西曆1631年10月4日 聖山(大杜王國領地)
時間:凌晨 天候:陰
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扣除緊急召集返營的10位哨兵,目前在第一班據點待命,含幹部共計20員,全擠進由數個帳篷連接,臨時組合的應急會議室。將原先擺放的裝備拖出帳外,硬是騰出足夠的空間,讓所有人或站或坐。但為了彰顯馬祿的班長身份高低,幹部們一致命令各隊部屬席地而坐。373Please respect copyright.PENANAirlUWUcbJ9
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三路人馬由幹部領隊,排成三方縱隊,井然有序地面向馬祿。耳聞「軍議開始」的始動指示──足以稱是一瞬間──所有人倏然挺胸正座。373Please respect copyright.PENANASHr5t8PlhQ
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厚實雙掌慎重地蓋在膝頭上。馬祿微微仰起視角,仔細卻快速地掃過底下每雙,將滿腹不安情緒傾倒而盡的愁眉苦面。373Please respect copyright.PENANAYFbnAYAbUA
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馬祿緩緩吐息稍作呼吸。373Please respect copyright.PENANAkxFsVePt4U
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緊接著,他以不算大聲,卻帶著微妙精神的音量宣達:373Please respect copyright.PENANApc4XoXLChi
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「那麼,請各位無須在意階級、席次,依序表達看法吧。」373Please respect copyright.PENANAl7oS7gmtoe
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所謂的微妙程度,大概就是……容易引人注目,但心情不會受到煽動的程度。畢竟這是軍議,統籌各方不同意見並加以過濾出結論,才是會議的主旨。否則,不過是獨裁者為了賣弄權力,利用輿論壓力扼殺不同立場的聲音罷了。373Please respect copyright.PENANA0HVOYOFjm6
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表明了要所有人擱下身段盡情發表己見的用意。馬祿遂將目光移向左邊第一排。373Please respect copyright.PENANAhakhJkA5de
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排頭。那位將顎下銀冉,綁束成一條粗壯麻花捲的虎背老漢。373Please respect copyright.PENANAZxrAwhC0jU
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「霧厙守備長,請。」373Please respect copyright.PENANAmwSnqxE1Ju
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馬祿恭敬地平舉抬手。將先發言權,讓給不論外貌或資質上,都具備相當份量的守備隊隊長。同時,此人正是他們口中的「老爺子」────373Please respect copyright.PENANAdMm1Jd60DN
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安魯邦‧C‧霧厙。373Please respect copyright.PENANAWa61EAD1FX
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「感恩至極──」蘊藏著濃厚歷練的厚沉嗓音,給予相襯的禮遇性回應。373Please respect copyright.PENANAHfdEkZzZjL
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乘著對方的敬意,安魯邦泰若自然的輕咳幾聲。做足心理準備後,慎重開口:373Please respect copyright.PENANA8mPPMAWgTF
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「恕老夫直言。依本班現在的立場,若貿然主動展開突擊,必定慘敗。」373Please respect copyright.PENANAvyb6oKEHfy
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此話一出,除卻面容沉澱的守備隊班兵,其餘人都不敢置信地面面相覷。373Please respect copyright.PENANATdGZHIJi44
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────他剛才……說、說什麼?!373Please respect copyright.PENANA9Am1gtpxum
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一張張錯愕的臉,彷彿……不,已經有別隊的班兵承受不住,那滿胸懷抱著初出茅廬的好戰情操,受到退役老將無情冷諷的屈辱。373Please respect copyright.PENANAqWDiRfcqKR
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坐在第三排──別動隊後段的年輕班兵憤然起身,嚴厲指責安魯邦的發言:373Please respect copyright.PENANA2w3axfJh7N
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「身為守備隊幹部,竟鼓吹未戰先敗,帶頭貶低士氣,成何體統!!」373Please respect copyright.PENANAJYTilmqd5M
