MEMORIES AND ABU HORMUZ

Volume 2 Chapter 2 - The Unworthy Executives

“...And that's how it happened!”

Haruhiro still did not understand what had happened even though he had heard the stories from his friends. Marco, Barto, Alice, Vina, and Lusi sat in the back seat of the corner of Sherry's tavern, but there were not only them. Those who were drinking near them also listened. Haruhiro became a little embarrassed as attention was drawn to him.

He confirmed his voice and continued. “Again, Hector's team is amazing. And Hector is an amazing person. That Orc, IshhDogran also looks very strong, and half a round of fighting, I think Hector will lose. But he didn't lose. That's not it either. It was like he was making it up, like he had cheated the orc. Although I am absolutely sure that his left hand can no longer be used.”

“Whoa!” Marco ruffled and pulled his already messy hair. “So you said that the loss was actually his ace? And he still kept it until he got a bigger loss?! Crazy one! You show-off guy! Goddamnit! I can also do that! One hundred percent, I can do it!”

Vina stared intently at him. “So you're okay dying in a mess?”

“I won't screw up! There's no way I'll mess up! That's already a fact.”

Alice who finally bought a new hat also looked demeaning. “What makes you so sure?”

“What? Um... Because..” Marco was silent while thinking. Although in the end, it does not seem he will answer. He replied, “Stupid! I don't need a useless excuse! I just understand! TRUST YOURSELF! It's all just a matter of confidence!”

Lusi only sighed softly while pulling the ceramic cup into his mouth. “I think it's true.”

“See?! Lusi agrees with me! You're all amateurs and he's a veteran so he's right and you're wrong! Base matir!”

“But overconfidence may also end your life,” he added slowly, while looking at Marco meaningfully.

“Eh... “ Marco seems to have no reply for him.

Lusi has told the truth. He knows more than others. Three of his old Party friends died because of it. Since things looked fine in their eyes, they ended up forcing themselves, and fell into a disaster.

“Ta-but still,” complains Barto. As usual, his beloved helmet was on the table by his side. “Tim Hector is absolutely amazing. We all arrived here at the same time, but they are way above us.”.

As Haruhiro ended his story “Hector the Legend”, the other people listening around his desk laughed very loosely and patted Haruhiro on the shoulder.

“Work hard and go after them, O exterminator of Goblin!” they mocked him, and went back to their respective affairs.

Marco stuck his tongue out and hissed at them, “Sial. Don't think we're losers!”

“Udah, do not be angry,” exclaimed Vina, leaning chin with both hands. “Vina thinks we're okay with our disappointment.”

“You mean maybe our speed, Vina.” Haruhiro somewhat confirmed, nodding in agreement. “And I agree. I mean, now that I've seen how Hector acts, he's like he was born of a different blood. We can't replicate it even if we try, and to be honest, I feel like we won't get anything if we keep our attention on it.”.

[The birth of a different blood means: he is like a person who has special advantages that other normal people do not have.]

“Forcing ourselves...” Alice started, but fell silent again.

His gaze fell to the floor, it seemed like he was really trying to hold back what he wanted to reveal. Perhaps he recalled his precious friend, who was gone.

“And if we end up with a state where we can't run anywhere, maybe we will lose everything,” Haruhiro exclaimed.

“You all have no ambition!” Marco points to Vina, Haruhiro, and Alice. “Do you know how miserable you are?! No sacrifice, no result! Not brave, not successful! Don't take any chances, you won't get anything! If you want great results, then you have to be brave and take risks!”

Haruhiro felt his head boil. “I think it would be better if we minimize the risk and maximize the results as much as we can. In fact, that's what we've done until now.”

“Until now, huh.” Marco scoffed in annoyance. “I will tell you right now and right now, that's why we keep falling behind! You don't understand it? Guys, look around you!”

“What's around us?” haruhiro was skeptical, but he looked around.

