600.Chapter 600
“Vance lost…”
“I can’t believe Vance lost!”
“How is that even possible? That Holy Lady looked so weak…”
That’s what they wanted to say, but the words caught in their throats.
The unbeatable archer they had always admired, Vance, had been defeated by Eliza.
And to make matters worse, he was the one who had initiated the challenge.
In the end, he lost everything. His pride and the match.
Even Theodore looked like he wanted to sink into the ground from embarrassment.
They had completely underestimated Eliza.
They had assumed her title was earned solely because of her beauty, but she turned out to have genuine skills to back it up. “Eliza’s archery is truly beyond anyone’s expectations,” Theodore finally said.
Despite his embarrassment, he had no choice but to step in and smooth things over.
The match had ended so quickly that no one had time to process what had just happened.
Theodore needed to stabilize the situation somehow.
“Your Grace must be tired after such an impressive display. Please, take a seat and rest for a while,” he said.
Eliza gave a slight nod, her expression calm, before turning to return to her original seat.
“I won’t stand for this!”
Vance’s furious voice erupted from behind her.
Eliza turned around, her expression calm and composed. “What exactly are you unhappy about?”
Vance clenched his teeth. “I demand a rematch! Forget foot archery, let’s do mounted archery!”
He had never lost before.
Today, he had planned to challenge none other than Nolan.
But to his utter humiliation, he had been defeated by Eliza.
Even if Eliza was the Holy Lady, this was an insult he couldn’t swallow!
He had to win. He had to restore his pride.
Eliza chuckled lightly. “Mounted archery? Are you sure about that?”
Nolan raised an eyebrow slightly.
Though he hadn’t seen Eliza’s riding skills firsthand, he recalled how she had kept pace with them during grueling journeys, never falling behind.
That was to say, her mounted archery would undoubtedly be just as impressive.
Thinking of this, Nolan smiled. Tonight, it seemed, he’d get to see another side of her.
But he hadn’t anticipated just how daring Eliza could be.
“I’m absolutely sure,” Vance sneered, his tone dripping with defiance. “What’s wrong? Afraid you’ll lose?”
He desperately threw all caution aside and started taunting Eliza.
“I’m not afraid,” Eliza replied, her tone calm but tinged with boredom. “But doing the same thing over and over is just dull. If you really want to settle this, why don’t we change the rules?”
Vance frowned. “What kind of rules?”
Eliza smiled. “Let’s make it simple. No targets. Just shooting at each other. First one off their horse loses.”
Everyone was stunned in surprise.
“No way!”
The first person to object wasn’t Vance but Theodore.
His expression turned grave as he glanced at Eliza, then shifted his focus to Vance. “Enough, Vance. You’ve already lost. Stop this nonsense now.”
Theodore could see clearly that Eliza wasn’t someone to be trifled with.
If this went on, it wouldn’t just be the Malone family’s reputation on the line. Vance’s life could be at stake.
600.Chapter 600
He couldn’t guarantee Vance’s skill in mounted archery would surpass Eliza’s, but the fact that she dared propose such a challenge meant she was confident in her abilities.
This had to stop immediately!
But before Theodore could press further, Eliza didn’t even look at him. Instead, she turned to Vance with a faintly mocking smile. “If you’re too scared, just step down. No shame in admitting defeat
Vance gripped his bow tightly, feeling utterly humiliated by her gaze and words.
Step down?
Step down now?
“Vance!”
Theodore called out again, his tone sharp. “Don’t forget your grandmother’s instructions
He was trying to remind Vance to consider the bigger picture.
But Vance was far beyond listening.
“Uncle Theodore, stop it. I know what I’m doing.”
Vance’s gaze sharpened as he stared at Eliza. “No targets, just us? Fine. But don’t back out when things get serious. Arrows are sharp, and someone’s bound to bleed.”
Eliza let out a cold laugh. “No need for idle chatter. Get the horses ready.”
A flicker of murderous intent flashed in Vance’s eyes.
‘Guess she wants to do things the hard way,’ he thought.
“Alright! Now bring me…”
“Stop right there!”
Before Vance could finish, an aged voice suddenly rang out.
Eliza and the others turned to see Sariyah, supported by a middle–aged man, slowly making her way into the arena.
She approached Vance, raised her hand, and slapped him.
The slap landed with a sharp sound, snapping Vance’s head to the side.
“You insolent brat! How dare you disrespect Your Grace! Get off the stage immediately!” Sariyah said.
Eliza raised an eyebrow and didn’t say anything.
Under Sariyah’s stern gaze, Vance dared not act out. Yet, resentment burned in his eyes as he glared at Eliza before turning
to leave.
“Hold it right there.”
From the sidelines, Nolan’s voice rang out, stopping Vance in his tracks.
The next moment, he placed the freshly brewed coffee in front of Eliza, then rose and strode purposefully toward the center of the field.
Standing beside Eliza, he turned to face Sariyah and Vance.
“First, Vance provoked me. Then, he dared to challenge the Holy Lady. Lady Sariyah, do you really think a slap is enough to end this?” Nolan said.
“Your Highness, Vance was immature. I am willing to apologize here and now on his behalf, both to you and Her Grace…” “Not enough.” Before Sariyah could finish, Nolan cut her off without hesitation.
“What do you want, then?” Sariyah asked.
Nolan cast a cold glance at Vance and replied, “It’s simple. Let him duel me.”
Sariyah was shocked. “Your Highness, if you insist on this, aren’t you worried people will say you’re bullying someone younger?”
“Whatever. It changes nothing. This duel won’t end so easily.”
Nolan’s tone was resolute. Taking the blade that had been thrown earlier by a Black Flag soldier, Nolan held it in his hand and said, “Of course, you could always find someone to take his place.”
Sariyah’s cloudy eyes flickered slightly.
Nolan pointed the blade toward the middle–aged man standing behind her. “For instance, him. But if you choose to switch, the stakes will change.”
Sariyah’s expression remained unreadable. “Your Highness, what do you mean?”
Nolan narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “If Vance steps up, I’ll just keep one of his hands. But if it’s this man beside you, then I’ll probably take his life.”
The moment those words fell, the faces of the Malone family turned ashen. Especially Sariyah, whose expression darkened to an unprecedented degree.
