Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Starting from the Sadiq star system, the Insect army, which had been retreating continuously toward the Alliance capital planet, suddenly began to fight back fiercely.

It was as if they had hit rock bottom and rebounded. The battle, which had been on the verge of exposing ordinary female insects to the flames of war, took a dramatic turn after Philo's arrival and the weakening of the Star Beast King due to severe injuries.

The military female insects not only halted their retreat but even launched counterattacks. The result of these counterattacks was the successive retreat of the star beast hordes across multiple star systems, with victory dispatches continuously arriving at the capital planet.

Looking at the reclaimed star territories and the staggering number of star beast casualties listed in the reports, even those who had initially guessed that the war situation might improve after Philo's arrival at the frontlines couldn't help but feel astonished.

After all, with Lieutenant General Gore's death earlier, they had only hoped that His Highness Philo might halt the star beasts' advance—never expecting him to drive them back entirely.

For a male insect, even an S-class one, achieving this required more than just psychic abilities.

The excited insects, reflecting on this, were both exhilarated and profoundly moved.

Yet, in reality, the male insect now being praised by countless others, despite having just secured another victory, wasn’t particularly happy.

"How is his injury? Can it be treated just by lying in the med-pod?"

"The wound caused by the star beast's energy wave looks severe, but thanks to Lancelot's strong physique and timely protection, it isn’t difficult to treat. Aside from the med-pod, implanting a subcutaneous Stem-cell chamber for two days will suffice."

"A Stem-cell chamber? Do you have one here? Should I send someone to escort him back to the capital for treatment?"

Perhaps recalling how Zhousha had needed to return to the capital for treatment, the silver-haired male insect instinctively asked the medic more questions.

Shaking his head, the medic quickly explained, "No need, Your Highness. The Stem-cell chamber is only two to three centimeters in size. We have ready-to-use ones in our med-bay. There’s no need to send Lancelot back."

Unlike the complications of a Psychic Outbreak, although Lancelot had suffered severe injuries saving Philo, emergency transport to the capital wasn’t necessary.

Reassured by the answer, the male insect finally calmed, his gaze settling on the unconscious brown-haired female insect in the med-pod.

After thanking the medic quietly, the busy male insect didn’t linger. He turned and left with his other uninjured bodyguard.

Unlike before, every soldier on the frontline now—whether noble, high-ranking, or even an ordinary soldier guarding equipment—had the chance to see Philo at any moment.

Yet, despite this becoming commonplace, the silver-haired male insect was still met with eager, admiring stares as he walked through the corridors.

His expression, once curious and lively, was now aloof and controlled as he acknowledged the salutes from passing insects.

Silent, the male insect who had just led the repulsion of another star beast horde showed no joy on his face.

He walked quietly to his private quarters, let the door close behind him, and finally lifted his eyes to meet the gaze of the guard who had followed him.

Purple and red—cool and warm hues.

Perhaps eye color determined an insect’s temperament. Locked in this gaze, the lower-ranked female wore a cocky, feral grin, while the noble male insect’s eyes remained inscrutable.

Staring at Philo, who had just assisted him in killing an S-class star beast, Morton couldn’t understand why he seemed so unenthusiastic.

"Philo, what’s on your mind? I just helped you kill another S-class star beast. Shouldn’t you be thanking or praising me instead of zoning out?"

Admittedly, the young female insect, who had initially only planned to protect Philo’s safety without interfering in anything else, couldn’t help but join the fight once on the battlefield.

It wasn’t that Morton had changed his mind about aiding the alliance against the star beasts—he simply couldn’t resist the rush of battling alongside the male insect.

Before Philo, no insect had ever experienced what it was like to battle alongside a male. Thus, none could have anticipated how fulfilling and exhilarating it would feel.

As their psychic energy frayed under the star beasts’ assault, their chaotic mental domains were simultaneously soothed and guided by the male insect.

For the first time, the female insects received psychic soothing from a male while actively using their powers in combat—something that had previously only happened when they were in severe physical or mental distress.

To describe the sensation, it was like a long-clogged river suddenly surging with fresh water, finally finding an endless outlet.

Exhilarating—pure adrenaline and freedom.

No female insect could resist becoming hooked on that sensation—the freedom to unleash their power without worrying about the aftermath. Others couldn’t, and neither could Morton.

The young female insect stepped closer. Though his face had changed again, his scarlet eyes and wild-eyed stare remained the same.

Meeting his eyes, the silver-haired male insect’s expression finally shifted slightly. He opened his mouth as if to speak.

