Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 279: Augusto’s Healing

Damien had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed still made his stomach sink.

He had hoped for some other explanation, however unlikely, but it seemed there wasn’t one.

"I’d heard his treatment was harsh, but I didn’t think it was this bad," Damien said, frustration creeping into his voice. "What could have happened to make him like this? No offense, but he’s in really bad shape."

Isaac and Miria’s earlier reactions had been telling—they’d been too shocked to hide their dismay.

Whatever had happened to Augusto, it had been enough to leave even them stunned.

"It seems," Theo said carefully, "that he was subjected to excessive and relentless demands for self-reflection. He was forced to constantly denounce his parents, point out his own flaws, confess every minor misdeed he’d ever committed, no matter how trivial, and explain how he repented for them. He was made to attempt impossible tasks and then berated for failing. And this went on... endlessly."

"What the hell...?" Damien’s jaw tightened.

"Are the nobles who took him in even okay mentally?" he asked, the disbelief evident in his tone.

"To be honest," Theo admitted with a bitter smile, "I have my doubts as well. They were a person of strong principles—just, serious, and fiercely loyal. But... perhaps those traits became warped, leading to this behavior."

Damien couldn’t hold back his anger. "Warped or not, that’s no excuse. He’s a kid! And it’s not like he was even involved in the attempted rebellion. What were they thinking?"

Theo’s expression softened but grew more pained asshe answered. "Perhaps it’s hard for you to understand, Damien, but in this world, the head of a house’s sin is the house’s sin. A parent’s crime is the child’s burden. That belief runs deep here. While I agree it was excessive, it’s not something I can outright condemn."

"Even so," Damien argued, frustration clear, "there has to be a limit. What they did... it’s way beyond reason."

Damien, his anger boiling over, was about to launch into a tirade when Leonide raised his hand to stop him.

"Master, I understand your anger, but shouldn’t we focus on what to do about Augusto now?"

...He was right.

As infuriating as it was, the damage had already been done, and taking it out on Theo wouldn’t change anything.

It wasn’t his fault, after all.

Damien took a few deep breaths to calm his frayed nerves.

"Thank you, Leonide. You’re right—we need to focus on Augusto first. And Theo, I’m sorry for snapping at you."

He bowed his head slightly toward Leonide and Theo, offering them an apologetic smile.

"It’s nothing," Leonide replied with a faint smirk. "Honestly, a more relaxed look suits you better, Master."

"No need to worry," Theo said, his tone warm but tinged with regret. "I understand how you feel, and I apologize for not foreseeing this outcome myself."

Damien shook his head. "From what I understand, the people Augusto was entrusted to were reasonable before this. If that’s true, then it couldn’t have been helped."

He tried to reassure Theo, but Leonide’s earlier remark didn’t escape him.

A sly idea crossed Damien’s mind.

He’d address it later—with a playful punishment. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

A quick glare in Leonide’s direction caused the boy to blush, his cheeks turning a rosy pink.

...Why did Leonide always seem to pick up on Damien’s thoughts?

Still, the moment lightened the tense atmosphere, and Damien decided to press on.

"Alright, let’s focus on a plan. What should we do for Augusto?"

He looked around the table, particularly toward Sebas, hoping for suggestions.

However, everyone seemed deep in thought, their brows furrowed.

Even Sebas who is usually quick with ideas, remained silent.

"Maybe we should consult a doctor," Damien mused aloud, considering whether professional help might be the answer.

"Theo, are there counselors in this world? People who help others work through their problems?"

Theo tilted her head thoughtfully. "There are confessions at the temple, which serve a similar purpose. Some might also turn to exorcists, but personally, I wouldn’t rely on them for this sort of issue."

"Exorcists?" Damien echoed while raising an eyebrow.

It sounded intriguing, but somehow he doubted it would help Augusto.

"What about a doctor?" Damien pressed.

"There aren’t any physicians who specialize in such matters," Theo admitted.

Damien sighed. "I see... Well, even in my world, mental health care only really advanced with modern science and technology."

He paused, an idea sparking. "What about magic? Are there spells to help with this kind of thing?"

Theo hesitated. "There are spells that can harm the mind, but as for healing it... I’ve never heard of any."

Damien frowned, his frustration mounting again.

Healing Augusto was proving to be an uphill battle, but he wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

It seemed even magic had its limits.

Damien resolved to ask Elyon about it later, just in case.

While he mulled over the problem, Lucian raised a hand hesitantly.

"Um... what about incense? There are types with strong relaxation effects."

That made sense—starting with something to help Augusto calm down seemed like a reasonable first step.

"Good idea. Let’s try that. Does anyone else have suggestions for things that might make him feel more at ease? Maybe... I could just spoil him completely?" Damien joked, hoping to lighten the atmosphere.

To his surprise, no one laughed.

Instead, the group remained serious, deep in thought.

It didn’t land.

Damien sighed internally.

He’d tried to break the tension, but the mood remained heavy.

Alright, no more jokes—time to think seriously.

What could bring some lightness back into Augusto’s life?

Just as Damien was diving into his thoughts, Leonide raised his hand.

"Actually... I think that’s not a bad idea."

Damien blinked, confused. "That?"

"I was thinking the same thing," Theo chimed in, nodding. "Leonide has a point—it might just work."

Even Sebas and the others were nodding their agreement.

It was as if everyone had reached a consensus, except Damien himself.

"Wait... what are you all talking about?" he asked, swallowing his embarrassment.