Provocation

"What did you mean by loosening up a little?" the young emperor asked, somewhat confused.

Dio smiled. "You enjoy gladiatorial combat, don't you?"

The young emperor instinctively denied it. "No, I only watch occasionally to relax. I'm too busy. There are so many things to do every day. In fact, before I left, I was still considering the issuance of new coinage. What I mean is, the people of Rome might get to know me through the upcoming gladiatorial games, but in more remote places, I need to let them know the Empire has a new emperor too. I plan to have coins minted with my portrait on them. Every emperor throughout history has done this..."

"Yes, yes, I understand. Such a vast nation needs you to rule it. You must be exhausted. But precisely because of that, shouldn't we enjoy ourselves to the fullest during these rare moments of leisure?" Dio said. He gestured, and a servant brought over two more cups of wine. He took one himself and handed the other to the young emperor.

"You need to relax. We won't discuss state affairs tonight."

After hesitating for a moment, the young emperor accepted the cup and drained it in one gulp. "All right. Then let's take a good look at what warriors are here."

The owners of the various Gladiator Schools had long been waiting nearby. Once granted permission, they stepped forward one after another to salute Senator Dio and the emperor of the Empire, then began introducing their gladiators.

"Your Majesty, this is The Giant Theophilus. He is a Sarmatian. He was sold to the Empire's northeastern frontier while still a boy. I found him in a very remote copper mine and paid to buy him. At the time, he was starving, nothing but skin and