Crixus and Spartacus slowly raised their hands on the sword's handle as if they had promised.
Marcus signaled to the soldiers aiming their bows behind them, not to shoot no matter what.
Crixus' eyes were pouring out with strangely fluctuating emotions. Even though he made up his mind to accept death aloof, the fragments of emotions he hadn't shaken off yet.
It was none other than a victory for his best friend.
"For a gladiator, losing to the same opponent twice is an unprecedented shame. But right now I don't think I'll lose to you. way to the end. I need to get back the position of number one in Capua that I entrusted to you."
"I'm afraid I won't be able to listen to that wish."
It lighted up the eyes of the two strongest gladiators.
An explosive situation.
The two's favorite spatha was pulled out like a flash without saying who should come first.
Jjaeng!
The two men's swords clashed in the air.
The strange feeling in his hands struck Spartacus.
It must be Spartacus who clearly has the upper hand in power, but Crixus was not pushed out.
This is because he flexibly moved his wrist at the same time as the collision and shed a shock.
He doesn't know what kind of training he has been doing, but he is completely different from Crixus, whom Spartacus knew.
Chwaaang!
It's not just flexibility. Crixus' sword pierced at incredible speed.
The sword tip glided past the chain mail worn for shoulder protection.
"Haap!"
He can't help but be surprised. Spartacus' mouth also burst out with a disciplined spirit.
The indefensible sword strike that cuts down firmly the whole weapon hit the flying spatha and suppressed it.
Kaaang, jjoong!
It's faster and stronger than before.
Crixus's sword, which he had not fully shed, bounced back.
"...!"
The two were shocked at the same time for different reasons.
'He couldn't break the sword?'
'I thought I'd be able to spill it enough?'
Spartacus, who was caught up, was also shocked, but Crixus' surprise was a little bigger.
He has only caught up with the sword, even though he has been rolling on the battlefield where blood and flesh stand out for the past two years, but he has not surpassed it.
Damn!
Another clash occurred, and the two began to exchange swords in earnest.
The sum came and went in an instant, an eerie wind blew up, and a lifeless sword light was rampant.
It takes almost 3 minutes to exchange swords like that.
There was a subtle admiration in the eyes of the two people who stepped down as if they had promised.
Crixus let out a light sigh and clicked his tongue.
"I guess you weren't just playing in Rome. I thought I could get enough of it...… If either one of them doesn't die, it won't be settled."
"Yes. If we fight to the end like you said, you never know who will win."
"But I should go to the end, right? Didn't you come here because you were determined to do so? 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 with sad eyes.
If Crixus didn't want to fight, he wouldn't point the sword either. There's no way he could.
This is because Spartacus' determination presupposes that Crixus accepts the confrontation.
Crixus smiled and nodded as if he had read the mind.
"Of course. But the crowd is too short to win here right now. Let's make the most spectacular stage on the day of the showdown. If I compete with you, I can fight a sword fight that can be talked about as a legend."
He decided not to live and change the times but to leave his will as death.
The more splendid the last stage, the better.
Of course, he didn't mean to lose. If he loses to the same opponent twice, he will not be able to close his eyes because it is unfair.
Crixus was determined to face a dignified end as the strongest gladiator who defeated Spartacus.
If your close friend resolves that, he no longer needs to hesitate. Spartacus turned his gaze to Marcus behind him as if seeking permission.
It's a matter of permission and nothing to say.
Marcus gave an immediate answer.
"Do as you please."
"Thank you."
When he saw Spartacus bowing his head respectfully, Crixus' eyes flashed with displeasure.
He took a step closer with a look of interest.
"Are you the aristocratic boy Spartacus spoke of? I don't know if it's bold or reckless to come to the battlefield while still young."
"It's a situation where everything is calculated. But your impression is different from what I heard. I thought he would be a more beastly man, but I was surprised."
"Because position changes people. A man who leads an army cannot always be a beast. By the way, Spartacus seems to be pretty loyal to you. Do you really have the skills to do that?"
"Crixus, don't be rude…."
When Spartacus tried to intervene in the conversation, Marcus gestured that it was okay. He replied with a relaxed smile.
"I think your friend knows that best. That's why he is following me. But to tell you one thing related to this war, the heavily armed cavalry, which must have been like a nightmare for you. Would it make more sense if I said it was made by me?"
"The monster cavalry...…."
Recalling the majesty of the heavy cavalry mercilessly trampling on the rebels in the rotation, Crixus slightly bit his lip. He narrowed his eyes and continued his words.
"Is that so... Rome didn't hide it on purpose, you created a new class of soldiers that didn't exist. I want to ask you one thing. If you become the power of Rome, can this Rome change as Spartacus wishes? Does that day really come?"
"It will change. I can't promise to free all the slaves, and I won't, but it will be much better than now. It's not just about you guys. It will make life better for everyone in Rome."
"Then there is no way that a dream is possible...…."
"It's possible. I'm truly sorry that you can't see it."
Crixus' face was stained with shock. Marcus was not bluffing. It just calmly tells the reality of what will happen in the future.
His indifferent but nonchalant voice made him feel frighteningly persuasive.
