By the time the Castilian Colonizers, drawing on the power of the Holy Relic, finally detected the intruders on the island, Byron and Gus had long since slipped into a spice forest, heavily shielded by thorn hedges and laid with various vicious traps.
The lighthouse, originally linked to the Power of Law and meant to issue a timely warning, was not blind; it had been fooled by two Outlaw Madmen:
"Not only can the Magna Carta of Hightins not judge you (only the King can), but the laws of other countries belonging to the same continental legal system, originating from The Holy Silver Empire, will also have their restrictive effects on you greatly weakened, no longer possessing an overwhelming advantage.
"Furthermore, the ultimate form of Outlaw Madmen is a criminal syndicate.
"As the guiding light for Outlaw Madmen, you possess insight into legal statutes and can use the Pirate’s Ten Commandments to protect your crew.
"When facing the Power of Law, your team will no longer be your vulnerability."
The primary functions of lighthouses included aiding navigation, declaring sovereignty, providing geographic coordinates, and serving military defense. With a copy of a Lord’s decree or autonomous charter at their core, they drew upon the power of the Silver Law to envelop the island. This not only defended against dangerous entities lurking in darkness but also alerted residents at critical moments.
Unfortunately, the legal systems of both Hightins and the Kingdom of Castile were inherited from the continental legal system of The Holy Silver Empire, sharing a direct lineage. Compounded by the duo’s transcendent abilities, it was no surprise the Law Net failed to ensnare them.
The two infiltrated the core area as if it were uninhabited.
"Although the Newman Family met with a setback, they did provide several suspicious locations," Byron mused. "We’ve reached the first target for investigation: the spice forest. It certainly looks peculiar."
In the Bantaan Archipelago, only specific types of trees could produce Spices. These precious Spices were unrelated to food seasonings; they were aromatic resins naturally formed by the trees. This occurred through a combination of the tree’s oils and wood, undergoing a natural transformation that spanned decades.
Elsewhere in the Bantaan Archipelago, production still relied solely on natural yields, requiring manual, careful searches within perilous tropical jungles. This spice forest, however, was distinctly different.
Before them lay a neatly cultivated monoculture forest, the tree trunks bearing numerous cuts and chisel marks. These wounds clearly showed red oil gradually integrating with the white wood, emitting a faint fragrance. This indicated they were still transforming and had not yet become true Spices.
But these obvious artificial marks still boosted their spirits.
"The technology for artificially cultivating Spices is indeed not just a baseless rumor."
"Exactly. This discovery alone makes the trip worthwhile."
Before becoming the Governor of the Royal Colony, the Newman Family had operated in the Bantaan Archipelago for many years. After inadvertently noticing the island’s peculiarity, they dispatched several covert exploratory teams. Ordinary individuals and First Order Servants who entered never returned. Second Order Professionals found nothing, their movements restricted to the town; any attempt to explore further was forcibly prevented by the Pioneers. A Second Order Beast Tamer, skilled in controlling birds, even lost his trained creatures yet found no clues.
Consequently, the Newman Family couldn’t risk sending a Third Order Middle Sequence to force entry. After all, he himself was only a Third Order. Would sending other Third Orders not be like throwing meat buns to a dog?
Moreover, the island’s inhabitants were exceedingly cautious. When shipping goods, they always did so in dispersed quantities, never revealing a large stock of high-quality Spices on the island at once. They maintained a low profile, adhering to the principle of quietly accumulating wealth. The profits currently generated by the small island were far from sufficient to incite a group of Third Orders to launch a siege.
Synthesizing information from various shipping channels, it seemed only the Newman Family had identified the island’s anomaly; they intended to monopolize it! This, however, presented Byron with an opportunity to exploit the situation.
He then examined the entry in the Sailing Logbook:
"Hidden: The Bountiful Mystery of Tayman Brak Island, Historical Influence 15, Decryption Rate 5%"
Byron was gradually discerning the patterns of Historical Influence.
The original ’Salman’s Unspeakable Secret’ had a Historical Influence of only 4, relevant only to the lives of about a hundred people on a single ship. ’The Navy Department’s Conspiracy’ possessed a Historical Influence of 20, its scope encompassing Iron Anchor Bay and even the entire Pirate collective of the North Sea. This Hidden entry’s influence is 15, suggesting the secret likely pertains to more than just the survival of Tayman Brak Island. It could also significantly impact the entire Tayman Archipelago, perhaps even the spice landscape of the Bantaan Archipelago!
Touching the bluish tree bark, Byron clenched his fist, his excitement palpable.
