Chapter 346: Ghosts (3)

Perseus POV

To not disturb Meira's family, we teleported ourselves far away, specifically to the same Japanese restaurant owned by one of Dawn's connections. Before we came here, I paid and ordered a lot of food deliveries to be sent to their home so her family could eat while Meira was far away.

It took a lot of convincing because she believed in the conspiracy that I faked my death more than I reincarnated into another world. She went on about if I reincarnated, how would I look exactly the same?

She also then went on a rant on why harems shouldn't be a thing as her religious values and even morals are against it.

"Harems," she lectured, "are nothing more than a manifestation of a delusional desire for control and dominance. You gather a group of individuals, strip them of their agency, and confine them to your whims and desires. It's a twisted power play, a showcase of your ability to manipulate and possess."

While my actions and motives had been questionable at best, my interactions with those who had chosen to stand by my side were characterized by mutual respect, understanding, and sincere care.

Instead of wielding my harem as pawns in some elaborate game, I had unintentionally created a haven where everyone's voice mattered, where their feelings were valued, and where they were allowed to flourish as individuals.

Each person in my harem had their own unique strengths, stories, and complexities. I had come to realize that acknowledging and appreciating these qualities was what set our relationship apart from traditional harem narratives.

It was about finding solace, connection, and understanding in each other's company...I am a delusional lustful man though.

My phone notification then went off and I checked the email Dawn sent me, I then let Ruka read it as well.

*****

After the lecture, I told her my plans and why I needed her to get her family to go into the safehouses, which were more like super protective nuclear bunkers. But she then tried convincing me to no longer pursue revenge.

"Hah, fat chance." Ruka replied, "If I went through what he went through, I would have done a lot worse to those who harmed me."

"I understand the pain and anger that drive you to seek vengeance against those who've wronged you, but have you considered the toll it takes on your own soul?" she asked with a tone of concern, "Revenge might give you temporary satisfaction, but in the long run, it corrodes your spirit. It transforms you into the very thing you despise. Is that truly the legacy you want to leave behind?"

"And let Cain run amok? Nah, you're a good person, but unfortunately, his type can't be convinced with words."

"I'm not suggesting that you forgive and forget," she clarified, her tone empathetic. "But perhaps there's another way to seek justice, to create change without surrendering your own soul to darkness. Remember, the greatest victories are often the ones achieved without sacrificing our own humanity."

"That's the problem, I am no longer human. And I hear you, and I appreciate your perspective, but sometimes, the reality is harsher than ideals. Cain is a force that can't be reasoned with. His actions have caused irreparable damage, and I can't stand by while he continues to hurt innocent lives."

"I know it's not easy," she said gently, "But there must be another way. You're right, Cain might not be swayed by words alone, but if you resort to revenge, you risk losing yourself in the process. Your pain might be justified, but it doesn't have to define who you are."

I saw the disappointment flicker in her eyes, a trace of sadness that mirrored my own conflicted emotions. Yet, I continued, my gaze unwavering despite her lecture. I can tell, I am the same man, but at the same time, I am also no longer than man she once knew.

"Violence might not be the answer we want, but it's the only language Cain understands," I declared, "He's left me with no choice but to meet him on his own terms. Even though I've never met him nor have ever talked to him, I won't let him continue to wreak havoc as I refuse to be a passive observer of his atrocities.

"He's done this for so long that even if he has any regrets, it's already too late to turn back, he is now at the point of desperation after what I've done, it's the best time to act."

*****

At least she agreed for her family to be taken to safety, though she said that I would need to kidnap her family as they would never believe her, with Ms. Perez in the bunker, they should be able to keep the family informed about the truth and drug them into forgetting if they can't handle it.

"By the way, isn't this bad?" Ruka asked as she gave me back my phone, "Wrath and Lust are your 2 worst enemies, though it says here that Lust is only slightly stronger than a rose, and us 2 can definitely subdue her, the keyword here is subdue, we can't kill her."

"We'll be fine. Our plan to to just release everyone down there, Dawn said that reporters already got their hands on the escapees and are almost releasing the information to the public."

"Why not bring Maple?" she asked

"She has her own insecurities, and Lust would definitely make us both go wild. You're the best choice I got since you're very nonchalant about most things, so Wrath shouldn't affect you too much, as for Lust...with you, I'll hesitate."

"We find each other attractive, won't that be easily turned into arousal?"

"The chances of it going terribly are 100% if it's Leilah and Lilith, 90% with Maple and 70% with Dawn. The twins are affected by both, while Dawn and Maple will be affected by Lust, though I'll hesitate with them. I know that the chances are low, but you're the best choice."

"What's our identity?"

"We're going to be twins."

"Fine, we spent enough time together to be able to think alike and finish each other's sentences."