Marcus' prediction was correct.
Lentulus Batiatus, the head of Batiatus Ludus Magnus, was furiously shaking.
"Why the hell is Crassus asking to see Spartacus?"
The host, who heard the story from Septimus, answered calmly.
"I heard he became a fan after falling in love with his cool look? So, he want to meet and talk with him...…."
"That's a superficial reason. The Crassus family is the richest one in Rome. Isn't he trying to take Spartacus away?"
"No way. He is not going to go that far."
"No, the Crassus family is rumored to do anything that makes money. In their eyes, Spartacus may look like a goose laying a golden egg."
"Hmm...but isn't that the same for us?"
Batiatus, who had been stabbed to the point, smiled bitterly.
It was as the host said.
Batiatus treated his gladiators as livestock, bringing money to him.
At that time, finding a Ludus Magnus with a good treatment for gladiators took long work.
Among them, the Batiatus Ludus Magnus was especially harsh on gladiators.
The reason was simple.
There was no need to treat the gladiators well because there was an abundant supply of prisoners of war.
If you use it roughly and die, it's enough to get a new slave.
If you weren't a gladiator who grew up as a veteran, you couldn't even expect minimal treatment.
"If the Crassus family asks me to hand over Spartacus, should I just let him go?"
"Why? Slaves belong to their owners, don't they? If you just say you won't sell it, that's all."
"Hey, that only works when the opponent is moderately stronger than me. If the Crassus family pressures us with money, there is no talent to endure. In addition, Crassus is likely to win this year's praetura election. His term as a praetor will start right away from next year, so what's good about being hated by an opponent with both power and financial power?"
"That's true... If the person with the greatest wealth in Rome becomes a praetor, we can't do anything about it."
The praetor is one of the key positions in Rome in charge of public order and justice. Its status was, in fact, the second most important post in Rome after the consul, the highest official.
If such a person makes up his mind and starts robbing, a mediocre Ludus Magnus owner cannot even resist.
Batiatus sighed and shook his head.
"For now, until we know for sure what we're aiming for, we'll have to set it that way."
"That's right. Anything that upsets the other side must be avoided at all costs."
"First, I should give Spartacus a strong warning. He shouldn't do anything rude."
Batiatus summoned Spartacus and repeatedly emphasized that he should never lose his temper.
Spartacus let out a sneer as if Batiatus was funny.
"That's fascinating. I guess you, who used to be so high-handed to us, should also be a gentle sheep in front of the Roman aristocracy, right?"
"Don't be sarcastic and keep my words in mind. Never be angry at any disrespect over there. And don't forget to tell me why the kid asked to see you."
"It's not such a difficult order."
"If you can't do it properly, you...…. No, the new gladiators who follow you are going to see pretty rough things."
Spartacus' brow narrowed in an instant. He glared at Batiatus with furious eyes but soon calmed down and bit his lip.
"You're being mean to the end. If I make a mistake, shouldn't I be punished?"
"I can't do that. You and Crixus are the best products I have. You can't do anything that damages precious products, can you?"
Spartacus couldn't shoot back even after Batiatus's words.
If he defies here, Batiatus will punish new gladiators, as he says.
Previously, for similar reasons, a young gladiator who followed Spartacus had been thrown into a tiger.
Batiatus is such a man.
His threats never ended in empty words.
Deeply Spartacus sighed as he touched his forehead with his hand.
"I'll follow everything you say. So, feed the other gladiators full today."
"I'll think about it according to what you bring. Now that you know where you are, go and do my bidding. I shouldn't keep important customers waiting for a long time."
Spartacus rose from his seat without answering and left the room. It was miserable, but this was the most rebellious thing he could do.
Spartacus, heading to the room where Marcus was waiting, paused and took a deep breath.
It was to suppress mad rage.
Spartacus' eyes flashed with hatred as he looked down at his trembling fists.
A deep, dark, and terrifying voice escaped from his mouth.
"Damn the Romans...…. How far do you mean you must trample on people to be satisfied?
Spartacus lost everything he had to Rome.
The hometown was destroyed, and the woman who he swore to protect for the rest of his life was sold into slavery.
He couldn't keep anything.
And Rome destroyed everything he tried to protect.
Spartacus hated everything related to Rome.
