The Mad Tycoon of Rome

Chapter 25

After the death of Crixus, the morale of the Roman army skyrocketed.

It was a bloody battle between the strongest gladiators, they had never seen before in their life. In addition, the victor was the direct gladiator of the allied commander-in-chief.

Spartacus knelt before Crassus and offered him the sword of Crixus. The scene was reminiscent of a legendary tale, and it filled the Roman soldiers who witnessed it with excitement.

The rebels also fought bravely following Crixus, who showed his courage to the end. However, the hopeless power difference crushed them mercilessly.

The fight lasted only a few more hours.

The sound of weapons filling the hills had completely died down.

"Puaaaaaaa!"

"Yaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Instead of the sound of weapons that were gradually subsiding, the trumpets announcing victory and the shouts of soldiers echoed across the hills.

It was safe to say that the rebellion, which lasted well over a year, was now over.

"How many rebels escaped?"

The number of allied casualties was so small that it could be considered insignificant.

It was literally a landslide victory.

Still, Crassus couldn't dispel a sense of unease.

This was because, at the end of the battle, the enemy units that broke through the encirclement and escaped stood out.

One of the corps commanders answered without hesitation.

"The enemy's right wing broke through the encirclement of the 3 Corps and fled. Still, the number will not be less than 5,000."

“Why was the siege broken?”

"It was impossible to tightly surround the terrain into which the 3 Corps attacked. It would not have been a problem if we had used the defensive battle as originally planned, but this time we were not lucky."

"Huh... It's only a handful of remnants, but I'm concerned."

They didn't think the losers who ran away could do anything. However, it was difficult to obtain the result of completely destroying the enemy in this battle. It was because they did not know how close Pompey's army would be by now.

'No. Even if it's Pompey, it will take time to find the fugitives. I still have time this way.'

'No matter what happens, I won't let Pompey intercept the army.'

Of course, even if Pompeius wiped out the remnants that had escaped, there was no worry of losing the whole ball.

The great victory Crassus won this time was not shaken by that much.

Still, it was unacceptable to meddle in the victories he had achieved.

Crassus was sure that Pompey was doing this to keep him in check.

Crassus and Lucullus were the only people who could compete with Pompey in the Senate.

Lucullus was now admirably pushing Mithridates VI of Pontus in the East.

In addition, even Crassus won a great victory against the rebels who devastated the southern part of the Italian peninsula.

In this situation, it was difficult for Pompey to stand out alone, no matter how established his expertise was.

It could only be seen as a psychological constraint.

Marcus approached and talked to Crassus, who seemed thoughtful.

"Father, congratulations on your victory."

"Oh, are you here? Your credit has been great. Please tell Spartacus he did well. When we return to Rome, I will immediately announce and free him."

"Thank you, but I heard that a few remnants have escaped."

"Ah... It's disheartening to be deceived because of that."

Marcus took a step closer with a serious expression. He whispered in a low voice so no one could hear.

“I have something to tell you about that. It has to do with Pompey.”

****

The remnants of the rebels, led by Ashre, moved toward their original target of Brundisium.

They never broke through the siege by chance.

It was a well-planned escape.

Ashre also wanted to fight by Crixus's side until death, if possible. 

However, Crixus wished for even a small number of individuals to survive without dying.

It was not meant to be a plea to cling to life in any way possible.

He wanted this fight to be remembered and spread widely.

On the eve of the decisive battle, Ashre learned the whole truth from Crixus.

Spartacus was not a traitor but had fought to give gladiators a better life.

And Crixus issued his final command.

If the duel between Crixus and Spartacus were to end, regardless of the winner, there would be a momentary gap.

They were to exploit that opportunity to the fullest, break through the encirclement, and head toward Brundisium.

If they could reach Brundisium, it would be possible to somehow escape to the Greek region.

Just reaching there would significantly diminish the influence of the Roman army.

Fortunately, due to the Roman army's reckless attack, a vulnerable area with a lax encirclement had emerged.

Ashre did not miss the moment Crixus died and led his own unit to break through the western side.

Though the number of people who managed to escape alive was not even 5,000, it was enough to gain a foothold.

The escape route was carefully chosen with utmost caution.

