Chapter 84

Chapter 84

"The diagnosis confirms His Highness Philo is indeed suffering from moderate-to-severe depression."

"But aside from depression, we cannot rule out the possibility that His Highness may also have PTSD. He has already exhibited significantly reduced communication, self-harm tendencies, as well as symptoms of psychomotor retardation such as catatonic sitting and loss of appetite."

"To be frank, His Highness Philo's current condition is critical—an acute high-risk psychological state that requires immediate hospitalization and intervention."

At the top-floor psychiatric ward of the capital's largest medical facility, Dr. Reese, a specialist in psychological disorders, had replaced Dr. Gu De as Philo's primary physician.

After delivering his diagnosis, the elderly Dr. Reese glanced at the assembled insects before him and spoke cautiously.

"Additionally, I have conducted a case review of His Highness Philo's condition with Dr. Gu De. We both agree that while His Highness's current psychological state is related to the recent outbreak of toxic social events, the severity and rapid progression of his mental health issues suggest a more complex etiology—perhaps even—"

Frowning slightly, the old doctor lowered his voice and inquired carefully,

"I wonder, what were His Highness Philo's daily behaviors? Were there any inappropriate elements in his living environment or interactions? Has his family, relatives, or friends unintentionally exerted pressure on him? Or—"

"Or what?! Are you even qualified to treat him?! What’s the point of asking all these irrelevant questions?! Isn’t it obvious that it’s those deranged, worthless female insects causing trouble that made Philo sick?! Just tell us what we should do now!"

Before the elderly doctor could finish, Yi Jia Fa, who had been traumatized after seeing Philo harm himself and become withdrawn, snapped.

"Should I go punish those troublemaking female insects right now? Force them to grovel before Philo and swear on their lives never to repeat it? Or should I haul that suicide's sire here to comfort Philo and tell him it’s not his fault?! Just tell us what to do, hurry up!"

Most male insects didn't comprehend mental illness, and they couldn’t understand why Philo would be so affected by a few female insects fighting for his favor—even resorting to self-harm. What did their foolish actions have to do with him? Other male insects might have been flattered, seeing it as proof of their charm. But why was Philo different? Not only did he not feel pleased, but he even became depressed?

Clenching his fists, the older male insect’s eyes flashed with fury.

Yet, faced with Yi Jia Fa’s outburst, Dr. Reese remained calm and spoke evenly.

"Your Highness, all diagnoses require a thorough understanding of their cause before treatment can be prescribed. Trust my professional judgment—while His Highness Philo’s symptoms have only recently surfaced, my experience suggests he has been in a deteriorating mental state for a long time."

"To put it simply, His Highness Philo is like a paper boat adrift at sea. He may have been gradually becoming waterlogged for a while, but because he concealed his distress and his symptoms were subtle, you didn’t notice—until these recent incidents sank him completely."

At this, the old doctor looked at Yi Jia Fa and General Zhou Sha beside him, his voice grave.

"Pardon my frankness, but His Highness Philo’s current state suggests his psychophysiology has long been in an unhealthy environment. Under the Male Insect Protection Law, I must file an official report to the Male Insect Management Committee and the Alliance Inspectorate, requesting official intervention."

"Moreover, if Your Highness Yi Jia Fa, General Zhou Sha, and all present truly wish to help His Highness Philo recover, please heed these instructions precisely."

His gaze solemn, Dr. Reese spoke with deliberate emphasis.

"You must not compound His Highness Philo’s distress."

When the solution remains unclear, the least we can do is avoid creating new problems.

Just as with Philo now—if no one knows the source of his anguish, then at the very least, they must not give him new reasons to suffer.

On the surface, Dr. Reese’s words might seem redundant. After all, every insect present would never wish to worsen Philo’s condition.

But upon reflection, his caution rang true.

Looking at the broken Philo, at the red marks still on his palms, at his isolated figure in the psych ward, all the insects fell silent.

How different Philo was when he first returned to the insect race compared to now?

If they attributed his current state solely to that four-month gap, the explanation felt flimsy. Even regarding the recent extreme incidents that directly affected him, all present bore some responsibility.

The rumors about Philo’s potential marriage and chosen mate, though not spread by Li Wei or Shang Ling themselves, went unaddressed by those who could have easily stopped them.

They had to admit—this was the byproduct of their own selfishness.

Seeking to sway public perception to deter other female insects, reveling in the flattering (though fabricated) rumors, those with the power to act had instead chosen to allow the situation to deteriorate.

