The hot water slowly trickled down the black stone floor, disappearing into the enchanted grooves of the royal bathroom. Steam still hung in the air as Kael took his last step out of the tub, feeling his body... light.
It wasn't just physical cleansing.
It was as if something had settled within him during the night—the Chaos, the new organ, the connection to Inari—everything was in balance. For the first time since he had woken up, he didn't feel the constant weight of forces fighting each other.
He took a deep breath.
"...Hah," he let out, running his hand through his still damp hair. "This helps more than I expected."
Two witch-maids waited in respectful silence near the door. They were not young apprentices; their auras betrayed centuries of practice, power contained under absolute discipline. Both bowed slightly as he stepped out.
"Lord Kael," one of them said in a calm voice. "If you'll allow us."
