I, the Supreme Overlord, Start by Enslaving the Zerg Queen

Once the prisoners in the cell were thoroughly terrified of Medusa, Charles found his next steps to be exceedingly straightforward.

With a smile adorning his face, Charles crouched halfway down, fixing his gaze on the middle-aged prisoner whose legs were now but a distant memory.

The intensity of Charles's stare struck fear into the heart of the middle-aged prisoner, causing him to tremble uncontrollably. "I apologize to you." he stammered. "I should not have threatened you earlier. I beg you, please let me go. I implore you, do not kill me."

As soon as the middle-aged prisoner's pleas escaped his lips, the other inmates lurking in the shadows hastily retreated further into the darkness. They were terrified that they might incur Charles's wrath and suffer the same fate as the middle-aged prisoner.

"Why would I kill you?" Charles mused, his tone laced with a mix of gentleness and subtle humor. "We are all confined in this cell. Even if I could kill you, I wouldn't want your corpse to further degrade the already dismal environment of this place. It's bad enough as it is, one more body would make it utterly uninhabitable."

Charles spoke in a tone that, while gentle, carried a hint of playful teasing.

Such a manner of speaking was intended to lighten the atmosphere a bit.

However, Charles's words not only failed to alleviate the tension, but they also intensified the already strained atmosphere within the cell.

Even Eck and Johann, who stood by Charles's side, couldn't help but feel a touch of fear creeping into their hearts.

Eck stammered, "Richard, stop scaring us. If you truly don't intend to kill him, then don't talk about adding another corpse to the cell."

Charles nodded in agreement.

"You're right. Perhaps what I just said added undue pressure on everyone."

After addressing Eck, Charles turned his gaze back to the middle-aged prisoner.

"I can assure you that I won't kill you, and I can also guarantee that my companions won't torture you further. However, you must pay a corresponding price."

"What price do you want me to pay? I have nothing left to offer. All I want is for you not to kill me, I don't dare to hope for anything else."

The middle-aged prisoner replied, his voice trembling more violently with each word.

"The price I'm referring to is simply that you need to answer a few of my questions. As long as you can answer every question I ask.

Not only will I spare your life, but I will also find a way to reward you. Perhaps I can even set you free, or maybe I can find a way to restore your legs."

Charles stated, his words causing a dramatic change in the expression on the middle-aged prisoner's face.

The middle-aged prisoner, as if grasping at a glimmer of hope, hurriedly asked, "Are you serious? Can you really do that?"

Charles nodded affirmatively. "I can ensure your release from this prison. However, restoring your legs might require the intervention of my companion."

At this point, Charles directed his gaze towards Medusa, who nodded in agreement.

The middle-aged prisoner, with no hesitation, made up his mind instantly and said, "Ask me whatever questions you have. As long as I know the answers, I will tell you everything."

Charles was exceedingly pleased with the prisoner's response.

However, he did not immediately pose the questions he had prepared. Instead, he addressed the other inmates hiding in the shadows, "In fact, if any of you can answer my questions, I will also find a way to secure your release."

Charles's approach prompted the prisoners in the cell to listen attentively to his questions.

"My first question is, is the current situation at Rock Fortress truly normal? There shouldn't have been this many Serpent Empire guards at Rock Fortress before, correct?"

The middle-aged prisoner, upon hearing the question, hastily responded, "This is definitely not a normal situation! Although I have been in prison for half a year, I lived at Rock Fortress for ten years prior to that.

During those ten years, most of the time, Rock Fortress did not have such a large number of Serpent Empire guards. Moreover, these Serpent Empire guards arrived here less than a month ago."

The middle-aged prisoner's answer greatly satisfied Charles.

He nodded and continued to ask, "The Serpent Empire guards told me that the reason they came here is because the Serpent Emperor lost a valuable artifact. Is what they said true?"

After Charles posed this question, the prisoners fell into silence.

