Spark continued flipping through the pages of his Slave Grimoire. Until he found the one holding the existence and information of Princess Kissara. His newest acquisition.
Now it was the time to shape her. Similar to the other pages of the grimoire, the left-hand page held a charcoal drawing of the princess. On the other side, a complex web of stats, skills, and other information could be seen.
Among them, maddening personality traits stared back. [Sadistic], [Selfish], [Arrogant], [Merciless]. A truly delightful combination for a villain. Absolutely unacceptable for a subordinate.
He focused. Channeling his mind-energy through the Grimoire's interface. Modifying personality traits was a core function.
It wasn't about erasing what was there entirely. But suppressing dominant aspects. And elevating dormant ones. He needed useful tools. Not troublesome royalty.
Suppressing the existing four was the easy part. Like slamming a lid on a boiling pot. They wouldn't vanish. But they would be buried deep. Unable to dictate action unless he allowed it.
The real work was choosing their replacements. He needed to check the myriad of minor, often hidden, traits. Swirling within her data profile.
He scanned and searched. Looking for malleability and suitability. For something that could be amplified and directed.
After a period of time, he settled on four.
First would be [Submissive]. It was a no-brainer. Essential for control. Besides, he was somewhat a dom. All of his female subordinates must possess this trait to satisfy him.
Next would be [Masochistic]. It was weird to think that someone who was previously sadistic had this trait.
But it was useful for her. She dabbled in gucraft. A minor path of power notorious for involving great pain in learning. Redirecting pain tolerance into pleasure could make her incredibly resilient in that path.
[Enthusiastic] would be the third trait. If channeled properly, it could be a powerful engine for getting things done. No half-hearted efforts.
And [Diligent]. Meticulous work ethic was always valuable.
Spark replaced the quartet of rotten traits with this new set. The Grimoire confirmed the changes with a faint hum.
Next, loyalty. Kissara's current loyalty rating was non-existent. He sacrificed the point gained from the Blazing Lava to increase it. 10%. 50%. 80%. He pushed it all the way to 100%. Absolute, unquestioning loyalty.
The Grimoire pulsed. Solidifying the loyalty mental chains. Now, she would be incapable of betrayal. Her former identity and allegiances would be buried under an ocean of devotion to him.
Physical appearance was the final touch. He didn't need a perfect replica of the princess running around. That was just an invitation for trouble.
Subtle changes were key. Enough to make her unrecognizable to casual observers. And maybe even wary acquaintances. But not so drastic that she became an entirely different person.
He tweaked the contours of her face. Softening the sharp angles slightly. Adjusting the arch of her brows. The curve of her lips.
Her nose was formerly aquiline and proud. He modified it to become subtly less prominent. Her eyes was once grey, cold, and sharp. He changed it into deep green color and slightly bigger.
Her hair... he changed the color from its distinctive black-purple mix into a deep, dark red. Finally, he added a small, delicate beauty mark under her left eye. A minor detail. But it added another layer of 'not-the-princess' appearance.
He reviewed the changes. The data profile was updated. Showing the new traits, the maxed loyalty, and the subtly altered appearance parameters. Satisfied, he closed the page.
He could summon her now. See the results of his work. But the campsite wasn't the right place. Too exposed. Too temporary. He needed the privacy and safety of his estate. In Gutlark Town.
He placed the Slave Grimoire back into the Spatial Belt. The mountain air felt cleaner now. He could rest. He lay down on the cot and closed his eyes.
...
The next morning arrived like any other. Spark and his companions packed their camp with practiced efficiency.
Spark broke apart the protection array. Recovering the array materials that could be recovered. His women also moved with clear purpose.
Lilith secured their few personal belongings. The ones not kept in Spark's Spatial Belt. Her movements were economical and precise. Ivy carefully packed away her alchemical equipment. Her brow furrowed in concentration even over routine tasks.
Melody and Serenade, mother and daughter, worked together to douse the remnants of the campfire. And clear the site. Their actions were fluid and coordinated.
They found the carriage driver waiting patiently. Ready to take them back to Imphoenix Town. The grizzled man didn't asked any question despite their strange short visit to the volcano. After all, Spark was a client who paid excessively and emanated an air of quiet, undeniable authority.
He simply accepted the instructions to return to Imphoenix Town. Without a single complaint. Money truly oiled the wheels of discretion.
...
Spark and his women spent a day in Imphoenix Town. Spark didn't bother with sightseeing or local establishments. He stayed in their rented quarters. Practicing. Resting. And enjoying luxurious life.
Early the next day, they headed to the skyport. Imphoenix Town wasn't a major hub. But it had regular passenger sky ship departures to other major settlements in Regalheart Island. Including Gutlark Town.
They boarded a medium-sized Sky Carrack, the Summer Sunlight. It was a standard trading ship. Remodeled into passenger ship. Powered by standard Sky Crystal and guided by navigation runes.
Functional. Yet, not as luxurious or as fas as the sky ships he traveled on previously.
The journey was expected to take about fourteen hours. Crossing vast swathes of grassland, forest, and lakes.
The initial hours were smooth. The sky ship rose gracefully. Leaving the town and the distant volcano behind. The wind was fair. The crew efficient.
Spark stood on the deck. Observing the world below. Feeling the familiar hum of the ship's machinery. His women positioned around him unobtrusively.
Lilith stood near the railing. Scanning the horizon with sharp eyes. Ivy was engrossed in a small, leather-bound notebook. Occasionally jotting something down. Melody and Serenade sat a short distance away. Talking about wishart music.
