MEMORIES AND ABU HORMUZ

Volume 2 Chapter 14 - The Man

"It looks like there's some kind of commotion going in that direction" Haruhiro said, pointing off into the distance. Others turned their heads in that direction.

"Hm ..." Vina placed both of her hands, and shaped them into binoculars, before her eyes. "I could not see clearly because it was blocked by the fence, but it appeared that the head of someone was moving up and down there ..."

"And they can also hear their howls" Lusi added, trying to sharpen his hearing. "It seems like they're quite a lot of them."

"Maybe ..." Alice said, tightening the grip on her wand, "that's because…"

Barto nodded. "M-Marco ...?"

Haruhiro and the others were now at a level containing farmland, having dropped from the third level. They had approached the sinking well leading to the fifth level, when Haruhiro noticed an unusual movement.

"You mean, in the end he managed to return here from the fifth level alone? "Haruhiro confusion.

Apparently you're hard to die, Haruhiro thought, although he didn't really think of it as an extraordinary feat, but Haruhiro was still quite impressed. At the very least, Marco's ability to survive surpassed ordinary people. It was the result of patience and hard work that Haruhiro could not necessarily replicate.

They exchanged glances with each other. Haruhiro said, "Let's go!"

Everything's headed to the noisy kobolds. They are trying to advance carefully, and not rashly. There was no point in doing such a thing if they were caught and chased by the kobolds. However, entering the area where there are so many kobolds, seems to be an almost impossible thing to do.

Haruhiro told everyone to back off, as he approached the cage, then he raised his head slightly to see what was going on.

"Whoa ..."

A swarm of kobolds raged like a herd of ants swarming around their prey, they ran here and there and back and forth. They even several times jumped the fence into one of the kennels, then jumped back out, barking like rabies dogs. Haruhiro observed the kobolds for a while. Fortunately, none of them looked towards Haruhiro.

He finally withdrew, and said to his comrades, "there's no way we can get close. "

There's no other choice. If they went any further, those kobolds would definitely find them. Of course, one option is to allow themselves to be found, then try to lure the kobolds away from the area, so Marco has a chance to go or hide. But there is no guarantee that they will be able to attract the attention of all kobolds. After all, when compared to Haruhiro and the four other colleagues, Marco is the easiest person to run, hide, and adjust to the situation he is facing.

Even if the five of them allowed themselves to be chased, there was no guarantee they could all escape safely. It may be better if they assume the worst, and break away from excessive optimism. No, it might also be better if it remained undetected, but on the other hand, Haruhiro could not think of any other way to help Marco.

Priorities. What is the order of priority here? What's the most important thing I have to do now? What will happen after? First was ... the safety of five of his colleagues. Saving Marco is second. Reversing the second order of priorities is not the correct answer. That's not acceptable.

That means, if Vina, Alice, Lusi, or Barto are in Marco's current position, then the order of priorities remains unchanged. Haruhiro can't flip through his options, even though the one left behind isn't Marco. That's what we call a leader.

"Let's get out of here" Haruhiro said with a firm nod. "There is no doubt that Marco is near us, but if the kobolds find us here, they will go mad and the situation will get worse. To me, kobolds aren't such persistent creatures so if we just let them go, maybe they'll just give up and leave. They already have a job they have to do. I thought, over time the situation would subside. And when that happens, we're just looking for Marco. "

"But ... what if Marco ..." Alice began to speak hesitantly. "What if, before we go back .. they find him, and. I'm sorry…. "

"If it happens ..." Vina bit her lips hard, and frowned. "If that happens, we'll find the body ... "

"Vina was right," said Luci, his face paled.

Barto exhaled deeply and deeply.

"Noah uh!" Vina protested, shaking her head vigorously. "It's not just you, Haru .. it's everyone's responsibility, and ... "

"No," Haruhiro said firmly, and he was quite proud of being able to say it without shaking.

He did not want to allow anyone to see his pitiful self, as well as his weak side, especially at a time like this. He didn't matter if they found out at another moment, but not at a time like this. Not for the moment.

Haruhiro continued, "If everyone agrees to do as I say, then I assume all responsibility. I don't know if I'm saying this correctly, but ... we can't continue to rely on each other to take care of ourselves. I think every party needs a person who serves as the backbone, and like the main pillar to support that." She shook her head. "No. I know very well. The problem is, no matter I'm worth it or not. I don't know, but I still want to try. I'll do my best. Please let me try it. "

Vina suddenly patted Haruhiro on the back. "Well, that's what men call, Haru. "

"Err .. but I'm a man. And I'm a man."

"Hikkk, Vina didn't mean it that way" Vina said. "Uhh ... Intentions Vina ... Intentions Vina ... Ahh, Vina doesn't even know what Vina means, but you really look like the man with the decision. "

Haruhiro felt his chest tighten abruptly. "Err ... Thank me? Maybe…"

Her pride was hurt from being told such a thing by a girl .. what Vina said might have other connotations. However, for now Haruhiro considers that Vina has agreed to his leadership.

"Haruhiro," somehow Alice lowered her head. "Thank you .. and thank you for everything that will happen later."

"Thank you, Alice," Haruhiro replied. "Wait, why are you thanking me? "

"I just wanted to express it" Alice said.

"I understand."

Barto too, he lifted his thumb for a moment, leaving Haruhiro puzzled as to how to respond. And he only replied to her by giving her a thumbs up. Susi said nothing, but she reached out to him. Awkwardly, Haruhiro took out a hand from his robe, then after a moment of silence, he finally ventured to shake Lusi's hand.

realize that the girl's hand is so smooth.

Waw. I was like a fool, Haruhiro thought.

Haruhiro looked again in the direction where Marco might be. The kobolds were still rumbling, so if they attacked at this moment, it was tantamount to suicide.

"Let's retreat for a while, while continuing to observe this place," Haruhiro said. He turned back towards his friends, and added, "Marco will be fine. If a commotion like this could kill him, then he should have been dead long ago. "

Of course it is just a nonsense that must be said to keep despair. Everyone knew that already, but his friends answered him with a nod, and Haruhiro was very grateful for that.

It sucks if you come back as a curious spirit that haunts us, Haruhiro thought.

As they left the area, Haruhiro whispered in his heart, So, don't die, Marco.