In The Alchemist, are the king, the crystal merchant, and the alchemist the same person or spirit?

It is important to
realise that these three characters are very distinct and different in the roles that they
perform in the novel. The two who are most similar are the King, Melchizedek, and the Alchemist,
yet even these two are clearly distinct. Melchizedek, although he appears to Santiago in flesh
and blood, is some kind of spiritual being whose role is to encourage all humans to continue
pursuing their Personal Legend, even during times of doubt. It is he who tells Santiago about
Personal Legends and gives him the resources he needs to be able to follow his own Personal
Legend.is likewise another important person who...