Chapter 5: Serving as a Guide


    You traitor, how dare you show your face! Crixus immediately rushed forward, grabbing his chest and raising a huge fist. His scarred face had a pair of wolf-like eyes, emitting a fierce and menacing light. He viciously said, Youve killed so many of our brothers, and now


    Enough, Crixus. Now is not the time for internal strife. We need Maximus help! Sure enough, Spartacus quickly stepped in to stop the confrontation.


    Ptui! Crixus spat a thick phlegm onto Maximus face before reluctantly being separated by Spartacus.


    Maximus wiped the phlegm off his face and momentarily felt relieved. If Spartacus hadnt intervened, he was genuinely afraid that Crixus might have killed him. Based on the memory of the original Maximus, this guy, although was only second best diator of the diator school, either left his opponents dead or seriously injured in the matches he participated in. Even during training, he often caused injuries to hispanions. He was a dangerous man who valued human life very little.


    Even though Crixus had let go, his sharp gaze remained fixed on Maximus, piercing through him like a sharp knife. It sent a chill down Maximus spine, making him regret his decision to step forward a little.


    Maximus, are you really familiar with the roads here?! Spartacus asked very seriously.


    Maximus collected himself and confidently said, I grew up in Capua. I can find my way around here with my eyes closed! With me leading the way, we can leave here quickly. However


    Maximus paused for a moment, and continued with a hint of show-off, Our current location is in the south of the city. From Capua, there are two main roads to the south. One is the Appian Way, heading southeast towards the Samnite Mountains. The other is the Via Annia, heading south, crossing the entire Campanian in. Which one should we take?


    South of Rome, Capua was one of the fewrge cities intersected by two major Roman roads. It was an important transportation hub, thriving not only in agriculture but also inmerce.


    We should go to the mountainous region, it would be easier for us to hide, Artorix suggested from the side.


    Its getting dark, and its not safe to go to the mountains at this time. Plus, the Samnites are not to be trifled with. We should head south. Although the uprising was sudden and somewhat hasty, Spartacus had a n in mind. However, he didnt intend to reveal it at this moment, so he came up with another reason.


    However, everyones opinions were reasonable. Not far to the east of Capua was the Samnite mountain region. The Samnites were impoverished but fierce, and they were a major source of auctoratus (a term used for those Roman citizens who volunteered to be diators). Although they were not from the same diator school, they encountered them as opponents in the arena, and their strength should not be underestimated. Therefore, no one objected.


    However, Maximus boldly suggested based on the memory of the original Maximus:


    Lets head south from the Via Annia. Theres a Temple of Flora (Flora is a Roman goddess of flowers and spring) by the roadside, about three or 4 kilometers from Capua. When it gets dark, we can rest there.


    Well talk about it then, Spartacus replied nomittally.


    Maximus turned and looked to the back of the group. The diators eyes had already begun to look at him with suspicion, a sign that Crixus angry outburst had affected them.


    Crixus, with a stern face and a short sword in hand, closely followed Maximus, clearly intending to monitor him and prevent him from leading them the wrong way.


    Maximus felt a bit nervous, but seeing Spartacus beside him, he calmed down.


    The group set off again. Although they were dyed a bit, the narrow alleys they passed through remained empty. The nearby residents had realized that there was an abnormality in the diator school, but no one dared to organize a group to stop these murderous monsters. Instead, they closed their doors and hid.


    Guided by Maximus, the diators quickly exited the maze-like streets and stepped onto the Via Annia. Many of them breathed a sigh of relief. The wide and solid road increased the speed of the entire groups advance.


    As Maximus walked and nced around, he couldnt help but marvel at the famous Roman road, despite having the memory of the original Maximus. The smooth and sturdy stone road, deep water ditches on both sides, lush roadside trees, paths for pedestrians, and even simple benches could be seen for people to restall these elements were present, resembling modern city roads, and it was built a hundred years ago. With careful maintenance, it still functioned well, revealing a glimpse of Romes power.


    <em>How could a powerful nation like this be defeated by a group of diators alone?</em>


    A strong sense of unease suddenly surged in Maximus heart.


    The sun had descended behind the western mountains, and the lingering glow of sunset gradually dissipated as night approached. Normally, there would still be some pedestrians along the road at this time, but the fearsome diators scared them away. However, the vehicles on the road couldnt avoid the diators blocking their way. They intercepted a donkey cart loaded with flour, and the diators cheered, Finally, we can have some delicious bread!


    The diators trained andpeted every day, requiring arge amount of food. However, the school needed to make money and couldnt afford to provide them with good meals. Apart from asionally being able to eat meat from killing wild animals in the diator matches, their main food was cheap and unappetizing barley, which provided high calories but little else. As a result, the diators were derogatorily called barley men. Despite this, their situation was still better than the poor citizens, who often went hungry.


    The diators were overjoyed and spared the driver of a donkey cart.


    After a while, arge wagon approached from the front, but the owner of the wagon sensed trouble and quickly turned the horses around.


    Some diators, led by Oenomaus, rushed over and intercepted it. Soon, he excitedly shouted, Spartacus,e quickly! There are many weapons in this wagon!


    Spartacus perked up and rushed towards the intercepted wagon with Crixus and the others.


    Inside the wagon were numerous weapons such as short swords, long swords, spears, rectangr shields, round shields, helmets, greaves, and even a few fishings, but there were no breasttes, as these were all diator equipment.


    Spartacus touched the cold shield and excitedly said to the diators, Brothers, our actions have received the blessing of Ares. He has brought us weapons!


    The diators erupted in cheers, with some even shouting, With weapons, we have nothing to fear! Lets go back and take down Batiatus!


    However, someone immediately countered, Fool, Batiatus has already fled into the city. There is no way we can catch him.


    Spartacus ignored their argument and turned around and said, Hamilcar, carefully count how many weapons there are.


    Before Hamilcar could respond, Maximus eagerly said, Let me do it.


    It was another opportunity to show his abilities. Seeing Spartacus not objecting, Maximus jumped into the wagon and began to count seriously.


    Meanwhile, Spartacus approached the driver who quickly begged him for mercy. Spartacus asked in a deep voice, Tell me, where did you bring these diator weapons from? And where were you taking them?


    To to the arena inside the city, trembling, the driver replied. Because the day after tomorrow is the founding day of Capua the magistrate is hosting arge diatorpetition to celebrate and they were afraid there wouldnt be enough weapons so I was ordered to transport some from Naples


    Spartacus and Crixus exchanged a nce. In fact, their diator school had also received an invitation from the city lords mansion. It was said that the rewards were quite generous. If it werent for this uprising, many of their brothers might have fallen in the arena to satisfy Capuas bloodthirsty audience.