Ethan's expression darkened at Nora's account. He turned to her, his voice calm but firm. "Don't worry. Once we've handled things in Beastfall City, we'll head to Clearspring City together."
Nora blinked, clearly surprised by his decisiveness. "Okay," she murmured, nodding slowly.
Clara, walking behind them, shifted her gaze between the two, then lowered her head in silence. Something stirred in her eyes—uncertainty, perhaps.
"What exactly needs handling in Beastfall City?" came Uncle Jed's voice from the rear. His spear cut through the air as he held back a fresh wave of Pincer-tailed Sand Badgers. Despite the intensity of their retreat, he still found time to talk. "What are we sorting out?"
"We're taking it," Ethan replied flatly.
"Oh!" Uncle Jed let out a short grunt, either having misheard or not fully processing the weight of the words. But the women—Nora and Clara—exchanged wide-eyed glances, both stunned into momentary silence.