Even the middle-aged prisoner, who was the most eager to answer, did not know the answer to this question.

"It seems that none of you know whether the Serpent Emperor has indeed lost an artifact. But I can't blame you, as this matter is rather distant from your concerns."

Charles did not believe that any of the prisoners in these cells could provide information about the Serpent Emperor's lost artifact.

Composing himself, Charles was about to ask the next question.

At that moment, a hoarse voice emerged from the shadows.

"These Serpent Empire guards are not here to search for the Serpent Emperor's lost artifact. They are likely seeking a treasure buried beneath Rock Fortress."

The ancient voice drew everyone's attention.

Both the prisoners and Charles's group turned toward the source of the voice. Their eyes were filled with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

Charles pressed further, "Why have you arrived at such a conclusion? I don't mean to offend you, but on the surface, it appears you shouldn't have knowledge regarding the Serpent Emperor's artifact."

The elderly voice from the shadows did not immediately respond to Charles's question but instead emitted a series of coughs.

After the coughing subsided, the ancient voice provided an explanation.

"I indeed do not possess information about the Serpent Emperor's artifact. However, I am well-informed about the treasure buried beneath Rock Fortress. The treasure beneath Rock Fortress is buried at an exceptionally deep location.

According to legend, this treasure has the power to command flames. The Serpent Emperor probably dispatched so many Serpent Empire guards here to unearth this treasure.

I have been in prison for a very long time. Under normal circumstances, it is impossible to hear any sounds from outside while in prison.

But ever since the large influx of Serpent Empire guards arrived at Rock Fortress a month ago, I have frequently heard the sounds of rocks being excavated. This indicates that the Serpent Empire guards are digging deeper.

In a place like Rock Fortress, which has no mineral deposits, the only plausible explanation for their underground excavation is their pursuit of that treasure."

After the elderly voice finished explaining, everyone present was utterly astonished.

They had never imagined that a remote place like Rock Fortress could conceal a treasure capable of commanding the power of flames.

Moreover, even if such a treasure existed here, its existence should have been a closely guarded secret. How could an old man in prison be privy to such a secret?

Charles was exceedingly intrigued by the treasure mentioned by the old man.

Charles thought that perhaps he could obtain this treasure. If the treasure proved to be valuable enough, it might not take him long to return to the Serene Forest.

"How did you come to know this secret? From the expressions on everyone else's faces, it's clear they are unaware of it. If you could share more information related to this secret with me...

I could arrange for your release from prison and provide you with additional rewards. Whether you desire gold or equipment, I can offer it to you."

Charles was keenly hoping the old man would provide him with more information.

The elderly voice from the shadows did not immediately respond.

Charles and the others heard only the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps. After a moment, a white-haired, one-eyed old man emerged into their view.

"I can divulge all the secrets I know to you. But you must agree to one more condition for me."

The words of the white-haired, one-eyed old man left Medusa and Little Green slightly dissatisfied.

From Medusa and Little Green's perspective, Charles offering to take the old man out of prison was already a great favor. Why would the old man dare to ask for more conditions?

Charles had no particular reaction to the old man's words. He was simply waiting for the old man to state his terms.

"You must not only get me out of prison but also restore my sight."

At this point, the white-haired, one-eyed old man dug out his other eye from its socket.

It turned out that he wasn't a one-eyed old man after all. The remaining eye was also a fake. He couldn't see anything and was completely blind.

Without any hesitation, Charles agreed immediately.

"No problem. I can get you out of prison as soon as possible and restore your sight. But you must stay with me from now on."

The blind old man nodded without any hesitation.

"Of course I'll stick with you. A blind old man like me, moving around alone, is as good as dead."

The blind old man coughed twice after saying this.

At that moment, everyone thought the blind old man looked like someone who was about to step into the grave. It seemed as though a gentle breeze could knock him over.

After his coughing subsided, the blind old man asked Charles, "When can you get me out of prison?"

Charles responded with a smile, "Now."