Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]-Chapter 163: The Arrest

"...What did you just say?"

Sylas’s voice, low and menacing, rumbled beside Rocco’s ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

Even Rocco, who had struggled to process the news initially, froze in shock as the gravity of Philip’s words hit him.

Breaking it down, the letter’s contents seemed to boil down to two key points: first, that Rocco’s father was being accused of murder by the Duke; and second, that Rocco himself was to be removed from the Di Malvento family and adopted into the Duke’s household.

—Wait, no, absolutely not!

This isn’t fine at all!

"Brother, D-Does this mean I won’t be your youner brother anymore...?"

Surely there were more pressing concerns to focus on, Rocco thought, but to his surprise, this was all he could think about.

Would he be taken away by people he’d never met, separated from the family he loved so much?

Would he never see them again?

His trembling voice and teary eyes made Sylas’s expression tighten with pain.

"...There’s no way I would allow that," Sylas said, his voice firm. "Rocco is my younger brother. No one is going to take him away from me."

Sylas pulled Rocco into a fierce embrace, and Rocco clung to him just as tightly.

At first, Rocco had been so afraid of Sylas, but now the thought of being separated from him was even more terrifying.

Not because of the protagonist, but because Sylas had become his irreplaceable brother.

"It seems like the enemy has finally made their move," Laxus remarked, his tone casual but his gaze sharp. "I didn’t expect them to target family right out of the gate, though. No, their goal isn’t just taking out your family—it’s Rocco, isn’t it?"

Laxus glanced at Rocco, who was too confused to respond.

Gently patting Rocco’s head, Laxus turned to Sylas, giving him a reassuring smile and tapping his shoulder.

"Come on, Sylas, stop standing around. Let’s move. Your father is already in trouble—it’s too late to save him—but we can’t let them take Rocco."

"...Damn it... I know," Sylas growled, his frustration evident.

For once, Sylas’s composure had cracked, his agitation plain for all to see.

Laxus, by contrast, remained calm and collected as he worked to soothe his companion.

Their contrasting attitudes gave Rocco a moment of clarity, though his heart continued to pound furiously in his chest.

Rocco was beginning to understand: storms in the mafia world came without warning, and once they began, there was no turning back.

The realization brought back the fear he had felt in the beginning—the terrifying reminder of the dangerous world he lived in.

"Master... What should we do?"

The shocking information that arrived unexpectedly from the jailer struck like a thunderclap.

To think that woman would drink poison and take her own life.

Where could she have hidden such poison?

No, it would be more reasonable to suspect that there’s a rat among us, someone inside the house.

Then came the letter from the Duke’s family before the news of the death was even made public.

The contents were straightforward: the Duke was accusing the head of the Di Malvento family of the murder of his daughter, and demanding that Rocco’s guardianship be renounced.

The pace of this was far too swift.

It seemed almost like a well-prepared, factory-like process.

In truth, the Duke must have orchestrated the entire plot—the death of his daughter and the subsequent move to claim Rocco as his own pawn.

"We’ve already sent the guards to the main residence... but if things continue as they are, you will be captured by the guards."

"...I know," Marcus replied, his voice heavy with resignation. "At this point, there’s no other choice. Resisting recklessly would only work against us."

He leaned his elbow on the desk, resting his forehead on his interlocked hands.

The exhaustion in his posture was palpable.

It was understandable.

Not only was Rocco being targeted by Del Fiore, but his own position was now threatened as well.

What should be done?

If the events followed the letter’s instructions, Marcus would be apprehended by the guards for the murder of the Duke’s daughter.

The Master had long carried out the kingdom’s dirty work, shouldering burdens for the royal family.

Yet now, it seemed the royals were repaying him with betrayal.

Although the royal family had remained silent for now, the only thing left to do was hope they would eventually speak in support of the Master.

"We need to consider the worst-case scenario," Marcus muttered, his gaze narrowing. "For now, we’ll appoint Sylas as the head of the family. Strasbourg, stay at the residence and assist Sylas."

"What are you saying... I am your’s aide, so naturally, I will accompany you."

While glancing at the small portrait on the wall, Marcus spoke in a voice laden with exhaustion.

When Strasbourg looked at him with an exasperated expression, the man before him wore an expression that was completely unbefitting of a mafia boss—one that looked pitiful and weak.

"...But this was a mistake caused by my own carelessness. I will take responsibility for it myself. I cannot involve you in this... You understand, right, Strasbourg?"

Where had his usual resolute demeanor gone?

Marcus whispered in a frail voice... No, he was simply a pitiful "friend," and Strasbourg sighed at him in disappointment.

"What are you saying now... We’ve been involved in this mess countless times before."

With that, Strasbourg gave a half-smile mixed with exasperation.

Hearing his words, Marcus seemed to pause slightly, as if taken aback, before eventually smiling in resignation.

As Rocco quickly returned to the Di Malvento estate, he noticed an unfamiliar carriage stopped in front of the main gate.

Standing in a tense stance, like a standoff, were unfamiliar men dressed in military uniforms.

A bad feeling crept over him, and he grabbed Sylas’s hand and started running.

"Father...!?"

Just before they reached the main gate, Rocco’s eyes widened as he saw a figure stepping from the grounds outside the gate.