The cold, damp corridors of Impel Down echoed with the distant sounds of chains clattering and the low murmurs of prisoners conspiring in the shadows. Ainz stood at the entrance of the deepest level, flanked by Demiurge and Albedo, their glowing eyes fixed on the rows of cells holding the most dangerous criminals this world had to offer.
Ainz's aura, calm but commanding, sent waves of intimidation through the very air around him. His robes billowed lightly with the residual magical energy coursing through him, and even without saying a word, his presence was overwhelming. He knew what awaited him in these depths. Many of these prisoners were fierce, unpredictable, and likely to resist any form of control.
But that was fine. Ainz had already accounted for their rebellion.
---
Prisoner Perspective
In the dark corner of a cell, a group of prisoners huddled together. They had heard the rumors, the whispers of a powerful figure who had breached the defenses of Impel Down. He wasn't a marine, he wasn't a pirate—he was something else entirely.
"Who is this guy?" one of the prisoners, a burly man covered in scars, muttered in disbelief.
"They say he's some kind of demon," another hissed, a lean man with sharp eyes that darted nervously to the door.
A third prisoner, towering and heavily muscled, growled with impatience. "I ain't bowing to no one, he's not getting out of here alive."
There was a pause. Even the boldest of them felt a lingering sense of dread. They had survived Impel Down, they had seen the worst the world had to offer, but something about this felt different. Something about this "Ainz" wasn't just rumor or legend—it was real.
---
Meanwhile: Ainz's Approach
Ainz moved slowly, his skeletal fingers trailing along the thick iron bars of the cells. The silence that followed his steps was absolute, broken only by the occasional clatter of chains as prisoners shifted uneasily. He could feel their fear, their confusion, and their underlying desire to fight. But it didn't matter. He had seen this countless times in his former world. Rebellion was often a fool's last stand.
"Demiurge," Ainz said quietly, "release them from their cells."
Demiurge smiled sinisterly, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. "As you command, my lord."
With a simple gesture from Demiurge, the heavy iron doors of the cells groaned open. The prisoners, for a moment, hesitated. Some were frozen in place by the sheer audacity of being set free so easily, while others, more foolish, took it as a sign to attack.
The towering prisoner from before lunged at Ainz, his fists raised high, bellowing with anger. "You think you can control me? I'll—!"
Before he could finish his sentence, Ainz raised a hand, his voice calm and cold. "Time Stop."
The world froze. The air became still, and the prisoner stood, motionless, his eyes wide in terror as he realized something was horribly wrong.
Ainz regarded him with indifference. "Such a lack of understanding. If you knew who you were dealing with, you wouldn't have been so reckless."
He flicked his hand dismissively, casting Grasp Heart. In an instant, the man's body convulsed, his heart crushed by invisible forces. Time resumed, and he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
The other prisoners gasped, stepping back in horror.
---
Prisoners Resist
The moment of shock didn't last long. Several of the other prisoners, hardened by years of brutality, saw their chance. They surged forward, their bodies twisting and turning as they tried to overwhelm Ainz with sheer numbers.
A group of five surrounded him, their fists and weapons raised high, but they never stood a chance.
Ainz raised his staff, a cold glow emanating from the crystal at its peak. "Black Hole."
A swirling vortex of darkness formed in front of him, rapidly expanding and sucking in the prisoners. They screamed in agony as the void consumed them, erasing their very existence. Their souls, what little they had left, dissipated into nothingness.
"Such weak souls," Ainz muttered, the faint traces of disappointment in his voice. "It seems the value of life in this world is… less than I expected."
---
Third Party Dialogue: Other Prisoners
Farther down the hall, the remaining prisoners watched in horror as their fellow inmates were effortlessly slaughtered. They hadn't been loyal to each other, but watching their comrades be erased from existence sent chills through them.
"What… what is he?" one whispered, his voice trembling. "I thought this was just some marine raid. But he's… he's a monster."
Another prisoner, shaking his head in disbelief, said, "There's no way we can fight him. Did you see what he did? He killed them like they were nothing."
A more calculating prisoner, his eyes narrowed, stepped forward. "If we resist, we'll die. It's clear he's not here to negotiate. Our only chance is to submit… maybe we can survive if we play along."
The others looked at him incredulously, but the fear in their hearts made them hesitate. Was it better to die in defiance or live under the control of a demon?
---
Ainz's Perspective
Ainz turned away from the lifeless bodies, his mind already focused on the next step of his plan. He had no need for the weak or the defiant. Those who resisted would be dealt with swiftly, as he had no time for foolish rebellions. But there was still value to be had here. The prisoners who survived—the ones who saw the futility in resisting—could be molded.
"Demiurge," Ainz said calmly, "I want the remaining prisoners to be brought before me."
Demiurge bowed low, his voice dripping with admiration. "Of course, my lord. As always, your wisdom is unparalleled. I will see to it that they understand the consequences of defiance."
The remaining prisoners were rounded up quickly, their chains clinking as they were forced to kneel before Ainz. Their eyes were wide with fear, but none dared to speak. They had seen what happened to those who resisted.
Ainz gazed down at them, his skeletal visage expressionless. "You have a choice. Submit to me, and I will grant you a place in my army, a chance to serve something far greater than yourselves. Resist, and you will share the fate of those who lie at your feet."
The room was silent, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. Slowly, one by one, the prisoners lowered their heads, their wills broken.
---
Ainz's Thoughts
As Ainz observed the prisoners bowing before him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He had seen this countless times before—beings who thought they could resist, who believed they had a chance. But in the end, they all bowed. Power, after all, was the ultimate truth in any world.
Still, there was a strange sense of calm that accompanied this conquest. Unlike his previous world, where he could easily manipulate souls and magic, this world required more subtlety. The rules were different, and Ainz realized that his journey here would not be as simple as crushing every opposition.
"No matter," he thought. "This world may present new challenges, but it also offers new opportunities. I will adapt, and I will conquer. One step at a time."
With the prisoners now under his control and Impel Down secured, Ainz had laid the foundation for his next move. The Beast Pirates awaited, and once they were under his command, the next phase of his plan would begin.