Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1690 - 538: Beginning_6

Director Roli grinned at the crowd and announced.

"Yes, indeed!"

"Just not sure how much is appropriate?"

...

King Billco and the others questioned one by one.

"Not much, each neutral country needs to hand over 500 billion Federation Coins or items of equivalent value!"

Director Roli thrust out five fingers right away and declared to the group.

"500 billion!!!"

"Lord Roli, how would we have that much money!"

"Lord Roli, even if you sold all of us, it wouldn’t amount to that much."

...

The people there froze at the figure, their faces growing incredibly dark.

Right then, Roli snapped sharply.

"Hmph, I’m kindly giving you a chance, yet you complain here. 500 billion, pay it or not as you wish, don’t blame me for not reminding you, the guys from the Dark Star Empire won’t leave even your bones. You’ll regret it later if you don’t act now."

"My lord, it’s not that we don’t want to pay, but it’s genuinely unaffordable."

The Baistein Country Master of the Abayk Kingdom begged for a moment.

Such a huge sum was impossible for them to scrape together. Even if they somehow paid it, what would they eat or drink once in the Federation? They couldn’t become beggars, could they?

"Spare me the sob stories, they don’t work! The rule is simple, money gets you in, no money, no talk!"

Roli displayed zero compassion.

Next, the Hotega Country Master of the Awahog Kingdom quickly turned to Vox.

"Vox, aren’t you familiar with General Su Ming? The country truly faces a life-and-death moment and really needs his help now."

Many nobles from the Awahog Kingdom, plus princes and princesses, gazed at Vox with hope. This was their last hope, since they truly couldn’t gather 500 billion Federation Coins.

These years, constant battles in the Danube Star Sea had made mere survival a struggle.

"Sigh~ I’ll give it a try."

Vox’s face changed sharply before he responded to the Hotega Country Master.

"Then please do."

The Hotega Country Master replied gladly.

Now, Vox advanced and addressed Director Roli.

"Lord Roli, we are friends with Federation General Su Ming, could you give us some leeway?"

At those words, everyone present turned their attention over.

Director Roli paused briefly at Vox’s statement, then ridiculed them.

"What nonsense are you spouting? You think you can just say you know Admiral Su Ming and expect me to believe it?"

"My lord, we’re really not deceiving you."

Vox assured Director Roli.

"Enough of that, if you really know him, ask him to vouch for you!"

Director Roli shot back with a icy smirk.

With no choice left, Vox turned to Monica and requested.

"Monica, could you give Su Ming a call?"

Hearing Vox’s plea, Monica lightly bit her lip. Truthfully, she didn’t want to bother Su Ming. Plus, after years without talking, calling now just to ask for help felt off.

Yet, seeing her father’s and everyone’s hopeful stares, Monica had no option but to pull out her phone and call Su Ming’s number.

"Sorry, the phone you dialed is temporarily unavailable!"

The automated message played.

"Why can’t I reach him? Daughter, try again."

Vox urged, a trace of anxiety in his voice.

Monica tried calling once more, but it failed again, so she told Vox.

"I can’t get through, I’ll try sending a message."

"Quick, send it!"

Vox’s heart pounded anxiously.

Monica hurriedly typed a message and dispatched it to Su Ming.

Over ten minutes passed without any response to Monica.

Just then, Director Roli let out a mocking laugh.

"Alright, stop pretending, is Admiral Su Ming really someone you people can claim to know? I’m not that gullible. Also, this is Black Flame Star, no one else counts here but Lord Rosaga!"

At this, Vox attempted to defend himself, but the words caught in his throat.

Director Roli ignored Vox and warned the crowd coldly.

"You all better listen; consider carefully whether you value your lives or money more!"

Hearing that, silence fell over everyone.

Right now, the Hotega Country Master questioned Vox.

"Vox, do you actually know General Su Ming, or have you mistaken him for someone else?"

"Country Master, I’m not lying to you, my daughter indeed has a good relationship with General Su Ming."

Vox hastened to clarify.

In that instant, an elderly man supported by a cane, his face wrinkled and hair partly gray, grumbled discontentedly.

"Country Master, don’t believe what Vox said. Had he really known him, they would have connected already. Besides, even if he did know him, it probably isn’t as good as he claims."

"Lord Angdu is right."

A few nearby nobles chimed in supportively.

The Hotega Country Master, upon hearing this, stared at Vox with disappointed eyes.

Vox had nothing to say back. In reality, they hadn’t spoken to Su Ming for years, and with Su Ming now a top Federation Admiral, it made sense if he ignored them.

Watching her father get shamed like this, Monica felt deeply reluctant but could only hang her head.

By now, the Awahog Kingdom’s nobles and officials around them shifted their looks toward Vox and his people. The former respect was gone, replaced by suspicion like toward a fraud.

Isawen, positioned on the elevated platform, observed the scene amusedly.

At this juncture, Director Roli went to Isawen and murmured.

"Young Master Isawen, it’s about time."

"Hmm!"

Isawen then stepped down from the platform.

All gazes converged on Isawen as he first approached the Baistein Country Master of the Abayk Kingdom and greeted.

"Lord Baistein Country Master!"

"Lord Isawen, could you please assist and speak some good words, we really can’t come up with 500 billion."

Lord Baistein implored Isawen.

"It’s negotiable, there are ways to discuss this matter!"

Isawen stated smilingly.

"Really?"

Lord Baistein cried out thrilled, like grasping a saving rope.

"Of course, but Lord Baistein, I noticed your Sixth Princess Maryla is quite lovely, as are these others."

Isawen gestured at several princesses and noble ladies with a suggestive grin.

Princess Maryla and the rest instantly paled in fear.

Lord Baistein’s expression froze, turning deeply embarrassed.

"Lord Isawen, what do you mean by this?"

"Nothing much, just giving you a hint. We’re all smart people, think it over carefully yourself."

Isawen remarked, moving on without awaiting a response to the next country masters.

He continued singling out people one after another, mostly stunning beauties, including certain noblewomen.

Before long, Isawen neared the Hotega Country Master with a grin and commented.

"Lord Hotega, your Eleventh Princess Joni, and this Monica lady, are quite something!"

Anger flickered across Monica and the others’ faces, though they didn’t dare object.

Faced with this, the Hotega Country Master shot back at Isawen furiously.

"Lord Isawen, you’re going too far at this point."

"Haha, whether it’s too far or not, consider it yourself. I’m merely providing a new path."

Isawen responded chuckling.