The inquiry into potential recruits yielded a specific and unsettling answer. There were plenty farmcraft masters in Ourean Continent.
But for the targets that actually fitted Spark's requirements... The information actually pointed not to isolated individuals. But to an organization. The World Tree Association.
They were not merely a normal group. They were an eco-terrorist organization. Their most recent atrocity had been the systematic massacre of several villages on Greengiant Island.
Their justification? The villagers, in their eyes, were 'trying to control nature'. By growing non-native crops in the island. Such fanaticism and the sheer scale of the destruction caught Spark's attention.
He needed someone suitable to handle the Garden Globe Set. A completely loyal one. Which meant someone modified by the Slave Grimoire. His conscience would only allow him modifying guilty 'sinner'.
So, he needed someone with strong farmcraft ability. But, possessing a deep, twisted, evil nature. An ecoterrorist with powerful, nature-based abilities fitted the requirements perfectly.
Greengiant Island lay four days' journey from Kranecurry. Crossing invisible national border. As it was situated firmly within the territory of the Mammotheon Empire. Not in the Avianest Kingdom.
The drawback would be that his noble status would not be acknowledged there. But it should be fine. He had invested in some businesses there. And he was now technically was an adventurer. A free merchant.
It was a slight detour from his initial plans. But the potential reward for acquiring a suitable recruit was too significant to ignore.
Spark made his decision.
"Greengiant Island." He stated to his assembled women. His voice was a low rumble. "Our next stop. We're going to recruit a new member."
His eyes glinted with a predatory calculation. One that belied his generally jovial demeanor. The women simply nodded. Their expressions showed a mix of understanding and quiet obedience.
The following morning, the Sky Grimoire lifted off from the Gourmeville sky port. Its polished hull gleamed under the tropical sun. Inside, the soft hum of its Technomind engines was a comforting sound.
Arrow, Spark's still-basic Technomind Golem, stood at the navigation console. Its metallic fingers deftly manipulating controls. Guiding their course directly towards Greengiant Island.
Spark watched the lush expanse of Kranecurry recede below. His mind was already calculating the logistics of his next forced acquisition.
Hours blurred into a day. The Sky Grimoire cut through the azure sky. A silent, swift shadow. On the second day, as they traversed a vast stretch of open ocean, a disturbance caught Spark's eye.
Below them, a chase was underway. On the choppy waves. Being chased in front was a merchant ship bearing the proud eagle flag of the Avianest Kingdom.
It was being relentlessly pursued by three other ships. The pursuers flew a crude banner. A stark white skull impaled by three jagged daggers. The flag of the Three Scourge Pirates.
Their reputation preceded them. Vicious. Indiscriminate. And notorious for leaving no survivors or salvageable cargo.
Spark's initial impulse was pragmatic. Intervene or ignore? He was not a hero. But the merchant ship came from his home nation. And, an opportunity presented itself. Valuable cargo within those pirate ships, perhaps.
Or perhaps, a chance to test his crew's coordinated combat prowess. In a live, low-risk scenario. He turned to Lilith. "Scout them. All four ships. Confirm threat levels."
Lilith moved instantly. Her slender fingers took out the [Life Observing Spyglass] from her spatial bag. She peered through the intricate lenses. Her blonde hair momentarily reflecting the light from the observation deck's dome.
Her voice was calm and precise. "Three pirate ships. One merchant. No dangerous opponents detected above Tier-3, Master. Mostly lower-tier thugs and a few mid-tier enforcers." She lowered the spyglass. Her blue eyes were meeting his. "The merchant ship seems to have only minimal combat capabilities. They won't last."
Spark grunted. Tier-3 was negligible to him and his women. This was a warm-up. But was there anything worth the effort? He looked at Scarlett. "You're up, Scarlett. Scan for anything of value."
Scarlett's crimson hair swung as she produced her [Celestial Treasure Radar]. A small, ornate compass-like device that pulsed with a soft, internal glow.
Her enthusiastic demeanor was present even in the calm of the bridge. Her eyes narrowed in concentration as she focused her soulcraft energies. A moment later, her smile widened. Revealing a playful, almost mischievous glint.
"Strong attraction, Master! From the pirate main ship. Not just general wealth, but something… significant." Her voice was a low purr of anticipation.
Significant. That was the keyword. Spark turned to Melody and Serenade. "Confirm the fortune. And the danger."
Melody, graceful as ever, produced her [Witch Doll of Fortune]. The small, cute cloth doll emanated a soft, golden light from its eyes. She held it out, its button eyes fixating on the distant ships.