Neither the audience at the arena nor Batiatus, the owner of the gladiator Ludus Magnus nor the host pretending to praise himself with his glib words that he hated
The same was true of the unknown young Roman aristocrat he would meet now.
"When he grows up, he will be the same exploiter as his father. Yeah, I'll see it with my own eyes. I'll be watching with these two eyes what the future exploiter's top looks like."
While.
Spartacus did not know. He wondered what kind of proposal the opponent he would meet from now on would make.
He didn't know yet how one's future would change.
What a great fate this encounter today has led to.
Spartacus now was not aware of it.
The largest and most spectacular room in the Batiatus Ludus Magnus.
Marcus was eating fruit carefreely in this place, which is only used to welcome VIPs.
Danae, standing behind him, seemed more nervous.
"Young master, wouldn't it be better for you to be with Septimus? If anything goes wrong...…."
"If the thing you worry about happens, nothing will change with or without Septimus."
"Still, wouldn't there have been no reason to send him out?"
"Because I don't know what will come and go. Although Septimus seems to believe me now, he is definitely my father's man. I can't have him in a room like this until I'm sure he's completely mine."
Upon hearing that, Danae smiled and wiggled her fingers.
To interpret Marcus' words means that she is completely accepted as a Marcus person.
She felt a little ticklish inside her chest.
"Then, are you planning to make a gladiator named Spartacus yours as well?"
"I would love to do that if I could. Still, I think it will be possible to judge whether or not I am a person worthy of reaping once we talk."
"If the gladiator also has eyes, he must want to serve the young master."
Marcus smiled and handed Danae a basket of fruit. She didn't hesitate to pick up the fruit and take it to her mouth.
Contrary to Dana's infinite trust, Marcus saw the possibility as half.
If he thinks about the future, he must recruit people who he can trust in terms of power.
Marcus could do enough with wealth and politics, but he wasn't confident in the military aspect.
In order to seize power in Rome, military prowess and military talent are not optional but essential.
Marius and Sulla, and Caesar.
Those who were at the peak of Rome all used the military as a last resort.
Augustus was an example of a case in which he had no military talent, but instead, he had a confidant who would make up for his shortcomings.
Marcus decided to benchmark Augustus' method.
If your ability is low, you can bring your subordinates to fill it.
Spartacus was a symbol of personal might in the military aspect.
The existence of a reliable escort is essential just by looking at Caesar's death.
Talented people who will lead the power of the group beyond the power of individuals have already been identified.
But there is a better time to recruit them.
In addition, the latter was confident of embracing with a 100% probability, but Spartacus had a slightly different story.
This is because he needed to find out how much hostility he had in Rome.
'Spartacus's rebellion is a year from now because of its timing. If it did, it would not have been a direct rebellion yet, but there is a good chance that anger is almost at a critical point.'
If your eyes and ears are blocked by hatred, there is a high possibility that no matter how good you say, he will not accept it.
At that point, it is not a matter of reason but a matter of emotion.
'In the end, it depends on how much I can relieve his mind.'
Just as Marcus had sorted out all his thoughts, someone knocked on the door just at the right time.
"May I come in?"
It was a low, blunt voice.
Marcus answered immediately.
"It's all right. You can come in."
When permission is given, the door opens, and a shadow of a person appears.
"Nice to meet you. It's called Spartacus. You were looking for me?"
The presence reminiscent of steel has stayed the same from when seen in the stadium.
Seeing it in front of my eyes, he thought he would be intimidated if he didn't pull himself together.
"It did."
"What is the reason why a noble person wanted to see a lowly slave?"
Spartacus' mouth was smiling, but his eyes were not.
Marcus was well aware of the look.
It was just the kind of smile he gave to customers in the past when he was working part-time.
"A lowly slave. Who would dare to call an outstanding gladiator like you inferior? Even in Rome, there will be no one with as much skill as you."
"It's just a skill I've developed to survive."
There was not the slightest hint of pride in his voice.
If he had skills that no one could match, he could not feel the pride he should have.
The only thing that exuded was deep remorse and bitterness.
"You don't seem to like the situation right now."
"What can I do if I don't like it? Only those who have a choice can have that kind of heart."
