"Impossible. Absolutely impossible."
Theo shook his head slightly, then drew his Longsword and pointed it at Eric.
"It seems there's nothing left to discuss."
Eric sighed and drew his Longsword as well.
Theo was about to swing his Longsword, but in the next moment, a gust of wind brushed his cheek. The blade of his Longsword rang out with a CLANG, and a tremendous force traveled up from the steel, knocking the weapon from his grasp.
Raindrops blurred his vision, but he could clearly feel a slight, stinging sensation on his neck.
It was clear he had already lost. The victor had been decided in a matter of seconds.
"Go on, kill me. I would sooner die—jump from here into the Tess River and drown—than surrender. That is my dignity as a Knight." Theo presented his neck, looking for all the world as if he were ready to die a martyr.
"You'd rather die than yield?"
"Of course!"
"Absolutely no room for negotiation?"
"Of course! No negotiation!"
