"Tell me... what kind of madness are you planning?"

Nox kept his eyes fixed ahead, as though he were simply admiring the decorations.

A faint smile appeared beneath his leather mask.

"Don’t do anything."

The princess raised an eyebrow.

"That’s it?"

"Trust me."

She let out a quiet laugh.

"You’re asking a princess in chains to trust a demon."

"Exactly."

Dawn took another drink straight from the wine bottle.

"If you weren’t a demon... I’d say you were making fun of me."

"Wait until the lights go out."

"And then?"

"You’ll see."

Both of them continued staring forward, pretending to be complete strangers.

Then, a man in white armor frowned.

He was the knight assigned to hold Dawn’s chains.

He had noticed something unusual.

He walked toward them.

"Is something wrong, Princess?"

Tessa reacted before anyone else.

With an elegant smile, she took a small step forward and slipped her arm through Nox’s.

"Don’t worry."

The guard looked at her.

"Is something the matter?"

"My husband simply wished to pay his respects to Her Majesty."

Nox gave a slight bow.

"He was also asking about Queen Helen."

The knight didn’t seem entirely convinced.

He looked at Dawn, waiting for an answer.

The princess smiled naturally.

"It’s true."

The guard visibly relaxed.

Dawn seized the opportunity.

She gently placed a hand on the knight’s arm.

"Don’t be so suspicious."

Her fingers slowly traced the surface of his armor until they rested on his forearm.

"You’re here."

She offered him a calm smile.

"With someone like you watching over me... I know perfectly well that nothing could possibly happen."

The knight’s eyes widened, and a faint blush spread across his cheeks.

"Y-Your Highness..."

She withdrew her hand as if nothing had happened.

"See?"

"There was never any reason to worry."

The man cleared his throat.

"My apologies."

Then he turned to Nox.

"I hope you enjoy the ceremony, sir."

Nox bowed once more.

"Thank you."

Tessa did exactly the same.

The two of them calmly walked away.

They didn’t let go of each other’s hands until they disappeared into the crowd once again.

Once they were far enough away...

They both smiled.

"That woman is incredibly good."

"The princess?"

"Yeah."

"I didn’t think she’d improvise that quickly."

Tessa chuckled softly.

"Neither did I."

◇◆◇

From the opposite side of the hall...

Dawn watched as the demon vanished into the crowd.

’Mountain Demon... what the hell are you trying to do...?’

The evening had suddenly become entertaining.

And that worried her.

Because she usually only had fun when someone was about to die.

◇◆◇

After enduring countless endless condolences...

Senna finally managed to escape the circle of noble ladies.

"She was such a wonderful young woman..."

"We’ll always remember your daughter..."

"May the Gods bless her soul..."

She answered each of them with a polite smile until she finally found an opening to leave.

She sighed in relief.

"How exhausting..."

It didn’t take her long to spot Nox and Tessa talking near a pillar.

She eyed them suspiciously.

"What are you plotting?"

Tessa answered immediately.

"Nothing."

"Nothing..."

Senna repeated, clearly unconvinced.

"I’ve known you since the day you were born. Every time you say ’nothing,’ it means trouble."

"Not this time."

"Are you sure?"

"Completely."

Senna turned toward Nox.

"Young man. Is that true?"

Nox smiled with the most innocent expression he could manage.

"Don’t worry. We’re just enjoying the ceremony."

The woman narrowed her eyes.

"I don’t believe either of you. But I also don’t want to know. That actually makes me feel better."

Tessa couldn’t help laughing.

◇◆◇

At that very moment...

A powerful voice echoed throughout the enormous cathedral.

"Silence!"

The conversations ceased.

Wine glasses stopped clinking.

Even the musicians lowered their instruments.

Saint Gabriel slowly walked toward the center of the circle of candles.

His white robes seemed to glow beneath the dim light.

A gentle smile rested upon his face.

"The time has come... to bid farewell to a great heroine."

The entire crowd fell silent.

"One of the most powerful Inquisitors ever to serve under my command."

Tessa slowly lowered her gaze.

"...a sister to every other Inquisitor."

Her fingers slowly curled into fists.

