Chapter 100

Chapter 100

At the military's exclusive secret starport on the Capital Planet, a massive and well-equipped warship slowly ascended into the cosmos.

Unlike the grand ceremony during Zhousha's departure, this time, the silver-haired male insect left silently and in secrecy.

Despite the military's strict control of the scene, forbidding outsiders from approaching the warship carrying Philo as it departed the Capital Planet, many informed Insects still stood quietly in various corners that day, gazing at the gradually receding vessel.

No one could clearly articulate their feelings at that moment, but clenched fists and trembling hands betrayed their powerlessness and guilt.

That day, they silently bid farewell to their beloved His Highness Philo.

To maintain stability among the ordinary citizens of the alliance, they dared not even present him with a bouquet or hold a farewell ceremony.

Such a departure, such a farewell, became both the most unique and most sorrowful page in the Insect historical records.

That day, they watched as their Highness left to protect them.

That day, they personally sent off the one they most revered and cherished.

That day, every Insect present made a vow.

"Your Highness, have no fear, nor despair."

"If you return alive, we shall hold the grandest celebration in your honor and offer you the most vibrant Silk Flowers."

"If... you fall in battle, we shall follow in your footsteps, avenging you across this universe stained with your blood with our own lives."

"We will forever follow you."

The male insect's ship grew ever more distant, leaving behind the intensity of their gazes, so heavy they could halt the warship's energy systems, leaving behind those who seemed ready to follow him to the front lines at any moment.

Standing in the warship's command center, Philo took one last look at the Capital Planet's starport, at the scattered Insects across its expanse, then turned away—never glancing back again.

The male insect, always soft-hearted toward others, remained unyielding with himself.

"Your Highness, for your safety, we have selected a group of young A-class soldiers as your guards. Among them, you will need two personal guards. If you have time, perhaps you could choose them now."

The lieutenant general responsible for escorting Philo to the Sadiq system bowed respectfully, noticing the male insect had no other arrangements at the moment, and promptly reported the matter of the guards.

Though all arrangements for Philo's journey to the Sadiq system were conducted in secrecy, this did not mean the alliance neglected his safety. On the contrary, given Philo's status and the dangers of the front lines, the alliance placed utmost importance on his deployment.

Beyond the warship loaded with the Insect race's most advanced weaponry, the military had debated at length on selecting Philo's guards. In the end, they handpicked an entire unit of A-class soldiers to protect him.

For an Insect race currently in desperate need of A-class military female combatants, such a security detail surpassed even that of a high-ranking general like Zhousha.

Hearing this, Philo nodded without hesitation.

While a standard guard detail was manageable, personal guards would remain by his side long-term. If he wished to act freely, it was better to choose them himself.

The male insect soon followed the lieutenant general to the soldiers' common area. Unlike the command center or Philo's quarters, this area was bare and functional in both equipment and decor.

Yet no setting could rival the presence of the Insects now standing before Philo.

It was clear the alliance had spared no effort for his safety. These military females were not only A-class in psychic strength but also uniformly equipped with the highest-grade energy weapons—especially...

His gaze slid over the concealed emblem patterns on their weapons, instantly recognizing the insignia of the Geshaluolin Family. Philo inhaled deeply but said nothing.

"Your Highness, these are the guards specially assigned to you. Among them, these have served for over six years, these for over three, and these are recently assigned A-class military females."

"Given the urgency of the war, most long-serving A-class military females cannot be reassigned, and their fighting capability has declined. Thus, we have temporarily assembled this guard unit for you."

"For your safety, we recommend selecting two personal guards, one of whom should have served for over six years. Your Highness, does this arrangement suit you?"

The lieutenant general's voice was steady, his gaze respectful and reverent.

Philo nodded in agreement, finding no fault with the suggestion. After all, military females with over five years of service were undoubtedly more experienced than newly recruited young ones.

Lifting his head, Philo instinctively turned his attention to the longer-serving soldiers.

The Insects under his gaze averted their eyes respectfully.

Due to various reasons, though Philo was the scion of a high-ranking military officer, he was mostly unacquainted with most military females in the ranks.

After a brief scan, the silver-haired male insect intended to arbitrarily choose two with calmer demeanors as his attendants.

He had initially planned to choose two with over six years of service, but before he could decide, an audacious gaze caught his attention.

