Pirate Kingship

To manufacture a qualified revolver in this era, there wasn't any technological bottleneck.

The fact that it hadn't been invented yet was probably just lacking a moment of epiphany from an Artisan.

Of course, if Byron were to suddenly die one day, his Spirituality falling into the collective subconscious of humanity, the knowledge in his head would likely cause a gluttonous frenzy of celebration for Artisans and Naturalists around the world.

"Transcendents of the Ladder of Glory who want to advance quickly would find the simplest method is to accomplish something in their own professional field, contributing to the collective progress of all humankind. The dual theory of Beastliness and Divinity from the Crystal Skull can provide additional evidence for this. Violet, as an Artisan, especially a Gunsmith who specializes in firearms and gunpowder weapons, if she could lead a revolution in firearms, reaping a powerful Sacred Relic capable of knocking flintlock guns and matchlock guns to the ground would be the most minor of benefits. Such universal knowledge, capable of changing the mode of warfare again, would be more than sufficient even for advancing to a High Sequence. Naturally, the key issue lies in resolving the problems of primers, Fulminate of Mercury, and fixed ammunition, which shouldn't be too difficult for her."

Money could buy many excellent pieces of equipment, but certainly not the most cutting-edge ones, let alone epoch-making gear.

By now Byron had his own territory, the legitimate right to recruit soldiers as a Pirate General, and the secret support of the local Governor Newman Family. Grenville was bound to develop its own military industry sooner or later.

But after deliberation, Byron decided to put the invitation to Violet on hold for the time being. His Long-range Fleet had just arrived at the Bantaan Archipelago, and both he and Catherine had yet to secure their foothold. It would not be too late to plan military industry development after settling down. After all, their communication had never been interrupted during this time. The Echo Conch's instant communication was limited to 1,000 kilometers, but the messaging was distance-unlimited.

He walked over to the side of the old man who now had a bullet hole right in the center of his forehead. He harvested the cleric's Spirituality and Blood of Transformation, leaving behind a pile of equipment on the ground: a Crossbow, a poisoned dagger, potent sleeping drugs, caltrops...

Even Byron, who prided himself on being dirty-handed and black-hearted, couldn't help but inwardly click his tongue in amazement. I still have so much to learn from the old-timers, he thought.

Since his waist pouch had limited space, aside from immediately picking up the Mithril Cross Holy Emblem which he had to give to Catherine, he silently pocketed the bottle of potent sleeping drugs, preparing to take it back for a thorough critique.

Stepping out of the church's main entrance, he looked at the scattered fires in the distance, his face gradually turning colder, "What's most important in a family? That, of course, is that they all have to be together."

...

WHOOSH—!

A red firework shot up from the center of the town square, bursting in midair, making it crystal clear to all the militia still searching the island.

"That's the emergency signal for help."

"The attackers have gone to the town! Hurry, let's rush back to support!"

The scattered militia teams lifted their torches high, looking like fire dragons rushing back to the town from all directions. But when they reached the small town square where the signal was emitted, they found no enemies, only a continuous stream of comrades returning.

Before long, all the remaining Pioneers on the island had gathered there. The hundred torches also lit up the whole small square.

Everyone whispered to each other, all clueless.

"Not only is there no sign of battle, no trace of the enemy, but the three Second Order Transcendents have also vanished without a trace."

"I have a strange feeling about everything that's happened tonight."

"We haven't seen a shadow of an enemy until now. Could it be that Evil Spirits have landed on the island? Could it be because we've killed too many passers-by?"

This remark sent a shiver down everyone else's spine.

Just then someone exclaimed, "What's this on the ground? Why has someone drawn such a large 'X' here with charcoal? I'm certain that when we first set out to search the woods, this symbol was definitely not here."

Everyone looked down at their feet and indeed found two thick intersecting black lines.

Just when they were baffled, someone suddenly noticed lights flickering on the previously pitch-black sea surface in the distance. This was followed by a thunderous roar and the whistling of projectiles cutting through the air.

"Those are... shipborne cannons!!!"

Just like the concept of darkness under a lamp, the torches above their heads illuminated what was in front, but made it even harder to see the dark sea surface in the distance. After Byron and Gus took care of all the Sentries, no one noticed that a pirate ship had quietly sailed up to the shore.

