[Unoptimized]

Grind's Log,

I cannot believe that the ruse is working. We all knew that Nero was blind…but this defies all reason.

For a transcendent genius, Nero is mind-bogglingly clueless.

I pen this as we have finally taken the empire of Patala and their fierce serpent-gods out from their last stronghold. While I have been working diligently for the Silent Empire, Nero is in the library which has been his home for over 3 years. We have managed to convince him that his great experiments have failed, and that the people of Ermor still breath. This was accomplished by staffing his library with the last 10 noisy breathers in Ermor.

They appropriately cower in fear as Nero cries out that “THEY WILL RUE THE DAY” or “THEY THOUGHT ME MAD!” in all caps. They talk about how alive they are, and how much they like food made from wherever food comes from. Then he gets back to his research, which his librarians proceed to steal. That this system has worked for so long…I just…I just don’t understand.

What I DO understand is that the mountain barbarians of the north march into the Silent Empire. With our southern campaign concluded, our legions march to meet them.