Because if divided in this way, from the perspective of sapiens, mutants are indeed wild animals. But similarly, from the perspective of mutants, sapiens are also wild animals, much like the difference between humans and chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee intelligence is far higher than many people imagine. They are not only smart but also possess emotions. Many chimpanzees that have lived with humans for a long time suffer from severe psychological issues once abandoned. Indeed, when measured by wisdom, they are not comparable to sapiens. However, when measured by strength, sapiens are far inferior to mutants. Aren't sapiens then the chimpanzees in the eyes of mutants?
This conclusion is terrifying. Because humans are very aware of what they've done to chimpanzees. If truly divided this way, wouldn't it be justified for mutants to do the same to humans?
"Nonsense!" said one ambassador, "The gap between mutants and humans isn't that big, don't forget, even ordinary humans can give birth to mutants. How can you separate from sapiens?"
This is not a scientific conclusion, but Sebastian found that under these circumstances, they could attack or defend. So, he said confidently: "This is just a division based on the political stance of mutants. After all, most humans do not recognize mutants as their compatriots, right?"
"But...but..."
The ambassador was somewhat speechless. He realized this is a two-sided blockade. If you don't recognize us as humans, then we'll be independent, and everyone sees each other as wild animals, without letting anyone off. If you recognize us as humans, then you have to overturn all the past remarks detrimental to mutants, or else it would be persecuting compatriots.
In fact, many countries preach hatred education against mutants. This makes many people strongly oppose mutants joining the human community. If the ambassador dares to say "We are compatriots," domestic anti-mutant supporters wouldn't let him off first.
So, this ambassador quieted down as well. Sebastian continued: "Mutants are also not heedless of science, while also researching ethics and sociology. Since we indeed have a considerable gap with humans, living mixed together doesn't benefit either side. It might be better for us to establish a natural reserve to accommodate all mutants. This also contributes to enhancing the average social welfare and public security levels of humans, doesn't it?"
Sebastian's real intention was: "We'll take a bit of a loss and occupy an island to live on, and everyone minds their own business and muddles along."
This statement indeed swayed many ambassadors, especially from smaller nations. Small countries aren't as wealthy as big countries, and the social welfare and public security issues posed by mutants have always existed. For many small nation governments, this is a significant burden. If they could throw this burden away, they'd also be willing to see it happen.
"I have a question," the Chinese ambassador suddenly said, "Will you force all mutants to go to Clarkia?"
"Of course not," Sebastian replied, "We can't force them. If mutants consider their birth country as their home, and that country accepts and can take care of mutants, allowing them to enjoy the same citizen benefits, we really have no way to force them to Clarkia."
"But I heard that the Clarkia Flower you launched is not just a medication; it's also a teleportation portal activator?"
Sebastian pondered for a moment, thinking the Chinese ambassador wanted the medicinal effect of the Clarkia Flower but not the teleportation portal. He thought for a while and said, "Perhaps we can extract the medicinal components of the Clarkia Flower and make it purely into medication without any teleportation effect. But whether this can be achieved, we need to consult experts within the mutant community."
The Chinese ambassador nodded and stopped asking. With him setting an example, other Permanent Members began asking questions, but not as before, inclined to nitpick. They began inquiring about the feasibility of implementing this plan, such as the designated range of the natural reserve, especially maritime boundaries, how the foundation should be established, who will oversee it, and how to resolve problems that arise within the natural reserve, among other issues.
Even Sebastian himself found it ridiculous. Such an absurd plan can actually be implemented. How can mutants objectify themselves as wild animals and then cage themselves in a nature reserve? It's simply inconceivable!
However, Sebastian thought again, then what is the nature of human countries? Aren't they also human-created nature reserves?
Humans and other social animals aren't fundamentally different. They need society, territory, and resources. To obtain these, they established nations. Mutants are the same, they need these things too, so they also want to establish a nation.
However, the fact is, wanting to acquire these things doesn't necessarily require establishing a nation. Yet, every human tribe walks the old road of nation-building, while mutants born from human society have developed path dependence, believing there must be a legitimate nation. Actually, the things acquired through nationhood, including society, territory, and resources, are the most important. Whether possessing the form of a nation is unimportant.
Establishing a nature reserve implies they will have territory. By living together, they will certainly have a society. As for resources, mutants don't have much need for Earth's resources, and Clarkia can meet their living needs. Meeting all these requirements, whether having a national façade is unimportant. Not having the guise of a nation even allows for more freedom.
