Chapter 466

Long before they were fully human, when their ancestors were still little more than apes, humans were already social creatures.

Back then, however, human groups were tiny. The bonds between individuals were loose, held together mostly by instinct and the simple need to survive.

As intelligence developed and technology advanced, basic survival became less of a daily struggle. Humans began seeking more than food and shelter. They wanted security, resources, influence, and prosperity. Their social bonds grew tighter, while their communities expanded.

Small bands became tribes.

Tribes became clans.

Clans became nations.

And from that progression, Evenson had drawn an obvious conclusion: nationalism was a more advanced form of social organization than narrow racial tribalism. A nation could unite people beyond bloodlines, creating something larger than any single ethnic group.

In fact, Evenson had always found it strange when a country consisted almost entirely of one ethnic group.

Call its leader a king, emperor, president, or prime minister. Strip away the title, and Evenson sometimes felt you were still looking at a glorified tribal chief.

A truly great nation, in his view, had to be a union of different peoples and cultures. Multiple races, multiple traditions, multiple histories, all brought together under one political structure.

That was what true unity looked like.

Besides, the principle was hardly complicated.

The little shop across from Evenson’s own storefront had recently bought the fruit stand out front, the small convenience stall next door, and the liquor shop on the other side.

Even a neighborhood shopkeeper understood that consolidation was the fastest way to strengthen an organization and increase its interests.

"Now I understand..."

Stephanie slapped the arm of the couch, her eyes shining with admiration.

Her father really was brilliant.

Instead of provoking conflict or sending armies into the streets, he had found a way to solve the problem of racial integration through policy alone.

"It’s an incredibly wise policy," Stephanie said excitedly. "If we can maintain it, humanity could eventually stand united. Civilization would enter an unprecedented age of prosperity. After thousands of years of division, we could finally create the most prosperous human society in history."

She hesitated.

"But..."

The excitement faded from her expression as she frowned.

"Why do we still need to protect their original cultures? Wouldn’t that interfere with integration? At the very least, wouldn’t preserving all those differences slow the process down?"

"Every culture is part of humanity’s heritage," Evenson said casually, flicking a speck of dust from his fingernail. "Throwing them all away would be a waste."

Malik narrowed his eyes with a knowing smile.

"In practice, that order doesn’t mean much."

Stephanie looked at him.

"Humans are lazy creatures when it comes to things they don’t need. No matter where someone comes from, they still have to make a living. They’ll look for work and discover that their old cultural values have little relevance to their new environment. Once they’re employed, everyone will be using the standardized language and writing system established by the government. Their old language will have little practical use."

He turned toward his daughter.

"So tell me, Stephanie. Under those circumstances, even if I order people to preserve their traditional cultures, how many will actually bother learning them?"

Stephanie thought about it, then nodded slowly.

Cut off the roots, and the tree would eventually stop growing.

If something had no practical value, most people would simply stop paying attention to it.

Even if the government officially protected those cultures, the most that might survive would be a vague public awareness that they had once existed.

And there was another advantage.

By issuing such an order, the new government could demonstrate tolerance and confidence. It would appear generous without sacrificing the larger goal.

There was very little downside.

Evenson lowered his head and took another sip of tea.

Gideon Malik truly deserved his reputation. Once counted among the five most powerful men on Earth, he possessed the kind of political instinct that could turn an apparently impossible problem into a manageable one.

"These measures should be enough to stabilize the world..." Stephanie said.

Then she hesitated again.

Malik did not grow impatient.

Instead, he leaned slightly forward.

"But?"

"These ideas are clever, but they’re not especially complicated. There are plenty of capable people in the world. If someone sees through the strategy..."

"So what if they do?"

Evenson set down his teacup, interrupting her.

"Anyone with enough sense to understand what we’re actually doing will also understand that supporting the policy is in their own interest, humanity’s interest, and the world’s interest."

His tone remained calm.

"As for the people who can’t see through it, they’re unlikely to accomplish much in the first place. A little guidance will be enough to keep them moving in the right direction."

His expression hardened.

"The people worth worrying about are the ones who understand the policy perfectly..."

A cold glint appeared in his eyes.

"...and still spend their time loudly condemning it."

"There will always be people who want attention. People with their own agendas. They’ll dress themselves up in righteous language and talk endlessly about war, revenge, strength, national pride, and defending one’s people."

Evenson’s voice dropped.

"They’ll present themselves as loyal patriots."

His eyes narrowed.

"But they’re really enemies of the family and enemies of the state."

The most dangerous person in the world was not necessarily someone who knowingly did evil.

Sometimes it was someone who sincerely believed they were doing the right thing while pursuing the wrong course.

And if that person was exceptionally hardworking, the danger only multiplied.

"Political opportunists who thrive on agitation," Malik said with a small smile. "Yes. Those people can be troublesome. I’ll keep an eye on them."

He settled back against the couch.

"But for now..."

His expression became attentive.

"I’ve explained our plans for racial integration. Since integration is also the ultimate objective of your organization, I assume you have a plan of your own."

He gestured toward Evenson.

"Why don’t you tell us what you’ve come up with? We can compare our ideas and see where they overlap."

"As you wish, Mr. Malik."

Evenson straightened in his seat. His expression became serious.

"Biologically speaking, humans are animals. Highly intelligent animals, but animals nonetheless. Humanity contains countless ethnic groups with different skin colors and physical characteristics, yet none of those differences constitute a true biological barrier between us."

He paused.

"We can communicate with one another. We can live together. And, biologically speaking, people from different ethnic backgrounds can have children together without difficulty. In many cases, mixed ancestry can even produce significant biological advantages. Historical examples, including certain royal bloodlines in ancient Egypt, demonstrate that this isn’t merely theoretical."

Malik listened without interrupting.

"And yet humans have invented countless reasons to divide themselves," Evenson continued. "We distrust one another. We isolate ourselves from one another. Eventually, that distrust becomes hatred."

He lifted his teacup.

"Our company calls this phenomenon the Babel Effect."

Stephanie’s eyes sharpened with interest.

Evenson took a slow sip.

"And our company has already developed a plan to eliminate it."