The air grew thick and hard as countless thoughts raced through everyone's minds.

Whether they liked it or not, several enemies were continuously testing their bottom limits.

They did things that they, as Penelope's most trusted officials, would never let go of.

They called their citizens.

And for sure, if they closed an eye to this matter, politically, it would also have bad impacts down the line.

But at the same time, they had to approach this matter cautiously, all the while preparing for the worst.

That's right.

War would be the worst-case scenario... But that didn't mean that there weren't other scenarios that they could control and force the situation into.

With a well-thought-out plan, as well as several hidden moves, they can secretly take charge of this matter as well.

The only good thing was that if a war did break out, they had their brothers and sister empires who promised to aid them out via the alliance.

Likewise, if another empire needed immediate help, they would do their best to assist them by sending their trained militia who had been trained in Baymard.

In fact, even the Caronian soldiers still in Baymard would move out to perform the tasks as well.

They were now a united front, protecting the weak and innocent civilians within Pyno.

Alright. It was time to take some security countermeasures.

.

Seeing that everyone had felt the weight of the matter, Penelope nodded in satisfaction.

"There are a lot of things we can do to control and prevent some matters.

But first, I suggest we pick or highlight several stationary estates or locations that'll serve as storage facilities!

We will store several Ballistas and Catapults in these spots. 

I don't care how big Carona is or how many Coastal cities, villages or towns there are, but I want these siege weapons around these areas immediately!" Penelope said sternly, and everyone's eyes lit up in agreement.

"Yes! It's an excellent idea!

The fact that these intruders can do this only shows the many holes within our defence around the Coastal regions."

"That's right!

These areas are one of the most crucial because they can determine the survival or death of a nation."

"I agree! A good defence can keep the enemy out!... Why... Just listen to the rumours about Morgany? As big as their continent is, their defence is as solid as iron! Other influential areas like Veinitta also have strong defence across their coastal regions as well."

"Morgany? Veinitta?... Heh. That's even going far! Our very own Baymard here in Pyno has an impeccable defend as well. Even with their new territories that aren't developed yet, they still managed to keep a tight security around the place. So it's about time we properly straighten our forces around Carona's Coastal regions too."

.

Wilfred took out his pen and looked at the ancient topographical map in his folder.

Carona's maps were created by their ancestors, who had taken the time to know where each city, town or village was.

After all, if one wanted to govern an entire empire, they needed a clear distinction of where things were.

And even if some villages or communities were formed later on, such regions had to report it to the royals themselves.

It was fairly common for new villages to form since some people moved and finally settled down in some desolate areas.

And with time, more and more people would migrate there until the population could be considered the minimum size of a village or settlement.

After all, a family of 10 can't move to a certain place and call it a village. They need to meet the required minimum range.

Of course, a village head or chief also had to be selected as well.

For hundreds and thousands of years, the Carona map had been successfully formed.

Wilfred looked at the map for a bit before suddenly frowning.

"From the information we have, these intruders typically chose towns and villages when they came in.

So these areas should be our primary focus... especially the villages.

For our plans to work, these coastal regions would have to be guarded strictly!"

Everyone agreed with Wilfred. And Carmelo was thinking of another matter as well.

"That's true. It would be best if we take care of this matter as soon as possible.

As for how we'll transport these weapons down fast, not to worry.

We, the Caronians, had already made a deal with Baymard, promising that when the siege weapons were ready, they would assist us in transporting them to these coastal regions." Carmelo said calmly before falling deep in thought.

.

For sure, that beat was long gone out of Pyno, heading towards Lucia's people.

But before he left, he was a little worried for the Pyno contingent in general, so he told them they could communicate with Lucius if any wars or dangers pop up.

That's also why he decided to help them transport these siege weapons around the borders/shores.

But first, they needed to secure storage regions in several regions before contacting the Baymardians for transportation.

With these siege weapons, any enemy who dares to raid or attack in large groups will feel their wrath

They also needed to create multiple traps and prepare these areas as if they were preparing for war!

Of course, this wasn't all.

Their ships would have to get adjusted in such a way that they could also fire large arrows across that could pierce and future the wooden ships, causing them to sink.

They also needed to set up several military posts and resident regions around the coastal areas, as well as make sky-high watch towers and join the Baymardians in patrolling their empire as well.

Even though there were Baymardian ships there, whenever they were focused on their mission, the patrolling ships could stay still for days close to a certain region, ready to render more support.

Because these patrolling ships were also enemy ships, transport ships and even backup ships that provided all sorts of services at once.

That was why there were times when their control would have blind spots, allowing pirates to come in.

That was why they, as Caronians, had to step up and patrol the place as well.

.

Carmelo massaged his temples, thinking of all the changes they had to implement A.S.A.P.

The things he thought of were only the tip of the iceberg in the whole grand play.

And so just like that, Carona had secretly begun making plans.

Meanwhile, back on the high seas, Landon and his team had come across several issues of their own as well.

Who?