Ball of Nothing

Chapter 579: I'm Not a King, You're Not an Apothecarist

It was late by the time Zero finally arrived at Windy Wood Town. There were no shops open, and many people started going to bed. Zero decided to book himself one night at the inn and postpone the anticipated meeting with Arvin till the next morning, much to King Sharo's disappointment.

The next morning arrived quickly, and instead of heading to the apothecary, Zero decided to stroll around the small town. King Sharo wasn't pleased although he had to admit, these villagers had some very unique items on sale thanks to their mixed heritage and culture. These half-blooded elves or elven descendants had incorporated some human customs better than the primitive methods of elves in Altear. The use of technology and inventions amazed the king. He wondered if Zero was doing this on purpose or if it was a pure coincidence.

Slowly, King Sharo started opening up and becoming curious about the many new items he'd never seen before in the marketplace. Zero wondered if he should undo the transformation spell at this point. King Sharo's interest in other cultures was a good thing. He also didn't seem to want to return to Altear's city at once. Besides, the king hardly showed his face anywhere. Surely, nobody would recognise him out here, right?

"If you can agree to keep to a low profile and ditch your royal manners, I can undo this transformation spell so that we can look around the marketplace together."

King Sharo jumped on the chance to stretch his legs like an eager child, and Zero couldn't blame him. The elf was very tall and good looking so even with a cloak borrowed from Zero, he stood out among the crowd. Women and men alike stared at him as he passed. Zero also realised that King Sharo had a childish mannerism when he forgot all about his royal image. It made him very likeable among the older women in the marketplace who told him stories and taught him many things.

King Sharo would have made an excellent scholar if he wasn't given the role of a cold and ruthless king. The change was welcomed by Zero, and the doctor encouraged King Sharo to try the things he never had the opportunity to do in Altear.

They were so engrossed in bargaining with the croquette lady that Zero didn't realise who was behind them. The sound of fruits falling to the ground made them turn around. King Sharo didn't realise who the other person was and helped to collect their fallen fruits, but Zero stood rooted to the ground.

"Make that three croquettes," the stranger said as King Sharo continued gathering the fruits. "I'll pay."

The voice sounded familiar, but King Sharo thought nothing about it. He was slightly upset that he didn't manage to finish the bargaining experience like Zero taught him to. While he was thankful that the stranger offered to pay for them, he wished he'd been allowed to seal that deal of lowering the price by twenty percent. He was so close to getting her to agree too!

When King Sharo looked up and returned the fruits to the rightful owner, he couldn't help but wonder why the person before him looked very familiar. In fact, the stranger before him looked the closest to a full-blooded elf in this entire town.

"Sharo?" the stranger's eyes reddened with emotions, and King Sharo faltered. Zero wrung his hands in the background and pulled at his hair while Bob tried to calm his master down. These two people were meant to meet eventually in a small town like this. Still, Zero wanted to first find some sort of gift for the apothecarist before heading over. Who knew that fate had other plans for them?

Hearing his name fall from the stranger's lips, King Sharo's eyes widened. However, he didn't have time to react when the apothecarist dashed to hug him tightly, knocking King Sharo's hood off in the process. The fruits fell again, but this time, Zero gathered them and placed them into the basket that was knocked to the ground.

The sight of two gorgeous elven men hugging each other in the middle of the busy marketplace drew all kinds of attention. The croquette lady blushed when she saw that and quickly shoved the three croquettes into Zero's waiting arm, telling them they were free. Many curious onlookers pointed and gossiped about the reunion of two pretty elven men and Zero fidgeted. Maybe this wasn't the right place for a reunion.

Feeling slightly apologetic, Zero interrupted the touching moment. "Shall we continue at the apothecary? Arvin, I believe you have any questions, but we'll answer them later."

Bob grabbed the items that King Sharo forgot as Arvin agreed and pulled his student along behind him with their hands linked. Zero hurried after them and cursed the high elves for having longer legs than him. The doctor didn't forget to pay for the croquettes before leaving, even if the lady told him they were free. It wasn't right to accept food for free after causing such a disturbance.

Once they were in Arvin's apothecary, the elf quickly flipped the sign from open to close even though he barely had any customers. Zero watched as Arvin went into his hospitable mode and offered tea that he brewed. He took one look at the murky water and was about to warn King Sharo not to drink it, but it was too late.

Arvin cringed when King Sharo spat the bark tea out and Zero facepalmed. Arvin was horrified when that happened and bowed deeply, apologising to King Sharo. The elven king stuck his tongue out in disgust, and Zero quickly served some Poxie tea to salvage the situation.

"Stop that," King Sharo sighed. "I'm not the king of Altear, and you're not an apothecarist. Sir, do you know how many years I'd been searching for you? If it wasn't for Zero, I would never have known you'd started such a lovely shop so close to Altear."

Arvin didn't say anything and hung his head low. Truthfully, the small boy from his memories still held a special place in his heart. He wanted to return to Altear, but he knew that he couldn't. Not after King Charo's death. Arvin didn't have the courage to return to Altear, and Sharo grew into a fine elf.

"Sir," King Sharo humbled himself and held his teacher's hand. "Won't you come back to Altear with me?"