My friend asked me to finish next chapter for this fic first, so here it is. I'm really glad you guys like it and thanks for reviews :) Also I'm very busy right now so next chapter may take a while...

The next morning Erwin woke up early, as usually. He dressed up and went to one of his porches. He wanted to have the breakfast in the dining room, at first but after he saw the sunrise, he changed mind and told Petra to serve him here.

Petra and few more slaves brought him a small table with a chair and served him his breakfast.

"So, did Levi talk to you yesterday?" the blond asked, leaning for a pear.

Petra had to think for a while before she recalled the Gaul that her master brought yesterday. "He did. He speaks both Gaelic and Latin." she said.

"Did he say anything interesting?" Erwin raised his eyebrows and his eyes met with Petra's. She squirmed uncomfortably. She didn't lie when she said Erwin was a good master. The blond took good care of everything he owned and he never beat or abused his slaves. But she more than once heard what this man was capable on the battlefield and how cruel he could be to his enemies. She heard it accidentally, mostly on parties Erwin sometimes organized.

She was afraid that if she told him Levi asked her to escape, the blond would kill him. So Petra said: "Nothing important, master." and lowered her eyes.

She could've known that Erwin would see through her lie. It always seemed that his sharp eyes could see through anything. "He asked you to help him escape, didn't he?"

"Yes, master." Petra could feel she was sweating. "But I don't think it was important because it's impossible to es-"

"It's alright." Erwin interrupted her speech with a soft smile on his lips. "I thought he might do something like that sooner or later. You were just afraid I would… punish him, weren't you?"

"Yes, master." Petra said obediently. "I apologize."

"Don't worry about it." Erwin told her. "Please, go to Levi a give him something to breakfast. I want to talk to him after I finish eating and I'd like him in good mood."

"Of course, master." Petra bowed again and left Erwin alone.

The blond leaned for some grapes. He just ate and enjoyed the sunrise for few minutes before he got up and headed to his basement.

He knew that most of Romans would bring their guards for the first meeting with a barbarian slave but Erwin had great confidence in his abilities. And in belt knife.

The basement was a huge place with a lot of space. Besides his slaves' rooms, Erwin also had a pantry and cells. Levi was in one of these cells. Erwin could see him through the bars. He sat on a small, uncomfortable bed with a blanket over his shoulders. An empty bowl placed next to him on the ground.

The blond was happy to see that – he was kind of afraid that the barbarian wouldn't eat anything.

Levi was watching him with those cold grey eyes. Erwin didn't expect that the hatred towards Romans would overcome so easily.

But first, Erwin had to find out why Levi hated the Romans. Was it because he was a fresh slave or because harsh treatment? Maybe it was because of both.

"Hello." the blond greeted with a soft smile. "Do you know who I am?"

Levi looked into his blue eyes. Erwin started to think Levi wouldn't answer and prepared himself to say something else but suddenly, the Gaul said: "You are my master." His words were full of poison.

"That's right." Erwin nodded. "Your name is Levi, am I correct?"

"Hm." was the only sound that Levi made.

"I think we should start with learning something about each other." Erwin said. "I already know your name so I think it's your turn to learn mine. It's Erwin Smith and I'm looking forward to our cooperation."

An unamused chuckle escaped through Levi's lips. "That's how you call it slavery here?" he asked.

Erwin raised his eyebrows. "How long are you a slave?"

"It doesn't matter." the raven hissed.

"I think it does. Have you had another master before the last one? Before Pixis?" Erwin pretended he didn't notice Levi's hatred at all.

"No."

"Where did he get you?" the blond asked. "On a slave market? Or did he take you from Gallia when he was there few months ago?"

There had been only silence for few minutes but Erwin was a patient man. He could wait.

"He took me from Gallia." Levi finally answered. "The leader of my village thought the taxes were too high and we should fight. That man – Pixis – suppressed our rebellion and enslaved several men and women as a warning. I was one of them."

"I see." Erwin nodded. "But it doesn't seem Pixis had to send any other slaves to the arena. What have you done to him?"

Levi looked at Erwin like one looks at a murderer. "I tried to escape."

"Pixis isn't someone who'd give up upon a slave just because he tried escape." Erwin said. "So, who did you kill that Pixis send you into the arena as entertainment for people."

It took some time Levi to answer. "I killed few of his guards. It seemed like one of the men I killed was his friend."

"I see." Erwin narrowed his eyes. "So you are a wild one."

Silence fell upon them; neither of them said anything. The blond wasn't really sure but he thought Levi relaxed a little because of their talk.

Finally, Erwin spoke: "I must say I have been surprised by your fighting skills. Who taught you them?"

Levi took some time before he answered: "Life."

"What about your mother and father?" Erwin asked but immediately knew this question was a wrong move. The subject had to be very uncomfortable for Levi because his shoulders tensed up and he had an angry glint in his eye.

"That's nothing of your business!" Levi hissed.

"I apologize." the blond spread his arms a little wide in a gesture of conciliation. "I didn't mean to be… obtrusive."

The raven made an annoyed: "Tch." and looked away.

Erwin sighed. "You probably know why I bought you, don't you?"

Levi didn't bother to answer.

