Sparta: Many childrens, Many Blessings, Starting from the Gladiator Chapter 73 73

The inner room was a kiln cave turned into a den. Dry grass was spread on the floor, weapons hung on the walls, and there was a broken table with two wobbly chairs.

Scarface was sitting at the table counting money. The light from the oil lamp shone on the scar on his face, making it look like a centipede crawling.

"Have you counted it clearly?"

Marcus spoke.

Scarface jerked his head up, his hand instantly reaching for the axe at his waist.

"Don't be nervous."

Marcus stepped out from the shadows. "Just here to chat."

"How did you get in?"

Scarface stood up, axe already in hand, eyes fierce.

"I walked in."

Marcus pulled over the other chair and sat down. "The two brothers at the door were sleeping soundly. I didn't have the heart to wake them."

Scarface stared at him. A few seconds later, he suddenly smiled and tossed the axe back onto the table.

"Fine, you've got guts."

He sat down again. "Speak. What do you want? Can't hold up against the Senate anymore, so you ca to for help?"

"I ca to cooperate with you."

Marcus said.

"Cooperate?"

Scarface raised an eyebrow. "You, a murder suspect, want to cooperate with ?"

"Suspect or not, you know better than I do."

Marcus stared at him. "How Lucius died, you know better than I do."

Scarface's expression didn't change, but his eyes flickered.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Then I'll make it clear."

Marcus leaned forward. "The evening before last, at the western dock warehouse, you brought people to kill Lucius and staged it as a locked-room murder. Three of your brothers died in the process, so you asked Valerius for more money. But he only gave you eighty, which you felt was a loss. You're now looking for Old Limp Cassius to silence him and squeeze out another sum."

Scarface's hand slowly moved under the table — there was definitely a backup weapon hidden there.

"You know all this?"

His voice grew heavy.

"I also know you're not only working for Valerius."

Marcus continued. "You're also taking money from Gracchus's side. Playing both sides — quite the appetite."

Scarface's hand stopped.

The oil lamp fla flickered violently, twisting the shadows on his face.

After a long while, he grinned, revealing yellow teeth.

"Marcus, you're smarter than I thought."

He said. "But smart people usually die early."

"Then let's see who dies first."

Marcus leaned back in his chair. "I didn't co to expose you. I ca to show you a way to survive."

"What way?"

"Valerius is finished."

Marcus shook his head. "The tariff proposal will definitely pass. Gracchus will win. You're betting on the right horse by working for him now, but the problem is — does Gracchus really trust you?"

Scarface said nothing.

"Lucius used to be Gracchus's man too. Later he stopped listening and ended up dead."

Marcus said slowly. "You know too many secrets. Once Valerius falls, who do you think will be next?"

"You're trying to sow discord?"

"I'm stating facts."

Marcus said. "Gracchus needs a blade, but once the blade is used up, it's either put away or broken. Which one do you think you are?"

Scarface was silent, his fingers tapping on the table.

"Then what's your brilliant idea?"

"Leave yourself a way out."

Marcus looked into his eyes. "Keep dealing with Valerius's side, but send key intelligence to as well. Keep working for Gracchus's side too, but make so things… not so clean."

"For example?"

"For example, finding Theodorus the Viper."

Marcus said. "Find him, don't kill him, hide him. He's Valerius's Achilles' heel. Holding him is more useful than killing him."

Scarface stared at him. "Why should I trust you?"

"You don't have to trust . Just trust in benefits."

Marcus stood up. "Once Valerius falls and Gracchus stands alone, soone who knows too many secrets like you won't live long. But if there's soone who can check and balance Gracchus… then you'll always have value."

"You?"

Scarface laughed. "What do you have to check and balance a senator?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Marcus walked to the door, then looked back at him. "Old Limp Cassius — don't kill him. Find him and hand him over to . In return, once Valerius falls, I'll guarantee you and your brothers a place at the dock."

"Empty words."

"Then just wait and see."

Marcus pushed the door open and disappeared into the darkness.

Scarface sat at the table, staring at the oil lamp for a long ti without moving.

…

On the way back to the training ground, Marcus took a detour to the dock.

Dawn was approaching. The east was turning fish-belly white.

Mist hung over the sea. Early fishing boats had already set out, their sails appearing and disappearing in the fog.

He walked to Leta's stronghold — the abandoned fishing house.

The door was closed, but there was light inside.

He knocked the secret code: three long, two short.

The door opened a crack. The one-eyed pirate's face appeared. Seeing it was him, he nodded and let him in.

In the underground warehouse, Leta was inventorying goods.

Dozens of wooden boxes were stacked, so open, containing olive oil jars and wine barrels.

She wore a leather vest and shorts, barefoot, her hair tied ssily with a rope, and there was dust on her face.

"So early?"

Leta looked up at him and grinned. "Missed ?"

"Sothing to discuss."

Marcus said.

Leta waved for her n to leave, then jumped up and sat on a wooden box, crossing her legs.

"Speak."

"Valerius is looking for 'Viper' Theodorus. He wants to silence him."

Marcus said. "Do your people have eyes in the western cetery?"

"The cetery?"

Leta raised an eyebrow. "Yes. The old grave keeper owes money and often sells information. Why, you want to find that kid?"

"Yes. Find him before Valerius does and hide him."

"Where do you want to hide him?"

"Here."

Marcus said. "You still have a secret room in the fishing house, right? Lend it to for a few days."

Leta narrowed her eyes. "That's my trump card. Why should I lend it to you?"

"Because I can help you eliminate the 'Blood Shark'."

Leta's eyes lit up.

The "Blood Shark" was her mortal enemy. The two pirate groups had been fighting over territory in Sicilian waters for three years, neither able to defeat the other.

"You have a way?"

"Valerius is negotiating cooperation with the 'Blood Shark'."

Marcus said. "If Valerius falls, the 'Blood Shark' loses a backer. Then when you strike, it'll be twice as effective with half the effort."

Leta thought for a mont and nodded.

"Fine, but if you hide the person here, there's an extra condition."

"What condition?"

"Next ti you go out to sea, take with you."

Leta jumped off the box and walked up to him. "I want to see just how capable your 'Shadow' really is."

"Deal."

Leta smiled, reached out to hook his neck, and kissed him on the face.

"I like straightforward n."

She said. "Leave the Theodorus matter to . I'll get him for you within three days."

"Two days."

Marcus said. "I only have two days."

"So urgent?"

"Urgent."

Leta let go and nodded. "Two days it is, but you also have to do sothing for ."

"Speak."

"The middleman between the 'Blood Shark' and Valerius will et tomorrow at the 'Seagull Tavern' on the dock."

Leta said through gritted teeth. "I want to know what they talk about."

"I'll arrange soone."

"Not arrange soone — you go personally."

Leta stared at him. "The tavern owner is my man, but the middleman is very cautious. New faces can't get close. You're different — you're the current dock supervisor now. Going to the tavern for an inspection is perfectly reasonable."

Marcus thought for a mont and nodded.

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