Chapter 97

Chapter 97

General Zhousha was departing the Capital Planet.

This news shouldn’t have been too surprising. After all, as the Legion Commander, it was only natural for the Senior Female Insect to travel across various star systems during wartime to direct operations or deliver speeches.

In fact, it would have been more unusual for him to remain on the Capital Planet at such a time. However, though no one found it strange upon first hearing the news, countless Insectkin fell silent once they saw the destination of this aging Legion Commander.

The Sadiq Star System—the most fiercely contested star system in the Alliance recently.

If, in the early stages of the conflict at the border star systems, the Alliance could still conceal the state of the war between the star beasts and the Insectkin race, now that the star beasts had reached the Sadiq Star System, even the Alliance could no longer maintain the pretense to stabilize public sentiment.

The pride the Insectkin race once held was now matched only by their silence.

At the start of this war, they hadn’t paid much attention. After all, conflicts between the Insectkin race and star beasts had become so frequent over the years that they had grown desensitized, even accustomed to them.

They had long grown used to the stability of these years.

They had long grown used to the strength of these years.

They had convinced themselves that there was almost nothing in this universe that could threaten them, that the star beasts were nothing more than future domesticated beasts.

The Insectkin race that had grown up in this era of peace had become far too arrogant.

And now, their arrogance had finally exacted its toll. Unfortunately, no one could have predicted how swift and devastating that price would come.

The Insectkin race had lost to the star beasts—not just a minor defeat, but a decisive, irreversible rout.

Even Lieutenant General Gore, the Female Insect who had recently slain an S-class star beast and in whom they had placed such high hopes, had suffered an unexpected, sudden defeat and gone missing.

For an insect to go missing on the battlefield, especially in a star system already occupied by star beasts, was tantamount to confirmed death.

But if even an S-class Female Insect could be defeated, what hope did the remaining Military Females have? Could they even protect themselves?

Silence spread from the farthest reaches of the Alliance’s star systems. Alongside it came unchecked panic, which only intensified after sightings of star beasts near the Sadiq Star System.

Finally, as the Low-class Male Insects began to be evacuated to the Capital Planet by the MIMC, the Alliance erupted into its first wartime unrest.

Every insect feared death equally. Even if Female Insects were willing to die to protect the males, that didn’t mean they weren’t afraid, panicked, or resentful.

Thus, as countless Military Females poured into the Sadiq Star System, countless civilian Female Insects from the same system began fleeing to other star systems. At the same time, insect populations from other star systems under star beast attacks also chose to abandon their homes and head for the Capital Planet.

Such a sudden surge in interstellar travel, such a chaotic, panicked exodus, was bound to lead to accidents. Fortunately, before greater chaos could erupt, the frightened civilians soon received a reassurance that calmed them.

General Zhousha… would personally oversee the defense of the Sadiq Star System.

It had to be said that even though this was just an ordinary assignment announcement, the insects who read it couldn’t help but feel their panic subside.

After all, though General Zhousha’s combat prowess was no longer what it once was—it paled beside Lieutenant General Gore’s, and likely not even a match for younger A-rank Military Females—his status was still unique.

Whether as the head of the Torras family or as the dam of S-class male insect Prince Fei Luo, with these titles, no matter how weak General Zhousha’s strength was, the Alliance dared not let anything happen to him.

And now that he was willing to personally oversee the Sadiq Star System’s defense… did that mean the war situation wasn’t as dire as they feared?

Almost immediately after General Zhousha’s assignment was announced, within hours, the workload of the Alliance’s Star System Route Monitoring Department diminished markedly.

The visible calming effect, though anticipated, still left the Alliance’s various departments breathing easier.

There was no helping it. The external pressure on the Insectkin race was already immense. If internal chaos erupted now, the situation would only worsen.

But thankfully, General Zhousha had stepped forward.

"General, this is the report from the Alliance’s Administrative Department."

Capital Planet Military Headquarters, Third Legion Headquarters.

The aide, who had just finished updating the military website with the change in the Sadiq Star System’s defense leadership, had worked all day without rest. Instead, he now entered the office with a stack of reports to deliver.

A calm gaze swept over the reports in the aide’s hands. The Senior Female officer, who had just concluded another tactical briefing, acknowledged with a nod, apparently disinterested in further details, and simply gestured for the reports to be placed down.

