MEMORIES AND ABU HORMUZ

Volume 2 Chapter 5 - Container

They're back at Atalante

before sundown, they sold the loot today

in a shop near the market. Some talismans, collected from the five Kobolds

small and seven low-caste worker Kobolds, all valued at 7 more silver

a tad.

"It's kinda

pathetic," Vina sighed with a calm expression, as she stared

seven silver and a handful of bronze coins.

"It's not

pathetic," Marco said with a deep frown. “But, this

it's so pathetic! Seriously, what the hell is this?!”

"Looks, I

also expect more," said Barto, by imposing

"haha" came out of his mouth.

"Yes ..." Alice

bowing head. “This is even less than we get when

hunting Goblin ..”

"Nh ..."

Haruhiro wanted to say something to cheer everyone up, but he couldn't

think of something positive.

"All that we

the opponent is just normal Kobolds." With her cold and calm voice, Lucia

immediately comforted his friends as it seemed like Haruhiro was at a loss for words.

"We'll get more money after beating the tips."

Haruhiro, who is

confused, nodding excitedly. “Y-yes that's right. And apparently

it was not a difficult battle. At first we were a little awkward, but

then we can finish off the Kobolds easily, and no one gets hurt

seriously, I think so too. Fighting against low-level Kobolds meant

we don't get high-priced items from them, do we?”

"Better you are

make sure," Marco scoffed. “If tomorrow the results don't improve, you

have to take responsibility, Haruhiro!”

"What does that mean?" Ask Haruhiro.

“That means, if tomorrow

your words proved wrong, then you should give me some of your money as

compensation indemnity.”

"Why should I do such a thing?"

“What? Didn't you take us to the Siren Mine, did you?”

"But you agree with that, right?"

“It wasn't my idea. Yang

I'm just doing it to give you consent. The stubborn fool

proposing the idea is the most responsible person. The rules

it's been like that since trillion years ago!”

"Rabble as you please," said Haruhiro, giving up.

"Basic, what do I want to say!" Marco replied.

Whatever it is, Haruhiro

be in a position worthy of blame. Haruhiro's inability to

arguing back at Marco makes him sad, even though he doesn't have to

doing something like that. Maybe he's just tired, but if so, then Marco

it is to blame for being too demanding.

Even when everything

dinner together at a kiosk (which although cheap, but has a reputation

well), Marco spits out stupid words every time he opens his mouth.

Even at times like these, Haruhiro was not in the mood to argue with Marco, either,

but the messy-haired man still provoked him. It's like

that's Marco. All right then. If his character is like that, then

Haruhiro just had to ignore it.

"Hey, Haruhiro," Marco started again.

"..."

"Oi, Haruhiro."

"..."

"Heeey," said Marco, as he continued to gush, "Haruhiro."

"..."

"Hey, hey, hey. Haruhiro.”

"..."

"STUPID IDIOT!"

Still holding

a half-eaten chicken, Marco begins a strange dance around him.

”Hey hey! Oy oy oy! Heyyy heyyy, oyyyy oyyyy! Heeey! Oyyyyyy! Hey hey hey!

Oy oy oy!”

God fucking. Marco

kick his legs and swing his hips like crazy, but

how could he do that silly dance with that upper body

not move? It was really disgusting, but strangely it also looked funny.

Haruhiro. He thought, the other colleagues are also trying to

looked away from Marco, but then.

The sound was quite faint, though,

but Haruhiro could still hear the soft sound of laughter. Not only from

one man, but from some of his friends. Suddenly, Vina couldn't stand it, and

he laughed off.

"Whahoo!" Marco seemed satisfied. “Hoi hoi hoi!”

Alice couldn't stand it either, and

he laughed too. Marco is getting serious about his silly dance. “Hoi hoi!

Ho ho ho ho! Hoi hoi hoi!”

Barto couldn't stand it either, and

only Haruhiro and Lusi have not given up. Haruhiro looked towards Lucia,

and saw that although the girl was looking down, but her shoulders were a bit

vibrates. Marco got closer to him, and danced crazier than ever.

In full force, Marco performs the Hoi Hoi Dance.

Lucia! Nay! But

it seems like Lusi is already at his limit. With a flat face, Luci

threw his gaze at the cashier's table, but his gestures said

it was on Haruhiro that he couldn't hold on much longer.

"Hoi hoi hoiiii! Hoi! Hoi hoi hoiiii! Hoi hoi! Hoi! Hoi hoi hoiiii! Hoi hoi! Hoi! Hoi hoi hoiiiii!”

Lusi struggled to hold back his laughter.

