The Sky Grimoire floated above the coast. Not far from Gutlark Town. It was a sleek marvel of reinforced wood, alchemical metals, and humming rune lines.
It was just a Sky Sloop. It wasn't the biggest sky-ship ever built. But Spark didn't need size. He needed speed, durability, adaptability, and comfort. This ship was his third Technomind Gear. In it delivered on all counts.
The morning sun wasn't even properly over the horizon when they departed. Spark stood on the main deck. Watching Gutlark shrink below.
Lilith was at the helm. Her hands were steady on the steering wheel. Her eyes were always scanning forward.
Melody hovered near the bow. Using her senses, a telescope, and a runic observation radar for scouting.
Ivy was likely below. Fussing over her lab setup. While, Serenade was with her, handling manifests and supplies with quiet efficiency.
Scarlett was supposed to be responsible for handling the automated sail controls. But, at present, it required none of her interference.
They were all here. His assets. Competent, loyal, and utterly bound. It wasn't friendship. Not trust in the traditional sense. But it was reliable relationship. And reliability was all Spark needed.
Spark had remodeled the color of his sky ship. The Sky Grimoire now had dark brown hulls and masts. With golden angel figurehead. The sails were dark orange in color. With pale yellow tribal pattern decorations.
The flag bore similar colors... a pale yellow open book on a dark orange background.
It was dark orange. Not the noble's purple color. Nor the military's dark blue. Nor the pirate's black. Nor the church's white. Nor the adventurer's red.
Spark wore the colors of a Free Merchant. One who would be free to travel everywhere in the world. But could only trade limited types of products. Just food ingredients, raw materials, clothing, artworks, and non-combat tools.
Trading other things would be clashing with either local authorities or other huge organizations.
Mercenary Union. Orthodox Churches. Black Market. Alchemist Association. Court of Slavery. Armament Guild... They all had their own products to sell. And wouldn't allow Free Merchants to compete against them.
Spark Nighthawk was a merchant. Yes. A successful Baron now, too. But the drive behind it wasn't just commerce. It was exploration. It was the search for greater power.
...
Their destination this time was Canarine Island. A floating land famous for its Sky Dungeon, the Labyrinth of Fortune. Rumors spoke of wealth and knowledge within the twisting passages of the spatial realm. Spark needed both.
The Sky Voyage to Canarine Island was projected to take three days. The first two days were smooth. The Sky Grimoire sliced through the upper air currents with effortless grace.
They remained within the recognized protected zone of Avianest Kingdom. It was not always perfectly protected. But, most sky pirates were too sensible to operate openly there.
Only the truly fanatical or suicidal might risk it. Like some fringe elements of the Holy Sun Cult.
No problem appeared in these two days. The air was mostly clear. The occasional merchant fleet or Avianest patrol ship were the only other vessels they saw. Boredom was a bigger threat than battle.
They spent the days taking turn operating the sky ship. Other than that, nothing was that much different from their daily life in Gutlark. They ate. They trained. They worked. They enjoyed themselves in carnal activities. Just... normal.
On the third day, everything changed. The air grew sharper. The blue color was less defined. The sky below them was no longer dotted with familiar coastlines or island chains. But it was stretched into an unbroken, often turbulent expanse of clouds.
They had entered the wild sky. This zone was technically still Avianest territory. Claimed and mapped. But law and safety enforcement was sporadic at best. It was a hunting ground. For monsters. And for pirates.
And, as expected...
Melody's voice cut through the soft hum of the ship's engines and the rush of wind. Clear and loud. "Contact! Dead ahead. Relative bearing zero-one-five. Approaching."
Lilith's eyes narrowed. "Distance?" She asked.
"Estimate... six kilometers. Speed appears... aggressive." Melody reported. Her gaze was fixed forward.
Spark moved to the observation deck. Picking up a high-powered telescope from a nearby rack. He braced it against the railing. Adjusting the focus.
The image resolved quickly. A sky-ship, much bigger than the Sky Grimoire. But built for speed and armament. Its flag was fluttering stiffly in the wind. Showing a silver horned skull on a black background.
"Silver Devil Pirates." Spark stated flatly. Lowering the telescope. A notorious bunch, known for brutality and taking everything of value. "Figures."
He turned to Lilith. "Maintain course and speed for now. Let them commit."
He reached into his Technomind void space. He pulled out his Power Rifle. The heavy rifle hummed with contained energy. Runes glowing along its reinforced barrel.
He had upgraded it significantly since he reached Tier-3. It could now penetrate considerable defenses. And its range was just crazy far.
"Melody! Keep tracking their approach. Lilith! Scarlett! Prepare evasive maneuvers if they get too close." His commands were crisp, leaving no room for argument or hesitation. "Serenade! Ivy! Ensure the force barrier is running at optimal levels."
He looked at the Silver Devil ship closed the distance. They were still roughly three kilometers away. Well outside standard engagement range for most ship-to-ship weaponry. But not for his rifle.
