Night had fallen over Frosthold.

The main avenue of the noble district glowed beneath hundreds of lanterns.

One lavishly decorated carriage after another arrived before the massive Central Church.

Nobles stepped out wearing elegant gowns, impeccably tailored suits, and masks that concealed their identities.

Nox stood motionless, taking in the scene.

He wore a perfectly fitted black suit paired with a crisp white shirt.

Upon his head rested a black top hat that concealed his demonic horns.

His long hair, carefully styled by Misty, draped over his pointed ears, while a black leather mask covered the upper half of his face.

Walking beside him was Senna.

She wore a refined black long-sleeved gown that accentuated her mature figure, holding a black mask attached to a slender metal handle adorned with delicate crimson details.

A silent tribute to the daughter the world believed was dead.

Beside her walked Tessa.

Her crimson dress resembled living flames. A white mask decorated with delicate feathers concealed much of her face.

A few steps behind came Misty.

Her dark blue dress fit her perfectly thanks to a black corset that highlighted her waist. Her hair was elegantly tied up, revealing a sophisticated black mask that matched the rest of her attire.

Finally, there was Catherine.

The black dress adorned with delicate white details made the former street girl look like an entirely different person. Her fine leather mask bore small scratch-like markings, a detail Ellen had added especially for her.

Nox scanned the crowd.

Jewellery glittered everywhere.

Diamond necklaces.

Gold bracelets.

Rings set with enormous gemstones.

The women seemed to be competing over who wore the most expensive dress, while the men proudly boasted about their families and fortunes.

The demon let out a quiet chuckle.

"This looks more like a competition to see who has the most money to show off... than a farewell for fallen heroes and heroines."

Tessa laughed softly.

"You’re absolutely right. Society works like that here. The only thing that matters is how much you own."

Senna sighed.

"Tessa... you always speak about society the same way."

The red-haired woman merely smiled with quiet irony.

Meanwhile, Catherine’s eyes wandered across all that wealth.

Her hands trembled ever so slightly.

"Do you know what’s the worst part, Misty?"

The dancer turned her head.

"What?"

"All these people live comfortably. They have chefs, servants, enormous houses. They never have to worry about whether there’ll be food tomorrow. Meanwhile..."

The cat girl slowly lowered her gaze.

"I had to beg for a piece of bread just to feed my siblings."

Her eyes gradually hardened.

"The funny thing is... none of them know that a girl from the streets is standing right in front of them. But when they saw me every day..."

"...they looked at me with disgust."

Misty noticed the change in her expression.

She could feel the influence of Catherine’s new Title.

The emotional turmoil it stirred within her was still difficult to control.

The dancer gently placed a hand on her arm.

"You’re right. But try not to see it that way. Your new Title is probably amplifying everything you’re feeling. Breathe. Control those emotions."

Catherine slowly closed her eyes.

She inhaled.

Exhaled.

Then did it once more.

Misty smiled.

"Much better. Just think of this as a costume party. Tonight, you’re a lady from the wealthy district. Nobody knows who you are. Nobody can judge you."

The cat girl opened her eyes again.

This time, she was smiling.

"I think... I understand what you’re getting at."

◇◆◇

The group slowly approached the enormous main entrance.

Two towering white doors stood open while several guards carefully inspected each invitation.

One of them raised a hand.

"Your invitation, please."

Senna stepped forward.

She slightly lifted her mask using its metal handle.

"My name is Senna Pyrell. I’ve come to bid farewell to my daughter. These are relatives accompanying me during this difficult time."

The guard’s eyes widened.

"...The mother of the former Phoenix Inquisitor?"

The woman simply nodded.

The man immediately bowed his head.

"My sincerest apologies. Please, go right in."

Senna lowered her mask once again.

"Thank you."

As they passed through the entrance, Nox couldn’t help but smile.

’She’s lying for our sake. She’s risking herself to protect us. She really decided to trust us.’

◇◆◇

On the rooftop of a building across from the Church...

Audrey carefully adjusted her position beside Claws.

The massive four-armed bear lay quietly next to her, watching the Church below.

The huntress gently stroked his head.

"Thanks for agreeing to watch my back."

Claws let out a low growl, making a gesture that almost resembled a smile.

Audrey smiled back.

"Now it’s our turn to protect the group."

She raised a hand to her forehead.

Her extraordinary eyesight began sweeping across the entire area.

Guards.

Windows.

Rooftops.

Entrances.

Possible escape routes.

Everything was carefully stored away in her mind.

Then she spotted the group.

"There they are..."

She watched Senna present the invitation.

Watched Nox remain perfectly calm beneath his disguise.

Watched Tessa walk with graceful elegance.

Audrey smiled.

"There’s no way this can go wrong."

That was when something caught her attention.

Her eyes focused directly on Catherine.

The cat girl had just accidentally brushed against a finely dressed nobleman.

In less than a second...

...his wallet had vanished from his pocket.

Catherine kept walking as though absolutely nothing had happened, a smile on her face.

Audrey froze completely.

"...I really hope that girl doesn’t do anything else stupid."

After a few seconds, however, she let out a sigh.

"...If Nox chose to trust her... then I suppose I should too."

◇◆◇

The Church’s grand hall was packed with guests.

At its centre stood a large circular enclosure decorated with hundreds of candles that had yet to be lit.

Around it, nobles chatted while holding glasses of wine.

Others sampled elegant hors d’oeuvres prepared by skilled chefs.

Nox picked one up.

He examined it.

Took a bite.

Then frowned.

’This must cost a fortune... and it tastes like absolutely nothing.’

It instantly reminded him of the corporate gatherings hosted by his former adoptive father.

Rich men boasting about how much money they made.

How many companies they owned.

Which luxury car they had just bought.

Always the same empty conversations.

’This world isn’t all that different either.’