Unlike the humility of most military females, this gaze carried an unspoken boldness. Though not angered, Philo instinctively looked toward its source—and then—

Crimson pupils stood out among all the females. Even with her head slightly bowed and her uniform marking her as a junior soldier, the red-eyed female insect's eyes brimmed with unconcealed, unapologetic pride and vigor.

Their eyes met, and the silver-haired male insect paused momentarily. When he noticed the young female insect beside the red-eyed one, his expression grew even more subdued.

Surprised?

Delighted?

Neither.

If one word could describe Philo's feelings now, it would be... disoriented.

Perhaps the most terrifying aspect of time was not its visible passage, but its silent erosion.

It had truly been so long since they last met.

"Lieutenant General."

"I choose these two as my personal guards."

Defying expectations, the male insect, who had initially agreed to select at least one attendant with over six years of service, ultimately chose two newly recruited young female insects.

This outcome surprised and displeased the lieutenant general responsible for Philo's escort.

Though he politely suggested reconsidering, citing the inexperience of young soldiers, Philo remained resolute.

In the end, though perplexed, the lieutenant general relented to the male insect's decision.

"Lex Collins, Lancelot Aitran."

"Regardless of your previous assignments, from this moment onward, you are officially appointed as His Highness Philo's personal guards. Your sole responsibility is to protect His Highness with your lives. Understood?"

"Understood!"

No matter the past, no matter what came before, we shall remember our only mission, our only duty now.

Philo, this time, it is our turn to protect you.

In the secure chamber at the heart of the warship, which had previously held only the male insect, three now stood.

The silver-haired male quietly gazed at the two insects before him. His eyes lingered on the red-eyed female for only a moment before shifting to the brown-haired female, where they remained in prolonged silence.

It had been a long time since Philo last saw Lancelot.

Back then, he was still full of hope, diligently learning skills like all the other cadets. Back then, neither Philo nor Lancelot were as they were now.

And now, Lancelot...

"Why didn't you reach out?"

This was the first thing the male said, though it seemed like a question that didn’t require an answer.

The silver-haired male fell silent for a moment after asking, then murmured as if to himself.

"If only I had known..."

What would he have done? The rest of Philo’s words remained unspoken, but those present could almost guess what he meant.

Compared to humans, the lifespan of insects was exceptionally long, especially for female insects.

Given such longevity, one might assume that insects would come of age later. But perhaps what truly shapes growth is not the passage of time but lived experiences. Thus, despite their long lives, insects often understood the world early—just like Lancelot.

Not long ago, the young female had been a student who had just entered his dream military academy, working his way through school.

Back then, he was simple and happy, yet impulsive.

He would secretly write letters to the dean's office, pleading to revise the training regimen because the male he admired was exhausted.

He would confront instructors who failed to meet the expectations of the male he adored.

Back then, he had friends he admired, dreams he cherished, and a life that was restless, poor, yet full of life.

Back then, the brown-haired female, back then, Lancelot... was nothing like he was now.

"Your Highness."

"Seeing you now is not too late."

His once-narrow shoulders now stood firm as a cliff, and the young female’s gaze was calm, the scar on his cheek becoming more pronounced as he spoke.

Looking at Philo—perhaps because an unfamiliar female insect stood beside him—Lancelot’s voice was low, his words restrained, devoid of his former recklessness.

After all, he was no longer the foolish, impulsive insect he once was.

The silver-haired male did not respond further. At this moment, neither of them seemed to know what to say.

The topics they once could chat about now felt like the stellar storms beyond the hull—once the wind passed, all that remained was desolation, with barely any traces left.

Raising his eyes, Philo shifted his gaze to the young female insect who had once again altered his appearance but still bore those same crimson eyes.

Unlike Lancelot, the young female insect now called Lex seemed more vibrant.

Bending slightly, Lex greeted with polished courtesy.

"Your Highness, a pleasure to meet you. I hope you are well."

A perfect greeting, an impeccable statement.

Indeed, this was their first meeting. As Lex and Philo locked eyes, the male insect gave a slight nod in silence.

It was almost a coincidence—the last time Philo left the Capital Planet, the three of them had been together. Now, after unexpected turns, they found themselves aboard the same warship once again.

Compared to their last journey, this time the male traveled in a much larger warship with a much larger escort detail. But would their outcome this time be any better than before?

Standing on the ship's deck, the male, drawing ever closer to the Sadiq star system, found no answer to that question.

But what did it matter whether he knew the answer or not?

Having made his choice, this time, they would accept whatever fate awaited them.

The Sadiq star system was, after all, drawing ever closer to the male.