Harem Stealer: Reborn with the God-Tier Sharing System Chapter 451 - No way out

The process of settling down took the wives significantly longer than Noah had anticipated.

Once Selene finished her conversation with Maryam, she approached the group and embraced her son, her entire being radiating a sense of profound relief.

Maryam refused to be excluded. With a bold stride, she walked toward them, completely ignoring Luminara as she joined the Vaelgrim family’s emotional reunion.

Luminara, meanwhile, could only observe. Remaining on her knees, she stared at her family with her mouth agape in silence. She wondered if they could even be considered her family anymore.

A part of her soul seemed to crumble.

In the wake of her actions, it appeared that no one held any concern for her.

She bit her lip, her gaze searching for her daughter, but Neko refused to even acknowledge her mother’s presence.

As for Selene, the divine beast understood she shouldn't expect much. Nevertheless, a small spark of hope remained... a hope that Selene might remember the sacrifices made for her.

She recalled how she had shielded her from the most terrifying perils without hesitation.

If Maryam was the source of Selene’s soul, then Luminara was the architect of her physical form. In many ways, she was Selene’s creator as well.

She yearned to voice these thoughts, but the words remained trapped in her throat, unable to find an exit.

Regarding Maryam... Luminara had anticipated a more significant reception. She hoped for a display of affection or gratitude for everything she had done.

Luminara had spent her life in constant dread, fearing the moment the Progenitor of the Divine Beasts would come for her and Selene.

It had all been for Maryam’s grand design. She had done it to please her, hoping to show gratitude for the second chance she had been given. Her desire was simply to be closer to the Soul Ruler.

But seeing Maryam with her son, Luminara finally understood she was merely a disposable pawn.

At that moment, Luminara felt a deep sting of regret for her choice to remain distant from the other wives.

Due to that isolation, none of them possessed enough affection for her to offer any assistance now.

She was certain that if Selene demanded her death, no one would speak up in protest. If they did, it would only be for Neko’s sake.

It would be for Neko, and never for her.

Luminara let out a soft whimper, struggling to hold back a sob as tears began to fall. She was consumed by regret, but the universe remained indifferent, as it always had.

However, she wasn't the only one facing a dire predicament.

The Origins, the Legacy Bearers, and Luelle were all paralyzed with terror as they watched Noah embrace his wives.

The realization that the Soul Ruler was actually Noah’s mother filled them with a sense of impending doom.

They weren't naive enough to think they could challenge a Ruler within her own territory. Such a feat was impossible.

For a split second, they questioned if True Death might have been a more merciful fate than the one awaiting them.

But then...

"A way out," Luelle muttered, her voice strained and heavy as she communicated telepathically with the others. "We must find an escape from this."

"Isn't this mess your doing?" the King in the North hissed at Luelle, the veins on his forehead bulging with rage. "Most progenitors stay out of their faction's business. But you, Luelle, you couldn't stop yourself! Now look at the disaster your meddling has caused!"

Luelle shot him a murderous look. "I would shut—!"

"You be quiet." The Mother of Change interrupted her sharply, ensuring she made no sudden movements that might alert Noah.

"Let’s be clear, Luelle. In this place, you are just another soul held captive by a ruler, exactly like the rest of us. Drop the ego. This is entirely your fault. I always knew your interference would lead to this. To the King's point, you gave your grandson free rein. It was inevitable that someone would eventually strike back."

"How convenient," Luelle sneered, her anger only intensifying. "It's always so easy to shift the blame to someone else when things fall apart, isn't it?"

"Your arrogance will—!"

"Don't lecture me on arrogance, King," Luelle snarled. "You are the most prideful person here. And are you blind? This madman would have come for both of you regardless of my actions. Just look..."

Luelle gestured broadly toward the Origins and the other Legacy Bearers.

"The Origins were their targets! Whether I was involved or not, Noah would have hunted you down."

She stopped, her green eyes burning with pure hatred. "So keep your mouth shut and help me find a solution!"

"A solution?" Tiamat let out a cold, soft laugh.

Luelle, the King, and the Mother of Change all turned to look at her.

Tiamat stood there, her striking beauty undiminished by the grim circumstances, while her serpent, Ouroboros, coiled protectively around her.

Tiamat appeared calm.

She was far too composed, especially since she had been a passive observer from the very beginning.

"Are you surrendering?" Luelle asked with a look of contempt. "Esmeray would be ashamed to see you like this."

Tiamat shook her head gently and gestured toward the other Legacy Bearers.

Their expressions were masked in terror and internal chaos, unable to do anything but shrink under the weight of Noah’s overwhelming aura.

They wanted nothing more than to cease to exist.

"Whatever scheme you have, it won't work with them," Tiamat remarked. "If you try to flee alone, they will scream to get that monster's attention. If you try to take them with you, they will only slow you down."

"However, all of that is irrelevant."

A cold smile touched her lips as she pointed toward where Noah and his wives were gathered.

Luelle, the King, and Change turned their heads in unison, their bodies shaking as they took in the sight.

Noah was watching them with his mismatched eyes, a mocking grin on his face, while Maryam stood by with her vacant white eyes. "You are inside the domain of a Ruler, standing before something unprecedented," Tiamat added smoothly. "What makes you think your thoughts are still private?"

The words died in their throats. Was even mental communication impossible? The true horror of their situation finally began to sink in.

Just then, the Vaelgrim family ended their embrace and turned to face the captives.

Noah stood slightly in front, with his wives and Maryam behind him, their expressions appearing more composed.

There was no doubt they needed time to digest the recent chaos, and Noah intended to provide it.

Time for themselves. Time for their family to reconnect.

While doing so in such an unusual location was risky, he simply needed to halt time itself and enter a realm where it held no sway.

But first, there were loose ends to tie up.

Maryam moved forward to stand at his right side.

Selene followed suit, taking her place on his left.

"What name should I use for you now?" Noah asked with a smirk, his eyes fixed on his prisoners.

"We considered many options, my child," Maryam replied, as Selene continued seamlessly, "but we decided on something simple in the end. You may call me Mother Selene."

She took his left hand and pressed a loving kiss to his palm.

"And Mother Maryam," Maryam added, mimicking Selene’s gesture. Noah laughed softly. "As you wish, mothers."

"Now, before we begin the bloodline awakening," he said, turning his attention back to Luelle and the others, "I have a question for all of you. I won't be saying this twice, my darlings. So listen closely."

They all instinctively sat up straighter, focused intently, their faces a mix of desperation and dread.

Tiamat watched them with a hidden sense of disgust. It was pathetic how easily these powerful men were broken by fear once the tide turned against them.

These were the same individuals who used to boast of their power throughout the universe.

Now, they were cowering and nearly weeping before Noah. They were worthless in her eyes. She shook her head, recalling a proverb: 'Fear is a cloud. Do not let it obscure your mind, Tiamat!' Noah’s voice then boomed, snapping her attention back to him.

"Agree to bind yourselves to me willingly, and I promise, dear friends, no harm shall come to you," he said with a smile. "Refuse, and you will find the consequences very unpleasant."

He paused, observing them, his arms spreading out like the very wings of reality.

"Now, let's try to be efficient." His eyes began to glow.

"You have exactly one minute to give me your answer."