Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]
Chapter 181: A Father’s Return

Chapter 181: A Father’s Return

Standing in front of him was the man with the bow and arrow, the same man who had appeared in the past when Wimburg had met that person.

"Y-you... What do you want? What is this about?" Wimburg stammered.

"You know why I’m here," the man replied coldly. "Master had ordered me to dispose of you. You’re nothing more than a useless ’pawn’ now."

Wimburg’s words were cut off by the man’s indifferent statement as he approached with measured steps.

The presence of death loomed heavily in the air, and Rocco knew that escape was impossible.

Even though he knew it was hopeless, his instincts screamed for him to run, his legs trembling in fear.

His back pressed against the desk, and as he leaned helplessly backward, the man unhesitatingly nocked another arrow, aiming it directly at him.

"You know the truth about my master. You also know about our plans. Unfortunately, you can’t be allowed to live."

The arrow shimmered faintly at the tip

At that moment, all of Wimburg’s past actions flashed before his eyes like a flickering film.

It all started with his encounter with that person.

Then came the ruthless acts of selling his own daughter to the mafia, repeating cruel deeds because he wanted a powerful tool with superior blood.

He even resorted to violence against his own daughter, imprisoning a young child in his arms, planning to subject them to a brutal education.

Now, Wimburg didn’t even know when he had strayed so far from the path.

It was all a blur.

"You were never part of our alliance," the man continued coldly. "These are the last words your master has for you."

The man released the arrow.

It pierced Wimburg’s forehead.

As the red sea of blood spread through his vision, everything around him was swallowed by darkness.

...

"Dad!!"

Rocco had been anxiously waiting outside the royal guard headquarters, and when he finally saw the familiar figure emerge from the entrance, he couldn’t help but burst into tears and rush forward.

Despite not shedding a single tear during the council meeting, he now found himself overwhelmed with emotion.

With tears flowing like a waterfall, he cried out and, upon catching his father’s attention, threw himself into his embrace.

"Rocco...!"

"Dad! Dad! I’m so glad! Uhh...!"

Without hesitation, strong arms wrapped around Rocco’s back, and he was effortlessly lifted up by his father, who then nuzzled his face against Rocco’s neck.

Rocco could feel his father’s face pressing against the top of his head, leaving a sweet kiss that made his cheeks flush slightly with the unexpected tenderness.

Sniffling and with a red face, Rocco glanced up and met Strasbourg’s gaze over his father’s shoulder.

For a brief moment, they froze, but then Rocco quickly relaxed and extended a hand.

Strasbourg softened his eyes, smiling gently as he took Rocco’s hand in his own.

"Sniff... Strasbourg, welcome back. Thank you for protecting my father."

"No need for thanks. I’ve only been making tea, at most," Strasbourg replied with a smile. "But I’ve heard you’ve worked hard to rescue the head of the family... for that, I am truly grateful."

Rocco panicked slightly, trying to dismiss Strasbourg’s modesty.

There was no way he had done more than Strasbourg, who was far more capable.

He’d ended up making Strasbourg humble himself once again.

As Rocco fumbled, his father pulled him into a tight hug, then took a step forward, narrowing his eyes.

When Rocco turned to look, he saw Sylas standing silently, seemingly responding to his father’s gaze.

The two shared an intense, wordless exchange as they stared at each other.

After several moments of silence, it was Marcus who spoke first.

"...Well done."

"...Yes."

His father’s praise was short and low, and as he began to walk away, Rocco, startled by the lack of further reaction, quickly moved to block his father’s path, raising both hands to stop him.

When he did, as expected, Marcus came to an immediate halt, his view now blocked.

He raised an eyebrow and frowned, which made Rocco puff out his cheeks, frustrated.

"Dad! What was that just now!? Big brother had worked so hard to save you, you should be thanking him!"

"..."

"Not ’well done,’ but ’thank you!’ You big dummy! You fool!"

Rocco slapped his father’s cheek repeatedly, expressing his irritation at his father’s neglectful response.

It seemed like hitting Rocco’s father in the face might hurt if it landed on his nose or eyes, so he resorted to the bizarre and angry action of slapping his father’s cheeks instead.

Eventually, his father grabbed Rocco’s hand, sighed deeply, and with his cheeks still slightly flushed, he gave a small, almost inaudible mutter.

"...I’m saved... thank you..."

The voice was so small it could easily have been lost in the wind, and Rocco almost wondered if anyone else would have heard it if the wind had been any stronger.

It seemed Sylas had caught it, though.

Slowly but surely, Sylas’s eyes widened in shock, his gaze fixed on Rocco’s father with an expression that seemed as if he were witnessing something impossible.

"...Yes."

In contrast to his earlier emotionless response, Sylas’s voice was now strained and mixed with emotion.

Rocco furrowed his brow. "Well, I suppose that’s acceptable..."

His father pulled him close again and then set off walking at a quick pace.

Rocco glanced over his father’s shoulder at Sylas and Strasbourg.

Sylas was looking down, his face shadowed, so his expression was hard to read.

Next to him, Strasbourg had his eyebrows lowered in a smile and, for some reason, silently bowed his head in Rocco’s direction.

Rocco felt confused and unsure if the bow was a thank you.

He hadn’t really done anything to deserve it.

But, unsure, he simply clung tighter to his father as they silently made their way toward the carriage.

It was then that Rocco, puzzled by the strange atmosphere, tilted his head.

Just then, he felt an odd breeze above him, and suddenly, his father came to a complete stop.