...At Last...

[Two things define you: your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything.]- George Bernard Shaw

***

Aedor P.O.V

Why the heck is these things successively happening to him? I can't understand how I can be so unlucky.

First I heard that a true dragon is taking a nap not far from my kingdom and that a Demon King is currently residing in an Inn in one of my cities.

Worse is, he cached one of our reconnaissance personnel spying on him... which if I think about it is pretty natural. If he couldn't even do that his status as a Demon Lord would be nothing but pretense.

Who was the idiot that ordered such a course of action, to begin with? He will have to look into that after all of this, now was not the time.

From the 'talk' he had with the reconnaissance personnel, it seemed like he harbored no hostility toward us nor did he intend to cause any kind of trouble whatsoever which is honestly reassuring.

As of right now, no kingdom could bear the cost of war against a demon lord alone if not the Eastern Empire, and that was because they had the Hero of the Beginning Rudra Nam Ul Nasca.

Althought I first planned to leave him alone after hearing that he wouldn't cause any trouble, it wouldn't feel right to not do anything.

Althought monsters and humans have been enemies since the dawn of time, it was not unheard of for a kingdom to have one as their guardian or even ally.

Heck, the Easter Empire with a Hero as a King has a True Dragon as the national Guardian. If I can play my card right, not only can my kingdom not be in a bad relationship with the demon King.

Perhaps I can even make it so he would be on our side. A truly strange thought... considering I was the one that ordered the nobles to leave him alone.

The problem is they are too arrogant and sometimes too insensible thus they don't know how to deal with this kind of situation.

The question is... what do I have that could entice such a powerhouse? Money? Doubt that would be something that he will concern himself with. In fact, if he requested money, chances are, many would hurry over to his call.

Fame? That would be stupid, what kind of fame could I promise a 'Demon Lord', his title was more than enough for that already.

Equipment?...hm... Thinking about it, isn't there a legendary weapon that has been passed down in the royal family for decades? It should still be in the royal treasury room.

If I remember correctly, it had been crafted by the Forger family founder for the first King of the kingdom. He used it during his lifetime but after his death, it was passed down as a family heirloom.

I would have to see for that matter, first, let's meet him and try to get in his good grace. If that worked, we would become stronger than most human nations.

"Gazef, Call Liza, we need her to teleport us to the city of Ren. We will go meet the Monkey King." I said to the head knight after getting ready. And started walking toward the throne room.

I can't just Invite him over...So I will go and meet him myself, sending an intermediary could be considered disrespectful... and I am not willing to take the risk.

"Your highness, aren't we going to take more knights with us?" Gazef asked.

"Useless, what would they be able to do?" It would be better to not take them with us. Lest the Demon King sees that as a sign of hostility.

"That, Uh..." Gazef couldn't think of any appropriate answer to my question.

"Stop it, we are in a hurry, get going already." I shook my head, travelling from here to Ren would take too much time for my taste, I'd rather have the court magician teleport us there.

***

As I stand before the Inn he was currently residing accompanied by Gazef and Liza, I could feel my heartbeat accelerating. It was not every day you met a Demon King. Even more, one that seemed not too... eccentric.

There was currently no one around since I asked Gazef to clear out the perimeter. I also dismissed the owner of the Inn. She would of course be compensated at a later date. I was fair and just King after all... at least if I/this kingdom survive this encounter. This would inevitably cause a ruckus but that was not important for now.

Rumor of the King making an impromptu visit to Ren without even notifying the noble that was under the responsibility. But that could be dealt with easily enough.

As I walked inside, It was quiet since there was no one, but I am surprised that he didn't come to meet us, since from his capability it wouldn't be hard to tell what was happening.

Perhaps he is voluntarily making me come to him? Then I shall do as he wants. I just hope he isn't too annoyed by my presence. Although I mentally prepared myself to die here, I don't really want to. Death is scary...

I also don't want to let my son behind, he is so cute. If I survive this I promise, I will let him have as many treats as he wants for an entire month. Hm... a week... a day... a morning.

Yes, a morning that would be enough, or his health could deteriorate, it's for his own good.

As I stepped at the threshold of his room, I didn't knock and patented for while but seeing that after ten minutes there was Mouvement I decided to finally knock.

Then I or more like we waited...

10 seconds. 10 minutes... 30 minutes... an hour... Still nothing, it was like there was no one inside at all.

"My king we already waited for an hour already. Should we forcefully open the door?" Gazef asked, he was certainly not tired since as an enlightened/sage his endurance was massive. But he was probably thinking about my situation.

"Hm... Let's wait a bit more." At this point I don't know if he is testing us, occupied with something else, or... he already left.

"Lisa." After another ten minutes, seeing as there was still no response, I called and she understood.

"There's definitely someone inside your Highness. But his presence seems rather...off" She directly used her skill, I think it was called [Presence detection.]

"What do you mean by that?" I asked with clear confusion in my tone.

"I don't know how to exactly explain... it's like he is here but part of him isn't." She tried to explain but it wasn't really helping. So I threw her a gaze that say "Try harder."

"It's like his presence is gradually disappearing while also making know that it is still there." Okay, I am officially lost.

"Gazef, open this door," I ordered and he did, he didn't even have to force it. Turned out it was not locked.

As we got in we were welcomed by a floating figure. A boy, seemingly around eleven years old boy in some particular but rather fancy clothing. Unruly black hair and cute face. everything pointed toward him being a human... Except he has a tail not different from that of a monkey.

His face was serene, undisturbed by the material world.

"Is he... meditating?" I asked my companions in a low tone, afraid to disturb him.

"Yes, it seems so," Liza answered by the side as she carefully observed the boy... with a tail.

I can't just seem to let that go. I wonder where the tail's base is connected to.

Does it come from where I think...?

No, now is not the time to think about such a trivial matter.

But still... curious, I am way too curious.

"My King, I fear we made a grave mistake. It's not recommended to bother someone while they are in meditation." He said while looking at me.

"Why so?" I asked, unaware of why it is such a big deal.

"The road to spirituality is not an easy one, it is not easy to obtain enlightenment. He would be in a really bad mood if we accidentally woke him up." He informed me.

"Hm... What do you advise us to do then?"

"We should wait for him to get out of his meditative state by himself... and if you want to get some goodwill from him, creating a noise isolation and protective ward around would help."

"Fine, we will do as you say." I agreed. "But how long would he be in this state?" I asked.

"It's hard to say, some can meditate straight for a day or two while others just for some hours. I myself... usually meditate for twelve hours or so if I decide to do so."

"Then I take my leave for now. Gazef you get some knights to constantly guard the place and report to me if he awakens. And you Liza, get your people and arrange some ward over the place.

""Yes, your highness."" I heard them answering as I took my leave. But once outside I realized I still have to get Liza to teleport me to the palace.

So a little embarrassed I walked back inside the Inn and ordered her to.

***

"Your Highness, he has finally awakened." Gazed said as he kneeled before me.

"...At Last..." I sighed as I got up from my throne to get ready.

4 years, who would have thought he would meditate for 4 years straight? I sighed.

I just hope I nerveously waited for so long for nothing... That would kill me.