After sealing the Rift node, Suella and I raced toward the kingdom. Although the Rift core's energy fluctuations had been temporarily suppressed, the oppressive atmosphere lingered, as if a new disaster could erupt at any moment.
"We need to move quickly," Suella said softly, her steps light yet determined. "Aster has already seized control of most of the kingdom's resources. He'll escalate his plans."
"Ethan is still in the palace," I replied, following closely behind her. "He's our only ally. If he fails, everything we've done will be meaningless."
"Then don't let him fail." Suella glanced back at me with a faint smirk. "What he needs is time."
Meanwhile, in the throne hall of the palace, Ethan stood firm against his father's interrogation. Behind him were several loyal guards, while across the room, Aster stood coldly, flanked by his followers, watching the scene with contempt.
