Chapter 175 - 123 Advice for Spartacus
"No more waiting." Maximus shook his head: "Spartacus didn’t agree to convene a Military Conference today, which gave me some buffer time. It’s much better for me to take the initiative and leave than to leave after the conference amid the soldiers’ insults..."
"Ah... since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t say any more." Hamilcar sighed: "Don’t blame us. When we first started the rebellion, everyone indeed wanted to escape Italy, but now most of the soldiers want to stay—"
"I understand, Attutmus just talked to me about this." Maximus was unwilling to elaborate further on the matter, his eyes keenly fixed on Hamilcar as he lowered his voice and asked: "I’ve always believed that among our leaders, you and Spartacus are the most intelligent and militarily talented, and you both have served in the Roman Army, so you’re most familiar with Rome’s military capabilities!
I don’t think you wouldn’t be aware that even if we’re winning now, our situation in Italy is still very precarious. But the soldiers’ voices wanting to stay in Italy are growing stronger every day. You and Spartacus have never taken any action to remind them, and you’ve barely voiced any opinions in the Military Commander Conference, allowing Cleonis to argue with me, which is completely unlike your past behavior, why?!"
Hamilcar was silent for a moment, then said: "The vast majority of soldiers refuse to leave, should Spartacus abandon them? He’s the leader of Free Italy, and he has a responsibility to ensure that those willing to follow him can survive well! Of course, both Spartacus and I think that as our forces grow in fighting power, if we continue to fight like this, we have a good chance of eventually defeating Rome..."
Maximus looked at him without blinking, his tone airy as he said: "Teacher, even when I’m about to leave with my troops, are you still unwilling to speak the truth?"
Hamilcar looked up at him.
The two stared at each other for a while, then Hamilcar turned his head away, speaking again: "What I said just now is the truth, but... ahem, do you know how I got the name Hamilcar?"
Maximus shook his head; the original in Gladiator School really never mentioned it.