Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Male-specific psychic energy spread invisibly with the drumbeats, accompanied by the dominating pressure emanating from the S-class star beast bones.

This war drum, unplayed for years, long forgotten, one that all had assumed would forever remain shelved—no one had imagined it would ever be struck again.

Standing in place, every military female who heard the drumbeats froze in place.

For military females engaged in combat, distraction during battle was undoubtedly dangerous. Yet, inexplicably, though it was the insects who were stunned, the star beasts that also heard the drumbeats not only failed to seize the opportunity to attack but instead grew restless, trying to flee.

Including the beast king.

The energy surge it had been gathering fizzled out abruptly upon encountering the psychic energy. Raising its head, the star beast with dark, hollow eyes instantly locked onto the source of that distinct psychic signature.

And then... its claws tore frantically and painfully at the ground. The massive, already severely wounded star beast now ignored its splitting wounds, thrashing violently in place.

Feeling the waves of psychic energy crashing toward it, sensing the spine-crushing pressure that seemed capable of snapping its spine, the tormented star beast let out a low roar, shaking the entire Sadiq star sector.

But the silver-haired male didn't so much as glance at the creature he had once feared even in games, nor at the gazes of surprise and excitement now fixed upon him. His silver hair fluttering, in his black military uniform, he raised his arm high.

Philo did not exert excessive force—his arm lacked the muscular strength of a female insect.

Yet now, despite his seemingly limited strength, despite his warship being far from the heart of the battlefield, with each strike of the star beast bone drumstick, the resounding beats resounded across the entire star sector like thunderclaps.

Gazing at Philo, at this male insect many were seeing for the first time—and on the front lines, amidst the smoke of battle—countless military females, after a brief moment of stunned silence and a surge of emotion, found their bloodshot eyes softening despite themselves.

To encounter such a Highness in their lifetime—how could they not count themselves lucky?

Gripping their firearms, wiping away blood, the nearly broken fighting spirit now coalesced anew among all the insects.

Lifting their brows, every one of them raised their arms without a second thought.

Weak though they might be as female insects, they would never show weakness before His Highness!

The insect counterattack came swiftly, and the star beasts' retreat was even faster.

With the already mortally wounded beast king leading the escape, the rest of the herd soon followed, scattering into the distance. In this single battle, the insects reclaimed dozens of light-miles of territory.

Watching the fleeing beasts, the insects—who had expected to lose the Sadiq star system today—exchanged glances. Though surrounded by severed limbs and pools of blood, they couldn’t help but break into laughter.

What were injuries? What did death matter? At least this time, they had won.

-

"Your Highness Philo, greetings."

As the new adjutant to General Zhousha, the middle-aged female insect meeting Philo for the first time gave him a solemn salute.

Nodding slightly, Philo showed no surprise at the replacement of the previous adjutant he had once known. Fixing his gaze on the female before him, the male insect got straight to the point.

"Have the medics finished their examinations? How are my sire and the other generals?"

Having arrived a step too late—or perhaps because Zhousha had deliberately engaged the enemy early—even after Philo immediately conducted a large-scale Psychic Soothing for all insects upon reaching the Sadiq star system via the Thunder Drum, he was still too late.

By then, most of the insects who had injected psychic stimulants were already on the verge of Psychic Outbreak, with several having fully entered Psychic Outbreak.

It was well known that even male insects—even high-level male insects—could only soothe the psychic fields of female insects who had not yet fully entered Psychic Outbreak. For those already in the final stage, nothing could be done, no matter who tried or what methods were used.

As the adjutant lowered his head to respond, the transparent door behind him slowly slid open. Seeing this, he bowed slightly and said,

"Your Highness, these are the medics who accompanied General Zhousha on this mission. You may inquire with them about anything you wish to know."

Unlike the military females, the female insects in medical uniforms stepped forward and immediately offered Philo a deep, respectful bow.

As for Philo’s question, after exchanging glances, the highest-ranking medical officer spoke gravely:

"Your Highness, General Zhousha and the other generals are not in good condition."

"Though Your Highness promptly administered Psychic Soothing, unfortunately, the psychic stimulants have not yet been fully metabolized, and their effects linger."

"Setting aside the two generals who have already entered Psychic Outbreak, even the others who haven’t fully succumbed remain in unstable psychic conditions."

The medic’s words were objective, the explanation clear.

Yet while the news wasn’t the worst, it was far from good. Nearly every insect present frowned upon hearing it.

Unlike ordinary female insects, those now lying in medical pods were commanders of various frontline units—with Zhousha being the supreme commander of this campaign. Their incapacitation would only compound the difficulties of this battle.

"Is there a treatment?"

Though his brow furrowed, the silver-haired male insect calmly asked the crucial question.

Bowing, the medic replied swiftly,

"Yes."

