Baator Hell Promotion

"Because Madam Biste can decipher the advanced language of Hell," Lightning reminded him, "she said this map points to a secret place in Malbogi, and it's very ancient. More importantly, look here."

It patted the top left corner of the map with its paw, where there was a blob of what Hopper had initially taken to be an erasure.

The Devil carefully examined it for a moment and said hesitantly, "It looks a bit like... a dog's head?"

"It's the head of a hellhound, but attached to a humanoid body," Lightning explained. "Considering the age of this map, Lady Biste believes it's related to the advancement of the demon hound."

"But she doesn't have high hopes for this. After all, even if she knows how the Demon Hounds advance, it may not apply to us. However, I think it's still necessary to go and take a look. What do you think? Are you interested?"

Hopper wanted to say he had no interest, but the Goddess's prophecy clearly pointed to something related to Lightning, and it would look foolish not to give it a try.

"I'll join."

Chapter 211 Temporary Contract

"I really don't understand why you insist on bringing this burden with you." Lightning lightly jumped over a shaky stone, and the sound made by his huge body when he landed was not even enough to alert a shrew. "If you need a warm bed, I can hire half a dozen bearded devils for you, and we will rotate them every day!"

The burden the Hellcat was referring to was naturally the lagging Zeshi. Compared to a fragile human, a dragonborn tiefling possessed far superior physical strength and adaptability to the Baator. But this advantage paled in comparison to two genuine demons. Perhaps some powerful mortals, through magical devices and other means, could dispense with water, food, and rest, but Zeshi was clearly far from that level.

For this reason, Lightning complained almost incessantly, thinking that bringing Zis along slowed down the efficiency of the two demons too much.

"Shut up, longhair," Hopper snapped back, concentrating on finding a safe place to stand amidst the rolling gravel. "You know exactly why I did this. I don't want to come back and find my fortune has shrunk."

Hellcat, knowing he was in the wrong, tactfully kept his mouth shut. The alchemical concoction, the Fidelity Potion, like other products of Hell, possessed a beautiful name but a tenfold ugliness. This potion, composed primarily of mandrake, opium, and ergot, was a common method used by demons to control mortals. What truly infuriated Hopper was the two drops of Mind Flayer tadpole juice it contained. While this ensured the potion's claim of absolute loyalty, it also conferred a notorious side effect: long-term use would cause irreversible intellectual damage.

Ziz was merely collateral, not sold to Lightning. By allowing his collateral to take the potion, he was blatantly destroying Hopper's property—in Barto, sometimes embezzlement is a more severe charge than murder.

"Let's make it clear first. No matter what we find, I won't give him any extra!" Lightning insisted. "And I'm not responsible for his life. Don't expect me to pay more."

"I thought you were going to let me work for free, but it turns out you're even thinking of giving me a share. I'm so touched." Hopper flapped his wings and stood on a huge rock, looking at Lightning with a smile.

"If I tell you it's all mine, you won't take it yourself?" Hellcat rolled his eyes. It was hard to imagine a lion's face making that expression. "Let's make it clear in advance: you're not allowed to touch anything directly related to your promotion."

Hopper jumped off the stone, her boots making a soft clatter on the dry ground. She looked at Ziz, who was catching up quickly, and said, "Of course, we can sign a temporary contract."

Even mortals who've only heard the village chief's fairy tales have heard stories of devils using contracts to steal souls (such stories often end with the clever protagonist deceiving the devil. Ironically, most people who attempt this ultimately find themselves tricked by the devil). However, in everyday life in Bartor, due to their caution regarding contracts, devils rarely sign long-term or magical pacts with their fellow humans.

Instead, the devils would simply cooperate through brief, unambiguous temporary contracts, avoiding any verbal quibbles between the two parties. Since the contracts were temporary and didn't involve souls, their binding force wasn't strong, but it was enough to keep the law-abiding residents of Batol on the surface.

"We can start once we get to our destination." Hellcat dodged a falling rock and turned to look at Zis.

Zis was walking alone on the steep slope like a beetle. In order to protect himself from possible falling rocks, he put the large shield he was holding in his hand on his back and moved as fast as possible among the rolling rocks.

