Sparta: Many childrens, Many Blessings, Starting from the Gladiator Chapter 14 14

"The four people sent by the Nodis training camp this ti have the codenas 'Anvil', 'Hamr', 'Viper', and 'Spider' respectively."

Batiatus pointed at the diagram and said, "'Anvil' and 'Hamr' are a group. They are strength types, responsible for frontal assault. 'Viper' is fast, uses short sword and dagger, specializes in attacking vital points. 'Spider'… uses a net with barbs."

Lynx carefully looked at the diagram.

The four people's positions were very particular.

"Anvil" and "Hamr" in front, attracting firepower;

"Viper" wandering on the flank, looking for opportunities;

"Spider" at the back, ready to cast the net to control at any ti.

A typical encirclent and killing formation.

"Their tactics are very clear,"

Batiatus continued, "First use 'Anvil' and 'Hamr' to pin down Crixus — that guy has great strength, but his brain is not good, easy to be provoked. Once Crixus is entangled, 'Viper' and 'Spider' will go all out against you."

Lynx nodded: "A very reasonable tactic."

"So you cannot fight according to their rhythm."

Batiatus leaned forward. "My suggestion is to launch a strong attack on 'Spider' at the start. Without the net, their control chain is broken. As long as you can quickly solve 'Spider', the remaining three, you and Crixus two against three, the chance of winning will be much greater."

Lynx did not express his opinion imdiately.

He stared at the diagram, rapidly deducing in his mind.

Strong attack on "Spider"… sounds good, but the problem is that "Spider" stands at the back. There are "Anvil" and "Hamr" blocking in front, and "Viper" ready to support beside him. It is not easy to break through.

Moreover, will Crixus cooperate?

That guy now hates him to the bone. It would be good if he doesn't stab him in the back during the performance match. How can he expect him to cover him?

"Regarding Crixus…"

Lynx opened his mouth.

"I will talk to him."

Batiatus interrupted him. "The performance match concerns my face and money bag. He doesn't dare to act recklessly, at least not openly."

Not openly, but secretly?

Lynx didn't ask out loud, but he knew in his heart.

"There is one more thing,"

Batiatus took out a small wooden box from the drawer again and pushed it over. "Open it and take a look."

Lynx opened the wooden box.

Inside was a short sword.

But it was not the standard short sword from the training camp.

This sword's blade was narrower and thinner, with a dull tallic luster.

The hilt was wrapped in leather, with an excellent grip.

The most special thing was a shallow blood groove on the spine of the sword, extending all the way to the tip.

"Made of refined steel,"

Batiatus said. "I bought it from a Greek rchant. It cost thirty denarii. Much stronger than those broken things you usually use."

Lynx picked up the short sword and weighed it.

The weight was moderate, the center of gravity perfect.

He casually swung it. The sound of breaking air was much sharper than the swords he usually used.

"Good sword."

"Of course it's a good sword."

Batiatus smiled. "This is for saving your life. Use this sword in the performance match."

Lynx raised his eyes: "Why?"

"Because I want you to win,"

Batiatus said word by word. "And to win beautifully. This sword can let you solve the opponent faster, bleed less, get injured less — injured gladiators can't participate in subsequent performances."

Subsequent performances…

Lynx rembered the Ro plan Lucretia ntioned.

"I understand."

He put away the sword. "Thank you, Master."

"No need to thank ,"

Batiatus leaned back in his chair, his tone suddenly becoming aningful. "Lynx, I know you are not willing to be just a gladiator. You have ambition. I can see it. That's good. People with ambition can achieve things."

He paused and continued: "But you have to rember, ambition needs strength to support it, and it also needs… timing. Your timing has not co yet. First win the performance match, get your freedom. I will help you pave the way after that."

These words sounded grand, but Lynx heard the subtext —

If you obey, you will have at to eat.

If you don't obey, dead end.

"I will win."

Lynx repeated.

"Good."

