Leaving the ruins behind, Luca and Seraphina continued along the uneven trail that curved gently around the southern hills, the distant village now partially hidden behind rising terrain. The morning sun climbed steadily higher, its warmth gradually replacing the cool freshness of dawn, while the soft rustling of wind through tall grass accompanied their steady pace.
For a time, neither of them spoke.
The silence was not uncomfortable, but thoughtful, each quietly analyzing the absence of evidence they had encountered thus far.
"The ruins showed no trace of recent activity," Luca said after a while, his tone calm as his gaze followed the faint trail ahead. "Not even residual mana disturbances that might suggest concealed movement."
Seraphina nodded slightly as she walked beside him, her steps light yet purposeful.
"Even hidden sites tend to leave subtle irregularities," she replied. "Disturbances in natural flow are difficult to completely erase."