Hopper looked up from his figure, only to see a steep slope reaching the sky. Countless rocks, ranging in size from gravel to boulders the size of houses, had tumbled down from an unknown height above.

This is the sixth layer of Hell, Malboj, a harsh plane of endless slopes and a constant crashing of rocks.

Many demons call it the Layer of Change. This ominous name not only refers to the constantly falling rocks and the settlements that could be buried by them at any time, but also describes the frequent changes in government within this layer.

According to what Hopper had learned at Torch Keep, the lord of Malborge had changed at least three times. And every change in Hell's nobles, especially the powerful nobles, was always accompanied by a bloody coup.

Before the current Grand Duchess Gracia, the one who ruled Malborge wasn't even a devil, but an old hag named Malagard, and before Malagard was the goat-headed Moloch. As for who was before Moloch, Hopper didn't know.

The demons didn't have to wait long for Ziz to arrive at their destination. Aside from a slightly red face and a few scratches on his arms, he wasn't injured.

Hopper threw a handkerchief to Ziz before Lightning could sneer, which made the Dragonborn blush even more.

"Speaking of which, why did you come to this damn place?" Hopper didn't take the handkerchief handed back by Zis, but just gestured for him to eat something to replenish his energy. "Apart from the noise and the remains of the Hag Countess, is there anything else worth seeing here?"

"Although Lady Biste can decipher the advanced language of Hell, she doesn't have the skills to create maps. Therefore, I'm seeking the help of a cartographer."

"At this?"

"Here. Malboge is known as the Nine Hells, where all the most severely convicted criminals are held. But there's more than just prisoners here. Perhaps it's the only place in the multiverse where you can find cartographers familiar with the post-Catastrophic terrain to repair and decipher the map. You don't think that map, which is who knows how many centuries old, can be used directly? The markings on it have long been changed."

The "Great Change" of which the Hellcat spoke was caused by the death of the Hag Countess. Legend has it that on that endlessly long day, Malagard's body swelled without warning until it was the height of a mountain, each part of her providing a new landmark for Malborge and forming the new Grand Duke's seat of power—the Succubus holding a feast within her skull.

Due to its constantly rolling nature, Malboge has no permanent landmarks, let alone one that has undergone such a dramatic transformation.

"Wait, the 'Great Change' only affected the area around Gracia's throne. You're not telling me we need to go directly into the center of the Succubus Queen's rule?"

Hopper had joined the Thistle Palace in large part to avoid Gracia's trouble. Now that the Succubus Queen hadn't bothered him yet, this unruly wild cat was already trying to drag him up her skirt?

"What's wrong?" Lightning smiled with a triumphant smile. "Are you still afraid of your queen?"

The Devil took a deep breath, resisting the urge to beat Lightning violently. Although he was selfish, mean, and reckless, he was still a long-term partner. Killing him outright was not worth it.

"Now, tell us where we're going." Hopper crossed his arms. "Or we'll be gone."

Zis, who was standing next to him, looked at the two demons curiously, silently took off his shield and spear, and protected Hopper in front of him.

"Alright, alright. No need to be so confrontational." Hellcat glanced at Zis's sharp spear tip and decided not to provoke the angry demon. "I promise not to enter the core area. The cartographer I'm looking for is still far away from the Longhair Forest."

Chapter 212: Interpreting the Map

Like the rest of Hell, Malboji is nearly impossible to map. The constant tumbling of rocks maliciously destroys any attempt to leave a permanent mark on this layer. Few trees, streams, or even peaks can be seen on its trembling slopes.

The most common symbol of this layer is the fortified settlements built by demons, driven by both lesser demons and mortals. They employ metal barriers, sharp barriers, and endless toil to counteract Malboji's own malevolence. These barriers, designed to channel and deflect the frequent rock flows, themselves become symbols of the demonic hierarchy. The simplest outposts rely solely on mountain walls and massive boulders for protection, while commercial towns with access to the outside world often rely on walls of red copper alloy (yes, even in this desolate place, there are commerce and adventurers). The pinnacle of this layer's lord, Gracia's chamber, is naturally fortified with adamantium. However, all demons know that in the event of a severe landslide (such as the one caused by Malagard's death), any material will be obliterated.