Indeed, you can impose a 1600% tariff on another country, but you can't tax chimpanzees. Of course, certain lunatic presidents might attempt such a thing. Yet, taxing a nature reserve will face more political and public resistance than taxing an enemy country because they wear an environmental protection façade.
Humans can use the weapon of environmental protection, and mutants can too. Even mutants may use it more smoothly than humans because among mutants, many can manipulate plants and natural resources. They absolutely can leverage their advantages to become academic tyrants in natural science and biology, acquiring discourse power in environmental protection. This can also be used to manipulate international opinion and elevate their status.
After the meeting ended, Sebastian knew this plan was stable. Now, they only need to communicate some details to complete the establishment of the nature reserve and the foundation.
However, he still hurried back to Clarkia because he knew that giving up on nation-building could likely put Magneto under significant internal pressure. After all, everyone worked hard for so long just for nation-building, and then they willingly gave it up; dissatisfaction was inevitable. Even Professor X might not be able to suppress it.
But upon returning to Clarkia, it was quiet here. Sebastian found Magneto in the Royal Court, who was leisurely drinking tea. Seeing Sebastian approach, he gestured for him to sit down.
"What's going on?" Sebastian asked, "Didn't that group stir up trouble?"
"Nathaniel has already left. Luckily, he's gone," Magneto said, "The White Queen is still helping Professor X recover, and she doesn't know this news yet, but I bet she wouldn't stir things up either."
"How can that be!" Sebastian said, "That crazy woman would go nuts once she knows the country turned into some kind of nature reserve!"
Shiller, who was beside him, shook his head and said: "Do you know what it means for an island that's not a country but can engage in free trade?"
Sebastian blinked, having never thought about it from this angle. But once he did, his eyes lit up. "… Duty-free zone?!"
Shiller smiled and nodded. "Magneto and Professor X have already decided to move Clarkia to the high seas and build a large deepwater port there, to serve as a trade hub. All goods entering and leaving the port either are not taxed or taxed very minimally."
Sebastian suddenly stood up and said, "Wouldn't that be the biggest duty-free trade zone on Earth?!"
"Precisely," Shiller said.
"But isn't this illegal?" Sebastian said, "Isn't it essentially circumventing each country's tariffs? Other countries won't agree."
"I don't understand your obsession with legality," Shiller shook his head and said, "A 'duty-free trade zone' is just the world's biggest smuggling base. Smuggling is known to be illegal, but never not profitable. As long as the trade operations are handed to the Hellfire Group, why would the White Queen be dissatisfied?"
"More than satisfied!" Sebastian said excitedly, "Does the offer for me to return to the Hellfire Group still stand?"
"More than that, Sebastian. To thank you for your excellent performance at the United Nations General Assembly, we've decided to let you head the Clarkia port. Once the port is built, you can take up the position."
Sebastian slammed the table in excitement.
Everyone knows how much there is to gain from a port, especially a duty-free smuggling port. As long as he sets a price lower than the tax, the counterpart will surely be willing to pay.
And even without smuggling, acting as a transit point on the high seas will have countless ships willing to dock for resupply. Just selling resources or providing living services would be immensely profitable.
Furthermore, Clarkia isn't suitable for ordinary people to stay long-term, but sailors don't need to stay long-term. They only need to step out for some air during cargo shipments. Marine cargo ship sailors are well-paid, having money but nowhere to spend; they tend to be generous every time they disembark. Simply extracting money from them would be a substantial revenue.
Moreover, with mutants around, it's hard for crime to breed here. Ordinary mob or pirates have no room to survive here. This place could instead become a rare peaceful spot amid the crisis-ridden high seas.
As for mutant crime, earlier, Shiller seemed to be addressing public safety but was in fact testing Magneto and Professor X's attitude towards mutant crime. Now it appears not to be much of a concern; Professor X will educate them well and have them voluntarily reform.
Given this, mutants could easily become a mob devoid of criminals. The main revenue would come from acting as a smuggling transit point on the high seas while also providing docking and landing services. Both would be more profitable than selling Clarkia Flower.
"Believe it or not, we do wish for Clarkia Flower to heal more humans." Magneto said, looking at the flower in Shiller's hand, "When we formulated this plan, it was with good intentions."
"Intention isn't the issue," Shiller said, "The key is the means of realization. This plan can better help you spread goodwill and, more importantly, help those ordinary people who genuinely need Clarkia Flower."
Magneto looked at him, Shiller waved the flower in his hand, and then said: "In most countries, smuggling is the only way the majority of ordinary people can access this miraculous medicine. Being outside government control means it isn't monopolized, and no tariffs mean it's cheap. Trust me, many desperately ill ordinary people will thank you."