Pillar of Yita

”But on the other hand, we must understand. The decisions made back then may not have been perfect. While ushering in a new era, we also opened a Pandora’s box. Various difficulties that we might have never faced before will emerge from it.”

”Of course, compared to the age of the universe, humanity is still quite young. But we are not so naive as to be completely unprepared. In fact, at the moment we opened it—even decades before opening it—we had already prepared for everything.”

”These plans were discussed within the framework of the Union, you should have studied the history of that era.”

Fang Hong nodded slightly.

The history of the Stargate Era and the era before the Stargate Era is indeed a compulsory subject in modern history. How various countries reached consensus from disputes, balanced the interests and responsibilities between large and small countries, and addressed various different voices one by one.

Finally, under the witness of all humanity, we took that crucial step.

Ninety-seven years ago, nearly a century ago, the first segment of the Stargate’s space station—carried by the Seeker 1 Heavy Lift Rocket—entered a remote orbit.

And after that, naturally came a turbulent history. Spanning three generations. Only after the grandchildren of the first generation of builders grew up did people for the first time set foot into the world beyond the Stargate, but for nearly twenty years, exploring the Stargate was unrelated to ordinary people.

It was not until the ”Stargate Declaration” was signed.

Everything today seems like a steady progression to this point.

”The contingency plans made at the time included the worst-case scenario.”

”If the Stargate is a two-way portal, with a more advanced civilization behind it harboring malicious intent towards Earth, how should we respond? Stargate Port exists precisely for this contingency. Thus, the first batch of Pioneers reaching the Stargate were almost entirely space forces from various countries, aside from scientific workers.”

”The founding of Stargate Port, from then on until now, its original intention has never changed.”

”Therefore.”

”Regarding what the ’Star of Calamity’ is, we must first ascertain its impact on us.”

”If it really occurs, what will happen to Earth?”

”But suppose the worst-case scenario really happens—”

”Ade, anxiety changes nothing,” Su Changfeng replied. ”We have reached this point today, retreat is now a luxury. But we don’t hope that nothing will ever happen. If the impact of the ’Star of Calamity’ event expands beyond measure, then Stargate Port will surely take corresponding actions.”

”You only need to understand this, what you see, we will definitely also see. What you experience, we will also experience, because we are all humans. Whether some things are unavoidable or can be avoided, but when humanity took that step a century ago—”

”Today you and I are destined to jointly bear this responsibility.”

”And as a soldier, I can only tell you that we will not easily neglect the responsibility behind us.”

”—Do you understand what I mean?”

Fang Hong nodded this time.

Though he didn’t fully understand in his heart.

However, Su Changfeng’s words at least put him at ease.

The Stargate’s history reaching this point is not just his, nor will it be any one person’s decision. There is no such thing as a flawless decision in this world, with one choice comes the loss of another direction. Questioning what the ’Star of Calamity’ will bring to Earth? How similar this is to questioning why people took that step back then?

This world is not about binary choices, one road being wrong doesn’t necessarily make the other completely right. It’s even possible both roads are dead ends. Therefore, questioning itself is meaningless, though those who question don’t care about this.

It’s imaginable that even if that step had never been taken back then, many today would still be asking—did we miss out on more?

Yet the path itself holds no right or wrong—

The ’Star of Calamity’ is right there, it wouldn’t change due to anyone’s questioning.

Fang Hong took a breath, roughly finding direction. Instead of doubting, it’s better to act, as his decision is also one among the countless decisions made by humanity. And these countless wills eventually weave into the history of the third planet in the Sun System.

Everyone will inevitably face it with him together.

Of course, if the problem can be completely solved, that would certainly be the best.

But he thought for a bit and ultimately chose not to tell the other party about having the Hailin Crown. The other party might already know, since the Elf Ruins matter is almost well known by now, the Hailin Crown is merely in his hand—or Miya’s hand.

Of course, it is unexpected that there might be a situation where one person holds half.

But since Su Changfeng doesn’t ask, he also keeps the tacit understanding. After Kalatu told him those truths, the Hailin Crown became a card in his hand, there are people like Su Changfeng in this world, but there are also Descendants of Flor, Super Competitive League.

There are also Wanderers, people like Pudra.

After experiencing the battle of Elf Ruins, he no longer simply believes that there is only goodwill and beauty in this world. But it also holds a side of ugliness and shadow, and at crucial moments, he hopes the righteous side can voice louder, at least to prevent the repetition of the Mount Holy Pact incident year after year.