After several days of traveling without any danger, Hopper and his party finally arrived at a small town built under a bronze awning. The town, called Ra'am, was mostly built on solid rock, and the bronze awning only protected its outer entrance and landing platform.

The succubus paused on the outer platform, gazing outward. The sky above the sixth floor was filled with scaly, dark clouds. A gust of wind blew her skirt wide open like a crow's wing. She took a deep breath, turned, and walked down the deep staircase.

The subterranean world of Ra'am is far more vibrant than its stark outer reaches. As the wide staircase continues, the clatter of rolling stones against the awning fades, while another sound—the thump of picks against the stone walls—becomes more pronounced. The town is shrouded in profound darkness, with only a few windows gleaming with a faint yellow light. This isn't due to a lack of people, but rather to the fact that its primary inhabitants—the half-infernal gray dwarves known as Durzagon—abhor light, and their demonic masters can see in darkness as clearly as day.

Therefore, the few houses with lights on were intended for outsiders who couldn't see in the dark. Hopper's destination was the one with the brightest and largest lights.

An orc skull hung under the eaves, with bright yellow flames spewing from its eye sockets and nostrils, illuminating the leather sign below the skull that seemed to be twitching on its own, with the name of the house "Little Bastard" written on it in Hellish.

Hopper walked to the leather curtain, and the two Durzagons standing outside the house shuddered, hurriedly bowed to the succubus, opened the curtain, and invited her in.

"My dear lady, your arrival makes this garbage dump of mine, no, the whole of Ra'am shine." Before she even walked in, she smelled the odor of old wine mixed with a greasy smell, followed by the flattering voice of a gray dwarf standing behind the counter.

The gray dwarf hurried to Hopper on his legs, not caring about the other people in the tavern. He knelt on the ground and kissed her boots before standing up.

"I wonder what brings you here?" He rubbed his hands and bent over. From Hopper's perspective, he could only see the back of his sparse head.

"Stand away! The smell of your bad alcohol is bothering me."

Hearing the demon's scolding, the tavern owner quickly stepped back and apologized repeatedly.

"I'm here to find a Hellcat and a Tiefling. Just tell me where they are, you don't have to follow me."

"Yes, yes, my dear lady. The target you are looking for has been found, at the very end of this corridor."

"You are dismissed."

The succubus didn't even look at the boss who was lying on the ground imitating a log, and walked in, but found that the drinkers in the hall, especially those who were obviously from the material plane, were looking at him in surprise.

She glanced coldly at the surroundings, no creature daring to meet her gaze. Ever since Gracia had taken control of this layer, the already privileged succubi had become even more arrogant. Not to mention outsiders, even the gray dwarves who bullied them were nothing more than slaves in their eyes.

"I heard it all from here. It was awe-inspiring, my lady."

As Hopper reached the end of the corridor, Ziz tactfully opened the curtain, and Lightning's sour voice floated from inside the room:

"If you reveal your identity as a demon hunter, you'll be more impressive." Hopper walked into the room and patted Ziz's head as a reward. Then he frowned at the pungent smell of alcohol: "What's that smell? Did you pee in the room?"

"My dear Hopper, please maintain some ladylike reserve." Lightning leaned lazily, a large wine glass placed on the wooden table in front of him, the liquid in the glass shimmering with greasy iridescence. "The 'Little Bastard's' most famous 'Scorpion Heart' was ordered specially for the guests."

"Is this why you didn't let me come with you?" Hopper looked around and couldn't find a clean place to rest. He simply gestured for Ziz to lie down on the ground and sat down himself. "Are you afraid I'll discover your little secret?"

"After all, this is an exclusive channel, and it's a rare guest. You wouldn't mind my little selfishness, right?"

The guest didn't keep them waiting for too long. Before Zisi's hands began to tremble, the tavern owner's slick voice rang out from behind the curtains: "Dear ladies and sirs, a guest said he had an appointment with you in advance. May I ask if he can come in?"