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然而,懷著激情的意氣指責,換來的卻是沉甸甸的嘆氣聲。373Please respect copyright.PENANA9zqRbdHyhh
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不論是自認己身過去的戰役資歷,在場的人除了喀爾爾、馬祿以外,無人可以理解他的遠瞻,也是理所當然的發展;抑或是……單純的自恃傲人。373Please respect copyright.PENANAfBmmXtECYH
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總之,安魯邦無視背後,那雙乍然初苗的烈火青眼,繼續用平穩的語調說了:373Please respect copyright.PENANADGkyR3ON3r
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「請別誤會。老夫只是將實際戰力與現況做粗略的交叉比對。要打?當然可以!若諸位由衷地秉持…不,是堅持──*!『縱然徒勞無功,也要硬幹到底』*的心理建設,老夫自然無話可說。」373Please respect copyright.PENANAoHETyfVza5
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「所以您現在是奉勸我們,直接投降的意思?」緊接著,是隔壁排的年輕班兵。373Please respect copyright.PENANANDK6ip0x29
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────是偵查隊的……嗎?373Please respect copyright.PENANA2CrvknVe08
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安魯邦的餘光注意到,坐在年輕班兵前方。373Please respect copyright.PENANAV8gMiBDceG
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那位閉目養神,行為舉止略為貓膩的嬌小幹部。嬌小幹部保持著淡然笑容,纖細手指不斷輕輕敲點太陽穴。看似指令卻又嫌曖昧不明。勸退部下嗎?373Please respect copyright.PENANAUcY0YqzpgP
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不對,這種暗示未免太力道不足。最合理的解答───373Please respect copyright.PENANA3oWkrfqcgC
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果然在隔岸觀火,站在觀望的立場,等候良機吧?373Please respect copyright.PENANA6xuZTE47QD
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唉,帕祖啊……好大喜功的乳小子。對於同儕的爭功心態,安魯邦暗自感嘆。373Please respect copyright.PENANAo6aL22rEFC
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「如老夫前言所述,這僅是單純的個人見解。首先,乾糧要比預期減少的快速;再者,我方對敵人,也就是『二班』、『三班』的地形情報有限────」373Please respect copyright.PENANAdmKePirFzq
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遺憾的是,這句尚未說完的良性建言,儼然成了引燃唇槍舌戰的狼煙信號。373Please respect copyright.PENANANW8XDT3eEC
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下一秒,貌似兩隊班兵早串通好似的。除了排頭的兩位幹部全數起身,共同指著守備隊及安魯邦痛罵。373Please respect copyright.PENANA1J9mMWhPlU
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「可恨──!!別以為你高齡老邁,就能仗著經驗搬弄是非,妖言惑眾!」373Please respect copyright.PENANACdqcWtq4a0
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「沒錯,我身為偵查隊一員,職司調查,豈有不明白本班現況的道理?!」373Please respect copyright.PENANAPXmzCuybOg
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「這點我能做證!我們別動隊,在偵查隊的勤務上略有支援!反而是貴隊伍,自本班建立『隊伍管理制度』起,守備隊始終隔絕其他隊伍的支援!」373Please respect copyright.PENANA4yeL9BALQ1
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當然,身為事主方的守備隊班兵,斷不可能忍氣吞聲。373Please respect copyright.PENANAwTshhPMnXM
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基於捍衛上司的忠誠與守備隊尊嚴,隊員們不甘汙衊,倏然築起一道堅硬人牆。373Please respect copyright.PENANA92oRi8JoA3
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「給老子收回那句屁話!只敢躲在暗處窺視的蟲子,憑什麼插嘴前線勤務!」373Please respect copyright.PENANAolLfjUOxms