As he looked at it, he realized what Marco meant. Of all the Red MooN members gathered in Sherry's tavern, their looks were the saddest. But Haruhiro feels they can't do anything about their performances. Most of their armor and weapons were second-hand, and since they lived in huts together without keys, they always carried precious items without daring to leave them at home.

No matter where they went, whether they were in Damroww or in Sherry's shop; they wore the same clothes. Sure enough, it made their appearance look seedy and dirty.

“What did you guys think of it before?” Marco quibbled patiently, and knocked on the table with his index finger. “So care what if Hector is on a very different level? He started everything at the same time as us! Don't talk nonsense like ‘there's nothing we can do about it all’. Now we are in a different environment!”

Barto lowered his head, and looked at Hector. “What do you mean?”

Hector continued. “From what I heard, a new troupe has arrived. We are not new guests anymore. Before our group, there were three groups. In fact, they hadn't even bought a contract with Red MooN, but they were arguably an unusual case. Now, our group has twelve people, but this group is bigger. They were still training with their guild right now, but it would be over soon. They will form a Party and will probably start hunting at Damroww.”

“Emang ‘napa?” cetus Vina with a frown. “If they come yes justin ajalah. If we are maruk and want to continue to keep the area for ourselves, what will we do if we get into trouble? And Vina thinks that if there are more parties, we can work together and beat the bigger Gobbie group.”

Haruhiro acknowledged Vina's opinion, but Haruhiro felt he could not welcome the newcomer as Vina thought. Without Lusi, Haruhiro Party was the worst among all the Red MooN members. They do not deny that they are the weakest and least effective.

But as Marco just said. Haruhiro is aware that they are currently behind, and when the latest rookie comes along, there may be nothing more they can do about it. But their circumstances will change soon. They are no longer newcomers.

If they underestimated it too much, they might be overtaken by a new entourage. Isn't that too.... too sad?

“I don't think it's a good thing to be too hasty,” said Lusi, as if he had glared into Haruhiro's mind.

Maybe he's right. Even though they wanted to continue advancing, they could only do a few things. Maybe some people can pass the steps or fly into space, but not with Haruhiro. If it fails means they have to repeat everything from zero, then it doesn't matter. But the fact is, failure means they will actually die. It would be better to walk little by little, and improve their abilities consistently.

But a small voice in Haruhiro's heart whispered. Are you sure you're really thriving? Are you sure you can still climb the stairs? Or do you just keep going around in circles on the spot?

“What if,” Haruhiro takes a risk, he deliberately keeps his head down staring at the table, it seems he is not brave enough to look into the eyes of his friends, “And this is really still wishful... I don't expect you to agree with my opinion..... But what if we try a place other than Damroww? We can't keep hunting goblins, can we? I don't think it's a bad thing if we go somewhere else, maybe. Surely we don't have to move, but it looks like we'll take root if we keep on being at Damroww. Hunting in the same place may make us bored, and after bored we may be off guard or like that. I think maybe we need something new and challenging. But I think it's just a proposal.”.

“Haruhirooooo,” exclaimed Marco, by whispering every ear, “Sometimes you can say a good idea well. Only sometimes! And of course I totally agree with that!”

“Then,” Vina replied without missing a second, “Vina reject.”

“So did I,” said Alice.

It is clear that Vina and Alice's rejection is based on their dislike of Marco. Barto did not answer immediately, but he looked like he was thinking carefully. What about Lusi? How's think? Haruhiro could not understand a single thing from his expression nor his body language.

“I myself am also not sure,” said Haruhiro, while stroking the back of his head. “That's just a supposition. Something I suddenly thought about. But we've been exploring Damroww's Old Town from end to end, and I think it might be a good idea if we think about what we're going to do next.”

“Next?” Vina spun her braids together, pulling them left and right. “If today's result is good, isn't that enough? What's wrong with doing the same thing every day? We have not had much trouble fighting lately, and we have also started saving enough money. Vina doesn't matter the same.”

