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這位是帥氣的護衛任務的隊長夸斯特44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5QZwrcZD0
塔庫魯這才開口，語氣裡帶著幾分不以為意的粗獷自豪。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmrztYSdPD
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Oso01QyGd
「我打仗向來是衝最前頭的那個。你知道的嘛，誰搶得快誰有得砍。但一到撤退的時候……嘿，回頭一看，兄弟們早就像鬼一樣溜得不見人影了。只剩我一個還在那兒跟敵人扭打。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MEGYs1DQO
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhM90vyfoz
他咧嘴一笑，眼裡卻沒有一絲苦楚，彷彿那是種常態。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGcf0fcO8m
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAoGOELeof
「等我意識到不對，再轉身一看──媽的，他們都退了好幾十公尺。我要不是這雙腿夠力，現在早就成了祭旗的骨頭堆。這種事多了，腿自然也練出門道。現在啊，我的腳程可不輸那些精靈國的小個子，他們要跳林子我也跳得過！」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ualx3SmeS
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB0ESeAmR6
他語氣一頓，補了句：「幾天前我還一個人被困在萬縱谷，四面八方都是長吻野狗──就是那種咬住你腳不放的該死畜生！我靠這雙腿，活著跑出來的！」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjcMJ4eaA9
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87CFIfPLP3
會議室裡氣氛頓時輕了些。一旁那名長髮披肩、外表文雅得像詩人貴族的中年男子輕輕一笑，側頭看向他左手邊的同伴。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4ylbnYLLj
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQfh8DFJtD
「一個跑得飛快的山蠻族人？」他語調輕快，眼裡卻有思索的銳光閃過，「也許真能派上點用場？」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ679Q5RiuyH
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCALbJxmpL
坐在他身旁的那名黑髮短髮軍官並沒立刻回應，只是沉聲答道：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0cJhPe8TG
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch3JnSDi3m
「只要他沒吹牛，這速度，確實是戰場上難得的本錢。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5MJqM9p4O
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5TyUcWlw8
「很好，」長髮男子一拍手，語氣變得正式起來，卻仍保持著某種輕鬆的傲氣，「我是這次任務的護送隊長，名叫夸斯特。歡迎你加入我們的小隊，塔庫魯。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vN7pEcHpH
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgomsj6XcM
他說歡迎，卻連個手勢都沒給，更別說什麼握手或寒暄。他只轉頭吩咐道：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLceJ3pMKC
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMaIhFvhLf
「副隊長泰倫斯，把他帶去見其他人，熟悉一下環境。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfnBRKaGYd
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvFcXGR0qX
黑髮男子──也就是泰倫斯──點了點頭，站起身來。沒有多餘的言語，只有簡單一句：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MIzIq3wna
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i3A9wXPKS
「跟我來。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA9FmM1LWP
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tEVqmRtCw
塔庫魯起身時，也沒表現出什麼特別的敬意。他腦子裡早習慣山蠻族的那一套：誰打得贏誰就說話，哪裡講求什麼敬禮、鞠躬、拱手那些彆扭的動作。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdkbQf1JWF
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw8vw7KVfK
他只是微微點了個頭，就像點頭致意給山裡的野獸那樣，隨即大步走出會議室，腳步踏得沉穩堅決，彷彿下一秒就準備再度衝入刀光劍影的山林之中。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJSzjuFFpM
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPKc8JbXmn
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskqdb3OHcj
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhpBdOQUWU
大使館的會議室內氣氛稍稍緩和，留在室中的那位美麗女子卻依然眉頭輕蹙。她靜靜望著塔庫魯離去的方向，眼神裡掠過一絲疑惑。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUYrUIxuNu
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtxwI7Amq2
「這個山蠻人……」她終於開口，聲音婉轉如笛，「他這麼粗魯，連基本的敬禮都不懂，你不覺得，至少該教訓他一下？」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpG7VIYxmq
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZrBt5A3oQ
夸斯特笑了，那是一種見慣大場面的隊長才有的餘裕。他聳聳肩，語氣裡帶著一絲近乎調侃的無奈：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOk5Gw1NTd
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBclyH6RE3
「公主殿下，若我每次都要為山蠻族沒禮貌的行徑動氣，那我早就七竅生煙，魂飛九霄了。你要知道，對山蠻人，我唯一的期待就是兩樣東西：聽得懂命令，還有，照著做。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAr6fnZMk3
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr16qgtUcVY
他微微一頓，嘴角浮現一絲嘲弄的笑意。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXP6wo7nG4
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVAOBArfaw
「要是哪天他們學會正襟危坐、挺胸敬禮，我反倒得擔心是不是哪個奸細披了獸皮混進來。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBfjp9RiMz
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3FKycdUlC
公主忍不住掩嘴輕笑，笑聲如晨霧拂過樹梢，輕盈卻真實。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80S0Ytx76n
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGdVECTkAA
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIZ5RRC9mP
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf52Zq4DAE
「這還是我第一次這麼近距離見到山蠻族人。確實……嗯，高得像塔樓一樣。但說真的，沒傳聞中那麼可怕嘛。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm6ONkH4Zd
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcFm3FaM2l
夸斯特斜睨了她一眼，似笑非笑地問道：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pr3VcK3SP
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDgWFEyp7P
「哦？公主都聽過些什麼樣的傳聞？」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuomQLutO5
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRlyl4JjoZ
她略作思索，然後湊近些，像是說起一個禁忌的故事那樣壓低聲音：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKRsldLTsO
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sZwNNbwC2
「有人說，他們力大無窮，打仗時會徒手抓住敵人的四肢，把人硬生生撕成兩半……還會吃掉對方的心臟呢。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtS76mU91j
