The Mad Tycoon of Rome

Chapter 22 – A reason to die, a reason to live

As if Crixus and Spartacus had made a promise, they slowly put their hands on the hilt of the sword.

Marcus signaled to the soldiers aiming their bows behind them not to shoot no matter what.

Crixus' eyes were filled with a tumultuous array of emotions, which he struggled to suppress even as he had resolved to accept his fate with stoicism.
Despite his efforts to remain distant and detached, the feelings within him continued to churn and surge like a tempestuous sea.

It was none other than his best friend.

“For a gladiator, losing twice to the same opponent is a disgrace.
But right now I don't feel like I'm going to lose to you.
On my way to the end.
I'll have to take back the number one position in Capua I entrusted to you.
“

“It's a pity, but I don't think I can grant that wish.”

The eyes of the two strongest gladiators embraced a flash of fire.

An imminent situation.

No matter who said it first, the sword that the two loved came out of the scabbard in a flash.

-Bang!

The two swords collided in the air.

Spartacus was struck by the strange feeling in his hands.

Clearly, it was Spartacus who had the upper hand in strength, but Crixus was not pushed aside.

This was because the shock was shed by flexibly moving the wrist at the same time as the collision.

Spartacus didn't know what kind of training Crixus had been through, but he was a completely different person from the Crixus that he knew.

– Bang!

It was not just flexibility.
Crixus's sword also stabbed at an unbelievable speed.

The tip of the sword glided past the chain mail worn for shoulder protection.

“Haap!”

Spartacus couldn't help but be surprised.
His mouth also burst into a disciplined spirit.

An indefensible sword attack that slashed the whole weapon down firmly hit the flying sword.

– Kaaang!

Faster and stronger than before, the sword of Crixus, who had not been able to shed it all, bounced back.

“······!”

The two were shocked at the same time for different reasons.

'I couldn't break the sword?'

'I thought I'd be able to drain him enough?'

Spartacus, who had been overtaken, was shocked in his own way, but Crixus's surprise was a little greater.

The past two years, rolling over on the battlefield where blood and flesh splattered, polishing the sword, but he only caught up, not surpassed him.

Damn!

Another clash occurred and the two began to exchange swords in earnest.

In an instant, the sum came and went, a terrifying wind blew up, and a life-threatening sword was flying.

After almost 3 minutes to exchange swords like that, a faint admiration stood in the eyes of the two who withdrew as if they had promised.

Crixus let out a light sigh and clicked his tongue.

“It looks like you were just playing around in Rome.
I thought I could overpower you enough…
but if one of us doesn't die, there won't be an end.”

“Yes.
If we fight to the end like you said, we don't know who will win.”

“I still have to go to the end, right? You came here because you were determined to do the same.
In fact, if I die, I think it would be less unfair to go to your hands than to the Romans.”

“Are you serious?”

Spartacus asked sadly.

If Crixus didn't want to fight, he wouldn't point the sword either.
There was no way he could even aim.

This was because Spartacus' resolution was based on the premise that Crixus will accept the confrontation.

Crixus smiled broadly and nodded his head as if he had read his mind.

“Of course.
But there are too few spectators to compete here.
Let's create the most spectacular stage on the day of the final battle.
If I compete with you, I will be able to fight sword fights worthy of legends.”

Crixus decided not to change the era by living, but to leave his will as death.

The more splendid the final stage was, the better.

Of course, he had no intention of losing.
If he lost to the same opponent twice, he would not be able to close his eyes because of the unfairness.

Crixus was determined to face a dignified end as the strongest gladiator who defeated Spartacus.

If his close friend's resolution was that, he didn't need to hesitate any longer.
Spartacus turned his gaze to Marcus, who was standing behind him as if asking permission.

It was a matter of permission and nothing to say.

Marcus immediately responded.

“Do whatever you want.”

“Thank you.”

When Crixus saw Spartacus bowing his head respectfully, a strange light came to his mind.

He took a step closer with a look of interest.

“Are you the noble boy Spartacus spoke of?”

“Because everything has been calculated.
But I also have a different impression from what you heard?”

“Because position changes people.
The one who leads the army cannot always be a beast.
Anyway, Spartacus seems to follow your side quite loyally.
Do you really have the ability to do that?”

“Crixus, don't say anything rude…”

When Spartacus tried to interrupt the conversation, Marcus waved his hand and replied with a relaxed smile.

“That's what your friend would know best.
That's why he follows me.
But if I had to tell you one thing related to this war, the heavily armed cavalrymen would have been like a nightmare to you.
If I said that I made it, would it make a little sense? “

“The monstrous horsemen…”

Recalling the majesty of the heavy cavalry mercilessly trampling on the rebels in the rotation, Crixus slightly bit his lip.
He narrowed his brow and continued his words.

“Is that so…Rome didn't hide it on purpose, but you created a new type of soldier that didn't exist.
I want to ask you one thing.
If you become a powerful figure in Rome, will this Rome be able to change as Spartacus wished? Will that day ever come?”

“It will change.
I cannot promise to free all the slaves, and I will not, but it will be much better than it is now.

“This something like a dream can't be possible…”

“It's possible.
It's a real pity that you can't see it.”

Crixus' face was stained with shock.
Marcus was not bluffing.
He was simply telling the reality that what would happen in the future.

There was a terrifying persuasive power in Marcus' calm yet nonchalant voice.

Crixus instinctively understood.
Why did Spartacus trust this boy and head to Rome?

Creating a monstrous cavalryman he had never seen before would be nothing more than a fragment of this boy's ability.

Crixus had to concede.
This boy in front of him was someone who will change Rome in some way.

