"What's going on?" Magneto asked. Shiller noticed that he had taken off his helmet, indicating that Professor X had already awakened. However, although Magneto's face did not appear old, his hair was already completely white, looking somewhat mismatched with his age. Nevertheless, the white hair paired well with his silver-white battle armor.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. captured drones produced by the Stark Group near the Red Orchid Factory." Shiller paused, then continued, "They believe Iron Man has taken action, and in order to seize control of the factory from him, they need the help of mutants."
Magneto showed a palpable expression of understanding. He sat at the table, lightly tapping the surface with his finger, and said, "It seems Clarkia can soon establish a nation."
"No," Shiller suddenly exclaimed in a surprising tone, "Tell Sebastian to abandon the nation-building proposal, and regardless of how other ambassadors try to persuade, do not agree to it."
"What?!" Magneto exclaimed, "No nation-building?"
Shiller sighed heavily, wishing Professor X could directly read his brainwaves and implant them into Magneto's mind, so he wouldn't have to go through an extensive explanation. But unfortunately, Professor X wouldn't do such a thing, so he had no choice but to say:
"Let me say it again, 'establishing a mutant nation' is not a grand enough goal, it doesn't even qualify as a goal. If you truly consider this as the ultimate goal, that nation will not last long. What you should be pondering is what kind of nation you want to establish."
"What kind of nation?"
"Yes, mutants come in many varieties..."
"We accept all mutants," Magneto said, "including Epsilon Class. The Clarkia Flower can heal their injuries, or at the very least, make them less painful."
"That's not what I meant. If there is a mutant who is enthusiastic about slaughtering their kind, just like a murderer among ordinary people, will you accept him?"
Magneto slightly furrowed his brows and then said, "I don't believe anyone can commit murder under the watchful eyes of me and Professor X. But if they truly intend to do so, and repeatedly refuse to change, Professor X will properly educate them."
"Forcing them to become a good person?"
"Forcing isn't quite accurate," Magneto lowered his eyelids and said, "Professor X ensures it is voluntary."
"If his family and friends disagree and call your actions oppression and control, will you still ensure it's voluntary?"
"Why not?"
"If word of this never gets out, then there's no problem. But you must know that no country will pass up the opportunity to cause trouble in Clarkia. Questioning the methods of governance will only be the first step; next, they will demand democracy. Will you embrace electoral politics?"
"That won't work among mutants," Magneto said. "The disparities between mutants are too great. We can't allow the weak mutants to govern, as they cannot bear such responsibility."
"Very well, then you will be categorized outside the scope of democracy. Following that will be trade bans, embargoes, diplomatic isolation, and public denunciation, until this place is depicted as a mutant hell, deterring all mutants from coming."
Magneto furrowed his brows deeply. Shiller slightly lowered his head and said, "The greatest weakness of mutants lies in the fact that ordinary people can also give birth to mutants. Your foundation is still among ordinary people. As long as they control birth rates, you can't create much of a stir, can you?"
"What if we agree to electoral politics..."
"Then you are completely finished. Because the elected one will certainly be someone who is neither capable nor ambitious, an Epsilon Class mutant. Then, they will start promoting equality, demanding that every government position has a certain number of Epsilon Class mutants, even including the defense system; they'll introduce all sorts of so-called 'inspirational Epsilon Class geniuses,' and depict all Alpha and Omega level mutants as hotheaded madmen with immense power, until they exclude you all."
"Exclude us?!" Magneto was incredulous, "But Clarkia was built by us."
"The Hellfire Club was built by Sebastian, too," Shiller said, looking at Magneto, "and wasn't he still ousted? You might as well ask the White Queen if these are the tricks she used?"
Magneto pressed his lips together and then said, "So, what do you think we should do?"
"The best strategy is not to build a nation." Shiller also tapped lightly on the table, "If you're not a nation, you can't be targeted. The so-called trade bans, embargoes, and public criticism mean nothing to you."
Magneto looked somewhat puzzled. Shiller sighed lightly again and then said, "Could I have a Clarkia Flower?"
Magneto reached out and handed a flower to Shiller, then said, "You're not a mutant, so you can't use its teleportation function. But it can remove diseases for you."
Shiller shook his head and said, "We won't consider this as a teleportation tool for now, just as a kind of drug. You originally wanted to treat it as a medication to be introduced into ordinary society, didn't you?"
Magneto nodded and said, "We are using the Hellfire Group's sales channels to introduce the Clarkia Flower into ordinary society. It's just that the sales haven't officially started yet; previous issues have delayed it."
"Very good. Since it's a medication, we can regard it as a product. Let's assume Clarkia has already become a nation. Now, the US President has issued a decree to impose a 1600% tariff on Clarkia's medical supplies and medical device categories. What will you do?"
