Pythium is fighting a war with C'tis as of six posts ago.
It is not futile for Pythium to delay war, it is wise. With your superior gem income, you grow stronger as time goes on, and you are able to bring your research on par with that of the lizards.
But C'tis is now wise to your ways, and we have seen how you beguiled your neighbors into taking the heaviest losses against Vanheim, while you end up with their capitol and huge tracts of land.