"Who but the devil lives like a king in the middle of hell" is a quote from James Patterson's book Cross Country. It suggests that evil or malevolent forces often enjoy a position of power or comfort in their own dark realms, despite the chaos surrounding them.
This phrase highlights the paradox of someone who dominates or reigns supreme in a setting of disorder or evil, emphasizing the idea that those with malicious intent can sometimes live comfortably in their wickedness, much like a king in a hellish landscape.