Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]-Chapter 172: The Adorable Crybaby Strategy

"Exactly! Good job, Rocco! Here’s a chocolate as a reward!"

The cookies were long gone, so Rocco casually pushed his now-empty plate aside.

Laxus, noticing this, plucked a piece of chocolate from the remaining stash and held it up to his mouth.

Rocco didn’t need to be fed, of course.

He was perfectly capable of eating on his own.

Still... rather than argue, he simply took the chocolate and popped it into his mouth.

Mmm.

Delicious.

"But you see," Laxus continued, his voice practically dripping with mischief, "Sylas and I had a brilliant idea after listening to you talk just now."

Something about his tone made Rocco pause.

He looked up and tilted his head slightly in curiosity.

Laxus, wearing the brightest of grins, dramatically spread his arms and announced.

"Behold! The ultimate, foolproof, heart-melting ’Super Adorable Rocco Crybaby Appeal Strategy’!"

"...What."

What kind of idiotic, pathetic excuse for a plan was that?

Laxus had said we, which made Rocco think Sylas was in on this nonsense.

But judging from Sylas’s utterly exasperated expression, it was clear this was entirely Laxus’s doing.

Poor guy.

He really puts up with a lot.

Rocco, still chewing on his chocolate, cocked his head in question.

"Super adorable something-or-other strategy?"

Laxus chuckled smugly.

"Sylas and I will propose a legal revision to the royal family!" he declared. "We’ll argue that when it comes to parental rights, the child’s wishes should take priority. But—"

He flashed a knowing grin.

"The world is full of idiots. Just saying it out loud won’t convince anyone..."

At that moment, a hand gently landed on Rocco’s head.

It was Sylas.

If given the chance, Sylas would pet Rocco’s head or pull him into a hug at any moment.

He really wished he’d ease up on that habit...

Too much of it makes me flustered.

So flustered.

Too flustered.

"...Basically, Rocco just has to stand before the council and cry his way into winning over the audience."

"Mmrrgh? What do you mean?"

Sylas said it with a completely straight face, but Rocco didn’t understand at all.

Wow.

He’s really bad at explaining things, huh?

Shaking his head in mild exasperation, Rocco popped the last piece of chocolate into his mouth.

And then—gasp!—his snacks were gone.

Resigned to his fate, he simply slumped his shoulders in silent sorrow.

Fortunately, Laxus, noticing Sylas’s poor explanation, stepped in with a chuckle.

"To put it simply," Laxus began, "we need you to stand before the council and tearfully expose all the horrible things the duke and your late mother did."

Rocco blinked.

"...We do?"

Laxus nodded.

"You’re so adorable, Rocco. Just the sight of you crying will win everyone’s sympathy."

Rocco narrowed his eyes.

"Wait a sec."

That sounded ridiculous.

He let Laxus’s words sink in for a moment.

And then it hit him.

That plan makes me look unbelievably lame, doesn’t it?!

"Isn’t there some way I can do something cooler instead?" he asked, hopeful.

Sylas immediately shut that down.

"We never even considered such an option."

That quickly? Without even thinking about it?!

Rocco pouted.

"Now I kinda wanna cry for real..."

"Look," Laxus continued cheerfully, "your greatest weapon is, let’s be honest, your face."

"...Excuse me?"

"That cute little face and that tiny body of yours."

"...And?"

"If you talk too much, people might realize you’re kinda, y’know... not the sharpest tool in the shed. So we’d prefer if you just focused on crying."

"Mmmrrgh! I’m not dumb!!"

Laxus’s merciless words were delivered with a dazzling smile.

Even Rocco had a limit to his patience.

With a little huff, he hopped off the sofa and marched right up to Laxus, who was lounging on the opposite couch.

Then, with all the fury of a mildly offended kitten, Rocco balled his fists and began lightly smacking Laxus in protest.

"Take that! And that!!"

Laxus, still grinning ear to ear, let out a delighted, "Whoa! Ahh~ so scary~!"

...

...No effect.

What?!

"Wh-why?! Why isn’t it working?! Grrr!!"

"Oh no~!" Laxus gasped dramatically. "Don’t cry, Rocco! It hurts so much! Oh nooo~!" frёewebnoѵēl.com

...

Too late.

He was literally laughing just a second ago.

Laxus’s calm and smug attitude made Rocco so frustrated that he couldn’t help but puff up his cheeks, his eyes brimming with unshed tears as he trembled in anger.

Laxus immediately reached out and cupped Rocco’s cheeks, gently squishing them as if to soothe him.

But—hmph!—Rocco wasn’t going to forgive him so easily!

Sniff sniff. Hmph hmph!

"I’m sorry, Rocco," Laxus cooed. "Rocco is such a cool and smart kid, right? You’re not a silly little dummy. I said something weird, and I’m so sorry. Won’t you please forgive me?"

"...Mmmph. No way!" Rocco huffed. "I’m definitely not dumb, not even a little bit!"

"Yes, yes. I’m sorry," Laxus replied, still grinning. "You’re so cute when you pout like that. Sooo cute."

"No calling me cute either!" Rocco barked. "I’m cool!"

Laxusdidn’t look even the slightest bit remorseful, but... well, he did apologize, so Rocco supposed he’d let it slide.

Still sulking, he puffed out his cheeks and stomped back to his own sofa.

With a huff, he plopped down and crossed his arms.

Sylas, sitting beside him, reached out and began patting his head.

Oi.

That’s not allowed. You’ll make me sleepy...

"You’re a good boy, Rocco," Sylas said. "Shall we start practicing? If you can cry just like that in front of the council, you’ll be perfect. From the young nobles to the old geezers, every last one of them will surrender to your overwhelming adorableness and bow before you."

...

Ah.

Sylas was hopeless, too.

There’s not a single person here who understands my struggles...

With that realization, Rocco turned on his heel and began trotting toward the door.

The conversation seemed to have reached a stopping point, so it should be fine if he left now, right?

With that in mind, Rocco made a beeline for the only normal person in the Di Malvento household—Ragar.

Yes.

Only a snack break could restore his inner peace.