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「別動隊的蛀蟲也是!敗壞風紀的禍源,豈會輕易讓你們破壞守備班的名聲!」373Please respect copyright.PENANA4EmEu3sTyi
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雖然早有預設最壞的發展。頂多各隊堅持己見相互激烈辯論。但卻從未料想到,竟會惡化成無效性質,單純的爭鋒相對。軍議最忌諱提出藏匿著私人情緒的發言,相信這是在場所有人都能理解的基本共識。至於為何變成如此,其實不難猜想。客觀點的說法──不,是再退一步的推測:373Please respect copyright.PENANANV1Eupv18U
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恐怕是安魯邦所點出的癥結點,嚴重詆毀到其餘兩位幹部──帕祖和喀爾爾所涉獵的勤務範圍,才導致一觸即發的火爆局面吧?373Please respect copyright.PENANAjSPDHLXmTS
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────話雖如此,但更讓我在意的是……馬祿看了一眼另外兩位幹部。373Please respect copyright.PENANA7sZMzHhY6W
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────他們,居然沒有一絲勸阻的意願?373Please respect copyright.PENANAYGASJduTSa
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雖然各自用不同的方式沉思,但觀望的意圖非常明確。373Please respect copyright.PENANAkHPpaaYI9v
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這個現象有兩種解釋:第一, 帕祖和喀爾爾也在思考著相同問題,但礙於身份或情勢發展而不容置喙。至於第二……這是馬祿,最想否定的猜測────373Please respect copyright.PENANA3baqgL88Rn
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惡性爭功373Please respect copyright.PENANAmINsxl9RQU
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總之,現下已嚴重偏離會議的主要性質,是該出面化解陷入白熱化的惡兆373Please respect copyright.PENANAXbC1ep4lep
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碰──!碰──!碰──!!373Please respect copyright.PENANATpPh6xpKMH
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木槍重擊草地的悶響,儘管聲音不大,仍瞬間彌平了會議室高漲的激昂聲浪。373Please respect copyright.PENANAcSWr37VVeY
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劍拔弩張的三隊人馬同時停下動作,用近乎驚慌的表情轉向眉頭緊鎖的馬祿373Please respect copyright.PENANAqMKkF4V4LA
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「你們,都給我冷靜一點。」373Please respect copyright.PENANA4xIRSowDy1
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此刻,其餘兩位幹部──偵查長‧帕祖,別動長‧喀爾爾,總算有了應對動作。373Please respect copyright.PENANAzrMhMOL3pV
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帕祖優雅地舉起小食指晃了幾圈。喀爾爾則邊嘆氣,邊落落大方地擺手。373Please respect copyright.PENANAI4cGigCl25
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「哎呀,敝人的部下冒犯了。請容敝人以『偵查長』身份,向您致歉。」373Please respect copyright.PENANAAJvyYUfNXy
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不好意思呀,霧厙守備長,呵呵────373Please respect copyright.PENANAkxsCNQ3z1S
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說歸說,但帕祖那張得意的小臉蛋,全然不見丁點的歉意。反倒像參加鬥犬的飼主,不小心咬死對方飼犬,嶄露勝利者獨有的輕蔑笑容。373Please respect copyright.PENANAap8fB0uAKx
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「不好意思啊,老爺子。出手晚了,抱歉抱歉。」373Please respect copyright.PENANARr2wPYfnYP
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相比之下,喀爾爾強壓闖禍的部下們,逐一朝安魯邦和馬祿低頭道歉。即使言辭過於隨興,舉止堪比市井混混的致歉方式,誠意仍是有餘。373Please respect copyright.PENANAXODXOcdoBW
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倘若帕祖的個性屬於陰天,那麼他的血親哥哥──喀爾爾,肯定為晴天。373Please respect copyright.PENANAPtOb7GzoZv
