Chapter 53: Philor’s Sharing Session: A Homebody Male Zerg

As a flash of bright pink appeared, all the male Zergs crowded around.

“Lord Philor!”

“Mr. Philor, you've finally arrived!”

“You absolutely have to tell us all about the story in <School Heartthrob>!”

“And An-shen! Have you met An-shen? Is he on Capital Star? Which mysterious male Zerg lord is he?”

The moment Philor entered the Male Zerg Club, he found himself surrounded on all sides.

After much difficulty, he finally sat down on a sofa chair and looked up to find pairs of sparkling eyes staring at him.

Normally, Philor was the center of attention at every gathering.

But being admired so enthusiastically by so many of his fellow male Zergs—

That was a first.

It felt wonderfully novel.

“Alright, one at a time. You're all too enthusiastic. Is this book really that popular?”

Philor couldn't help smiling.

After all, it was a book starring his precious Hill.

He knew it was hugely popular among female Zergs, but he hadn't expected it to be equally explosive among male Zergs.

“Which one of An-shen's books hasn't swept through the entire Zerg race?” one male Zerg replied.

Following An-shen's works had already become a trend among male Zerg circles.

Some who had missed the first book had felt as though they had fallen behind the times. They couldn't even join conversations at gatherings.

Since they had missed the first book, they absolutely couldn't miss the second.

Thus, the moment An-shen's new book came out, they charged straight in, occupying the front lines of chasing updates, familiar with every detail inside.

Another male Zerg joked,

“Even those Garuda next door are reading it.”

“Ugh, don't mention those guys. They ruin the mood. Can they even understand it?”

“Hahaha, who knows?”

Philor was delighted to see so many Zergs enjoying the book centered on Hill.

This made him happier than hearing others praise his jewelry or his wardrobe.

He patiently answered every question one by one.

——Were Hill and Iso really as sweet as they were in the novel?

“Of course! You haven't seen them. My precious Hill absolutely can't live without Iso. Even his Female Lord and I can't do anything about him.”

——The mecha house in the Underground District.

“Well... I suppose there probably might be one?”

He wasn't sure.

Twenty years ago, that poor boy Iso—what kind of place had he let his precious child live in?

Just thinking about it made him angry.

But these male Zergs seemed surprisingly interested in and fond of the idea of living inside a mecha.

It even piqued Philor's curiosity.

When his Female Lord returned, he'd have him make one for him too.

——Psychic paintings.

“That's definitely real!”

Philor immediately showed everyone a painting his child had given him.

Infusing Psychic Power into artwork to create unique paintings—

That wasn't something ordinary male Zergs could accomplish.

Male Zergs were exceptionally sensitive to Psychic Power.

As soon as the painting appeared, they all sensed the vast and powerful A-rank Psychic Force within it.

A chorus of amazement immediately erupted.

“I heard psychic paintings can regulate female Zergs' mental conditions. Several museums even have similar paintings in their collections.”

“You mean Lord XR's paintings? They're absolutely breathtaking.”

“Hm? Why does this style look so similar...?”

Philor pursed his lips modestly and nodded slightly.

Amid everyone's exclamations, he put away the painting and reminded them,

“My Hill doesn't like attracting too much attention, so please keep this confidential.”

The male Zergs covered their mouths and nodded.

Just wait.

By tomorrow, everyone in Capital Star's upper circles would know.

Keeping it secret from outsiders was certain.

But Female Lords weren't outsiders. Pillow talk between husbands was perfectly normal.

And if Female Lords weren't outsiders, then Male Attendants certainly weren't either.

Hatchlings even less so.

Philor had never really expected them to keep this “secret.”

“And the hatchling—are soft little hatchlings really that adorable?”

A young male Zerg who didn't have children yet asked curiously.

A wave of good-natured laughter immediately spread.

“Of course! Hatchlings are all cute when they're little, whether male, female, or sub-female.”

“That's right. They're tiny and soft, like dolls. Not nearly as intimidating as adult female Zergs.”

The others also shared their experiences.

Those who had already raised children said,

“Hatchlings have a best period. Especially female hatchlings. Treasure them while they're young. Once they grow up, you'll suddenly discover they've become huge overnight. They're so big you can't even hold them anymore.”

Some male Zergs who didn't care much about hatchlings found themselves unable to join the conversation.

“What's so special about hatchlings? Hatchlings like Isidore are cute, sure, but most are either timid or taciturn. They're boring.”

Philor hated hearing that.

“Hatchlings like Isidore are nurtured by love. Raising hatchlings is like raising flowers. However much love you pour in determines what kind of blossom they become. If you do nothing—no watering, no sunlight, no weeding, no loosening the soil—then if the plant doesn't die, that's already proof of strong vitality. How can you expect it to bloom magnificently afterward?”

Today, Philor was unquestionably the center of the gathering.

As soon as he spoke, other male Zergs immediately nodded in agreement.

“That's true. The hatchling I held the most is also the closest to me.”

“So to raise a hatchling like Isidore, do you need to perform Psychic Soothing six, seven, eight, or nine times a week like Lord Hill?”

“That's way too much.”

Everyone present was already a middle or high-ranking male Zerg with strong Psychic Power, but none had ever seen a female hatchling requiring so many sessions.

