Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 232: A Proposal for Change

They had only recently been reassigned as Damien’s retainers, and it didn’t seem like Theo’s house had received any replacements for them yet. Returning would likely pose no issues.

The real challenge, however, lay with the others: Zima and Ithnan, who, despite being skilled, were slaves, and Damien himself, who frankly wasn’t competent in much of anything.

After hearing Leonide’s proposal, Theo pondered for a moment before speaking.

"There’s no issue with Leonide and the others. As for Damien, assuming he commits to learning and improving, I don’t foresee any problems either."

At that point, Theo’s gaze inevitably shifted to Zima and Ithnan.

"The problem lies with Zima and Ithnan. I’m sorry, but no matter how capable they are, it is against the principles of this household to employ slaves as staff."

"It would mean being placed in positions as menial workers or servants. Are you all still okay with that?"

Theo’s stance wasn’t surprising—he had mentioned it before when the topic of purchasing slaves had come up. In Theo’s household, the servants were exclusively from noble families or affluent commoner backgrounds. Mixing slaves into that group would be out of the question.

After hearing Theo’s words, Zima hesitated briefly, glanced at Damien, and then nodded.

Ithnan and the others, having heard Theo’s statement through translation, simply responded that, as long as they could stay by their master’s side, they didn’t mind.

Upon receiving their replies, Theo gave a small nod.

"If that’s the case, I see no issue with welcoming all of you. However, this will undeniably bring significant changes—not only to them but also to myself and the entirety of Damien’s harem. Can you tell me what benefits this arrangement offers to justify such a shift?"

Damien seemed to be the only one caught off guard by Theo’s casual mention of a "harem."

No one else reacted, and since the conversation was serious, Damien decided to let it slide for now.

Theo was right, though. Leonide’s proposal would ripple across many lives.

For Theo, stepping down as heir was one such change, though it aligned with his personal wishes.

As for Leonide and the others, they’d go back to being household staff after having been elevated to retainers. Would they really be okay with that? They’d been so enthusiastic about their promotion.

The biggest concern, however, lay with Zima and Ithnan.

Damien didn’t fully understand what roles like "menial worker" or "servant" entailed, but from the sound of it, they didn’t seem like ideal jobs.

The only ones seemingly unaffected were the two elves.

Considering the scale of these changes, what exactly was Leonide hoping to achieve?

With all eyes on him, Leonide finally spoke.

"The advantage of this proposal," Leonide began, "is that it aims to make Master Damien an ordinary citizen. Considering Master Damien’s goal of ’adapting to this world,’ living as a commoner and interacting with regular people would be far more effective than remaining as a noble. If possible, we’d prefer for him to be employed as an external servant rather than residing in the manor."

Ah, that made sense.

Indeed, Damien thought, it might be easier to understand this world if he lived among its ordinary citizens rather than interacting exclusively with the upper class as a noble.

Of course, a large part of the issue was that Damien rarely left the estate. Most of the people around him were either his lovers or those who served him.

Although he wasn’t sure what his life would look like once he fully took on the duties of a baron, it seemed likely that it would just involve more superficial socializing.

From that perspective, becoming a servant might not be a bad idea.

...But still, the fact that this plan would affect so many people was a significant concern.

"I see," Theo responded thoughtfully. "In that case, if external employment is approved, does that mean you’re proposing a communal living arrangement for everyone?"

"Yes, that’s what we’re envisioning," Leonide confirmed.

Ah, so that was a possibility, Damien mused.

It sounded like it would be a lot of fun—going to the manor with everyone, working together, and maybe stopping somewhere on the way back home.

Yes, that did seem enjoyable.

The thought brought back fond memories of his daily life on Earth.

"...But wouldn’t that mean I’d be the only one actually living at the manor?"

Oh.

Damien suddenly realized the implication.

The group hurried to calm Theo, who was now sulking slightly.

Damien realized he had automatically assumed Theo would always be with him. He had even been daydreaming about commuting with him, completely forgetting that his "workplace" was his own estate, meaning he would naturally remain there.

"Wait a second!" Theo suddenly exclaimed, narrowing his eyes. "Could it be that your real goal is to separate me from Damien?!"

"Come on, Theo, that’s a bit of a stretch," Damien interjected, trying to dismiss his suspicion.

Right? Leonide?

"Hey, Leonide, why don’t you look me in the eye and answer that?" Damien added, his tone growing firmer as he noticed Leonide continuing to avoid his gaze.

Leonide seemed to be breaking into a cold sweat.

Leonide, seriously?!

"Damien... a man in love cannot remain an angel forever," Theo muttered cryptically.

"Theo, what are you even saying?!" Damien exclaimed, bewildered.

"Well," Theo said with a sly grin, "if that’s the game, I’m more than happy to play. A battle for love—or should I call it a contest to steal my beloved? Bring it on."

His tone was unsettlingly cheerful as he uttered those ominous words.

"Go ahead, make your move anytime," he added with a mischievous smile. "Just know that I’ll counter with my own authority as head of the household. How does a ’Damien Stays Over Alone Night’ sound?"

"Tch..." Leonide clicked his tongue in frustration, clearly defeated by Theo’s smug declaration.

Theo’s expression radiated the kind of deviousness one might expect from a stereotypical noble indulging in mischief, while Leonide looked thoroughly vexed.

Well, Damien thought, at least they both seem to be having fun.