Talent Awakening: Draconic Overlord Of The Apocalypse Chapter 497: • More Than Survival

"So, you plan to take over the Union?"

Aliser, dressed in a black suit, a white shoulder coat bearing the silver White Cot insignia, and a black tie adorned with a golden star, glanced at Yuuto and replied,

"Your choice of words makes it sound like I’m trying to subjugate it."

Yuuto sighed. "That is basically what you’re doing, though."

Aliser turned to face him fully. "What I’m doing is ascending into a position that was supposed to be mine."

Miyu suddenly spoke. "Ours."

Everyone present turned to glance at her. She stood with arms folded, dressed in a white suit and black tie, her shoulder cape identical to Aliser’s.

Aliser had called them all here—Yuuto, Aiko, the team leaders, and his dragon generals. Every major figure in the White Cot Guild was present in the room, a rare gathering that spoke volus about the gravity of what was to be discussed.

Aliser sighed, his shoulders easing slightly as he turned to Miyu with a nod.

"Right. Ours."

He looked back at the others, the weight of what he was about to say settling into the silence.

"Now, back to why this is important."

He stepped closer to the central table, fingers tapping once on the polished surface.

"My father—while he held the title of Union President—also bore a silent responsibility. One most of the world never knew existed."

He paused, letting the mont hang.

"He maintained a massive force field. One that prevents this world from rging with several others that surround it. A cosmic barrier that’s held back countless invading forces beyond our comprehension."

The room grew still.

"But now... he’s been critically wounded. And the truth is, he’s the only one who knew how to properly sustain it."

He let that sink in before continuing, his voice quieter but sharper.

"It’s no longer safe for humans to remain scattered across distant cities. If—when—that barrier fails, the outer forces waiting at the edge won’t show rcy. Our best chance for survival is to consolidate. Concentrate our people in a single, well-defended stronghold."

He glanced across the table, eting the eyes of every leader present.

"Easier to watch over. Easier to protect."

Aiko folded her arms, expression tight. "And you want the Union’s authority so you can make that happen."

Aliser didn’t flinch. "I want the ans to ensure survival."

Yuuto rubbed his temples. "And you really think people are going to agree to being relocated like sheep?"

Aliser’s gaze darkened. "I won’t ask. I’ll convince. If that fails... I’ll do what needs to be done."

The room stirred, a tension crackling beneath the surface.

Then Miyu spoke again, calm and steady. "They’ll thank us when they’re still alive."

No one argued.

Not yet.

Ren adjusted his glasses, the faint glint catching the light as he broke the silence.

"I get the idea," he said. "As impossible as it sounds, and as specific as the focus is, I understand what you’re trying to do. But what I want to know now is—what’s really going on?"

All eyes turned to him. Aliser remained still.

Ren continued, tone calm but unwavering. "Aliser, as I’m sure you know, no one here has anything against you. In fact, given how things have been going, we’ve all been answering to you. Not necessarily because of your title, but because you, so far, have had the clearest understanding of what’s happening—and the strength to maintain the balance with your dragons."

He paused, letting that acknowledgnt settle before his voice hardened.

"All of that is admirable. Praiseworthy, even. But there’s a problem. There are important pieces of this puzzle that you hold—and you’ve chosen not to share them with us."

The room shifted—so uncomfortable, others curious.

"That silence, unfortunately, has made us more of a burden to you than actual allies. And if we’re to continue this... if you expect us to follow you as equals, I must insist you present us with the full picture."

He leaned slightly forward, eyes sharp behind the lenses. "Because you—based on everything I’ve observed—aren’t soone who suddenly starts worrying about the survival of strangers. You’ve never struck as the hero type."

A pause. Stillness.

"Which ans there’s more to this than you’re telling us."

Aliser chuckled softly at Ren’s words.

Ren raised an eyebrow. "What’s funny?"

Before Aliser could respond, Cinder’s voice cut in, sharp and protective. "Watch your tone, Ren."

Aliser raised a hand calmly to silence her. "It’s fine, Cinder."

He turned back to Ren, his expression amused but asured. "What makes you think I’m not a hero, Team Leader Ren?"

Ren didn’t hesitate. "Because during the Union Grand eting, when you were nearly assassinated, you let your dragons unleash chaos across the venue. You could’ve stopped them. But you didn’t. That doesn’t exactly scream soone who values public opinion."

Aliser smiled. "I care a lot about public opinion, actually."

Ren narrowed his eyes. "Seems contradictory... unless it’s sothing you’ve recently decided could help you achieve your current goals."

Miyu leaned forward slightly, a subtle grin on her lips. "How deductive of you, Team Leader Ren."

Ren glanced at Miyu, unflinching. "I’m not trying to be clever. I’m trying to make sure we don’t blindly follow soone walking toward a storm with half a map."

Aliser’s smile slowly faded, replaced by a rare seriousness. He stepped forward, placing both hands on the table before him.

"You’re right," he said. "I haven’t told you everything. Not because I don’t trust you—but because so things are hard to explain, harder to believe, and worst of all... dangerous to know too soon."

The room grew tense. Even the air seed heavier.

"Then now’s the ti," Yuuto said, his voice calm but firm. "Because the more you keep in, the harder it becos to make them act as one."

Aliser nodded, eyes flicking to each face around the room. "Fine. I’ll lay it out."

He exhaled slowly. "This world—our world—isn’t just threatened by monsters or dungeons. The cosmic barrier my father maintained didn’t just protect us from random dinsional rgers. It was suppressing the interest of... sothing far older. Entities that exist beyond space, beyond understanding. And now that he’s incapacitated, their attention is shifting."

Cinder folded her arms. "You an gods?"

Aliser looked at her. "No. Gods are still within the realm of creation. I’m talking about what creation itself fears... They are called Celestial Title Holders."