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「無妨。各隊都是為了一班而心急如焚,行事作風略為焦慮也是情有可原。」373Please respect copyright.PENANAFFSW3w66S5
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說到這,安魯邦罕見地皺起眉頭。原本佈滿皺褶的臉龐越發滄桑。373Please respect copyright.PENANA79nFPDnV0J
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他緩慢嘆息。捻著銀白麻花冉的傷腦模樣,看起來貌似又老上好幾歲。373Please respect copyright.PENANAqTRS0N6awg
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難怪村里的長者常言:過度的壓力,容易使人快速成長。373Please respect copyright.PENANA06VILipqkS
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相互表達理解對方舉止的同時,氣氛終於降回適合商討議論的溫度。373Please respect copyright.PENANAex20uYaYMD
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馬祿抓緊主導權,將會議導回正軌。373Please respect copyright.PENANAjkcMlVFlue
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「那麼,這便是守備隊的看法,是嗎?」馬祿雙手盤胸,閉眼沉思了一會兒。373Please respect copyright.PENANAc6iP1AQ7fA
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在安魯邦以點頭作為答覆之後,馬祿繼續把話鋒轉給下一位發言人順位,帕祖。373Please respect copyright.PENANAbU5kSpeubv
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「沙漉偵查長,讓我聽聽你的分析。」373Please respect copyright.PENANAX8oHIAnr3O
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「……咦?!唔咳咳……是,遵命。」帕祖低頭聽命。373Please respect copyright.PENANAGyo1lDMa8M
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有那麼一剎那,帕祖在大夥都看不見的角度,偷偷露出「終於輪到我了!」迫不及待、好求表現,完全不符合小孩年齡該有的社會人奸笑。373Please respect copyright.PENANAHh8AtazS2L
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「就本隊蒐情、勘查等類報告的成果彙整顯示,本班非但握有絕對權、先發權兼具完備的地緣上風位置,各隊職司的勤務:人力規劃、緊急補給、臨時哨,全都能在最短應變時限內,確實達到低風險的良性反應。換句話說,若用時間單位來制定,反應時間絕對在『五分』…哦不,只需要『三分』即可。」373Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0Tfq9Ttiz
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即使概略說明了「地緣位置和危機應變速度」皆站在我方的立場鳥瞰戰局,恐怕這些戰爭話術除了有過「義民軍」經驗的安魯邦、喀爾爾、馬祿以外,沒人能體會,藏在那股使勁壓抑的平淡語調中,逐漸瀑漲的激昂情緒吧?373Please respect copyright.PENANAl4uh5hZwvc
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瞧見眾人包含自己的隊員,都露出無法理解的困惑表情互相對看。373Please respect copyright.PENANA92MvUJ2Slf
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面對擴張延伸至整個會議室,怕被責難而刻意壓低的討論聲、悄悄話,帕祖顧慮到假若忽視軍議的基本常識,當面數落其他單位的下屬沒有見識,這般行為確實有失格調──雖然他非常想這麼做──於是,帕祖刻意無視背後的竊竊私語,將目光鎖定在馬祿身上。盡可能催眠自己,現在是跟馬祿召開單獨密會。373Please respect copyright.PENANANMmszstFJk
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「講得更簡單一些:『有人會在獵犬、獵具、獵場皆新穎、齊全且高熟悉度的狀況下,放棄好不容易等待了一整年的狩獵旺季?只因出門少帶幾塊乾糧餅?!』嗎?」說到這,帕祖脾氣使然的補上一句:373Please respect copyright.PENANAvpRmIO4Cue
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「相信在場稍有文學造詣的諸位,都能明白語中含意吧?」373Please respect copyright.PENANAsqQov2SVIA
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五隻細嫩的小玉指抵在平坦的胸腔。帕祖勾起嘴角,保持一貫的招牌微笑。373Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZmEPBfz9K
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這番言論宛若一條救命繩,著實拋向每位相繼露出豁然展顏的班兵。373Please respect copyright.PENANA3476oRN4WT
