As the Imperial Combined Fleet entered the Manda Galaxy, the entire system seemed to be shrouded beneath a heavy gloom.
On Manda Planet, the Defense Force soldiers stationed there swiftly sprang into action under Anrida's orderly deployment—they were tensely but methodically organizing civilians to relocate into underground fortresses, sheltering them from the brutal war about to erupt.
"Report to Commander Dok! We've run into some trouble. Some civilians refuse to enter the underground fortresses for shelter, and they are even less willing to evacuate the surface with the main force. They insist on staying where they are."
A company commander responsible for directing the Defense Force soldiers in the civilian evacuation hurried over to Dok with a grave expression and truthfully reported the news he had just received from the troops below.
Commander Dok frowned slightly, surprise appearing on his face. "What? This is actually happening? With the situation this dire, there are still people daring to ignore the threat of war and insisting on remaining here?"
The company commander nodded and said firmly, "Yes, Commander. Their attitude is resolute. No matter how we try to persuade them, they refuse to leave."
Commander Dok fell silent for a moment, lightly stroking his chin as he sank into thought. After a while, he asked again, "Then have you determined their exact identities?"
"We have. These people were formerly the nobles and merchants of this world." The company commander quickly transmitted the gathered information to Dok.
After the Star Army captured this planet, many nobles and merchants had seen that the situation was unfavorable and chosen to surrender rather than resist. That was how these people had survived by luck.
Moreover, the Star Army had only just reclaimed the planet. Since these nobles and merchants had surrendered voluntarily and had not broken