Sparta: Many childrens, Many Blessings, Starting from the Gladiator Chapter 74 74

"What ti?"

"Tomorrow noon."

"Good."

When Marcus left the fishing house, the sky had already brightened.

The mist had thinned a little, and the dock was starting to get lively.

The chants of porters, the cries of rchants, the shouts of boatn all mixed together.

Marcus led the horse back, running through the two matters he had just discussed in his mind.

Scarface's side was temporarily stabilized.

That guy was greedy but afraid of death. As long as he felt he had a way out, he would cooperate.

Leta's side was mutually beneficial.

Finding Theodorus would give him leverage over Valerius.

Getting information on the "Blood Shark" would earn him a favor from Leta.

Both lines were now laid out.

Next, he had to deal with the Senate.

Sextus had given him three days. One day had already passed.

Tomorrow would be the second day. He needed so progress.

While thinking, a group of people turned the corner ahead — Senate guards, led once again by Marcus.

"Marcus!"

Marcus called out. "Perfect, I was looking for you."

"What is it?"

Marcus stopped.

"Lord Sextus wants you to co over imdiately."

Marcus walked up and lowered his voice. "Sothing else has happened."

"Another murder?"

"No one died, but it's more troubleso than a murder."

Marcus's face looked ugly. "Senator Valerius presented new evidence in the Senate this morning, saying… saying that you and Lord Gracchus colluded to embezzle public funds."

Marcus's heart tightened.

Valerius moved really fast.

"What evidence?"

"I don't know, but I heard it's very specific — account books and witnesses."

Marcus said. "Lord Sextus is under heavy pressure and wants you to co explain right away."

"Alright."

Marcus tied the horse by the roadside and followed Marcus toward the Senate.

On the way, he thought quickly.

Embezzlent?

Gracchus had indeed done it, but Marcus had never touched it.

Every entry in the dock managent fees had records. Drusus's account books were crystal clear.

What evidence could Valerius possibly have?

A fra-up?

Or… was there really an inside traitor?

When they arrived at the Senate, they didn't go to the interrogation room but directly to Sextus's office.

The old man sat behind the desk with a roll of sheepskin paper spread in front of him, his face ashen.

"You're here?"

Sextus looked up and pushed the sheepskin paper over. "Take a look."

Marcus took it and scanned it quickly.

It was a record of dock tariff revenue and expenditure, but the numbers had been altered.

For example, one hundred denarii had actually been collected, but the record showed fifty, with the remaining fifty marked as "loss" or "exemption."

And these "shortfalls" were all followed by a small signature abbreviation — L.

The abbreviation of his na.

"This is not my signature."

Marcus said.

"I know."

Sextus said. "The handwriting is imitated very well, but the stroke habits are wrong. You are left-handed. When you write, the pen tip drags to the left. This signature was forged by a right-handed person — the strokes slant to the right."

Marcus looked at the old man in surprise — he observed that carefully?

"But those fools in the Senate can't tell."

Sextus slapped the table. "Valerius insists this is evidence of your embezzlent and says Gracchus is shielding you and that the two of you are splitting the loot. Now six senators already support forming a special tribunal to investigate both you and Gracchus at the sa ti."

Killing two birds with one stone.

Valerius wanted to solve both opponents in one go.

"What did Lord Gracchus say?"

"He said it's slander and the account books are forged."

Sextus sneered. "But he has no evidence to prove they are forged. And Valerius… he has a witness."

"Who?"

"The dock tax officer, Gaius."

Sextus said. "That old man has worked at the dock for twenty years and has a good reputation. He testified that he personally saw you altering the accounts multiple tis and threatened him not to speak out."

Gaius?

Marcus knew this man.

A small, thin old man who usually spoke little and did things strictly by the book.

Why would he help Valerius with false testimony?

Unless…

"His family has been taken hostage?"

Marcus asked.

Sextus glanced at him with a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

"Smart."

The old man said. "Gaius has a granddaughter, eight years old. She disappeared the day before yesterday. Yesterday morning, soone left a letter at his door saying if he wanted his granddaughter to live, he should do as told."

As expected.

Valerius's thods were ruthless enough.

"Can the child be found?"

"Difficult."

Sextus shook his head. "Since Valerius dared to do this, he must have hidden her well. Unless he hands her over himself, otherwise…"

"Then we force him to hand her over."

Marcus said in a deep voice.

"How?"

Marcus did not answer imdiately.

He walked to the window and looked at the square outside the Senate.

The morning sunlight shone on the marble pillars, dazzlingly white.

A few senators were walking toward the assembly hall, their long robes dragging on the ground, moving slowly like they were taking a stroll.

"Lord Sextus,"

Marcus turned around. "Can you give one more day?"

"One more day?"

"By this ti tomorrow, I will bring two things."

Marcus said. "First, evidence proving this account book is forged. Second, leverage that will force Valerius to hand over Gaius's granddaughter."

Sextus stared at him for a long ti.

"Young man, confidence is good, but arrogance will get you killed."

The old man shook his head. "Valerius is not Batiatus. He has operated in Capua for thirty years. His foundation is very deep."

"I know."

Marcus said. "That's why I need your help."

"What can I do?"

"Delay the Senate vote."

Marcus said. "At least delay the special tribunal proposal until the day after tomorrow. One day is enough."

Sextus pondered for a mont and nodded.

"Fine. This old face of mine can still sell so favors. But only one day. If you don't have anything by tomorrow morning, even I won't be able to protect you."

"One day is enough."

After leaving the Senate, Marcus did not return to the training ground. He went straight to the dock tax office.

The tax office was in the eastern dock area, a two-story small building.

Gaius usually worked on the first floor. The second floor was the archives.

When Marcus arrived, the tax office door was closed and not yet open for business.

He circled to the back door and knocked.

After a while, the door opened a crack. Gaius's aged face appeared, his eyes red and swollen. It was obvious he hadn't slept.

"Lord… Lord Marcus…"

The old man's voice trembled.

"Let in."

Gaius hesitated for a mont, then opened the door.

The room was a ss. Tables and chairs were overturned, papers scattered everywhere.

The old man stood hunched like a reed about to break.

"I heard about your granddaughter."

Marcus got straight to the point.

Gaius's tears imdiately flowed.

"My lord… I… I was forced… They only gave that piece of paper and told to read it as written… If I didn't do it, little Lisa would…"

"I know."

Marcus pressed a hand on his shoulder. "I don't bla you. But do you want to save Lisa?"

"Yes! I dream about it!"

Gaius grabbed his arm, his hand shaking badly. "But they said if I dared to speak out, they would… throw Lisa into the sea to feed the fish…"

"Then don't speak out."

Marcus said. "Continue doing what they told you. Insist in the Senate that I embezzled. But there is one thing you must help with."

"What is it?"

"I want to et Titus, the steward from Valerius's mansion."

Marcus said. "Help pass a ssage. Tell him… I have a business deal I want to discuss with him, regarding the Sicilian 'Blood Shark'."

Gaius was stunned.

"You… you want to see Titus?"

"Yes."

Marcus took out a small money bag from his bosom and handed it to the old man. "This is for you. After you pass the ssage, stay at ho and don't go anywhere. Don't open the door for anyone. Wait for my news."

Gaius held the money bag, his lips trembling.

"My lord… can you really save Lisa?"

"I'll do my best."

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