It was already the next day.

The warmth of the fireplace filled the main hall of the Pyrell Household.

Nox was sitting in one of the armchairs alongside Misty, Audrey, Tessa, and Catherine.

Senna had gone out early to buy food for lunch.

The group was discussing what they were going to do in order to attend the Night of Candles event.

"So, we need a plan."

Nox said, crossing his arms.

"The Night of Candles is tonight."

Tessa nodded from the sofa.

"Normally, the Night of Candles is a masquerade."

"A what?"

Audrey asked.

"A party where everyone wears masks."

Tessa explained.

"The important people of the Capital attend dressed in elegant clothes and hide their faces. Nobles, wealthy merchants, Knights, Inquisitors, Saints of the Church... everyone takes part."

Nox’s eyes lit up.

"That sounds way too convenient."

Audrey nodded.

"And way too suspicious."

Nox looked at her.

"You still think it might be a trap?"

"Two Heroes and a Saint saw us."

Audrey replied.

"If I were them, I’d prepare an ambush."

"I would too."

Misty said with a smile.

"But that’s exactly why it’ll be fun."

Nox chuckled.

"Either way, it’s an opportunity we can’t afford to waste."

Tessa nodded.

"If we want to learn more about our enemies, this is the best place to do it."

Misty raised her hand.

"I can help with the disguises."

Everyone looked at her.

"Disguises?"

Nox asked.

"Of course."

The dancer pointed at the demon.

"I already managed to turn a red-skinned, horned demon into a pretty attractive person."

Nox raised an eyebrow.

Misty smiled.

"But I can do everyone’s makeup so nobody recognizes them."

Catherine raised her hand.

"I can help too."

Everyone turned toward her.

"I can talk to Ellen."

"We’re bothering the seamstress again?"

Audrey asked.

"Yes."

Catherine nodded.

"She can make masks, dresses, and new suits. Maybe she can even get us wigs."

Nox fell silent in thought.

"That sounds good."

Then he sighed.

"But I don’t know if we’ll have enough time. The event is tonight."

"Don’t worry."

Catherine smiled.

"You’ve already seen how Ellen works."

Everyone remembered the speed at which that woman could make clothing.

"Besides..."

The cat girl continued.

"She might work even faster with financial compensation."

The room fell silent.

"We don’t have any money."

Nox said.

Misty smiled dangerously.

"We could sell something from Senna’s house."

Audrey nearly dropped her teacup.

"What?"

"We’re not thieves."

"It was just a suggestion."

Misty replied.

Nox thought about it for a few seconds.

’It’s a good idea.’

"Don’t encourage her!"

Audrey exclaimed when she saw the thoughtful look on the demon’s face.

"Alright, alright."

Nox raised his hands.

"We won’t steal from Senna... even though it would be very easy."

Audrey closed her eyes.

"I’m surrounded by criminals."

Tessa started laughing.

"You worry too much."

Everyone looked at her.

"I wouldn’t mind."

"What?"

Audrey asked.

"Stealing from my mother."

Tessa replied.

"When I was little, I did much worse things."

Misty smiled.

"See? Even her own daughter agrees."

"That doesn’t make it better."

"It does for me."

Audrey rubbed her temples.

"This is ridiculous."

"Then let’s call it a donation."

Misty suggested.

"An involuntary donation."

"That’s still theft."

"But it sounds more elegant."

Nox ended up laughing.

He couldn’t believe they were seriously debating whether or not they should steal money from a teammate’s mother.

And the worst part was that the teammate completely agreed with the idea.

"If there are no objections."

Tessa said as she stood up.

"I’ll open the safe."

"You have a safe?"

Catherine asked.

"Of course."

◇◆◇

A while later, several gold coins sat inside a pouch on the table.

Tessa had kept her word.

And surprisingly, nobody seemed to feel guilty.

Except for Nox and Audrey.

"Then I’ll go see Ellen."

Catherine said as she placed the coins into a bag.

"I’m going to get Felix ready."

The cat girl announced.

"Ready for what?"

Audrey asked.

"For the mission."

The smile on Catherine’s face sent a slight chill down Nox’s spine.

