Chapter 23: Reasons to Die, Reasons to Live

Chapter 23: Reasons to Die, Reasons to Live

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Crixus and Spartacus slowly raised their hands to their sword hilts, as if they had made a promise.

Marcus sent a signal to the soldiers behind him who were aiming their bows, telling them not to shoot no matter what happened.

A strange emotion flickered in Crixus’s eyes.

He had decided to accept death calmly, but he still couldn’t shake off the remnants of his feelings.

It was nothing else but his comradeship for his closest friend.

“It’s a shame for a gladiator to lose twice to the same opponent. But I don’t feel like I’m going to lose to you now. This is the last road. I have to take back the best seat in Capua that I entrusted to you.”

“Sorry, but I can’t grant you that wish.”

The eyes of the two strongest gladiators glowed with fiery sparks.

A situation that could explode at any moment.

Without any hesitation, they both drew their favorite spathas from their sheaths like flashes of light.

Clang!

Their swords clashed in mid-air.

Spartacus felt a weird sensation in his hand.

He was clearly stronger than Crixus, but Crixus didn’t budge.

He had moved his wrist flexibly at the same time as the collision, dissipating the impact.

He was a completely different person from the Crixus that Spartacus knew, whatever training he had done in the meantime.

Swoosh!

Not only was he flexible, but Crixus’s sword also stabbed at an unbelievable speed.

The tip of the sword barely grazed the chainmail that covered his shoulder and passed by.

“Haah!”

He couldn’t afford to be surprised.

A roar of determination burst out of Spartacus’s mouth.

He unleashed a sword strike that was impossible to defend against, aiming to cut off his weapon.

Crash, clang!

It was faster and stronger than before.

Crixus’s sword, which couldn’t completely deflect it, flew backwards.

“······!”

Both of them were shocked for different reasons.

‘How did I not break his sword?’

‘I thought I could deflect it enough?’

Spartacus was also stunned by being caught up with, but Crixus’s surprise was a bit bigger.

He had honed his sword in the bloody and flesh-splattering battlefield for the past two years, but he only managed to catch up with him, not surpass him.

Clash!

Another collision occurred, and the two of them began to exchange swords in earnest.

In an instant, they matched each other’s movements, creating a chilling wind and a flurry of murderous sword lights.

They traded swords like that for almost three minutes.

As if they had agreed, they both backed away, with a faint admiration in their eyes.

Crixus let out a light sigh and bit his tongue.

“It seems you weren’t just playing around in Rome. I thought I could overpower you enough...but it won’t end unless one of us dies.”

“Yeah. You’re right. If we fight to the end, there’s no telling who will win.”

“But we have to go all the way, right? You came here because you were determined to do that. To be honest, if I die, I’d rather die by your hand than by those Roman bastards.”

“Is that true?”

Spartacus asked with a sad look in his eyes.

If Crixus didn’t want to fight, he wouldn’t point his sword at him either.

He couldn’t.

Spartacus’s determination was based on the assumption that Crixus would accept the challenge.

As if he had read his mind, Crixus nodded his head with a hearty laugh.

“Of course. But it’s still too quiet here to settle the score. Let’s make the most splendid stage for that day of the final battle. If I fight with you, we can have a legendary duel.”

He had decided to leave his will behind with his death, not change the era with his life.

The last stage should be as glorious as possible.

Of course, that didn’t mean he was going to lose.

If he lost to the same opponent twice, he would be too bitter to close his eyes.

Crixus was determined to face his end with dignity as the strongest gladiator who had defeated Spartacus.

If his friend was resolved to do that, there was no need to hesitate any longer.

Marcus knew that fact, so the current situation was honestly unexpected.

“But losing would be a bit troublesome... My plan is based on the assumption that you win. If you’re going to lose, it’s better not to fight at all.”

Spartacus clenched his resolve and took a deep breath.

“Don’t worry. Even if I have to give up an arm, or even my life, I will win.”

He felt that he needed his own determination to face his friend’s resolve head-on.

But Marcus frowned instead.

His voice, filled with faint anger, pierced Spartacus’s ears.

“You seem to have the wrong idea.”

“Yes...?”

Spartacus flinched and asked back.

There was a hint of confusion in his tone.

It was because Marcus had never shown such a reaction before.

“You won’t lose even if you risk your life? Is your life only for hanging on something like this?”

“That, that is...”

“It’s fine to brace yourself to match your friend’s last resolve. But remember that risking your life for something is only allowed for someone who really faces the end, like Crixus.”

Spartacus couldn’t answer.

Of course, he wanted to win for sure.

But in a fight, the mental factor is as important as the skill.

Crixus would fight with a more firm resolve than ever.

Spartacus thought that he had to risk his life too, in order not to lose to Crixus.

He couldn’t think of any other motive that could ignite his fighting spirit more than that.

Even though he didn’t say it out loud, Marcus read Spartacus’s mind from his expression.

“Good, it’s perfect timing. I’ll tell you why you have to fight without getting hurt at all.”

“But in a real battle, there can always be variables...”

“That’s why you have to make a thorough resolve not to allow those variables. Unless you want to make your wife sad.”

“What, what do you mean...?”

Spartacus was stunned for a moment, as if he didn’t understand Marcus’s last words.

His emotions of doubt and confusion soon turned into passion, and it showed on his face.

Marcus nailed it with a calm voice.

“I got a report from Septimus before we left. He found someone who matched the condition you gave.”

“Did he find her? Really?”

“It’s not completely certain yet. That’s why I didn’t tell you in advance. If I checked and it wasn’t her, the disappointment would be huge. But if you need a resolve, I think this is the best time.”

Spartacus touched his forehead with his trembling hand and took several deep breaths.

He wanted to run there and confirm the truth right away.

No matter how much time had passed, or how she had changed, he was sure he would recognize her at a glance.

“Where is she... now?”

“Naples. You can stop by and check on your way back to Rome after this war. But you’re not thinking of going to see her on a stretcher, are you?”

“I...”

“Come back in one piece. Be the hero of this war and go get your wife in style.”

Spartacus’s eyes, which had shown intense tremors, returned to normal.

The surge of emotions that had swept his chest like a huge wave gradually calmed down.

He lifted his head and looked toward the northwest, where Naples was.

There was a precious vow he had made with his wife in his hometown, a long time ago, a very long time ago.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I have made up my mind for sure.”

“You’re finally back to your usual reliable self. I can trust you and leave it to you now.”

There was a satisfied tone in Marcus’s voice.

The aura that emanated from Spartacus’s whole body was completely different from before, even to Marcus, who was not an expert.

“I was wrong. Fighting is originally for continuing to live. The will to live is stronger than anything else.”

“Yes. You’re not meant to end as a mere gladiator anyway. Didn’t I tell you when we first met? You still have a lot of things to do.”

“Yes. And I have to meet her no matter what happens. So I promise you for sure. The final battle with Crixus that will happen soon. I will dedicate the glory of a perfect victory to you, Young Master.”

Spartacus engraved the reason why he could never lose in his heart.

A fierce fighting spirit rose in his eyes that didn’t even blink.

The end.

The end of the two gladiators who chose different paths was right in front of them.

The wind that heralded the start of the final battle blew in the quiet night air.

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