Chapter 37: The King of the Celestial Dragons!

The night sky of this world was peculiar. Although scholars had determined through astronomical observations that there were as many as eight moons orbiting this blue planet, when the darkness descended, only that single moon cast the brightest radiance amidst the galaxy.

"Fuffuffuffuffu—"

Doflamingo stepped out from the stationary bubble car, a chilling night wind fluttering his pink flamingo coat.

He noticed that there wasn't even a single Holy Land guard on duty nearby. This caused him to lower his voice into a chuckle as he surveyed the massive staircase leading to the upper levels.

"Even after all these years, nothing has changed here. But can power truly be as immortal as these stone steps?"

"Let's go. The elders are waiting for you."

At that moment, the CP0 member in white—the one who had specifically requested Doflamingo's presence for the trip to the North Blue—urged him forward. He then stepped past Doflamingo's shoulder, leading the way up the massive staircase.

A few months from now, the kings of two hundred affiliated nations would walk this same path, gathering in the World Conference Hall within Pangaea Castle to discuss and decide matters concerning the entire world.

At this moment, there were only the two of them, one following the other.

Reaching the top of the massive staircase meant arriving at the true Mary Geoise. In this place known as the "Holy Land," even the ground beneath one's feet was clean and tidy, as if every grain of sand had been washed by hand.

Doflamingo looked up into the distance. Although it was night, the countless lights had already illuminated the entirety of Mary Geoise as if it were day; even the rows of forests and rivers shimmered with a faint golden glow.

It was magnificence in its truest sense—brilliant and resplendent!

Seeing this scene, his body trembled slightly. He was struggling to suppress the anger and longing in his heart. He was supposed to live here, high above everyone, doing as he pleased and looking down upon all of humanity.

Though it was only for a few short years, it had to be said that Doflamingo's happiest childhood memories were actually spent in this place.

Here, attendants bowed before him, slaves knelt before him, delicacies changed daily were endless, and he possessed infinite wealth without ever worrying about money, along with the supreme power to kill any life at any time—except for those of his "own kind."

All of this was originally his!

Until that utterly foolish idiot used his ridiculous innocence to destroy everything and take everything away. His mother died because of him, and his brother disappeared as a result.

Although he had personally executed that bastard back then, what was lost could never be regained...

Doflamingo followed the CP0 member onto the "automatic elevator," leaving the slaves below to rise in the middle of the night to frantically push the heavy stone path for him.

He was unaware of all this, but given his personality, even if he knew, he would likely only feel enjoyment rather than any other thought.

Because he was meant to be high above!

On the way, Doflamingo saw the great iron gates leading to the "Land of the Gods" from afar; the Holy Land guards were still on duty there.

He knew his former home was right there.

However, he only spared it a single glance before turning his gaze toward the approaching massive ancient castle—Pangaea Castle, the center of world power!

"Fuffuffuffuffu, I hope you won't disappoint me this time..." Doflamingo subconsciously pursed his lips, feeling a hint of nervousness.

He was only seventeen years old this year. Whether in temperament, calculation, or strength, he was still quite immature; even his worldly experience was limited to the small corner of the North Blue.

Before long, Doflamingo arrived before Pangaea Castle, and the massive steel main gate slowly rose.

To be honest, everything felt foreign now. After all, there was no way his childhood self could have come to this place. Thus, he could only remain on guard, silently following the CP0 while firmly committing the surrounding environment to memory.

This "city within a city" was quite vast, yet for some reason, he saw no patrolling or standing soldiers, and it was incredibly quiet.

It wasn't until he was led into a cold, dark, and empty hall, where only the gold and red thrones atop the three magnificent stone tiers shimmered under the direct moonlight.

Yet, there was no one on them!

"Aren't we here to see the Five Elders? Hmm?"

Doflamingo had just scanned the surroundings and turned to ask, only to find that the other person had vanished!

*BANG—*

At that moment, the heavy doors behind him slammed shut. The shock caused his entire body to react; his fingers curled into claws, his body crouched, and he instantly entered a combat state, even his newly mastered Haki poised for release.

Doflamingo now seriously suspected this was a trap—a trap set by a Celestial Dragon specifically for him!

He was like a wildcat trapped in a cage, his eyes darting around frantically to monitor every movement, while thin threads drifted invisibly between his fingers.

The atmosphere became incredibly stiff and awkward, as if the air itself had frozen, even as time continued to flow slowly like water.

Until Doflamingo looked up once more at the true, high-above Void Throne.

"Ngh!"

That single glance caused his entire body to freeze in place, as if struck by some kind of paralysis effect. His eyes widened behind his sunglasses, his pupils filled with the figure that had sat upon the throne at some unknown moment.

That wasn't even the most terrifying part. The key was that when his gaze met the eyes of the being above, his spirit felt a physical, invisible impact, and an overwhelming sense of dread washed through his heart.

He felt as if he were spinning wildly in a world of golden ripples; the surrounding air vibrated and gradually grew heavy.

Every muscle in his body trembled in pain, and combined with the inexplicable mental suppression, Doflamingo couldn't even last two seconds. With a *thud*, his knees hit the ground. He could only support himself with his arms pressed firmly against the cold floor, gritting his teeth in an attempt to lift his head.

But the invisible pressure on his body forced his vein-bulging head to remain bowed, staring fixedly at the spotless, expensive red carpet before him.

Who is this person?

The Five Elders?

How can there be someone so terrifying that a single glance makes me unable to stand?

"The little one of the Donquixote family, Mu wants to see you."

As soon as the words fell, Doflamingo felt the pressure on his body lighten significantly.

But as he gasped for breath, drenched in cold sweat, and prepared to stand up, the air around him remained as unmoving as an invisible mountain.

This forced him to remain in a kneeling position, unless he was willing to simply collapse face-down on the ground...

"Who... who... are you?!"

Doflamingo struggled to squeeze out one word after another. That feeling of fear surrounding his heart was truly agonizing.

As for the heavy pressure, he discovered that as long as he had no intention of standing up, the air remained nothing more than ordinary air.

Such a miraculous method made him instinctively believe this was some kind of Devil Fruit ability!

"Mu is your King."

The incredibly cold words descended from the Void Throne, echoing through the empty hall.

"The King of the Celestial Dragons!"