Talent Awakening: Draconic Overlord Of The Apocalypse

Chapter 395: The Union President Arrives

It had been a couple of days since then.

The sun hung high, casting sharp shadows across the runway. The wind carried the faint scent of jet fuel. Aethel stood still, hands clasped behind his back, his coat billowing slightly. The other board members of Megacity I lined up beside him, all waiting, their expressions neutral, their postures rigid.

All were present except Kira.

They had all been summoned here for a reason, but none knew what it was.

Soon, a black private jet appeared in the distance.

The jet descended, its sleek black body reflecting under the sunlight.

The large blue "U" of the Union was displayed on its side.

The engines roared as it touched down smoothly, rolling to a stop directly in front of them.

There was a pause. Then the doors hissed open. A red carpet was rolled out.

The board members stood taller at the sight.

The atmosphere shifted.

Then, he stepped out.

Union President Galisk.

Galisk walked with calm steps, his brown and white hair swept back.

His golden-trimmed suit gleamed under the sunlight. He exuded authority, but his expression was calm. Controlled.

Aethel bowed slightly. "Welcome to Megacity I, President Galisk."

The board members followed his lead, giving their greetings.

"Welcome, sir!" they all said.

A smile spread across the president's face. "Aethel. It's been too long."

Aethel stood straight and extended a hand.

Galisk took it firmly, shaking it.

"It has," Aethel agreed. "You haven't changed much."

"And you've aged well," Galisk said with a smirk. "Still keeping everything in order here, I assume?"

Aethel chuckled. "As much as I can. Board duties always keep me on my toes."

Galisk glanced at the group behind Aethel, nodding in acknowledgment. "I see. And Kira?"

Aethel exhaled, shaking his head. "Well, something came up, so she couldn't be present."

In actuality, he knew she was missing. Claus had informed him. She had also managed to escape with whatever that crystal was. Aethel couldn't bring up such a topic at this time, so he simply said she was busy.

Galisk narrowed his gaze. Of course, the strongest human on the planet could tell truth from lies, but he knew Aethel was one of his most trusted allies and wouldn't hide something unless it was too trivial to bother him with.

"I see."

A moment of silence settled between them, filled only by the distant whirr of machinery. Then, Aethel spoke.

"What brings you here, sir?"

Galisk's lips curved slightly. He gestured toward the waiting limousine. "Walk with me."

Aethel nodded and fell into step beside him, guiding him toward the sleek black vehicle.

As they neared, Galisk finally answered.

"To see my children."

Aethel froze. His breath caught in his throat. He turned sharply, eyes narrowing.

"...What?"

Galisk only smiled.

They reached the limousine. Aethel opened the door for Galisk, who stepped inside first. Aethel followed, the door clicking shut behind him.

Aethel leaned back, eyes studying Galisk.

"Sir, since when did you have kids?"

Galisk smiled faintly, glancing out the window as the vehicle began to move.

"Here, no less," Aethel continued. "I thought ever since Lady Anna's death, you were too heartbroken to let anyone in."

Anna was the alias Aleo'Reia went by while she lived on Earth, the same way Yu'Keto went by Yuuto—an intended measure to hide their identities and prevent the darkness from targeting them.

Galisk exhaled, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. "Of course," he said quietly. "My sweet Anna was everything to me. I couldn't dare let anyone replace her."

Aethel gazed at him for a moment, then asked, "Then how?"

Galisk's fingers curled slightly against his knee. "It turned out… that she had our children twenty years ago."

Aethel's expression turned to one of shock.

"Twenty years?" he repeated.

Galisk managed a bitter smile. "Indeed."

Galisk chuckled darkly, shaking his head. His fingers drummed against the leather seat of the limousine.

"Yuuto knew," he said. "He knew all this time and hid them from me."

Aethel sat in stunned silence for a moment, his mind racing. He turned to face Galisk fully, searching his old friend's face for any sign of sadness or doubt.

And there it was. Although faint, the pain in his eyes was unmistakable—a first for Aethel. After all, Galisk had always been known for his unwavering composure.

"Yuuto knew?" Aethel asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

Galisk exhaled slowly, fingers tapping against the leather seat. "Yes. And he hid them from me."

Aethel's brows furrowed. "Why?"

Galisk shook his head, a dry chuckle escaping his lips. "Sometimes, I don't know half of what goes through that old man's head."

"But I guess it's a sort of veil that comes with living for so long. If you do so with people and not in solitude, you'd change so many times you might end up not knowing the real you."

Aethel leaned back, rubbing his temple. This was too much to process.

Twenty years.

And all this time, the most powerful man in the Union—the very architect of the megacities—had children he never knew about.

It sounded like a bad joke.

And Yuuto, of all people, had kept it from him.

The air in the limousine felt heavier, filled with unspoken words and thoughts neither man voiced.

After a long pause, Aethel finally asked, "Who are these children exactly? If you don't mind me asking."

Galisk's lips curled into something between a smile and a grimace. He looked out the tinted window for a moment before answering.

"My sweet Alister and Miyu," he said, his voice softer now. "Members of the White Comets."

Aethel blinked, his thoughts screeching to a halt. He sat up straighter. "Alister… The White Comets. They are members of his guild?"

Galisk nodded.

Aethel let out a breath of disbelief. He had heard that name countless times at this point—Alister, the rising star of the White Comet Guild.

And this Miyu… He had only recently heard of her as Alister's sister.

And now, Galisk was telling him they were his children?

Aethel's gaze snapped back to his old friend. "Are you certain?"

Galisk chuckled, shaking his head. "You think I wouldn't verify it? The blood doesn't lie, Aethel. They are mine."

Aethel ran a hand down his face, trying to digest the information. "And they don't know?"

Galisk's expression darkened slightly. "No. At least, not yet."

Aethel hesitated before asking, "What do you plan to do?"

Galisk then smiled slightly as he said, "Meet them, of course. Let them know that they have a father who loves them and would gladly give them anything they asked of him."

He looked out the window, his eyes fixed on a holographic advertisement featuring a father lifting up his child.

He smiled, then said.

"I want to let them know they are my world."

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