They exited Columbus Circle and started to walk down Central Park West. They didn’t make it very far. 

“Why are there barriers around this building?” Alexander asked. 

“It is a security precaution.”

“For what threat?”

“The leader of the nation owns this building.”

“Is he here now?”

“No, he doesn’t spend much time here.”

“Why not, is he off on military campaign?”

“No, that’s not really done anymore.”

“There are no more military campaigns?”

“No, there are still wars, but the leader of the country doesn’t lead them.”

“Why would you grant power to a man who is incapable of leading an army in battle?”

“Times have changed.”

“No king leads his army now?”

“Kings are also a thing of the past.”

“How are you governed?”

“By the consent of the people. Democracy.”

“It is folly. Not even Athens could maintain a democracy. You paved the way the way for tyrants. Thinking democracy could work.”

“It has worked for hundreds of years.” Adell said as they continued to look at the President’s skyscraper. 

“You may think you have progressed and feel superior to me but I can tell you without hesitation that my army could conquer this city with ease.”

“Your army would never be able to overcome our technological superiority.”

“We would learn before we attack. But back to this building. If your leader is so reviled that his building needs constant protection how can he effectively govern?”

“He is not an effective leader.”

“Then how does he maintain power?”

“His actions are checked by the legislative and judicial branches of the government.”

“Sounds ineffective.”

“Until his term is over the only other action that can be taken is protest.”

“Why don’t the nobility kill him and assume power?”

“Those are barbaric actions of the past.”

“No, those instincts are very much a part of human history. They cannot be eliminated. Your leaders are surrounded by luxuries and it has made them grow weak. Strip them of their luxuries and make them suffer and you will see how truly barbaric they are. Maybe in your land of plenty such acts currently do not occur but in some kingdom right now there are actions occurring that you would consider barbaric. And at some point those same actions will return to your land.”

“Democracy is far superior to the authoritarian rule of a king.”

“When hard times come you will want a strong man as your leader. Someone all of the people will rally around.”

“We are a multicultural society. There is no one person that everyone would rally around.”

“When true crisis returns there will be. But again our views on this will never converge. History will prove me right though. What is this sphere next to the building?”

“It is our world. The solid masses are the land and the rest is ocean.”
 
“It is majestic and I will conquer it all.”

“Why would you want to?”

“Because I am the son of Zeus. It is my birthright. By glancing into the future as I do now my victories are assured.”

As Alexander spoke his mind was reminded of  the Gordian Knot. In 333 Alexander visited Gordium. An oracle had prophesied that whoever could untie the Gordian knot would be the ruler of Asia. 

The knot was intricate and attached to an ox-cart. Alexander examined the knot and realized how he could loose the knot. He pulled the lynchpin on the cart and the two hidden ends of the rope became immediately accessible. Using the ends of the rope he quickly untied the rope. 

As he did so another idea occurred to him. He drew his sword and sliced the rope in half. Now no one else would be able to tie the knot if someone attempted to retie the Gordian Knot. It was his destiny alone to rule Asia. 

The story quickly spread that Alexander had used his sword to cut the knot. The brut force story pleased him and he had allowed that version of the story to spread across the world. Either way it was his destiny to rule Asia and the campaign in India was progressing in a manner that was going to allow him to do so. 

“You are a man just like any other man.” Adell replied. 

“No, I am superior to all men, except maybe one or two. But I have never met them. The fact that you chose me proves the fact.”  

“Let’s go.”

“Wait, I would like to look upon the world some more.”

“This is a poor rendering. There will be time for looking at a more detailed globe later.”

“Where are we going now?” Alexander asked as his eyes lingered on the globe for a second longer.

“Dinner,” Adell answered coolly.