Chapter 413: A Move Higher

**Thelma Zane’s POV** There was no denying it—Kafka was a master of cunning and a formidable wizard. I knew I could track his movements through the magic fluctuations he left behind, but it was clear he would have accounted for such an obvious vulnerability. This battle had become a strange game of cat and mouse, with me searching and him hiding, creating a delicate balance between us. But time was not on my side. As we remained locked in this frustrating stalemate, I suddenly heard the shouts of my companions in the distance. Their voices brought a surge of hope. Eve and the others had arrived. “Your Highness, what’s happening? Are we too late?” Eve called out, concern evident in her tone. “You’re just in time!” I called back, my mind already working on a new plan. The area around the north gate was vast, with jagged cliffs, rocky outcroppings, and dense vegetation. It was the perfect terrain for Kafka’s evasive tactics, but I couldn’t afford to waste time playing hi