Although Enomai's ideas were sowhat naive, given the chaos caused by the uprising forces in the northern Vesuvius area, the neighboring Ania Avenue had beco desolate. Encountering good fortunes like before was nearly impossible. Nevertheless, the issue he raised was indeed the most concerning for everyone: it had been a month since they fled Capua, and their ranks had swollen to nearly 5,000 people, yet those equipped with rudintary weapons numbered fewer than 500 (naly, wielding wooden shields, short swords, or long spears).
During this ti, everyone had tried nurous thods, but the weapon shortage dilemma remained unchanged.
After a brief silence, Spartacus said gravely, "Enomai's suggestion is still good; we can let Okmar send his n to try. However, our priority should be to start intensively training our brothers tomorrow to improve their combat skills as quickly as possible. That way, when the Roman Army arrives, we will be able to defeat them and seize their weapons and equipnt. If they don't co soon, we shouldn't foolishly wait for Ro to gather a massive force to encircle us. We must strike first by attacking smaller towns like Pompey to seize their armories and equip our brothers. Only then will we stand a chance against the Roman Army."
Both defeating the Roman Army and capturing cities were formidable challenges, but everyone recognized that there was no alternative for the uprising forces. In the end, they all expressed their agreent.
After the eting concluded, Hamilcar convened all Supply Team personnel in the courtyard and announced: Maximus would be their new captain!
Cheers imdiately erupted all around, accompanied by vigorous applause from so.
Hamilcar turned to Maximus and said, "We made the right decision; it seems everyone wanted you to be this captain."
"That's only because of your full support, teacher, and how selflessly you've taught so much during this ti!" Maximus said sincerely. Ever since he began assisting Hamilcar and frequently seeking his guidance, he started addressing Hamilcar as "teacher." At first, Hamilcar found it uncomfortable, but as Maximus persisted, he eventually accepted it silently, which led him to trust Maximus more deeply and often let him act independently. Hamilcar's proactive recomndation of him to Spartacus was one of the key reasons Maximus was appointed.
"It's all for the good of this team. The Supply Team is in your hands now, so make sure to manage it well. Don't let anything go wrong!" Hamilcar advised solemnly. "If you encounter any issues you can't resolve, feel free to co to , and we'll discuss and solve them together."
Maximus imdiately took the cue and said, "Teacher, I already have a problem that I need your help with."
"You're really not shy, huh?" Hamilcar muttered a curse, though not displeased. After spending ti with this young man, he had grown accustod to Maximus's thick skin. "Alright, tell , what's the issue?"
"The Supply Team lacks manpower!" Maximus hurriedly explained, afraid Hamilcar would object. "Although the team seems large, with about 200 people, and it's growing daily, you must understand the makeup of these people. There are over 50 won, more than 30 elderly over 40 years old, over 20 children, and while there are over 80 adult n, many are frail or physically impaired... In short, most of the new additions to our team are essentially the old, weak, sick, and vulnerable—"
"You should understand that the Roman Army could attack at any mont. The enslaved brothers joining our ranks must first be assigned to combat units—it's not the right ti to prioritize the Supply Team!" Hamilcar finally interrupted him, reminding him firmly.
"I understand this, but when Spartacus and the others fight, we in the Supply Team will still have to move along with them. While attacking farms and gathering food during peaceti hides this issue, during the intense action of battle, our current team mbers will struggle to adapt. They will not only fail to play their intended role but may even beco a burden!"
Maximus spoke with a solemn expression, having already considered the matter thoroughly. He even preempted potential counterasures Hamilcar might suggest: "Even if combat units are assigned to assist our team during battles, they aren't familiar with Supply Team operations, which could lead to chaos. Furthermore, there's no guarantee they'll obey commands. If they abandon us during critical monts to join the fight, the Supply Team would be in grave danger... That's why assigning so strong enslaved brothers to the Supply Team would be the best solution."
After hearing Maximus's argunt, Hamilcar's expression beca serious. He contemplated deeply for a while before responding, "Alright, I'll bring this up with Spartacus. As the Supply Team captain, you can now participate in Military Commander Conferences. Bring it up during the next eting. But even if it's approved, don't expect too many reinforcents."
"A few would be enough," Maximus said, breaking into a smile.
"Any other issues?" Hamilcar asked, blinking.
"None for now," Maximus replied cheerfully. He did have additional proposals but preferred to tackle them one at a ti.
Watching Hamilcar walk away, Maximus clenched his fists in excitent. His hard work during this period had finally paid off—he had beco the Supply Team captain! Although this had much to do with his literacy and nuracy skills, as well as the lack of competitors among gladiators beside himself and Hamilcar, his demonstrated competence had also earned recognition. Otherwise, even with Hamilcar's recomndation, the Military Commander Conference would not have approved his appointnt. To those gladiators who only valued brute strength, the Supply Team was seen as a haven for the weak. Yet, when Spartacus appointed Hamilcar as the Supply Team captain and granted him the ability to participate in conferences to discuss military affairs, Maximus imdiately realized that as a young man lacking prestige and carrying a tarnished reputation, joining the Supply Team and becoming its captain was undoubtedly the best way to quickly gain enough authority in the uprising forces. His rapid success still exceeded his expectations.
Just as he was feeling overwheld with emotion, soone approached him with a bright smile and asked, "Captain Maximus, now that you're in charge, should we celebrate?"
Maximus turned to her.
This woman, around thirty years old, was nad Acronis. She hailed from Egypt, and her family had fallen into slavery due to crushing debts, eventually being sold to a large farm in the Vesuvius Region. Her husband had been assigned farming work, while she served as a cook. Two years ago, her eldest daughter was forcibly taken in by the farm manager and discarded after pregnancy. The young girl died of childbirth complications, leaving Acronis and her husband heartbroken. They hastily buried her, not daring to show any animosity toward the manager. Shortly afterward, her husband passed away in despair. Acronis repressed her own grief and carefully looked after her underage daughter, fearing she might also fall victim. For two years, she lived in constant dread until the uprising forces overran the farm, killed the resistant farm manager on the spot, and freed the enslaved workers. Acronis was among the first to fervently join the uprising, even mutilating the manager's corpse with a at cleaver to vent her rage.
As the Supply Team's numbers grew, Hamilcar decided to appoint a head cook to oversee kitchen operations. His initial choice was another male enslaved worker, but Maximus strongly endorsed Acronis. Being young and often working alongside the team, he noticed Acronis's bold and efficient manner, as well as her charisma among the kitchen crew. Coming from modern society, Maximus held no bias against won, and his insistence led to Acronis becoming the uprising forces' first female head.
Maximus wasn't one to hide his contributions. He ensured word of his advocacy reached Acronis through interdiaries, earning her gratitude.
Now, with a serious expression, he said to Acronis, "Thank you for your kind gesture, but now isn't the ti for celebrations. We must first do our work well and prove to our brothers fighting outside that Spartacus made the right decision in appointing as captain."
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