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撇除他們的內心,是否真能理解的這項疑問。最起碼能確信一件事────373Please respect copyright.PENANAgDHD3Drctu
第一班即使在試戰的尾聲,也並非全無希望。373Please respect copyright.PENANAeczC30u9CV
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於是,現場揚起了一片重獲希望的握拳聲響。373Please respect copyright.PENANAG7dk5WU4KE
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勝利!輿論風向正式倒戈!帕祖難掩好勝心的暗自竊喜。373Please respect copyright.PENANAsH0H6CD2Nb
373Please respect copyright.PENANAKYZjwTxJZq
「所以,偵查隊的看法是──」馬祿問。373Please respect copyright.PENANAYxU0mjvG7d
373Please respect copyright.PENANAdRVQjLeaHc
373Please respect copyright.PENANAH8rLd7MxaF
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「出擊!敝人愚策,應趁夜寐之刻,出籠撕咬獵物,殺個措手不及!!」373Please respect copyright.PENANALmYpivAYB8
373Please respect copyright.PENANAeBbeO1exiL
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373Please respect copyright.PENANAZtU228VYQA
語畢,帕祖自信滿滿地彈起雙腳,氣勢十足的重擊胸口。373Please respect copyright.PENANAV2E7RA86C2
373Please respect copyright.PENANAaRZurl6wCY
受到帕祖所營造的澎湃氛圍影響,班兵們甚至是部分的守備隊隊員,都紛紛做出一樣的動作並齊聲附和:373Please respect copyright.PENANAPMPH8029LH
373Please respect copyright.PENANA2T2s7UJTjd
「出擊!出擊!出擊!!」373Please respect copyright.PENANAUwKeDn3nUE
373Please respect copyright.PENANA97sjFgE0OQ
「讓他們見識見識第一班的威猛!」373Please respect copyright.PENANASmQCISSLNo
373Please respect copyright.PENANAPdXHKYA0kx
「唔哦哦哦哦────!!」373Please respect copyright.PENANAy5RxtzzUcT
373Please respect copyright.PENANAI29zwxTQbz
可是,這股猛然竄起的熱流,並未感染到別動隊排頭的喀爾爾與馬祿二人。373Please respect copyright.PENANApfpaEGnznL
373Please respect copyright.PENANAkNEUvdKvpR
身為會議擁有最高裁定權的馬祿,理當必須保持中立角度,鞏固會議的公正性。373Please respect copyright.PENANA1pCdZpJKBM
373Please respect copyright.PENANAv65bgCbcnb
對於擁有「義民軍首領」歷練的馬祿,真正在意的是喀爾爾的反應。373Please respect copyright.PENANAMcuDJ7v3Yq
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據往例而論,喀爾爾的態度,不論本質上或言行舉止,絕對與運籌帷幄的智將搭不上邊,這是大家都有的共識。但說是萬夫莫敵的悍將,又缺少該有的紀律。373Please respect copyright.PENANAGbuO7fGF2I
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────大概,除了周遊列國,博學多聞的「客將」以外,沒有別的形容詞吧?373Please respect copyright.PENANACAh0vzrXSq
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儘管時隔多年,馬祿對喀爾爾的觀感一直是如此。373Please respect copyright.PENANAxMsSB5iijy
373Please respect copyright.PENANA7XUaA8MIUM
「偵查隊的看法,我理解了。那麼,別動隊呢?」373Please respect copyright.PENANAUpPSfyG2uI
373Please respect copyright.PENANAKpvZdVA3nv
馬祿朝眾人高舉拳頭。明白用意的班兵們,紛紛聽命將高亢的情緒壓下,給予喀爾爾適合發言的空間。373Please respect copyright.PENANAUsjini6dGH
373Please respect copyright.PENANAGNajyeuDSV
「唔……」喀爾爾搔弄著雜亂的鳥窩頭。手指擱在滿是鬍渣的下巴,沉思起。373Please respect copyright.PENANAT6EbfoT7zN
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「老實說吧────我不清楚。」373Please respect copyright.PENANA7XRIBM1mzz
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什、什麼────?!!