Dinner passed with unexpected calm.
Shy Joia had been unwilling to sit at the same table as the Saintess for dinner.
During dinner, Joshua found an excuse to explain Herolia's background.
Herolia's true identity was absolutely out of the question, so Joshua merely described the Saintess as "a girl I helped before, something like sponsoring a church."
Unexpectedly, the Saintess did not cause any trouble either. Whatever Joshua said, she cooperatively went along with it.
The final explanation was that she had been a child Joshua had looked after in the church.
In truth, Joshua had not lied. He had merely added some artistic embellishments.
Josie still looked suspicious, her gaze repeatedly shifting between Herolia and Joshua.
That was until she finished dinner and set down her chopsticks.
"I think it's time for me to go home."
Before Josie could speak, Herolia stood up first. Josie did not stop her and simply watched as she opened the door and left.
"Aren't you going to walk her out?" After Herolia left, Josie turned directly to her father.
"Her guardian is already waiting downstairs, so there's no need."
"Her guardian?" Josie seemed to have caught another key term. She pursed her lips but did not pursue it further.
"Father, I'm going out later too."
Josie tidied up her tableware and spoke to Joshua before leaving the living room.
"Of course. Remember to bring your key."
Joshua glanced at the sky outside the window. It was around six in the evening, and the sky had not yet fully darkened. Nolan's twilight lingered especially long.
No father would allow his two-year-old daughter to go out alone at night, Joshua included.
Joshua simply chose a different way of handling it.
After watching his eldest daughter leave the house, Joshua changed into another outfit and... followed