Parallel Memory

The silence left behind by Zero’s aura had barely faded when the doors of the assembly hall suddenly opened.

A messenger rushed inside.

He was breathing heavily.

His armor was covered in dust, and there was a deep scratch across one side of his shoulder guard. He had clearly traveled without stopping.

Every head in the hall turned toward him.

The messenger looked around the chamber before dropping to one knee.

"Commander!"

Rurik immediately stood.

"What happened?"

The messenger struggled to catch his breath.

"We’ve received an emergency report from the eastern border."

The atmosphere changed instantly.

"Speak."

The messenger swallowed.

"Several border towns are under attack."

A murmur swept through the hall.

"By whom?"

The messenger lowered his head.

"Devils."

The word struck the chamber like a hammer.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then the room erupted.

"How many?"

"Where?"

"How large is the force?"

"Are the towns still holding?"

The messenger raised his voice.

"We don’t know the exact numbers yet. Scouts reported multiple groups moving across the border. Several towns have already engaged them."

Commander Rurik’s expression became grim.

"Do we have confirmation that these are organized forces?"

"Yes, Commander."

"Who is leading them?"

"We don’t know."

The Church representatives exchanged looks.

And then, slowly, one of them smiled.

It wasn’t a smile of relief.

It was the expression of someone who had just been handed the weapon they needed.

The senior Church representative rose.

"This is exactly what we warned about."

The Authority representatives immediately looked toward him.

"Don’t start."

"How can you say that after what we’ve just heard?"

The Church representative pointed toward Lilith.

"The devils are attacking our people while their supposed queen sits in the heart of our capital."

Lilith’s expression hardened.

"You believe I ordered this?"

"I believe your presence here is suspicious."

A few people nodded.

Others remained silent.

Lilith slowly stood.

"I did not order any attack."

"Convenient."

Her eyes narrowed.

"You think I would openly walk into your capital, sit in front of your leaders, and then secretly order an attack against your border?"

"That is exactly what deception looks like."

Mia stepped forward.

"Watch your words."

The Church representative ignored her.

"The timing is too convenient. She comes here speaking of peace, and suddenly devils attack our towns."

Lilith shook her head.

"You are wrong."

"Then explain it."

Lilith took a slow breath.

"There is a faction within the Devil Kingdom that never accepted my father’s ideals."

The hall quieted.

"They supported Aamon."

Several representatives immediately leaned forward.

"They believe chaos is the natural order of our world. They believe peace weakens us. They do not recognize my authority."

The Church representative scoffed.

"And you expect us to believe this story?"

"It isn’t a story."

Lilith’s voice became firmer.

"It is the truth."

She looked around the hall.

"After Aamon fell, not everyone accepted my ascension. Some of his followers believe I have betrayed the Devil Kingdom by attempting to establish peace with humanity."

"Yet you expect us to believe they launched an attack without your knowledge?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because they hate what I am trying to accomplish."

Lilith paused.

"Just as some of you hate it."

The statement created another wave of murmurs.

The Church representative’s face darkened.

"You dare compare us to the devils who attacked our people?"

"I am saying that hatred exists on both sides."

Her voice remained calm.

"And if we allow that hatred to control us, then this treaty will never survive."

The messenger suddenly spoke again.

"Commander."

Rurik turned.

"There is another message."

"Go ahead."

"The attacks appear to be concentrated around several border settlements. The devils aren’t advancing toward the capital."

Rurik frowned.

"What are they doing?"

"We aren’t certain."

"Then send scouts."

"Already done."

The messenger hesitated.

"They also reported that some of the attacking devils are refusing to follow the commands of their commanders."

Lilith immediately understood.

"They are divided."

Rurik looked toward her.

"You believe the faction is acting independently?"

"Yes."

"How sure are you?"

Lilith looked directly at him.

"Very."

The Church representative shook his head.

"Or perhaps she wants us to believe that."

Several Authority members exchanged uncomfortable glances.

One of them finally spoke.

"There is another possibility."

Everyone looked toward him.

"That she planned this."

Lilith’s expression changed.

"You believe I planned an attack against my own people?"

"No."

The Authority representative shook his head.

"I believe you could have sent them here deliberately."

"Why?"

"To create sympathy for your cause."

Lilith stared at him.

"You think I arranged an attack against humans so that I could appear innocent?"

"I’m saying we cannot dismiss the possibility."

Her eyes narrowed.

"And what would I gain?"

"You would force us to defend you."

"And then?"

"You could gather information about our military response."

The room became quiet.

Another Authority member added,

"She has been inside our capital for days."

The accusation was gaining momentum.

"You have seen our defenses."

"You have spoken to our commanders."

"You have observed our political divisions."

Lilith’s hands slowly curled into fists.

"So this is what you think?"

Nobody answered.

She looked around the room.

"I came here because I believed peace was possible."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"I came because I believed my father’s dream was worth protecting."

She looked toward the Church.

"And you think I came here to spy on you?"

The Church representative responded immediately.

"That is one possibility."

Lilith closed her eyes for a moment.

When she opened them again, the disappointment was unmistakable.

"You have already decided what you want to believe."

The Authority leader looked uncomfortable.

"We need evidence."

"I agree."

Lilith nodded.

"Then investigate."

She stepped forward.

"Send your scouts. Question the prisoners. Examine the battlefield. Find out who ordered the attack."

The Church representative interrupted.

"And what happens while we investigate?"

Lilith looked at him.

"I will help you."

That answer surprised everyone.

"I will return to the border with your forces."

The room went silent.

"I will personally help you identify the faction responsible."

The Church representative stared at her.

"You expect us to allow the Devil Queen to accompany our soldiers?"

