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe... I won?'
A wave of immense joy and relief washed over her heart belatedly, making her eyes sting slightly.
This wasn't a dream. The solid earth beneath her feet and the thunderous roar of the crowd told her that this was reality!
She, Myriad Dreams, had won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe!
Just then, a brown figure broke through the staff's blockade with amazing speed.
Like a gust of wind, she rushed in front of her and, without a word, threw her arms open to pull her into a tight, crushing embrace!
It was Yaeno Muteki!
"Dreams! Dreams! You did it! You really did it!"
Yaeno Muteki's voice carried an uncontrollable excitement and a tremble.
She held Myriad Dreams tightly, as if trying to pull her into her own body.
That cool facade she usually maintained was completely gone, replaced only by pure pride and ecstasy.
"Japan's number one! No! The world's number one! You are the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champion!!"
Feeling the warmth of Muteki's embrace and that undisguised excitement, the last bit of unreality in Myriad Dreams' heart finally dissipated.
She hugged Muteki back, burying her face in her shoulder.
Her voice was breathy and a bit choked up, yet filled with satisfaction and joy:
"Yeah... Muteki... we... we really did it..."
In this moment, all the hardships, pressures, and hesitations transformed into the sweetest fruit amidst the embrace of her best friend and the cheers of the world.
Meanwhile, back at home in Japan.
The moment Myriad Dreams crossed the line, Brilliant Radiance and Swift Stride had already leaped off the sofa!
"She won! She won! Dreams won!!"
Tears burst from Brilliant Radiance's eyes as she tightly hugged Swift Stride, who was equally too moved for words.
"Our daughter... is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champion!!" Swift Stride's voice was also choked with emotion.
She patted her partner's back firmly, the immense joy striking the hearts of the two mothers.
After a long while, the two finally calmed down slightly, though the excitement and flush on their faces hadn't faded in the least.
Brilliant Radiance wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and suddenly grabbed Swift Stride's hand, her tone determined and urgent:
"Quick! Swift! We're buying tickets right now! Buy the fastest flight to Paris! No, wait— Dreams and the others will definitely return to Japan first to receive their honors!"
"Buy tickets to Tokyo! We must see our daughter immediately, celebrate for her in person, and give her a big hug!!"
"Right! Right! Booking them now!" Swift Stride nodded repeatedly, her face overflowing with a look of immense pride and happiness.
"This is a monumental occasion! We have to celebrate properly! We want everyone to know just how amazing our daughter is!"
The two mothers immediately sprang into action, excitedly discussing the itinerary and how to prepare the celebration ceremony for their daughter.
The house was filled with laughter and joy, all the previous worries and tension had long been washed away by a flood of pride.
And in the center of the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, accompanied by Yaeno Muteki, Myriad Dreams walked slowly toward the podium that symbolized the highest honor.
The sunlight spilled over her, and her racing silk, though covered in the dust of battle, seemed to shine with the most dazzling brilliance.
Her gaze swept across the cheering crowd, across her teammates and trainer who were moved beyond words, and finally met the eyes of those Gold Family members on the stands, who were as noisy as ever but truly happy for her.
She flashed a smile that was slightly helpless, yet utterly relieved.