Chapter 59

Chapter 59

"According to standard procedure, the theory of male insect psychic depletion should be explained in detail to a male insect upon reaching adulthood by both his sire and the head of the medical department of the Male Insect Management Committee."

"Prince Fei Luo was recovered past the age of adulthood, so the Committee's medical department, adhering to protocol, only assigned Doctor Gu De to conduct a comprehensive physical and psychic evaluation and registration for him. However, they overlooked arranging a make-up coming-of-age ceremony for Prince Fei Luo, thereby also forgetting to explain the theory of male insect psychic depletion, which should have been conveyed after the celebration."

"As for Prince Yi Jia Fa... His Highness may have also momentarily neglected this matter, which is why Prince Fei Luo remains unaware of this crucial information."

Lowering his head, the blonde female insect Leslie stood in the council chamber of the Male Insect Management Committee, respectfully reporting the chain of events that led to Fei Luo's current ignorance regarding the fact that male insects' psychic energy would deplete.

After hearing his words, it must be said that all the insects present in the council chamber, including Fei Luo, lapsed into silence, unsure of how to respond.

First, it seemed that the blame should fall on the Committee's medical department, as they bore the responsibility of informing male insects of this fact. However, upon closer examination, it would be unfair to place all the blame on the medical department.

After all, organizing the coming-of-age ceremony was the duty of the rites department of the Male Insect Management Committee. It was precisely because no make-up ceremony was arranged for Prince Fei Luo that the medical department subsequently failed to fulfill its duty of warning him about psychic depletion.

Yet, whether a make-up coming-of-age ceremony should be held was ultimately up to Fei Luo’s sire. At the time, Prince Yi Jia Fa, who had just recovered Fei Luo, did receive an inquiry from the Male Insect Management Committee about whether to arrange a make-up celebration. Unfortunately, Prince Yi Jia Fa found the Committee’s arrangements lacking in grandeur and had already decided to host a welcome-home banquet for Fei Luo himself.

The banquet organized by the House of Toras was indeed lively and luxurious, but when it came to certain matters that an adult male insect should be aware of, the inexperienced planners had overlooked them.

Over time, it seemed all insects had taken for granted that Fei Luo already knew about this.

And precisely because this was a topic both female and male insects were most reluctant to mention, it was rarely discussed in daily life—so much so that even the Starnet had deliberately erased all records related to this theory.

The Starnet administrators did not make this decision arbitrarily; it was explicitly mandated by the Alliance.

The Alliance’s official justification for this requirement was to show respect for male insect highnesses, but the underlying motive was to prevent female insects from excessively discussing the matter.

After all, when this research theory was first publicly announced, it triggered a wave of self-destructive acts, even suicides, among ordinary female insects across the Alliance’s star systems, as they vehemently protested male insects continuing to provide Psychic Soothing for high-ranking female insects.

The reality was that, up to now, most female insects requiring Psychic Soothing from male insects were Military Females from border worlds and senior government officials.

Ordinary female insects, on the other hand, rarely suffered severe psychic instability, nor did they have the privilege of receiving Psychic Soothing from male insects.

For ordinary female insects, even if they had few opportunities to interact with male insects in their lifetime, the thought of witnessing male insects harm themselves for the sake of other female insects was unbearable.

Under these circumstances, strife among the female population once reached an unprecedented peak, with numerous incidents of ordinary female insects attempting to mob and assassinate high-ranking female insects.

If discussions about the male psychic depletion theory were allowed to proliferate, it could incite uprisings among common females comparable to that caused by acts of terrorism.

Thus, soon after the discovery was announced and the resulting social upheaval observed, the Alliance explicitly prohibited open platforms like the Starnet from large-scale discussions on the topic. Even when occasional remarks were made, they were often veiled in euphemisms.

Against this backdrop, it was hardly surprising that Fei Luo had remained unaware of this fact for months after returning to the capital planet.

However, while public discussion was forbidden, the fact itself remained undeniable.

Despite countless efforts to find a solution, the theory remained unresolved.

And though neither male nor female insects wished to continue this self-sacrificial Psychic Soothing, the survival of their species in this star system depended on its continuation.

Low-class male insects might be negligible, but high-ranking male insects—especially A-Class and above—could not be disregarded.

The border worlds today were no longer what they had been in the years immediately following the war.

With the increasing numbers of star beasts, particularly high-level ones, more and more Military Females from the border regions returned to the branches of the Male Insect Management Committee each year for Psychic Soothing.

