"You are much more composed than I imagined."
Kanther led David through a corridor encased in transparent glass. Through the panes, David could see fighter jet formations taking off and landing at the airport, as well as a fine mist hanging in the air. This senior UN secretary had a standard Western Caucasian appearance—a high bridge on his nose and skin as pale as a European feudal lord from a period drama.
David spoke calmly. "For the survival of my species, there is no mission I cannot accept."
David's response made both men walking ahead of him stop. Shi Qiang looked at David with a gaze that held a rare trace of awe. Kanther, meanwhile, looked at him as if he were a gemstone shimmering in the sunlight—a priceless jewel for which many would bleed.
In Kanther's eyes, David's image shifted constantly, looking like an angel one moment and a devil the next. But after a flash of bewilderment, Kanther regained his usual poise.
"I believe they did not choose the wrong person," Kanther said meaningfully. "Compared to those radical leaders from the Third World with their heavy nationalistic and tribal populist colors, you are indeed a more suitable candidate."
"I thought I represented my country," David said, realizing the implication.
"No, now you are a citizen of the world, much like that German philosopher you admire, though your current situation is quite different from his."
Kanther led David through a strange room. Since entering the UN building, Shi Qiang had been uncharacteristically quiet, refraining from his usual long-winded commentary.
"Your country's representative is someone else. Furthermore, I must state that all the positions you currently hold originate from UN appointments, and every task you execute has been reviewed through UN draft resolutions."
Looking at the six-ton high-purity raw iron ore—a gift from the Swedes to the UN—placed in the center of the room, even Shi Qiang realized the series of power struggles between different global factions behind David's appointment.
David understood. In the original plan, there were four Wallfacers: Luo Ji representing the East, Frederick Tyler representing the United States, Manuel Rey Diaz representing the Third World as the Venezuelan president, and Bill Hines representing the EU as a scientist and former EU President.
It seemed the major powers of the world had already sent their representatives. Yet the United Nations—the largest global organization dedicated to human unity since WWII—had remained strangely silent during this process. As an organ highly controlled by the Permanent Five, the UN's staff backgrounds were usually complex; it was rare for someone like David, who hadn't even graduated, to work directly for the UN.
It appeared his selection as a "Swordholder" was not just due to his own efforts, but also because the UN—whose authority was growing following the Trisolaran invasion—was wrestling for influence against the world's major political entities.
As the doors to the UN conference hall slowly opened, David saw the crowd looking toward them. On the front row of the podium, aside from Luo Ji, the other three Wallfacers and UN Secretary-General Say were already in position.
David realized the situation. He wasn't replacing the original representative; instead, the UN had used certain means to add a fifth seat to the original four-power structure.
How much of this was to maintain the UN's own authority, and how much was to balance China and the US? Counting Europe, the US-led NATO bloc held at least two seats.
Thus, making sure that at least China had 2 seats in the UN became a necessity.
Guided by the UN staff, David found his seat. He sat down calmly and flipped through the draft titled "19th Meeting of the Planetary Defense Council" without a word. Although this meeting was theoretically top secret, the UN had invited many reporters to observe, aiming to announce the existence of the Wallfacers to all humanity as quickly as possible once the session concluded.
"Has the final Wallfacer not arrived yet? Did something go wrong on the way?" a British attendee asked, seeing that the last of the five was missing.
The hall buzzed with commotion at these words.
"Silence! Silence!" Say rapped on the table.
Unfortunately, for this beautiful politician—the third such figure contributed to the world by the Philippines after Corazon Aquino and Gloria Arroyo—the high-ranking officials from around the world didn't care to listen to someone they considered a minor figure.
"We demand immediate confirmation of the fifth Wallfacer's status—" the German Vice-Chancellor shouted, her call echoed by a string of Western nations.
"Immediately! We are in a state of war!" a Canadian added. "We have to suspect that Trisolaran remnants have infiltrated the UN Assembly Hall."
As the calls to summon guards for a floor-to-ceiling search grew louder, a voice interrupted them.
"Luo Ji has arrived."
David stood up. To prevent these attendees from using the UN as a target to attack Luo Ji and his home country, David spoke up. "I saw his plane land at the UN airport with my own eyes."
"Then why hasn't he appeared until now?" The German Vice-Chancellor's tone lowered slightly as she looked at David, a designated Wallfacer. The noisy hall fell silent.
David didn't answer, because he saw a familiar figure at the hall doors.
"Due to an error in someone's work, we had to re-inspect the flight crew."
Luo Ji arrived in a hurry, accompanied by Chang Weisi. Much like the protagonist in a novel, he appeared at the very last moment.
Say gave David a grateful look. After Luo Ji hurriedly took his seat, she picked up her manuscript and read:
"The 19th Meeting of the Planetary Defense Council now enters its final agenda: announcing the final list of selected Wallfacers and declaring the commencement of the Wallfacer Project..."
"Before entering the formal agenda..."
"Upon the emergence of the Trisolaran crisis..."
"The nations have noted the following facts..."
"Currently, the mainstream defense plans initiated by the international community..."
"We should note that..."
"The core of the Wallfacer Project..."
"Wallfacers will be granted immense authority..."
"To ensure the continuity of the Wallfacer Project..."
"The mission undertaken by the Wallfacers will be the most difficult in human history..."
"Now, in the name of the United Nations, I announce the five Wallfacers selected by the UN Planetary Defense Council..."
"Frederick Tyler..."
"Manuel Rey Diaz..."
"Bill Hines..."
"Luo Ji..."
"David Yang..."