"Even if you can't choose, anyone can think as long as you're alive. I heard that the treatment at Batiatus Ludus Magnus is not very good. I can fully understand that gladiators have a lot of complaints."
"It doesn't happen. I don't think there's a single person who's dissatisfied."
Spartacus' voice trembled faintly.
Marcus saw through his character to some extent with just a short conversation.
He is an honest and tenacious person.
That may be why it's hard to hide his true feelings.
According to the records, Spartacus stopped gladiators who tried to kill indiscriminately, even during the war.
With such a noble character, it would have been even more challenging to endure the current gutter-like situation.
"If you're careful not to get into Batiatus' ears, you don't have to worry about it. We promise to keep the conversation completely between us. That's why I sent my servant out separately."
Spartacus' eyes fell on Danae at Marcus' side.
"That child is still there, but...…."
"Oh, this kid is fine. If I tell her to keep it a secret, she won't even open her mouth in front of the consul. Wouldn't you rather eat some fruit than that? It tastes pretty good."
Marcus turned his attention to the fruit basket he had given Danae to change the atmosphere.
However, he couldn't see where any of the fruits that had been piled up earlier went.
Danae was blushing and didn't know what to do.
"Sorry, I'm sorry! I thought I could eat it all, so I can't stop...…."
"...it's okay, it could be. Then, we can't help but talk about fruits a little more frankly from now on."
"Is that child from Thrace?"
Spartacus was fixing his eyes on Danae without listening to Marcus.
After all, it was rude, but he didn't seem to be aware that he had done anything rude.
Marcus did not point out much because he was pleased that Spartacus showed interest first.
"That's right. I'm from Thrace and my name is Danae. I'm protecting him now."
"As expected..."
Spartacus' mind was complex and subtle.
First of all, it was nice to meet someone from the same town in an unexpected place.
However, it was frustrating that the local person was eventually living as a slave to the Romans.
However, when he looked closely, there was no negative emotion on the young girl's face.
Didn't she eat all the fruits the owner brought and gave her and then just move on?
He wondered if it was like a concubine relationship, but looking at the age of the two, he didn't think it was like that.
Spartacus still asked Danae, keeping his eyes on her.
"Why are you taking that child with you?"
"She learning a lot right now. And to broaden her horizons. There are some things that you can't see if you're just sitting in front of the desk."
"Education to female slaves?"
"There's no rule that you shouldn't do that."
It was a story he had never heard of.
Spartacus revised his assessment of Marcus to the extent that he was an unusual aristocrat.
Yes, that's all there.
After all, it is a Roman aristocrat who treats slaves well.
Besides, even when he was young, he would become no different from most Roman aristocrats when he grew up.
Spartacus has seen many Romans so far.
The stereotypes that have accumulated so far have stayed the same.
"So, what is the candid story that the young master wants to hear from me?"
"To be honest, I want to get you out of here and take you to Rome. I want you to cooperate with the idea I'm drawing. Are you willing to do that?"
"You're saying something weird. If you want that, you need to talk to Batiatus, not me. I don't have any choice."
It was a legitimate argument. Slaves couldn't choose their own destinies.
If Marcus wants to take ownership of Spartacus, he must tell his master.
Marcus narrowed his brows and asked again.
"I will talk to Batiatus after hearing your answer. The important thing is, are you willing to come with me? What do you say? Are you willing to leave here?"
There was an awkward silence for a moment. Soon, Spartacus opened his mouth.
"What would you do if I said no?"
"I'll try to persuade you. I think you'll feel the same way when you hear my story. But if you still don't change your mind, I give up."
"You won't have to persuade me. I will never go to Rome."
"It's a bit unexpected that you won't even listen to persuasion...…."
Markus scratched his head at the refusal, which was more stubborn than expected.
"Can you tell me why?"
"It's just a sight to see more and more people when you go to Rome."
"Are you saying you don't want to be a superstar who entertains the Romans?"
Spartacus' face hardened like ice. He couldn't control his resentment at all and was carried out in a voice.
"It's not a position that I want to stand on my own."
"So you're going to keep confined in this narrow Capua?"
"Is Rome spacious? All I have in my world is a narrow Ludus Magnus and a gladiatorial arena. What would change if we went to Rome? A wider Ludus Magnus? A stadium that can accommodate more people?"
"I have no intention of treating you like that."
