I just finished the ruthless path, I have to give the writers credit, I have never felt like such a bastard in a game or VN before and I'm glad it wasn't just 'do the evil option and get the sad dialogue'
It's actually worth doing after a normal playthrough since it adds a lot to the cast and world and made me appreciate Asterion more, genuinely broke my heart to see him go from numbing himself to cope with things to breaking down and crying when he sees the only thing that gives him any joy or purpose destroyed for nothing.
I'm sorry, moo-man.