Steady, Luci! Don't

surrender, opponent! Fight him! Why could it be like this? Even why

Haruhiro was serious in responding to this?

Suddenly, the urge to

the laughter faded, then disappeared completely. Haruhiro moved quickly

behind Marco, then thrust his heel at the back of Marco's knee.

so that Marco also cut his “hoi”, then he turned to look towards Haruhiro.

He's back in the corner on the counter table.

"What are you doing, you idiot!" Marco Excited. “I almost made him laugh!”

"Stop spurting me, it's disgusting," Haruhiro replied calmly.

Marco responded by deliberately speaking stuttered.

"Hey! Stop that!"

"You stop, you idiot!" he continued to heal Haruhiro.

Marco's spit attack was indiscriminate, he gushed everything before him, even into the

friends and food at the table. Those who wanted to laugh now

being angry, Marco's actions were simply not right. Therefore, the mood of everything

it gets bad when they get back to the cottage.

"Ohdidnav!"

Marco groaned after they reached the room. “Girls shower first

in the past, so we can peek as much!”

How could Marco

thinking about it at a time like this? Haruhiro could only admire how much

low sensitivity of this boy. Not wanting to spend more energy,

Haruhiro dropped himself onto the bed while facing

his back was on the overzealous Marco.

“Haruhiro, what's your problem?

What do you want to follow?” Marco asked. “Just be free if you're worried

about what would happen to us if it were discovered, we wouldn't

get in trouble, so stop that stupid thought! Hey, Barto! You want to

follow me?”

"T-no, thank you," Barto replied after hesitating for a moment.

"What?!" Marco

run amok. “Come! I can't use you as a pedestal if you don't

follow!”

"I .. not the pedestal" replied Barto.

"Then who else!!? Only you can be a big focus!”

"I don't want to be a big focus ..."

“Nothing to do

with that! Just do as I say! Trust me! I

won't get you in trouble, okay ?!”

"I-I'm just here."

For Barto, it was

rejection is hard enough. Marco retreated a little after hearing

rejection from Barto.

"Good! Well then, then,

I will take on this great responsibility alone. Don't come with

cry to me if you regret it later, because I won't give

any sympathy! Understood?!"

"OK," said Barto.

“Really?! Is that

really no problem for you?! Really really really really?!” Marco is still

just insist.

"I said, okay," Barto was still firm on his stance.

“Not okay! Barto! If

you don't want to be my focus, then all my strategies will fail, all of them

it will be in vain! So, FOLLOW DONG! I don't care what you say, though,

I'll take you with me!” Marco tried to drag Barto, but the giant

not moving an inch. “You're too heavy! Come on, why don't you

just surrender! Shit, how much do you weigh, you fat bastard?!”

"Yes, I guess I'm pretty fat ..." Barto admitted it.

"You're not fat," Haruhiro interrupted without thinking.

"You're not fat, Barto,"

reworked. “It's not your belly is bloated, or anything like that. It's just, you got muscle

the big.”

"Ah, I

understand." Marco slammed his hand on Haruhiro's bed. “Finally

you want to follow, right? What am I gonna do with you, huh? Whatever it is, come on

we're goin. Come on, get up!”

How could Marco

interpreting that Haruhiro wants to come with him, but Haruhiro only intends to

entertaining Barto. Haruhiro could not understand the thought of the boy at all.

There was no one in the world who could keep Marco away from him

her life? And Haruhiro wasn't joking about it.

After them

finishing the shower turn, the men returned to the room. Haruhiro

the lamp, towards the bed, and in the darkness of the night, he awoke to

think.

The point is questions

this, they should keep ‘maintain’ Marco in Party, or kick him

out out?

As far as Haruhiro knows, he's

admitted that several times he had wanted to not see Marco

again for a lifetime. He'd be very relieved if Marco went somewhere and didn't

never to return. But, it wasn't just Haruhiro. He's not sure about

mind Barto and Lusi, but Marco always spits his ‘sulfur acid on Vina

and Alice. The two girls were not the type of people who liked to vilify people

others, but even so, they at least once hated Marco.

That brat is a genius that irritates others.

Despite that, Haruhiro

you cannot make decisions based on emotion. She should

taking into account the factors of practice as well, in other words, he should also

considering Marco's fighting ability. If they kick Marco off

Party, does it affect the team while fighting?

Is thinking about something like this the job of a leader? He wonders.

At the moment, Marco

it served as the second shield after Barto. The armor is pretty good, though,

equipped with armor under leather clothes, and also a helmet in the

her head. But the Dark Knight's fighting style was not based on combat

close range. He's better at middle-range combat, where he's

fighters can get in and out of their attacking range. Marco did whatever he did

can to avoid close attack locking.