"We can use external blood filtration to remove the residual drugs, supplemented by specialized psychic stabilizers. Recovery will be slow, but given time, the generals will heal."

"However..."

Here, the medic hesitated, as if uncertain about his next words. But before he could linger, Philo pressed:

"However what?"

"However... the external blood filtration equipment is currently only available on the capital world. Additionally, for faster recovery, the generals will require extended Psychic Soothing. While Your Highness could provide it here, given the volatility of the battlefield, it would be unwise to split your attention..."

In short, considering both the specialized equipment and frontline instability, the best option for these currently debilitated generals was an immediate return to the capital for treatment.

Yet at such a critical juncture, even unconscious, Zhousha’s presence—or absence—would make all the difference to the frontline forces.

At this thought, the medics—having witnessed firsthand how formidable this star beast herd was—pressed their lips tight. Just as they were about to suggest dispatching a team to retrieve the equipment from the capital (though this would delay treatment further), the male insect interrupted them.

"I will arrange an escort fleet to return you."

Eyes meeting theirs, the silver-haired male insect’s voice was decisive, his resolution swift.

For a male insect stepping onto the frontline for the first time, his bearing now remarkably resembled that of General Zhousha.

Seeing the familiar determination in the male’s gaze, the middle-aged medic—who had served the Third Legion for years—felt momentarily dazed. This Highness was truly worthy of being their Legion Commander’s descendant.

Letting out a soft breath, the medic—who had worried prolonged delays might worsen the prognosis—considered voicing further concerns. Yet in the end, he simply bowed in acceptance.

The insect race revered strength and was stubborn by nature.

When Philo chose to come to the frontlines, he had already earned the respect of most in the military. And after repelling the star beast king and its herd—even if the beast had already been severely wounded by Zhousha and others—he had conquered every insect who witnessed it.

Philo had replaced General Zhousha as the new linchpin of this campaign.

And this shift in leadership seemed to have irrevocably altered the course of the war.

The warship carrying Zhousha and the other unconscious generals had just departed from the Sadiq system when, to the shock of all Insect-kind, the S-Class Male Insect who'd just arrived at the front lines chose to launch an offensive against the retreating star beasts.

All the A-rank guards brought by His Highness Fei Luo filled the vacancies left by the veteran officers sent back to the capital world. Meanwhile, the authority of the flagship commander was transferred to the only remaining mid-ranking officer of the 3rd Legion still on duty. The rest of the injured Insect warriors either retreated temporarily or focused on repairing damaged warships.

Without delay or hesitation, while most Insects had assumed that after His Highness Fei Luo's arrival, they would likely rest and prepare for the star beasts' next attack, something unexpected happened.

Contrary to all expectations, Philo—who had never been to the front lines before, a male Insect who should have feared battle—proposed an offensive plan to the current interim commander—Lieutenant General.

As the saying goes, "Kick them while they're down."

The lieutenant general, now in control of the army, was well aware that this was the perfect opportunity to take the initiative. After all, the star beast king had finally suffered severe injuries, and the Insect reinforcements had just arrived. Both their equipment and combat readiness were optimal, especially with an S-Class Male Insect leading the charge. This was the ideal moment to push their assault.

Yet, though many Insects knew this was the best time to act, for once, none of them openly voiced the idea. Even the lieutenant general himself remained silent.

Because they understood—a male Insect with no combat experience might be able to join rear-line support immediately. But for one setting foot on the front lines for the first time, taking the initiative to launch an attack, to provoke war, to get blood on his mandibles—that was no simple matter.

Or rather, it was incredibly difficult.

Though the female Insects had unintentionally placed many burdens on male Insects, on Philo, this time, they truly wanted to give him some breathing room.

At the very least, to let His Highness take his time.

However, it seemed none of the silently hesitant Insects had anticipated that even if they wished to grant the male Insect some buffer time, he himself left little room for hesitation.

On the same day the unconscious Zhousha secretly arrived at the capital world, joyous news from the front lines reached the military intelligence department.

The Alliance Military and Administrative Departments, still weighed down by the heavy news of Zhousha and other commanders' critical wounds, had barely begun processing their grief when they received word that the frontline forces had successfully driven the star beast horde out of the Sadiq system.

Cheers replaced sighs, and admiration overtook lamentations.

Reading that brief military report, seeing that short male Insect's name, countless Insects felt their thoraxes swelled with pride, while countless others secretly stirred with admiration.

Since Philo's deployment to the front lines remained confidential, the announcement, though promptly posted on the Starnet, made no mention of his name.

Even so, even though most ordinary citizens remained unaware of the reason behind this victory, even though many informed Insects dared not yet speak openly of the circumstances behind this triumph, countless Insects couldn't help but silently repeat that name in their hearts, picturing that Insect in their minds.

They had never liked a male Insect so much before.

But they had also never been so curious about a male Insect before.

Philo—just what manner of Insect are you?