“You see, my friends,” Severus continued, “this man holds himself above such conceits as love of the emperor or bonds of comradeship with those who serve him. Isn’t that right, peregrine? To call oneself a Roman would be in your view . . . what? Philosophically deficient? Wanting in self-autonomy? What is that passage from your credo? ‘Only fools fight for a flag or a cause.’ Yes, that’s it. I remember. He is a philosopher, this fellow. That which other, simpler souls call ‘honor,’ this man styles ‘delusion.’ Nay, ‘self-delusion.’ Do I cite your code aright, prisoner?” “Close enough,” replied
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