But… though the aide could tell the General had no intention of hearing a report right now…

"Is there something else?"

Before the aide could hesitate too long, the middle-aged aide, who had been about to review the reports himself, turned and asked directly, noticing the other’s obvious unease.

Hearing Zhousha’s question, the hesitant Female Insect stiffened slightly. After a brief silence, he murmured.

"General, according to the military’s ‘Operation Safeguard’ protocol, unless absolutely necessary, all frontline officers’ offspring are to be prioritized for rear-guard duty. But… the field command reports that your two daughters refuse to retreat. This…"

Unlike Fei Luo, whose presence on the frontlines might be the Insectkin race’s best option, Xinghua and Qianhua, now that Zhousha was heading to the front, held their greatest value as the standard-bearers of House Torras.

Unfortunately, this seemed to be only the Alliance’s perspective. The two Female Insects themselves clearly thought otherwise.

Turning back without lifting his gaze, his hands steady as he paged through the dispatches, the General’s countenance betrayed nothing, as if this were the most trivial of matters. His response was equally calm.

"Enforce military orders. If they comply, fine. If not, have them restrained and confined. Such routine matters need not be brought to me in the future."

As if it truly were insignificant, Zhousha lowered his eyes and focused on the reports.

Military discipline was strict, and under normal circumstances, the Senior Female Insect, now engrossed in his duties, wouldn’t be disturbed again. But soon, as the aide’s commlink activated, a strange expression crossed the middle-aged Female Insect’s face.

Glancing at Zhousha, though he knew better than to interrupt again…

"General."

His voice low, the aide spoke quickly, as if afraid of being cut off.

"The guards report that Prince Fei Luo is waiting outside the military headquarters. His Highness says… he wishes to see you."

It wasn’t that the aide was being inconsiderate. He knew that, to General Zhousha, nothing took precedence over military affairs. But while the General might casually order his own daughters to be bound and confined, when it came to Prince Fei Luo… the aide bowed his head and waited silently for instructions.

And as expected, the aide’s assumption was correct.

"Let Fei Luo in."

The Senior Female Insect, who hadn’t returned to the Torras estate in a long time, had, in the end, yielded to the child who seemed even more stubborn than himself.

It had been some time since Fei Luo last saw Zhousha, though not years apart. Thus, as the two regarded each other, neither could say the other had changed much.

Yet, in the current circumstances, the fact that nothing had changed seemed all the more remarkable.

"Have you eaten? The Capital Planet’s climate has been dry lately. Should I have my aide fetch you refreshment?"

Though the Senior Female Insect was still in uniform, though he had just coldly ordered his own daughters to be bound without hesitation, though they stood in the heart of the military headquarters—when facing Fei Luo, no matter the time or place, the elder remained the same gentle, ever-gentle dam.

Fei Luo neither asked for water nor anything else. His quiet gaze swept over the elder’s silvering temples before settling on the palpable weariness in his eyes.

The eyes were the hardest to deceive—their neural networks and capillary beds were always most superficially distributed.

Whether it's changes in emotions or shifts in daily routines, even the most resilient female cannot control the involuntary reactions of their eyes.

Gazing at Zhousha's eyes, at the expression deep within them, Philo neither sat down nor responded to the other's concerned words. Suddenly, yet unsurprisingly to Zhousha, the silver-haired male spoke softly.

"Mother-Father."

"Let me go to the Sadiq Star System in your place."

Since Zhousha announced his intention to take over the Sadiq sector defense, many insects had expressed their willingness to accompany him or provide backline support, but none had dared to suggest replacing him.

In the end, it was a male who uttered these words.

Looking at Philo, at this very Philo who even now would say such a thing, the female couldn't help but let out a faint smile unseen in years, though he had anticipated it.

"Philo."

"I'm glad."

A seemingly abrupt, out-of-character remark—utterly unlike something this high-ranking general would say—now slipped from his lips.

He wasn't lying or jesting. As he looked at Philo, at this child who bore little resemblance to him, Zhousha gave a quiet huff of laughter.

Yes, he was glad. Truly glad.

Without evasion or hesitation, this general, who hadn't smiled since the war began, now wore an expression of undisguised delight.

"Philo."

"I'm glad to have a child like you."

I'm not glad because you offered to go in my place. I'm glad because of you—because you are the kind of person who would say such a thing.

