Pillar of Yita

”The docking agreements across different divisions vary, based on what common ground is reached by the signatory parties. They are influenced by the strength of the parties involved and the different diplomatic guidelines of various countries. But, in general, the overarching premise does not violate the ’Stargate Declaration,’ yet each country has its detailed distinctions.”

”The main content of this agreement allows us to conduct commercial, scientific, and exploratory activities in Eteliria. Regarding major interests in the larger context, we reached a consensus with the contracting country. They will provide us with some support points and assistance as far as they are able. Simply put, we and Colin Ishurian share a special alliance; they acknowledge our presence, and we maintain a forward-moving relationship with them.”

”This brings about an issue. For instance, in the current situation of Colin Ishurian, with whom should we align? The content of this aspect varies in agreements between countries, but in accordance with our country’s diplomatic policy, the agreement we made with Colin Ishurian is to recognize internal self-determination but to call for peaceful resolution of disputes.”

”Do you understand?”

Fang Hong nodded.

”Now, let’s talk about the Super Competitive League. Though it was established much later than Stargate Port, tracing back to the signing of the second ’Suva Declaration,’ it is also a subsidiary organization of the United Nations, and not, as many believe, subordinate to Stargate Port. Initially, its main purpose was to regulate the commercialization process of super competitive activities and to balance national interest conflicts to the greatest extent possible. Simply put, you could imagine it as a public place where countries can sit down and negotiate.”

”But since it’s a public place, game rules are inevitable. Essentially, the Super Competitive’s nature is merely a contest over the distribution rights of high-dimensional information in Eteliria. Among this vast sea of high-dimensional information, although most are useless bytes, many could be knowledge heritage from a high-dimensional civilization, invaluable to humanity, so no country is willing to fall behind in this competition.”

”But if it’s invaluable to humanity, why don’t all of us join hands to develop it together? Wouldn’t that be more efficient?” Fang Hong couldn’t help asking.

Ambassador Liao was momentarily stunned and then chuckled: ”You’re right, many have called for this, but allocation is the hurdle that can never be bypassed. Who gets more or less, who goes first or second? If you propose equal distribution, for some countries it is inherently unfair, for after all, each country’s contribution to Stargate’s construction and the burden borne by its people vary greatly.”

”What about by contribution then?”

”Some have suggested dividing by contribution, but how do you quantify contribution? Furthermore, the countries making large investments in Stargate’s construction are always the strong ones, and you must realize on our planet, a few control most resources, and such a choice will only make the strong stronger, leaving the majority with no standing ground.”

”Then, based on population?”

”That’s egalitarianism, and you should understand the harm of egalitarianism, right? Moreover, countries holding the discourse power will not agree to such a scheme.”

Fang Hong fell silent.

Ambassador Liao then continued: ”The Super Competitive League is a compromise product of the current system; it is certainly not the best choice, but it is the choice that everyone can accept. When we discuss problems, we must always start from reality. In most cases, the recognition of how we should act is meaningless — what we can do is what truly matters.”

”Therefore, solving problems within the framework of the Super Competitive League is our first choice. Previously we discussed, that Colin Ishurian is neither our territory nor within our sphere of influence, and our decisions concerning Colin Ishurian can only offer suggestions —and the Super Competitive League manages the Summoners’ Guild, this is its core function, naturally, we cannot bypass the rules framework to act against it, do you understand?”

”Are you suggesting that the Super Competitive League is skating on thin ice?”

Ambassador Liao laughed: ”That’s one way to put it... but you could say that.”

Fang Hong nodded.

But he asked again, ”If so, then why did you still eventually act against the Super Competitive League?”

Ambassador Liao continued to smile and said: ”That is another matter. We have our insurmountable principles and bottom line, and naturally the Super Competitive League also has its insurmountable principles and bottom line. Once this bottom line is crossed, we will naturally act against it. As for why we didn’t act against it before, what I just discussed with you was only one aspect of it; as for the second reason, it involves something I previously mentioned.”

He looked at Fang Hong, and asked: ”Have you ever heard of Li Einstein?”

Fang Hong shook his head.

”It’s not unusual that you haven’t. After all, it’s a figure from more than half a century ago, seldom mentioned in modern history textbooks. But I imagine you have certainly heard of the Stargate opposition, right?”

Fang Hong was taken aback, but he had heard of this name. The construction of the Stargate was a considerably important milestone in human history since it heralded the era following the establishment of the Stargate, along with a series of historical events involving the Chosen. However, the completion of the Stargate was not straightforward; back then, opposition was as plentiful as support.”

Their reasons were no more than conspiracy theories and colonialism rhetoric, even religious figures joined in, strongly opposing the decisions of national governments and the United Nations with a host of people. Of course, these opposing voices were all eventually drowned in the long river of history following the construction of the Stargate. But that does not mean the Stargate opposition has disappeared completely; in fact, they persist until today, with the conservatives, whose mainstream is built on conspiracy theories, being the bastion of pessimists and believers in doomsday.”