Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Philo's complexion faded like a watercolor painting losing its pigment.

Unlike his initial clumsiness when first using psychic energy, the current Philo, despite his frail body, radiated a vast and boundless psychic energy akin to an expansive ocean.

Neither as unstable as a Low-class Male Insect nor as restless as other A-Class Male Insects, the Silver-Haired Male Insect's psychic energy was unlike any other insectoid's—powerful yet imbued with a rare gentleness.

He seemed in no hurry to end the process of Psychic Soothing.

He seemed unsparing in the amount of psychic energy he expended.

Unhurried and unflustered, he stood there quietly, patiently and unreservedly releasing all his power, slowly enveloping the surrounding insects.

The once-restless insects gradually calmed. The near-splitting headaches of the female insects began to ease. The pain no longer spread, and their minds gradually cleared.

Lifting their eyes, the insects' fading bloodshot pupils reflected the Silver-Haired Male Insect, whose lips had nearly lost all color.

To be honest, Philo's features were already remarkably delicate and exquisite. Whether it was his deeply-set eyes or his captivating gaze, every time the insects met his eyes, they couldn't help but be stunned by his breathtaking beauty.

Yet, while bold colors might be striking, who could deny that the remaining hues, once the brilliance faded, weren’t another kind of heart-stirring beauty?

With pale lips, slightly furrowed brows, and purple eyes now crystal-clear, the Silver-Haired Male Insect stood there silently, not uttering a single word—yet his presence alone made every insect present feel a tug at their hearts.

Even though these were all high-level female insects, even though many had seen Philo before, and some even had A-Class Male Insects at home—why, then, did they still feel their chests burn when looking at him now?

Withdrawing his psychic energy, Philo, an S-Class Male Insect, resolved the crisis that had terrified a B-Class Male Insect in remarkably little time.

Even in his current physical state, the Male Insect did not hold back his psychic energy. The degree of recovery in the mental domains of the insects who had come for Psychic Soothing today far exceeded their expectations.

Yet, before the recovering female insects could voice their gratitude, Philo turned and left as quietly and swiftly as he had arrived.

Watching his retreating form—so much frailer than theirs, yet the one who had borne the weight of their mental domains—the female insects compressed their lips and said nothing more, only bowing deeply in a reverent salute to the departing Male Insect.

*Your Highness, though we do not know why you treat us so kindly, though we do not understand why you still fulfill your duty of Psychic Soothing in such a state, though we truly do not know what we can do to restore you to how you once were—at the very least, Your Highness, please allow us to pay our respects to you.*

Leaving the Male Insect Management Committee, Philo did not hurry to board a flyer.

Due to the special status of the Male Insect Management Committee, aside from Male Insects and a select few approved female insects, no other insectoids were permitted near its vicinity without reason.

Thus, after instructing his guards from the Toras family to remain behind, Philo expressed his wish to walk alone.

Unlike before, the current Philo—whether in terms of psychic rank or physical condition—left no room for others to obstruct his wishes. Especially since he had rarely ventured out recently, the insects, though still uneasy about him walking alone, ultimately did not stop him.

Turning, the Silver-Haired Male Insect walked alone toward the tree-lined path nearby.

With the Silk Flower Festival long past and even the rainy season having ended quietly during the months of Philo’s disappearance, the Capital Planet had now entered its coldest and bleakest season.

The green leaves lining the path had silently turned yellow. Dry leaves drifted down occasionally from the tall trees, their rustling drowned out by the Male Insect’s soft footsteps.

Walking quietly along this ordinary, unremarkable path, Philo moved forward.

Since this was a restricted area, no flyers passed overhead, and none of the futuristic structures common in the Interstellar Era surrounded him. Aside from the fallen leaves and the seemingly endless tree-lined path, Philo’s vision held little else.

Truthfully, another Male Insect might have found this dull—but Philo… Lifting his gaze, his preternaturally calm eyes studied this utterly mundane path, and for once, a glimmer of feeling passed through them.

After all, the most precious things were often the simplest.

Not pausing, the Male Insect—who usually spent most of his time in his bedroom—seemed unusually inclined to walk this unremarkable path for a long while today.

He did not hurry back, nor did he respond to the concerned messages from his captain of the guard. He simply walked alone along this solitary path until—

Raising his eyes, he finally reached the end of the path. In the distance, beyond the restricted airspace, signs of flyers gradually became visible. Standing still for a moment, the Silver-Haired Male Insect still did not rush to leave. Instead, he suddenly spoke.

*"You’ve followed me this long. Aren’t you going to show yourself?"*

Silence.

