"Captain, we've got to get Bunsen and Enel back soon," Adrian said, rubbing his temples. "I can't handle this alone. Especially Enel—his electric endurance training works wonders. Those hundred-odd guards only toughened up so fast because of his lightning drills."
"Electric training, huh? Lucky bunch," Karl smirked. "Alright, I'll call them back after this."
He raised a loudspeaker. "Quiet down! Listen up!"
The three hundred newly arrived Shandians fell silent at once.
"This," Karl began, "is our Jaya Island Training Base. You're strong by Sky Island standards, but here in the Blue Sea, that won't cut it. So you'll undergo special training."
He gestured toward Adrian. "This is one of your instructors. Two more will arrive soon."
"Wyper, Kamakiri, Braham, Laki—step forward."
The four young warriors instantly lined up. They looked both respectful and eager.
"You four will assist Instructor Adrian for now. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Karl!"
"Good. Adrian, they're yours for the next couple of days."
"Fine," Adrian sighed. "Let's get to it."
Karl clapped his hands once. "Alright, Daphne, let's check on Zoe's bees."
They headed into the forest, sunlight dappled through wide canopies. The low hum of wings grew louder until the trees seemed to vibrate with life.
"Now you'll see," Daphne said. "There are over two thousand mutant bees already. They're incredibly intelligent—can understand commands. As long as someone carries Zoe's honey, they obey."
Karl raised a brow. "That must burn through honey fast. Can she keep up? Two thousand mouths is a lot."
"Wait till you see."
They stepped into a clearing—and Karl froze. Thousands of giant bees, each a meter long and half a meter tall, shimmered in gold and black. The sight alone made his scalp prickle.
"Zoe! How's it going?" Daphne called.
"Karl-bro! Daphne! You came!" Zoe turned, face lit with pride. "We're near three thousand now. They're all obedient—but I found one catch: to make them navigate properly, each destination needs a Queen Nest beacon. With that in place, they can find their way home no matter how far."
"That's doable," Karl said. "But it'll keep you busy—we'll have a lot of destinations soon."
"No problem!" Daphne grinned. "We only have ten branches across Paradise so far, so just ten nests to start."
"Right! Leave it to me," Zoe said. "I'm a flier, remember? Fastest there is!"
Karl laughed. "Good. Still—what about feeding all these? Your honey alone can't sustain them."
Zoe shook her head. "They only need honey to mutate. After that, they can hunt and eat meat. Food's not an issue. And I think there's a cap—around one hundred thousand bees max. Beyond that, no new mutations."
Karl nodded. "Makes sense. If it were limitless, that fruit would break the world."
Daphne asked curiously, "Does your honey work on other animals?"
"Nope! Tried on plenty—nothing. It's only for bees."
"Understood. Once our ten courier stations are built, go set the Queen Nests. Until then, keep expanding the swarm. You're doing amazing, Queen of Couriers," Daphne said proudly.
Zoe laughed, chest out. "Thanks! Just wait—we'll deliver to every corner of the world!"
"Ha! That's the spirit." Karl grinned. "Oh, and go visit Adrian later. He said you've been too busy with the bees to even notice him."
Zoe blinked. "Ugh, that guy—can't keep anything to himself! I'll go later!"
Karl chuckled and left with Daphne.
"By the way, love," Karl said as they walked, "we should set up Visual Dial surveillance around Jaya. Enel's not always here; we need eyes for safety."
"Agreed," Daphne said. "I'll handle it. We brought plenty of Sky Dials down anyway."
"Thanks, wife." Karl squeezed her hand. She was carrying most of the weight these days—business plans, logistics, security—everything.
"It's fine," Daphne said with a confident smile. "People here are much simpler than the sharks I dealt with back on Earth. Easy game for me. Besides, when we're done, Wind Express will be a world-class company. Thinking about it already makes me excited!"
Karl laughed softly. "Then I'll be your support from behind. Build your empire."
"Thanks, hubby! Speaking of building—gotta run. Promised Karin I'd help design her Gourmet City today." She blew him a kiss and zipped off on a cloud.
Karl sighed. "No goodbye kiss? Cruel woman…"
He stretched. "Guess I'll head to Jerry's shipyard and see how that's going."
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