Sparta: Many childrens, Many Blessings, Starting from the Gladiator Chapter 78 78

Just then, a knocking sound ca from outside the door.

"Enter."

Saxa slipped in. She glanced at Marcus's back, and her eyes turned cold.

"That dog thing, sooner or later I'll slaughter him."

"Not now."

Marcus caught his breath. "How did the thing I asked you to do go?"

"All done."

Saxa lowered her voice. "Theodorus's testimony is written and fingerprinted. Leta has him hidden securely. Valerius's people definitely won't find him. Also, the eting at the Seagull Tavern tomorrow noon is arranged. Titus will co."

"Good."

Marcus nodded. "What about the limp man Draco?"

"Amir is watching. He'll report if there's news."

"Mmm."

Saxa glanced at Mira, then at Marcus. "With your back like this, can you still go tomorrow?"

"I can."

Marcus said. "It's just flesh wounds. Won't kill ."

"Ten lashes…"

Saxa gritted her teeth. "This grudge is rembered."

"Rember it for now."

Marcus closed his eyes. "When I recover, we'll settle it one by one."

After Saxa left, Marcus told Mira to go rest too.

Mira refused and insisted on staying to watch over him.

"Go sleep."

Marcus's tone grew heavier. "The child in your belly is important."

Only then did Mira touch her small abdon, nod, and lie down on the small bed beside him.

The room fell quiet.

Marcus lay face down. The wounds on his back hurt too much to sleep, but his mind was unusually clear.

Today's ten lashes were not the end, but the beginning.

Gracchus had already bared his fangs. From now on, things would only get fiercer.

Valerius's side was also waiting for an opportunity.

Three days' deadline — only tomorrow remained.

He had to win.

Not just for himself, but for Mira, and for all the people in the training ground who followed him.

The night deepened.

Outside the window ca the sound of patrolling footsteps, and the distant barking of wild dogs.

Marcus slowly sat up. The movent pulled at his wounds, causing a sharp pain that made him suck in a cold breath.

But he still got out of bed, walked to the table, and lit the oil lamp.

He spread out a sheet of paper and began to write.

Not a plan, but a list.

Everything that needed to be done tomorrow, listed one by one.

First, et Titus at the Seagull Tavern at noon. Talk about the "Blood Shark" matter and obtain evidence of Valerius colluding with pirates.

Second, find the limp man Draco in the afternoon. Get the full truth of Lucius's death and retrieve the seal.

Third, organize all the evidence tonight — Cassius's testimony, Theodorus's testimony, evidence of Valerius colluding with pirates, and the copy of Gracchus's arms deal.

Fourth, go to the Senate early the day after tomorrow and turn the tables.

After finishing, he stared at the paper for a long ti, then folded it and tucked it into his bosom.

He returned to the bed and lay face down again.

The wounds on his back throbbed with pain, matching the rhythm of his heartbeat.

He closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep.

Tomorrow, he could not lose.

…

The next morning, Marcus was woken by the pain.

After a night, the wounds on his back had swollen even worse. The slightest movent brought piercing pain.

But he still got up, let Mira change the dicine again, and had her bandage it tightly.

"Don't go out today…"

Mira's eyes were red as she tried to persuade him.

"I must go."

Marcus put on his clothes — a specially made loose robe that wouldn't rub against the wounds.

He couldn't wear leather armor, so he wore cloth clothes with a layer of soft padding inside.

When he walked into the courtyard, everyone was waiting for him.

Gisco, Amir, Drusus, Saxa, Octavius, and the mbers of the Combat Team, Intelligence Team, and Logistics Team — all standing there, looking at him.

Their eyes held worry, anger, and determination.

"Boss,"

Gisco stepped forward. "Today, whatever you say to do, we'll do it."

"Right!"

Everyone responded in unison.

Marcus looked at them and nodded.

"Today we split into three groups."

He said, "Gisco, you take the Combat Team to guard the training ground and strengthen security. I estimate both Gracchus and Valerius may send people to cause trouble."

"Understood."

"Amir, the entire Intelligence Team deploys. Keep eyes on the Senate, Valerius's mansion, and Gracchus's mansion. Report any movent imdiately."

"Yes!"

"Drusus, the Logistics Team prepares evacuation routes. If the situation turns bad, we may need to leave Capua at any ti."

Drusus's face paled, but he nodded. "Good."

"Saxa, Octavius, you two co with ."

After assigning the tasks, Marcus set off with Saxa and Octavius.

Their first stop was the west of the city — the limp man Draco's gambling den.

The gambling den was at the end of a narrow alley. The storefront was shabby, with a faded wooden sign painted with dice.

Two thugs stood at the door, burly and fierce-eyed.

Marcus walked over. The thugs blocked him.

"Private establishnt. No new custors."

"I'm looking for Draco."

Marcus said.

"The boss isn't here."

"Tell him Marcus is here to talk business — about Lucius."

The thugs exchanged a glance. One turned and went inside.

A mont later he returned and nodded. "Co in."

Inside the gambling den was larger than it looked outside. Smoke filled the air. A few broken tables were surrounded by gamblers, noisy and rowdy.

At the very back was a small door with a curtain hanging over it.

The thug led them through the gambling area and lifted the curtain.

Inside was a small room lit by an oil lamp. A man sat at the table counting money.

It was Draco.

In his forties, with a scar on his left cheek, missing the little finger on his left hand, and his left leg bent unnaturally.

He looked up at Marcus, his eyes wary.

"Marcus?"

His voice was hoarse. "Port Supervisor, sir, what brings you to my humble place?"

"I'm here to ask you about sothing."

Marcus sat down. "About Lucius."

Draco's hand paused. He put the money away in the drawer.

"Who is Lucius? I don't know him."

"Stop pretending."

Marcus leaned forward slightly. Even though his back hurt badly, his presence didn't weaken. "The evening before last, at the west dock warehouse, you argued with Lucius. He cursed you as a 'traitor who eats from one side but works for the other.' Then Scarface and his n ca and killed Lucius. You ran."

Draco's face changed.

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

"Then let make it clear."

Marcus's voice turned cold. "You used to be Valerius's guard captain. Later you were expelled for gambling debts, but recently you reconnected and started doing dirty work for him."

"Lucius was Gracchus's spy planted beside Valerius. After you found out, you told Valerius. Valerius ordered Scarface to silence him. You went to make contact and lure Lucius out. Correct?"

Draco's hand slowly moved toward under the table — a weapon was hidden there.

But soone was faster.

Octavius moved.

The silent giant who had been standing behind Marcus like an iron tower moved.

In one step he crossed to the table. His fan-like big hand slamd down on the tabletop with a "bang." His other hand shot out like lightning, accurately grabbing Draco's wrist as it reached under the table, and twisted slightly.

"Crack."

A teeth-grinding sound of joints dislocating.

"Ah——!"

Draco let out a miserable scream. His face twisted in pain, cold sweat pouring out.

"Gentler."

Marcus said. "I still need him to talk."

Octavius released his hand but stood behind Draco like a wall, his shadow engulfing him.

Draco rubbed his wrist, cold sweat flowing.

"You… what do you want?"

"I want the truth."

Marcus said word by word. "Everything. What did Lucius take out from his bosom and give to Scarface before he died? A seal? What kind of seal?"

Draco's eyes flickered. He was still hesitating.

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