They avoided taking any risky actions that could potentially hinder their path due to possible pursuers.

Ashre and the survivors hurried towards their destination, Brundisium, through forest trails.

"Just a little more effort, and we'll reach Brundisium. Let's all push through!"

Without properly resting after the battle, they continued to run without stopping. Everyone was almost at their physical limits.

However, the faces of the survivors were bright.

Once they reached Brundisium and boarded a ship, they would bid farewell to the detestable Romans.

Crossing over to Greece, they would spread the story of the hero Crixus and live ordinary lives.

Everyone held such hope as they emerged from the forest.

"Now, straight to Brundisium..."

But when they emerged into a sunlit area, a majestic eagle standard gazed down upon them.

"H-How could this...?"

Ashre, frozen in shock, muttered in a daze.

This couldn't be happening.

No matter how much he thought about it, it made no sense for the Roman army to have overtaken them.

After leaving the battlefield, they had continued to move without resting.

Even if the Roman army had moved without repairs, they would have only been able to follow behind.

But how was it possible for them to be waiting ahead?

"T-This must be a nightmare. A dreadful nightmare..."

Someone among the survivors murmured. Ashre felt the same.

However, upon closer inspection, something was different. The Roman soldiers in front of them appeared slightly unfamiliar compared to the ones they had been fighting against.

The atmosphere emanating from the soldiers was so oppressive that it felt suffocating.

They were soldiers who were far more accustomed to war, exuding a strong scent of blood.

At the center of that legion, a commander on horseback was observing the survivors. He seemed to be in his early thirties.

He was an extraordinary young man with a sculpted appearance.

It was certainly true.

He was a different person from the one who commanded the Roman army on the hill before.

Ashre looked up at him with trembling eyes.

The Roman commander shook his head and turned his horse's head around.

It was an indifferent gaze.

It was evident that the rebel forces were of no concern to him.

The legion commander standing next to the commander cautiously asked.

"How did you predict they would come here?"

"It's simple. If you look at the route Crassus pursued the rebels, the rebels' destination is Brundisium. I don't know if they arranged a ship in advance, but they must have intended to board a ship there."

"Yes, you mentioned that before."

"Crassus' army caught up with them midway and was besieging them. But if they hear that we're approaching, they have no choice but to launch an all-out attack. Looking at the map, it seems that a sudden all-out attack will open up a gap. If that's the case, those who escaped Where will they go? If they're not scattered, they're most likely going to use the pre-planned escape route."

The legion commander listening to the explanation gradually showed a look of admiration in his eyes. The commander casually spoke as if it wasn't something worth bragging about.

"Even if they succeed in escaping, those who are caught while moving on flat terrain will not make the same mistake again. Even slaves have brains to think. In that case, it should be very easy to predict the route they would take for escape."

"It's not that easy. At least not for us."

"Is that so? Anyway, this should have been enough explanation, so let's get started soon."

The Roman army had anticipated that the rebels would come here and had prepared even large-scale equipment in advance.

This couldn't even be described as a war or battle.

It was simply an execution.

The legion commander, receiving the signal, raised his weapon and aimed at the disheartened rebel soldiers.

"Annihilate the enemy, leaving no one alive. Thoroughly reinforce the encirclement to prevent the enemy from escaping! For the Imperator!"

"For the Imperator!"

The title was bestowed upon a general who achieved glorious military achievements to the extent of holding a triumph. Tens of thousands of soldiers charged toward the surviving rebel forces, shouting "For the Imperator!"

There was no room for choice for the rebel forces, as all directions except the rear were blocked.

Ashre just let out a dejected laugh and drew out his sword.

"I'm sorry. It seems like I won't be able to follow the final command."

Oddly enough, a smile crept out from between his lips.

'Captain, I understand now. When real death approaches, all we can show is courage.'

Crixus might have fought with such feelings whenever he started a rebellion.

Even though he had fallen into slavery, he chose to serve others with his own will and faithfully watched over the desires of those he served.

It was regrettable that he couldn't pass on that hope to future generations, but he did not despair.

'I entrust you with the rear, Spartacus.'

Ashre rushed towards the approaching Roman army, taking the lead more than anyone else. Following behind him, the other survivors charged forward without hesitation, shouting in unison.

