Chapter 25: The Scarlet Brand

When it was over, the ground was painted red.

Ash stood in the middle, his body trembling, breath ragged. The blood clung to him like a cloak, dripping from his arms.

The knights whispered in terror.

“The Scarlet Slave…” one muttered.

Another spat, “A demon.”

Lucas mounted his horse again, face pale, and rode off without a word.

Ash looked down at his own hands—soaked, scarred, trembling with power and hunger.

He didn’t ask for a title.

But now he had one.

“The Scarlet Brand,” he whispered, almost laughing. “Guess that’s me now.”

Mira and Haru emerged from the trees, eyes wide with horror and awe.

They didn’t run.

Not yet.