"You said you wanted proof."

Lilith’s eyes hardened.

"Then let me prove it."

Mia looked at her with concern.

"Lilith..."

Lilith turned toward her.

"If I remain here while my people attack yours, you will never believe me."

She looked toward the entire hall.

"And if I leave without helping, those attacks will continue."

She took another breath.

"So there is only one choice."

"I will stand with humanity against the devils who refuse peace."

The statement should have calmed the room.

Instead, it created another argument.

The Church representatives immediately objected.

"No."

"Absolutely not."

"We cannot allow this."

One of them stepped forward.

"That is precisely what she wants."

Lilith frowned.

"What?"

"Access to our military."

The representative’s eyes narrowed.

"You want to see how our forces are organized."

Another added,

"You want to learn our strengths."

"You want to know how we respond to attacks."

Lilith stared at them.

"If I wanted that information, I could simply remain here."

The room went quiet again.

She continued.

"You already believe I came here to scout your defenses."

She gestured toward the chamber.

"Then why would I ask to leave with your soldiers?"

Nobody answered.

The Authority members were caught in an impossible position.

They couldn’t simply dismiss the attack.

They couldn’t ignore Lilith’s explanation.

And they couldn’t confidently accuse her without evidence.

Commander Rurik finally spoke.

"Enough."

The arguments stopped.

He looked toward the messenger.

"How far are the attacks from the nearest military outpost?"

"Approximately three hours by mounted force."

Rurik nodded.

Then he looked toward Lilith.

"And you are willing to help us?"

"Yes."

"Even if the attackers are devils?"

Lilith’s expression hardened.

"Especially if they are devils."

Rurik studied her for several seconds.

Then he looked toward the Church.

"What do you propose?"

The senior Church representative answered immediately.

"Remove her."

The room became silent.

"She should be detained until we determine whether she is responsible."

Mia stepped forward.

"You cannot be serious."

"We are at war."

"The war is over."

"Apparently not."

Mia’s eyes narrowed.

"The attack was launched by a faction she doesn’t control."

"That is what she claims."

Hiro finally spoke from the other side of the room.

"Then investigate."

Several people looked toward him.

Hiro continued.

"We have no evidence that Lilith ordered the attack."

The Church representative frowned.

"And you trust her?"

Hiro hesitated.

"I trust the evidence."

His answer was simple.

But it carried weight.

Zion nodded.

"We fought in the war."

Lisa added,

"We know what Aamon’s forces looked like."

Sylvia crossed her arms.

"If these are remnants of his faction, it makes sense."

Misha remained silent.

But her expression made it clear where she stood.

The Church representatives weren’t pleased.

One of them slammed his hand against the table.

"This is exactly why the treaty is dangerous!"

He pointed toward Lilith.

"She is a devil!"

The word echoed through the chamber.

"Her kingdom is built upon chaos!"

"Her people have attacked us for generations!"

"And now, after one battle, we are supposed to believe that everything has changed?"

Nobody immediately answered.

The Church representative’s voice grew louder.

"We have spent generations protecting humanity from the devils!"

He looked around.

"Our influence exists because we stood between humanity and destruction."

He pointed toward the eastern direction.

"And now you want to sit here and negotiate with them while their armies attack our people?"

His anger was genuine.

But beneath it was something else.

Fear.

The Church knew what peace meant.

If humans and devils truly established lasting relations, the Church would lose the justification for much of its influence.

For generations, fear of the devils had strengthened its position.

A permanent peace would change that.

And everyone in the room understood it.

The Authority understood.

The War Council understood.

Even Lilith understood.

The Church did not simply want security.

They wanted dominance.

They wanted humanity to remain above the devils.

And as long as the Devil Kingdom remained an enemy, that position would remain secure.

Lilith slowly looked toward them.

"I finally understand."

The Church representative frowned.

"Understand what?"

"Why you don’t want peace."

The chamber fell silent.

"You aren’t afraid of the devils."

Lilith’s eyes hardened.

"You’re afraid of what happens when humans no longer need to fear them."

Nobody spoke.

Even the Authority representatives looked uncomfortable.

The Church leader’s face turned cold.

"You know nothing about our faith."

"Perhaps."

Lilith nodded.

"But I know fear when I see it."

The words hung in the air.

Outside the hall, distant bells suddenly began ringing.

The emergency signal.

Another messenger entered.

"Commander!"

Rurik turned.

"What now?"

"The border forces are requesting immediate reinforcements."

Rurik’s expression darkened.

"How bad?"

"They say the devil force is larger than originally reported."

The room erupted again.

Lilith closed her eyes.

For one brief moment, she wondered whether peace had ever been possible.

Then she opened them.

"I will go."

The Church immediately objected.

"No."

Lilith looked toward them.

"You wanted proof."

Her voice was calm.

"Now you will have it."

She turned toward Rurik.

"I will help you stop them."

Rurik looked at her.

Then at the Church.

Then at the Authority.

The decision was becoming unavoidable.

The treaty was no longer simply a political debate.

It had become a test.

A test of whether humans could believe a devil.

A test of whether Lilith could control her kingdom.

And a test of whether the fragile peace created after the Devil King’s death could survive its first real crisis.

Behind Lilith, Zero remained completely silent.

His eyes were fixed on the chamber doors.

Something about the situation bothered him.

Not the attack itself.

Not even the accusations.

It was the timing.

The peace treaty had finally reached its most fragile point.

And now someone had deliberately thrown a stone into the middle of it.

Zero’s expression became colder.

For the first time since entering the capital, he wondered whether the people attacking the border truly wanted war...

Or whether someone wanted the humans and devils to believe that war was inevitable.

The answer could decide the future of both kingdoms.