Chapter 47 - 46 Bubius and Torrelugo
Flanitnus on the side ignored their quarrels, not caring whether they would be punished. As he focused on the center of the field, he scanned the lively crowd around. What interested him was the rebel army’s way of soliciting opinions from everyone.
Although the Roman Army had many military laws and quite strict military discipline, he, with years of military life, knew that the ultimate decision of life and death for a Legion Soldier was in the hands of the Legion Commander, and ordinary soldiers had no chance to appeal. The rebel army, however, seemed to hand this power of punishment to the soldiers even without military law. Is this what they call freedom?
Maximus walked into the center of the camp, followed closely by two trembling young women. They were thin, their eyes red and swollen, and one even had a clear red handprint on her cheek.
The soldiers curiously watched Maximus standing in the center. Many new recruits might not have known this young Supply Team Captain two days ago, but it’s not surprising, as the new recruits were busy raiding farms every day and rarely interacted with Maximus, who always stayed with the Supply Team. It was only when they fought and retreated to the back mountain that Maximus stood up and showed everyone how to turn defeat into victory, drawing everyone’s attention for the first time. But this time, he became the center of attention again to punish their comrades, which made everyone’s feelings a bit complicated.
Maximus, unaware of the soldiers’ mixed feelings, introduced the two women with a loud and heavy voice and emphasized the suffering they endured.
Under the whip and stick’s drive, endless work was the common experience of every slave in the team, and young female slaves with a bit of beauty had to endure some unspeakable violations and pains similar to Nexia’s experiences.
Perhaps it was Maximus’s narration that brought back the terrible memories, causing the two women to begin to sob uncontrollably.
Maximus stopped the narration, raised his voice, and said, "They joined our team full of hope, thinking they came from hell to Elysian Paradise, so they worked tirelessly every day to make delicious food for everyone and now actively take care of the wounded. But what they got in return was these few people’s shameless violation!"
Maximus’s final stern accusation brought silence to the entire assembly.