Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]-Chapter 162: The Duke’s Gambit

Rocco’s memory of the day’s events began to return slowly.

Today, Laxus had invited Rocco for a picnic, and the two were munching on sandwiches together in the Del Fiore estate’s garden.

It had been a fun and lively conversation, but Rocco had suddenly spaced out, likely worrying Laxus.

Feeling guilty, Rocco slumped his shoulders apologetically.

"It’s fine. I was just thinking about something," Rocco said. "I’m not tired, really. I’m okay."

"Are you sure? If you say so..." Laxus replied with a hint of concern.

"No way. Rocco, you’re exhausted, aren’t you? Let’s head back. Come on, we’re going back right now," a voice interjected.

As Rocco took another bite of his sandwich, a hand reached out and lifted him effortlessly.

Startled, he quickly stuffed the sandwich into his mouth, his cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk as he chewed and swallowed hurriedly.

The person holding him tightly sighed deeply, a mix of exasperation and resignation.

Laxus glanced at the scene with an unimpressed look before speaking.

"Honestly... I’ve been wondering this from the start: why are you here? You weren’t invited. This was supposed to be a cozy at-home date for just Rocco and me," Laxus said, a sharp edge in his voice.

"Shut up, you bastard. Don’t forget your place. I could kill you right here and now," Sylas shot back coldly.

"Ha! Go ahead and try. That is if you’re fine with being hated by Rocco for the rest of your life," Laxus retorted smugly.

Sylas’s face twisted in frustration at Laxus’s taunt.

Sensing the brewing tension, Rocco’s wide, panicked eyes darted between the two of them.

Why did these two always end up fighting the moment he looked away?

In the original story, their relationship was supposed to be a bit more amicable than this...

"Both of you, stop it! You need to get along!" Rocco scolded, puffing his cheeks in irritation. "Eat bread together and make up, now!"

Grabbing a loaf from the basket, Rocco shoved it toward both of them, pressing the bread against their mouths in an exaggerated gesture.

Feeling startled, the two of them stared at him but quickly picked up on his frustration.

Begrudgingly, they began chewing on the bread.

"Hmm, Rocco fed me. He spoiled me," Laxus teased with a mischievous grin.

"I didn’t spoil you..." Rocco muttered, his tone sulky.

Laxus chuckled softly, a mischievous "hmph hmph" escaping his lips.

What on earth was he so happy about?

All Rocco had done was press bread into their mouths.

What was this nonsense about "spoiling"?

Before Rocco could dwell on it, Sylas abruptly stood up, still holding him.

"Huh? Brother?" Rocco blinked in confusion.

"We’re leaving, Rocco," Sylas declared, his tone firm. "Staying in a place like this any longer will only corrupt you."

"That’s so mean! Sylas, you’re terrible!" Laxus protested, his voice rising in indignation.

"Shut up and die," Sylas shot back, his insult delivered with the ease of someone going through a routine task.

Without waiting for a response, Sylas began walking away, carrying Rocco effortlessly.

Over Sylas’s shoulder, Rocco caught a glimpse of Laxus, his eyes brimming with unshed tears, looking pitifully like a forlorn puppy.

Rocco buried his face against Sylas’s shoulder to avoid the sight.

If he looked too long, his protective instincts might kick in.

He couldn’t risk walking back over to comfort Laxus.

"Rocco... sniff... Rocco..." Laxus whimpered, his voice trembling with heartache.

The sound tugged painfully at Rocco’s ears and heart.

Just as he was about to call out, "Brother, wait a moment—!" hurried footsteps echoed from the direction of the estate, halting his words.

"Young Master Sylas! Young Master Rocco!"

Sylas turned around sharply at the voice.

Standing before him while panting heavily from running, was Philip.

"What is it?" Sylas asked curtly, his expression darkening as he looked down at Philip.

Philip had clearly rushed all the way to the Del Fiore estate.

Whatever news he had must be serious.

His face, lined with urgency and grief, confirmed as much.

"It’s the mistress... Mrs. Layla," Philip said, his voice trembling. "She has passed away. It seems... she was poisoned."

Rocco’s heart gave a heavy, ominous thud.

Unconsciously, Rocco’s grip on Sylas tightened.

Sensing Rocco’s distress, Sylas held him closer, his embrace firm and protective.

Sylas and Philip exchange few words, but Rocco couldn’t make out the words.

It was as if his hearing had suddenly failed, and the sensation filled him with a creeping sense of dread.

Just as panic began to take hold, Laxus’s voice cut through the haze, clear and deliberate.

"—Isn’t this good news? Also, that can’t be the only thing you came to report, right? Otherwise, there’d be no reason for this kind of urgency."

Laxus’s act to looked pitiful that he had shown moments ago suddenly gone.

Now, he approached with his usual breezy confidence and a faintly mocking smile on his lips.

His words, cold and devoid of empathy, made Rocco blink in surprise, replaying them in his mind.

Philip hesitated, his expression tense, as if weighing the weight of Laxus’s words.

Finally, after glancing at Sylas for reassurance, he spoke in a subdued tone.

"Well, um... using Mrs. Layla’s passing as justification, the Duke has sent a letter to the Di Malvento family..."

"The contents?" Sylas asked sharply.

The mention of the Duke made Rocco pause for a moment, piecing it together.

It must mean his mother’s family.

Of course—his mother was the daughter of a distinguished duke’s house.

That realization put Philip’s report into context; there was nothing particularly shocking about it.

After all, it would be natural for a family to send a formal letter to the house where their daughter had married after her passing.

But any rationality faded as Philip’s next words snapped Rocco out of his daze.

"The letter accuses the head of the Di Malvento family of being the culprit behind Mrs. Layla’s death and demands he be punished. Additionally, it states that their grandson, Rocco, will be removed from the Di Malvento family registry and taken in by the Duke’s household."