Chapter 236: More Human Than Humans
[In response to your question, Jade paused for a while, her green eyes as lustrous and clear as jade stared at your eyes directly.]
[Looking straight at you, Jade truthfully answered, "No, you haven’t. At least, not yet."]
[After answering straightforwardly, Jade explained, "As Arch Humans, the two of us are more human than most humans. The other Terran Train Conductors, or those mortal humans we’ve encountered in Station Worlds, aren’t as human as us."]
["Biologically and in terms of bloodline rank and purity, we are more human than they are."]
["So in that regard, no, we absolutely haven’t lost our humanity. In fact, the two of us have become more human as we become stronger and increase our bloodline rank."]
[After giving that explanation, Jade paused momentarily again, before continuing, "I know you’re talking about it psychologically, but at least, biologically, we haven’t lost our humanity."]
["As for psychologically..." Jade’s voice softened slightly as she tightened her embrace around you.]
[Her head rested on your chest, seemingly hearing the beat of your heart.]
["I think the reason why you’re asking yourself that question is because you still care."]
["Someone who had truly lost their humanity wouldn’t question whether they still possessed it or not."]
[Hearing Jade’s words, you remained silent.]
[Jade continued calmly, "Darling, ever since humanity was thrown into this multiverse, countless people have already changed."]
["Some became desperate enough to betray their families for survival. Some sold their bodies and dignity just for food and protection. Some became mad from despair. Some enjoyed the authority and power they gained after becoming stronger."]
["Compared to them, at least you still possess your own bottom line."]
["You’ve slaughtered enemies, destroyed clans, plundered resources, and harvested souls, but every single thing you did had a purpose behind it."]
["Survival. Strength. Protection. Interests."]
["You never massacred others simply because you enjoyed hearing their screams."]
["You never tortured others for pleasure."]
["You never toyed with innocent lives just because you were bored."]
[After saying that, Jade rested her chin lightly on your shoulder.]
["Darling, do you know what I think true loss of humanity is?"]
[Without waiting for your response, Jade answered her own question.]
["It’s when a person no longer values anything."]
["No love. No hatred. No attachments. No principles. No desires."]
["Just an empty shell that only knows how to destroy, kill, and consume."]
["But you’re different."]
["You still care about me. You still care about our train crew. You still worry about whether your actions are changing you."]
["Even after experiencing this many worlds while wielding such power, you still haven’t become numb enough to stop questioning yourself."]
["That alone already proves you haven’t completely lost your humanity."]
[As Jade spoke until this point, her clear green eyes stared at you quietly.]
["Besides..."]
[A faint smile appeared on Jade’s beautiful face.]
["Why should you compare yourself to ordinary humans?"]
["We are Arch Humans! Our bloodline rank is higher than theirs. Our lifespan is longer than theirs. Our power is greater than theirs."]
["The perspective of a being capable of living for tens of thousands of years was never meant to remain identical to mortals who could die from old age after less than a century."]
["If a lion no longer views rabbits equally, would the lion think it had lost its nature?"]
["No. It simply stands at a different height."]
["The same applies to us."]
["The weak naturally value peace and kindness more because they lack the power to protect themselves once conflict starts."]
["But for the strong, especially in this cruel multiverse, hesitation and excessive kindness can become fatal weaknesses."]
["Kindness itself isn’t wrong. However, kindness without the power to protect it is meaningless."]
["And in this multiverse, countless people would gladly stab you in the back for profit, resources, lifespan, authority, or survival."]
[Jade’s voice remained calm throughout her explanation.]
["Darling, I’m not saying that what we’ve done is righteous."]
["The billions of souls you harvested won’t suddenly become innocent sacrifices just because there were reasons behind it."]
["But at the very least, you’re honest about what you are."]
["You aren’t pretending to be some righteous savior while committing atrocities behind everyone’s backs."]
["You know exactly what kind of person you’re becoming."]
["And personally..."]
[Jade leaned closer before whispering softly near your ear.]
["Even if the entire world feared you one day, I would still stand beside you."]
["After all, from the very beginning, the person I chose was never a saint."]
["It was you."]
[Hearing Jade’s words, you fell silent for a few moments.]