Honestly, Philor hadn't either.

He thought Hill simply doted too much on his only child, devoting all his Psychic Power to her.

“Psychic Soothing is secondary. What's more important is your attitude and interactions in daily life.”

Philor explained,

“Sometimes, one hug, a pat on the head, or a few encouraging words are just as effective as Psychic Soothing.”

“And gifts, of course.”

He generously shared his experience.

“Remember every family member's birthday and important occasions, and prepare gifts and surprises for them. With a male Zerg's memory, that's not difficult. Though, just in case, it's best to have your smart terminal keep track too.”

Philor had discovered that some male Zergs really used their brains too little.

They had become somewhat senile.

Being cared for too well, having others arrange everything for them every day, they no longer had to think for themselves. Their brains and Psychic Power had deteriorated slightly.

“We have to remember every family member?”

Male Zergs with large households could already imagine the enormous workload.

Philor nodded seriously.

“Of course. Every one of them. Don't forget the Male Attendants either. Give them gifts. They don't even need to be anything special. Just remembering the occasion makes them happy, grateful, and very enthusiastic...”

The male Zergs exchanged looks.

Instantly, they wore expressions of complete understanding.

“As expected of Lord Philor, who manages such a large family so well. A few words from you have benefited us immensely.”

...?

Am I really that amazing?

Philor was stunned.

The household was managed by his Female Lord and Male Attendants!

But of course I deserve some credit too!

Philor nodded firmly to himself.

His Female Lord had introduced the Male Attendants and formed this family.

But afterward, the one who truly tied everyone together—

Was him.

I'm amazing too.

I'm an indispensable part of this family.

Philor once again acknowledged his own capabilities.

Suddenly, he missed his family.

Resting his chin on his hand, he drifted into thought.

His Female Lord hadn't replied to his messages for a long time.

Before leaving, his Female Lord had warned him that he might be gone for quite some time.

Philor had thought it only meant he'd return home a bit later.

Who could have expected he'd stop replying entirely?

That hateful workaholic.

In his mind, Philor created a chibi doll version of his Female Lord and mercilessly beat him up to vent his anger.

They had agreed to have a second child—a little female hatchling with his pink hair and purple eyes—but now the workaholic had disappeared again.

Actually, they had been trying for a second child for many years.

Ever since Hill reached adulthood, they had been trying.

Almost twenty years had passed, and they still hadn't conceived.

Cyril was S-rank, with the potential to reach SS-rank.

With the gap between their ranks, hitting the target wasn't easy.

And if Cyril advanced to SS-rank, it would become even harder.

Philor couldn't help wondering if he should work harder and improve his own rank, narrowing the gap and increasing the odds of pregnancy.

But trying hard was exhausting.

He had become useless over the last fifty years.

Ever since marrying Cyril, he had never stood back up again.

Well, there had been one exception.

When Cyril became his guide.

His Psychic threshold had jumped directly from B-rank to A-rank, rising an entire level.

And his Female Lord had been very satisfied with Philor Number Two, hard as a diamond.

The workaholic had actually taken three months of marriage leave and spent them fooling around with him in the manor he had personally designed and built, taking him to experience every corner of it.

After the honeymoon ended, he even married a Male Attendant to continue taking care of him.

Since then, Philor had been thoroughly spoiled into becoming a little fool.

Though he hadn't been especially smart before either, at least he hadn't intended to live off others.

But living off others was so wonderful.

Philor rubbed his face.

Everything was handled by his Female Lord.

And if his Female Lord wasn't around, his Male Attendants were.

Though they were busy, one or two would always stay home with him.

One spent entire holidays keeping him company.

Another worked regular hours and accompanied him mornings and evenings.

At home, surrounded by company, he never felt lonely.

But female Zergs weren't allowed into the Male Zerg Club.

Sitting among a group of male Zergs without his family around, Philor still felt lonely.

His thoughts inevitably wandered.

He was a very home-loving male Zerg.

That was why he disliked gatherings composed entirely of male Zergs.

If his Female Lord or one of his Male Attendants was beside him, his heart would feel much more at ease.

Philor already wanted to go home.

Then another male Zerg asked how he had managed to invite An-shen to write a custom novel for his family.

Huh?

This is a custom novel?

I didn't know.

Could Hill have commissioned it?

That didn't seem like Hill's personality.

Then... his Female Lord?

No, his Female Lord would definitely commission sweet romance stories about the two of them.

He definitely wouldn't choose Hill and Iso—

Mainly because he wouldn't choose Iso.

Mm.

Philor knew absolutely nothing.

But after so many years as a General's Male Lord, after hosting and attending countless banquets, he was an expert at putting on appearances.

He raised a finger to his lips and made a gesture for silence.

“Shh. It's a secret.”

The male Zergs wailed in disappointment.

Their curiosity only intensified.

“How exactly can we commission a novel from An-shen? Just give us a little hint!”

Philor shook his head mysteriously.

“Everything is determined by fate. Once the destined connection arrives, it will naturally come.”

“Achoo!”

Inside the prison, An Ruo suddenly sneezed.

Rubbing his nose, he muttered softly,

“I have a feeling a lot of Zergs are thinking about me.”

Surely the readers were urging him to update again.