"Nonsense!"
Spartacus, who could no longer suppress his emotions, shouted.
Batiatus's request to never be rude has already disappeared far from his memory.
"If we go to Rome, of course, the environment may be a little better! Maybe you can wear better clothes and fill your stomach with a richer meal! However, it will only make you a full slave, and it will not change a thing in essence. You're a Roman aristocrat after all. You don't know that you only see me for money? I will never sell myself for a mere game of the Romans."
"I understood what you were thinking. But just chill out and listen to me. It's not too late to make a decision after that."
"Ha! No matter what sweet talk you try to cook, I have already made up my mind. I never give in to the Romans and the aristocrats. Even if I fell into slavery, I would not sell my dignity and pride."
"This is it, won...."
He is not in a state where the story can't get through.
Spartacus was not angry with Marcus now.
He is expressing his anger at Rome itself, which has accumulated so far.
This was the situation that Marcus was worried about.
There is a saying called Heinrich's Accident Triangle.
A statistical law states that before a major event occurs, dozens of precursors are related to it.
The rebellion of Spartacus does not escape from this either.
How much resentment must have accumulated before discontent broke out in the direct form of rebellion?
Marcus was looking at that piece right now.
Spartacus looks at the shadow of Rome, the ruler that drifts heavily behind Marcus.
This was not the kind of rage that a Roman man, and Marcus, an aristocrat at that, could calm down.
'Do I have no choice but to give up?….'
He was confident that he would persuade Spartacus if he listened to his story, but he could not communicate with the person who had closed the door of his heart.
Just as Marcus was about to give up his mind, a breakthrough occurred unexpectedly.
"...The young master is never like that."
Suddenly, when the familiar language of his hometown, Thracian, was heard, Spartacus, who was angry, turned to the place where the sound came from.
"...?"
Danae did not flinch even in front of a man twice as tall as herself. She said her words in a somewhat trembling voice.
"Of course, most Romans do not see slaves as people. But young master is different. For me, who was being beaten in the name of discipline, the young master saved me even confronting the fellow Romans. Besides, he gave me the opportunity to learn all kinds of knowledge that I did not know even when I was in Thrace."
"But a slave is a slave."
"Maybe. However, young master, even if I am his slave, he always ask my opinion and respect me. He also persuaded me to become a tool of my master, not a lowly person. In addition, he was worried that I might be uncomfortable when he went to watch this gladiatorial match. If I didn't want to, he wouldn't have taken me to the stadium. Like any other aristocrat? He is never like that."
Even though there were tears in her eyes, Danae was confident. There is not the slightest hesitation or doubt in her words.
It was Spartacus who was somewhat embarrassed.
"If what you say is true... Yes, that person may be different from other aristocrats. But when he grows up, he will eventually change just like other aristocrats. Every Roman I've ever seen has been like that."
"Don't judge the whole thing by your own narrow experience. That's what childish people do. The young master is different."
"How can you be sure he won't change?"
"I can't guarantee you the future here, but...… I believe the young master won't change. At least I can guarantee that it's never a good idea not to listen to the young master here now."
It was a simple, honest belief, but perhaps because of that, he couldn't come up with anything to argue against. What on earth could that girl believe in her master and be so confident?
Spartacus's heart, which he had firmly hardened, eventually penetrated a crack of curiosity.
He turned to Marcus and asked again in Latin.
"Do you really need me for what you're going to do? If you need a simple, excellent gladiator, here are plenty of others."
Marcus, who didn't know Thracian and was a little nervous listening to the conversation between the two, straightened his posture again.
He answered, facing Spartacus seriously.
"I don't need another gladiator. I need you."
"I can't even guess what the noble young master is going to do with me. Is it related to politics?"
No matter how much Spartacus thought about what he would do by taking a gladiator slave with him, he couldn't guess his intentions.
The words of Marcus that reached his ears further added to his confusion. However, it was also true that it stirred his interest.
"I just envision a more rational and efficient system. We're still just in the planning stage, but...… First of all, I'm sure it's part of my plan to take you there. Whether to accept it or not is your choice."
"I don't know..… what the hell are you thinking?"
It covered a voice diminished by sighing and questioning in the room like a mist.
Marcus felt that Spartacus' attitude had now eased considerably and quickly continued.
