Chapter 47: A curious Red Monkey

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"Books for sale? Ohoo, that's more like home, lad."

"So?"

"Of course, Skyfruit Temple is always open for any type of business, selling books included. Ahem, what type of books are you interested in?"

Hearing Wormwood tone filled with shrewdness and some greed, he sighed a bit, trying not to be too bothered by this old person and enter into a conflict since he found the island decent enough that he wouldn't enter into some senseless clash.

Such that he responded casually to the old man.

"Books ranging from Medicine, Alchemy, Legends, Adventures, and Navigation. But I am fine with random old books too, as they might hold unknown surprises."

"I see, sure. I am certain we can find something to your taste. As for the price, we'll talk about it while we search for the books."

"Mhm, no problem."

Then as both parties got to a soft agreement, Wormwood took Vlad and his group along the different parts of the Library in the search for the desired books Vlad wished for.

"Do you have a specific budget for those books?"

"I am open to pay a maximum of 200.000 𝔅 for the books sold."

"Of course. Let's see if I remember where those books talking about medicine were."

Wormwood was rubbing his palms while being in the lead, already forgetting about his sweet dreams. Since he was dealing with a generous client willing to buy the rubbish books that he inherited from the predecessor overseeing this Library.

'I doubt someone will even bother to notice about the books being sold. In fact, just like Greenwood said, to make some profit. No one will care.'

'So long we can make money, and deal with the various expenses to run the operations of the Temple.'

Moving from bookshelf to bookshelf he was pondering about other things while giving the impression he was heart and soul in the search for Vlad's books.

'What's more, I don't even remember how many books have been collected here over the years. I never bothered to count them and make a report. There was no need since no one bothers with reading nowadays.'

'It's mostly, training, eating, sleeping, a bit of free time to go to Athkatla, and repeat. Hmmm, I wonder how many of the kids will be selected to be taken to Mary Geoise for further training.'

'Probably not many since those fucks from Karate Island are doing the Ruthless Regime where not many survive the initial stages of the training.'

Wormwood was pondering about many things before the voice of a young woman stopped his train of thoughts.

"There's a medicine book on this shelf. The one with the herb book cover."

"Hmmm? Ahh, yes, yes. Thank you, young lady. A good call."

Saying that, he pulled the book Titania was referring to, before throwing it casually to Akam to hold it, continuing to move from the bookshelf to another one.

'Someone from Tontatta Tribe inside South Blue? I thought those small subhumas only like to be hidden in Dressrosa Kingdom. Heck ... none of my business, it's been decades since I retired from my activity.'

After about one hour of looking for books, with Wormwood who didn't care much about the group, acting as if giving them a tour, Vlad only found 4 books that were to his interest thanks to Titania resorting to the nuclear option.

"Sir, it seems we aren't so lucky with the books. I was wondering, do you have a place where you hold books that you don't care about, left to be thrown or firestarters?"

"Sure, I think I remember about such things."

Vlad remained emotionless while facing this old man who wasted one hour of his life, but to fulfill a side quest for himself, picking books from various locations he would visit, he went with his last option.

An option that bore fruits since Wormwood found a cardboard box filled with books, and with Titania whispering in his ears a number, he opened his lazy eyes.

"Vlad, the box has more than 20 books."

"First sight?"

"Yes. It could be more."

Nodding his head, while Titania was hiding inside his hair, finding Wormwood a dangerous person, giving off a strong spirit akin to when Vlad would get angry.

"How much for the box?"

"200.000 𝔅." responded Wormwood casually, without even bothering to count how many books he had there, or if they were hidden treasures.

"Deal."

"Perfect. Then let's settle the money first. Arkhan pick the box for the guest and make sure you accompany him to his ship and help him settle the books."

"..."

Arkhan who remained in his monkey form, standing on Vlad's shoulder gave the old man a look "Why me?" but he knew he had no way out against the crazy old man.

"The assistance will also cost."

Walking to the entrance of the Library, Vlad started filling the old man's table with coins of 500 bellies, and after some minutes Wormwood could count 205.000 𝔅.

"Good?"

"Yea, the trade is sealed. You can leave the library. However, if you are interested for more books, I am always available."

"No need. Let's go little ones." said Vlad, making his way out of the Library without bothering with pleasantries, and while walking out of the temple, the young boy with crimson hair, couldn't help but speak.

"Where to, mister?" asked Arkhan, carrying the box with books, while Akam was carrying Vlad's medicinal herbs.

"Of course, my Ship. Now, fewer questions, I have wasted a lot of my time, moving in circles."

