Chapter 461: Chaos in Hollow City & Demon Layer

Soon, the events taking place in Hollow City became an unknown mystery.

A cloud of demonic energy and black mist engulfed the entire city. Unless someone went there in person, it was impossible to discover what was happening inside.

This included Liora.

Though her vision was enhanced by Heaven’s Eye and the concept of Gaze, she was no longer able to peek into the city.

However, she roughly knew what was going on based on the final scenes she had witnessed.

"Is it the Destruction Cult? Have they actually betrayed Hollow City?"

"And at a time like this, nonetheless?", she couldn’t help but mutter in surprise.

Liora might not care about the well-being of the 173rd Demon Layer since she could always migrate to another Layer and lose nothing.

However, the Archdevils of Hollow City were deeply entrenched with the Layer itself.

They had lived and operated there for thousands of years, if not even longer.

This was not to say that they had developed feelings for it. Speaking for Devils, this was nearly impossible.

Rather, it was that if the Demon Layer were to be plunged into chaos, these people would suffer greatly.

Both personally and regarding the organizations they had built. As such, these people were considered Hollow City’s allies, regardless of their own disagreements.

"However, it makes sense somewhat. The Destruction Cult is the most chaotic force among all the organizations in Hollow City."

"Perhaps, chaos in the Demon Layer is exactly what they want to see.", Liora thought and shook her head.

She understood that their purpose ultimately did not matter to her.

At most, it confirmed that the Elementals had made sufficient preparations for today’s actions, and they were not a sudden whim.

Knowing that Hollow City would try to prevent them from accomplishing their goal, they had secretly reached a deal with the Destruction Cult and made certain to keep them busy.

The only thing that puzzled Liora was why the Hollow Ancestor had not appeared to calm down the chaos.

But soon, a name resurfaced in her mind: Catastrophe Devil.

Several clues were instantly pieced together.

Catastrophe Devil, Destruction Cult, and the four forbidden areas...

Liora felt as if she had realized something.

Clearly, these four seemingly unrelated forces were closely interconnected.

"I’m afraid that the 173rd Layer of the Demon World is over. Barring unforeseen changes, it will end up in ruins.", Liora shook her head.

She couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, patting her own chest.

Fortunately, she had always been cautious and had already ordered Alpha to leave Hollow City. Otherwise, though she was quite powerful, she would have almost no survival chance if involved in the chaos.

Thinking of this, Liora no longer mulled over the greater conspiracy.

Sensing her connection with Alpha, she sent a message, turned around, and shot in that direction.

She knew that it was time for the two to meet. Similarly, it might be time for her to escape the 173rd Demon Layer.

--

The trembling of the entire world had ceased.

Yet, it was not as if the situation of the Demon Layer had gotten any better.

If anything, the situation of all Devils, including those of Hollow City, had taken a turn for the worse.

--

Alpha’s face was solemn.

A translucent thread wrapped around her opponent and bound them tightly, squeezing them to death.

Following a bang, the Water Elemental on the opposite side exploded, leaving only its core to drop on the ground.

The core of True Devil Water Elemental was quite precious.

Yet Alpha was neither in the mood to pick it up nor had the time to do so.

Before she could catch her breath, another Elemental attacked her from behind.

This time, the enemy manipulated flames.

Although she quickly dealt with it just like the previous one, Alpha did not dare to stay here any longer.

Raising her fist and punching toward the ceiling, she opened a large hole and soared into the sky.

Several abilities fired in her direction, but by controlling the translucent threads, Alpha imbued them with Spirituality and nullified their blows.

Within a few moments, Alpha had appeared in the sky.

Looking down, she stared at Cobblestone City, a "true" city with a Greater Devil in charge.

It was not the first time she did so.

Having departed from Hollow City, Alpha chose this ordinary yet safe place to hide herself. With an Indestructible Soul Devil in charge, few people dared to cause trouble.

She believed that she’d be safe for some time.

Unfortunately, the sea of manic Elementals attacking the city, tearing through the Devils and devouring them alive, shattered that expectation.

Exactly because this city housed a Greater Devil, it seemed to have become the target of the Elementals.

As if yearning for the taste of Greater Devil flesh, they charged, throwing themselves at the city without regard for casualties.

Although Alpha was powerful and could have resolved the danger if she wished, she didn’t choose to do so.

Rather, after taking a final look, she turned around and was planning to flee.

The fate of Cobblestone City was none of her business.

Moreover, the message sent by Liora, requesting that they meet, was still fresh in her mind.

Alpha felt that she could not afford to waste any time. Clearing a path along the rioting Elementals, she soon reached the city’s walls and was about to leave.

But just then, Alpha suddenly froze.

Alarm bells rang in her heart as she sensed an overwhelming aura advancing towards this place at a terrifying speed.

Her intuition told her to escape, to flee as soon as possible. Otherwise, she would die!

Alpha wanted to follow that warning.

But before she could even move a few centimeters, a towering creature, bursting with molten lava, appeared above the city.

The Fire Elemental scanned this place indifferently. A brief moment later, its eyes locked into Alpha.

"Huh?", a faint exclamation escaped its mouth.

"Is there another Greater Devil hidden in this city?"

"No. It’s a puppet.", it shook its head.

Despite its surprise, the Fire Elemental’s movements did not stop.

Raising its palm, it brought it down towards the city, as chunks of lava dripped down and formed a flowing sea.

The Fire Elemental did not hold back.

Its blow threatened to engulf the entire city, sparing neither the Devils nor the Elementals inside of it.

Even its own kind, the Fire Elementals, were targeted.

Since that was the case, Alpha was destined not to be any different.

Her amber eyes flashed with horror as she watched the descending palm grow closer. Lava churned across its surface, appearing ready to devour it.

There was only a single thought in Alpha’s mind:

"Archdevil!"