Marcus returned to Rome accompanied by Spartacus and Cellini.
Seeing Rome after almost a year felt different from before.
The whole city was shaking with anticipation for the upcoming grand triumphus.
There was also a great welcoming atmosphere as Sertorius' rebellion lasted more than five years, and the slave rebellion, which had been dragged on for nearly two years, was suppressed in a row.
At the news of Marcus' return, the family members were overjoyed.
Tertulla, who stamped her feet in front of the mansion, hugged Marcus when he got out of the carriage.
The young eldest son, who had left the house, returned even more reliable.
Boys of this age grow differently day by day.
With tears in her eyes, the mother hugged her taller son and refused to let go.
"I'm so glad nothing happened."
Septimus, watching from behind, bowed his head silently. Danae continued to mutter, "I'm glad," with a tearful face.
He was about to say sorry but wasn't in the mood for something.
Marcus just smiled.
So his mother cried even more.
The younger brother rushed out in a hurry and wanted to hear his brother's heroic victory in person.
The day blossomed into a story until the sun went down.
His mother and younger brother listened to Marcus' vivid stories of his experiences.
Septimus and Danae, who were standing behind him, were sometimes amazed and delighted together and immersed in the story.
The finale was, of course, the decisive battle between Spartacus and Crixus.
The fact that the two were close friends and had a priestly relationship made Tertulla feel very sorry.
"That is a sad story. Going out to the battlefield to slash a friend...…."
On the other hand, his younger brother Publius couldn't hide his excitement with a flushed face.
"That's amazing. It's clear to me why father gave Spartacus the name of the family and even freed him. It's a pity that I couldn't see it myself. It must have been a legendary scene in the stories of heroes...… Although Spartacus was pitiful, a hot exclamation would have welled up in the hearts of those who watched it."
Most Romans would react like Publius. Marcus was able to listen to his younger brother and be confident in his future plans.
When the long story with his family was over, Septimus came up and asked.
"Young master, I heard everything about this from the old master. But isn't that too much of a concession?"
"Why do you think so?"
"The value of the triumphus is more than you think. No matter how much you know that you have made a great contribution, citizens are more likely to accept the form seen with their eyes. It goes without saying that considering the silver coins to be sprinkled at the triumphus. Although we can gain the confidence of the Senate, the support of the people will be directed at Pompeius."
"In the short term, that's right. The impact of the moment of the triumphus is incredible. But that crazy atmosphere doesn't last as long as you think. In the end, it's a one-time thing. Rather, it will be more influential in the long run if it remains on people's lips."
"But how can it be talked about in such a long term?"
Marcus smiled contemptuously.
There is no way that Septimus has not considered the point he made by Septimus.
In the first place, this was already said when he told Crassus to give up the triumphus.
Crassus was worried that citizens would not know well about the military merits he built this time if he gave up the triumphus.
Marcus has a solution in place.
"You told me, didn't you? Citizens accept what they can see with their eyes more easily. You can do that. I was about to leave you with a job, but that's great. Try casting a famous playwright. It's good to have a high reputation, but not someone who takes a long time to write."
"Are you going to perform in a play?"
"Yes, it will be a kind of propaganda, but what better material could it be? If you dramatize it properly, the audience will go wild. I guarantee."
Even in the early days of the Republic, Roman theater was in a situation where one could not say that it was of a high standard.
It was not until the 200s B.C. when famous Greek works were translated and screened, that the level became quite good.
Since then, the base has gradually expanded as they wrote playwrights based on heroes and citizens of ancient Rome.
After the Punic Wars, the theater, which held only ten days a year, was now held for almost 30 days.
Including special performances, it may be a little more than that.
Certainly, the desire to see an exciting play was growing among the Romans now.
Septimus also seemed a little harsh.
"It's a play starring Spartacus... There are already quite a few plays in which Greeks play the lead role, so it should be possible."
"Spartacus is now Roman. If you go in the direction of emphasizing it, it will be a very good play educationally. Think about it. A gladiator brought into slavery meets a master who recognizes him, vows allegiance, and demonstrates all his abilities. He becomes a proud Roman himself by cutting down his old friend who rebelled there with tears for the sake of his master and Rome. If there is a little adaptation, there will be no story more satisfying for the Romans."
This can secretly preach the greatness of Marcus and Crassus, who treat slaves personally.
The completeness of the story is high, and the audience's response cannot be bad because it ends with a great victory in Rome.
Wasn't Publius excited about Spartacus's narrative right now?
Spartacus was almost a legend to the soldiers of the eight legions that followed Crassus.
Marcus gave them the vow to tell them what they saw when they returned to Rome.
Soldiers who participated in the victorious war were eager to talk about their experiences from the beginning.
On top of that, Spartacus was already gaining a reputation as one of Rome's greatest gladiators.
Naturally, the rumor was spreading like wildfire.
In this situation, it will be the best propaganda if only the play is released.
In fact, in ancient times, the theater was one of the best propaganda tools.
However, in Rome, this practice was not yet fully established at the end of the Republic.
The person who used the play more actively than anyone else for propaganda was Octavianus, the first emperor.
He hired writers to produce plays containing the myths of his dynasty.
This inspired Marcus.
'How come most of what I do is inspired by Augustus' deeds.'
It wasn't a feeling, and it was a fact.
There is already a person who has suggested a perfect way to win over the public and the Senate, and it is a fool who does not use it as it is.
Septimus, who fully understood Marcus' intention, nodded without disagreement.
"I'll find the best writer. And what else should I do?"
"Oh, that's right. In the meantime, please find a suitable gift."
"Who are you going to give it to as a present?"
"Pompeus. They say there will be a big banquet after the triumphus, and I think my father and I will go there too. So you should look at the gift in advance. Rather than simply being expensive, please find it a symbolic object that will stimulate Pompeius's vanity."
"I see. As soon as the sun rises tomorrow.... No, let's find out right now."
Septimus bowed his head once and went outside.
When the conversation between the two was over, Danae, who was listening to the story quietly next to him, rushed up.
In fact, she wanted to talk to him from the beginning, but she seemed to be holding it in.
The puppy-like figure was so cute that he smiled automatically.
"How have you been while I was gone?"
"Yes. I focused on studying while reducing my sleep to become a person who can help you quickly."
"... How many hours a day did you sleep?"
"I slept for five hours. At first, I slept for four hours, but then I was too sleepy to study efficiently."
'She doesn't know that she's at the real level.'
Danae often had a screw loose like this when it came to Marcus.
He told her to study hard. Who told her to devote her life to studying without sleeping?
At the same time, she was smiling that she liked it, so he laughed bitterly.
"Try to sleep so that your health doesn't get damaged no matter what. And you don't have to study too hard. From now on, try to take a break and do something even without me."
"Yes, I will."
Danae continued to hang around Marcus without removing the smile from her face.
If it were a puppy, her tail would have constantly been flapping. It felt like that for some reason.
"Did you do anything other than study while I was away? Or something fun."
"Oh, yes! That's...…."
Marcus went to bed, listening to Danae chatting happily next to him.
It's been a long time since he has been in Rome, and the night went deeper and deeper.
Marcus' boyhood was now running toward its end.
* * *