The broadcast of General Grimm of course caught the attention of the crowd.
Despite their horrible situation, they still watched it with rapt attention and gave the general the benefit of a doubt.
At this point, the news about the war is already known by most people, so when the General pointed that out, nobody was really surprised. After all, their situation wouldn't decline this much if there weren't anything happening behind the scenes.
When they heard that that their God Emperor is fighting someone extremely strong, that surprised them.
Truth to be told, they're used to their race being the dominant one. Being the oppressor and the winner is something that they're used to. That's the whole reason behind their prosperity to begin with.
But to think that there was someone out there who can match their God Emperor and keep him occupied enough to be unable to contact them, was something that is really shocking to them.