I mean, it kinda makes sense there would be rumors that the old decrepit guy that has the rule over the whole galaxy with an iron grip might be seeking to prolong his dictatorship indefinitely.
Ah, yes, just like every other real world dictator, everybody feared that the individual would soon discover the secret to immortality.
I joke, of course.
And yes, the cut is too quick. I see two options right now: figure out a way to completely remove Rey grabbing the book, or remove Merry’s line that is off in the background. Because the way it is worded implies to me at least that he is taking about the galaxy at large, not just the Resistance.