The nature Mage nodded weakly, wincing as the movement sent fresh waves of pain through his battered body.
"That's right," he confirmed, his voice barely above a whisper. "They've been terrorizing our town and the surrounding areas for quite some time now. It's what led to our... hasty decision."
His eyes, filled with genuine remorse, flicked between Gladius and Arianna. "Please, forgive us. We never meant to harm innocent travelers."
The genuine regret in their voices and the desperation in their eyes were palpable. Gladius and Arianna, their senses attuned through Soothe Into World, could detect no deception in their auras. The fear and regret rolling off the defeated Mages was as real as the forest around them.
Gladius crossed his arms, his posture relaxing slightly as curiosity replaced some of the cold anger in his expression. He shared a quick, meaningful glance with Arianna before addressing the Mages again.
