Answer: Yes, it just needs more body!
Explanation: I like the plot line, if you add more excitement to the story via adventures then I’d say you have a nice book going!
I believe the correct answer is practices.
The entire paragraph is describing a practice which is quite common for this culture group. The practice is that of a competition where the emperor is present. There are no particular attitudes, values, or goals presented in the excerpt.
His satire is aimed at the "hypocrisy" of making an adventure appear more glorious than it was. He is trying to say that there is nothing glorious about war, there is only death and suffering, and it is definitely not a pretty sight.
It would most likely be B. #TeamAlvaxic