"Sorry for Wormbook Grandpa. He has the tendency of being an annoying prick, but he is a good teacher."

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Vlad kept his quiet and after another one hour he arrived at Athkatla's harbor, where the young kids and old blacksmith could see the medium-sized Caravel that housed the black-haired man and the beautiful tiny lady standing on his shoulder.

"Woow, what an awesome ship. Look, Akam, how cool it is. Should we bring Mariegold and show her the ship?"

"She probably saw it already with the rest."

"Mister, so you really are rich. Initially I thought you were a thief for entering the training grounds of the Temple, but now … I understand that I was in the wrong."

"..."

"Sorry."

"No need to apologize to me, boy. Now chop, chop, I don't have all the time in the world. Climb on the ship and follow me closely. You too old Grabert, step inside the ship."

The kids were excited since it was their first time in their lives stepping inside a vessel, and because of their excitement they forgot about Vlad's instructions, until they heard Titania's voice right behind them.

"Kids, haven't you heard, Vlad? Don't go where you aren't supposed to go. Now, follow me since Vlad is already in the Captain's Cabin."

"Sorry, big sister." said Athkan with puppy eyes while watching Titania flying at his head level, changing in her expression as she asked him.

"What did you call me?"

"Big sister. Because you are, big brother's close friend."

"Ufufufu, well said, little boy. I'll prepare something for you, but now go follow me to the Captain's Cabin."

On the other hand, Grabert was taking his time, not requiring any assistance from Titania, since it wasn't his first time stepping inside a ship, such that once he gets inside the Captain's Cabin, he saws both of the kids messing around with a luxurious bed, humping as if it was a trampoline.

"Such a nice bed you got here mister. Can I sleep on it at night? Can I, beautiful beautiful lady?"

Titania who was checking the arrangement of the bookshelf for Athkatla, couldn't help but stop, to smile in a silly manner when she was called such smooth words by the brat, and while humming in a good mood, she wanted to agree with Arkhan request, but someone who was ignoring everything was overhearing the conversation.

"No. You can't. My ship isn't an orphanage for brats. Also, if you damage that bed of mine, your old man will have to pay me back all the money I spent on the herbs."

When the kids heard that, now that they had an understanding of the prices of certain things, having experienced firsthand how much Vlad spent on herbs and books, they stopped. Yet, Arkhan turned himself into the small red monkey form and began playing around, jumping around.

"..."

"Come on, Vlad, don't be so mean. They even called me a beautiful lady." said Titania who stopped cleaning the books, and flying to land on Vlad's nose bridge, touching his forehead gently.

"Sigh, fine. I have too much on my mind to be bothered with those kids." replied Vlad, who went to his office after taking a book from one of the bookshelves looking slimmer.

Taking a seat on a luxurious chair which had a classical executive touch, having a lighter brown leather wrapping which would relax anyone resting on it. Settling down at his solid walnut wood office, he began writing something.

Arkhan, who saw Vlad writing stopped from messing around with his friend, and jumping off the royal size bed, he moved stealthily toward the black-haired man, who was writing on a sheet of paper as if he could see.

Slowly climbing the office desk he noticed that Vlad wasn't even bothering with him, being drawn in whatever he was doing, but then when he wanted to ask him what he was doing, Titania flew, landing on his head and grabbing him by the fur, saying a bit annoyed.

"Let's not disturb him when he starts thinking about things. I might not be able to help you a second time if he gets angry."

"Ahh, I'll go back."

*Scoff*

Vlad was clearly aware of everything around himself, and to not let the monkey boy off the leash, he told him.

"Since you are here, little boy. Go ahead and read what I've written, outloud."

"W-Wait? Read? As in reading?"

"Yeah, haven't those monks taught you how to read and write?"

"... They did, b-but …"

"Sir, Athkan is really stupid when it comes to those arts. He is a meathead who only likes to play around, and fight against the other students, thinking he is great because he turned into a monkey." remarked Akam who was lying on Vlad's bed, making himself comfortable while using the soft, fluffy pillow to rest his head.

"YOU, AKAM!! This is BETRAYAL!" shouted Athkan looking at his friend while showing his sharp teeth.

*Smack*

Vlad did a slap over the head of the boy without placing his strength. "Read the sheet of paper already. It's the recipe for my alchemical construct that I will execute in a couple of minutes."

The red little monkey looked down in defeat, and after getting closer to Vlad he took the sheet of paper where he noticed that he could understand everything on the paper, and wasn't like when Wormwood or Greenwood would teach them.