But instead of answering Morton’s question, Philo posed one of his own—one that took the female by surprise.

"Aren’t you going to tell Lancelot you’re alive?"

The formerly brash, cheerful female among their trio hadn’t smiled in a long time. The reason was simple.

His eyes widened a fraction, and his brows arched. The female insect, who had been waiting for Philo’s response, clearly hadn’t expected this question.

Smirking, Morton didn’t evade like the male insect had. He shot back, "No."

So what if Lancelot was sentimental? So what if he was still trapped in the past? The one he wanted alive wasn’t Morton, so why bother revealing himself?

As if unaware of how harsh his response was, the red-eyed female insect’s smirk grew sharper and he needled, "Forget about him, Philo. How about you tell me how you’re going to thank me?"

"I helped you so much this time. You can’t even say 'good job'? At this rate, I might just help you drive those star beasts back to their nest. Aren’t you impressed? Don’t you feel something?"

His tone teasing, the young female insect—a demon in combat—still seemed like the same mischievous, mate-obsessed insect in Philo’s presence.

And his bragging wasn't completely empty. Since their arrival, the insect forces had won a string of victories.

Even the Star Beast King, who had defeated Gore, was now running like a whipped dog. Though this outcome was thanks to Zhousha and the others, and to Philo’s intervention, Morton couldn’t help but feel proud.

But unfortunately, though the red-eyed female insect’s eyes sparkled with hungry expectation, the male insect seemed unmoved by his enthusiasm.

Despite their victories, despite the morale surge at the frontline, despite the war’s visibly turning tide, Philo’s eyes betrayed nothing.

No admiration, no gratitude, and definitely no... affection.

Regarding Morton, the S-class female insect who had followed him here, Philo offered no thanks, felt none of the "something" he had hoped for.

Instead, the silver-haired male insect in military uniform became preternaturally still, his eyes softening, his voice dropping.

He said, "Morton."

"Let’s strike a bargain."

If emotions can’t be the leverage that sways you, then let’s strike a bargain.

Cocking his head, the red-eyed female insect’s smirk grew sharper, as if thrilled by the prospect of his long-awaited dream coming true. He flashed his fangs.

"What do you want to trade, Philo?"

Though phrased as a question, the female's tone and expression already seemed to convey the answer to the male.

After all, his voice was so eager, his smile so deep.

What did Philo want to trade? It wasn’t a difficult question to guess—his desires at this moment were painfully obvious.

So what if the insect race kept winning?

So what if the Beast King was retreating again and again?

Time passed, and though the insect race had driven the star beasts almost to the edge of the border star under the banner of victory... the Beast King still lived.

The Beast King wasn’t dead. His wounds were slowly healing.

One day, eventually, when the injuries inflicted by Zhousha and the others at the cost of their lives fully recovered, all of the insect race’s current victories and joys would pop like soap bubbles.

So even as the insect race took back lost ground, even as more and more star beasts fell to them... Philo, you must know that this victory is nothing more than a house of cards, ready to burst at the slightest touch.

For the insect race to truly and completely end this war, for these military females to finally stand down with peace of mind... the Beast King had to die.

Opportunities to kill the Beast King were rare. And right now, there was one.

If they missed this chance—if they let this moment slip when the Beast King was critically injured—whether they’d ever get another, Morton didn’t know. Philo... didn’t know either. So—

"I want you to join me in killing the Beast King."

The words left no room for hesitation, as if the male had prepared them long ago.

Hearing this, the female betrayed no surprise, no reluctance. Instead, amusement flashed in Morton’s eyes.

What was he so happy about?

A female who refused to fight for the Alliance, who had come only to ensure Philo’s safety—what would he demand to make him risk his life?

The answer wasn’t hard to guess. Morton had never hidden his desires. He was always direct, never one to hide what he wanted.

He wouldn’t fight for the Alliance. Even if the star beasts conquered the entire Alliance’s star domain, he had the power to take his kin and find another peaceful galaxy to live in.

So the female, posing as frontline military, never attacked star beasts of his own accord, never stepped in to help any military female. He only stood in front of Philo, cutting down every attacking star beast that dared to attack him.

As a personal guard, Morton was the perfect bodyguard. But the other responsibilities of a military female? He never acknowledged them.

So, Philo.

If you want me to help you kill the Beast King, it’ll take bribes... or threats with your own life.

Which... will you choose?

The female had waited a long time for Philo to make this choice. In truth, he’d been waiting since their second day on the frontlines.

Though the wait had tried his patience, in the end, he’d gotten his answer.