Then, the sky suddenly turned dark. The transition was abrupt. Fair weather dissolved into bruised, swirling dark clouds.
The wind howled. No longer a gentle push but a violent shove. Rain began to lash down. Thick and cold. The sky ship lurched. The sails shook violently.
"Storm!" a crewman yelled over the din.
The captain's voice, strained but firm, echoed from the command deck. "Strike the sails! Drop the elevation! Emergency landing! Find stable ground!"
The ship began a controlled descent. Battling the turbulent air currents.
Below, the world was a blur of rain-soaked green.
They finally touched down on a wide expanse of grassland. The landing gear sinking slightly into the soft earth. The ship was stable, but the storm raged overhead, shaking the vessel like a toy.
Damage reports filtered through. Minor structural issues. Sail tears. Repairs would take time. But it wouldn't be long. The storm showed no sign of abating though.
The captain addressed the passengers. A motley collection of merchants, adventurers, and a few well-to-do travelers.
"We are grounded until repairs are complete. And the storm passes. Security protocols are in effect. We are in a zone of low-level danger. But don't take any unnecessary risk. Stay vigilant. Stay calm. Stay aboard." He instructed.
Spark wasn't concerned about staying aboard. He was concerned about things attracted by grounded sky ships. And the scent of sentient life.
Storms in Anearth were often accompanied by increased monster activity. Stirred by the elemental chaos. He moved his position. Settling near the ship's ramp. His women fanning out subtly.
Ship guards also realized that. Clad in sturdy leather and armed with repeater crossbows and short spears, they took up defensive positions around the perimeter. The captain's assessment of the area as 'low level' seemed accurate.
The first few hours saw only scattered skirmishes. Against normal beasts and Tier-1 monsters. Rain-slicked Ground Scuttlers. And verocious Spine Hogs.
The guards handled them with ease. Their experience were showing. Spark and his women observed. Occasionally making a show of using minor, appropriate-level combat skills.
A simple stone throw from Spark. Well-aimed bolts from the small crossbows that the women equipped. None used the skills from their real class.
Their actions were simple. Just enough to appear helpful. Not enough to draw undue attention. Or reveal their true capabilities. The storm muted sounds and visibility. A helpful cloak for their low-key efforts.
However, the situation soon escalated. The wind picked up a different sound. A high-pitched shriek that cut through the roar of the wind and rain.
Dark shapes plummeted from the turbulent clouds above. Just like ragged spears.
"Storm Storks!" A guard shouted. Pointing skyward. "Damn it! Dozens of them! And look... a big one in front!"
Spark narrowed his eyes. Tier-2 Storm Storks were bad enough. Agile, vicious aerial predators with electrically charged beaks.
Dozens of them? Led by a Tier-3 Storm Stork King? This wasn't standard low-level fare. The King was much larger. Its screeches laced with raw power. Its wings were churning the air into localized gales. And it could control lightning strike.
The guards immediately opened fire. Bolts ricocheting off hardened feathers. But the birds were too fast. Too durable. Too numerous.
Within the first clash, several guards had gone down. Stunned or injured by lightning-quick strikes. The situation devolved from manageable defense to desperate struggle.
"Girls! Real combat now!" Spark barked a command.
Lilith dropped her crossbow. Replaced by the sleek profile of her technogear handgun taken from the void.
She unleashed a rapid-fire torrent of enchanted rounds. Each one singing a deadly tune as it found its mark. Storm Storks exploded into showers. Of dark feathers and static discharge.
Ivy still used her crossbow. But he replaced the bolts. Now, they were alchemical grenade bolts. She launched them with what seemed to be random aims.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
They detonated mid-air. With flashes of blinding light and concussive force. Sending flocks scattering or dropping like stones. Making them easy targets for the remaining guards.
Melody and Serenade moved closer together. Their expressions focused. They didn't conjure elemental blasts or protective shields. Instead, they summoned their fairies and began to sing.
Not a simple melody. But a complex, layered harmony accompanied by music from the fairies. The Twilight Song. A cooperative symphony of wishart power enhanced by soulcraft abilities.
Under its subtle influence, Spark, the girls, and the remaining guards felt their resolve strengthened. Their power rapidly increased. Their focus improved.
The attacking Storm Storks, on the other hand, faltered. The music affected them in the opposite way. Their movements became sluggish. Their shrieks were less potent. Their electrical attacks got weaker.
Despite the coordinated pushback. The Storm Stork King was still a significant threat. It circled the ship. A dark feathered demon in the sky. Occasionally diving to unleash powerful arcs of lightning that crackled against the ship's hull.
Its mere presence amplified the ferocity of the other birds. Its attack damaging the ship's structure. The guards were regrouping. But they couldn't reach the King effectively.
Spark watched the King. Tier-3. Troublesome. But not worth exposing his full Framepath or Soulcraft power.
Technomind, though... that was different. His technogear was already known. It was already exposed in the chaos in the capital city. It was the safest option to show.
Spark reached into his technogear void space. Summoning the Power Rifle. It was perfect for this kind of problem.
He raised the rifle. Bracing his massive body against the rocking of the ship. He sighted down the scope. Locking onto the Storm Stork King. As it circled for another pass.
The storm raged. Rain plastered his hair to his face. The wind tore at his cloak. But his focus was absolute. The singing of Melody and Serenade seemed to sharpen his senses further.
He squeezed the trigger. BANG!