Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 182: Challenge in the Garden

"I’ve heard, recently, that my brother has a favorite human at the mansion. I think the name was different, but is it you?"

Theo’s younger brother looked at Damien with a sly grin.

"No way! My brother wouldn’t have..."

"I didn’t ask you. Or is your brother mute? It seems like my brother’s taste is rather... questionable."

Damien realized the situation was likely exposed.

Theo’s younger brother didn’t know his face, but it seemed clear that he knew Damien was Theo’s hidden lover.

He had heard that Theo’s younger brother wasn’t the best student, but it seemed like he also wasn’t an idiot.

Still, Damien couldn’t admit in front of everyone that he was Theo’s lover.

"That’s an outrageous assumption," Damien said, trying to denied it.

Though it didn’t deny nor confirm anything, it was the best he could do. Maybe that would work... or not?

Theo’s younger brother, still grinning, shifted his gaze to Ithnan and the others.

"Are those lizard slaves yours?"

That irritated Damien.

Under the laws of the country, slaves were required to have their marks visible, so it was clear Ithnan and the others were slaves. He couldn’t exactly claim them as Theo’s servants.

"They’re my bodyguards—Dragonnewts," Damien responded firmly.

Theo’s younger brother snorted dismissively.

"Make the lizards do some tricks for me."

That really got on Damien’s nerves.

"These ones are my bodyguards, not performers," Damien said, realizing he had spoken out of turn.

It was a mistake to speak out when he was angry. He had blurted it out before he could stop himself.

Svetozar’s face showed clear concern as he looked at the situation. What should he do now?

"Oh? You dare defy me? Even though you’re my brother’s subordinate, for a mere retainer to go against me like this is utterly disrespectful," Theo’s younger brother said, his tone becoming more heated.

The surrounding guards were also starting to get riled up, muttering things like "Indeed," and "Such disrespect!" as they escalated the situation.

Damien felt like he had really messed up.

"I’ll give you one more chance. If you don’t want to end up in a disrespectful duel, make your lizard perform for me," Theo’s younger brother demanded, a malicious grin spreading across his face.

Damien was seething with anger. The urge to punch that smug grin off his face was overwhelming.

He took a deep breath, imagining what it would be like to punch the brat in the face.

Then, just as he considered doing something ridiculous like performing a naked dance to appease him, Ithnan stepped forward.

"If it’s sword dancing you want, I shall demonstrate," Ithnan said, offering to perform.

"No, but..." Damien hesitated.

Ithnan, smiling broadly, stood up with a swift motion.

The bodyguards reacted, murmuring excitedly.

Theo’s younger brother took a step back, visibly startled.

"I will perform with my humble dance, and I hope you will forgive the spectacle!" Ithnan announced with pride.

The guards, their hands already on their weapons, stepped back as Ithnan boldly took his stance, seemingly unfazed by their reactions.

Damien couldn’t help but think how cool Ithnan looked in that moment.

"I apologize for the interruption," Damien said, quickly stepping in. "He insists on showcasing his sword dance. Is that acceptable?"

At this point, it was clear that the focus was no longer on the brat making the demands. The atmosphere had shifted, and now Ithnan was the main attraction.

"Well, if he insists on performing, I suppose we can watch," Theo’s younger brother said, trying to maintain his pompous air while reluctantly agreeing.

"Ithnan, you have permission. Show them your skill," Damien ordered, his voice firm.

"Yes, sir!" Ithnan responded with a sharp salute, before moving to an open space in front of the gazebo.

With a smooth motion, Ithnan unsheathed his sword and began to demonstrate several stances, before flowing into a dance-like display. The sword cut through the air sharply, then with power that seemed to shatter rocks.

Damien, entranced, watched as Ithnan’s performance grew more intense. The beauty of the movement was paired with such force that it drew in the audience.

The rhythm of the dance shifted, and a sense of melancholy seemed to seep into the once-spirited performance. Even though Ithnan danced alone, the imagery of a lone warrior fighting on a battlefield was clear.

Theo’s younger brother stood frozen, unable to take his eyes off Ithnan’s performance.

"I beg your pardon, sir," Damien was interrupted by Thalatha, who approached him.

Damien was confused at first, but his confusion quickly turned to alarm as Thalatha, wielding his halberd-like weapon, attacked Ithnan from behind!

But Ithnan, as if they had rehearsed, effortlessly blocked the attack without even turning around. The clash of blades sparked in the air, and Damien heard someone mutter a low "Whoa" in shock.

The two men continued their silent clash, blades flashing as sparks flew with each strike. Their movements became fluid, dancing between attacks, until their steps began to slow.

The sound of their blades clashing shifted from high-pitched, metallic sounds to the heavy, resounding clangs of weapons striking with real force.

Damien’s stomach tightened with worry. This wasn’t just training anymore—this was real combat.

Even Theo’s younger brother, who had been so smug earlier, was watching with bated breath.

"We’ll join in as well, sir," two small figures—Arba’a and Sitta—said in unison as they rose to their feet, drawing their short swords.

"Wait, you’re going to join in? On that fight!?" Damien thought, horrified.

Though everyone’s weapons were training swords with blunted edges, the force of those blows could easily break bones.

Damien reached out to stop them, but the two of them dashed forward, charging toward Ithnan from behind.

"Why do you always attack from behind!?" he thought in frustration, feeling helpless.

Ithnan, who had been in a sword lock with Thalatha, seemed to notice the two of them charging at him from behind. Without a sound, he adjusted his position and deflected Thalatha’s naginata with a swift change in stance.