Chapter 213 — Ren Receives Reports & Expands Island Defense
S.C. 1512 — Evening
Hidden Island — Hive Lab Control Room
The sun had already dipped behind the island cliffs when Ren finally entered the Control Room of the Hive Lab.
The place was quiet except for the steady hum of machinery:
• the wind turbine rotating overhead
• the steam-pressure lines sighing
• the soft clatter of the data-recording mechanism Ren had built last month
Zemo curled near the doorway, ears alert, tail swaying like a slow metronome.
Ren set three sealed report tubes on the table.
One from Mira.
One from Kiro.
One from Bram.
The entire Meridian Group was moving.
And he needed to understand everything—before the next step.
He opened Kiro's report first.
1. New Dawn Report — Pirate Activity Increasing
Kiro's handwriting was crisp and direct.
"Boss, we cleared three pirate cells in southern trade waters.
They were small, disorganized… but too close to Dawn Route."
"We found maps. Someone is guiding them into East Blue trading lanes."
"The crew is fine. Cargo ships safe. No casualties."
Ren's brows tightened.
The diagram Kiro drew showed overlapping pirate routes pushing inward from the edge of East Blue.
Someone was forcing small crews toward trade routes.
Not good.
Ren filed it away and opened Mira's tube.
2. Silver Moon Report — Political Movements
Mira's handwriting was precise, calm.
"Illusia Kingdom negotiations successful.
Their Trade Minister accepted the New Dawn wine shipments."
Good. Income stream secured.
But the second page drew Ren's attention instantly.
"However, two court officials attempted to follow our convoy.
They were not ordinary spies.
Skill level: trained."
Political eyes.
Kingdom eyes.
Ren's jaw tightened.
The more Meridian grew, the more kingdoms would notice.
He folded Mira's report carefully.
Then opened Bram's.
3. Iron Guard Report — Trouble at Sea
The parchment had dirt smudges—Bram must've been writing on a moving ship.
"Boss, not too serious… but pirates in the southern waters are behaving strangely."
"Found traces of underwater ambush rafts.
Someone is teaching low-level pirates new tactics."
"We fought a group. They were stronger than usual."
Ren didn't like this.
Pirates becoming organized was never natural.
Someone was pushing from behind.
And East Blue was too peaceful for this level of coordination.
He leaned back, tapping the desk lightly.
Zemo lifted his head.
"Yeah," Ren murmured. "Something's shifting."
4. Expanding the Island Defense — Immediate Action
Ren stood and walked toward the island blueprint wall.
Pins. Ropes. Notes. Miniature models.
The entire island was mapped in precise detail.
He pulled a charcoal stick from his pocket and began marking:
1. Western Fog Ring Expansion
The hallucinogenic mist field needed broader coverage.
If more pirates traveled through these waters, even accidentally, the island must remain invisible.
2. Additional Ballista Towers
Two were not enough.
He marked plans for two more—north ridge and cliffside hollow.
3. Underwater Alarm Nets
If pirates were using submerged rafts, Ren needed detection nets beneath the tides.
A telekinetic-trigger system would alert him instantly.
4. Island-wide Siren System
Steam-powered horns that could warn every resident at once.
Something reliable.
Something loud.
Ren added a final mark:
5. Expand KS-9 patrol routes
The first KS-9 pack—now fully grown—had settled into stable behavior.
They needed wider ranges, especially around the sea cliffs.
Zemo barked, agreeing.
"Yeah," Ren whispered. "We strengthen everything."
5. Internal Calculation — A Subtle Disturbance
Ren sat on the metal stool and closed his eyes.
Inside his mind, the internal library opened.
Maps, reports, numbers—all layered over one another.
He simulated pirate movements.
He traced kingdom interests.
He followed trade lane shifts.
Something didn't add up.
Pirates moving inward.
Kingdom spies searching for new trade players.
Stronger crews appearing out of nowhere.
Ren felt pressure in his temples—his telepathic sense flickering, scanning the island perimeter out of habit.
Nothing threatening.
But the sea…
Something in the sea felt restless.
Not danger.
But change.
Zemo whined quietly, sensing Ren's unease.
Ren opened his eyes.
"…Prepare for anything," he muttered to himself.
6. Nightfall — A Leader's Weight
Ren left the Control Room and stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the island.
Children still played near the fire pits.
Workers returned from the shipyard.
KS-9 wolves howled distantly on patrol.
Lira spoke softly with a group of women, towering gently above them.
Garin supervised the evening clean-up, effortlessly lifting crates alone.
Everything looked peaceful.
But Ren knew better.
Peace was the surface.
Underneath, the sea was shifting.
Pirates were moving.
Kingdoms were watching.
And Meridian was no longer small.
He tightened his grip on the balcony rail.
"Before anything reaches us," he whispered into the wind,
"we reinforce everything."
Zemo pressed against his leg in silent agreement.
Ren exhaled slowly.
Tomorrow would begin upgrades.
One after another.
Until this island stood untouchable.
End of Chapter 213