Chapter 2423

2423 - The New Order

Planet Apocalypse—Sector 99 Medium

This planet was once the most vibrant in the sector in terms of generals and forces coming and going, in terms of announcements, threats, deals, and movements.

But ever since Marshal Aro departed toward the east, and ever since all the powers of the sector submitted one way or another… the planet has calmed down considerably.

It has become primarily used for northern meetings, for grand celebrations and symposiums, and perhaps for final training sessions for the Generals and for them to get acquainted with one another before heading out to the battlefields.

But what most people don't know is that its massive defenses and heavy security were exploited to do something… to become the backdoor gate for the most mysterious planet in the universe, Donara.

*Repeat*

A small cargo vehicle passed by the great palaces, the ornate Space Gates, and the vast gardens, moving along designated aerial routes at a slow speed, trying not to draw attention, until finally it began descending toward a certain island… specifically at a Space Gate on the edge of that island.

Then *hiss* the door opened, and a young man with red hair stepped out, a big smile on his face. "Good morning!"

"Hmm?" One of the guards stood up and approached the young man, then extended his palm and gestured to him, "A new messenger?"

"Haha, the deliveries have increased." The young man hurriedly and nervously handed over a number of papers and chips proving his identity.

"..." The officer took his time reviewing everything, then nodded twice and returned it all to him, "Do you know what you're getting into? Have you been told what lies on the other side?"

"Mm." The young man nodded, "I got the gist."

"Heh." The officer laughed, then gestured toward one of his subordinates, "Prepare the Gate." He then turned back to look at the young man, "Becoming a messenger to Donara, where His Majesty resides, means you've accumulated a terrifying number of points and earned a very high status—but don't let that go to your head. Focus on your mission."

"Of course!" The young man saluted and quickly, shyly, moved toward the ready Gate, then turned around and bowed slightly, "Thank you." After that, he stepped through with a *whoosh*.

"Hehe." One of the guards laughed from under his mask, "That's the seventh one this month."

"Who wants to bet he'll resign too?"

"I bet he resigns today."

"..." The officer cast a sharp glance toward the Gate, then nodded a few times, "He's a good lad—he'll hold up, I assure you of that..." Then he tilted his head toward them, "Record my bet: he'll resign after three deliveries."

*Squelch* The young man stepped out of the Gate, the same hopeful smile on his face.

Then *bleeeeh* — he immediately began vomiting.

The stench of fresh blood mixed with old entrails in air so heavy that anyone trying to breathe would feel as though they were dragging filthy stones through their nostrils.

"Hey, use the breathing aid, newbie."

"Whaaah!!" Quickly, the young man pulled out the golden chain and put it on. Only then did he begin to breathe...

Breathing was still difficult, as if someone had placed a pillow over his nose, but it was far better.

Then he slowly turned to his side to thank the one who had reminded him. "Thank you... They warned me before coming, but I was nervous and—"

The boy's voice caught in his throat... Standing beside him was a massive demon in his sweat-soaked crimson armor.

But it was as if he didn't know what awaited him here. They had told him that the Crimson Plague now controlled the planet, but he had never stood beside one of them before... That demon's aura was extremely dangerous, as though he were standing next to his natural predator!

"Tsk." The demon gestured forward. "Go, deliver what you brought, then leave."

"Yes sir!!" The red-haired young man stood up quickly, looked ahead, and began to move... then stopped again.

He had been sent to the nearest Space Gate from the battlefield.

From his position, he could see a massive number of demons skinning and eating a huge space beast... and he could see another space beast being pulled dead through the gate into the planet!

He had been told that a battle was taking place here... but this was nothing but a graveyard now!!

——————–

"Move!"

"Yes!!!!" The young man quickened his pace, his eyes scanning the place

The number of demons around him was staggering—in that square alone there were about sixty thousand of them, all in their battle-worn armor, all doing something...

Either pulling corpses away, severing them, draining their blood, or even eating directly... but even the savage eating seemed organized; nothing happened without a reason here!

When he approached a certain distance, he began to witness something different...

At the far right, below the massive circular Passage Gate, there was a line of demons standing in strict formation.

Whenever one of them reached the point facing the gate, he would remove his armor piece by piece with comfort and pleasure, handing it into a space ring held by a Demon King sitting beside the gate. Then his crimson body, covered in purple scars, would appear—a body so powerful, with strength that shook space and rivaled a World Calamity... then he would leap into the gate with a laugh.

This scene repeated itself so many times and in the exact same manner that the red-haired young man felt as though time was replaying itself in that spot!

"Are you not the new messenger? What have you brought with you?"

"Ah!" The young man was startled and turned around, finding beside him a demon at least four meters tall.

He quickly composed himself upon realizing it was a Demon King of rank, judging by the insignia on his armor, and bowed, presenting the ring forward, "Here you are, My Lord, five brand-new full platforms."

"Five?" The Demon King nodded, then took the ring and waved at the young man, "You may return, bring more next time."

"Y—Yes!" The young man bowed again, then called out, "My Lord, may I ask a question!?"

"Hmm?" The Demon King turned with curiosity but nodded.

"Why are those removing their armor?!" The young man did not hesitate, pointing toward the long line, "Isn't that dangerous?"

"Heh." The Demon King laughed mockingly, then resumed walking, "Because they will never return to this universe, there is no point in hiding their true nature... Freedom is the origin of The Plague, and freedom has finally come to us in the form of this passage."

"..." The young man bowed deeply, "Thank you for the enlightenment." Then he let out a breath, cast a quick glance toward the famous mountain... and headed back toward The Gate.

——————–

At a distance of one light-hour from Planet Donara—

"…" A masked person pulled a strange device into their spatial ring and smiled from beneath the veil. "Let's go, we have the footage we wanted."