After agreeing to follow Marcus, Spartacus returned to Batiatus. Once he closed the door behind him, Marcus sighed deeply, swiveling in his chair. "Whoa... My heart almost stopped."
"Sorry for speaking up like that," Danae said, "but I couldn't stand the way he talked about you, Young Master."
"No, your help was invaluable. If you hadn't intervened, Spartacus wouldn't have listened to me so willingly."
It was fortunate that Danae had a connection to Spartacus. Despite his distrust, the presence of a girl from the same land had clearly made an impact.
Danae, visibly excited, couldn't hide her joy at having helped Marcus. "This is nothing compared to the kindness you've shown me. And didn't you plan everything from the start?"
"Well... yes, it was all part of the plan."
"Just as I thought! That's why you invited me to sit with you."
Marcus felt a pang of guilt at Danae's admiration. Though he had indeed considered the connection between Spartacus and Danae, he hadn't anticipated her stepping forward so boldly.
"Now, we must not waste this opportunity. We need to meet with Batiatus and negotiate."
—-------
Marcus, accompanied by Septimus, headed to Batiatus' chambers. Septimus, who had been left outside earlier, seemed slightly offended but was convinced when Marcus explained that having younger people present might make Spartacus less guarded.
Still eager to be involved, Septimus asked, "Can I join the conversation with Batiatus, or should I leave again?"
"It's fine. You need to report to my father anyway, so it's better if you join us."
"Then I'm glad."
"Oh, and don't mind mentioning my father's name during the negotiation with Batiatus."
Septimus looked astonished at Marcus's willingness to be so bold. "If you get caught, can you handle the consequences?"
"It's fine. When I report to him in Rome, my father will unconditionally support me. There won't be any issues."
Septimus stared at Marcus, recognizing a certainty rooted in clear evidence. "When did you grow up so much? Well, I'll pretend I didn't hear anything."
"It's a wise decision. Let's go and negotiate."
—-------
Batiatus, having been informed that Marcus was coming, waited eagerly.
"Ha ha ha ha! Welcome! I was expecting you!" With a friendly smile, Batiatus gestured for Marcus and Septimus to take a seat. This was his way of showing deference to those of higher status, a stark contrast to his demeanor around Spartacus. "It is truly an honor to welcome someone so important."
He glanced sidelong at Septimus and Marcus, trying to determine who was in charge of the negotiations.
Noticing Batiatus' gaze, Septimus stepped back and said, "I have no role in this negotiation. You should speak directly with the young master."
"Is that so? Hee hee... They say the Crassus family is highly esteemed in Rome. It seems even a young boy like you has the ability to handle such matters."
"It's an exaggeration. My father has already worked out the details. I'm here to finalize them."
Upon hearing the name Crassus, Batiatus nodded in understanding. No sensible person would entrust such a significant deal to a twelve-year-old. However, if Crassus had already prepared the terms and Marcus was merely executing them, it made sense.
'Hmm, perhaps Crassus wanted to give his son some experience and sent a reliable aide to oversee the process. Everything fits.'
Confident in his assessment, Batiatus regained his composure. "Then let's get down to business. You want to acquire Spartacus, correct?"
"That's right. And I intend to offer a price that will satisfy both of us." Marcus spoke calmly and seriously, exhibiting a maturity beyond his years—a crucial trait for any negotiator.
However, Batiatus was not easily swayed. An experienced trader would never agree without knowing the terms first. He responded with a slightly embarrassed smile. "But Spartacus represents our gladiatorial games, no, all of Capua."
"We understand that. Don't worry, I have no intention of pressuring you unfairly. Let me clarify that this is a valuable opportunity for you, and then we can proceed."
"A valuable opportunity?"
"Yes. It's a chance to sell Spartacus at the peak of his value. Surely you know that now is the most lucrative time to sell him."
Batiatus's eyes flickered momentarily. Despite his efforts to maintain a neutral expression, his eyes betrayed his concern. "What do you mean by that...?"
"If you're going to feign ignorance, I'll explain. Spartacus has become too powerful. Even you can't guarantee a fair match for him. Crixus will be his opponent, but you can't repeatedly pit fighters from the same training center against each other. The excitement wanes with repeated confrontations."
"...You've hit a nerve." Batiatus could no longer force a smile. Marcus's points were accurate.
Spartacus had grown into the strongest gladiator, but this posed a problem. To maintain the excitement of the games, confrontations needed to be balanced. With Crixus, the only gladiator left who could challenge Spartacus, already having been defeated by him, the situation was dire.
"The Lanistas in charge of the matches are struggling. Even with renowned warriors from Gaul, they couldn't compete with Crixus, let alone Spartacus."
"Indeed."
"The audience is enthusiastic now, but how long will that last? You can't stage one-on-one battles or three-on-one fights indefinitely. That kind of spectacle should have been reserved for later, but you've already exhausted those options. It will be challenging to keep the audience engaged."
Every word was accurate, leaving Batiatus with no rebuttal.
