Harem Stealer

Volume Three

-3.1-

Chapter 101: The World Reacts

Not only the outside world reacted to the loud chime of the Akashic Records.

In the Weaverheart estate, Selene and Luminara raised their heads at the exact same moment the chime resounded.

Their eyes were serious. They had lived long lives — especially Luminara — so they understood just how unusual this situation was.

"Something drastic occurred," Luminara said, her purple eyes narrowing in thought.

But Selene tilted her head. "Why do I feel like my dear baby might be responsible for this?"

She didn’t know why — but the feeling wouldn’t go away.

Luminara shot her a glare. "You idiot. Can’t you stop thinking about your son for once? This situation is more important than you think."

Selene looked at Luminara like she’d just been betrayed. "I am serious, Luminara."

She really was. How dare she accuse me of always thinking about my son.

She paused.

Then smiled softly.

"Well... actually, you might be right."

Luminara looked at her like a cat about to pounce after its tail got stepped on.

Selene laughed — free and happy, after acknowledging her feelings. Now...

"Let’s go meet Noah. I mean, we’ll think about this together. It’s not like we can do anything anyway — we have no information about what this means," Selene said.

She changed her outfit into a beautiful silver dress, patterned with purple lotus flowers.

Luminara sighed, returned to her cat form, and hopped onto Selene’s shoulder.

"Let’s just go. I’d love to see how you declare your feelings to Noah," she said in a mocking voice. Her cat face seemed to... smirk? It was oddly amusing.

Selene flinched.

"I-I forgot about that part..."

Luminara’s smirk widened.

"I will enjoy this."

...

It wasn’t only them.

The elves reacted. The beasts reacted.

They didn’t know what the chime meant — but their divine backings did. Yet none of them deemed it necessary to explain it to their champions.

As if it didn’t matter.

Because none of them believed the being who caused this event could possibly exist in this weak world.

Even though finding a world without gods was rare, and every divine force wanted to claim it for themselves, they all thought long-term. A world could be slowly evolved to higher stages, and then used as a new source of resources for their younger generations.

To them, that’s all this world was.

Just another project.

But what a mistake.

And they would realize it too late.

...

Laeh, the world’s will, sat in the air, legs crossed. Calm.

He too had heard the chime. And like Selene—

"Why do I feel like my lucky star is responsible for this?" he asked himself, head tilted.

It was strange, but after so many miracles — all tied to Noah — how could he not suspect him?

Laeh smiled. "Well, doesn’t matter. What matters is that he’s meeting that sneaky demoness. That’s good. Hopefully he can pull her in, so she can at least help him."

Because he still thought that defeating the other champions wouldn’t be easy. Even if Noah was exceptional, having a being of a higher level on his side — not like Elira — would be a huge help.

"Well, we’ll see. Either way, we succeed together or we die together," he said with a small smile.

After all, he had linked his own life to Noah.

Basically, Noah now carried the weight of an entire world on his shoulders.

A heavy burden — but necessary, if he wanted to succeed.

...

Goddess Justicia heard the chime too.

And unlike others, she had some information about it.

And suddenly... she felt nervous.

A goddess — a celestial at her level — nervous?

Almost impossible.

She used all her means to find the source. Because if a god felt even a little bit of this kind of disturbance, it meant something terrible was on the horizon.

But she couldn’t find anything.

And how could she?

She was feeling this because of Noah. And she couldn’t trace him — not with his title, "True Anomaly." He couldn’t be tracked. Not even by fate or destiny.

So no matter how much she searched, she would find nothing.

But she could act.

And acting meant accelerating her plans to take over the world of Laeh.

She gritted her teeth.

"Do I really have no choice?" She didn’t want to go this far — it would weaken her considerably.

But first, she had to make an agreement with the other factions.

She waved her hand, and four golden crows appeared.

"Go to the demons, dragons, elves, and divine beasts. Tell them I have a proposal. In five years, the battle for this world will begin. Until then, each of their champions may train to their fullest. It’s the best way to handle this without unnecessary losses."

The crows chirped and flew off toward their destinations.

Justicia raised her head. If they agreed, then she — a goddess — would personally train her champion. She would make him a monster, even if it cost her greatly.

Her eyes hardened.

"No hesitation. If I take over the world, I’ll gain more than I lose."

And so her decision was made.

And the other factions soon followed.

They accepted.

In five years, the battle would begin.

And at that time...

No mercy would be given.

...

Noah smiled. He looked at Echidna, who stood before him.

"Well... five years, huh," Noah muttered.

He had just received the news of Justicia’s proposal — and that all the other factions had accepted.

The dragons and demons, because they still hadn’t chosen champions.