Reading the sheet while making some mistakes in pronouncing certain plants, which Vlad corrected patiently, he then heard him ask old Grabert.

"Should I add the Ghost Paper or a generic hot paper?"

"I don't know, you are the expert here."

"Okay, it will be up to me. Now, that sorting out the recipe is over, little boy, you want to see something interesting?"

Athkan was surprised since he never heard Vlad directly ask him something and nodded his head like a chick, then, after he saw Vlad clear the large office table, Titania was also involved in this matter.

"Titania, if there's any ink on the table, clean it for me. I'll go pick up the World Map."

Then he went to pick up a large rolled scroll which attracted the guest's attention, old included, and with everyone surrounding the table, Vlad spread out the Map of the South Blue composed by Patrick and the rest of the travelers inside Valent City.

"What is this map, mister?"

"Our home child, this place is called South Blue. The map in front of you contains all the major locations of the South Blue which were recorded after a lot of hard work and coordination from many people."

Athkan and Akam were shocked from the sheer size of the map and the grandness it contained, yet the old blacksmith who was far more knowledgeable could understand what having such a map implied.

"If this is our home, the South Blue, where is Athkatla? I couldn't find it even after I looked for a few minutes."

"Ufufu, here it is, little boy. This is where your island is on the map. See how small it is compared to the other places, like the major Kingdoms?" responded Titania before Vlad could do it, and is not as if he was angry.

"Can we take the map home and study it?"

When Vlad heard that, a small smile couldn't help but appear, finding those kids' curiosity too pure, reminding himself of an old counterpart who was exactly like those boys, curious about everything in his surroundings.

"What a silly pup. Then what would I use to travel on this vast sea? No … Regardless, you are too young to take on the challenges the Sea has in store for you."

"But I am strong. I am sure I will be fine. Right, Akam? We can also adventure on the sea like mister, here. We can beat on the bad people and make money for candies, and also give the others the candies."

Titania who was standing on Vlad's shoulder couldn't help but give a pure smile while watching those two kids, and as she turned to watch Vlad's expression she saw him also give a small smile.

"You are not ready yet. Maybe I will check on you again after you become 14 or 16 years old, and if I am satisfied I will share with you my map. For now, you got no chance at surviving on the sea, boy. Regardless of your magical powers, things wouldn't be so easy."

"But … But … I am sure I can do it."

"Yes, for that I am sure that you can do it. Just not now. How old are you anyway?"

"I am Eleven years old."

"See, you are only a curious pup still needing to grow. Learn to bite, and then we'll discuss it. Listen to mister Greenwood because he is a powerful person, just like me. So you can pester him to teach you about the world and other things."

"Chee, stingy. Even after I helped carry your bags and place your books on the shelf."

"Indeed, but for that you will receive this."

Saying that, he took from his pocket some baked cookies he made two days ago with Titania that came in handy in those moments, and the monkey boy was first to have a taste, not even questioning if those cookies were dangerous.

'The cookies were with him… No wonder I couldn't find them, he took them and was thinking of giving them to the kids. How adorable, this is the first time when I see this side of him.'

"Delicious! Just like Granny's cookies." commented Arkhan, which encouraged his friend to also try it, resulting in him also calling the food delicious.

Vlad remained in his collected state as he handed them a package of cookies that he had left around about 22 of them, a strategy of removing them from his head.

"Little ones, you can go back in town and share it with your friends. Sharing with others is always better than being greedy one. Once your friends find out you received such nice treatment, they will be upset on you guys."

When the monkey boy heard that, he took all the cookie bag from Vlad, and staring at Akam, he told him with a rushed tone.

"Akam, let's go to Mariegold and the others. She will love those cookies."

"Ahh, of course. Let's go."

"Thanks for the cookies and nice treatment, mister. I will bring my friends to the ship, okay?"

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"Hehehe, okay. I will still bring my friends to visit you."

Once the two boys left the captain's cabin, leaving out only Grabert inside, the old man heard Vlad's ironic remark.

"I guess this is how it feels for you, Titania. Feeding so many sea beggars, starting with one or two, and then it propagates. The community of beggars grows bigger."

"What's more, I can't even throw pebbles at those kids, since I would hurt them badly. Those sea beggars can be disciplined easily, while the kids that age are always active, making a mess."

"Hahaha, that serves you right for being mean with them. Also, you better don't throw pebbles at my little boys."

'This duo is really weird. Hah, let's get it done with my ointment, and I should give them space to relax.'