"Enough. I offered you a peaceful return. If you refuse to come willingly, I will take you by force."
Ulrich watched Valdris facing the sisters.
He moved immediately.
The four remaining Valmorian knights reacted before he could take more than two steps. They rushed him from different sides, their serum-enhanced bodies crossing the trampled grass with terrifying speed.
Ulrich raised his sword.
The first black blade struck his crimson reinforcement spell.
Red light shattered.
The second knight attacked from the right. Ulrich turned his sword and redirected the strike, but the third soldier came in immediately after. His blade struck Ulrich's guard and drove him backward.
The fourth knight aimed for Ulrich's wounded side.
Ulrich jumped away.
Pain tore through his ribs as he landed badly near the stream. His boots slipped in the wet grass. He caught himself before falling, but blood rose in his throat.
He spat it onto the ground.
The world swayed for a moment.