Even as Philo’s biological parents, they could have made official statements correcting or refuting the rumors when they first emerged. But General Zhou Sha, typically thorough, had focused too much on noble insects and failed to anticipate the repercussions such events might have on the more extreme among the common populace.

Ultimately, these insects were not Philo.

They prioritized the Alliance’s stability, considered the broader impact—but individuals, especially ordinary female insects, were often forgotten.

After all, a noble insect’s instability might cause major upheaval, but what harm could common insects do beyond self-harm or petty vandalism?

Such incidents scarcely merited the notice of busy high-ranking officials. So they hadn't intervened in the rumors, hadn't missed the red flags—and thus, allowed these events to unfold before Philo’s eyes.

Had they truly been good to Philo?

Yes—none here had wished him harm.

Yet, in Philo’s current state, none could claim innocence.

What… had they done?

"I will ensure these incidents are resolved swiftly. Whether it’s the female insect tortured for imitating Philo or the one who committed suicide, the Alliance government will address all recent cases involving His Highness. Restitution where appropriate, punishment where warranted—and officials will strengthen public mental health guidance."

Shang Ling, who had initially sought to exploit the rumors, now stared at the closed therapy room door, fists clenched. None could guess his thoughts.

This female insect, who had never hesitated to use even Siluan for his goals, now halted his machinations prematurely for the first time.

"The Geshaluolin Group’s platforms will cooperate with the Alliance to contain the collateral damage from recent events."

Standing before the therapy room’s glass, the green-haired female insect’s voice was hoarse.

He'd detected the early indicators, had even begun investigating Philo’s four months in the chaotic star systems—yet couldn't foresee that the final blow would come not from those past horrors, but from the so-called loving actions of his kin.

And he himself had not only failed to stop it—he had, unwittingly, accelerated it.

If only he’d known how deeply Philo cared for these ordinary female insects, how extreme their behavior would become… But there were no "if onlys" in this world.

"Can’t… can’t we go in to see him?"

Unable to hold back, Siluan—who had defied his father to come here—ignored his brother Shang Ling, Yi Jia Fa, and General Zhou Sha, all silent after Dr. Reese’s words.

The black-haired male insect, still presumed by many to resent Philo’s beauty, stared urgently at the unfamiliar elderly medical insect.

To this, Dr. Reese shook his head slightly.

"My apologies, Your Highness. No."

"...Then when can we?"

When?

The answer didn’t rest solely with Dr. Reese—because the decision for Philo to avoid others wasn’t his, but…

All eyes turned to the silver-haired male insect, still facing away from the door. Even without the doctor’s reply, they knew.

But Philo—will staying alone truly make you better?

Avoiding the Insectkin, blocking out outside communications, and refusing to see the things you don’t wish to see—will you truly get better this way?

His violet eyes were like antique jewels, though still rare and valuable, they had long dulled, no longer shining with their former brilliance.

Gazing out the window of the therapy room with his back to the door, the Silver-haired Male Insect himself might not have a clear answer. But at the very least, he knew one thing—if his difference was a mistake, then… fitting in would be easy.

Yes, for Philo to become a true male insect, the most ordinary type in society's view, had never been difficult.

The mental health assessment report on the S-Class Male Insect, submitted by Dr. Reese to various departments of the Alliance in accordance with regulations, was soon in the hands of the department heads.

After reviewing it, nearly every department head repeatedly sought confirmation from Dr. Reese, unable to believe there had been no diagnostic error.

Finally receiving the answer that the diagnosis was accurate, the officials clutched the report, their hands shaking.

No matter how unwilling they were to believe it, no matter how incomprehensible they found it, the evidence was irrefutable. Staring at the final words on the report, they had no choice but to suppress their emotions and forward the evaluation results to superior officers.

One level after another, one department after another—Philo’s psychological assessment soon became common knowledge within the Alliance.

Once the highest echelons of every Alliance department became aware of this news, the predators—both overt and covert—who had descended toward the tempting prize that was Philo finally paused their hunt.

Would they still fight? Would they still compete?

At this critical moment, with such a blunt report laid bare, anyone who dared take further action to provoke the male insect would likely forfeit any chance of ever approaching His Highness again.

The political tensions rippling through the Alliance’s star domains since Philo’s return and the rise in his psychic level now seemed to quiet at last.

Though the price paid was far greater than any insect had anticipated.