Only the sound of wind and falling leaves.

This wasn’t an enclosed space, so the Male Insect’s words were nearly carried away by the wind the moment they left his lips, leaving no trace behind.

There had been no one else walking with Philo. No one had followed him. No other insect in sight. Yet, without turning back, the Silver-Haired Male Insect stood quietly, as if waiting for an answer.

Faced with such a Male Insect, who could resist responding?

Footsteps replaced words. Unlike the Male Insect’s soft tread, these steps were more measured, weightier.

And the one who made them was—

Azure hair, like the sky’s hue, lifted gently in the breeze. Blue eyes, under the sunlight, gleamed like cut gemstones. Just as striking as their first meeting, the blue-haired female insect stepped quietly out from the trees.

Withered leaves rustled as they fell, swirling in the wind before trembling to a rest on the female insect’s shoulder—then slipping silently away.

Stopping, lifting her gaze, Gore studied Philo, who seemed even thinner than before. She said nothing, only watching him quietly.

Their eyes met. Though they had seen each other not long ago, it somehow felt like an eternity.

Lowering his gaze, Philo’s eyes lingered on the spot where the leaf had briefly rested on Gore’s shoulder—on her shoulder insignia, on her military uniform. Finally, he spoke softly.

*"You’re leaving for the border star systems again?"*

*"Mm."*

With Philo, except for the matter regarding Li Wei, the blue-haired female insect had always answered whatever he asked.

This time was no exception.

But—

*"Do you know how severe your injuries are this time?"*

Even if Philo had only examined Gore’s mental domain with his psychic energy, an insectoid’s mental domain was a reflection of their physical state. Without a doubt, Gore’s injuries this time were grave.

Yet, even so—

*"I know."*

Her gaze never wavered. Those blue eyes remained fixed on Philo, calm as ever.

A dawn wind drifted between them—light, cool. Yet, hearing Gore’s answer, Philo felt an uncharacteristic stirring of irritation in his chest.

He said no more. Having already asked one meaningless question, the Male Insect seemed unwilling to speak further.

He didn’t ask why she was here. He didn’t ask why she had followed him. He didn’t ask why, if she was leaving soon, she had sought him out at the Male Insect Management Committee.

Philo asked nothing else.

And Gore, it seemed, had nothing more to say.

The two began walking back, still with the male leading, the female behind.

Guarding Philo, the blue-haired female quietly escorted him toward the area where the Tulath family shuttle was parked. Just as he had promised, he wouldn't pursue him anymore, but he would always protect and watch over him.

Before long, the male, who'd just reached the other end of the path, seemed to catch sight of the Tulath family's female guards once again.

In truth, the guards finally spotting Philo felt a wave of relief. After all, even if Philo was out of their sight for just a moment, the female insects couldn't help worrying something might happen to him.

Even though no other insect could harm His Highness Philo now, the medical center's warning about Philo's potential self-harm was something the guards dared not forget.

Relieved, the guard captain instinctively stepped forward at the sight of Philo—but before he could take another step, he froze at the sight of the figure behind the silver-haired male insect.

Was that... General Gore? Why was he there?

The blue-haired female's sudden appearance undoubtedly puzzled the guards.

Yet, even though Gore's presence had escaped these elite warriors' notice, the male had sensed him immediately.

Philo didn’t rely on reconnaissance experience—he had none—but rather on something else, the reason for which wasn’t hard to guess.

After all, many insects knew that a male insect's psychic energy, aside from soothing others, also granted keen perception.

Both being S-class, neither could hide from the other.

Thus, Gore couldn’t conceal his presence from Philo now, just as Philo couldn’t hide the fact that his psychic energy had once entered the female insect's mental domain.

Even if Philo himself didn’t realize it.

Watching the silver-haired male draw closer to the Tulath family shuttle, Gore, whose mental domain had fully stabilized, seemed in far better shape today than before, his words steady.

"Philo."

In the end, the female insect called out to the male.

"Once I’ve cleared out the high-level star beasts in the border star systems, if you still wish to travel the cosmos, you can go."

As if to reaffirm his earlier promise, as if to offer a new hope to the heartbroken male insect before him.

His blue eyes were gentle yet resolute as he gazed at Philo, giving his parting words before deployment.

"I won't keep you waiting, Philo."

"I’ll get it done quickly."

Even though I still don’t know what happened during your disappearance, or why you’ve become like this now.

But, Philo—

If there's anything that can still make you happy, I’ll make it happen.

I’ll make sure it happens, as quickly as possible.