After getting permission, a strange, thin figure walked in.

The newcomer was emaciated, its beak-like triangular face devoid of hair. Even its mouth and nose had melted away, leaving only a pair of terrifyingly large, pure black pupils. Even more bizarre than the pupils were the six pale arms tangled and bulging from its torso. Each one was throbbing with bulging veins, its knuckles ending in dry branches. Its entire body resembled a strange tree twisting and growing in the darkness.

A weaver.

"Honorable Baatezu, be at peace." The mouthless Weaver could not speak, but his voice was still transmitted to the hearts of those present through telepathy. "I have arrived as promised."

"May the winds of magic always surround you, Master." Lightning bowed gracefully in return. "Thank you for your help."

"It's only natural to get paid for work"

Perhaps it was a tacit understanding among everyone in this business, the Weaver did not announce his name and sat down at the table. Lightning winked at Hopper, asking her to move aside so that Ziz could get up and take out the map.

The Weaver took the map and stared at it. Hopper couldn't read anything from its expression.

It took out pens, rulers, paper, ink, and even a thick leather-bound book from its wide robe. Its six hands moved in an orderly manner, just like a precision instrument.

Not long after, the Spellweaver whispered "Alright" in their hearts, and then handed back two pieces of parchment, one of which was the original manuscript, and the other had been redrawn and marked according to the latest topography of Malborge.

"Longhair Forest?" Hopper felt a pang of pain in his teeth when he saw the entrance sign. While it wasn't quite at Gracia's quarters, it wasn't far away. This journey would likely be difficult to avoid the Sixth Lord's notice.

The Weaver sat cross-legged, holding a wooden cup in each hand. Hopper stared at it, bewildered. How could a creature without a mouth drink? Its palm rested on the cup's rim, its grayish-gray skin gradually turning a dark purple, as if alcohol were seeping through its pores and into its veins.

"Thank you for your hospitality. Here's a piece of news—you're not the only ones interested in the Longhair Forest lately. Not long ago, I helped a group of mercenaries create a unique map."

Chapter 213: Benefits of Being a Lustful Demon

After sending the Weaver away, Lightning slowly walked back to his cushion. The pair of eyes in his transparent body flickered in the dim light like red charcoal.

"It's clear that the Yg'goloths are acting as they always have."

Hopper wasn't surprised by this. The yugoloths' capriciousness and selfishness were ingrained in their nature, their almost obsessive enjoyment of evil and betrayal. Simply selling the same item multiple times was considered a great favor.

"Look on the bright side," Hopper said, half mockingly and half comfortingly. "At least the Spellweaver didn't say your map was fake, so the Ygurumoths still maintain their basic reputation. It's too late to worry about competitors now. If you don't want to take risks, I understand. But you have to think clearly. We have a deal. My help for you doesn't guarantee success, and if you give up halfway, we'll settle the matter."

"You want to settle your account without working? That's not the rule in Manbatto." The translucent lion snorted and said disdainfully, "I'm just curious who's interested in this. Even Lady Biste doesn't seem to care much about it. Could they know something we don't?"

"But why are you suddenly so proactive?" the suspicious Hellcat asked. "I remember you were trying so hard to avoid Gracia a while ago. Now that you heard the entrance is in the Longhair Forest, you're not excited anymore?"

"No comment," Hopper gave him a mysterious smile. She really didn't want to get involved in Gracia's affairs, but since she had already decided to do it, there was no point in worrying about it. It would be better to take the initiative to think about how to deal with possible emergencies.

Just as Lightning was about to continue asking, the boss's flattering voice came from outside the door curtain again: "Most distinguished and beautiful lady, several adventurers have ordered drinks for you. May I come in?"

Hopper rolled her eyes. This wasn't the first time she'd encountered such a thing. As a middle-ranking member of Bartor, the succubi, with their deceptively beautiful appearance, always made those smooth-minded adventurers think they were easy to talk to. Many even fantasized about a forbidden yet thrilling romantic relationship with them.

"Tell them," Ziz growled, noticing the hostess's look. "If you don't want to be hanged from the rafters by your own intestines, get out now."

