Inside Gaius's ludus, 30 private guards came out carrying gladii and shields, accompanying Gaius and two personal slaves.
Gaius, upon seeing the number of people Septimus had brought, frowned; he did not expect this young man to bring armed men to his door. Originally, he planned to take the foreigners as slaves; after all, as foreigners outside Rome, they had no rights within the Roman Republic.
Septimus's strong reaction made Gaius hesitate.
The 30 experienced gladiators had considerable potential and could become champions or legends, and as a result would bring fortune and fame to Gaius and his ludus.
"Young Septimus, what are your intentions, bringing so many people to my ludus? I warn you, the city of Capua is nearby; if you are reckless, the prefect will judge you," Gaius shouted with a furious expression upon seeing Septimus.
"I have come for the 30 volunteers; I will take them, and we will be at peace," said Septimus coldly, raising his arm.
With the movement of Septimus's arm, the clone guards formed a combat formation, drawing their gladii.
Inside the city of Capua, it is difficult for a large number of men to be armed with gladii (Roman swords), causing Septimus and his clones to be mainly armed with pugiones (Roman daggers). But outside the city of Capua, Septimus loses all restraint and equips his clones with full equipment.
Septimus brought 40 clones armed as private guards with Roman armor, Roman shields, and gladii, prepared to confront Gaius.
Upon seeing the formation of the armed clones, Gaius began to hesitate; he did not know if Septimus truly had the nerve to attack. He had a friendship with the prefect of Capua and could use his influence to suppress Septimus, but the prepared-to-attack attitude of the other side made him waver.
With a slight, almost imperceptible hand gesture, Gaius ordered a slave to quickly notify the prefect of the city of Capua.
Septimus's actions of having 40 private guards with full equipment outside the city of Capua were considered a transgression by the Roman Senate; normally, one would have between 2 and 10 private guards, or between 20 and 30 if the wealthy person had different places to protect.
On the other hand, Septimus had deployed 40 private guards; Gaius himself only had 30 private guards because he maintained a ludus with nearly 200 gladiators.
"My patience is limited; hand over the 30 volunteers and I will leave, or your head will be mounted on a spear," said Septimus coldly. He had no intention of continuing the dialogue, nor did he fear the prefect of Capua.
The 40 clone guards began to advance slowly in an attack position.
Observing the possible deterioration of the situation, Gaius's back began to sweat coldly; he did not understand Septimus's irrationality. If the prefect of Capua accused him, he could end up executed or crucified. While Gaius hesitated and mentally prepared to confront this reckless young man, a running slave approached and whispered a few words in his ear; Gaius's expression darkened instantly.
Gaius received news about the 30 slaves, whom he had thought were obedient, and who had subdued the doctore of the ludus, managing to take advantage of the absence of the guards and consequently rebel, taking the stored weapons of the gladiators.
Gaius knew he would gain no advantage and that the situation would only worsen against him; having no alternative, he stopped hesitating.
"Very well, young Septimus, take your 30 scum; I hope it is worth having me as an enemy," said Gaius with a murderous look directed at Septimus.
Septimus paid no attention to his look and, without addressing him, kept his clone guards in formation.
Five minutes passed, and 30 gladiator clones with various weapons approached, maintaining a defensive formation. Upon seeing them, Gaius looked at them coldly and ordered his private guards to open a path for them.
After receiving his 30 gladiator clones, Septimus withdrew together with his clone guards in the direction of the villa.
Watching them leave, Gaius looked in their direction with a murderous gaze; he was not going to leave matters this way—he planned to take revenge.
Gaius looked at the slave at his side.
"Inform the prefect of Capua, Aulus Fabius Rufus, that a theft has been committed on my property of 30 gladiators and that the thief is named Septimus Novius. Also withdraw 10,000 denarii from my room as a token of appreciation for the prefect," said Gaius, grinding his teeth in anger.
On the other hand, Septimus installed the 30 gladiator clones in his new ludus; he planned to maintain that ludus with 300 clones, of which 250 would serve as gladiators and 50 clones would be dedicated to the daily management of the ludus.
After completing the incorporation of the staff of the new ludus and before Septimus could enjoy the services of the slave women, an unwelcome visitor knocked at the door of the villa.
At the entrance of the perimeter wall of the villa, more than 60 auxiliary guards, together with a man of 30 years with an arrogant air, argued with 10 clones who had roles as private guards of the villa.
Septimus had kept few private clone guards visible to avoid people suspecting that inside his villa a half legion and a large number of people were hidden.
"I am the prefect of Capua, Aulus Fabius Rufus. I tell you that your dominus is in serious trouble and is accused of theft; step aside," said Aulus with a pretentious air while directing his guards.
Aulus received Gaius's message and the bribe and, without thinking much, headed with his auxiliary guards toward Septimus's villa.
The prefect Aulus knew a little about Septimus's situation and knew that he was a wealthy young man who traded in a new product popular in the Republic known as white sugar.
Gaius's letter of accusation gave Aulus a perfect excuse; Aulus would use his authority to seize the formula for white sugar.
Regardless of the truth, the incident of Gaius's accusation would be magnified by Aulus.
Upon observing the impatience of Aulus and his auxiliary guards, the 10 clones guarding the gate raised their weapons.
Seeing that these private guards dared to draw their weapons, Aulus became angry.
"I am the prefect of Capua; I represent Rome. Drawing weapons against me means going against Rome," Aulus shouted angrily with an expression of arrogance at the 10 guards.
At that very moment, Septimus arrived, bringing 50 private clone guards.
Seeing that there were reinforcements on the other side, Aulus's auxiliary guards immediately became alert, adopting combat stances.
On the other hand, Aulus remained calm and scrutinized Septimus; he was not afraid of being attacked. As prefect of Capua, he represented the Roman Senate, and attacking him meant attacking the Senate of Rome, a crime punishable by crucifixion.
"Are you Septimus Novius? You are accused of stealing property and maintaining an excessive number of guards," Aulus shouted with an arrogant expression upon seeing Septimus.
Aulus addressed the crowd surrounding Septimus.
"My guards will take Septimus and those 10 guards for their crimes against a Roman authority; anyone who interferes will be opposing Rome," Aulus shouted to the crowd.
Septimus frowned and, with a slight gesture of his hand, his private clone guards drew their weapons and formed an attack position.
The movement of the clones was sudden, and the auxiliary guards became alert.
Aulus was surprised and grew even angrier upon seeing this situation; seeing that these men dared to draw their weapons against a prefect, his rage increased.
"Guards, attack; let us see if these men dare to attack a prefect," Aulus shouted angrily.
Aulus's anger and his confidence in Rome clouded his judgment.
The auxiliary guards were also confident that they would not be attacked; in this period of history, the authority of the Roman Senate was strong, and there were few in Rome who dared to challenge its authority.