Spark raised the Power Rifle to his shoulder. It hummed with contained energy. He sighted down the rifle. He focused on the elevated command deck. The scope zoomed, locking onto the figure at the enemy's helm.
He exhaled slowly. A targeting practice learned long ago in a different life. Adapted now to the requirements of Technomind marksmanship. He pressed the trigger.
BANG!
A loud sound still resounded. Despite the enhancement of the silencer part. The rifle kicked against his shoulder. A shimmering, grey streak of bullet lanced into the target. Too fast to see even for his Tier-3 trained eyes.
It struck the Silver Devil ship's force barrier. There was a crackle of displaced magic. But the barrier didn't hold. The super speedy shell punched through the flickering field and continued its deadly trajectory.
On the pirate ship, the figure at the helm stiffened. A dark crimson bloom appearing on its forehead. The body slumped backward. Lifeless.
Chaos erupted on the Silver Devil deck. Figures rushed forward. Another pirate grabbed the wheel. Trying to correct the sudden lurch in their course.
Spark cycled the bolt. The sound was metallic and final. He sighted again. The new helmsman.
BANG!
Another clean shot. Another headshot. The second pirate collapsed.
This wasn't a fair fight. It wasn't even a fight. Not really. It was an execution. A demonstration of overwhelming, personalized force.
Spark didn't want a prolonged battle. He wanted to remove the threat efficiently. And move on. Crippling the enemy ship's steering was the fastest way to do that.
A third pirate, then a fourth and fifth tried to take the helm. They were all just targets. Spark shot them down. One after another.
Five pirates. Dead in less than a minute. All sniped from a distance where their own armament was useless.
Panic spread through the pirate crew. They were losing steering control. Their ship was drifting. Some started firing wildly. Shooting frustrated broadsides of magical energy and ballistic rounds.
Most of the attacks fell far short. Swallowed by the vast distance and the wind. The few that did make it close enough were absorbed by the Sky Grimoire's robust force barrier. Which pulsed briefly but held firm.
Lilith kept the Sky Grimoire moving. Maintaining a steady, unhurried pace. They weren't fleeing. They were simply continuing their journey. Removing obstacles as they appeared.
Finally, the Silver Devil ship turned away. Its deck was a mess of dead bodies and panicked crew. Its movement was erratic without a helmsman. But it was definitely moving away from them. Retreat. Logical choice.
Spark lowered the rifle. "That's that. Keep watch, Melody."
"Understood, Master." Melody replied. Her tone calm despite the sudden violence she had witnessed. She had absolute trust toward Spark's capability. They all had.
The Sky Grimoire sailed on. The air remained turbulent. The clouds became thick. Hours passed. Mid-afternoon arrived.
"Contact!" Melody announced again. The same calm urgency was in her voice. "Relative bearing two-seven-zero. Closing fast."
Spark was already reaching for his rifle again. "Details?"
"Sky-ship. Bigger than ours. Fast. Flag shows... a winged shark. Black background, white emblem."
"Winged Shark Pirates." Spark said. Another known group. Not as brutal as the Silver Devils. But just as opportunistic.
He moved back to the observation deck. The ship was closing rapidly. Clearly confident in its speed. They were around three kilometers out when Spark raised the Power Rifle.
He didn't need to issue many commands this time. Everyone knew their role. Lilith held course. Ready to adjust. Melody tracked. Serenade and Ivy monitored defense systems. Scarlett was ready to adjust sails.
He found the helmsman on the Winged Shark ship. Another shot. Another barrier punch-through. Another headshot.
BANG!
The first pirate fell.
A second pirate rushed forward.
BANG!
Down.
A third. The pirate was slower to react this time. And covering his head with shield. It didn't matter. Spark didn't miss.
BANG!
Gone.
He took down the fourth and fifth helmsmen in swift succession. By the time he shot the sixth person who dared to touch the wheel, the Winged Shark ship was listing badly.
Its course was erratic. A few scattered shots came their way. Easily deflected by the Sky Grimoire's barrier.
The Winged Shark pirates saw the utter futility of engaging a ship that could kill their officers from such range.
They broke off just as quickly as the Silver Devils had. They turned tail and fled. Their ship staggering through the air.
Spark lowered the rifle. "Cleared."
He felt no exhilaration. No triumph. Just the dull satisfaction of a problem solved. Pirates were vermin in the wild sky. He was simply performing pest control.
The rest of the third day passed without further incident. The sky remained wild. The clouds shifted and swirled. But no other ships approached with hostile intent.
As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, a new shape appeared on the horizon. Not a ship. An island. A large, rocky landmass suspended in the air. Its edges soft with distance.
Melody confirmed it. "Canarine Island, Master. We've made it."
The island grew larger as they approached. It was ringed by smaller floating rocks. And it seemed to have a natural harbor carved into one side.
Trees and structures were visible now. Clinging to the terrain. Buildings. Docks,. airship masts. Canarine Town.