The elder female's gaze was warm and bright, as if carrying the accumulated tenderness of years past, gently settling on the male's face and shoulders.

Looking at Philo, at this child he adored and admired, the elder female—who had only ever been a Mother-Father to males—now, upon hearing Philo's words, seemed to revert to the general who had always prioritized protecting the alliance.

"Philo, you haven't lost your memories."

An earth-shattering declaration, carrying enough force to shock any insect.

But the female who spoke it seemed oblivious to the sudden lift of the male's gaze, continuing calmly with the rest of his words—words he might have long wanted to say.

"You have your own pursuits in life, your own ethical framework and standards."

"You possess a fully-formed belief system unique to you, one entirely distinct from that of the current insect race."

"Perhaps there are creatures in this world born with extraordinary intelligence, but none are born with wisdom. Philo, you once lived among a special group, one fundamentally different from the insect race—and perhaps the one you truly identify with."

At this point, the general's eyes wavered momentarily, but only for a moment before he regained his composure, calmly meeting Philo's gaze again.

"You want to leave, don't you, Philo?"

The male didn't need to deny it, for the female wasn't asking—he was stating a conclusion.

One that wasn't particularly hard to reach.

After all, if not for this reason, why else would the male have applied himself so diligently to study interstellar navigation at Kalms Military Academy?

Gazing at the silent silver-haired male, the elder female's expression softened.

"Though I don't know what happened to the group you identify with that has left you so low in spirits, Philo, don't give up searching for them so easily."

"Even if that group has been destroyed, even if it no longer exists—the universe is vast. Who can say another similar group doesn't thrive elsewhere?"

Yes, the universe is vast.

In such an immense cosmos, you may face dangers at any moment, but you may also encounter unexpected opportunities. As long as you live, as long as you don't give up, none can say for certain what awaits you in the next second.

So, Philo—

"Once this war is over, if all goes well, you can set out into the cosmos."

Words like a phantom whisper echoed once more in the male's ears.

Yet merely uttering them seemed to have drained the elder female of much of his strength.

Had Zhousha only just realized Philo's desire to leave? No.

When the male first displayed anomalies, when he insisted on attending Kalms Military Academy, when he devoted himself to mastering starship piloting techniques—the elder female had already begun to suspect.

But suspecting was one thing; understanding and accepting were another.

In the past, the elder female clearly neither understood nor accepted. After all—wasn't the insect race good enough? Hadn't they treated Philo well? Aside from fulfilling his Psychic Soothing assignments, was there anything the insect race couldn't provide for Philo?

The elder female couldn't comprehend the male's desire to leave, nor was he willing to permit it. So he pretended not to know, pretended not to notice.

But perhaps he never anticipated that a single field exercise would change the silver-haired male so profoundly upon his return.

Looking at Philo, whose eyes had darkened, Zhousha's smile faded briefly before quickly returning.

"Go back, Philo."

"Males have their responsibilities, and females have their burdens to bear."

"I, too, have duties to fulfill."

Zhousha Tulath—his life had encompassed many roles: consort, parent, clan leader...

Among these, some he had sought actively, others he had assumed passively. Though he may have fallen short elsewhere, at least as a military officer, he had lived up to the Tulath name.

He was the current head of the Tulath family, a house built on sacrifice.

He was a general respected and followed by the insect race.

His ideals, his ambitions, the majority of his life had been spent in this role.

So if he could die fulfilling it, wouldn't that be a fitting conclusion?

The reinforcements led by Zhousha soon departed the homeworld. This time, the massive fleet did not leave in silence but with full military honors.

For the current alliance, such a ceremony undoubtedly helped stabilize the situation. Thus, many insects of the capital—even numerous aristocracy—attended the rare event.

Yet despite the crowd, few from the Tulath family were present.

Xinghua Qianhua remained at the front lines, Yi Jia Fa was still upset over Zhousha's insistence on going, and as for Philo... he was at the Male Insect Governing Council.

Having been unable to deter Zhousha, the silver-haired male ultimately submitted a request to the council to increase his Psychic Soothing assignments.

Different insects reacted differently to Zhousha's decision to personally defend the Sadiq Star System, taking divergent measures in response. Perhaps galvanized, shortly after Zhousha's arrival, the star beasts—which had been making unchecked progress into alliance sovereign space—were halted in their tracks.