For my Promotion Ceremony, taking the second route to directly conquer this land of over 24 square kilometers would be too ostentatious. The first route—raiding and making a swift departure—is more practical. If I can acquire such valuable knowledge, my Promotion Ceremony should succeed in a single attempt, right?
Just then, Gus, who was keeping watch, whispered urgently, "Captain, do you hear something?"
Alerted by Gus, Byron realized that faint, rustling voices were indeed emanating from deep within the forest. They seemed to be drawing nearer, chanting, "Abundance! Abundance!..."
Shortly, a large mass of swaying shadows rose from the spice forest before them. Under the faint Moonlight, they discerned at least several hundred... headless Corpses. The flesh on these Corpses appeared to have been sucked dry, leaving them completely desiccated and intertwined with a multitude of woody roots, vines, branches, leaves, and moss. Some even sprouted flower buds and berries. The sight alone induced an indescribable sense of unease.
Atop the empty necks of these Corpses, each supported a massive, sharply-toothed flower bud. The chanting of "Abundance! Abundance!" originated from the "mouths" of these buds.
Simultaneously, from the direction of the seaside lighthouse, a piercing alarm bell suddenly shattered the night sky.
"We’ve been discovered!" Byron exclaimed. He realized that Cognitive Revision and Concealment Aura had their limitations. Plant perception, it seemed, differed from that of Humans. Perhaps ground vibrations, or some plant hormone undetectable by Animals, had triggered a defense layer beyond the lighthouse’s warning system.
The feeling was probably akin to: you’re stepping on my foot, how can I ignore it?
The Pioneers hadn’t anticipated this flaw in the lighthouse’s warning, nor had Byron and Gus expected to be exposed in such a manner.
As these entities approached within three meters of Byron, the Sailing Logbook successfully retrieved information about them:
"Abundance Attendants: A Bizarre formed from human headless Corpses, Residual Souls, and numerous mutated plants, all shaped by the influence of a certain Holy Relic.
"Their missing heads seem to have another purpose.
"These Abundance Attendants possess extremely strong defenses and immense strength. Perhaps testing their fear of Fire is worthwhile."
Just as they couldn’t directly access information on the Touch of the Kraken previously, they again failed to obtain specific details about this Holy Relic. However, the Decryption Rate for "Hidden: The Bountiful Mystery of Tayman Brak Island" instantly jumped to 24%. Evidently, the missing heads of these Corpses and the Holy Relic were key to this mystery of abundance.
As the hundreds of Abundance Attendants charged them like wild bulls, Byron silently produced the most volatile of all concoctions—the Molotov Cocktail, also known as... an improvised incendiary device. Since their cover was blown, any tactic was permissible.
A fierce conflagration erupted, soaring into the sky. The roots entwined around the Corpses instantly twisted and shrieked, rapidly retreating and clearing a path for the two men. Some desperately tried to extinguish the Flames spreading through the forest.
"Let’s get out of here first," Byron said. "We’ll use the chaos as cover to check the tavern, church, and other suspicious locations."
"Understood, Captain."
However, they had barely dashed out of the woods and taken a few steps when they saw, under the pale Moonlight, a beautiful girl, rather scantily clad, dancing joyfully on a bluestone slab. Even without musical accompaniment, the susurrus of the night wind through the forest, the chirping of birds, and the gurgling of a stream composed a magnificent symphony. The girl’s dance steps, like those of a playful fawn, seemed to leap straight into their hearts.
Then... their gazes simultaneously went vacant, and they began to shamefully mimic the girl’s dance.
Charlotte snorted. "Damn thieves! Don’t you know how damaging staying up late is for a girl’s skin?" As she spoke, she extended her pink tongue and licked the corner of her lips. "Perhaps, before the sacrifice, I should have some fun with you two. Replenish myself a bit."
Then, just as when she had dealt with the six traveling merchants, the girl took the lead, and the three of them began to walk in single file. Viewed from behind, Charlotte’s waist and hips formed a perfect, serpentine figure. Many men would willingly die for her beauty alone, let alone being affected by her Rhythm Dance.
A pair of large hands reached out from behind, grasped her head, and instantly snapped her neck. The beautiful Dancer crumpled to the ground.
Despair lingered on her stunning face, now sullied by dirt. It wasn’t disbelief that she could die, but that her charm had failed to work on a mere First Order Servant! No one who shared the same aesthetic sensibilities, male or female, should have been able to resist her dance!
But all she heard was a single, dismissive remark: "This one’s rather plain. Violet mentioned she also practices classical dance. Even though I haven’t seen it, I’m sure she’d be far more graceful than this girl. Yes, that must be why I’m immune to her transcendent ability!"