Sparta: Many childrens, Many Blessings, Starting from the Gladiator Chapter 61 61

Sextus's words were polite, but the aning was very clear — he had been targeted.

If anything else happened at the dock, he would be the first to suffer.

"Boss."

Gisco pushed the door open and ca in. "What did that old man say?"

"He told us to behave ourselves."

Marcus said, "Be more restrained recently. Conduct training indoors, don't be too flashy. Dock patrols continue as usual, but when encountering disputes, try to diate and don't use force."

"Understood."

After Gisco left, Marcus called Amir over.

"Any movent on Valerius's side?"

"He t with Sextus yesterday."

Amir said, "They talked for an hour. I don't know the specific content, but according to our eyes in the Senate, Sextus didn't look too happy when he left."

"Anything else?"

"On Lucius's side…"

Amir lowered his voice, "Scarface said he found Lucius's hiding place, in the basent of a brothel in the south of the city, but he doesn't dare to act rashly for fear of alerting the enemy."

"Let him keep watching."

Marcus said, "Wait for my order."

"There's one more thing."

Amir hesitated for a mont. "Sister Mira sent a ssage saying that Gracchus has been frequently contacting other senators recently, as if preparing for so big move. She overheard them discussing… the army."

The army?

Marcus frowned.

What does Gracchus want to do?

Mobilizing the army requires dual approval from the Senate and the provincial governor. It's not that easy.

"Understood. Tell Mira to continue paying attention, but don't take risks."

After Amir left, Marcus thought alone.

Valerius's accusation, Sextus's investigation, Gracchus's conspiracy…

A three-way ga, and he was caught in the middle. One wrong move and he would be shattered to pieces.

No, he couldn't be this passive.

To break the situation, he must take the initiative.

He spread out a sheet of sheepskin paper, dipped the pen in ink, and began to write a plan.

First step: Stabilize the dock. Absolutely no chaos at this ti.

Second step: Collect evidence of Valerius's cris. Lucius is the key.

Third step: Find out Gracchus's intentions. The army… who does he want to deal with?

Fourth step: Prepare for the worst. If he must leave Capua, "Shadow" and Leta's sea routes will be the retreat.

After finishing, he blew the ink dry, brought the sheepskin paper to the oil lamp and burned it — a habit, leaving no evidence.

In the evening, Marcus went to Gracchus's mansion.

Gracchus t him in the study. His face didn't look good.

"Sextus ca to see you?"

He got straight to the point.

"He did."

Marcus said, "He investigated the dock, went to the training ground, and asked many questions."

"What did he say?"

"He told to behave myself."

Marcus paused. "He also said Valerius accused of building a private army and colluding with pirates."

Gracchus sneered. "The old thing is getting anxious. The tariff proposal will be voted on next month. He knows that if it passes, my prestige in the Senate will rise greatly, and he won't be able to suppress anymore. So he's trying every ans to sabotage it."

"My lord, how should we respond?"

"Just do your own job well."

Gracchus said, "The dock must not have any chaos. Also, I need you to do sothing."

"Please give the order."

"Three days later, a batch of 'special goods' will arrive at the port."

Gracchus lowered his voice, his expression becoming serious. "It's not from Sicily, but from the north. I need you to personally receive the goods, then… deliver them to the 'Oak Manor' outside the city and hand them over to the manor steward."

"What goods?"

"Don't ask."

Gracchus stared at him. "You only need to know that this matter is very important and very dangerous. There must be no mistakes."

Marcus's heart sank.

Goods with unknown origins and a secret delivery location… this was definitely not any legitimate business.

But he couldn't refuse.

"Understood. I will handle it properly."

"Very good."

Gracchus nodded. "After it's done, I won't treat you badly. Also… after the tariff proposal passes, I plan to propose in the Senate to officially appoint you as 'Capua Port Chief Supervisor', with official treatnt and salary."

This was both a carrot and a temptation.

"Thank you, my lord."

Leaving the mansion, Marcus felt heavy-hearted.

What exactly were Gracchus's "special goods"? Weapons? Contraband? Or… sothing even more dangerous?

No matter what it was, he had to take this hot potato.

Returning to the training ground, he called Saxa and Octavius into the office.

"There is a mission in three days."

Marcus looked at the two of them. "Gracchus has a batch of goods arriving at the port. He wants to personally receive it and then deliver it to the manor outside the city. I suspect… that batch of goods is not simple."

"How not simple?"

Saxa asked.

"I don't know, but Gracchus specifically instructed that there must be no mistakes."

Marcus said seriously, "So I want both of you to go with . Saxa, you go to the manor outside the city in advance to scout, get familiar with the terrain and guard situation. Octavius, you bring the Combat Team to provide support at the dock, just in case."

"Understood."

"Also,"

Marcus looked at Saxa, "You only need to bring two people. Don't alert the enemy. The key is — find out exactly what that batch of goods is."

"What if I see sothing I shouldn't see?"

"Rember it and co back to tell ."

Marcus said, "But don't take action, and don't expose yourself."

After assigning the tasks, Marcus told the two to prepare.

He himself went to the dock and found Leta.

Leta's ship was docked at the usual spot. She was on the deck teaching a few young pirates how to use fishing nets — not fishing nets, but the kind of combat nets with hooks that could wrap people up tightly when thrown.

Seeing Marcus board the ship, she told her n to continue practicing and walked over herself.

"A rare guest."

Leta smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. "What, missing ?"

"I have sothing to ask you for help."

Marcus pulled her to the side. "In three days, a batch of goods from the north will arrive at the port. It's Gracchus's. I need you to help watch the sea surface and see if any suspicious ships approach — especially from Valerius's side."

Leta raised an eyebrow. "Valerius wants to rob the goods?"

"Possibly."

Marcus paused. "Or he might want to cause destruction. In any case, we can't let him succeed."

"Alright, I'll have my n strengthen patrols these few days."

Leta said, "But there's one condition."

"Speak."

"Next ti you go to Sicily, take with you."

Leta leaned closer. Her body carried a mixed scent of sea salt and spices. "I want to see how you do business at sea."

"Deal."

After finishing the business, Leta invited Marcus into the cabin for a drink.

This ti Marcus did not refuse — he needed Leta's intelligence network and needed to maintain the cooperative relationship.

The wine was brewed by Leta herself. It was very strong. Drinking it felt like fire burning from the throat all the way to the stomach.

"You've been under a lot of pressure lately."

Leta looked at him, her eyes sharp. "It's written all over your face."

"A little."

Marcus admitted honestly.

"Normal."

Read ahead and support on Patreon/arthursink! Early access chapters and more stories are available there.