The elves and beasts, because they believed five years of training would give them an overwhelming edge.

So it was confirmed.

Five years.

"That’s quite a bit of time. Enough to do a few things," Noah said casually.

Echidna nodded.

"Yes. And now we’re partners."

"You’ll give a fire talent to one of my companions. In return, you want a portion of this world’s resources once I claim it," Noah summarized.

"You’ll also support me, and warn me of any actions taken by the other factions."

"That’s it, right?"

Echidna nodded. "Indeed."

She tilted her head. "I still don’t know why you don’t want me to give you the fire talent directly."

"I have my reasons," Noah replied simply.

Echidna decided not to press further. Time was short.

They sealed the deal with a contract — one given by Echidna herself.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you," she added with a smirk. "The dwarves are already in my hand. So no need to worry about them. Just tell Lucie — she’ll control them and give you what you need."

"Oh? A pleasant surprise. Two birds with one stone."

And with that, the meeting ended.

Noah disappeared, returning to his world.

Echidna stood alone.

Then a little smirk appeared on her face.

"To think... I’m the only one who knows the Third Abomination."

She smirked wider.

She would never tell.

She would stay close to Noah — as close as possible.

Because that’s how the Abominations were.

Anyone near them lived in eternal glory.

And who wouldn’t want that?

This might be her only chance to climb to the higher floors of Hell...

And become—

A True Ruler. One who embodies a Sin.

She shivered, already imagining it.

She couldn’t wait.

Chapter 102: Shifting hearts

Noah reappeared at the shattered temple — only now, it was completely destroyed. Nothing remained but broken stones scattered across the ground, the devastation absolute. Even Echidna’s avatar had been wiped out.

And in the middle of that ruin, a figure stood silently — calm, composed, indifferent.

The Crow.

But now, Noah knew her name.

"Lucie, right?" he said softly.

The Crow — Lucie — flinched. It had been a long time since someone had spoken her name.

And more importantly, she could feel it — her master’s authority surrounding Noah.

He was now the champion.

Relief washed over her. She reached up and removed her mask, revealing her beautiful face — golden and red eyes glowing with stunning intensity.

"Yes, it’s me. Now that you’re my master’s champion, I’m at your service," she said, bowing slightly.

Not to Noah, the man — but to Noah, the champion.

"You don’t have to do much," Noah said, approaching her. "I heard you have the dwarves under control. Just manage them. And if you happen to find a female dwarf with excellent forging talent... I’d like to know her."

Lucie nodded. "I will, Champion."

Noah tilted his head. That title felt... awkward.

"You know, you can just call me Noah. I don’t mind."

But Lucie shook her head firmly. "No. That would be too disrespectful — to you, and to my master. The status of a champion is no trivial thing."

"What if I order you to call me Noah?" he asked playfully.

Lucie froze. She struggled visibly. She didn’t want to disobey her champion — but she also couldn’t bring herself to casually speak his name. Not anymore.

So many conflicting emotions.

Noah chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. Do whatever you want. Call me Champion if that makes you comfortable."

He stepped closer — an inch from her face.

"But I hope that, someday, you’ll call me by my name. ’Champion’ sounds a bit too distant, don’t you think?"

He smiled gently.

And for some reason, Lucie started blushing. She looked away, flustered — unable to meet his gaze.

And honestly? That was understandable.

Noah’s appearance hadn’t changed much, but his beauty had. If it could be quantified, his beauty now approached divine levels — nearly equal to the most handsome mortal to ever exist.

Very, very close.

His majestic purple hair, his silver eyes that held truths — and now, he was S-rank. A being with Intent.

Coupled with his traits and title, Noah’s aura and presence were... simply overwhelming.

"Y-Yes, I understand!" Lucie stammered.

’What the hell is happening to me? Why am I acting like a shy little girl?’ she screamed internally, crying at her own embarrassment.

"Any news for me?" Noah asked, needing to return to his team quickly.

Especially now that Zara’s affection had dropped to 30%.

He was anxious.

Lucie steadied herself. "Yes. My spy reports that the princes of Castria — from the human domain — have contacted Demon Lord Belzebuth."

Noah raised an eyebrow. So they contacted Belzebuth, huh?

"Do you know what they talked about?"

Lucie shook her head. "No, but... Belzebuth’s power is extremely dangerous, Champion. He can consume anything — and when he does, he gains what he consumes."

Noah frowned. "What?"

Lucie gave an example. "If he kills a beast with a dragon bloodline and consumes it, he can obtain that bloodline for himself."

Noah’s expression darkened. "There has to be a limit. Otherwise that talent would be beyond even SSS-rank."

Lucie nodded. "There is. He has a fixed number of things he can consume per rank. And he can only consume beings up to three ranks above his own."

