Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye.
During these two weeks, Septimus had experienced for the first time what it feels like to die in the most brutal way possible; at first those memories brought nightmares to Septimus, but after experiencing several deaths in a row, his willpower strengthened.
The bloody experience changed Septimus' mentality, and his willpower and determination in battle were slowly strengthening.
In the city of Capua.
On a narrow street, Septimus, together with 12 clones, was heading toward the underground arena; although the deaths of his clones inflicted terrible and painful torment on him, the bloody fights awakened his bloodthirsty side.
Septimus brought 10 clones to the underground arena and two clones as bodyguards to avoid problems.
Underground Arena
"Hahaha, you have come again, young Septimus, and I see that you bring fresh meat," said the man with smallpox scars on his face, laughing.
His name was Gaudas; he was a Numidian and was in charge of the underground arena. At first, he was surprised that Septimus offered him slaves for the arena; most of the people who fight in the arena are gladiators or desperate individuals seeking money.
Gaudas, as the person in charge of the underground arena, simply accepted Septimus' proposal without showing any unnecessary interest.
Old Gaudas, having spent many years in the business of clandestine fights, knew that people were not very interested in watching a fair and honest fight; they only wanted to see blood and feel the adrenaline of betting and watching fighters die in horrible ways..
Gaudas did not pay much attention to Septimus' actions; he was not the only slave owner who punished or got rid of his disobedient slaves. He had also seen slave owners with perverse tastes who enjoyed watching or hurting their slaves; none of that interested him.
"I come to register 10 slaves for the fight," said Septimus as he approached.
"Alright, the rules are the same, pay 20 denarii in total," Gaudas blurted out with little interest.
After making the grim payment for the 10 clones, Septimus moved to a discreet place to observe how the clones prepared to enter the arena. During this time, thanks to the training of the ludus and the experience of the bloody combat of the clones who died in the underground arena, the clones had notably improved their combat skill.
Although Septimus still could not guarantee a certain victory, his clones were not as defenseless as at the beginning.
Amid the shouts and curses of the crowd, the 10 clones entered the underground arena one by one.
Septimus frowned slightly; each clone that died fighting in that cruel underground arena added combat experience to him, but it was still painful to feel death in such a brutal way in his own flesh.
After 3 hours of intense combat and with the euphoric shouts of the crowd of spectators, the 10 clones had died in the arena, after having managed, with luck, to defeat 4 experienced fighters who were tired or injured.
Although Septimus felt a bit disappointed, at the beginning his clones were like sheep prepared for the slaughter, being easily killed, but with each combat experience in the arena, the fighting skill of the clones constantly improved.
In ancient times, a veteran soldier with combat experience was considered a valuable resource for any nation because those soldiers had to survive wars and years of training; Septimus, with his replication ability, could form a completely loyal army.
After observing that the fights had ended, Septimus headed home.
The clones led by Septimus walked through the dirty streets of the city of Capua.
As the group passed by an alley, they could hear the sound of curses and crying.
"Hurry up, whore, and take off your clothes; if you behave well and satisfy us, we will not hurt you."
Septimus frowned upon hearing the sounds of a woman crying while three men tried to rape her.
By looking at the girl's clothing, Septimus realized that she was from the Roman upper class; the three men were only drunkards.
Septimus, together with his clones, drew their pugios (ancient Roman daggers).
The clones led by Septimus lunged at the three thugs from behind; the first clone cut the throat of one of the thugs, and the second clone stabbed his pugio into the liver of another thug, and finally, Septimus advanced quickly, kicking the thug who was holding the girl from behind.
The last thug fell hard to the ground, letting the girl escape.
Upon seeing the ferocity with which these men who came out of nowhere acted, the last thug regained his sobriety from the shock, and as he raised his hand in surrender, he was met with several stab wounds to the chest from Septimus and another clone.
Septimus approached the girl who was crying on the ground, while his two clones checked the corpses in search of money or valuables. Septimus was more interested in looting these drunkards; in Rome, although it is a society with crime, criminals are usually associated with larger gangs, and attacking them without justification would only bring the revenge of those thugs.
Although Septimus did not fear a few thugs, criminal gangs are the black gloves of Roman nobles or elites, with senators of Capua behind them as sponsors.
"Waa, thank you for saving me, my name is Atilia Fausta," said Atilia, wiping the tears from her face in fright.
She had gone out with her retinue to the market, but out of caprice she had separated from them, causing this incident.
"My name is Septimus Novius; as a Roman citizen, it is my duty to help if necessary," said Septimus to the young woman.
Atilia wiped her tears, and upon seeing this young man of 16 or 17 years old and his attractive face, she was somewhat moved.
Septimus also looked at the young woman who had tear marks in her eyes; she was more or less his age and was a beauty that was about to develop. It did not surprise him that those thugs were trying to rape her.
She was a young aristocratic beauty.
"It is not safe for you to be wandering alone through the city; I will take you home," said Septimus to Atilia.
"Alright, I will guide you," said Atilia while Septimus helped her stand up.
Septimus could feel that, as he helped Atilia to her feet, the young woman intentionally pressed her entire body against his.
After following Atilia's directions, the group left that isolated alley and headed toward the forum of Capua, which was near Atilia's residence.
After walking for a few minutes, Septimus felt relieved; although he had killed a group of thugs to defend a noble lady, he did not want to waste time with the city guard.
Regardless of right or wrong, the city guard would try to demand a bribe.
"I am the daughter of Marcus Atilius Severus, a member of the concilium of Capua; I promise you that my father will generously reward you for saving me," said Atilia while looking at Septimus with bright eyes.
"I was just passing by; I could not stand by with my arms crossed watching a beautiful young lady be harmed," replied Septimus, looking at Atilia with a slight smile.
The group quickly arrived near Atilia's house and saw a group of guards and slaves with a beautiful middle-aged woman, who was shouting like a harpy at the slaves.
"How could you lose her!! If anything happens to her, all of you will be crucified," shouted the beautiful middle-aged woman in a hysterical tone at the frightened slaves.
As Septimus and his group approached.
The guards noticed the young Atilia.
"Domina, the young lady is there," said one of the guards, pointing at Atilia.
"Atilia!!!" shouted the woman, running and checking Atilia.
Upon seeing traces of tears on her face, the woman looked at Septimus with malice.
"Guards, arrest these men," the woman shouted hysterically, pointing at Septimus and his group.
The sudden hysterical shout of the woman caused Septimus' expression to change.
Septimus and his clones drew their pugios; the woman's guards also drew their gladii, preparing to fight.
"Stop, mother, they are my saviors," said Atilia hurriedly, seeing that the situation was getting out of control.
The beautiful middle-aged woman frowned upon hearing her daughter's shout; with a gesture of her hand, the captain of the guards gave orders for them to put away their weapons.
After ten minutes, the middle-aged woman listened to her daughter's explanation.
"I want to apologize to you, young savior; my name is Cornelia Prisca, I am Atilia's mother," said Cornelia in a kind tone to Septimus.
Seeing that the misunderstanding was being cleared up, Septimus and his clones put away their weapons; they were also tense due to the possible confrontation.
"My name is Septimus Novius," Septimus replied calmly.
He did not plan to establish much contact with this Roman noble family; although Atilia was beautiful, upper-class Roman women were known for deceiving their husbands. It was fine to have a few sexual encounters, but Septimus had no intention of having a noble wife; he only hoped to receive the reward.
With his replication ability, Septimus did not need a noble wife to help him with contacts or influence.