The hall of judgment was vast.
Cold stone pillars stretched toward the ceiling, engraved with holy symbols of the Human God. Divine light filtered through stained glass windows, casting pale colors upon the floor—but the air inside was heavy, suffocating.
Red stood alone in the center.
Holy chains bound his arms and legs, glowing faintly as they suppressed his strength. His crimson eyes were calm on the surface, yet stormed beneath.
Around him stood rows of holy knights in white armor, royal soldiers with spears lowered, and priests whispering prayers. At the far end of the hall sat the Head Priest of the Church, his presence dominating the space like an immovable mountain.
Behind Red, the A-rank party stood together.
Somi.
Gai.
Anoz.
Their faces were pale, wounded, yet filled with righteous indignation.
Murmurs filled the hall.
"A vampire…"
"Did you feel it? The red moon that night…"
"That pressure… it was unnatural."
"He brought calamity upon us!"
Fear ruled the room.
The Head Priest raised his staff.
The murmuring ceased instantly.
"Now," his voice echoed, deep and absolute, "the holy judgment begins."
Red lifted his gaze.
This was never a trial.
It was an execution waiting for permission.
The Head Priest's eyes narrowed as he looked down upon Red.
"You stand accused," he declared, "of being a vampire in human disguise. You are charged with the murder of K, an A-rank adventurer. You are accused of attempting to murder your own party members, of theft of dungeon loot, of slaughtering holy knights sent for investigation, and of attempting to flee the kingdom."
His staff struck the ground.
"Is there anything you wish to say before judgment is passed?"
Red took a slow breath.
"Yes."
The chains rattled as he straightened.
"This party," Red said calmly, "used me as a shield. They abandoned me in the dungeon to escape."
Gasps spread through the hall.
Somi stepped forward instantly.
"Lies!" she shouted. "He summoned the Wolf King! K died because of him!"
Red's eyes locked onto her.
"You ran," he said quietly. "You left me behind."
The Head Priest raised a hand.
"Continue," he ordered.
Red spoke steadily.
"The holy knight who came to investigate killed my grandmother. I acted in self-defense."
The Head Priest's gaze sharpened.
"Do you dare invoke church law?"
Red nodded.
"According to church doctrine, during investigation or trial, holy knights have no authority to execute citizens or their families. If they do, resistance—even lethal—is permitted."
The hall erupted.
"That's true…"
"He's quoting doctrine…"
The Head Priest slammed his staff down.
Silence returned.
"You claim self-defense," the Head Priest said coldly. "Yet the Red Moon rose that same night. Explain that."
Red's jaw tightened.
"The Red Moon incident," the Head Priest continued, "caused panic across the kingdom. Divine barriers trembled. People collapsed under demonic pressure. And you dare claim innocence?"
Red's eyes darkened.
"I lost my family that night."
The Head Priest leaned forward.
"Which family?"
Red hesitated.
Then spoke.
"My familiar."
A ripple of shock passed through the hall.
The Head Priest's eyes widened slightly.
"Your familiar?" he repeated slowly.
"Yes," Red said. "The King of the Netherworld."
The hall exploded.
"BLASPHEMY!"
"HERESY!"
"A DEMON CONTRACTOR!"
The Head Priest stood.
"You summoned him?" he demanded.
"Yes."
The Head Priest's lips curled into a thin smile.
"Impossible."
He raised his staff.
"No demon, god, or non-human entity can manifest within this church. The divine barrier blessed by the Human God forbids it."
He gestured mockingly.
"If you truly command such a being, summon him now."
Red closed his eyes.
He chanted.
The same words.
The same offering.
Nothing happened.
Silence.
The Head Priest laughed.
"You see?" he declared. "Lies upon lies."
Red opened his eyes.
The truth was clear now.
This was never about justice.
The Head Priest raised his staff one final time.
"The accused is found guilty on all charges."
His voice boomed.
"He is hereby classified as a true vampire."
The verdict struck like a blade.
"Sentence," the Head Priest continued coldly, "is death by burning. Immediately."
Chains tightened.
Guards dragged Red away.
Outside, a wooden platform awaited.
Logs stacked high.
Crude oil poured over his body, soaking his clothes and skin.
Red stood bound as the crowd gathered.
He looked at their faces.
Fear.
Hatred.
Relief.
"I didn't do anything wrong," Red said hoarsely.
"I beg you…"
No one listened.
The Head Priest raised his hand.
"Burn him."
Torches flew.
Fire erupted.
Flames wrapped around Red's body.
Pain consumed him.
Red screamed.
The scream echoed across the city.
Then—
Silence.
His flesh burned away.
Only a blackened skeleton remained, chained and motionless.
The fire died instantly.
The ground trembled.
The church pillars cracked.
Thunder roared.
The sky turned red.
The Red Moon rose.
Divine barriers shattered like glass.
A massive black gate appeared behind the skeleton.
It opened.
An army marched forth.
Demons.
Generals.
At their front stood the King of the Netherworld.
They knelt.
All of them.
Before the skeleton.
A voice echoed through heaven and earth.
"Now you will become the Vampire God "
The Head Priest staggered backward.
His faith collapsed.
The world trembled.