Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 184: Escape into the Maze

In his mind, he was executing a series of sharp, flowing strikes.

But each one was met with a clang-clang-clang as his sword was deflected.

The last swing even sent sparks flying.

Just when his wild onslaught paused, Ithnan’s sword rushed toward him, and Damien deflected it with his own blade.

The sound of metal scraping echoed sharply, and intense sparks flew.

Wait, maybe he actually pretty good? Could he be a sword genius!?

No, Ithnan’s strikes were just well-placed to make it easy for him to block it, Damien’s rational side reminded him, but right now, he couldn’t hear that part of himself.

He just relished the moment, feeling like a strong swordsman, enjoying the challenge with Ithnan.

After catching his breath, Damien decided it was time for a break and began to sheathe his sword. He glanced at Theo’s younger brother, who was watching this scene with envy from behind the guards.

As he walked toward him, ready to say, "Next, it’s your turn," he hesitated on how to address him. He couldn’t just call him "little brother" in this situation.

Before he could find the right words, one of the guards silently stepped forward, blocking Damien from reaching Theo’s younger brother.

When the guard reached for his sword, Damien realized what was happening.

Oh, no. He remembered his role and quickly lowered himself to his knees, as did Ithnan and the others who had been standing behind him.

"We apologize for our rudeness," Damien said, feeling the shift from casual to serious.

Now was the time for the adults to take over.

At least, Damien thought, he might have left a good impression, so hopefully they would let this go.

"Ah, that was quite a remarkable display of swordsmanship. Nikolai, come closer. I shall reward you," the figure in charge called out.

Damien wasn’t sure what the reward would be, but it seemed like this was the moment for a proper send-off.

As he approached Theo’s younger brother, the guards no longer stopped him.

"Good, I will give it directly," the voice continued.

The servant who had been blocking Damien stepped aside, and Theo’s younger brother came up to him, kneeling in front of him.

"I will give this to you."

"Thank you, I am honored," Damien replied, taking the object offered with both hands, though it felt... odd.

A stone?

It seemed like just an ordinary rock, one you could find lying around anywhere.

The guards around them were smiling with faint smirks.

What’s going on? Is this some kind of prank?

As Damien pondered, Theo’s younger brother spoke in a low voice.

"...We’re going to run, follow me."

What?

"Hey, Nikolai, stand up."

This time, Theo’s younger brother spoke in a normal tone.

"Huh?"

Damien was still processing what was happening, but he stood up as told.

"Come on, follow me."

Theo’s younger brother began to walk, and Damien followed.

An inexplicable, strange time passed, and everyone around them just watched as they walked by, offering nothing but silent stares.

After about ten steps, Theo’s younger brother suddenly broke into a run.

Ah, I see. It seems the inner child inside Theo’s younger brother is still very much alive.

Damien smiled and summoned his own inner child and ran after him.

This might cause a huge problem later, but for now, he figured it would be fine as long as it was fun.

I’m sorry, Theo, Svetozar!

When Theo’s younger brother suddenly started running, Damien instinctively took off after him.

"Young master!?" one of the guards exclaimed in shock.

For a brief moment, the guards were frozen in surprise, but they quickly regained their composure and began chasing after the two boys.

Svetozar was among the guards pursuing them, but Ithnan and the others merely stood and watched, seemingly resigned while smiling wryly.

"They’re chasing us! What do we do!?" Damien called out, his voice tinged with both excitement and concern.

"This way!" Theo’s younger brother shouted back.

The boy darted into a narrow gap between nearby hedges. Damien followed him close behind, only to discover that the hedges formed a maze-like structure. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Don’t get separated!" Theo’s younger brother warned.

"Got it!" Damien replied, staying on his heels as they navigated the maze.

Was he planning to lose the guards here? It seemed plausible, but Damien wasn’t optimistic. The guards outnumbered them, and if they waited at the exit, it would all be over.

As Damien pondered their odds, Theo’s younger brother abruptly stopped in a small clearing with a modest fountain. They’d passed similar fountains earlier, but what was special about this one?

The sounds of their pursuers were growing louder. The guards were closing in. Damien glanced behind them—and then back to where the boy had been standing, only to find him gone.

Wait, what?

Panic flickered through Damien as he scanned the area. Had they gotten separated? Just as he was about to call out, a voice reached him.

"Hey, over here. Hurry up."

It was Theo’s younger brother, calling from beneath the fountain. Damien squinted and saw a small, hidden opening.

A secret passage? Of course. This kid really was like a grade schooler at heart.

Suppressing a smile, Damien slid into the hole.

"Close it behind you," the boy whispered urgently.

The passageway was surprisingly spacious, with enough light filtering in from above to illuminate the way. It wasn’t hard to walk, though voices from above could still be heard faintly.

"Did you find them?"

"No, not here!"

The boy gestured for Damien to follow him, and they continued along the passage.

Where does this lead? Damien wondered. And more importantly, wasn’t this some kind of emergency escape route meant for nobles? Should the boy really be showing him something like this?

Well, it was too late to turn back now. Damien resolved to figure out a way to ensure Theo’s younger brother wouldn’t get into trouble for this.

After walking for a while, the boy finally stopped. They had reached a dead end—a solid wall.