Taking advantage of a moment of distraction, he moved closer to Misty.

"Can I ask you a favor?"

"Of course. Anything you want."

"Go with Catherine."

The dancer tilted her head.

Nox lowered his voice.

"I want you to keep an eye on her."

Misty blinked.

"Keep an eye on her?"

"I’m not saying she’ll do anything bad."

Nox replied.

"But I still don’t completely trust her."

Misty smiled.

"Understood."

She winked.

"I’ll handle it."

Meanwhile, Audrey was petting Claws’ head.

"And what am I supposed to do with him?"

Tessa answered.

"The main square is surrounded by buildings. The two of you could stay on the rooftops."

The red-haired woman smiled.

"With your aim and mobility, you’d make excellent cover."

Audrey looked at the enormous bear.

Then she smiled.

"I like that."

◇◆◇

Not long afterward, the front door opened.

Senna returned home carrying a large basket filled with fresh vegetables and packages of frozen meat.

The woman looked tired.

Nox was the first to stand up.

"Let me help you with that."

Senna looked at him in surprise.

"Hm?"

"I’ll carry it."

He said with an unusually kind smile.

Senna narrowed her eyes.

"Thank you very much."

She handed him the basket.

But something in her expression suggested she was suspicious.

Meanwhile, Audrey was sweeping the dining room.

And Tessa was reclining in an armchair, reading a book.

The red-haired woman watched the scene and started laughing.

"You’re both terrible actors."

Nox pretended not to hear her.

Audrey kept sweeping.

Tessa laughed again.

"You can tell from a mile away that you feel guilty."

"Guilty about what?"

Nox asked.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about either."

Audrey added.

Senna looked at both of them.

Then she turned to her daughter.

"What’s going on?"

"Nothing."

Tessa replied as she turned a page.

"My friends are simply very kind."

Senna smiled.

"You should learn from them."

"Yeah, yeah."

Tessa replied.

"Whatever you say."

The woman set her groceries down on a table.

"By the way."

She looked around.

"Where are Catherine and Misty?"

"They went out for a walk."

Nox answered quickly.

"They’ll be back later."

Audrey nodded.

"Don’t worry. We’ll take care of preparing the food."

Both of them smiled.

Senna stared at them for several seconds.

Then she sighed.

"I have a strange feeling."

"Strange?"

"Yes."

She looked at the two of them.

"As if you’re hiding something."

Nox let out a nervous laugh.

"Us? Impossible."

"Completely impossible."

Audrey added.

Senna didn’t seem convinced.

But eventually she shook her head.

"Maybe I’m just tired."

The woman started walking upstairs.

"I’m going to take a bath."

"Excellent idea."

"Yes, get some rest."

Senna glanced back over her shoulder.

She was becoming more suspicious by the second.

Eventually, she disappeared down the hallway.

Tessa slowly lowered her book.

"You’re both awful liars."

◇◆◇

Once Senna was far enough away that she couldn’t hear them, Audrey set the broom aside.

"Nox."

"Yeah?"

"Did you also think it was strange that Catherine asked for money before going to see Ellen?"

He nodded.

"Exactly."

"And that’s why you sent Misty?"

"Yeah."

Audrey crossed her arms.

"I don’t think Misty is the right person to supervise anyone."

Nox smiled.

"Maybe."

"Definitely. Which means you should’ve sent me instead."

Audrey stated.

Then she froze.

"Wait."

She looked up.

Nox was smiling.

"Do you know why I didn’t send you?"

Audrey felt a strange sensation in her chest.

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to spend time with you."

The broom fell to the floor.

Tessa burst out laughing from the armchair.

Audrey turned completely red.

"W-What?"

"That."

Nox shrugged.

"I thought it would be nice."

The hunter was left speechless.

And eventually lowered her head.

"Oh..."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"I see."

Then she picked up the broom again.

"Well... I guess that’s fine, then."

Nox had to make a tremendous effort not to laugh.

Because he had just discovered something important.

Understanding Saints, Heroes, and magical systems was complicated.

But understanding his villainesses...

Maybe he was finally starting to learn how.