King Liam's POV
As soon as I arrived at the site, my eyes swept over the dense forest. My soldiers were already combing the area, alert and searching.
"Pyro," I called to my dragon, my senses sharper than usual. The air carried a distinct scent—mint laced with something darker, something forbidden. It reeked of forbidden magic and blood—used in a spell to break a barrier. The foul stench of the rebel mages I had slain here still lingered in the air.
I scanned the wild terrain, searching for any residual traces of magic. If needed, the Imperial Mages could examine the area; they had the skill to dissect magical remnants and trace them back to their source.
"Anything?" I asked one of the soldiers.
"Nothing, Sire," came the reply. I sighed.
"Sire, over here," another soldier called. We approached and found a shattered vial on the ground.
