Chapter 63: Brainwashing Hannyabal and Touring the Inferno Hell!
"Reform yourself well in there. I'll come to see you again when I have the chance."
After saying this, Ian focused his consciousness. His superhuman visual and auditory abilities activated imperceptibly. For a moment, every floor, every area of the underwater prison Impel Down, even the most subtle and undetectable sounds, were all under Ian's surveillance.
Startled!
A particular sound from somewhere deep within Impel Down, one that sharply stimulated Ian's nerves, made his heart jump.
Heh, today was the perfect day to come!
Ian remained in the main hall throughout the entire "prisoner baptism" process, refusing Hannyabal's repeated invitations to rest in the reception room. Procedurally speaking, Ian's mission was now complete. But having heard such a rare and interesting sound today, it would be a shame to leave just like that!
As a Marine officer, for Ian to ask the Impel Down officials to take him down into the underground prison was somewhat unreasonable, no matter how you looked at it. Without a perfect and logical reason, if logic failed, he could only rely on his charm and connections.
"Is it all over?" Ian asked. "Deputy Warden Hannyabal, where exactly will these pirate prisoners be held?"
It was the first time Ian had correctly addressed Hannyabal by his name and title.
Ahem, ahem. "Let me take a look at the compiled list," Hannyabal began, adopting his pretentious tone once more. "Wait a moment, Major General Ian."
This kind of person wore their emotions on their sleeve; it was easy to guess what they were thinking.
"According to the statistics on the list," Hannyabal continued, "most will be imprisoned on Level 1, the Crimson Hell. Among them, four are labeled as cadres and core members. One will be imprisoned on Level 2, two on Level 3, and one on Level 4. The... centaur accompanying Major General Ian will be escorted to Level 3, the Starvation Hell."
Hannyabal specifically pointed out Speed's designated location.
"Starvation Hell..." Just hearing the name made Speed tremble with fear.
"Major General Ian..." Speed looked pitifully at Ian, begging for help. She had been very obedient, serving as Ian's mount for the day.
"She isn't a major threat and has a good attitude towards reform," Ian interjected smoothly. "Could she be placed on Level 1? I believe someone with the authority of the Warden, like Mr. Hannyabal, should be able to arrange that, right?"
Ian did as he promised, maneuvering on her behalf.
Hearing the phrase "authority of the Warden," Hannyabal's eyes instantly lit up! Rearranging a prisoner's floor assignment, especially for someone only slated for Level 3 and above, was a simple matter. As Deputy Warden, Hannyabal had the power to make such allocations at will.
"Oh my, what are you saying, Major General Ian?" Hannyabal chuckled. "We're all one family! A small matter like changing floors is no problem at all! Don't look at me as just a Deputy Warden; I still have the authority to make this decision, hehehehe!"
Hannyabal happily demonstrated his actual power.
"Thank you, Major General Ian! Thank you so much! Waaah..." Speed excitedly grabbed Ian's clothes.
The reason Ian had praised Hannyabal wasn't just for Speed's sake. He had a bigger plan in mind...
"I captured all these people myself," Ian said, his tone shifting. "The one being sent to Level 4 must be the lion-man, Holdem. I wonder if I can see him being locked up? It took a lot of effort to catch him. I'd really like to see the moment that murderer is thrown into prison with my own eyes!"
As he spoke, Ian adopted a sentimental expression.
Hannyabal was momentarily speechless. "This..."
Level 4: the Inferno Hell! It wasn't just an important detention level; Warden Magellan's office was also located on Level 4. Taking an outsider down there without the Warden's permission... Even if Ian was a Major General, it was still against the rules.
Seeing Hannyabal hesitate, Ian quickly turned up the charm:
"If there's no chance to visit today, there's always next time. I believe with Mr. Hannyabal's abilities, it's only a matter of time before you become Warden Hannyabal. When that day comes, taking me down for a tour won't be difficult at all! I believe in you and support you, Warden Hannyabal!"
Speed listened, her panic growing. Ian's sudden "soft tone" and "changed temperament" definitely meant he was up to no good. Looking at Hannyabal standing to the side, he was clearly losing himself in the repeated address of "Warden."
"No problem! It's no problem today!" Hannyabal gritted his teeth and agreed directly. "It's rare to meet a young talent like Major General Ian. Who doesn't know the weight the title 'Sea King' carries at Headquarters? We're colleagues from sister organizations. Today, I will be your tour guide and personally show Major General Ian around."
He called me Warden!
Speed: "..."
As expected, he fell right into Ian's trap! This man is terrifying.
Following Ian's small request, Speed continued to carry him temporarily. Once they left Impel Down, Speed would go where she was supposed to go. Since Hannyabal had even agreed to the request to visit Level 4, there was naturally no reason to refuse such a small matter.
The three of them entered the elevator reserved for internal personnel and descended floor by floor. Blood-curdling screams could be heard on every level. Occasionally, the sounds of whipping and torture were clearly audible. According to the rules set by the World Government, anyone imprisoned in Impel Down was permanently deprived of their freedom. In other words, there was only imprisonment here, no "release after serving a sentence."
When the elevator descended to Level 4, the temperature suddenly skyrocketed. The structure of Level 4, the Inferno Hell, was like a giant iron pot covered with a lid. In the center was a circular pool of boiling blood, surrounded by a sea of fire.
"Gyah! Let me go back! I won't cause trouble again!"
"My feet are burning! Give me one more chance!"
"It's scorching! My back is on fire!"
"Aaaahhh!!"
The elevator doors opened, but the entire fourth level wasn't yet visible. A shrill scream reached their ears first.
"This is Level 4," Hannyabal warned, stepping out first. "Major General Ian, you must be careful. Follow me closely during the tour and avoid the central area. If you accidentally step in... hehe, it's more than just a burn."
Ian patted Speed on the back. "You heard the man. Watch your step."