On the horizon, a skull flag bearing a crimson claw fluttered in the cold wind.
The pirate ship's overall tone was an oppressive jet black. Though only half the size of Lambert's merchant vessel, both sides featured large magic circles providing strong power, making it extremely fast as it shuttled through the rough waves like a large black fish.
On the deck, a group of oddly dressed pirates wore vicious expressions, the blades in their hands reflecting blinding cold light.
Lambert barely glanced at the pirate ship before he was frightened out of his wits. The just-opened champagne slipped from his hand, spilling onto the deck with a fizz.
"Quick! Quick! Maximum speed! Lose them!" he screamed.
Though the pirate ship, purely powered by magic, was far faster than his hybrid wind-magic sloop—
In extreme panic, people subconsciously chose to avoid risk.
Even if it was completely useless.
"Yes, Captain!"
The merchant ship operator knew this perfectly well but still shoved the lever forward, pushing power to maximum.
Just as he was about to turn the rudder, the Black Pheasant Foot mage stopped him:
"Hey! Don't be a coward running from battle! Isn't this exactly why you commissioned us Black Pheasant Foot?!"
In the crew's incredulous gazes, Simp #1 shouted loudly, "What's there to fear from mere pirates? Bring the ship alongside!"
Trying to boost morale this way?
Sitting under a sun umbrella, Chase calmly tossed a pastry into his mouth, somewhat revising his impression of this Black Pheasant Foot simp mage.
Of course, only slightly.
Seemingly contradictory-to-the-point-of-arrogant reckless statements could sometimes be inspiring, maybe effective in pirate brawls.
But...
This was a merchant ship—mostly ordinary workers without much fighting spirit!
"Are you insane?! You want us to directly confront those pirates?!"
Sure enough, Captain Lambert was terrified by his outrageous statement. He rushed over, grabbed Simp #1's collar, his beer belly bouncing excitedly.
He just wanted to escape.
Though somewhat pathetic, compared to the pale crew cowering in corners, as captain he was already doing okay.
"Mr. Lambert, calm down. Leave the fighting to us—just hide in the cabin."
Ina, the red-haired female mage, immediately stepped in to soothe Lambert's emotions while pointing toward the pirates with her pale, slender fingers.
The pirate flag fluttered in the wind. In mere seconds, the pirate ship had reached the merchant vessel's stern—only a few hundred meters between them!
"It's over, it's over..."
Hearing the pirates' deranged howls, Lambert's body went limp. He sat on the deck, his fat face filled with despair.
Seeing this, Ina didn't hesitate. She loudly directed the crew:
"Anyone who can move, get everyone else to the cabin! Don't worry—we'll protect you!"
As she organized the crew, her Yu Guang happened to catch Chase leisurely eating pastries.
How was this guy so calm? Was he scared stupid? Why wasn't he taking cover?
Or... was he simply not afraid?
With the emergency situation, Ina had no time to ponder. She turned with a solemn gaze to her two teammates.
"Dashnyu, Bukolevin—prepare to fight the pirates with me! We absolutely cannot let them set foot on this ship!!"
"Understood!"
Being the same team, their tacit understanding went without saying.
A single glance exchange conveyed their thoughts. They quickly moved to the stern while maintaining formation—one front, two back.
They would intercept the pirates there, protecting the ship's people and cargo!
No sooner had they taken position than mechanical grinding sounds came from the halted pirate ship's cannons.
Dark purple magic circles lit up as dark muzzles accumulated energy, the resulting gale violently churning the surrounding sea.
It was a small Magic Cannon, aiming at the merchant ship's magical sails!
"Dashnyu, I'll enhance you! Please—block that attack!"
"Bukolevin, prepare to counterattack!"
Ina instantly perceived the pirates' intentions.
The magical sails were the merchant ship's core power device. If destroyed, they'd become lambs for slaughter!
With that thought, she raised her arms, palms facing Dashnyu—the one who'd told Chase to rest easy earlier.
"Addition: Armor Force!"
Ina shouted, two magic circles forming as a thick layer of light covered Dashnyu's body.
Oh? An Addition Mage?
Chase, eating his melon nearby, was somewhat surprised. He glanced at Ina, her fiery red short hair blowing in the wind.
Compared to commonplace fire magic, Addition Magic was much rarer—capable of applying supportive special magic on designated targets.
Too bad her magical power was too low—the attribute boost was quite limited...
Chase sighed softly, then turned his attention to Dashnyu.
The guy's short sleeves and suspenders had already burst from his expanding muscles, revealing a powerful, strong physique.
Probably using some kind of close-combat Superhuman Strength Magic.
So with this fighting style, why wear suspenders?
Wasn't that just wasting money on clothes...
Even idiots like Natsu and Gray knew to take theirs off beforehand!
Chase silently complained, then looked at the team's last member.
Bukolevin quickly unstrapped the iron box on his back and pulled out a Magic Sniper Rifle.
Using the scope's magic circle, he held his breath and fine-tuned, locking the pirate captain seated at the rear of the pirate ship.
Capture the chieftain first—eliminate the captain, and the crisis would naturally resolve!
Combining melee, ranged, and support, plus decisive decision-making achieved in seconds...
No wonder this team had that blind confidence about protecting the ship from pirate attacks.
They had some skills.
Just not enough.
Chase shook his head lightly and looked away, continuing to focus on his snacks.
The pirate captain's appearance perfectly matched Marshall's description—this crew was definitely his commissioned target.
Other guilds' A-Class and even S-Class mages had vanished without a trace encountering them.
How could three mages from a crappy little guild possibly have a chance?
BOOM!!
A low roar like a wild beast's howl—the pirate ship's Magic Cannon fired before Bukolevin's rifle, spraying a beam of cluster laser that tore the sea!
"Pathetic Magic Cannon—watch me crush it!"
Enhanced Dashnyu didn't hesitate. He leaped high, ready to sacrifice—ah, no, to forcefully intercept the attack.
He raised his fist high, the magic circle spinning rapidly as he swung down at the approaching laser with ferocious force.
BOOM!!
After the loud noise, dust flew everywhere.
Dashnyu lay severely wounded among the overturned mast, blood spraying from his mouth—instantly losing the ability to fight.
The merchant ship, losing power, rapidly slowed to a halt on the sea.