"First of all, what I'm going to do through you is improve the gladiator's game. I mean…."
Upon hearing Marcus' idea, Spartacus was silent for a moment. Soon he raised his head. There was still a mixture of doubts, but there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Is that really possible? No, is it possible?"
"It's possible enough if you go to Rome with me. You can do it."
Marcus' confident words reached the devastated heart of Spartacus.
"It doesn't just end there. The improvement in gladiatorial competition is nothing more than a passing point. Not only to me, but also to you. Do you want to spend your entire life as a gladiator trapped in a circular stadium? That can't be true. Look beyond that."
Marcus took a deep breath before speaking again.
"What I'm trying to do may have a lot of enemies. So I want you to protect me. If I die, it's all over."
Marcus' voice became a promise, and the light in his eyes rekindled the hope that had been extinguished in Spartacus' mind.
Still, the feeling of trying to catch at least a straw was stronger than expected, but Spartacus did not deny that he had hope again.
Rome. A name that was considered only an enemy to Spartacus.
It is now trying to be a name that symbolizes a new challenge.
When Spartacus decided to go to Rome, Marcus' idea also began.
Spartacus replied that he would follow Marcus and return to Batiatus.
As he closed the door and left, Marcus slid from the chair and sighed.
"Whoa... My heart almost stopped."
"As expected, I thought you would make it."
"Your help was great. If you hadn't come forward like that, Spartacus wouldn't have listened to me sincerely."
It was fortunate that Danae was related to Spartacus.
No matter how much you closed your heart with distrust, the appeal of the girl who he brought into slavery from the same land would have brought a special echo.
Danae couldn't hide her excitement because she was quite happy she had been helpful.
"This is nothing compared to the grace you gave me. And didn't you have everything in mind for me to step up anyway?"
"What... that's right. It was all a calculated move."
"As expected! That's why you let me sit with you."
He felt a little guilty to see her admiring himself alone.
Of course, it wasn't that Marcus didn't have such thoughts at all. The theory that Spartacus was a Thracian, close to Greek, had been popular for a long time.
And Danae was also from Thrace, which is adjacent to Greece.
There was even a calculation that Spartacus would perceive her favorably. But Danae went beyond that and courageously stepped forward for Marcus.
"Now, I can't waste the opportunity you brought me. From now on, I will meet Batiatus and negotiate."
Marcus went straight out and headed for Batiatus' room with Septimus.
Septimus seemed a little upset that he was the only one left out.
Still, he was convinced when he made the excuse that Spartacus would be a little less vigilant if there were younger people.
At the same time, it was really him to add a word of regret.
"Can I join the conversation with Batiatus? Or should I go out again?"
"It's okay. You'd better know that you have to report to my father, too."
"That's a relief."
"Oh, and you don't mind selling my father's name when I negotiate with Batiatus, do you?"
When he said he would lie so confidently, Septimus looked dumbfounded for a moment.
"Can you handle the aftermath if you get caught?"
"It's okay. If I go to Rome and report it, my father will definitely allow it. There will never be anything left to take care of."
Septimus stared at Marcus. It's not a bluff, and it's not an arrogant look.
He felt certain on a clear basis.
"When did you grow up like this.... good. Whatever you say, I'll pretend I didn't hear it."
"It's a very wise decision. Then let's go negotiate."
Batiatus, who Spartacus told that Marcus would come, was fully waiting and prepared.
"Hahahaha! Welcome!"
With a friendly smile, he recommends pulling out a chair.
This was his attitude toward those higher than himself.
He was a completely different person from when he sold Spartacus.
"It's such an honor to welcome you."
While doing so, he looked sideways at Septimus and Marcus.
It was to determine which of the two was in charge of the negotiations.
Septimus, who noticed Batiatus' gaze, took a step back.
"I have nothing to say in this negotiation, so you can talk to the young master."
"Is that so? Haha...…. The Crassus family is said to be a famous family in Rome, but I guess so. The young master, who is still young, has the ability to negotiate a deal."
"I'm flattered. My father has already compiled all the details. I only discuss it with you."
When Crassus' story came out, Batiatus nodded.
No genius, no matter how clever, would still entrust such a big deal to a twelve-year-old.
But it was understandable if Crassus had already drafted a deal.
