Evolution: From Little Devil to Devil Empress - Chapter 370: City
Chapter 370: City
The Hollow City was not surrounded by any wall, nor was there any guard patrolling its perimeter.
Yet, Liora understood that this didn’t mean that it was unguarded the very moment she stepped through the entrance.
As she did, her expression turned solemn, and she subconsciously raised her head towards the sky.
Although nothing had changed compared to a moment ago, her keen senses had allowed her to sense something: the world around her had changed.
“A formation?”, she couldn’t help but mutter, and, although she showed no emotions on the surface, was deeply shocked.
The existence of the formation was not what shocked her. Instead, it was the formation’s large range.
Considering that she had noticed its existence the moment she stepped into Hollow City, wouldn’t this mean that the formation covered the entire city?
One had to know that this was not an ordinary city, but one built on top of a higher-level world.
It stretched endlessly, being several times bigger than the Demon Weapon World she had previously been to.
Just its range was already astonishing enough.
Yet, as Liora felt an invisible power wash over her body and investigate her state, she understood that its size was not its only extraordinary characteristic.
“I’m afraid that the formation might have already awakened intelligence.”
“Considering its range and power, the creature born from the formation may have the strength of an Archdevil.”
“Even, among all Archdevils, it should be fairly powerful…”, Liora judged as she watched the invisible power disappear after confirming that she posed no threat to the city.
Knowing that this was the process everyone had to go through upon entering the city, she didn’t say anything.
After taking a deep breath, she continued her journey and walked deeper into Hollow City.
However, she hadn’t gone far before a voice suddenly echoed in her ears:
“Your Excellency, are you new to the city?”
“Do you need a guide to show you the way?”, a set of familiar words was heard.
When Liora turned her head, she saw that their source was a short creature with a long tail extending behind its back.
Seeing her stare at him, the short Devil stepped forward with a smile on his face.
“Your Excellency, I’m afraid you don’t know, but Hollow City is truly enormous.”
“Without a guide leading the way, it’s likely that you will spend years, if not centuries, searching for what you’re looking for.”
Although Liora guessed the purpose of this person saying this, she also understood that he was not necessarily lying.
Not only was Hollow City massive, but because its essence was a higher-level world, space had become nearly impossible to shatter.
Thus, unlike the Demon Weapon World, where she could roam freely, she lacked the ability to teleport within the city.
At most, she could fly or even just walk while within its confines.
“What’s the price?”, Liora asked, and the smile on the short Devil’s face grew bigger.
“Your Excellency only needs to spend one True Devil soul or something of equivalent value.”, he said while fidgeting with his small limbs.
Liora frowned at first and was about to argue. But after a few moments, she threw a soul to the short Devil and motioned him to walk.
“Come on. Lead the way.”
—
Facts proved that Liora’s decision to hire the short Devil was correct.
As the two wandered through the city filled with buildings of various types and eras, she almost had a headache.
Turning her head and looking at the Victorian-era, western castle on the side, followed by an eastern pavilion, and then a cyberpunk-like, futuristic building, she had to admit that this world was truly wonderful.
Seemingly sensing her thoughts, the short Devil took the initiative to explain:
“The residents in the city are at least True Devils, and even Greater Devils are quite common. Such beings have had various adventures during their trips to other worlds.”
“Once they return to the Demon World, most of them choose to adopt the styles of those worlds out of habit.”, he said.
“I thought that Hollow City was only open to Greater Devils. Where did all these True Devils come from?”
Liora stared at the short Devil and questioned, noticing that this person was also at the True Devil stage.
The short Devil laughed.
“Hollow City is indeed undetectable to people below the Greater Devil stage. However, as long as one is accompanied by a Greater Devil, they can always find their way to this place.”
“Moreover, it’s not like creatures can not be born directly in the city. Take me for example, I used to be the test subject of a Greater Devil.”
“Unfortunately, my Master died at the hands of his enemies a few thousand years ago. Now, I have to do such simple jobs to survive…”
The short Devil showed a sorrowful expression on his face, as if he was reminiscing on the days spent with his Master.
However, Liora merely sized him up and chose to remain silent.
She didn’t believe his words.
Although this short guy was not a naturally-born Devil but the result of someone’s research, he still retained most Devil characteristics.
How could he possibly possess traits such as loyalty? Did he think that she had just been born?
Seeing that Liora did not say anything, the short Devil quickly regained his composure.
As if nothing had happened, he regained his smile and led her through the city.
While on the way, he didn’t forget to introduce some basic information.
“The rules of Hollow City are fairly simple. Besides forbidding fighting outside the permitted areas, the rules are roughly the same as those of the Demon Layer below.”
Hearing his words, Liora nodded and listened attentively.
When he finished speaking, she sensed the many powerful auras surging throughout the city and couldn’t help but bring up the matter of various forces.
The short Devil answered immediately.
“Unlike the Demon Layer below, only Archdevils can establish their own organization in Hollow City.”
“Although Greater Devils can also do so and nothing really stops them, they can only establish some small organizations that are barely profitable enough to support their practice.”
“However, Archdevils are also divided based on their strength. Your Excellency should understand that there are differences from Archdevil to Archdevil.”
Though he didn’t explain any further, Liora understood what he was implying.
Not every Archdevil was equal, just like not every Greater Devil was equal.
Take Liora, for example. With her strength, few Greater Devils could match her.
If she were to meet a Greater Devil who had just advanced, it wouldn’t take much effort to kill them.
Thus, although they were both Greater Devils, how could their status be the same?
While she was thinking, the short Devil continued:
“Among the many organizations, there are four major ones that everyone needs to pay attention to.”
“Compared to other forces, these are the ones that hold real power. If you were to offend any other power, you might be safe as long as you stay in the city or flee to other Demon Layer or worlds.”
“But if you happen to offend any of these four, you’ll surely be hunted down.”