The scene that followed was clearly far from describing a magnificent battle.

The rebel forces could not hold out for even a few minutes and were annihilated in an instant.

There were no survivors. Sensing their ultimate fate, every one of them fell with their backs turned, bearing wounds on their faces and bodies.

The rebellion that had driven Rome into fear came to an end with the death of the last survivor.

The legion commander approached the commander who was looking down at the rebels' corpses and saluted.

"Congratulations on a great victory."

"No matter how great a nation, we don't boast about this as a victory. This massacre that was not even worth commanding leaves a bitter taste."

"Still, isn't it important that the Imperator has brought this war to a conclusion?"

"That's true. Well, then, our business here is finished. Shall we start moving?"

The legion commander raised an eyebrow.

"Are you returning to Rome, sir?"

"No. Before that, I have to see Crassus. It's been five years since we last met, after all. I should at least exchange greetings with him."

It was a well-known fact throughout Rome that the relationship between him and Crassus is not good. If they were to meet, there would be no ordinary exchange of greetings. However, the legion commander lowered his head without any hesitation.

In this army, the orders of the Imperator were absolute.

The legion commander responded with a loyal voice.

"As you wish. Pompeius Magnus."

****

Three days later, the armies of Pompey and Crassus met at Silvium, northwest of Metapontum.

Facing Pompey's tall face, Crassus reflexively frowned and gnashed his teeth.

"Pompeius..."

"It's been 5 years since I've seen you. Crassus, I'm glad that nothing has changed."

Only a few, even senators, could adopt this attitude in the face of Crassus.

If the target was limited to those in their 30s or younger, it might be only Pompeius.

So Crassus hated this young man who was nine years younger.

A military genius and grand strategist who led his legion and served under Sulla at the age of only 18.

Even Crassus, the richest man in Rome, did not reach Pompey in terms of fame.

The two didn't get along very well from the beginning.

Crassus was jealous of Pompey, who had military talents he lacked. Pompey also did not like Crassus' way of accumulating wealth too greedily.

There was even a situation where Pompey intercepted the end of this slave rebellion.

Those who knew Crassus's personality expected a sudden outpouring of rage.

However, contrary to everyone's expectations, Crassus only glanced at him with a dissatisfied look but did not show great anger.

"If I returned to Rome, I would disband the army and live as a civilian. Why did I come all the way down here?"

"The enemy of Rome has not been eradicated. How can I comfortably disband the army?"

"I practically uprooted that enemy."

"But you missed a few remaining rebels. As long as even a small spark remains, a massive wildfire can erupt at any time. It is no exaggeration to say that the one who completely extinguished the fire of rebellion is me, Pompeius. I have reported it to the Senate as well."

Crassus' eyebrows twitched.

"You reported it to the Senate?"

"Of course. After subduing all the remnants of the rebel forces, I sent a report from that very place."

Pompeius was convinced that Crassus would show some emotional fluctuation here.

It was undoubtedly Crassus who brought about the downfall of this war. That was an undeniable fact.

The rebel forces that caused tremendous damage in the South had surpassed the level of a mere slave rebellion.

The incident had grown too big to simply cover it up as a rebellion of dissatisfied slaves.

Even if it was the Senate, it was impossible for them to pretend to be oblivious to such a significant matter.

That was why Pompeius didn't submit a report claiming that he completely concluded the incident.

The main hero who suppressed the rebellion was none other than Crassus.

Pompeius himself only packaged his contribution as a mere collaborator.

However, the fact that he intercepted a portion of the military achievements that should have been Crassus's remained unchanged.

Of course, Pompeius would not care at all whether Crassus went on a rampage or not.

The reason he came to this place was solely to confirm one thing.

However, Crassus's reaction was completely different from what Pompeius had expected.

Crassus did not show anger.

He simply took a breath and pursed his lips, sipping diluted wine.

Then, unexpectedly, words came out of his mouth that pierced through Pompeius's imagination.

"Well, that's quite a coincidence. I happened to have sent a report to the Senate as well. And if we're talking about a commendation ceremony, the person who should enjoy it naturally is Pompeius Magnus."

Pompeius's expression changed suddenly from the anticipation of Crassus's passionate response.

His eyes were filled with astonishment and shock.