Not involve

direct attacks, their techniques instead made the fight like a game

cat and mouse.

The point is, Dark Knights

it should be used as an attacker, not a shield. And if

considering Marco's personality, perhaps Dark Knight's style is more suited

with him from the Warrior.

Asking Vina to

becoming a shield by wearing light armor was not a wise choice, and

Haruhiro is also not suitable to play that role. Lusi and Alice are not either

choice because they are Priests and Mages. All that remains is Marco. If

have anyone to replace him. In other words, the stability of the team

would disturb.

Combat ability

they will be reduced if they kick Marco out without anyone

take the position as a second shield. If so, then the problem is

find someone to replace him. Unlike healers, the number of

fighters are abundant. Haruhiro has a feeling that they will not

difficulty finding a replacement for Marco. If they ask Gori with

alright, then he might be able to help find someone suitable

as Marco's replacement. In any case, in this way they are

recruiting Lusi. Indeed, initially cooperating with the girl was quite difficult, but

they are slowly getting better at understanding each other.

Gori who never

it's hard to be good friends with everyone, and he's probably the one who can

judge the personality of others very well, that's why many people

appreciating it. Haruhiro wants some better Warriors

of Marco. Might as well. It's probable. It must be a decent choice for

envisaged.

Barto snores loudly,

when he was asleep. Marco is usually the first

doing so, but no matter how strong Haruhiro was sharpening his ears,

he could not hear the snoring from Marco.

"Marco" Haruhiro called out to him hesitantly, and Marco replied,

"Yes?"

"Nr ..." Haruhiro.

"What do you want?" marcp asked impatiently.

"I want to talk to you about something."

"What?"

"not here. I don't want to wake Barto up. How about we go outside?"

"All right."

When they get out

hut, Haruhiro wonders why he did something like this. Is

he has something to talk about with Marco? He really isn't

wanted to talk to that guy, but somehow he felt some sort of

duty to express his thoughts.

Whatever the decision, one

the sure thing is terrible if Haruhiro plans a replacement for Marco

unbeknownst to him, so just reveal it to him, without warning.

first, tell him that his task is over and the Party is not

he needed himself again. Haruhiro did not feel that Marco could appreciate

such a decision, no matter how bad Haruhiro thought about

himself. Or maybe Haruhiro just didn't want himself to be a traitor

or cowards.

No, forget it.

Of course he didn't want to be expelled that way. That's outrageous ... But

wh why? Why should he think of a plan like this, and why should he

blatantly dumping Marco?

"Marco ..."

Haruhiro crouched down on the side of the building, and leaned his back against the wall. Marco followed.

"Yes?"

"Um ... What do you think? About our Party" asked Haruhiro.

“Party's,” Marco replied flatly. “All there is to it.”

“You mean? What do you mean by all there is to it?”

“Look, are you

have a problem with me? I thought you knew that I'd already done

my job is right.”

"Can't you?"

“Lantas, have I not

doing my job right? I'm dealing with a Kobold

alone today, right? It's been proven.”

"If everything has been

besieging the monster, then we can finish him off faster than when

you fought him alone, "Haruhiro showed it.

"Are you guys

can you always do something like that?" Ranta retaliated. “Of course not.

If I can keep the enemy busy when you do ... what's his name?

Flexibility or something? Battle tactics? Ah, whatever, but that

important it's useful to you.”

So, even though Marco

is Marco, he still thinks of such things when fighting. But

that doesn't change anything.

Haruhiro emphasized the palm

hands to his face. “How can I know what you're thinking in

in the middle of a fight if you don't tell me?”

“So you mean, you want to

so that I explain each of my intentions clearly, then ask

your opinion before I do?”

"I never

saying something like that. But there are some things that cannot be conveyed

if you don't talk about it, and that's what I want to talk to you about when

these. You easily misunderstand, and this will only make the team worse."

“Actually you don't

thinking that misunderstanding is at the heart of the problem, right?” Marco

pick up a pebble nearby, then throw it away. “You are just judging and

making assumptions about what I think based on my outer appearance.”

“While it is true, we

can only judge you by what you do and what you say.”

"So, you

saying that this was all my fault."

“If not you, then

who's? Me? Vina's? The alice? Bartos? Lusi?” Haruhiro felt his emotions increase.

Must stay calm. You have to keep your head cool. He doesn't want to

turn this into a fight. He sighed and said, “We all work

as a team. There needs to be a certain degree of .. cooperation between all

person.”