"I want you to be my gladiator and fight in the arena."

"I'm not going to fight for you." Levi's voice was once again full poison.

"You've already fought once, why wouldn't you fight again?" Erwin raised his eyebrows.

"I have no problem with fighting." Levi explained. "I have problem with you."

The corners of Erwin's mouth turned up a bit: "Everybody has someone or something to fight for. What do you fight for?"

"Myself."

Erwin set once again on his porch. He was thinking. Levi clearly didn't want to like him. He didn't want to believe that any Romans could be good men. Of course, Erwin didn't think about himself as a good man. He did whatever it took him to reach his goal. And right know he wanted to gain more power, to secure his position as a consul. And he could do that only by being popular among citizens of the empire and Rome or being popular among other consuls and the emperor. Or both. Yeah, both was good.

He had to make Levi believe him; make him fight for Erwin… make him obey to Erwin.

"Petra." Erwin said. "Tell Erd to prepare a carriage for me. I'm going to visit Pixis."

"Of course, master." Petra left him alone.

Erwin enjoyed the scenery for few more minutes. Then he got up and went to change his clothes. It wasn't appropriate to visit someone in a tunic. He had to wear a toga.

After he changed, he went to stable. Erd was already there with Hannes ready to go

The blond got into the carriage, his eyes looking through the window. They passed through the open gate, out of his villa.

Pixis's house was placed on the edge of the town. Besides this house, he also owned few more houses in the country.

Fortunately, Pixis was living in the Rome right now and not only because of the games. The emperor was in the town and there was nothing wrong about strengthening relationships (and positions).

Pixis's slaves opened gate and let him through. Pixis came out of the house with Rico by his side.

"What a pleasant surprise." Pixis smiled. "What brings you here, Erwin?"

In private Pixis called Erwin by his first name while in public, they called each other by their last names.

Erwin smiled. "I came to ask about that barbarian whom I bought from you." he said.

Pixis smiled. "Of course, you can ask about everything. Shall we talk about it while playing a game of chess?"

"That would be very nice."

The blond followed Pixis into the house.

"I must leave you, gentlemen." Rico said. "I promised to one of my friends to go to the market with her."

"Of course, darling." Pixis smiled. "Enjoy your time."

Rico gave him a small kiss on his cheeks before leaving them alone.

The two men entered the house and went into one of Pixis's living rooms. The table with the chessboard was already prepared. Erwin sat down into one of very comfortable chairs. He always played the black. Always since his father taught him the game of chess.

"So, Erwin." Pixis made his first move with a knight. "What do you want to talk about?"

"The barbarian said he tried to escape." the blond said, making his own move. "Is that truth?"

"It is." Pixis nodded. "He and that girl killed few of my guards."

"A girl?" Erwin narrowed his eyes.

"I didn't bring only him from the Gallia, you know?" Pixis smiled. "I kept few of them and sold the rest."

"So, he didn't try escape alone."

"No, he didn't." The older man confirmed. "Maybe, if he took only that girl, he could've managed it, but he tried to free two other boys."

So, even Levi had something he was capable to fight for, huh? Erwin thought, very pleased. In few seconds, he had a whole plan in his mind.

"I want to buy them too." he said suddenly.

"I beg your pardon?" Pixis raised his eyebrows.

"The slaves and the girl he tried to free." Erwin said. "I really wish to buy them if it's alright with you."

Pixis straightened his back in his chair. "Why, Erwin? You've never been really interested in buying more slaves then you needed. You have enough of them."

Erwin said nothing, still looking into Pixis's eyes. "Is it because of that barbarian? He is very wild, isn't he?"

"Yes." the blond nodded. "And I need to… tame him."

For few minutes there was only silence between them, both looking into each other's eyes. Pixis clearly considered Erwin's offer. When he realized what Erwin's plan is, he smiled and said: "If you really want them, I'll sell them to you, Erwin."

Of course he sold them to Erwin. Pixis could always buy another slave. And once again he asked for a lot of money. But Erwin thought it was worth it.

He let the three new slaves to get into carriage. Hannes warned him about his safety but Erwin reminded him that he was capable to protect himself.

The girl seemed very calm, almost like their situation didn't concern her at all. The blond boy looked around, clearly nervous. The other boy looked straight into Erwin's eyes.

"My name is Erwin Smith." he smiled. "I'm taking to your new home. Your friend, Levi, is already there."

When Erwin mentioned Levi's name, the three of them seemed very surprised and the boy with big green eyes gasped for breath.

"So… Levi isn't dead?" he asked.

"No." Erwin shook his head. "He is alright. Could you tell me your names?"

"The man called us-"

"I'm not asking about the names that Pixis gave you." Erwin interrupted the blond boy. "I'm asking you about the names you were born with."

The truth was, Erwin didn't really care about them. But they were important to Levi and thus they could be his way to gain Levi's obedience. He had to be very nice to them.

The blond blinked few times, before saying: "I'm Armin Arlert. This is Eren Yaeger and she is Mikasa Ackerman."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Erwin offered them his hand.

All of them had very funny expression of surprise because of his kind behavior.

The first one who shook his hand was Armin. And Erwin smiled and spoke to them as kindly as he could.