Chapter 63: The Coolest Man in Impel Down (Part 2)
Don't you know him?!
Why are you communicating so naturally if you don't even know who he is?
He's the Deputy Warden of Impel Down! Does he have no fame in the Navy at all?
Hannyabal's mind raced. Considering Ian's relatively short time at Headquarters, it was plausible he wouldn't know all the cadres of Impel Down.
"My humble name is Hannyabal," he declared, puffing out his chest. "Deputy Warden of Impel Down. Due to Warden Magellan's... special physical condition, he is unable to work most of the time. In fact, all affairs of Impel Down, big and small, are managed by me!" He proudly patted his chest.
"I see," Ian replied smoothly. "Warden Magellan is a user of the Doku Doku no Mi. He's deeply troubled by it every day and needs time to rest and adjust. I've heard about it."
Of course, Ian recognized such a distinctive appearance. Hannyabal was the type who openly and covertly boasted about his achievements, afraid that outsiders wouldn't know how much work he did. More importantly... what was with the huge fork? Trying to intimidate him? Trying to steal the scene? Not a chance!
"Ahem, let me introduce the two people behind me..." Hannyabal began, but Ian stepped forward, cutting him off.
He cheerfully extended a friendly hand to a petite, slender blonde female official. She wore a brown jacket and shorts over a white shirt and black tie. Her hat was tilted, obscuring her right eye, leaving only a pair of reddish-brown sunglasses visible. The most striking feature was the pair of red long boots on her shapely legs.
"This elegant and slender female cadre must be Deputy Warden Domino, right?" Ian said with a charming smile. "I've heard of you. You're one of the two most beautiful cadres in Impel Down. Thank you for your hard work. Have you been waiting long?"
Hannyabal: "???"
Ian naming Domino's identity left her pleasantly flustered. "N-Not long at all, Major General Ian. You are truly as the newspapers say—a handsome and talented young man." Blushing slightly, she returned the compliment.
Hannyabal awkwardly stepped between them, pointing to the other woman, ready to introduce her. "Major General Ian, let me introduce you to this—"
Ian was quicker, repeating his trick. This female cadre wore a striking, peach-colored, tight-fitting, hollowed-out leather jacket. She had long kumquat-colored hair with bangs covering her eyes. Her slender, upright figure held a unique charm.
"This must be the other beautiful cadre of the city, Little Sadie, right?" Ian said, turning his charm on her. "I should have known there was a charismatic chief guard on Level 4 of Impel Down. With a red devil whip in hand, she maintains perfect discipline among the prisoners. Seeing you today, you're even more charming than the rumors said. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Not only that, but her weapon was a whip, and she enjoyed disciplining people... She reminded Ian of an acquaintance!
Little Sadie reacted much like Domino. She excitedly tossed her black trident to the ground and grasped Ian's strong hands with both of hers. "Major General Ian! No, no, that's too much praise, uh-huh! But you, Major General Ian... you are so tall, so handsome, so sturdy, and so strong!" Looking up at Ian, Little Sadie seemed to fall into a rapturous daze.
Hannyabal: "???"
So he knows everyone! Except for me!
Am I that invisible in Impel Down?!
"Is this Major General Jock Ian? He's totally unassuming!"
"He's a Major General at such a young age, and a base commander of an important area too! He has such a cheerful personality. I really admire him."
"After reading the newspaper reports, I thought he was some particularly cruel young leader. It seems the papers aren't always true!"
The jailers began whispering among themselves, impressed by Ian's pleasant demeanor.
Speed, standing obediently to the side, desperately wanted to grab the jailers by their ears and scream: He IS brutal! Everything in the news is TRUE! You'll know if you ever cross him!
"Major General Ian? Major General Ian?" Hannyabal interjected, having to cut in as Ian stole all the attention. "Shall we go inside and register the prisoners?"
Ian: "No problem. Thank you, Deputy Team Leader, for leading the way."
"It's Deputy Warden, Major General Ian!" Hannyabal nearly broke down.
Ian mounted his centaur steed once more. "Giddy up!"
Hannyabal: "..."
Can't you walk by yourself? Do you have to ride a person—or a horse—inside? This is too much! Even more exaggerated than me!
The atmosphere during the prisoner registration and handover inside was no longer as relaxed as it had been at the gate. The levels of Impel Down above sea level held no prisoners. All inmates were categorized by their danger level and sent to different underground prison levels.
Before being imprisoned, every prisoner had to pass through an iron gate for "prisoner baptism." The so-called baptism involved throwing the new prisoners into boiling water at 100 degrees Celsius to "sterilize and disinfect" them.
"Argh! Are you kidding me?! Is this how you disinfect?!"
"It's burning! It hurts! Help me!"
"Don't lock me up! Can't I just stop being a pirate? Aaaah!"
No matter how stubborn or tough-talking a pirate was, they were completely broken by this process. Watching her former companions and subordinates being thrown in for disinfection one by one, hearing the agonized screams, Speed's four legs trembled, growing weak with fear.
"Ma'er, have I been good to you?" Ian scratched Speed's neck playfully. "Being my mount exempts you from the 'baptism.' A hundred degrees... tsk tsk tsk. With your delicate skin and tender flesh, could you handle it?"
"No, I definitely couldn't!" Speed stammered, utterly subdued. "Thank you, Major General Ian. I... Can I always be your mount? Could you please not lock me up here?"
It was only when faced with the permanent loss of freedom that one truly regretted their mistakes.
Ian stroked Speed's mane, his tone calm yet final. "Alas, it's too late, little horse. If you do something wrong or choose the wrong path, you must bear the consequences."
✨ Want to read ahead and uncover what happens next? ✨
Gain early access to up to 20 exclusive chapters before anyone else!
🌑 Join the journey now at:👉 Patreon.com/ShadowQuill7
💎 All memberships are currently 10% OFF! 💎
Your support helps the story grow, chapter by chapter.
🔥 Don't forget to drop your Power Stones!
Every stone lights the path forward. ⚡