The group rested beneath a massive snow-covered pine tree.

The cold wind swept through the forest, but the campfire kept a pleasant warmth around the campsite.

Audrey had gone hunting with Claws a while ago.

Nox was practically alone with Misty and Tessa.

The demon watched the flames for a few seconds.

Then he looked at Misty.

"Hey."

The dancer looked up.

"Yes?"

"Are we heading in the right direction to reach Frosthold?"

Misty stared at him for a few seconds.

Then she started laughing.

"What?"

Nox asked.

"I can’t believe you’re asking me that."

"Why?"

"Don’t you have a map?"

Nox was silent for a few seconds.

"...No."

Misty blinked.

"No?"

"No."

It took her a moment to process that.

"Then how the hell did you even get this far?"

Nox pointed at Tessa.

"We followed her directions."

The inquisitor laughed.

Tied to the tree.

Her arms restrained.

And yet she seemed to be enjoying the conversation far too much.

"Honestly..."

She smiled.

"...I could’ve lied and led you straight into a trap."

Nox raised one of his daggers.

"Did you?"

Tessa raised both eyebrows.

"What?"

"Did you lie to us?"

The tip of the dagger pointed directly at her.

"Because I can solve that problem pretty quickly."

Tessa looked offended.

"Of course not!"

Misty laughed again.

"She doesn’t seem to be lying."

Nox lowered the weapon.

"How do you know?"

"Because this is the shortest route to the Capital."

Nox nodded.

"Perfect."

Tessa sighed.

"You can put the dagger away now."

Nox smiled.

"Why?"

"Because I’ve clearly proven you can trust me."

Nox opened his mouth to reply.

But Misty spoke first.

"There’s something even stranger about you."

The dancer looked at the inquisitor.

"What?"

Tessa asked.

"The fact that you still have your Title."

The smile slowly disappeared from Tessa’s face.

Misty continued.

"From what I’ve heard..."

She glanced at Nox.

"...the other inquisitors should think you’re dead."

Tessa didn’t answer.

"The Church isn’t looking for you either."

The dancer crossed her arms.

"And yet you still have your Title."

Nox looked at Tessa.

Then he smiled.

"I get it now."

The inquisitor avoided his gaze.

"Get what?"

"That’s what’s bothering you."

Tessa remained silent.

Nox continued.

"You’re replaceable."

The woman pressed her lips together.

"The Church isn’t searching for you. And sooner or later, they could take your Title and give it to another inquisitor."

The smile vanished completely from Tessa’s face.

She looked genuinely affected.

The inquisitor lowered her gaze and stared at the snow.

"I’m not talking about that."

Misty watched her for a few moments.

Then tilted her head slightly.

"Then explain something to me."

Tessa looked up.

"What?"

"Why are you still guiding a demon and his group toward the Capital?"

The answer came immediately.

"Isn’t it obvious?"

Tessa smiled.

"So my inquisitor sisters can deal with him."

Nox chuckled softly.

"Do you really believe that?"

"Of course."

"And what do you think will happen to you when we get there?"

The inquisitor fell silent.

Nox continued.

"If they can’t even be bothered to look for you."

"If they’ve already decided you’re dead."

Tessa said nothing.

"Do you really think they’ll care what happens to you?"

The inquisitor turned her head away and refused to answer.

That was answer enough.

Misty let out a small laugh.

"Honestly..."

She looked at Nox.

"...at this rate, I don’t think Tessa will reach the Capital with her Title intact."

The inquisitor frowned.

"Thank you for the optimism."

"You’re welcome."

Misty replied.

Then she looked back at Nox.

"What if we did something before that happens?"

Nox raised an eyebrow.

"Like what?"

Misty pointed at Tessa.

"Invite her to the group."

The forest fell silent.

Even the campfire seemed to stop crackling.

Tessa’s eyes widened in surprise.

Nox blinked rapidly several times.

"What?"

"What you heard."

Misty smiled.

"She could join us."

Tessa looked completely incapable of processing what she had just heard.

"Are you serious?"

The inquisitor asked.

"Of course."

Misty answered.

"Why?"

"Because if you lose your Title..."

The dancer crossed her arms.

"...the Church will stop caring about you."

Tessa remained silent.

"And your so-called sisters."

Misty raised an eyebrow.

"They don’t seem very concerned about checking whether you’re alive."

That hit harder than any insult.

Tessa lowered her gaze again without responding.

Misty pointed at Nox.

"Besides, the important part."

Nox already knew where this conversation was going.

"This demon can give you a Title."

Tessa’s eyes widened.

And this time she looked directly at Nox.

Nox raised both hands.

"Before you get excited."

"Who said I was excited?"

"Because if I give you a Title..."

He pointed toward the forest.

"...Audrey is going to murder me."

Misty burst out laughing.

"Yeah."

"See?"

"That’s very likely."

Nox nodded.

"Thank you."

"But we also need to grow the group."

Misty’s smile faded.

"And an inquisitor who knows the Capital..."

She pointed at Tessa.

"Who knows the Church. Who has useful information."

"And who doesn’t seem nearly as loyal as she claims."

Tessa opened her mouth.

But couldn’t find an answer.

Misty eventually shrugged.

"Sounds pretty useful to me."

Nox had to admit it.

It did sound useful.

He looked at Tessa.

The inquisitor still seemed stunned.

As if she had never even considered the possibility.

"Well."

Nox said.

"What do you think?"

Tessa blinked.

"Me?"

"Yes."

"Are you actually considering it?"

"Maybe."

The woman froze completely.

Because it seemed Nox was genuinely thinking about giving her a Title.

And before she could answer... a loud crack of breaking branches echoed through the trees.

Everyone turned their heads.

Audrey emerged from the snow-covered forest.

Claws walked behind her.

Dragging a massive deer.

Several wolf squirrels hung from his fur.

The huntress smiled proudly.

"Dinner’s here."

The silence vanished instantly.

And Tessa closed her mouth, saving her answer for another time.