[The warmth of her body, the calmness in her voice, and the sincerity within her eyes made it difficult for you to doubt her words.]
[At the very least, Jade was one of the few people in existence who understood you the most.]
[Not because she blindly worshipped you.]
[But because in some ways, the two of you were fundamentally alike.]
[Both of you valued your own lives and the lives of those dear to you far more than strangers.]
[Perhaps to many people, such thoughts were selfish.]
[But in this cruel multiverse, selfish people often survived longer than selfless fools.]
[After all, there were countless "good people" who had already died while trying to save others.]
[Meanwhile, those who survived until now all possessed something in common.]
[Strength.]
[Whether it was strength of power, mentality, intelligence, or adaptability.]
[Without strength, even kindness itself was meaningless.]
[After all, dead people couldn’t protect anything.]
[Thinking until this point, you lightly caressed Jade’s long jade-green-colored hair.]
[Feeling your hand stroking her hair gently, Jade narrowed her eyes slightly like a satisfied cat.]
[A faint smile unconsciously appeared on your face.]
["You really know how to comfort people."]
[Hearing your words, Jade raised her head slightly before looking at you with a smile.]
["I’m merely stating the truth."]
["Besides..."]
[Jade’s beautiful eyes stared directly into yours.]
["If even someone like you starts doubting yourself too much, then who’s going to lead us forward?"]
["Morvane?"]
[Hearing Jade mention Morvane, the corner of your lips twitched slightly.]
[If it was Morvane who was leading the Zenith Train Crew, then even someone like you would look like a saint compared to him.]
[Seeing your reaction, Jade chuckled softly.]
[The somewhat heavy atmosphere from earlier unknowingly became lighter.]
[After laughing lightly, Jade’s expression became gentler.]
["Darling, there’s actually something I’m very happy about."]
[You looked at Jade curiously.]
["What is it?"]
[In response, Jade wrapped her arms around your neck before speaking softly.]
["Even after becoming this powerful, you still haven’t treated me like some disposable possession."]
["You still trust me. You still share your thoughts with me. You still worry about changing."]
["That means the person I fell in love with is still here."]
[Hearing Jade’s words, your gaze fluctuated slightly.]
[After all, with the level of power and authority you currently possess, it wouldn’t be difficult for you to obtain countless beautiful women if you wanted to.]
[Power itself was the greatest aphrodisiac.]
[Especially in this multiverse where strength determines status.]
[Not to mention, with your current strength, there were probably countless women willing to throw away everything just to become attached to you.]
[You did notice that, especially when you were chatting in the regional chat group. A lot of beautiful women wanted to become even your slave just to survive.]
[However, from beginning to end, you never possessed much interest toward such matters.]
[Although you did plan to start a harem, that was only due to not wanting to reject anyone you’ve accompanied and truly loved in a doomsday life simulation.]
[You were already satisfied with your current approach. Spending an entire lifetime with someone, the relationship built that way wasn’t shallow and superficial.]
[After all, emotional relationships were troublesome.]
[Trust was troublesome.]
[Betrayal was even more troublesome.]
[Starting a harem just because you saw beautiful girls and you could, doesn’t mean you should. When a relationship was obtained that way, even you wouldn’t be able to sleep with them without guarding yourself or being wary of them.]
[Compared to wasting time building shallow relationships, you preferred investing your time into increasing your strength.]
[At least strength wouldn’t betray you.]
[But Jade was different.]
[Perhaps it was because she had accompanied you from the start.]
[Or perhaps it was because she understood you enough.]
[At some point, you had already subconsciously placed Jade within the category of people you absolutely wouldn’t allow yourself to lose.]
[Thinking until this point, you suddenly spoke.]
["Jade."]
["Mn?"]
[Looking into Jade’s clear green eyes, you calmly said, "If one day I truly change beyond recognition..."]
["If one day I become the kind of monster that even I can no longer recognize..."]
["Then kill me before I hurt you."]
[The moment your words fell, Jade became silent.]
[However, only for a moment.]
[Afterwards, Jade smiled beautifully.]
["No."]
[Her answer was immediate.]
[Before you could say anything else, Jade gently pressed a finger against your lips.]
["Darling, if that day truly comes..."]
["Then I’ll simply become a monster together with you."]