“That's because you have no desire to change your life!” Marco poked his tongue out toward Vina. “Maybe you're not human, because if you're human, you should grow up. You like **** in the cage!”

“Baby ****it's funny!” celetus Vina's. “But the baby pig so **** big old, he's not funny anymore, so Vina thought it's better the baby pig didn't grow at all!”

“What?” exclaim Marco. “Why all of a sudden do we even talk about babies ****? What does baby**** have to do with us? I don't understand what's wrong with you!”

“That's because Marco was stupid. Not wrong Vina,” Vina answered ketus.

“Stop blaming others constantly! And I'm not stupid, you're stupid!”

“Idiot! The lemot! *****!”

“Damn it!”

“Can you two stop that?” barto exclaimed, but his voice was too soft and had no impact.

Haruhiro took a sip of lemonade ice from his wooden cup. Is he in too much of a hurry to develop? He could not really resist his feelings to increase their rate of development, but also did not think too much about chasing after Team Hector. Really, they are on a different level. However, is it okay to survive in such a situation?

He could understand how Vina meant, but what if they were completely surpassed by the next entourage? Haruhiro really can't take it. Maybe he'll be a little embarrassed if that happens. Or maybe really embarrassed.

What exactly is their purpose? From any point of view, the goal is simply to survive, at least for now. To live from day to day, and to keep the standard of living necessities to a minimum.

Now they have a Red MooN membership contract, so they can stay in the cottage for free. The cottage was shabby, but it could still withstand the wind and rain. And because the residence is only useful for sleeping, the money they should have saved to buy a house, can now be collected little by little. Cheap food can also be obtained if they know the place, so spending on food can be minimized.

But surviving in a shanty cottage and bidding on food for life are traits of a destitute life. It would be best if they could rent a room with locked door facilities for a month, or maybe at least a week, or so. There will be more personal desires next, so they will continue to carry a lot of things wherever they go.

If they continue to hunt at Damroww, they may be able to get a better place to live. They don't have to take any risks, and they don't have to push themselves too much. What if they end up having a new challenge and end up with a disaster?

Maybe they'll die. It's not impossible. Being stricken by a calamity meant that they would actually die, nothing else. Like Udin. Haruhiro did not want anyone's death to repeat itself. He didn't want to repeat that mistake again, so that now puts a lot of pressure.

The question becomes if their lives are at stake, then what's wrong with just doing what they're used to right now? After all, as Haruhiro thought about it, he realized that after they bought the Red MooN membership contract, they returned to Damrow instead of looking for money, learning new skills, or magic, or buy weapons and armor. No more. In fact, their current purpose is unclear.

Everyone's enthusiasm will be greater if they move to pursue one clear goal. There is a sense of alertness, a need to push them to be better. Everyone knew that without becoming stronger, they would never succeed in avenging Udin.

But that day has passed. A good job, the mission has been successful. And Goblin killer Udin was sent to hell.

Or so Haruhiro felt. Would he be able to say it between now or later, wouldn't it all become negligent? Don't they all feel comfortable and satisfied with themselves?

Not that, continuing what they used to do was bad. It means simplicity and simple living. But haruhiro can't do anything, it might have a bad impact on them as well.

When no one made a proposal, this conversation ended in an unclear conclusion.

Alice innocently suggested, “Um, can we suffice the conversation to get here?”

Haruhiro and the others stood up, bid farewell to Luci at the exit, and walked back to their cottage. Halfway through, Haruhiro stopped.

“You guys go first,” he told the others. “I want to, uh..”

“You want to go?” Vina blinked. “You what? Is something wrong?”

“Err... toilet! Yeah, go to the toilet! I don't think I can hold it anymore, so..”.

Marco grunted softly. “Quit behind a bush or something. There's a lot around here. We will wait for you.”

“There is no way I pee in a public place,” replied Haruhiro. “I'll go to the store or something and use the toilet.”