And compared to low-ranking Military Females engaged in logistical support, high-ranking Military Females, as frontline warriors battling star beasts, suffered far greater psychic instability.

Yet, high-ranking female insects could only be soothed by male insects of equal or higher rank.

Thus—

"Fei Luo."

"This oversight lies with the responsible departments of the Male Insect Management Committee. On behalf of the Committee, I apologize to you."

Standing up, His Highness Du Dafei, who happened to be working at the Committee’s headquarters today, addressed Fei Luo after hearing the full report. Regardless of whether Prince Yi Jia Fa was also at fault, the Committee’s duty was to care for male insects, and they bore undeniable responsibility in this matter.

Unlike Fei Luo, other male insects learned of this fact under entirely different circumstances.

From birth, all male insects enjoyed the most lavish provisions their species could offer. The higher their psychic rank, the more elevated their status and privileges—even elevating their entire families in social standing.

Thus, even though the fact was only formally disclosed to male insects upon reaching adulthood, before they began fulfilling their Psychic Soothing duties, both the Committee and their families subtly emphasized the importance of these duties to their species and their clans throughout their upbringing.

Moreover, to address the growing trend of male insects evading their psychic duties—preferring fines or punishments—the Alliance had even instituted a merit badge system, rewarding male insects of different ranks for fulfilling varying numbers of soothing sessions.

Under this multi-pronged approach, most male insects today accepted the reality of psychic depletion relatively well. Low-class male insects, in particular, were far less affected than their high-ranking counterparts—some of the lowest-ranked males barely suffered any consequences at all.

But... Fei Luo was an A-Class male insect—possibly even a Super A-Class one.

High-ranking female insects were prone to psychic instability, and similarly, high-ranking male insects’ psychic energy was more susceptible to depletion after soothing them.

To date, the majority of male insects evading their duties were high-ranking ones.

Yet, while low-ranking female insects could be soothed by high-ranking males, the reverse was impossible.

A single high-ranking male’s refusal to fulfill his duties could create a deficit no number of low-ranking males could compensate for.

Especially now, with A-Class male insects becoming increasingly rare—and Super A-Class males possibly limited to Prince Fei Luo alone.

At this thought, all eyes in the council chamber turned to the male insect who had unexpectedly learned this truth today.

Unlike other male insects, the one now before them was unlike any they had encountered before.

He hardly resembled a male insect—judging by his recent behavior, he barely seemed insect-like.

What was an insect?

Simply put, a being of extreme passions and cold logic.

Most insects, to varying degrees, were driven by some obsession in their hearts.

Some prioritized protecting the Alliance above all else, some subordinated self to family, some were consumed by greed, others the perfection of their craft, and still others longevity...

Different insects might fixate on different things, but nearly all possessed some extreme desire.

Yet this highness...

Perhaps they hadn’t observed him long enough, but thus far, he showed no such all-consuming drive.

Then again, he had been abandoned on a desolate world at birth, only recovered upon reaching adulthood. In all those years, he had learned nothing of insect society—least of all male customs.

Such a male insect would naturally stand apart from his peers.

But precisely because of this—a male insect who currently seemed devoid of ambition—now confronted with the reality that his psychic energy would deplete with use... could they truly expect him to fulfill his duties like the others?

Today, even male insects raised in luxury often balked at sacrifice for their families or their species. What then of this prince...?

Before the thoughts of the assembled insects could settle, under the gazes cast from all directions, Philo looked at Prince Du Dafei, who had just apologized to him. After hearing the full context, without waiting for the others to inquire, he cut straight to the point.

"I think I roughly understand now. So, the normal lifespan of an insect is originally around 120 years. But because male insects need to perform Psychic Soothing for female insects, their average lifespan has been reduced to nearly 100 years. And among them, the A-Class Male Insects, who are the primary workforce in this task, have seen their average lifespan plummet to about 70 years."

"Did I summarize that correctly?"

Correct? More than correct. The data vaguely reported by the insects present had been precisely pinpointed by His Highness.

Averting their eyes, many old female insects dared not look up to answer the young male insect's question in the hall, only nodding stiffly.

Observing the insects around him and their guilt-ridden faces, Philo smiled and suddenly said, "Well... to be honest, I think that's quite long."

Long... indeed... long?

As if unsure whether their ears had deceived them, the same word spoken by Philo carried a tone that seemed entirely different to the surrounding insects.

