Chapter 178: Valiant Princesses   Chapter 178: Valiant Princesses                              Not a single trace of surprise or humility was visible on his face.


    “In the end, skill speaks for itself,” he remarked, voice even and unwavering.


    “I am the best at what I do.”               His words, though simple, carried the weight of arrogance.


    Prince Ankhbayar, standing behind him, clenched his jaw but did not argue.


    He hade close, but not close enough.


    “Dixan may have won, but this wasn’t andslide.”               “Prince Ankhbayar’s form was elegant, maybe even more so than Ji-ho’s.”               “That’s a bold im, but I see your point.


    He didn’t just shoot well, he looked like he belonged there.”               Others, particrly supporters of Dixan, tried to downy the narrow margin.


    “In the end, winning is what matters.


    Ji-ho didn’t struggle, he just won efficiently.”               “Maybe, but it looked like he had to actually try this time.”               The contrast between the two princes became a hot topic.


    Ji-ho had undeniable precision, but Ankhbayar carried himself with an elegance that made his near victory feel like a statement.


    The air was thick with anticipation as Prince Obinna of Lionara and Prince Ji-ho of Dixan stepped onto the archery field for the final round.


    Dixan had already proven themselves as the dominant force in archery, and Ji-ho was their undisputed champion.


    Still, Lionara refused to back down.


    As the match began, Obinna put up a strong fight.


    His form was solid, his focus unwavering, and his arrows flew true.


    But Ji-ho was on another level.


    Arrow after arrow, the difference in skill became ringly obvious.


    Ji-ho’s shots were effortless, precise, and deadly urate.


    His arrows struck the bullseye with unerring consistency, while Obinna’s, though impressive,nded just outside the center more often than not.


    Which surprised him.


    He wondered if he was nervous aboutpeting with Ji-ho making him to barelynd his arrows at the center like he did before.


    By the time the final arrow was released, the gap was undeniable.


    Ji-ho had won by andslide.


    “Expected.


    Dixan trains their royals in archery from childhood.


    There was never any realpetition.”               “Ji-ho doesn’t just win, he dominates.


    That’s why he’s the best.”               “Lionara tried, but their strength clearly lies elsewhere.”               “Obinna did his best!


    Facing Ji-ho was never going to be easy.”               “He may have lost, but at least he didn’t embarrass us.”               “We should still be proud!


    Ji-ho is inhuman when ites to archery.”               While the rest of Lionara tried to findfort in Obinna’s effort, Nnenna was not satisfied.


    She clenched her fists, her jaw tightening as she watched Ji-ho walk away with his usual calm indifference.


    The match had been one sided, and she hated that.


    “I should have been the one facing him.”               The thought burned in her mind.


    She knew she was better than Obinna in archery.


    She had spent time training in secret, and she was certain she could have closed the gap, if not beaten Ji-ho outright.


    “We didn’t just lose.


    We lost badly.”               She exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.


    Lionara deserved better.


    The crowd buzzed with excitement as the princesses from the five major kingdoms stepped onto the field, each one representing their nation with pride.


    Princess Cha of Dixan was known for her precision andposure, she was expected to be a strong contender, given Dixan’s renowned archery training.


    Princess Anya of Haran was a wildcard in thispetition.


    Haran had mysteriously withdrawn from earlier events, leaving many wondering if they were hiding a secret advantage.


    Princess Abigail of Gigangum.


    Gigangum relied on strength rather than finesse.


    Though not known for archery, Abigail’s raw power made her shots forceful, if not perfectly urate.


    Princess Chimeg of Roxurun.


    Roxurun’s expertisey in horseback riding, but Chimeg was determined to prove they were no amateurs in archery either.


    Princess Ebere of Lionara was representing Lionara, though Nnenna had serious doubts about her sister’s ability to perform at the level required to win.


    As thepetition began, Nnenna sat back, arms crossed, watching the match unfold.


    She understood the king’s desire to give every royal child a chance to shine, but she couldn’t help thinking,               “Shouldn’t we be aiming to win?”               It wasn’t arrogance, it was strategy.


    Winning wasn’t just about personal glory; it was about securing Lionara’s reputation.


    Thispetition was being observed by important royal guests, including potential allies and rivals.


    A weak performance would only lower their standing in the eyes of others.


    Still, she remained silent.


    If the king had already made his decision, it wasn’t her ce to challenge it… yet.


    As the first arrows were loosed, thepetition officially began.


    The arena quieted as Princess Anya of Haran and Princess Abigail of Gigangum stepped forward, bows in hand.


    Abigail, representing Gigangum’s renowned physical strength, stood tall and confident, her presence alone exuding power.


    But her nation’s limited reliance on weapons meant shecked the refined precision that archery required.


    Anya, on the other hand, carried herself with an air of quiet certainty.


    Haran’s absence from earlier events had left many unsure of what to expect, but now it was clear, they had been hiding a formidablepetitor.


    The match proceeded swiftly.


    Arrow after arrow flew, striking targets with increasing intensity.


    Abigail’s shots were strong but inconsistent, while Anya’s were calm, calcted, and precise.


    In the end, Anya emerged victorious, her steady aim securing her win.


    The crowd erupted in mixed reactions, some in awe of Haran’s unexpected strength, others frustrated that Abigail had been defeated.


    Ebere stepped onto the field, gripping her bow tightly.


    She hadn’t forgotten her previous humiliation in the horse ridingpetition against Chimeg, and she was determined not to lose again.


    Before the match began, she turned to her opponent with a small, sharp smile.


    “I hope you’re as skilled with a bow as you are with horses,” she said smoothly.


    “It would be disappointing if this match ended too quickly.”               Chimeg simply offered a calm nod, unfazed by the attempt to rattle her.


    Thepetition started.


    CREATORS’ THOUGHTS     JedidiahBeaufoy    It’s a new month guys!


    Happy New Month ^.^ I hope the previous month treated you well?


    We didn’t make win winst month but we were close.


    I appreciate the overwhelming support from you all ? and I really hope we can do it again this month.


    But this time, we’ll make win win.


    What do you guys say?


    Shall we?