Red walked toward his home with heavy steps.
Every movement hurt, but not because of wounds. The blood of monsters and the pressure of demonic power still clung to his body. His mind replayed the crimson moon, the shattered dungeon, and the voice of Lucifero echoing in his soul.
Yet all he wanted was simple.
To see his grandmother.
The small stone house finally came into view.
And then he stopped.
Holy Knights.
White armor engraved with golden church symbols. Steel boots stained with dust. Spears, swords, and holy chains.
Five knights stood outside his home. Two more were at the doorway.
Between them stood his grandmother.
Her hands were bound with glowing holy chains. Her frail body trembled, yet her back remained straight. Confusion and fear filled her eyes as she looked around, not understanding why this was happening.
Red's blood turned cold.
A knight with a golden crest stepped forward.
"Old woman," he said coldly, "you are accused of harboring a heretic corrupted by demonic power."
"I do not understand what you are saying," she replied, her voice shaking but firm. "I am just an old woman living quietly."
Another knight sneered.
"You raised Red Itu, did you not? The boy who survived a forbidden dungeon and summoned forbidden power."
"Yes, I raised my grandson," she said. "He is a kind child who has never harmed anyone."
"A kind child does not stain the sky red with demonic presence," the knight replied sharply.
Her eyes widened.
"I know nothing of demons or rituals," she said. "I only know how to cook meals and care for my family."
A spear struck the ground loudly.
"Stop lying. The Church does not make mistakes."
She shook her head.
"I swear on my life, I have never seen my grandson perform any dark ritual."
"Then explain why the dungeon collapsed and holy barriers shattered when he was inside," another knight demanded.
"I cannot explain things beyond my understanding," she replied. "But Red worked hard every day just to feed us."
"You speak as if suffering excuses heresy," the golden-crest knight said.
"I speak as a grandmother protecting her family," she replied, tears forming. "If there is sin, punish me, not him."
A knight laughed mockingly.
"Innocent people do not raise monsters."
She clenched her fists.
"My grandson returned home wounded countless times," she said. "Yet he always smiled and said everything would be fine."
The knight's eyes hardened.
"This interrogation is pointless. She refuses to confess."
One knight stepped forward and slapped her across the face.
She fell to her knees.
"Watch your tongue, old woman," he said. "You stand before Holy Knights of the Italian Kingdom."
Blood trickled from her lips.
"Holy men do not beat elders," she said weakly. "My grandson still believes in goodness."
The golden-crest knight turned away.
"Proceed with purification."
Her eyes widened in terror.
"Please," she begged. "I have done nothing wrong in my life."
"Innocence is decided by the Church," the knight replied.
Red stood at the doorway.
Frozen.
He heard every word.
Every lie.
Every insult.
His fingers dug into the wooden frame until it cracked.
A knight grabbed his grandmother by the hair and dragged her forward.
"Confess now," he said, "or your suffering will worsen."
"I have nothing to confess," she said through tears. "I only raised a boy who wanted to live."
She was kicked hard in the ribs and collapsed.
Red's vision blurred.
Another knight raised his sword.
"This ends now."
Time slowed.
His grandmother lifted her trembling head.
"Red," she whispered softly, sensing him, "live."
The blade fell.
Steel cut through flesh.
Blood splattered across the ground.
Her body collapsed, lifeless.
Red screamed.
"NOOOOOOO!"
The sound tore through the air.
The knights turned.
Red stepped forward, crimson eyes burning with rage.
"You killed her," he said quietly.
"Stand down," one knight shouted. "You are under arrest by the Church."
Red's hand closed around his sword.
"You judged her," he said. "You beat her. You lied."
His voice dropped.
"Now you die."
He moved.
One strike.
Two heads flew from their bodies at the same instant.
Blood erupted.
The headless bodies collapsed.
The remaining knights screamed in terror.
"Demon!"
Red vanished and reappeared.
Steel flashed.
Bodies fell.
Silence returned.
Red dropped to his knees beside his grandmother.
He held her gently.
"…Grandma," he whispered.
There was no answer.
Above the village, church bells rang.
Not for mourning.
But for war.
End of Chapter 5