"...an exemplary daughter."

Her nails dug into her palms.

"...a woman born into a family that has given nothing but heroes to our society."

Senna lowered her head.

Her eyes began to glisten.

Not from emotion.

But from anger.

Gabriel slipped one hand inside his robes.

When he pulled it back out...

He was holding an enormous red candle.

It was far larger than all the others.

"This flame... shall forever represent the former Phoenix Inquisitor."

The entire hall erupted into applause.

Tessa clenched her jaw.

’What hypocrites...’

The Saint raised the candle.

"And who could be more worthy of placing this flame... than the woman who inherited her legacy?"

He extended a hand toward the massive side doors.

"Please welcome... the new Phoenix Inquisitor!"

The doors slowly opened once more.

A young blonde woman stepped inside with confident strides.

She wore immaculate silver armor.

A crimson cape fluttered behind her.

And the proud smile on her face made it obvious just how much she enjoyed the attention.

The applause grew even louder.

"Ava... the new Phoenix Inquisitor."

The young woman gave an elegant bow.

"It is an honor."

Gabriel handed her the great candle.

"I trust you will carry on your predecessor’s legacy."

Ava accepted it with both hands.

"I won’t disappoint you."

She slowly walked toward the center of the candle circle.

Thousands of eyes followed her.

When she arrived...

She planted the great candle firmly at its center.

She took a deep breath.

Then let a few tears fall—tears that looked painfully rehearsed.

"Sister Tessa..."

Her voice trembled.

"You were a wonderful heroine."

She placed a hand over her chest.

"I hope I can finish the work you left behind... and make you proud... wherever you are."

The entire cathedral burst into applause.

Some of the women were even crying.

Nox had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.

Beside him...

Tessa stood perfectly still.

But her eyes...

Were burning.

Senna couldn’t take her eyes off the false heroine either.

Something inside her was beginning to break.

Then a playful voice came from behind them.

"Try to hide it a little better."

The three of them turned around.

Misty had returned.

She held a glass of wine in one hand and smiled as calmly as ever.

"It’s way too obvious."

Nox sighed.

"It’s difficult."

"I know."

Misty smiled.

"But if you want revenge... you have to stay alive first."

Tessa slowly relaxed her shoulders.

"You’re right."

"Besides..."

The dancer discreetly pointed toward a group of nobles.

"There’s someone who’s doing an excellent job blending in."

Everyone followed the direction of her finger.

Catherine.

The cat girl smiled sweetly as an elderly noble rambled on about the vast lands he owned.

She nodded.

She laughed.

She even looked genuinely interested.

But...

While he talked...

Her fingers had already emptied one of his pockets.

Then another.

Next, a gold watch disappeared.

And finally, a small pouch stuffed with coins.

All without the old man noticing for a second.

Tessa burst into laughter.

"We should learn from her."

Misty laughed as well.

"She was born for this."

Senna’s eyes widened.

"Is she... stealing?"

"Yes."

"..."

"And no one’s doing anything?"

Nox answered without the slightest concern.

"For now... she’s just collecting taxes."

Senna stared at him in complete disbelief.

"I can’t believe you said that so calmly."

At that exact moment...

Saint Gabriel’s commanding voice echoed throughout the hall once again.

"And now... the most important part of tonight’s memorial has arrived."

The entire crowd fell silent once more.

"When it comes to lighting our beloved Tessa’s candle... there is no one more deserving."

Tessa’s heart skipped a beat.

Gabriel smiled.

"Her brother. Another great hero of our Church. The Knight of the Flame Lion..."

The entire audience erupted into applause.

"...Leo."

The murmurs disappeared.

Among the guests...

A man dressed entirely in black began walking toward the center of the hall.

He wore a black mask stitched with white seams.

His steps were steady.

Confident.

When he reached the circle of candles, he slowly removed his mask.

His face was fully revealed.

It was Leo.

Nox felt the atmosphere grow much heavier.

Misty stopped smiling.

And Tessa...

Felt as though time itself had frozen.

Because Leo already knew one truth.

His sister...

Was still alive.

And now...

The two of them were standing in the very same room.