Ashen Dragon

This fortress was forged from bronzes smelted from the depths of Hell, its surface brimming with spikes, devilish reliefs, and burning runes, emanating a dark green luster under the blood-red sky of Aphernas.

The towering city walls reach into the clouds, atop which stand hundreds of arrow towers, Hellfire Cannons, and guard cages imprisoning low-level devils, with countless imps and stone-statue ghosts flapping their wings in the air.

Even the walls themselves are imbued with a powerful Antimagic Field, making it difficult for even a Legendary Mage to forcibly enter.

Outside the walls lies an immensely wide river, but its riverbed churns with scorching, boiling magma, with white smoke tinged with sulfur wafting above, causing the air to distort.

The drawbridges spanning the River of Magma are the only way for outsiders to enter the Bronze Fortress, where devils jostle and curse atop the bridges, often with inferior devils plunging into the river and emitting heart-wrenching wails, causing magma to splatter.

The gates are guarded by fully armed chain demons, their faces grotesque, bodies tall and robust, wrapped in iron chains clattering with crisp sounds.

"Swish—Swish—"

The chain demon grabbed the little devil mingling among the merchandise in the carts, clutched his nape, and cursed angrily: "Damned scoundrel! Who let you sneak in? Do you dare defy Lord Zha Rui'er's military orders? How dare you not pay the passage fee?"

The little devil trembled all over, yet still smiled obsequiously: "Lord, I...the owner of this caravan paid a silver coin for me..."

The chain demon declared firmly: "This is charged by the head!"

The little devil cried and pleaded: "Lord, I really have no money left, please spare me, I'm really out of options, lost everything in the Modin Casino, all my possessions..."

Upon hearing the other is a pauper, the chain demon's face grew even colder: "That's no excuse!"

He clung to the chain demon's sturdy arm, begging bitterly: "Just grant me three days of grace, I'll immediately gather one, no, ten silver coins for you within the city!"

The chain demon suddenly swung his hand, hurling the little devil over the River of Magma, shouted sternly: "Ten? A mere feeble little devil, and a debt-ridden worthless gambler at that, gathering that much money?"

"That little devil fluttered his wings, shrieked: "No, no, don't throw me down! Lord, I have many friends in the outer city, I'm a jack-of-all-trades there! They will lend me money!"

The chain demon grinned ferociously, about to snap the little devil's neck: "You think I look easy to deceive?"

Moreover—who would believe a little devil's word? Who would give ten silver coins for a vile thing like you? What a joke!"

"Exactly, just a little devil, truly ridiculous!"

"Quickly throw him down, don't waste time here!"

"Hahaha, guess how miserable he'll scream when he falls down?"

The devils crowded on the drawbridge were noisy, cursing the little devil with the most vicious language, wishing to see him perish immediately.

"Let him go, I paid for him."

A seductive female voice came from the bridge.

"Someone is actually willing to pay ransom for him? For a little devil?"

"Damn it!"

"Lucky guy, hope he gets thrown into the magma next time!"

The devils stared in amazement at the source of the voice, seeing a voluptuous woman appearing before them, her face stunning, gaze enticing, with two immense black wings behind her.

—That was a desire demon, an upper-level devil, fallen heavenly creatures.

To the eyes of lower-leveled demons like chain demons and whisker demons, the upper-level devil desire demon was already quite an important figure.

"Ding—"

Ten silver coins fell at the feet of the chain demon, making crisp sounds.

Seeing this, the chain demon quickly released his hand, picked up the silver coins on the ground, and said rather politely: "Lord Desire Demon, this little devil is notorious, openly defying Lord Zha Rui'er's orders, really not worth your rescue."

The desire demon lowered her head, playing with her slender fingers, glanced at him contemptuously: "Do I need you to teach me what I should do?"

"Apologies, Lord." The chain demon surprisingly bowed deeply, his voice anxious, no sign of his earlier arrogance.

This is Hell, a place of strict hierarchy, where every devil depends on this complex order, with distinction of status exceptionally clear.

High-rank devils always live in fear of demotion, often venting their fears on subordinates, who in turn intimidate and bully the lesser, passing it down the chain.

Seeing the desire demon's assistance, the little devil immediately flapped his wings and flew forward, directly kneeling on the ground, crying out: "Lord, you finally came to save me!"

The chain demon buried his head lower, cautiously said: "Lord Desire Demon, I didn't know he's your slave, my apologies!

However, Lord Zha Rui'er ordered strict scrutiny of those entering the city, I hope you understand..."

The chain demon raised his head, seeing behind the desire demon was a nearly four-meter-tall, immensely strong stone giant, the stone giant holding an iron cage with two gigantic bloodsucking bats inside.

The desire demon's face darkened, somewhat impatiently said: "Am I not allowed to bring a demon statue servant and a few pet bats into the city?"

The chain demon hastily waved his hand and replied: "Of course, it's my overthinking, a style high-profile upper-level devil like you couldn't be an invader, could you?"

"That's more like it."

The desire demon smiled coquettishly, casually tossed a few silver coins at the chain demon's feet, then took her "servants and pets" into the city.