Next to Caelan, Magellan was completely stunned as he looked at the more than two hundred Devil Fruits before him.
That was more than two hundred Devil Fruits.
A single Devil Fruit could be considered a treasure of the sea. Countless people sought them, yet few ever obtained one.
The cheapest of them would cost at least a hundred million Berries, while the better ones could easily start at several hundred million.
The prisoners in Impel Down were all vicious individuals, and their Devil Fruits were far from ordinary. Some of them had even possessed terrifyingly powerful abilities.
By that calculation, the total value of these two hundred Devil Fruits would easily reach hundreds of billions of Berries.
Of course, any faction that obtained such a collection would never sell them.
Wouldn't it be far better to form an entire army of Devil Fruit users?
Now, there were two full baskets of them placed right before his eyes.
The Devil Fruits that were once displayed in luxurious brocade boxes at auctions were now piled up like common fruit on a street vendor's stall.
"Am I really not dreaming?"
Magellan felt as though he were still trapped in an illusion, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Before today, perhaps only the World Government, which had ruled for over eight hundred years, could have possessed so many Devil Fruits.
As for the others, whether it was the Four Emperors or the Revolutionary Army, compared to the World Government with its deep foundations, these forces were far too young. It was impossible for any of them to have so many Devil Fruits.
This had originally been part of the World Government's strategy.
By locking up users with special abilities inside Impel Down, they slowed down the regeneration of Devil Fruits in the outside world.
Until today, this plan had worked perfectly.
The ability users within the prison had gradually died of old age, while new ones were captured to take their place.
By detaining so many Devil Fruit users, the World Government had greatly weakened the resistance outside.
But now, this plan had been shattered by Caelan. The countless ability users imprisoned within Impel Down had all become stepping stones for him.
Magellan didn't even dare to imagine how terrifying the world would become if Caelan commanded more than two hundred ability users.
After observing for so long, he was completely convinced that Blackbeard truly could extract Devil Fruits from others.
And now, Blackbeard had been tortured to death by Caelan more than a dozen times and no longer dared to resist.
It was clear that Blackbeard had been completely subjugated by him.
Now that Caelan had mastered Blackbeard's ability to extract Devil Fruits, he would only continue to amass more of them, growing ever stronger.
In the end, perhaps all the Devil Fruits in the world would be gathered in Caelan's hands.
That thought alone was terrifying.
Magellan looked at Caelan as if gazing upon the destined king of the world.
A man of overwhelming strength backed by an equally powerful force, this was a combination several times stronger than the Rocks Pirates had ever been.
If even that could not make him the king of the world, then no one could.
"Magellan."
Caelan waved his hand toward him.
Magellan quickly stepped forward and said respectfully, "Caelan-sama, what are your orders?"
"The matter of Impel Down is complete. Next, I'll be heading to Marine Headquarters," Caelan said calmly. "You will take these Devil Fruits and those leaving with you, return directly to Dressrosa, and deliver the Devil Fruits to Gion."
Cold sweat broke out on Magellan's forehead at those words.
More than two hundred Devil Fruits—an unimaginable fortune.
Yet at the same time, it was also an unbearably dangerous burden.
To be tasked with escorting them was something he truly did not have the courage for.
As for harboring any rebellious thoughts and keeping the Devil Fruits for himself, that was even more impossible.
After what he had witnessed from Caelan, and after being cured of the side effects of the Poison-Poison Fruit, Magellan's loyalty to him was unwavering.
With a troubled expression, he said, "Caelan-sama, I am but one man and my strength is limited. I fear I cannot ensure their safe delivery."
"Don't worry, you won't be alone," Caelan said, patting him on the shoulder. "You'll have plenty of help."
As he spoke, Byrnndi World, Bullet, Redfield, and Crocodile appeared once more.
The Evil King, Catarina Devon, and others also manifested as Heroic Spirits.
Caelan gestured to them and said calmly, "They will accompany you and make sure nothing goes wrong."
After being transformed into Heroic Spirits, these individuals were even stronger than when they had first been released from prison.
For example, when Redfield had joined the siege against Caelan before, he had still been far weaker than a Marine Admiral, though his brief bursts of power were notable.
Now, as a Heroic Spirit, Redfield had regained his peak state, making him a powerhouse comparable to an Admiral.
The same could be said for most of the older criminals—they had all been restored to their prime, true legendary figures.
Together, these individuals could form two Yonko-level crews, comparable to Big Mom's forces, easily enough to escort the Devil Fruits alongside Magellan.
"They won't cause trouble, will they?"
Magellan looked at the group of former criminals uneasily.
With such strength at his side, there was no fear of outside threats. But if they turned against him mid-journey, he would be helpless.
"Don't worry, they are completely obedient," Caelan said with a faint smile. "You can think of them as puppets. They no longer possess their own will."
Under the power of the Command Spells, no matter how arrogant they had been in life, after becoming Heroic Spirits, they could only obey his orders.
Magellan swallowed hard and nodded. "Understood. I will deliver the Devil Fruits to Dressrosa safely."
Soon after, Magellan led a large number of people out of the Reality Marble.
After seizing five warships, they set sail for Dressrosa.
Caelan remained within the Reality Marble, making his final preparations for the upcoming battle atop the world.
(To be continued.)