"How thoughtful," Hopper complimented Ziz by patting his head with a smile. The top of his head, with less than an inch of hair left, felt very strange to the touch.

The Devil let go of the red-faced Tiefling, stood up, kicked the lazy Hellcat and said, "Hurry up and set off. Your competitor may be far away from you."

When they left the "Little Bastard", the tavern owner kept bowing at a 90-degree angle, and the other drinkers didn't even dare to make a sound.

"I didn't know that the residents of Malborge are so polite now." Lightning couldn't help but look back. As a mercenary specializing in capturing evil demons under the command of the Grand Dukes, the Demon Hunter has always been feared by many low- and middle-level demons, but he has never enjoyed such treatment.

"The respected and only Princess has just been appointed Grand Duke of the Sixth Layer. There are quite a few people ready to make a move," Hopper wasn't surprised. "The only thing she trusts is her own army, and Enreyes is the one she trusts most within that army. Under these circumstances, if the residents of Malbogi don't wake up and show submission to the Succubus Queen and her succubus, they'll be thrown off the hillside."

The further down they went in the town of Laam, the warmer and more prosperous it became. Hopper and his party followed the downward mine tunnel straight down, through the dripping corridor, and into the cavity of the mountain.

The cavity was bustling with activity. Hopper counted nearly a dozen groups of outsiders gathered outside the single house, gesticulating and spitting around several Durzagons. Two bearded demons, long-handled swords in hand, stood high above, scanning the crowd.

Durzagon, who was in a panic and yelling at the stone table, accidentally saw the succubus in exquisite silver armor walking into the cave. He quickly rolled up the list in his hand, kicked his legs, jumped over the heads of the crowd, and landed in front of Hopper with his knees on the ground.

"Lady of Blackwing, what can I do for you?"

"I need to go to the Longhair Forest immediately. I heard you have transportation?" Hopper's voice was icy. Durzagon, kneeling on the ground, raised his head slightly and saw a corner of the quiver on the demon's waist. Recognizing it as an enchanted artifact, he quickly lowered his head.

"Of course, of course, ma'am. The largest and most reliable Tremor Beast. This way, please."

Durzagon quickly got up and led Hopper to the table while shouting at the other Durzagon with red nails, "Red Claw! Can't you see there's a distinguished lord here? Go and get the three Collapse Beasts."

"Hey, old Ironbeard, we were here first." A red-skinned orc in the crowd shouted, "Isn't Bartor the most law-abiding?"

Bang! With a loud bang, the red-skinned orc fell down without a sound, and a huge bump appeared on the back of his head.

A blond human behind the orcs put away the stick in his hand, bowed and said earnestly, "I hope this fool did not offend you, my lady."

The succubus walked past the orc without commenting, stepping on his face. The people around him silently made way for him.

Behind the table was a simple fence, but there were no livestock such as cattle or horses inside. There were only many huge rocks the size of a table lying flat on the ground.

The duergar named Red Claw jumped into the pen and blew three times on the horn hanging around his neck.

The boulder suddenly moved—seven or eight crab-like claws suddenly lifted it from the ground. The gravel on top was supported by a long chitinous neck as slender as a goose's neck. A crack appeared on the surface of the gravel, revealing an orange iris.

"The best, biggest, and most stable Collapse Beast! Ma'am!"

Red Claw's voice was a bit sharper than Old Ironbeard's, and though it had a beard, Hopper guessed it might be female.

The succubus nodded in satisfaction. Avalanches weren't native to Hell; these magical beasts typically lived in the mountains of the Material Plane, using their ability to turn fossils into mud and cause landslides to hunt.

The long, crab-like legs of the Avalanche allow them to tread smoothly over gravel and slopes, making them the best humpers for Malboji. Although they occasionally eat a few cleaning slaves, this loss is not worth mentioning compared to the convenience they provide.

Just as Hopper was about to pay, a hand reached out in front of her, trying to stop her.

"Your Excellency," said a bald man. A seductive dark pink tattoo stretched from his right eye to his ear. A small purple devil crouched on his shoulder, its claws clutching his extravagant cherry-colored robes.