One of Us

One of Us

Zhang Heng had not expected Gabi to bring him directly to Macrus's residence.

Macrus's domus was not inside the Gladiator School, but diagonally across the street, in a prime location.

A domus was a wealthy man's mansion. Unlike the villas of modern society, it looked more like a small fortress, somewhat shell-shaped, with almost no windows. Nor was it like the balcony-equipped apartments where commoners lived.

Zhang Heng followed Gabi through the front gate, across the entrance hall, and into the atrium. Though it had no windows, the interior was well lit because the atrium had no roof. This design not only allowed sunlight in, but also collected rainwater.

When it rained, water flowed from the mouths of several statues along the edge of the roof, landing precisely in a square rainwater pool.

The pool served as decoration, casting rippling reflections across the surrounding walls and adding to the atmosphere. It was also connected to an underground cistern, ensuring that a domus always had water available. In contrast, commoners living in apartment buildings had to go out to fetch water from the city's wells and fountains.

Zhang Heng had not expected Macrus to be waiting for him in the atrium. The moment he appeared, Macrus warmly strode over and threw an arm around his shoulders.

To other Romans, this would have been a shocking sight. The master had come out personally to greet a slave, and even made a gesture reserved for friends. Rarer still, there was not the slightest hint of reluctance on Macrus's face. It was as if everything were perfectly natural, wholly sincere.

He now looked genial and approachable, utterly unlike the man who had once sat on a second-floor balcony, looking down at the slaves below him.

Yet just as everything seemed harmonious,