Perhaps he wanted to give his precious son a chance to gain experience.
And if you say that you sent it with a reliable henchman in case you make a mistake, everything fits.
Completely convinced of his judgment, Batiatus regained his composure.
"Then let's get down to business. You said you wanted to take Spartacus, right?"
"That's right. Of course I'm going to pay enough. In a form that satisfies both."
Marcus' voice was calm and serious, unlike his age. It is one of the best talents a person can make a living by trading.
Batiatus did not fall for it. An experienced merchant only gives a definite answer once he hears the terms. He opened his mouth with a smile of embarrassment.
"But Spartacus is a gladiator who symbolizes our Ludus Magnus, no, Capua. It means he's not just someone who can sell for money."
"We know that, so it's okay to put aside your worries. I don't mean to force you. First of all, let's make sure that this is a good opportunity for you, too."
"It's a good opportunity?"
"Yes, the opportunity to sell Spartacus at the highest price. Don't you know that already? The fact that Spartacus, who remains as a gladiator in Capua, is most valuable now."
Batiatus' eyes shook for a moment. He desperately managed his expression, but he couldn't control the movement of his eyes.
"What do you mean...."
"I'll let you know if you're going to pretend you don't know that Spartacus became too strong. That's why you're already at a level where you can't be sure who to play with. Crixus would be a match, but that doesn't mean you can't keep putting two people on the same training center. If the confrontation is repeated, the freshness will also decrease."
"... you're stabbing me in a pretty painful spot."
Batiatus could no longer force a smile.
It is because Marcus was right.
It was good until Spartacus grew into the strongest gladiator.
However, there is tension in the match only when it has stopped at an appropriate level.
Crixus is the only gladiator left in Capua who can face Spartacus.
And the Crixus also lost to Spartacus just a while ago.
"Even the Lanistas who arrange gladiator fights will be in trouble. Even famous warriors were brought in from Gaul, but they were no match for Crixus, let alone Spartacus. That's why they're even doing the nonsense of a three-on-one match."
"It is…"
"The audience will be enthusiastic now, but I don't know...… How long will you show such an enthusiastic response? You can't send anyone to a one-on-one confrontation anymore. Since it's not three to one, are you going to order four to one next time? Or five to one next time? The all-on-one battle should have been saved until the very end, but you blew up too quickly. It won't be easy to satisfy the audience who want more stimulation."
Batiatus couldn't find anything to refute because he was right every time.
In fact, Batiatus hoped Spartacus would lose the match. Even if he won, he prayed that he could barely win after a huge fight.
But the result came out the worst. There was no more talent to establish a showdown with Spartacus in Capua.
Now the game will gradually flow in a way that gives Spartacus a forced handicap that is impossible to beat.
If this degree worsens, it will naturally be more difficult to draw the audience's response.
Paradoxically, Spartacus is so strong that it adversely affects the box office's success.
"So you want me to sell Spartacus?"
"Yes, and with that money, I recommend bringing in several excellent gladiators and expanding the pool. In the long run, there is no reason to hold on to the products that are only going to go down."
"If Spartacus goes to Rome, what is the benefit of the young master's family?"
"First of all, freshness. Spartacus is a veteran of 16 duel already in Capua, but he is full of rumors in Rome. Wouldn't it be a fresh shock to see such a person succeeding in Rome? Rome has a much wider pool of talent than Capua, so it will be slower to become less useful. This is the price we will pay, so review it."
Marcus put the wax tablet forward.
Batiatus' expression was subtle as he quickly read the numbers on the tablet.
It wasn't a nasty blow, but it wasn't a generous amount either.
Before he could say anything, Marcus added a word.
"Here, I will give you some of the profits from the business we will develop based on Spartacus."
"I think I need to know what kind of business it is to be sure."
"Of course I'll explain. First of all, our Crassus family is trying to revamp the form of gladiatorial fights. There are too many shortcomings in the current method."
"You're revamping the gladiatorial fights?"
Batiatus suddenly raised his head and looked up at Marcus.
Septimus also widened his eyes and waited for Marcus to speak.
"The gladiatorial match is a structure that is too big for newcomers. The death rate is too high even considering that there is nothing we can do about it because it is a structure where we have no choice but to see blood."