“Sure, Mr. Sok High Class,” taunted Marco. “Serah.”

Haruhiro lets the annoying Marco turn around from him with his non-intrusive friends, then he returns to Sherry's tavern. She seemed to see Lusi returning to the tavern just after they came home, and she immediately looked around after entering the tavern.

Lusi sat alone on the last bar stool. He came to her and intended to sit next to her. “Lusions. Can I sit?”

Luci looked a bit surprised, but nodded. “Sure. Didn't you guys go home?”

“I think the same as you,” Haruhiro replied with a slight smile as he sat on the bench beside her. “It turns out you like to drink something alcoholic?”

Somewhat blushed in embarrassment, Lusi lowered her gaze and pulled her ceramic cup closer. “I'd like to drink a glass of Mead.”

[Mead is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey and water.]

“Mead it's liquor with honey right? I think I'd like to order one.”, too

The real reason Haruhiro came back here was to ask Lusi about some things, but he was confused where to start. Maybe it's a little difficult to talk about with the people around him, but if everything has gone, it's getting worse.

His servant returned with a cup of Mead. The color is not like honey, but rather red. Other ingredients must have been mixed in it. Haruhiro took one gulp and tasted sweet with a slight sour taste.

“It was flavored with a little raspberry syrup,” Lusi told him.

“Ah, understood. It seems to taste quite fruit. It's tasty.”

“What's wrong?”

“Emm..”

Sadly, Haruhiro scolded himself. His inability to start a conversation was really bad. I suck. I really suck.

“Lusi, you've joined many parties, right? I just wanted to ask..”.

Haruhiro thought he might see a slight difference in Luci's expression, and he knew right away that he was mistaken. Now Lusi is a trusted Party member, but that doesn't mean he can forget his past, and he can't go back to being serial just yet. Understandably enough, Haruhiro shouldn't have brought back the memories of Lusi's past, and Haruhiro regretted it.

But Lusi gave her a bit of a skirt and said, “It's okay. Don't think about it.”

“Really? I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable because .. well, I don't want to, uh, you know, I mean, I'm the one who asked.“ Haruhiro blabbed indistinctly and groggily.

“What do you want to ask?”

Maybe he tried to read it too often, but Luci's expression looked petrified. After all, if it stops now, things will get worse.

“I'm just curious,” Haruhiro continues slowly, “What do you think of our Party. How good we are. Wait, actually, not ‘kita’. Me only.”

“How good are you at what, Haru?”

“Emm... It's kind of weird to talk about myself like this, but I'm, you know, maybe the chairman?”

“Maybe as chairman? Aren't you the chairman?”

“Um, maybe? I acted like that and did the work to lead, but.”.

Lusi closed his eyes, thought about him for a while, and then he said, “Based on my experience, the leader can generally be divided into two types.”

“Type?”

“A Dictator and Executive. I just named it, so don't take it too seriously.”

Haruhiro nodded. “Si Dictator is a strong man, right? Someone who led them by force? Or something?”

“Accurate once. Most of them are very cruel, their personalities are bad, and they have the ability to force others into submission. Other people in his Party move according to his will, along with their wishes and if they do not obey, then they will be punished or expelled from the Party. Members who are not happy with the leadership of that person will not last long.”

Hector is the leader of that type, Haruhiro understands that. No one dared to contradict his words.

“And the Executive is the opposite?” ask Haruhiro. “More tolerance?”

“It's true. They are charismatic and good at speaking, excellent at listening to the opinions of others. They did not have to be really strong or proficient in fighting, and the fact was that they might be extremely useless when fighting. At first glance, it seems strange that the title of leader is given to such a person, but they are the ones who can eliminate differences and unite all the members of the team.”

"really. The Dictator and the Executive. I-i understand. And... Which one am I including?"

