Chapter 562 - We Who Are About To Die Salute You (1/2)

Chapter 562 - We Who Are About To Die Salute You

One month later

The Coliseum A majestic and complex amphitheater built to entertain the most powerful people of the Rohest class citizens, known as patricians, the commoners referred to as plebeians, and slaves, would all join hands in spectating battles to the death between impressive warriors and ferocious beasts

Capable of holding over fifty thousand people, this marvel of architecture was mostly empty, as the , and it was now still early afternoon Nonetheless, the few thousands of spectators present did not fail towas heard hundreds ofthe citizens of the capital that the entertaine of the round arena were now dueling a pair of gladiators Each sporting a different type of armor and weapon One of the two carried a scutum, and thick armor, while the other had opted for a leather cuirass, which would not hinder his movements as he handled his weapons The only piece of equipment the two had in common was a full visor bronze helmet, which completely covered their heads and protected their faces

In the row of seats closer to the center stage, various Lanistas bet the ladiators, in hope tothem was Cossus, accompanied by the rest of his family and a few patrician friends Froine how ames

”You are almost out of money, my friend” Said a lanky man with blonde hair and an aquiline nose, dressed in a white and gold toga In his right hand was a cup of red wine, while his left hand lay on top of a bowl of green grapes, which he see

Just as this e roared in anger, frightening his clearly inexperienced opponent, which covered his face with his wide shi+eld The for for this ht, and sent the frightened gladiator turound, the large and heavy shi+eld fell on his chest, leaving only down to his shoulders and up to his knees uncovered

Unwilling to let his opponent get up, the standing gladiator stepped onto the shi+eld, locking the man in place, and pointed the tip of his spear at his opponent's throat

The duel was clearly over, but the spearht that he was not free to take a life unless that was the will of the crowd or the organizers So as the duel came to a clear end, the spear shout that ignited the spirits of the crowd Plebeians and upper echelon rose to their feet to cheer on the victor, while Cossus, the owner of the defeated, looked down in shaladiator, clearly terrified of what his opponent could do to him The spearman did not respond, and instead looked down at his opponent in what appeared like disappointment and compassion Emotions which, due to his heavy helladiator Soon after, the spearet up and retreat towards one of the dark tunnels that led to the center stage while struggling not to trip over his own feet

As he reached one of the stage's entrances, instead of being welcoladiator elcoroup of slaves armed with bronze bars and wooden clubs The roup of slaves, who surrounded him before he could even notice it

In the poorly lit tunnel, a club struck the now uncovered head of the injured gladiator, causing hiround What folloas the noise of wood and ladiator, ripping flesh and shattering bones This disgusting series of sound was co which the spear as, under his heled from the path his late adversary had just taken

”It is not easy to find a good gladiator” Said Cossus to the lanky man His voice filled with a disappointment that was not reflected in his smile

The crowd's enthusiasm was short-lived, as it died down the e, after which the lanky man stood up and shouted, ”BELLIGER PREVAILS AGAIN!! What a beautiful fight! A deer, who ed to reach the threshold of three consecutive victories! May his opponent be remembered as the coward that he was”

Cossus did not fail to notice the Editor's crude renus, the ladiator school in the capital, the lanky hters once the spectators were aware of their school of origin, was but the norm Yet, while irritated by the editor's tone, Cossus did not let hietically to the crowd As he raised his head once again, his narrowed eyes pointed at the editor's back, while his rin

”Now, let us ht!” Said the editor, satisfied by the crowd's reaction

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The fights within the vast arena went on continuously for the entire day, showing fights between ladiators of different schools, and albeit extreladiatrices

As tiht increased, just like the fame and skill of the combattants By the time the sun was about to set, the enormous arena was completely filled In it, over fifty thousand ht of their favourite fighters, eager to see theht and triumph