On the day this news reached the alliance, the Starnet was filled with cheers. The fervent joy was so intense that no insect could overlook it.

The insects seemed to instantly forget the recent battlefield losses, even the grief and panic following Gore’s death. Confidence and hope surged back like a tidal wave, flooding their drought-stricken hearts.

The Insect Race was truly overjoyed.

Yet... upon seeing the battle reports from the frontlines, many insects went pale silently.

"Suicidal attacks? Lure-and-kill tactics? Shang Ling, do you realize what you’ve done?"

Paper battle reports, fluttering like snowflakes, were hurled at the black-haired Female Insect by the usually composed Senior Speaker. His shaking arm revealed uncharacteristic agitation.

But looking at the familiar tactical handwriting on the reports and the astronomical casualty figures at the end, Speaker Norman found it difficult to remain calm.

After all... his own child had flagrantly breached a cardinal rule—not only secretly interfering with frontline operations against the principle of separation of political and military authority but even covertly planning a strategy that, if discovered, would undoubtedly guarantee a court-martial.

Such an act, one with all risk and no reward—Norman could hardly believe Shang Ling was responsible.

No one knew Shang Ling better than Norman.

Shang Ling was the Qi Mengtu Family's most model successor—clever, skilled in deception, master of timing, and a shrewd judge of situations.

His strategies were enough to sustain the Qi Mengtu Family's glory for another century, and his temperament ensured that every member of the family could trust their interests would remain secure.

After all, he was an exceptionally intelligent Female Insect.

He understood the principle of prioritizing interests and knew how to put himself first. Over the years, this Female Insect had never acted against his own interests.

Yet now, this same ever-clever, ever-discerning insect had done something completely self-sabotaging.

Untroubled by the reports thrown at him, the black-haired Female Insect even gave a faint smile in response to his father’s interrogation.

"Of course I know what I'm doing."

Such precise scheming—if the strategist lacked clarity of mind, the casualty count on the reports would have been far higher.

The elder’s eyes hardened. The Senior Speaker, equally busy in recent times, was truly enraged now.

But as their gazes locked, the Young Female Insect remained calm, even allowing a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"Rest assured, Sire. Every casualty in this lure-and-kill operation volunteered. I merely provided them with a strategic option. Even if this gets exposed, the Qi Mengtu Family won’t face significant trouble."

As always, this young Female Insect, notorious for his cunning and insight into others' minds, offered an answer the older insect couldn’t dispute—and one that concerned him most.

Yet, even with this answer, the Senior Speaker's expression did not soften.

"The Qi Mengtu Family won’t face trouble—but what about your future? If the public learns you secretly encouraged Military Females to sacrifice themselves in mass lure-and-kill tactics, how do you think your poll numbers will hold up?"

Military Females relied on strength to secure their positions, but those in the political sector needed both ability and reputation to maintain their standing in the alliance.

Yes, reputation.

Not necessarily being a "good" insect, but one seen as reliable by the majority of the alliance's populace.

No matter their private conduct, government officials had to at least appear to work for the public good.

Those who failed in this regard, regardless of competence, could never rise far.

This was a lesson Norman had taught Shang Ling upon his reaching maturity—one he had excelled at ever since. Even the most hard-to-impress Male Insects rarely held ill will toward Shang Ling.

Because he was truly an insect who knew what he wanted and how to achieve it.

Yet now, this very insect had rashly interfered in frontline warfare—a move that defied all wisdom.

"Sire."

"Do you like Father?"

Unexpectedly, the black-haired Female Insect ignored the question and instead posed one that seemed utterly irrelevant.

Noticing the elder's frown, Shang Ling smiled, as though his abrupt shift in topic was neither strange nor inappropriate.

"You don’t."

"Even though my Father is among the few even-tempered Males, you don’t like him."

In truth, noble Female Insects rarely truly cared for Male Insects.

Mostly, they chased the prestige, psychic abilities, resources, and prestige that Male Insects represented. Strip those away, and few Female Insects would truly "like" the beings they now revered as gods.

Those Male Insects... foolish, dim-witted, self-serving, consumed by lust.

Such empty shells, such hollow lives—were it not for the unique psychic abilities bestowed upon them by the Insect God, what value could they possibly offer to warrant the Female Insects' adoration and pursuit?

Noble Female Insects were proud. Even as they basked in the glow of Male Insect status, even as they craved psychic relief, they did not like Male Insects.