When he admitted that lie, his tone naturally changed.

At the same time, the question he wanted to know the most, but was afraid to know, burst through his mouth.

“I want to ask you one thing.
Did this thing I, or rather, me and my colleagues…
interfere with the change you are about to make? That what we are doing…
was simply worthless…
Do you think you'll be judged that way?”

If the answer came back, it might interfere with the showdown.

Just as Crixus was about to regret asking a pointless question, Marcus shook his head with a gentle smile.

“That's not going to be the case.
You guys have already set off an alarm that reminds us of the social structure of Rome once again.
Your fights will not be criticized as meaningless.
No, I will never let that happen.
So rest assured.”

Crixus looked up at the sky with bloodshot eyes.

'That's it.'

How could a person facing death not have a fearful heart? There was no one in the world who could completely shake off the fear.

However, those who have been promised more value could fully endure the fear of death.

“My comrades may all want different things.
But they all have one thing in common.
That is that no one will remember our fight.
Let it not be forgotten.
Our will, and The final battle we will face in the future.”

Crixus lowered his gaze and looked straight into Macrus' eyes.

Marcus looked around at the rebels camped on the hills in the distance.

There were many wishes to live freely in the world.

“I promise.
Watch from the sky.
How your names will be remembered in the future.”

It was Marcus's sincere reply.

※※※※

“I don't think it will be easy.”

Spartacus, who was watching Crixus go away, said so.

“You mean Crixus?”

“Yes.
I thought he would be stronger, but he far exceeded my expectations.”

“Am I stronger than him?”

“Well, I don't think it's easy to judge unless you compete until the end.
Whether you're stronger or weaker, in the end, the difference between victory and defeat will be divided.”

Spartacus did not neglect training in Rome either.
He was clearly stronger now than he was in Capua.

Since Marcus knew that, the current situation was honestly unexpected.

“Still, losing is a little difficult…
My plan is based on the assumption that you win.
If you're going to lose, it's better not to fight at all.”

Spartacus took a deep breath, resolutely determined.

“Don't worry.
Even if I have to give my arm, I will win even if I risk my life.”

In order to face his friend's determination head-on, he also thought that his own determination was necessary.

However, Marcus rather frowned.
His voice, filled with subtle anger, pierced Spartacus' ears.

“I think you're thinking about something wrong.”

“yes······?”

Spartacus flinched and asked again.
There was a hint of perplexity in his tone.
Because Marcus had never reacted like this before.

“Wouldn't you lose even if you risked your life? Are you here to risk your life?”

“That, that's…”

“It's okay to make up your mind to match your friend's last resolution.
But keep in mind that the resolution to do something even at the cost of one's life is only allowed for people like Crixus who are really near the end.”

Spartacus could not answer.
He was strong, of course, he wanted to win for sure.
However, in a fight, as much as his skill, the mental element had a great influence.

Crixus would go into battle with more determination than ever before.

Spartacus decided he had no choice but to risk his life in order not to lose to Crixus.

It was because he couldn't come up with any more motivation to fight.

Even without saying that thought out of his mouth, Marcus could read Spartacus' mind just with his expression.

“Yeah, that's right.
I'll tell you why you must fight so that you never get hurt.”

“However, in actual combat, variables can arise at any time…”

“So make a thorough determination not to allow even that variable.
If you don't want to make your wife sad.”

“That, what is that…?”

Spartacus stood there blankly for a moment, as if not understanding Marcus' last words.

Emotions of doubt and confusion soon turned into a passion and were shown intact on his face.

Marcus hammered the nail firmly in a low voice.

“I received a report from Septimus before leaving.
He said he found someone who meets the conditions you said.”

“Did you find her? Really?”

“I'm not completely sure yet.
That's why I didn't tell you in advance.
If I found out and didn't, I'd be very disappointed.
But if you need to be prepared, I don't think there's a better time than now.”

Spartacus put a trembling hand on his forehead and took a deep breath over and over again.

He just wanted to run to the end of the month and check the truth.

No matter how much time had passed, no matter what shape it has changed, he was confident that he could recognize her at a glance.

“Where is she…
now?”

“Neapolis.
When this war is over, you can stop by and check on the way back to Rome.
But you're not going to see her on a stretcher, are you?”

“I am······.”

“Come back well.
You will become a hero of this war and go pick up my wife in style.”

Spartacus's pupils, which had been trembling violently, suddenly returned to their normal state.

The torrent of emotions that swept his heart in a huge wave gradually began to stabilize.

He looked up and headed northwest in the direction of Neapolis.

A long time ago, a long, long time ago, the precious oath of a married couple in their hometown was there.

“Thank you.
Thanks to you, I've made up my mind now.”

“Now you are back to being trustworthy as usual.
I can finally trust you.”

There was a hint of satisfaction in Marcus' voice.

The momentum emanating from Spartacus' predecessor was completely different from before, even to Marcus, an outsider.

“I was thinking wrong.
Fighting is essentially what I do to continue living.
The will to live is stronger than anything else.”

“Yes.
To begin with, you are not a talented person who will end up as a gladiator.
You told me when we first met, right? You still have a lot of work left to do.”

“Yes.
Besides, I have to live and meet her no matter what.
So I promise you.
The decisive battle with Crixus will be held soon.
I will give you the glory of a perfect victory.”

The reason he could never lose was engraved in Spartacus' heart.

An intense fighting spirit bloomed in the two eyes that did not even move.

The end of the two gladiators who chose different paths was just around the corner.

A wind was blowing in the quiet night air, heralding the start of a decisive battle.