"It can't be helped...…."
"No. We're looking at this in the long run. Now that there are many prisoners of war, there will be no problem if they die like that. But what are you going to do when the Roman border stabilizes and the supply of slaves is cut off? Wouldn't it be too late to go and take measures in a hurry at that time?"
"How can the border stabilize so quickly?"
"No, it's not a story of the distant future."
The areas that could be more stable now are mainly in the east and towards Gaul.
The eastern dynasties were conquered by Pompeius ten years later, and after that, Gaul was also subjugated by Caesar to Roman hegemony.
By then, the supply of slaves has decreased incomparably.
This means little time is left to maintain the current structure of infinitely changing gladiators.
"If the supply of gladiators falls...… I'll have to change the rules a little bit. But wouldn't that be too much to say that the current method is lacking?"
"I'm not done talking yet. The high mortality rate of gladiators means that there is less possibility of creating a new star that will lead to success. Let's call them Stella (Star) for convenience. A show can only be established when this Stella, that leads the entire board, comes out. Isn't it?
"That's what Spartacus or Crixus...…."
"No matter how much Stella is, what fun would it be if the two of them just cooked and ate both?" There needs to be a pool of talent that can work in harmony. I mean, we can't grow the grass with the current structure."
Batiatus, who, like a mute who had eaten honey, was unable to object, and thinking that he shouldn't lose control of the conversation like this, he barely came up with an excuse.
"But the public won't be convinced for that reason alone. What's the point of asking me to see you tomorrow when the fun decreases right away?"
"Yeah, so I don't want to change it all at once. We need to induce the audience to change their minds gradually. To that end, we plan to make Spartacus the best Stella in Rome. We should intentionally create an image as an idol that everyone looks up to. Then I will improve the treatment of gladiators. Do you know what is the most important factor in the success of the competition?"
"What? That's..… wouldn't it depend on how tense and stimulating the matches are?"
"No. The most important thing is the core Stellas and the narrative surrounding them. When there is a narrative that the audience can immerse in and when there is not, there is a world of difference."
It was a story in which Batiatus seemed to know something but didn't have a specific image.
"Speaking of the current Capua situation, isn't it a situation where the Thracian gladiators and the Gallic gladiators are divided? I mean, this subtle confrontation and conflict of pride makes the audience more interesting."
"Oh, I see. Definitely…."
"When there's a flood of stellas and stories around them that will fascinate the audience, the audience starts to consume them on their own."
Batiatus nodded involuntarily in admiration. When he heard it, it was so obvious that he wondered why he hadn't thought of this before.
Marcus continued his explanation to him, who had already entered a half-listening position.
"I'm going to add an element that will stimulate people's love for hometown. First of all, I'm going to compete with big cities that are geographically adjacent to Rome, where gladiatorial competitions are prevalent. Gladiators represent their region and fight against other regions. What if that happens? The spectators will enthusiastically support the gladiators representing their region, right?"
When he considers the reaction of modern European football fans to their home team games, it is easy to predict how much response there will be.
In addition, at this time, people felt a sense of belonging to their hometowns was incomparable to modern times.
You cannot feel good if your region loses consecutive games to other regions. Naturally, the audience will want gladiators in their region to be superior to other regions, and there will be much more opportunities for gladiators to develop their skills.
"But if it's far, wouldn't it take too long to move?"
"That's why we should do it in the adjacent big city. First, I'm going to experiment with about four cities. And Lanistas can add all kinds of flesh to it to create a narrative that will captivate the audience. If you make and sell related products, the box office will be out of control. Can you imagine how much money will come and go?"
In addition to this, Markus planned to introduce systems such as a ranking system and title fights used in modern martial arts.
Batiatus's head began to spin violently. He didn't make any specific calculations, but he was quick-witted.
The prospect of a huge market was straightforward.
The idea that Crassus, Rome's richest man, designed it, gave off a deeper smell of money.
Even though the gladiator match is free in principle, there is a huge stake in it, and the fee alone can make a huge profit.
Capital to implement this is a problem initially, but there is no problem if it is the capital power of the Crassus family.
After looking around, Batiatus knew he had no choice but to say yes.
It was simply an irresistible offer.
Batiatus nodded, and Marcus handed out the contract with a light smile.
They concluded the deal.