<h4>Chapter 701 Chapter 701 Shocking News 2</h4>


    "This news will cause a massive wave."


    And it did.


    The news that the Celestial toon will fight the demon army did note as a surprise to anyone.


    However.


    The fact that the Inquisitor personally ordered them to do so was a shocking revtion. The more shocking fact was that Aldred asked every world nearby to give him a significant amount of resources.


    How much was that exactly? They did not know it yet.


    But one thing was certain. The Celestial toon would ask them arge number for sure.


    Fighting the demon army with a massive territory would not be cheap. It could even be a prolonged war which would force them to give even more resources in the future.


    War was always expensive. Especially war in space. Battleships that were capable of long-distance travel with enough armor, enough firepower, enough storage, enough speed, and enough rooms for personnels could cost billions.


    The news was too sudden. Everyone was in a state of panic that this event might bankrupt them.


    However, Aldred did not give them time to react.


    He quickly sent his messengers to every world right after he dered it.


    Smander was one of the messengers he sent to one of the world. This was done for a variety of purpose.


    Smander arrived with some battleships apanying him.


    "Attention! Stop and identify yourself!"


    A voice came inside his ship.


    "What do we do, sir?" his subordinate asked.


    "Ignore them," Smander said.


    Aldred had warned him that they would make it harder for him to obtain the resources they demanded.


    Why wouldn''t they. Aldred basically asked them money for basically nothing.


    Aldred was forced to do this. He was ordered by the inquisitor to fight the demon army who was definitely more powerful than his newly-created group.


    He was only in the game for two years. Lord Malgorth had lived for milleniums and had been amassing his forces for hundreds of years.


    Although the nearby demon army was only a small part of his demon army, it had been acting independently for a decade.


    Aldred did not want to suffer alone so he asked everyone to contribute.


    The ships ignored the security vehicles that were surrounding them.


    After a few minutes, the ships made theirnding on the and Smander and his entourage walked out as if they owned the ce.


    The local security forces were waiting for them on the ground with their weapons pointing at him.


    "Are you really pointing your weapons at me? I am the messenger of the Celestial toon! We are under the order of Inquisitor Aeliana to obtain resources in order to vanquish the demon army! If you don''t lower your weapons now then I will dere all of you as traitors and heretics!"


    The local security forces looked at each other and lowered their weapon immediately.


    Traitors and heretics were punishable by death not just to them, but to their families as well.


    It was the worst crime in the Imperium. Worst than mass ughter or mass murder.


    You can kill a thousand people and you will be punished a bit, but show disloyalty to the Emperor? To hell you shall go with your bloodline.


    The Security forces, now standing with lowered weapons, were visibly shaken by Smander''s stern promation. The weight of beingbeled as traitors and heretics weighed heavily on their minds, and they dared not challenge the authority of the Celestial toon.


    Smander proceeded with purpose, his armored boots echoing as he walked towards the head of the security detail. The local securitymander, a middle-aged officer with a distinct insignia, nervously stepped forward to address him.


    "Sir, we didn''t expect... this. We are here to serve and protect our world. We have received no priormunication about such demands," the officer stammered.


    That was of course a lie. Every worlds had already received a personal notification that a messenger wille to ''ask'' for resources.


    Smander raised an eyebrow behind his helmet. "Ignorance is not an excuse. The Imperium is at war with demonic forces that threaten all of humanity. Inquisitor Aeliana herself has ordered this operation. Now, I suggest you gather your leaders so we can discuss the necessary contributions your world must make."


    The officer hesitated for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "I''ll arrange a meeting with ourary council. But, sir, our resources are limited. We can''t simply give away everything without considering the welfare of our people."


    Smander''s cold gaze bore into the officer. "You will provide what is demanded by the Celestial toon. The consequences of nonpliance are severe, and I need not remind you of the penalties for treason. Now, lead us to your council. Time is of the essence."


    It wasn''t that Smander was did not have sympathy for these people, but the resources they asked were for war. This include weapons, munitions, or raw materials to create them. People only need food and water to survive, so he knew themander was trying to y with words.


    The officer nodded again, signaling his subordinates to escort Smander and his entourage to theary council chambers. The news of the Celestial toon''s arrival and the unprecedented demands had spread through the city like wildfire, causing unrest among the poption.


    However, it wasn''t fear or resentment.


    Instead, they were greeted with enthuasm.


    As Smander and his group moved through the streets, they could feel the eyes of the locals watching them with a mix of admiration and awe.


    They were waving a sign saying "Celestial toon rock!!!"


    For two years, the Celestial toon mercenaries had taken all kinds of task that helped people from every part of the gxy. Escorts, rescue, security, transportation, they took them all. Their service was higher than standards and most of the time they would do something extra if their customers were nice.


    Aldred had strictly told his generals to prioritize customer satisfactions and the reputation of thepany.


    He knew it would paid off in the future.


    Smander was never worried about public opinion. Any other organization would never dare to do this kind of stunt.


    But Aldred was different. That man always manage to surprise him with his action.


    Smander could only smile and shook his head.


    When he entered the government building, they were escorted to a room where theary council was.


    Their expressions were not great. It was clear that they did not like what Smander was about to say.


    The tension in the air was palpable, and Smander knew that extracting the required resources would not be a smooth process.


    "I will make this simple, gentlemen," Smander started.