While the prisoners of Impel Down's sixth level were rioting, Rex, in the form of the Hero-King, sat elegantly upon the throne of Vimana, his ruby-red eyes showing not the slightest ripple of emotion.
"Level three, is it... I'll be out soon."
A smile appeared on the Hero-King's face.
Events were proceeding more smoothly than he had imagined.
Kill a Celestial Dragon, get thrown into the sixth level of Impel Down, complete the check-in, receive the reward, release the prisoners, and slip away during the ensuing riot.
Simply perfect.
"After I get out, I'll need to focus on this so-called special energy."
After all, the Development Level was related to the next check-in location, while special energy was related to the Hero-King's other abilities.
—The Star of Omniscience and Omnipotence and the Sword of Rupture.
If Rex could obtain either of these, what were a mere Shiryu and Magellan to him? He could simply steamroll them.
With the Star of Omniscience and Omnipotence combined with the King's Treasure, the Hero-King could know the true names of all the treasures in his vault and use them freely after release.
How many treasures were in the King's Treasure? A practically inexhaustible supply.
And the Sword of Rupture was even more formidable. Once used, Impel Down could be shattered in an instant.
Golden ripples continuously appeared behind the Hero-King. A dense rain of treasures instantly shattered the ceiling of the third level, and the Hero-King entered the second level.
This was the Beast Hell.
As the ground shattered, all the beasts on the first level were drawn to the commotion, including the most massive of them all, the Sphinx.
—ROOOOAR
A heaven-shaking roar was released from the Sphinx's throat, seeming to take the form of a physical sound wave as it spread out instantly.
The Hero-King lazily rested his chin on his right hand, looking down from his throne. His ruby eyes glinted with indifference as his lips moved slightly.
"Insolent!"
The next second.
With three golden treasures hurtling through the air, the ground instantly exploded. The Sphinx's massive body was sent flying, pinned directly to the wall by the treasures.
"A mere beast dares to roar at this king? A capital offense!"
He unleashed the King's Treasure without reservation.
Its dazzling brilliance illuminated the once-dim prison as if it were under the midday sun.
Next, the beasts below faced a torrential downpour of treasures from the King's Treasure, a carpet bombing.
The ground cracked, the prison shook, and even many of the cells collapsed.
Witnessing this scene, the prisoners on the second level were already stunned, silent with fear.
After all, they were not like the prisoners on the sixth level; they had never seen such a spectacle.
This was Magellan's territory, and that Magellan was explosively strong.
"That... that person... who in the world is he? He's too strong!!"
One prisoner couldn't help but look up, trying to see the face of the ancient hero hidden within the golden miracle.
Noticing this gaze, the Hero-King's eyes narrowed slightly. His ruby pupils cast their gaze downwards, and he revealed a casual smile.
The next second.
With a thud.
A golden treasure struck, and the cell instantly exploded, frightening the prisoner so much he nearly fainted.
Vimana moved slowly, and the Hero-King looked down from above.
"That's right, that is the look of reverence. You should know that you are now looking up at the most ancient king of humanity!"
"King... K-King?"
The prisoner felt a chill run down his spine. Trembling, he quickly knelt.
"Please spare me, O King, Great King!"
"Hahahaha... To witness this king's majesty is to receive my grace. This king cannot be too stingy. This king absolves you of your crimes. You may leave!!"
...
As soon as his voice fell, a roar that seemed to come from hell itself erupted from beneath the shattered ground.
"Whether he is guilty or not is not for you to decide!! Poison Dragon!!"
A viscous purple venom transformed into a massive dragon, hurtling towards the departing prisoner, about to devour him.
Just then.
A golden treasure instantly shot out, blasting the poison dragon into pieces.
"Mongrel, do you wish for this king to break his word? That is a grave sin."
A purple column shot up from the third level, blocking the path of the Hero-King's Vimana.
Then, Magellan emerged as if from hell itself, his entire body shrouded in purple venom. The stone slabs around him sizzled under the venom's corrosion.
"Are you the culprit who released the prisoners from the sixth level?"
Looking at Magellan, the Hero-King, seated upon his throne, remained calm, his ruby eyes undisturbed.
"Since they submitted to this king, this king will not be stingy in granting them freedom. That is all."
Magellan glared with fury, and a massive amount of purple venom spewed forth. He was not holding back.
"Is that so? I see... So, after releasing so many prisoners, you are now leisurely escaping. You've missed the best opportunity to flee, you little mouse!"
Hearing this, the Hero-King's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Flee? Such impudence. This king is merely departing from this filthy place. Forcing this king to stay here for even one more minute is a crime in itself!"
"Well then, you can die! Poison Dragon!"
"Insolent!"