Chapter 5. A Fated Meeting (1)

The next day, Gray was standing in front of his master’s grave. He murmured softly, “Master, how are you? These days, I’m doing really well,” He kept speaking anything that came across his mind, including the ‘hot gossip’, “People are spreading gossip that I sold cyclops meats! Isn’t that ridiculous, master? I wonder what you would do if you’re still alive…”

“Had he been alive, of course he would’ve found the source and confronted them,” A chuckle was heard after an old man finished his sentence. The old man was on his 60s and he walked slowly with a cane.  He was the mayor of the town, Mister Charles.

When he was young, he was part of the state’s independence movement. Fearlessly driving the enemies towards their defeat, soon he was granted a position as the mayor in a border town at 27 years old. In order to have a peace on this land, he urged the enemy’s king to sign a peace treaty. He was truly a man of honour! Gray always felt a great respect to him, but sadly, human could never defeat the flow of time. The person who used to be feared between two countries, right now, he’s only a bald and fat old man.

“Mister Charles,” Gray greeted him with a bow. Seeing that bow, Charles waved his hand and spoke, “No need to be so formal, child. Your master here always hates formality,” From Gray’s perspective, both of them were supposedly to be friends since they used to drink together. However, his master explained shortly that adult’s relationships were complicated and not all of them could be counted as friendships.

It had been quite some times since the last time they met, so they had small conversation about their lives. Charles’s voice became shaky, probably due to his old age and Gray’s heart couldn’t help, but ache for this man. Really, it was truly regrettable that even the greatest warrior would be left to high and dry.  

Turned out, Charles rarely went outside these past months because his leg would hurt too much from walking. While shaking his head, he sighed, “This old man had requested the capital city to appoint a new mayor. It’s been 50 years ever since I was appointed as the mayor, I was too greedy. Your master had long advised me not to dwell in this position any longer, but I wouldn’t hear him… After all this position is my greatest achievement,” Hearing the news, Gray felt sad too, a new mayor meant that everything in the town would change soon. Even though he had mixed feelings, Gray chose to remain quiet and accompanied the mayor to his wife’s grave.

She died many years ago because of an attempt of assassination. Leaving a huge gap in his heart, Charles vowed not to remarried and to be reunited in the afterlife. Gently, Charles knelt and put down a beautiful flower in front of his wife’s grave. He stroked the grave and muttered some words while smiling. With Gray’s help, Charles got up and decided to go back. Since he didn’t have any activity, Gray offered to escort him. Walking side by side, the two of them attracted the townsfolks attentions. Along the way, people greeted the mayor with respect while glared at him angrily. How dare this cursed kid waking beside the mayor?! (◣_◢)

He could feel the stabbing from his back and decide to ignore it. “Now, they didn’t even try to hide their displeasure to you. How could your master rest in peace? I will find the source of the gossip and end this,” Charles sighed tiredly. Awkwardly, Gray said while scratching his head, “Thank you, mister. But I don’t want to bother you for a small issue like this. Don’t worry, the gossip will end by itself,” Charles waved his hand and spoke firmly, “This all happens because I used to think like that too. This time, I have to end this before I stepped down as the mayor,”

Hearing that, Gray felt his heart became warmer, his steps felt lighter, and the people’s glares didn’t stab him anymore. They finally arrived at the mayor’s manor. At the gate, the guards were saluting and opening the way. Naturally, Gray stopped at the gate and said his farewell. However, the mayor invited him in to have a dinner. Of course, Gray couldn’t refuse the offer and went in.

It’s been a long time since Gray had a proper dinner. Not wanting to embarrass himself, he awkwardly only put a small amount of foods on his plate. Charles probably noticed his behaviours, so with his unstable hand, he kept adding meats and vegetables on Gray’s plate. After they finished the dinner, Charles casually questioned, “Why don’t you ever sell your hunts for this old man?” Startled, Gray was dumbfounded, “Mister… Actually, I’ve never thought about that!” Hearing that, Charles was laughing out loud, “I remember how your master always had a headache because of you. You know, these past years, I always get yours from Ten and also many times he refuses to share it with me. From now on, bring your hunts to me first. This old man wants to have a revenge to that stingy chef.”

Like a parrot, Gray repeatedly apologizing and made a promise to bring the next hunts for Charles. With the support of his cane, the mayor sent him off with a big smile. It was already late at night so the streets were empty. With nobody around, Gray hummed a melody and thought, today was a great day! Or maybe not-

When he almost arrived at his house, he could hear a man banging his door and screaming his name. His heart couldn’t help, but beating faster. He ran as fast as he could towards the man. Apparently, he was the first butcher who chased him away yesterday. After seeing Gray, that man regained a little bit of his composure and knelt down immediately! Gray was shocked and panickily reached out to that man, “Uncle?! What’s wrong?? Don’t do this, don’t do this!! Get up and sit down first!”

With a hoarse voice, that man ignored him and begged, “This morning, my daughter was sick. We- we used all of our savings to get a doctor. The doctor said the only way to heal my daughter is to give her a medicine,” He chocked and continued, “But- but the price was too expensive!! My wife and I couldn’t borrow enough money, so the doctor said he was willing to mix the medicine as long as we can collect the herbs by ourselves,”

After hearing that much, Gray understand the direction of their conversation. Thus, with much difficulties, that man pleaded, “Please- please I beg you. I will do anything you ask! Please, save my daughter!!” He wanted to bow down, but blocked by Gray. Even thought that man was always harsh to him, his daughter didn’t have anything to do with it, so Gray assured him, “Uncle, I’ll try my best!”