Vanitas and Jeanne's "encounter" during their battle in Paris comes to light. Vanitas offers to keep Jeanne's secret on two conditions. Noé and Vanitas prepare to meet Lord Ruthven. Noé ponders the meaning of love, but Domi throws a wrench into the works.

Dominique offers Jeanne advice. Jeanne surprises Vanitas with an invitation, and Dominique shadows them. Noé encounters Lord Ruthven, but after their previous meeting, he doesn't know what to expect. Jeanne keeps her promise, and Vanitas makes one to her.

Vanitas and Noé travel to Gévaudan in search of a creature known as the Beast, but things go sideways when they encounter a murderous paladin, a hostile acquaintance, and an old nemesis. Will our heroes survive these threats, not to mention the Beast?

Vanitas tries to convince Jeanne not to slay Chloé. The cause of Astolfo's hatred is laid bare. Jean-Jacques finally learns Chloé's end game and tries to stop her. Vanitas activates the Alteration engine to save Chloé and Gévaudan, but is it too late?