He is certainly not the type of Dictator, Haruhiro himself is very understanding of this. In other words, he is the Executive? But he's not really charming, or good at talking. He does not consider himself charismatic, and even if he has some desire, it is not enough to make others believe in him.

But even though Haruhiro knew that he had many flaws, he knew that he could be the Executive.

So, which type is Udin? No matter what he thought of her, of course Udin was the strongest within the Party. However, he did not embrace everything naturally. Everyone just obeyed and followed his orders.

“Is there a type between Dictator and Executive?” ask Haruhiro.

“Of course,” replied Lusi. “It's new in general. There is no clear line to distinguish between the two. There are basically Dictators, but there are also leaders who have a combination of Dictator and Executive nature. Sometimes, it all depends on the situation as well.”

“In other words, everything is different. And you could be on any side.”

“Yes. Sorry, I know my answer doesn't really help you,” Lusi added.

“No, it was quite helpful,” Haruhiro assured him. “If I have to choose one, I think I'm the Executive type. Right?”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“Hmm,” Haruhiro turned his gaze to the ceiling above him. “I think as an Executive, maybe I should be more convincing. And say ‘I want to do this, I want to do that, it would be better if we like this,’ or such. In the team, among all, isn't Marco the one who expresses his feelings the most? The rest, including me or us just follow the current passively.”

“You feel a little disappointed?”

“Well, instead of me feeling a bit disappointed,“ Haruhiro cut in for a moment. “Ah, you know? I just never consistent.”

The tip of Lusi's lips looked slightly curved, it seemed like he was smiling. Suddenly, Haruhiro realized how beautiful Lusi was. And there were only the two of them, they were alone.No, if he thought of such a thing, he would mess with himself and everything would turn awkward.

Is it okay to be here now? He can't do anything about it, although it seems, Lusi is not comfortable with him here.

“...Do you feel that you are hated?” Lusi.

“Emm, did I say that?”

“I thought you said something like that earlier. Or maybe just my feelings,” said Lusi.

Haruhiro forced himself to smile. Unknowingly. He was delirious and Lusi almost heard it. I need to calm myself, he thought. I can't keep messing up. He was the leader of this Party, so he had to be more immersed in his role.

But that doesn't mean he's a leader because he wants to get it. He leads because he has no other choice.

“About the talk..” Lusi.

Haruhiro then woke up. Lusi really started to pay attention to him. He made Lusi feel concerned for him.

“Be-right,” Haruhiro forced himself flat expression again. “Tadi? What do you mean?”

“About hunting somewhere other than Damroww.”

 “Oh. Vina and Alice rejected him because it was Marco's wish, so the conversation stopped there. Stupid marco.”

“If you don't propose it in a hurry, then I think it's an option that can be discussed,” said Luci.

In fact, Haruhiro admitted that maybe some of him was a bit too rushed to develop. He wanted to be honest with Susi, but he also did not want to look so embarrassing, especially in his view. But it might be too late for him.

“I understand. But if we want to go somewhere else, then where to?”

It was as if the answer had been prepared from earlier.

“Mine Siren,” replied Lusi briefly, without hesitation. His expression was completely empty.

“But that's where..” Haruhiro. But he was immediately silent. Wasn't the Siren Mine the place where Lusi's former friends died? There he fights Deathspot and his Kobold subordinates, then he loses three of his friends. They are Miki the Warrior, Ogi the Thief, and Musi the Mage.

What happened to them? Bringing their bodies home is impossible. And since their bodies were not buried, they might have been cursed by the Wright King. Wouldn't it be better

to avoid such a place? Or maybe logically it's the right place to go next? Haruhiro was confused as to where to start.

In the end he instead asked Lusi a lot of questions about the Kobold before they had finished that night, then went home.

I'm really, really bad at that kind of thing, Haruhiro spoke to himself.

In many ways, it wasn't a decision that had to be set straight away, so he decided to think about it more carefully when his mind was calm. That's the plan, but it's not like that's the case.

The next day they returned to the Old City of Damroww.