In truth, Batiatus had hoped Spartacus would lose his next match or win narrowly after a grueling fight. However, the results had been disastrous. There were no longer enough talented fighters in Capua to challenge Spartacus.
The matches would soon become lopsided, making it difficult to excite the audience.
"So, you're considering selling Spartacus?"
"Yes."
"Great. With that money, I recommend bringing in several top-notch gladiators and expand the pool. In the long run, it's not wise to cling to assets that are only going to depreciate."
"Before we proceed, I'd like to understand what benefit your family would gain if Spartacus goes to Rome."
"First and foremost, it's about freshness. Spartacus has already fought 16 duels in Capua, but in Rome, he will be a new sensation. The decline in his value will be slower there. This is the price we're offering, so consider it." Marcus handed over the wax plate with the proposed figures.
Batiatus quickly skimmed the numbers. They were fair, though not overly generous. Before he could comment, Marcus added: "And there will be a share of the profits from Spartacus's earnings."
"I'll need more details to give a definite answer."
"Of course, I'll explain. The Crassus family plans to radically reform gladiator fights. The current system has significant flaws."
"Reforming gladiator fights?" Batiatus's interest was piqued, and he looked intently at Marcus. Septimus also watched with wide eyes.
"Today's gladiator fights are overly harsh for new recruits. Despite the bloodshed, the death rate is excessively high."
"That's inevitable..."
"No, it's a long-term issue. Right now, we have a surplus of prisoners of war, so high mortality rates are manageable. But once Rome's borders are secure and the supply of slaves dwindles, what will we do then? Won't it be too late to adapt?"
"How soon could the borders stabilize?"
It's not as distant as one might think. The eastern regions and Gaul are currently unstable. Pompey will conquer the eastern dynasties within ten years, and Caesar will subjugate Gaul shortly thereafter. The slave supply will significantly drop by then.
There isn't much time left to maintain the current structure of gladiator fights indefinitely.
"If the supply of gladiators decreases, we can adjust the rules. But it seems excessive to say the current method is inadequate."
"I'm not finished. The high mortality rate also means fewer opportunities to create a standout fighter, or 'Stella,' who can captivate the audience. A successful show depends on having such a lead figure."
"That would be Spartacus or Crixus..."
"Even if they are exceptional, having only two stars limits the excitement. We need a deep talent pool to keep the audience engaged. The current system can't support that."
Batiatus, realizing the accuracy of Marcus's points, struggled to counter. He finally managed to offer a rebuttal.
"But the public won't be swayed by these long-term considerations alone. If the immediate excitement wanes, why would they be interested in waiting for changes?"
"Indeed. That's why I don't plan to change everything overnight. We'll gradually shift the audience's expectations. Our strategy is to make Spartacus the premier star in Rome, crafting an image that everyone admires. Then, we'll improve gladiator treatment. Do you know what's crucial for a tournament's success?"
"Isn't it the intensity and excitement of the matches?"
"No. The key is the star and the narrative surrounding them. A compelling narrative captivates the audience far more than just thrilling matches."
Batiatus seemed to grasp this concept but struggled to visualize it fully.
"Consider Capua's current situation: the Thracian and Gallic gladiators are in conflict, adding a layer of drama and rivalry that excites the crowd."
"Ah, yes. That makes sense..."
"If we build enough stars and engaging stories around them, the audience will eagerly consume the entertainment on their own."
Batiatus nodded, impressed. The idea was so clear and intuitive that he wondered why he hadn't thought of it himself. Marcus continued explaining, knowing he had already captivated Batiatus's interest.
"I'm planning to introduce an element that will evoke local pride. Specifically, I want gladiator fights to include competitions between regions. Gladiators will represent their respective cities and fight against competitors from neighboring regions. Imagine the enthusiasm from the audience cheering for gladiators who represent their hometown."
Given how modern European football fans passionately support their local teams, it's easy to see the potential response. People in that era had a strong sense of regional identity, far stronger than today. Losing to another region would be deeply disappointing, fueling local pride and creating more opportunities for gladiators to showcase their skills.
"But traveling long distances could be a problem."
"That's why we'll focus on nearby major cities. I'm thinking of starting with four cities as a test. The Lanistas will need to enhance this concept and create compelling narratives to captivate the audience. Just imagine the revenue potential!"
In addition to this, Marcus planned to implement systems like rankings and title fights, similar to those in modern martial arts.
Batiatus's mind raced. Though he hadn't worked out all the specifics, he could quickly grasp the potential for creating a massive market. The idea, proposed by Crassus—the wealthiest man in Rome—had a strong financial appeal.
Even though gladiator matches are typically free, the associated costs and fees could yield significant profits. The initial investment might be a concern, but with Crassus's backing, that wouldn't be an issue.
After considering all this, Batiatus realized he had no choice but to agree. The offer was too compelling to refuse.
Batiatus nodded in agreement, and Marcus, with a thin smile, presented the contract.
The deal was finalized.
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