Nox sat at the dining table inside the Pyrell Household.

His appearance had changed completely.

The makeup perfectly concealed the reddish tone of his skin, giving him a human appearance. His long dark hair had been arranged into a carefully styled mass of curls by Misty, hiding his demonic horns among the strands.

He wore a white robe that was slightly too large for him, and underneath it, his tail was wrapped around his waist like a belt.

At first glance, no one would suspect he was a demon.

Around him, the rest of the group was also waiting for dinner.

Catherine, Misty, Audrey, and Tessa occupied their respective seats, all freshly bathed and wrapped in similar white robes.

In one corner of the dining room, Claws and Felix had their own plates filled with fresh, elongated fish.

Neither of them seemed interested in eating yet.

The bear was nudging one of the fish with his nose while the small yellow cat tried to catch it with his paws.

They seemed far more entertained by playing than by eating.

Meanwhile, Misty absentmindedly twirled her utensils between her fingers.

She wore a suspicious smile.

The kind of smile someone had after pulling a prank and feeling proud of it.

As for Nox, he sat completely relaxed in his chair.

Or perhaps exhausted.

Probably both.

Catherine watched the two of them for several seconds.

Then she tilted her head.

"Why do you both have those looks on your faces?"

Nox raised an eyebrow.

"What looks?"

"Accomplice faces."

The cat girl pointed first at Misty and then at Nox.

"What were you two doing together in the bathroom?"

Nox nearly choked on air.

"What?"

Catherine blinked.

The demon rested his elbows on the table.

"Were you spying on us or something?"

Misty immediately burst into laughter but didn’t say a single word.

Audrey looked up.

"Is it true that she took a bath with you?"

Misty smiled.

"Maybe."

The huntress puffed out her cheeks slightly.

"She never offered to bathe with me."

Nox opened his mouth.

But Audrey continued.

"And we’ve known each other longer."

Tessa let out a laugh.

"That’s nothing."

Everyone turned toward her.

The red-haired woman smiled in amusement.

"You wouldn’t even let me help wash you when you didn’t have any legs."

Audrey immediately nodded.

"I had my reasons."

That sparked another round of laughter.

Everyone was laughing.

Everyone except Catherine.

The cat girl looked from one person to another, completely confused.

"I don’t understand."

That only made the laughter grow louder.

◇◆◇

A little while later, Senna appeared.

The woman entered the dining room carrying a large tray covered by a gleaming silver lid.

In her other hand, she carried several smaller platters piled high with side dishes.

There were strange vegetables.

Seaweed.

Shrimp.

And many things Nox had never seen before.

Before she even reached the table, Catherine began sniffing the air.

"What is that smell?"

Everyone looked at her.

The cat girl seemed completely mesmerized.

"Does food normally smell this good?"

Senna smiled.

"It’s my special dish."

The woman placed the large tray in the center of the table.

Then she lifted the lid, and a delicious aroma immediately filled the entire room.

Inside was a massive roasted Snow Boar.

Its skin was golden and glistening.

Surrounded by tomatoes, spices, and cooked vegetables.

The smell was incredible.

So incredible that Catherine started drooling.

Literally.

A thin trail of saliva slowly slid down her chin and dripped onto her robe.

The girl didn’t even notice.

Audrey grabbed a napkin and wiped her mouth.

"Careful."

Catherine jolted.

Then her face turned bright red.

"I-I’m sorry!"

The girl lowered her head.

"I’m not used to food smelling this good."

Senna smiled warmly and finally took her seat.

"You may begin."

That was all she needed to say.

◇◆◇

Some time later, the table looked as though it had been attacked by a horde of starving monsters.

There was absolutely nothing left.

The enormous central platter held only a few bones.

All of the side dishes had vanished.

Even the vegetables.

Catherine was leaning against the back of her chair.

Wearing an expression of complete bliss.

"I think..."

The girl sighed.

"...I’m very happy."

Misty burst out laughing.

Audrey smiled as well.

Even Claws looked satisfied.

Felix was asleep on top of his head.

Senna looked around at everyone with obvious satisfaction.

She enjoyed seeing people enjoy her cooking.

Even Tessa.

Though the red-haired woman was making a superhuman effort to appear indifferent.

Nox smiled.

"Your cooking is incredible."

Senna tilted her head.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Nox nodded.

"This is at least three Michelin stars."

The woman blinked.

"I didn’t understand any of that."

"It means you’re an amazing cook."

"Ah."

Senna smiled.

"Thank you very much."

The woman remained thoughtful for a few seconds.

Then she spoke again.

"I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to mention it..."

Tessa immediately tensed up.

"What is it?"

Senna lowered her gaze.

"Tomorrow is Candle Night."

Tessa’s expression changed immediately.

"It took them long enough to give me a farewell ceremony."

The atmosphere became noticeably more awkward.

Nox’s ears twitched.

"Candle Night?"

Catherine raised a hand while awkwardly holding a fork.

"Everyone knows what that is."

"Apparently everyone except me."

"It’s when we honor the heroes and heroines of the Church who died in battle."

Nox blinked.

Senna nodded.

"Exactly."

Then she looked at Tessa.

"I received an invitation."

Everyone fell silent.

"To say goodbye to my daughter."

The woman smiled bitterly.

"Even though she’s sitting right in front of me."

Misty crossed her arms.

"Those religious fanatics still don’t know she’s alive."

Audrey frowned.

"Or maybe they do."

Everyone looked at her.

"It could be a trap."

Silence settled over the room once more.

"Maybe they’re waiting for her to show up so they can make sure she’s killed."

Senna’s eyes widened.

"What?"

The woman looked around at everyone.

"What are you all talking about?"

Nox reacted immediately.

"Don’t worry, ma’am."

He smiled.

"It’s youth slang."

Senna blinked.

"Slang?"

"Yes."

Nox nodded with complete confidence.

"We’re speaking in code."

The woman stared at him for several seconds with obvious suspicion.

"That didn’t sound like speaking in code."

Nox maintained his smile.

"It is."

Misty started laughing.

Audrey had to hide a smile.

Tessa simply covered her face with one hand.

Finally, Senna let out a sigh.

Then she looked back at her daughter.

"If you don’t want me to go, I won’t."

Tessa shrugged.

"Go if you want."

The woman seemed surprised by the answer.

Then Nox spoke.

"Maybe this is our best opportunity."

Everyone turned toward him.

"Opportunity for what?"

Nox rested his elbows on the table.

"To prove that the Church is lying."

This time, Senna pointed directly at him.

"That is definitely not speaking in code."

Tessa sighed.

Then she looked at her mother.

"No."

The red-haired woman leaned back in her chair.

"We’re not speaking in code."

Senna frowned.

And Tessa finished the sentence.

"We’re going to prove that the Church is a lie."