"Run!"

Their screams were already off-key as they tried to scatter and flee, but it was too late. Cannonballs were already crashing down around them in parabolic arcs, exploding on impact. Countless fragments swept through the area within dozens of meters, like a storm.

Indeed, the Golden Deer wasn't using cast iron shot this time, but stone shot! This time the target was different; it wasn't like a naval Warship combat where they needed to consider piercing the hull. The power of stone shot would only be stronger than that of cast iron shot. And with Wayne Dote, the Artillery Expert, taking aim at such a large fixed target, there was no chance of missing.

The few survivors, severely battered and bruised, barely struggled out of the artillery barrage. They ran headlong into a waiting Musketeer Corps.

"Fire!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!...

After another volley of death, the Sailor Chief, Eight Fingers, raised a Bayfolk Battle Axe that had slain more than ten men, and roared, "Draw swords, charge!"

He led the charge.

"Kill!"

"Not one left standing!"

Except for those manning the ship's guns, everyone else went ashore to join the Marines, beating the downed enemy without mercy. Byron and Gus, tasked with escorting and eliminating specific targets, swiftly dealt with even the few formidable First Order Transcendents among them.

These men also brought them surprises. Overseas, the Church no longer had the capacity to control Forbidden Knowledge and related creations. Such things could be openly sold in all the major colonial cities. Many Transcendents, who previously followed the rules strictly, gradually broke through their original Sequence, developing bizarre and unpredictable combat styles.

The most numerous and simplest were those equipped with various talismans: Mithril Talismans and Black Tin Amulets made with Extraordinary Metal; Amulets of Beastliness carved from ferocious beasts' teeth or bones; and Fishbone Amulets made from cuttlefish bones and various types of demonized fish bones... All of these broadened Byron's horizons.

But no matter how peculiar and varied the abilities of these people were, the Sailing Logbook saw through them all clearly. Not a single one escaped the net.

Gus, spurred by Byron, was now also endlessly motivated. Continuously absorbing the presence from the militia, he steadfastly advanced toward the Second Order.

Once I reach the Second Order, I'll be able to control illusions of sight, sound, and any other senses... Eventually, even controlling presence itself. Then what if I have a common face? Once I activate Phantom Blade, I will become the handsomest man in the entire Red Theater. I might not only avoid spending money but also make a significant sum from those noblewomen seeking amusement, he mused.

And, as the plundering concluded, Eight Fingers and Little Hans each successfully advanced to Bayfolk Berserker and Artisan, respectively. The strength of Byron's force surged overnight.

All at once, the Golden Deer docked.

Guided by the memories of the Undead Servants, Byron and his men found most of the island's treasuries, chests, and spice stores. The £7,000 reward in gold notes from the York Family paled in comparison to these spoils. A preliminary estimate with the Sailing Logbook put the value of these spoils at no less than 50,000 Gold Pounds. One Golden Deer alone couldn't hold it all.

Byron assigned part of his crew, led by Bruh, to take one of the twin-masted Castilian sailing ships anchored ashore.

Before departing, they set fire to all wooden buildings on the island. They also burned the spice grove that bore clear marks of artificial cultivation, ensuring no trace of Artificial Spice Cultivation Technology remained.

In the end, Byron summoned the Evil Spirit, Bloody Mary, once again with a cup of Blood Brew·Bloody Mary, asking it to help block any potential divination. It added another layer of security to the already divination-immune Storm Sigil Ring.

Standing at the stern, looking at the burning island, Byron summed up this mission, "This was a successful infiltration, noticed by no one. Simply perfect!"

Just as he was about to order both ships to make full speed back home, a quarrel suddenly broke out from his waist pouch,

"You lowlife Cursed Object, you're pressing on my face! Can't you roll away a bit?"

An emotionless, pale voice replied, "The answer is: no, because I have no feet. Now it's my turn to ask, why don't you have hair? Could it be that you don't like it?"

"Hair...? Hair...? AAARGH—! I'll kill you!"

"Wrong answer. Please accept the death judgment punishment."

Byron slapped his forehead; he had almost forgotten that besides the £50,000 worth of treasure, he still had yet to open the biggest prize in his possession.