As for the choice itself...

Morton’s eyes lit up as he watched Philo. He’d already guessed.

What kind of insect was Philo? The female who had pursued him for so long, who had been saved by him at the cost of half his life, knew better than anyone.

And because he knew, Morton hungered.

He hungered for Philo to make the promise that would make him willingly risk his life.

He hungered for Philo to give him the status countless insects coveted.

He hungered for Philo to say...

"Whatever Siluan can give you, I can too."

The smile stiffened at the corners of his eyes. The air between them grew taut.

What kind of insect was Philo? Perhaps only now, at this moment, did the female who had followed him to the frontlines truly understand.

His crimson eyes darkened bit by bit as he stared at the male before him, his fists slowly clenching.

Surprised?

Yes.

This time, Morton was genuinely surprised.

"How did you know?"

He didn’t ask what Philo meant by "what Siluan could give." Instead, the red-eyed female only wanted to know how he’d figured it out.

And to this, Philo answered swiftly.

"I’m not stupid."

I know about your relationship with the Song Emperor. I know the Song Emperor refused to leave Siluan’s side. I know you’re an unstable S-class female. I know you’ve interacted with Li Wei. For someone like me, figuring out what you really are, what’s really going on with you, has always been simple.

No insect could truly refuse Philo. Most of the time, it was the male himself who held back from pressing for the truth from others.

Looking at Morton, at the female who had followed him to the frontlines, who had guarded and protected him, Philo’s voice was soft but deliberate.

"I’m an S-class male. According to the Song Emperor’s research data, my mental core is more compatible with you than Siluan’s. It could extend your life."

Survival—that was probably the obsession that had birthed Morton in Amber’s moment of despair.

The experiment that elevated his mental capacity had granted him immense power, but it had also drastically shortened his lifespan. Though his mental strength had increased, his mind was still A-class.

An insect like him, if he didn’t expand his mental domain soon, was racing toward a mental rupture before long... and death wouldn’t be far behind.

Morton had known this since his creation. And he had seethed at the injustice.

He rebelled against the idea that his struggles would end like this.

He denied that death would claim him in the end.

He refused to accept that luck always slipped through his grasp, that he would fade into oblivion.

So he fought. He seized.

So he chose... to have the Song Emperor approach Siluan.

The Alliance’s mental research had long reached its pinnacle—yet cruelly, that pinnacle was limited to females.

Females had been dissected, subjected to vivisection, their mental domains picked apart by every means. Most of the Alliance’s mental research was based on them.

After all, considering the rarity and nobility of Male Insects, few Insectoids have had the opportunity to delve deeply into the study of Male Psychic Domains. But Morton was different.

He didn’t understand why Male Psychic Energy differed from that of Females.

He didn’t understand why Male Psychic Energy could soothe and suppress Females.

All he knew was that if the answers to his Psychic Domain issues couldn’t be found among Females, then he should try seeking them among Males.

Fortunately, he actually found it.

Unlike the powerful yet unstable Psychic Domains of Females, the Psychic Domains of Males were as vast and serene as an ocean. This ocean was untroubled by turbulence, devoid of the self-harm impulses seen in Females—because they possessed a core capable of stabilizing their Psychic Domains.

The Psychic Domain Core, unique to Male Psychic Domains, was also the source of their soothing power.

Male Insects with this core could stabilize Females, and Female Insects with this core… even if they experienced a Psychic Outbreak, could still survive.

Morton had found the means to survive.

But at this moment, it wasn’t his deepest desire.

Staring at Philo, at this Male Insect who could so casually offer his own Psychic Domain Core, Morton clenched his fist and suddenly asked,

"Do you know what happens to a Male Insect without a Psychic Domain Core?"

Do you fully comprehend what the thing you’re offering represents?

Nodding, the Silver-Haired Male Insect, held by his stare, seemed composed as ever, utterly unaffected by the roiling emotions of the Female standing before him, replying calmly,

"I know."

I know that a Male Insect without a Psychic Domain Core will be stripped of all Psychic Energy.

I know that a Male Insect without a Psychic Domain Core will gradually age.

I know… that such a Male Insect, such a me, will die.

I know it all.

The Male’s voice was steady, so steady that any Insect could tell he wasn’t lying.

But if that’s the case, if you know all of this, then how can you still say such things, offer such terms for this exchange?

Looking at Philo, his fist slowly loosening, the normally fierce Female’s gaze now seemed to hold only bleak emptiness.

"I see…"

"You choose death over accepting me."