Harem Stealer: Reborn with the God-Tier Sharing System Chapter 465 Make peace

Noah found himself in solitude. Or rather, almost alone, as Maryam remained by his side; the Prince had been unable to convince her to depart with his other wives.

His desire for isolation didn't stem from mere sulking, nor was it strictly because he required time to mourn the loss of his sister and companions—though he desperately needed that, he understood such a luxury was no longer his to claim. Instead, he needed to calculate his next move.

Furthermore, Red had cried until exhaustion claimed her, lulling her into sleep. It was a sight Noah had deemed impossible. Given their current heights of power and the rarity of their new bloodline, such a display of emotion signaled a wound deeper than any physical scar.

Consequently, he had dismissed her alongside his other wives, softly entreating them to look after her.

The Prince resonated with her agony. Being a father himself, that realization forced his mind to drift mercilessly toward his own offspring.

He thought of them all, but his mind lingered primarily on Premier and Foxy.

"Are they safe?" he pondered, sinking into a reclining chair. His mismatched eyes, one crimson and one golden, tracked the swirling mists above.

He had returned to the Hall of Fog.

"Premier..." he reflected, a hazy sigh escaping his lips. "I sent him to the Celestial Faction. My only wish was for him to grasp the truth of the universe and have the chance to forge his own path!"

But in this moment, he was plagued by doubt.

Had he made the correct decision?

Uncertainty flickered within his chest, threatening to consume him like a wildfire racing through a dry forest.

Then there was Foxy, currently in Laeh with Fated, Caus, and Destiny.

Noah had taken care to position Laeh in the exact coordinates once held by Earth. It was a region devoid of mana circulation, serving as a natural sanctuary.

At least, that had been his conviction until now.

Was there truly any sanctuary left in this universe?

He didn't know. That void of information and lack of understanding galled him intensely.

"Everything has changed," he mused, his gaze sharpening. "Each of them possessed a destiny waiting to be fulfilled. A fate I personally selected, yet now everything feels lost in a chaotic web of tangled threads!"

This uncertainty made it impossible for him to gauge the ripple effects of his choices.

That included the passing of Aurelia.

He violently shook his head to dispel the thought.

Noah refused to acknowledge it. Every time the reality of her death attempted to surface in his consciousness, he forcibly buried it in the depths of oblivion.

He couldn't do it.

He simply wasn't capable of processing it right now.

This was a time for action, not for grieving. He could not afford to mourn while his kin and his faction were being hunted down like vermin.

Noah’s jaw tightened, the sheer tension causing the air around him to creak and crack like straining steel.

"I have a question," he uttered in a low growl, his eyes never leaving the ceiling.

Standing before him, Maryam responded immediately.

"Ask me, my child."

Her voice was tender and cautious, as if she were addressing a fragile child, terrified that a harsh word might cause him to shatter.

That was precisely Maryam’s internal state.

She was desperate to assist her son, yet Noah’s entire presence projected a single, clear message:

Not now.

She stood paralyzed, able to do nothing but watch him with eyes full of sorrow.

"I need to locate something," he stated, causing his mother to raise her eyebrows. "A place known as the Lake of Milk-White Soul. Are you aware of its location?"

"Of course," Maryam answered with a heavy sigh. "That Lake is governed by Solstice. It is located not just within his territory, but at its absolute center."

She paused, indicating the expanse of the Hall of Fog.

"Much like this Hall, every sovereign possesses such a place—a core of their power. They may not look like mine, but they serve the same function."

"And what purpose does that Lake serve?" he inquired, finally lowering his gaze to meet hers.

The First Soul met his question with silence.

She stepped forward, moving toward her seated son with slow, deliberate strides.

The physical gap between them pained her.

"It is the Lake that cleanses the souls of the departed upon their arrival in the Spirit World," she explained at last. "It is vital for mortal souls, as they arrive heavy with a multitude of impurities. As the master of those souls, Solstice commands it."

Noah tilted his head, his interest piqued.

"However, that is not its sole function."

Tak-!

Maryam stopped just an inch away. Standing over him, her white eyes were locked onto his face.

Reaching out, she took Noah’s limp hand in hers and pulled.

Noah grunted, wanting to remain seated, yet he gave in. He stood up and found himself enveloped in his mother’s embrace. As she held him, Maryam continued.

Her voice had grown lighter.

"My child," she whispered, hugging him despite his slightly taller stature, "the Lake is also a tool to refine souls into soul liquid. From that, one can forge soul coins or even strengthen other souls."

"How," Noah asked with a slight frown, "can you permit a single ruler to possess such a hoard? And how has he not managed to dominate all of you with it?"

"There is always a balance, Brandon." Maryam’s tone was patient and educational. "Keep in mind that he only collects mortal souls. For mortal souls to equal the power of an immortal soul, one requires not just a staggering quantity, but also rare supplementary materials."

She shook her head softly. "And those materials are in short supply."

"Through great effort, he can match our strength, but surpassing us is nearly impossible. Nevertheless, the Lake provides him with immense wealth and a strategic edge."

"Furthermore, do not overlook the other soul rulers."

She gave a small laugh. "Regardless of their disdain for me—though the fourth Ruler is an exception, as she seems quite fond of me—they would never permit one of their own to become too powerful."

"They would execute him," Noah realized. "Besides, his grip on the Lake is precarious. Any of you could stir, unite the others, and seize it from him. All that’s required is a convincing pretext."

"Correct." Maryam nodded, smiling.

"But is that the extent of it?" Noah’s voice carried a heavy weight of disappointment. "Does the Lake have no other power? Something like—!"

"Resurrecting lost souls?" Maryam finished for him.

She held back a sigh, gently stepping back from Noah to look him in the eye.

In that moment, Noah didn't need her to speak. The answer was written in the sorrowful twist of his mother's features.

"It is impossible." The First Soul shook her head. "Once a soul has been destroyed, Brandon, my baby..."

She hesitated, her heart aching at the sight of the agony her son was masking. Still, she forced herself to continue; he needed to hear the truth. "There is no path back. There are no second chances," Maryam declared. "The Spirit World is the final boundary before total oblivion."

"And if that grace was denied to you... the grace of starting anew..."

Noah shut his eyes tight.

"You must find a way to be at peace with those who are gone, my son."