To be precise, they desired to possess Male Insects but never truly liked the beings behind the title. Thus, though noble Female Insects publicly venerated Male Insects, when pursuing their goals, Male Insects were merely pawns to be manipulated.

Just as Norman used Du Dafei to infiltrate the Male Insect Management Committee, just as other families exploited their Male heirs to fuel tensions between the Geshaluolin Family's heir and adopted Male heirs, just as Shang Ling used Siluan to gain access to the capital's Male Insects—none of them truly liked Male Insects.

But even the proudest kings must sometimes bow, and even the greatest generals may one day meet their downfall.

The black-haired Female Insect, who had never gave a damn about anyone—not even his own sire or brothers—perhaps never imagined he would one day encounter such an exceptional Male Insect.

A strikingly beautiful Male Insect—that was likely the first impression of most capital Female Insects, Shang Ling included.

Then, a strikingly odd Male Insect—that was likely the second impression of all who had seen or heard of Philo's deeds.

Yes, odd.

That Male Insect was truly odd.

Despite his noble status, he never flaunted it, nor did he oppress other insects or gather low-ranking Male Insects under his wing. He even stood up for Female Insects—going so far as to strike another Male Insect for their sake.

Call him timid, yet he dared to strike an A-Class Male Insect. Call him bold, yet he yielded to Shang Ling for the sake of a lowly Female Insect like Song Emperor.

Such a Male Insect, such a Philo—truly odd.

The capital had no secrets, especially concerning Male Insects, which were always the aristocracy's top priority.

Yet though every insect watched Philo—observed him grow from utterly unfamiliar with Insect Race customs to gradually mastering them—somehow, the more they learned about him, the less they understood.

They didn’t understand why Philo treated Female Insects so well.

They didn’t understand why he insisted on attending military school.

They didn’t understand why he chose confinement over reconciling with that fool from the Geshaluolin Family.

They didn’t understand why he rejected every Female Insect's advances.

They don't understand... why Philo was willing to lure away the star beast alone.

Why?

Your Highness, why did you do all these things?

It could be said that ever since the Silver-Haired Male Insect returned to the capital planet, almost all his words and actions contradicted the education the insectoids had received since childhood.

They genuinely couldn't understand why a male insect would act this way. What puzzled them even more was why, upon witnessing Philo's actions, their initial confusion gradually transformed into worry, panic, and... heartache.

They... felt heartache for a male insect?

They... how could they possibly ache for a male insect.

Unlike ordinary female insects, aristocratic female insects had grown up interacting with male insects. To them, male insects were like moths to flame.

They yearned for male insects, yet also feared them. They harbored many emotions toward male insects—respect, awe, possessiveness—but... how could it be heartache.

Looking at Speaker Norman, at his own mother, Shang Ling initially didn’t understand why he would have such a foreign emotion. But in the end, time made the female insect realize what that emotion was called.

"I like Philo."

"I want him to be happy. I don’t want General Zhou Sha to die in the Sadiq star system. That... is the reason I did this."

There were no other schemes, no other calculations. The reason was just that simple—she simply didn’t want the male insect to feel sad anymore.

Even if the cost... was the sacrifice of countless ordinary soldier-insects.

"Do you still remember your surname?"

In the end, the Elder Speaker only asked this one question.

But rather than a question, it was more of a reminder—a futile reminder from an Elder Speaker who had no way to control his own offspring.

Facing this reminder, the dark-eyed insect smiled gently, his smile deepening.

"I will always remember, Father."

*Though sometimes I wish to forget, Father, I will remember.*

The conversation between the two didn’t last long, as neither had time to spare these days.

But before Shang Ling left the Elder Speaker’s study, the elder insect asked him one final question.

"Where did those female insects get the star-beast lures?"

Devices capable of diverting high-tier star-beast attacks were not something easily obtained. The military didn’t have many such devices in reserve, and the Qi Mengtu Family, whether openly or privately, dealt in no such technology.

So where did these large quantities of exorbitantly expensive luring devices... come from?

Without pausing, the young female insect, eager to deal with the aftermath of the battle, walked quickly, dropping a name just before leaving.

And the name Shang Ling gave... Norman closed his eyes, at a loss for words.

Whether young Philo was blessed or cursed, even he couldn’t say anymore.