Noah tilted his head. "And what rank is he now?"

"SS-rank."

Noah nodded, then sighed.

"A bit troublesome, huh."

But the old Noah was gone.

Now he had new power.

He had transcended himself.

He was One Who Is All.

He smirked. "Would’ve been better if Belzebuth was a woman."

Silence.

Awkward silence.

Noah stiffly looked up — and saw Lucie staring at him like he was some kind of insect.

"...Damn. Did I say that out loud?" he muttered, forcing a wry smile.

Lucie didn’t respond.

Cough, cough.

"Okay. Time for me to go. Thanks for your work, and... bye."

With that, he teleported away — face flushed with shame.

’Damn. How did I mess up my first impression this badly...’

And Lucie?

"All men are perverts," she muttered.

Honestly?

She wasn’t wrong.

...

Noah reappeared in front of the inn OpenYourPussy. He didn’t waste time and went straight to Zara’s room.

Knock knock—!

He knocked.

No response.

He opened the door.

Inside, he saw Neko asleep, her head resting peacefully in Zara’s lap. Zara sat there, gently stroking Neko’s face with quiet affection.

Noah’s gaze fell on Neko — and saw dried tear stains on her cheeks.

His heart skipped a beat.

A sharp pain struck his chest.

Zara looked up at him, her voice cold and biting. "Oh, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence."

Noah said nothing.

He simply walked forward, stopping just a step away from them.

And as if sensing him — Neko’s eyes opened.

Despite the pain, fear, and sorrow she held...

She jumped up and hugged him tightly.

"Noah!! You’re here — I missed you," she said, full of love.

Noah stood frozen, his heart aching. He reached out — and for the first time in a long while, his arms trembled.

He wrapped them around Neko.

Tightly.

He didn’t need to be a genius to figure out why Zara’s affection had dropped.

He only had to see Neko’s state.

And what hurt even more was that Neko’s affection...

Had never once gone down.

Even after everything.

She still greeted him with pure love.

"I’m sorry," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I’m sorry I didn’t take better care of you, my dear Neko. My first companion."

And at those words—

Neko broke down again.

She cried.

Hard.

...

Meanwhile—

At the academy, Patricia and Aiden sat together in Aiden’s room, facing a holographic screen.

Their father, Oliver Stoneheart, stared back at them. His expression was dark and furious.

"What did you just say?" he demanded.

Patricia remained silent. But Aiden — he was done holding back.

"We said we’ve decided to join Noah. We’re going to help him fight Elijah. So no, Father, we’re not doing what you asked."

His voice dripped with contempt.

"And how dare you ask us to get close to Elijah after what he did to Patricia?"

Red fire glowed in his eyes as he continued.

"He tortured her. In front of the whole world. Nearly shattered her mind."

He paused, glaring at the screen.

"And now you want us to go to him? To serve him?"

"Have you lost your mind, Father?"

"It’s you who’s lost your damn mind, Aiden," Oliver snapped, his tone authoritative.

"You forget you’re speaking to your father, not your friend. Watch your tone."

He sighed, then leaned forward.

"You kids have no idea what it means to oppose a chosen one. You’re not just fighting Elijah — you’re fighting a divine being."

He paused, looking at his children. He did love them.

Which is why—

"Go to Elijah. Bow to him if you must. But don’t oppose him."

"And if you can’t do that... just come home. I’ll protect you."

There was silence.

They understood. They knew he cared.

But still—

"We can’t, Father," Patricia said softly.

Even her voice trembled. "Even if it means our death, we’ll walk this path."

"Yes, we ignored him before. But..."

Her body shook.

"Did I ever deserve what Elijah did to me?" she asked, voice raw with pain.

Aiden pulled her close, hugging her tightly. They’d grown closer since Elijah’s attack — and now, he was deeply protective of his sister.

He looked at Oliver.

"We’ve made our choice. We appreciate your concern, but it’s unnecessary. You only say this because you don’t know Noah."

He paused, smiling faintly.

"Because if anyone can stand against a chosen one — it’s him."

"He’s a monster, Father. A real one."

"You have no idea what he’s capable of."

Oliver was silent for a moment.

Then he sighed.

"So be it. If that’s your path — walk it. Just... don’t regret anything."

They both nodded, eyes full of resolve.

Oliver sighed again.

He may have failed as a father to Elijah...

But to Aiden and Patricia?

He’d been a good one.

Lustful, yes — but still, a good father.

Chapter 103: Training

Aiden and Patricia looked at each other. The call was over. Their father, Oliver, had given his reluctant blessing, allowing them to do as they wished—even though every word had dripped with unwillingness.

But really, how could Aiden and Patricia accept that?