Looking up, frowning at the young male insect, the heads of various departments in the Male Insect Management Committee within the council chamber wore rare expressions of confusion.

A lifespan nearly halved... and His Highness still thought it was long?

How could that be?

Smirked, seeing the disbelief on the faces of the insects around him, Philo continued without pause, "Seventy years is more than enough time for me."

"So, everyone, don't worry too much. I accept the theory you've presented."

Was the male insect from the Tulas Family accommodating?

Indeed, sometimes they even thought he was borderline naive.

Like now.

What did he mean by seventy years being long enough? What did he mean by accepting it?

Just moments ago, when the male insect had remained silent, the insects in the hall had been fretting over how to persuade this Super A-class Male Insect to contribute to the alliance.

But now, watching the young male insect who had accepted this so readily, who had casually declared that seventy years of life was already too long, the old female insects seated in the very last row of the council chamber, even behind Du Dafei, clenched their fists silently.

Most of them had once served the previous generation of high-level male insects, especially the A-Class Male Insects, as part of the Male Insect Management Committee.

Yes, the previous generation.

Because the older generation of committee members, whose lifespans far exceeded those of male insects, had already personally bid farewell to the Highnesses they had cared for their entire lives.

They had cajoled their Highnesses into fulfilling their duties for the Male Insect Management Committee.

They had told their Highnesses how important and noble this duty was.

And in the end, they had personally escorted their Highnesses into the Eternal Realm guarded by the Insect God.

The Male Insect Management Committee might have male insects in charge.

But most of the responsible members were, ultimately, female insects.

But, Young Highness...

Even so, even if we are unworthy of entering the Eternal Realm after death...

How could you... accept it so quickly?

The old female insects, who had come intending to persuade the male insect to fulfill his duties, now found their goal achieved effortlessly, yet they felt no relief.

But as his gaze swept across the entire council chamber, the young male insect only smiled at the familiar male insect Du Dafei seated directly in front of him before silently walking out of the hall.

Watching the young male insect's departing figure, so lithe and upright, the insects in the hall seemed to realize only then that they had once again steered a royal male insect toward a fate that was perhaps never meant to be his—an abbreviated destiny.

However—

Without looking back, Philo's expression showed no trace of feigned indifference.

Indeed, Philo truly didn't care.

Seventy years? So what if this body was already twenty years old?

Philo was born to older parents.

His parents hadn't been in a hurry to have children when they were young, and by the time they wanted one, both were no longer young.

Calculating the ages, just before Philo transmigrated here, his parents had turned fifty years old.

By the time he turned seventy years old, his parents would be around...

So, to be or not to be, to live or to die—perhaps in fifty years, it wouldn't matter much anymore.

Raising his eyes, meeting the gaze of the blue-eyed female insect who had been waiting for him, seeing the barely suppressed emotions in her eyes, Philo flashed a radiant smile and continued forward.

Aside from the time delayed by an unexpectedly revealed theory, Philo's schedule with the Male Insect Management Committee today had gone smoothly.

At the very least, both his initial objectives were accomplished.

He had mastered psychic energy manipulation, and Gore's psychic domain had improved.

Returning to the Tulas family mansion, Philo, who had recently regained the mood to plan his Earth departure inventory, was completely unfazed as he scribbled and erased in his bedroom.

In stark contrast, countless insects on the capital planet were in turmoil and lying awake.

But in the end, those were other insects' affairs, unknown to Philo.

What concerned Philo now were the upcoming matters related to his enrollment at Kalms Military Academy.

For this, he had prepared for this endlessly.

And fortunately, the day was fast approaching.

"Philo, are you sure you don't want us to see you off?"

"You can still change your mind!"

At the Tulas family mansion, on the enrollment day at Kalms Military Academy.

A week prior, Philo had informed the two elder insects in the household of his decision to live on-campus during his time attending the academy.

Unsurprisingly, this decision had met with fierce opposition from Yi Jia Fa.

But alas, their objections fell on deaf ears.

Finally, the older male insect could only watch in frustration and helplessness as his spoiled young son actually began preparing all the items needed for dorm life.

But these matters were one thing—what truly stung was that Philo wouldn’t even let them accompany him on his first day of school!

This was absolutely crushing!!

Crossing his arms, the silver-haired male insect planted himself in the doorway with a grim expression, looking as though he wasn’t sending Philo to school but to his grave.

If it had been the old Philo, he might have just dodged past with his bag and dashed out. But considering Yi Jia Fa’s age—though the male insect was well-maintained—Philo ultimately chose to be more patient.