Batiatus nodded with satisfaction. "Go ahead. Take the sword back and practice more, get familiar with the feel."

Lynx stood up, saluted, and exited the study.

The corridor was empty.

He walked to the window and looked down.

The few unfamiliar faces in the courtyard were gone, and Batiatus was not there either.

Only a few slaves were cleaning the courtyard, their movents lazy.

Lynx gripped the wooden box in his hand tightly.

Refined steel short sword… thirty denarii…

Batiatus really spent a lot this ti.

But behind this heavy investnt was expectation and pressure.

If he wins, everything is fine.

If he loses… this sword might be his burial item.

Lynx took a deep breath and turned back to the training ground.

When he reached the corner of the stairs, he suddenly stopped.

At the end of the corridor, Lucretia's room door was open a crack.

Through the gap, he could see her sitting in front of the dressing table, back to the door, her shoulders slightly shaking, as if she was crying.

Lynx frowned and was about to go over to take a look when footsteps ca from behind.

It was the slave from earlier, carrying a tray with a wine jug and cups on it.

"Wine for Madam."

The slave said softly, knocked on the door, and entered the room.

Before the door closed, Lynx heard Lucretia's voice with a crying tone: "Put it there… get out."

The slave ca out, closed the door, and hurried away.

Lynx stood in place, thought for a mont, and still didn't go to knock on the door.

It was not the ti now.

He went downstairs, returned to the training ground, found a deserted corner, opened the wooden box, and took out the refined steel short sword.

The sword flashed with cold light in the sunlight.

He held the sword in his hand and made a few thrusting movents.

It was indeed handy.

The blade was light but high in strength, with almost no resistance when swung.

The blood groove design made it easier to pull out after stabbing, without getting stuck in bones.

A good tool for killing.

Lynx practiced for a while and suddenly felt sothing was wrong.

He stopped and carefully examined the blade.

Sword spine, blade edge, hilt… all fine.

But he always felt that Batiatus giving him this sword was not just to let him win.

The old fox never did anything with only one purpose.

Lynx thought for a mont, took out that bottle of "Mild Aphrodisiac Perfu" from the system space.

He opened the cap and slled it — colorless and odorless.

Then, he dropped a drop of the perfu on the leather wrapping of the sword hilt.

The perfu quickly seeped into the leather and disappeared.

"System, is this perfu effective on skin contact?"

[Mild Aphrodisiac Perfu can take effect through air volatilization or skin contact. Skin contact effect is weaker, but the duration is longer.]

Lynx nodded.

He put the sword back in the wooden box, returned it to his cell, and then went to the dical room.

Mira was bandaging a head wound on a gladiator — that guy had his head broken by a wooden sword during training, blood all over his face.

Seeing Lynx co in, Mira looked up and smiled, motioning for him to wait a mont.

Lynx sat down on the long bench at the door and watched Mira skillfully clean the wound, apply dicine, and bandage.

Her movents were very light, and she was softly comforting the gladiator who was grimacing in pain.

"Endure it, it'll be done soon… yes, just like that…"

That gladiator was a big guy, but in front of Mira he was as obedient as a cat.

After bandaging, Mira patted his shoulder: "Co back tomorrow to change the dicine. Rember not to get it wet."

"Thank you, Sister Mira."

The gladiator smiled foolishly and got up to leave.

Mira then turned to Lynx: "Why so late today?"

"Batiatus called ."

Lynx walked over, sat down, and extended his left arm — actually the injury had already healed, but he still ca to change dicine every day as an excuse.

Mira untied the old bandage and checked: "Hmm, basically healed. Apply dicine for one more day to consolidate."

She turned to get the ointnt.

Lynx looked at her busy back and suddenly said: "Mira, if… I an if, soone gives you a very good weapon, but you feel that weapon might have a problem, what would you do?"

Mira's hand paused. She turned to look at him: "The weapon has a problem?"

"It's just… I always feel sothing is wrong, but I can't say what it is."

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