The woman didn't answer immediately. In fact, for a brief moment, it seemed she didn't even consider it necessary to answer. Her gaze remained fixed on Kael, motionless, too deep to be easily read, as if she were evaluating not only what he said, but what he was—layer by layer, beyond the surface, beyond the evident energy, searching for something more fundamental. And yet, there was no curiosity there. Only… confirmation.
Around them, the entire hall seemed suspended at that moment. No one moved. No one dared to interfere. Even those who had previously reacted with indignation now remained motionless, trapped between the instinct of submission and the shock at what was being revealed. Because it was no longer just a confrontation between two powers. It had evolved into something far more dangerous: a collision between forces that did not belong on the same level.