The golden glow intensified. Vibrant and bright. Particularly as it pointed its stubby hand toward the pirate flagship. "Strong fortune, Master." Melody confirmed. Her melodic voice was resonating with a faint excitement. "From the pirate's flagship."
Serenade, her mother, then activated her [Witch Doll of Misfortune]. This doll directed its gaze towards the three pirate ships consecutively. Its button eyes, however, glowed only dimly. A weak, flickering reddish light.
"Low danger, Master." Serenade echoed Melody. Her tone was calm and steady. "The potential danger wasn't very significant."
The reports aligned perfectly. High reward. Minimal risk. A clear opportunity. Spark's calculated ruthlessness asserted itself. The merchant ship was lucky. The pirates carried something valuable. And they were a nuisance that could be eliminated.
"Alright!" Spark said decisively. His friendly façade hardening into something more formidable. "Target the main pirate ship. Neutralize it."
He remotely changed Arrow's navigation mode into combat one. Setting the target. Immediately, the golem navigator adjusted the Sky Grimoire's trajectory.
The massive sky-sloop began its descent. Slowly at first. Then picking up speed. A deadly predator diving from the heavens.
Its shadow elongated over the churning waves. Drawing closer to the chaotic scene below. The pirates were engrossed in their chase. They were entirely unaware of the powerful threat descending from above.
As they closed the distance, Spark moved to the forward deck. The Hellfire Rifle was already in his grasp. The colossal sniper rifle felt more like a cannon than a rifle.
His women had already taken out their long ranged weapons. And took their positions. The Sky Grimoire hovered mid air. Its sails were furled. Positioning itself slightly over the lead pirate ship.
"Fire!" Spark commanded. His voice was a roar that echoed through the deck.
BANG! Bang! Bang! ... Loud explosions resounded. Simultaneous. And consecutive.
Spark unleashed a torrent of hellfire. Flaming bullets. Supernaturally hot. Erupted from his rifle's barrel. Lashing out in controlled bursts. The shots were not wide sprays. But concentrated projectiles of pure, destructive energy.
They tore through the pirate ship's mainmast. Breaking it down. Splintering wood. And shredding sails with terrifying efficiency. Pirates on deck were also caught as the preys. Screaming as the inferno rain of bullets consumed their positions.
Beside him, Lilith also caused devastation. Her Tri-element Handgun flashed. She switched between fire, frost, and lightning with seamless speed.
Fiery projectiles ignited ropes. Icy shards shattered the ship's wheel. And arcs of searing lightning danced across the deck. Striking down pirates with pinpoint accuracy.
Her aim was flawless. Each shot was designed to incapacitate or disable critical components of the ship.
Scarlett stood not far away. Her dark-red hair was a vibrant contrast against the blue sky. She gripped her eldritch handgun tightly. The weapon barked with a disturbing, resonant frequency.
She didn't fire solid bullets. Instead, eldritch bullets were projected from it. Strange bullets that seemed to have homing effect. Always accurately hitting their targets. Some shots even seemed to phase through solid objects before hitting the targets.
Melody and Serenade were standing side-by-side. They aimed the laser guns Spark had acquired from looting the Zero Lab operatives in the Ruined Palace of Gluttony.
The weapons hummed. And then discharged focused beams of pure energy. They were not as accurate as the others. But, the synchronized fire of the mother and daughter was still a ballet of additional destruction.
Ivy, smaller than the rest, was less effective. She brought out her formidable grenade launcher. She had a wide array of specialized alchemy grenades. She pumped out her creations with a practiced rhythm.
One grenade exploded in a cloud of corrosive green mist. Dissolving the very deck beneath the pirates' feet.
Another burst into an expanding sphere of sticky, blinding goo. Entangling and disorienting a cluster of pirates. The ones attempting to load a cannon.
The third detonated with a thunderous boom. sending shrapnel and splinters across the deck. Turning a section of the main ship into a chaotic, fiery mess.
The combined assault was overwhelming. The Sky Grimoire had descended silently from the heavens. They had caught the Three Scourge Pirates utterly by surprise.
They had no defensive measures prepared. The battle was less a fight and more an execution.
Accurate bullets, searing flames, corrosive mists, and laser beams rained down upon the pirate main ship. The vessel, once a symbol of terror on the seas, was rapidly being rendered a smoking, sinking wreck.
Panic erupted amongst the surviving pirates. As their ship groaned under the relentless onslaught. The hulking brute captain tried in vain to rally his crew. But his shouts were drowned out by the screams of the dying. And the crackling of fire.
Spark watched the destruction unfold. A grim satisfaction started to settle in his core.