“Continue? You mean, I

can not be invited to cooperate?” Marco defiantly.

"You think?

Are you someone you can work with?"

"No."

"Well, you did

not cooperative."

“Look at Haruhiro, please,

everyone has their own advantages and disadvantages. So, me too

there are flaws too, but what about you? Is everyone

perfect, except me? I'm a fucking sinner, and you guys are

saints, aren't you?”

"...I never have

say that."

“So, is all this

my fault? Do you think I'm selfish?”

“Yes. You're selfish and very

irritating.”

"So stupid."

"And your mouth too

rotten. And you're pretty quick to blame somebody else."

“What!? How can everything

my fault? Take collective responsibility, you fool! Responsibilities

collectivistic. That is why it is called 'team'.”

“It was something that

it is usually said to be a six-year-old. That's not even a logical argument.”

"What the hell's NOT

logical? This is totally logical. Very, very logical, Marco

opine.

"I don't want to

take issue with you."

“OK. But, how about

yourself, Lord Haruhiro the Most Perfect? I'm willing to close

mouth now, but you expose all your mistakes.”

"Me?" Mouths

Haruhiro was tightly shut. Faults. Shortcomings. Whatisit? Not him

never wrong’ Haruhiro instead a man who has millions of mistakes.

But, "Why should I mention all that to you?"

"Oh. I got it

now it's. You're easily saying that Marco is the real fucker, but

when you have to mention the mistake you made, you suddenly

amnesiacs. I suuuuu already understand now."

"Understand what? What the hell are you talking about?"

“You know very well what

I'm talking about it! It is very easy for you to bestow ALL

wrong with me, so you only understand my mistakes without understanding

mistakes you made yourself. Andwhat? Does it make you feel

any better? Does this really look like a real team? As such

is that solidarity in your mind?”

"Wait, we-we"

"You're saying that's NOT true, right? You fucking liar.”

"... It's not that we conspired behind your back, and blamed you for everything" Haruhiro said.

"Why? Why

that so? You don't have to say things like that because you're all already

unanimous. You have decided that I am the most deserving person

being a scapegoat."

"You're just making it up."

"Are you

really think like that?" Marco's tone was full of insults.

“Good. Whatever. Thanks to me, you can ignore your mistakes

do. But let me ask. Have I EVER…. Have I EVER

just once refused to be your scapegoat? I'm just saying

that's now because you were the first to talk about it, Haruhiro. If you

don't drag me here, I won't whine about this. I didn't

care about baby games as kids do together in

classs. If you want to hate me, then hate me as much as I do, I'm willing to be

bad guys or something. Really am. I don't have a problem. But we are

a 'team', and I'll do my job. Because that's what you call it

with 'team work'."

Haruhiro opened his mouth

to answer, but he could find no words at all. Him

bringing Marco here with the intention of asking him to leave this Party.

The reason is in the best interest of the team. Honestly, he himself is not

confident can kick Marco out directly, but at least

he wanted to expose the problem tree. Give Marco a chance to

correct his behavior, and let him know that the integrity of the team will be disrupted

if he continues to behave like that.

That was Haruhiro's original plan, however.

Maybe the reason is too

one-sided. Did he and the others actually use Marco as

a scapegoat? He had trouble believing that. Marco also shared

responsibility is why everyone always blames it. Haruhiro

one could only blame himself because everyone emphasized flaws

Marcos.

Here we are not the wrong ones. However, Marco was completely wrong.

If that's true, it will

it's better to get rid of Marco now, rather than delay time more

longtime. Personally, Haruhiro would feel relieved, as if it were a heavy burden

off his shoulders. He could explain to everyone after this

pass, and they'll understand, too, right? The problem is, Haruhiro

himself not sure if someday he will swallow the offender after

kick Marco out of the team.

And if he will

regretfully, then it would be a crushing blow to Haruhiro. She is

the leader, he is the one who has the right to judge things, and he too

the only person who has full rights to get Marco out. At the

finally, responsibility is the heaviest burden in itself.

Wh why? Why should I deal with all this?

"I'll be back

sleep," Marco declared, rising from where he sat

back to the room.

Haruhiro remained there motionless.The contents of his stomach were heavy and painful.

I don't want to do

again, he thought. I don't want to think about it anymore. Enough enough. I didn't

fit to be a leader. I can't do it. I can't

take responsibility. Udin .. help me...

He knew that Udin had left, but he could not help it.

There was no one else he could ask.

"Does being a leader feel so lonely ...?"

The soul of a leader

not in him. It was like trying to fill up some water

container full of holes.