"Why is he imposing such a high tariff?!" Magneto said, "If this thing is sent to America, he could use it too. Isn't he worried about various diseases?"
"I mentioned that it was the US President who issued the decree. Just because the US President can't get the Clarkia Flower, does it mean he can't deal with various diseases? Isn't there still Wakanda?"
"But would Wakanda really agree..."
"Do you wonder why Wakanda has such high political status? They are just a small nation in Africa, and even if their technology is somewhat advanced, other major powers aren't exactly lagging behind. Who, after all, built the Red Orchid Factory?"
"We've investigated Wakanda's situation," Magneto said, "Their medical facilities are also very limited, not as straightforward and effective as the Clarkia Flower."
"But these big figures aren't chasing after something straightforward and effective," Shiller tapped the table and noted, "If it's expensive, they can afford it; if it's complex, they can wait; if the quota is limited, they can use political pressure to cut ahead. Only the general public pursues straightforward and effective solutions, but these big figures don't really care whether the public gets proper treatment."
Shiller glanced at the Clarkia Flower in his hand and said, "This is a good thing. If it truly could be available to everyone, then mutants would undoubtedly become saviors for ordinary humans, but the problem is that this can't be achieved. Because only ordinary people who live short lives are easier to rule over."
Magneto's face sank. He sighed from the heart, "Sometimes, I don't want to admit that I'm human, partly because I'm ashamed of being associated with some of them. Mutants have never given up on the Epsilon class; we consider them our compatriots and have tried every means to save them."
"It's only you and Professor X," Shiller said, "Do you think the White Queen cares about those disabled mutants? What about Mister Sinister?"
"But they haven't opposed our measures to accept Epsilon class mutants."
"Because you take responsibility," Shiller pointed out, "You spend money and effort to save them, not troubling them, so they gladly act generous."
"Back to the tariffs," Shiller said, "The best way to restrict certain goods from entering is through tariffs. If it becomes too expensive for citizens to afford, then no matter how good it is, it won't sell. That's their goal."
"Whether ordinary people can access the Clarkia Flower's healing, they don't care. But whether you can sell this drug and increase your influence, you care a lot. This will become leverage they use against you. But the premise is, you really are a nation."
Magneto seemed to understand somewhat and said, "There are certain tactics that can only be used against sovereign nations, right?"
"That's right," Shiller nodded, saying with some relief, "You've finally realized that maybe your obsession with establishing your own homeland makes you want a legitimate status so much. But legitimacy also means constraints, and joining some kind of rule system inevitably binds you."
"For instance, America can arbitrarily raise tariffs, Russia can enact ethnic bills limiting mutant births, Europe can use environmental and carbon emissions to choke, and China can restrict industrial resources and exports. Each major nation has its own cards. When mutants don't have enough cards, the best approach is not to enter the game. As long as you're not in the game, you won't be selected, and many tactics will fail."
The more Magneto listened, the more he felt it made sense. It seemed so absurd. Previously, all their efforts were for nation-building, and they were just one step away, needing only a nod at the United Nations General Assembly for the long-awaited legitimacy to arrive. But now he actually feels that not building a country might be a better choice.
He couldn't help but look again at Shiller, wanting to know what this doctor had in store; he was the most persuasive person he had come across since Professor X. The Central Universe truly has some tricks.
"The domestic policies are like that too," Shiller continued, "As long as your current organizational structure doesn't change, you can always maintain the old ways; no one can say the rule of you two is illegitimate. But once you establish a nation, everything needs to be updated, and naturally, someone will seize power under that name. I think maintaining the status quo is better at this stage."
Magneto sighed; Shiller had completely convinced him. However, he still asked, "But if we don't establish a nation, in what capacity will the mutants of Clarkia operate?"
"I do have a proposal for that," Shiller pulled out a prepared proposal from the drawer next to him and handed it to Magneto, then said, "You can give it to Sebastian, let him propose it at the United Nations General Assembly."
Magneto received the proposal.
"The Clarkia Island Nature Reserve and Environmental Foundation Establishment Plan?!"
Sebastian couldn't help exclaiming in shock while looking at the transmitted document, saying to Magneto, "Who gave you this idea?! He..."
Sebastian wanted to say "He's crazy," more inclined to say "You're crazy too." He couldn't fully comprehend why, after the Five Powers had already agreed, they wouldn't establish a nation. But Magneto's tone carried an implicit threat, and Sebastian felt he couldn't argue against him, so he could only sigh and say, "Alright, I'll try. Not building a nation might be possible, but establishing a nature reserve... don't get your hopes too high."