"Think about it Boss, if you ask a kid what it means to be King, do you think they care about projecting fear on anyone? Or gaining someone's admiration or respect? They most certainly do not, because on a fundamental level, us sentient beings don't desire it as much as we desire freedom" Anos explained, as his words oddly made complete sense to Leo.
"A King should laugh louder and longer than everyone else in his council.
His rage should burn brighter and stronger.
Why?
Because then it makes everyone around him jealous.
Because then, it makes everyone wish they were King themselves.
If you want to be a good King, do what your heart tells you, when it tells you, what it tells you.
Because that's the life everyone else will envy….." Anos explained, as he taught Leo what it meant to be a King.
"Imagine living a sorry life as a civil servant. Not embracing the luxuries of life, not sleeping enough just so you can solve a few more of your people's never ending problems…..
Do you think that's a good King? Or a King at all?
Do you think anyone would want to switch places with that pushover?" Anos asked, as Leo immediately felt a reply come from within him that said 'No'.
"To hell with the people and the masses, their problems are never going to end, because there is no perfect world.
Dedicating your life for others is the most stupid way to live.
A better way to live is to only live for yourself.
Only implement policies that better your life.
Only work enough to not get toppled from power, because that would make your life worse in the long run.
But otherwise?
Fuck them people.
Fuck them all.
Live like you want to live, do what you want to do.
That is the true way of a king" Anos said, as Leo immediately understood at that moment as to why Anos was able to see through him.
"You wanted to know why I was able to see through you?
Because only a fool wants victory at any cost.
While a true king will only accept victory on his own terms.
You think your men will respect the fact that you collaborated with the demons to kill fellow humans?
No, that will just make them think that you are a snake who is prepared to bite anyone to stay alive.
You want their respect? Their envy? You charge into the battlefield alone and win an improbable victory alone.
When they realize that you have the freedom to do whatever you want, just simply because you are yourself.
That's the day you will automatically become their King" Anos said, as although Leo already understood where his act failed, listening to Anos explain it was still beneficial to him.
"Don't worry, my father did not understand what it meant to be a King either.
He worked for the good of my people.
But it only made him less of a king.
Which is why he taught me early to not follow in his footsteps" Anos said with a painful smile on his face, as he recalled a bittersweet past.
He too did not understand what it meant to play the role of a king until his father taught him, and today, it was only because of his father's teachings that he was hailed as the greatest Demon King alive.
If not for his timely advice today, Leo was undoubtedly heading down the path of doom, as although allying with the demons was a quick fix to all his problems, it was also the wrong fix to all his problems, as although he would win the fight against the DarkSky guild with it, he would lose the war in the long run.
"I see…. Thankyou for your insights Demon King" Leo said, as Anos stood up from his seat once more and walked towards Leo non-threateningly.
Reading the room, Leo stood up too as he walked half-way to greet his counterpart.
"I've never done this before with a human, but let us shake hands" Anos said, offering his hand to Leo, who shook it with much respect.
"Today's meet was an honor" Leo said, as Anos nodded in agreement.
"Seek me out again when you do become a True King and I promise that I'll agree to your requests then" Anos said, as with that he concluded their meeting.
Turning back, he walked back towards Drogo who kept staring towards Dumpy with kind eyes.
"Until next time then, Frog Dumpy" said Drogo, as Dumpy simply scoffed in reply as he said "I'll probably kill you the next time we meet".
It was a bold declaration, and one that made Drogo chuckle out loud, however, he did not take it to heart.
Flapping his wings, Drogo took off with the Demon King as soon as he mounted, as the meeting between Leo and Anos ended without Leo achieving his set objective.
However, although he did not get what he wished for, Leo was not disappointed by the meeting at all.
Now that he understood what it meant to be King, he suddenly realized that there was a whole new dimension to playing a character, as although he knew exactly how to play the role of 'TheBoss' the fighter. He had no idea of how to play the role of 'TheBoss' the leader.
Hailing from Earth, he had a very narrow and idealistic view of leaders, and he believed that it was the duty of a leader to work for the greater good.
However, it was only after meeting Anos today that Leo realized that a true king was never meant to be working for the greater good, and was instead meant to live for themselves.
"I get it now…. Everything makes sense" Leo said, letting out a deep sigh, as although he realized that the coming times were tougher than he liked them to be, he felt comfort knowing the fact that he was at least on the right path now.