In 78 BC, the Roman Dictator Sulla died, and the Roman Republic entered the Post-Sulla Era.
In 76 BC, the Roman Senate decided to dispatch the twenty-nine-year-old Pompey to lead an army to the Spain Province to suppress Sedulius's rebel army. This was the first time in Roman Republic's military history, after Scipio, that a Roman became a Commander before the age of thirty-nine.
In the same year, the twenty-four-year-old Caesar went to Rhodes Island to study but was kidnapped by pirates on the way. He voluntarily paid a ransom of fifty talents. Once safely ashore, he immediately recruited men, trained an army, and made a surprise attack on the pirates who had landed, successfully capturing them all and reclaiming his money.
Also that year, the thirty-seven-year-old Crassus earned a large amount of money in Rome through loans and real estate, but also tarnished his reputation in the process. Unwilling to see the younger Pompey shine so brightly, he began to make moves, preparing to run for the Legal Officer of the Roman Senate in the following year.
Xu Tianyu deeply regretted agreeing to a meal invitation from his high school classmates. As a result of drinking quite a bit during the meal, his high school classmate got into a conflict with the guests at the next table. While trying to mediate, he was accidentally pushed and hit the back of his head on the table corner, immediately losing consciousness.
As he lost consciousness, a thought flashed through his mind: Too bad I haven't even played the old game "Total War: Rome 2" that I just bought!
No one knew how much time had passed, but the noisy sounds awakened his consciousness: "Cross, you hit too hard, Maximus was killed by you!" someone exclaimed.
"Just one punch and he's dead? Serves this traitor right; he betrayed us. I wish I could tear him apart!" came a loud, hate-filled voice.
"It's not entirely Maximus's fault. Batiatus must have heard some rumors ahead of time, which is why he called Maximus to inquire. Facing that wicked wolf, not everyone has the courage to keep a secret, and Maximus could have kept silent after he returned, but he chose to confess to us immediately, thus preventing us from falling prey to the wicked wolf without knowing it. In this regard, he did us a great favor. Cres, you shouldn't have been so impulsive!" came a deep, gentle voice.
"Hmph, this coward ruined our plan and put us all in danger. Are we supposed to thank him?!"
"Spartacus, Cross, you two stop arguing. The situation is critical now, what should we do?!" a clear voice sounded.
"Antonix, don't panic. We originally planned to take action soon. Although Batiatus has found out, he surely doesn't know that Maximus has already told us the truth. We need to act immediately. While that wicked wolf is unprepared, we should gather everyone, defeat the guards here, and escape!" The gentle voice now brimmed with a stirring power.
The harsh voice immediately responded: "You're right, we must act now! We must quickly inform the brothers!"
As soon as the words fell, "Clang! Clang! Clang!..." a series of ear-piercing metallic sounds resounded, followed by a cold voice echoing in Xu Tianyu's ears: "Spartacus, Cross, the master wants to see you two to discuss the upcoming arena match the day after tomorrow!"
"Damn, Attiatus is surely planning to take you two out!" that clear voice said anxiously in a low tone.
"We were just worried about how to open that iron gate, and here they come!" The gentle voice was now filled with joy.
The harsh voice, understanding the plan, spoke in a low tone: "Exactly, I and Spartacus will pretend to follow orders, but once we step beyond that iron gate, we'll act immediately to take out those two lackeys outside!"
"But those two lackeys outside the iron gate are not only well-equipped, but they're not weaklings either, while you two are unarmed—"
"So when Cross and I launch the attack, Antonix, you must immediately lead the brothers from the other rooms to charge out together. Whether we gain freedom depends on how fast you act!"
"I got it, rest assured, Spartacus!"
The gentle voice then shouted loudly: "Got it, Cross and I are coming now!"
As the footsteps faded away, Xu Tianyu was perplexed: Spartacus, Cross... Could it be that they are playing that old American TV series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand"? But these voices seem to be happening right beside me! And they weren't speaking in English; it was a foreign language, yet I could understand it. What is going on?!
He struggled to open his heavy eyelids, but suddenly a flood of information surged into his mind: '...Maximus is a house-born slave of a new Roman knight family, the son of an Illyrian slave and a Thracian slave. From a young age, he showed a gift for languages. Observing his intelligence and wit, his master decided to let him study alongside his own son so that Maximus could manage the estate and business, becoming a capable assistant to his son in the future. Year after year, Maximus excelled in his studies and remained loyal to his young master, fulfilling his master's expectations.
However, when Maximus was thirteen, Sula led his army into Rome, became a Dictator, and started a purge of the Civilian Faction. Unfortunately, his master was on Sula's list of those to be purged, and shortly after, the entire family was slaughtered by mobs. Maximus was sent to the slave market in Capua to be sold and was eventually purchased by Batiatus's Gladiator School.
Always keen on purchasing barbarian war prisoners from slave traders as gladiators, Batiatus had his reasons for buying Maximus. Perhaps due to the 'hybrid' advantage, the not-yet-fully-grown Maximus was tall and robust, seemingly good material for a gladiator; in addition, Maximus, a house-born slave, was obedient and docile, unlike those wild barbarians, making him easier for Batiatus to control; moreover, Maximus was fluent in several barbarian languages, and could read and write, enabling him to collect information for Batiatus when mingling with the barbarian gladiators to prevent any unexpected incidents; after all, these untamed barbarians tended to cause trouble from time to time and were much harder to manage than those Romans who voluntarily became gladiators due to debt.
Batiatus's plans were well thought out, but who would know that after Maximus became a gladiator, he would be inspired by Spartacus, joining his rebel faction. Using his relatively free status, Maximus secretly communicated between the gladiator quarters, informing Spartacus and the other gladiator leaders of external developments to help refine their revolt plan.
However, over two hundred gladiators trying to launch a rebellion together was impossible to keep completely secret, and Batiatus heard some wind about it, so he called Maximus for questioning.
Under his relentless questioning, Maximus's ingrained obedience took effect; he succumbed and confessed to Batiatus the truth about the gladiators planning a riot. To prevent the gladiators from becoming wary, Batiatus warned Maximus: After returning, he must not inform anyone that Batiatus knew about this, and if he complied, Batiatus would forgive him for his current mistake.
Maximus agreed wholeheartedly, but when he saw Spartacus, he couldn't suppress the guilt and sadness, thinking of how this father-like warm man who had always cared for him could possibly die because of this. Spartacus noticed his shameful and sorrowful expression and, upon repeated questioning, Maximus revealed the truth, and in a rage, Cross violently punched him, causing his head to hit the uneven stone wall and collapse to the ground unconscious...'
(The protagonist will henceforth be referred to as Maximus.)