"So… once prisoners come in here, they never really leave, right?"
Domino nodded after glancing briefly at Smoker.
"For most of them, no. They don't make it out—because they die before they get the chance."
"Unless there's a prison break," she added calmly.
"But during my tenure, there hasn't been a single successful escape."
Karl, who had just been about to speak, suddenly fell silent.
Looks like I won't be bringing up Shiki the Golden Lion, he thought.
Judging by this, Domino probably hadn't joined Impel Down back then—after all, Magellan himself had only been vice warden at the time.
"Miss Domino," Karl said, changing the subject,
"take us to Level Two."
At the sound of Karl's voice, Domino immediately broke into a sweet smile, her cheeks faintly flushed.
"Y-yes, Major General Karl. Please follow me!"
Level Two – Beast Hell
They took the elevator again and soon arrived at the second level.
The moment they stepped out, Domino pointed to the massive iron cages lining both sides.
"This is Level Two—Beast Hell. The ferocious creatures kept in these cages are the reason for the name."
"Under normal circumstances, they're released once a day for exercise. But if a prison break ever happens, all of them will be unleashed to tear apart any escaping prisoners."
Karl nodded thoughtfully, then looked toward the guards busy at work ahead.
"The prisoners I'm escorting—are they all from Level Two?"
"Yes," Domino replied. "And see that man over there, bare-chested? That's our Vice Warden—Hannyabal."
As she spoke, Hannyabal himself strutted over, glanced down at Karl and Smoker, and snorted.
"Domino, what are you doing here? Where's Magellan, huh? In the bathroom again?"
"Tch. Always shirking his duties. Even with guests here, he can't host properly. Honestly, the position of warden should've been mine!"
Mid-rant, Hannyabal suddenly seemed to realize something. He hastily covered his mouth and whispered nervously,
"Ah—whoops. I let my ambitions slip again."
Karl chuckled softly at the sight of the shirtless, pharaoh-like man.
"Nice to meet you, Vice Warden Hannyabal. I'm Major General Karl from Headquarters."
"Haha, nice to meet you—just call me Warden—"
"Vice Warden," Domino interrupted immediately.
Hannyabal glared at her furiously.
"Hmph! I'll be warden sooner or later!"
"Hah," Domino shot back coldly.
"No matter how unreliable Warden Magellan is, his strength is still far above yours. If you want that position, you'd better get stronger first."
Hannyabal's face instantly collapsed into something resembling a resentful housewife's pout.
Damn it… can't even refute that, he thought bitterly.
If he were stronger than Magellan, he'd already be warden.
Karl quickly stepped in to change the subject.
"Uh, Vice Warden Hannyabal—how's the progress on the prisoners I requested?"
"Oh, that?" Hannyabal replied.
"They're being transferred as we speak. It'll take some time—we have to make sure they're physically healthy."
Karl nodded in understanding.
"Much appreciated, then. We won't interrupt your work."
"Miss Domino, let's head down to the next level."
"Mhm!"
Level Three – Starvation Hell
Level Three felt… unreal.
The air was dry and blisteringly hot, as if all moisture had been stripped away.
This level held criminals with bounties exceeding 50 million Beli.
Logically speaking, they should have been far more resilient than the inmates above.
And yet—
Gaunt faces.
Cracked lips.
Skeleton-thin bodies.
One prisoner, barely conscious, weakly looked toward Karl's group.
"P-please… give me some water… just… water…"
Domino ignored him entirely and turned to Karl.
"This level is called Starvation Hell. Food and water are completely cut off—prisoners receive a minimal ration only once every fifteen days."
"It's meant to break them."
Karl nodded slowly.
"I see… Saves resources, weeds out the weak, and keeps cell turnover efficient. A very effective system."
Domino glanced at Karl in surprise.
A professional, she thought.
"Exactly. That was the intent of the first warden. Under these conditions, prisoners don't even have the energy to think about escaping. We barely need guards down here."
"Makes sense."
Karl had always believed pirates should be killed on the spot—why waste resources keeping them alive in prison?
But now…
Maybe sending bounties over 50 million here isn't a bad idea after all.
Smoker wiped sweat from his forehead, clearly uncomfortable.
"Let's hurry up. It's way too hot—I'm drenched."
Compared to Smoker, who was already soaked in sweat, Karl hadn't shed a single drop.
"Oh—almost forgot."
Karl gathered two orbs of holy light and gently infused them into Smoker and Domino.
Instant relief washed over them, a cool sensation rushing straight to their heads.
Yes—Holy Light's healing effect also worked against extreme heat, functioning like a vastly superior cooling balm.
"So that's why you're not sweating at all!" Smoker complained.
"Is this your ability, Major General Karl? Ah… that feels amazing!"
"Haha, my bad, my bad. Let's move on—there's not much else to see here."
Level Four – Blazing Hell
Level Four was where Magellan's office was located—
or, more accurately, his personal bathroom.
This level also contained Impel Down's kitchens and food storage. All supplies passed through here.
The moment they stepped out near the blood pool, a wave of searing heat slammed into them.
Boiling pools of blood.
Seas of flame.
Karl instantly realized where Level Three's dry climate came from.
"The temperature here is extremely high," Domino explained.
"Without specialized protective suits, entry isn't recommended. Would you like to go inside, Major General?"
"No thanks," Karl replied casually.
"Too much trouble."
He was sightseeing—not here to suffer.
"At least I can see the prisoners are being… well taken care of."
"Oh, and this is Warden Magellan's office," Domino added.
"Though at the moment, he's likely still dealing with personal matters. Best not to go in."
Smoker nodded rapidly.
The memory of Magellan's earlier performance still haunted him.
If not for the gas mask, the consequences would've been catastrophic.
"Agreed. Let's head straight to Level Five instead."
"Wait."
They turned.
Magellan had emerged from his office.
"Warden Magellan!" Domino quickly said.
"Major General Karl is here—please put your gas mask back on!"
Smoker stared in disbelief.
Wow. You really think you're special, huh.
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