He grinned, before tapping the table, bringing up an illusion of the empire. "I think I can handle the responsibility of being a city-state, essentially it was an idea on another plane to bring smaller nations, usually a capital with a few smaller towns, into their fold, without actually having to go to war to bring them in. Hence why I said I would have to supply my own troops. The good news is that communications should start being a bit easier, several apprentices at Dragon Roost's magic academy are ready to head out on their journeyman part of their training, and I can supply a list of who specializes in what, so you can hire them to assist in communications or whatnot. Sendings, mostly, but still good for getting short messages, even if it is 'Ohgodohgodohgodohgod. We are under attack HEEEEELP!' However, it would still be a part, and get most of the benefits, we can discuss later which ones, while having to provide the others themselves. It is a sort of double edged blade, as the leaders might start wondering why they are a part at all. The counter the original creators of the idea came up with was to have several patrols in the area, capturing bandits and what not, and hiring the surviving bandits to molest other city states, giving the bandits some training first to make them a credible threat. Not very honest, but it certainly worked for a few decades, until one of the bandit leaders decided to retire without letting anyone else know first. Published a book, VERY scandalous.<br/><br/>And still a good idea to randomly spring audits on them, will keep them on their toes and honest. It is only when they feel you aren't paying attention that they will try to start skimming again."<br/><br/>He considered them for a moment, before sending the emperor to be a request to discuss private matters with him and Tysinni later, while asking Tysinni if he should be brought more on board about what the constructs could do in a more comprehensive manner. The number of construct squads had been slowly increased from the original four to ten now, with two heavies providing security at the main entrance to the palace, disguised as golems and having been official 'loaned' to the royal family at his and Tysinni's ten year anniversary.