"Today is just for registration and settling into the dorm. You can come for tomorrow’s opening ceremony, can’t you? The military academy is packed and filthy today—you probably wouldn’t enjoy it."

To be honest, Philo’s words were rather diplomatic.

At the very least, the insects standing in the hall couldn’t help but lower their heads further and press their lips together to hold back laughter.

"Wouldn’t enjoy it" was putting it mildly. If His Highness Yi Jia Fa really went to escort His Highness Philo today, given their family’s temperament, there was no guarantee Philo would even be allowed to stay at Kalms Military Academy.

For all they knew—perhaps every insect and object in the academy would end up smashed by His Highness Yi Jia Fa before the day was over.

Still, they kept these thoughts to themselves. No one dared to actually voice them—not even Philo, who knew better than to say it.

Aside from the extra time spent handling Yi Jia Fa at the door, Philo eventually managed to leave the Tulas Family mansion smoothly after waving goodbye to Zhousha.

Originally, many insects knew about his enrollment today—after all, pretty much every bug in the Alliance was aware he had been admitted to Kalms Military Academy—so naturally, many wanted to accompany him.

But precisely because so many had offered, Philo ended up rejecting them all. After all, rejecting one was a rejection, but rejecting everyone felt fair.

Rather than dealing with inequality, he simply chose to fly alone in a personal shuttle, escorted by the Tulas Family’s guards, straight to Kalms Military Academy.

Yes, today only the Tulas Family’s guards were responsible for Philo’s protection.

After all, his destination was Kalms Military Academy—one of the few places on the capital planet equipped with heavy weaponry and countless high-ranking military females. He had zero safety concerns here.

Unfortunately, Philo had underestimated just how seriously the bugfolk took his first day.

True, some insects affiliated with the Tulas Family—or those who had added Philo’s contact after the last banquet—had hit him up, offering to escort him.

And while all of them had been rejected, the whole damn planet was full of insects who knew today was Philo’s official enrollment day.

These insects—Philo had no way to stop their desire to see him off.

Thus, as soon as his personal shuttle left the Tulas mansion, Philo quickly noticed something off about the capital today when he glanced out the window.

What was all this…?

"Safe travels, Your Highness Philo—we’ll always follow you!"

"Today, my aircraft squadron is your honor guard!"

"Kalms Military Academy, you better treat our most beloved Philo right!"

"Conquer Kalms Military Academy and get our baby back!"

"Today we escort you to school—tomorrow we’ll tuck you in!"

The skies of the capital planet were divided into multiple flight lanes based on altitude and zones.

Naturally, each path had different aircraft—some were public transports with fixed routes, some were privately owned, and others were ride-shares provided by companies or organizations.

Regardless of type, since the Alliance monitored each aircraft through built-in smart systems, their appearances were all over the place.

Some preferred simple, basic designs, while others favored unique, personalized styles—not to mention the standardized public models.

In short, the diverse fleet had always painted the capital’s skies in vibrant colors, creating a beautiful picture.

But that seemed to be the past.

Today, the scene in the capital’s flight zones was bordering on madness.

Yes, Philo felt like he was having a meltdown.

The fact that nearly every aircraft was either silver or purple was one thing—but what were those slogans painted and hung on their sides?!

He recognized every word individually, but when combined, they suddenly made him want to die inside!

Did none of these insects suffer from embarrassment?!

They might be living their best lives, but had they considered how he—the one seeing all this—felt?!

"Beep beep beep~~~"

Pressing the alarm button used as a party horn, the countless aircraft owners showed not a hint of shame.

Whether they had simply painted words or hung legally permitted decorative banners, every insect celebrating their beloved Philo’s enrollment was over the moon.

Many who couldn’t squeeze into the crowded high-altitude routes even watched enviously from below, regretting missing out on the show.

Meanwhile, the cops mixed in among the aircraft coldly activated their bullhorns, their own oddly shaped vehicles disrupting the formation and drawing complaints.

"This concerns a male insect’s dignity—mind your language! Watch your words!"

"You up front—erase ‘tuck you in’ now, or you’re coming with me to detention!"

Unlike ordinary aircraft alarms, the security team’s loudspeakers were deafening, drawing attention from nearby insects.

Frowning, the warned female insect protested loudly midair:

"The fuck?! What’s inappropriate about my words? Why should I erase them when others don’t?!"

"That ‘tuck you in’ shit is the problem!!!"

Well… that had a point.