"Ultimately I cannot fault yours either. Loyalty is the most admirable quality a man can have, even if it is loyalty to someone who no longer deserves the title. I am not blind to the situation we are in, which is why I have not made a large attack. I had wished to call a ceasefire with you while we work to restore Rome's infrastructure to deal with the plague."

He considers for a few seconds. What could Cerberus m...Ah.

"I believe I understand you. The Empire has always looked outward and with official imperial authority no longer relevant, any strictures on our expansion outside of Dagaria's borders are lifted..."