He instinctively understood. Why did Spartacus trust this boy and go to Rome?
The creation of a monster-like cavalry that he has never seen before would be only a fragment of the boy's ability.
Crixus had no choice but to admit it. This boy in front of him is the one who will change Rome in some way.
When he admitted the 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. I, no, what happened to me and my colleagues...… Is that a hindrance to the change you're going to make? What we're doing now...… It was just a worthless thing...… Do you think we'll be evaluated like that?"
If the answer is yes, it may interfere with the showdown.
Just as he was about to regret asking a pointless question, Marcus shook his head with a gentle smile.
"It won't be. You guys have already set off an alarm that reminds us of the social structure of Rome. There won't be any denigration that your fight was pointless. No, I will never let that happen. So be at ease."
Crixus looked up at the sky with bloodshot eyes.
That's enough.
How can a man who is about to die to be afraid? No one in the world can completely dispel fear.
However, those who are promised more value can fully endure the fear of death.
"Everything my colleagues want may be different. But there is one thing that everyone is afraid of in common. That's when no one remembers our fight. Don't let it get forgotten. Our will, and the final battle we will face in the future."
Crixus lowered his gaze and looked directly into Marcus' eyes.
Marcus looked around the rebels camped on the hills far away.
There were numerous wishes to live freely in the world.
"I promise you, watch from the sky. How your names will be remembered in the future."
It was Marcus' sincere answer.
* * *
"I don't think it's going to be easy."
Spartacus, who was looking at Crixus, who was moving away, suddenly said so.
"Do you mean Crixus?"
"That's right. I thought it would have been stronger, but it went well beyond my expectations."
"Did he get stronger than you?"
"Well, I don't think it'll be easy to judge unless we compete until the end. Whether it's stronger or weaker, the victory or defeat will eventually be decided by a slight difference."
Spartacus also paid attention to his training in Rome. He was definitely stronger now than he was in Capua.
The current situation was frankly unexpected because Marcus knew it.
"But 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 his breath with determination.
"Don't worry. Even if you give me an arm, or risk my life, I will win."
In order to face his friends' resolutions head-on, he also considered that his own resolution was necessary.
But Marcus frowned rather. His voice, with subtle anger, penetrated Spartacus' ears.
"I think you're thinking something wrong right now."
"Yes...?"
Spartacus flinched and asked again. There was a hint of perplexity in his tone because Marcus had never reacted like this before.
"Don't you lose even if you risk your life? Is your life only here to stake it?"
"Well, it's...…."
"It's okay to strengthen your mind to suit your friend's last resolution. But keep in mind that the determination to do something even if you give up your life is allowed only for those who are really about to die, like Crixus."
Spartacus could not answer. Of course, he had a strong desire to win for sure. However, in a fight, mental factors have a great influence as much as skills.
Crixus will be more determined than ever before in battle.
Spartacus judged that he had no choice but to risk his life to not lose to Crixus.
This is because he couldn't think of any more motivation to fight.
Even though he didn't bother to say the idea, Marcus read Spartacus' mind only with his expression.
"Yeah, it just so happens to be good. I'll tell you why you have to fight so that you never get hurt."
"But in practice, variables can occur at any time, so...…."
"So I'm thoroughly determined not to allow even that variable. If you don't want to make your wife sad."
"Well, what do you mean...…?"
Spartacus stood blankly for a moment as if he did not understand Marcus' last words.
The emotions of doubt and confusion soon turned into a passion and were revealed on the face.
Marcus nailed it firmly in a low voice.
"Before leaving, I received a report from Septimus. They said they found someone who met the criteria you said."
"Did you find her? Are you sure?"
"It's not completely certain yet. That's why I didn't tell you beforehand. If we didn't find out, you'd be very disappointed. But if you need a determination, I don't think there's a better time now."
Spartacus held his trembling hand on his forehead and breathed repeatedly.
He wanted to run and check the truth at once.
No matter how much time has passed or what shape it has changed, he is confident to recognize her at a glance.
"She is… … Where is she now?"
"Neapolis. When this war is over, you can stop by and check it out on your way back to Rome. But you're not going to go see her on her stretcher, are you?"
"I...."
"Come back well. Become a hero of this war and go get your wife in style."
Spartacus' eyes, which had been shaking violently, returned to their original 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'm determined now."
"Now you are back as reliable as usual. I can finally trust and leave it to you."
There was a hint of satisfaction in Marcus' voice.
The momentum emanating from Spartacus's body was completely different from before, even to Marcus, an outsider.
"I was thinking wrong. Fighting is what you do to continue your life. The will to live is stronger than anything else."
"Yeah. You're not just a gladiator in the first place. I told you when I first met you You still have a lot of work to do."
"Yes. Besides, I have to live and meet her no matter what. So I promise you. A decisive battle with Crixus that will be held soon. I will dedicate the glory of a perfect victory to the young master."
The reason why Spartacus could never lose was engraved in his heart.
An intense fighting spirit bloomed in the two eyes that did not even move.
Last.
The ending of the two gladiators who chose different paths was just around the corner.
A wind was blowing in the still night air, heralding the beginning of the showdown.