Guzman Bento, we recall, is the novel's allegory for totalitarianism, the ultimate Unionist ambition. At this point, with Separatism triumphant and anarchy reigning, we can reflect that there are forces which oppose and destroy unified states, which are nevertheless not conspiracies. The message here seems to be that "nothing and no one" in particular is to blame for the endless round of nations being undermined, destroyed and rebuilt.