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZhovnVpwi
這話一出口，她自己也有些發毛，忍不住縮了縮脖子。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BQPJNp93z
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgK4k8UbVY
夸斯特哈哈大笑，那笑聲在高天穹頂間蕩漾開來，連窗邊的帷幔都仿佛被這笑意撩動。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61bCiaRPju
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsG3HHPV1E
「這傳說嘛……一半對，一半是胡扯。山蠻族確實有些戰士力大無窮，打起來野得像魔獸，一怒之下撕個人倒不是沒見過。可至於吃心臟那一段……那是金獅國的土瓦族幹的。人們老愛把這兩群野人混為一談，實在冤枉山蠻人了。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu0SWsoUAS
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJqAMXQVg7
「那土瓦族……是怎樣的？」公主好奇問道。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGj3Hr3WLi
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujaT0vsWfH
「他們更瘋些，」夸斯特聳了聳肩，「出手狠、下刀快，一心只想榨出敵人的血與骨。可要說蠻力，還是山蠻族更勝一籌。你若想看血腥，他們在戰場上絕對讓你大開眼界。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuoi6u6f8A
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyIzm1OdjM
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalLr6uYTkh
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUmN2FWCR0
公主眨了眨眼，忽然又小聲道：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWGbEK5DAB
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4zqVU7YSl
「那……聽說他們對女性敵人也不講人道，會……做些骯髒事……」說到後半句時，她的臉頰泛起一抹羞赧的紅暈。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDUXjf7gUI
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YwZTwOU17
夸斯特這回沒笑，語氣反倒嚴肅了些，但依舊保持著冷靜與理智。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb48b8fKZLH
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqUXSroktr
「公主，這種事……反倒是我們人類比較常做得出來。山蠻族的審美觀與我們大相逕庭，他們崇尚強壯、粗糙、血性與野獸般的氣息。像公主這樣的美人，在他們眼中，大概和一旁的士兵沒什麼差別。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYEnwo0CId
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjixHCcyBqP
他停了停，像是回憶起什麼往事般地說：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9Cn85moOB
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT6aR9gQEe
「二十多年前，海莉國的魔女蘿菈美艷動人，魅惑術冠絕天下，成千上萬士兵為她失了魂。但有一回，她想用那媚術擾亂山蠻軍陣，結果剛踏進去兩步，還來不及眨眼，就被一名鐵甲山蠻當場劈成兩段。連魅惑之術都來不及施展。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkdZ1uAQBw
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNclznzQhR
公主的表情一時有些複雜，像是放心，又像是惆悵。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD3A6iPLsK
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjQydT6HLr
「所以說啊，」夸斯特總結道，「許多傳言其實不過是人類的惡行投射罷了。說穿了，真正殘暴的從來不止是異族。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv2yDAWRd5
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx2ouiEgia
她點了點頭，接著問了個直擊本質的問題：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLfYAq0KyD
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnfWUpVbx7
「那……山蠻族、土瓦族這些……也算是人類嗎？」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQnrQ08blg
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABPu1mLoFv
夸斯特聞言，神色收斂，語調也變得莊重：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsjaOVXWNZ
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMvt6a1BsR
「是。他們的血脈，源自與我們相同的先祖。幾千年前，大法師們為了懲罰十三位違背預言的國王，將那十三國的子嗣下了古老詛咒。從此，他們的後裔逐漸變異，散成十三支族裔——如今只剩九族存續於世。每個國度大多擁有其中之一……除了可憐的海莉國，倒楣地有兩族留在國內。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHtolezDhI
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ1jdTiDNH
他語氣一頓，帶著淡淡的歷史沉重感：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRhmcJEqJL
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFvyeR42de
「他們是人，只是……我們選擇遺忘了這點。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GVnqsNGJX
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWU72D0ixV
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7qoyyMmAV
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJbwknB9QQ
就在他們談話之際，大門嘎吱一聲被推開，一股威嚴如雷般的氣場隨之湧入。那位儀態非凡、身著長袍的老者昂然步入，聲音如晨鐘暮鼓般在廳中響起：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JDSsj387B
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg1PIWmOMw
「我已經派人，用最快的信鷹回報天龍本國了！」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSpydy29Bx
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28jMAaHUuK
他目光掃過房中眾人，神色間帶著一絲急切。「那個山蠻族人呢？」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvxzVnN0Nb
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvQ1xPJsCf
夸斯特抬頭回應，語氣輕鬆中帶著些許自信：「讓副隊長泰倫斯帶他去熟悉小隊的其他人了。今晚就要出任務了，總不能讓他一頭霧水地衝進戰場，連誰是敵誰是友都搞不清。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVI10iod86
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OZqywRCMK
老者──天龍國大使，名為莫洛德──點了點頭，臉色轉為凝重。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRuMIGuiLw
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifYYdtXl6h
「剛才我向天神族那邊查詢過了。」他語氣低沉地說，「萬縱谷外，金獅國的大軍已經集結。粗略估計，約有兩個大隊的兵力——」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE4yK0kq99
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXuH9TAbVF
「兩個大隊？」夸斯特眉頭瞬間蹙起，臉上的笑意消失無蹤，聲音壓得幾乎低到胸腔裡。「若他們正面攻城，或許還撐得住。但若守軍鬆懈，尤其是在開城門讓百姓進出的時候……那可就是地獄開門了。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8RqUBBmjO
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUp43CJ3Jp
他猛地起身，盯著大使的眼睛，一字一頓地說道：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmviVTshYVA
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFP0k9hoQF
「你能保證使館的人真能趕得回去嗎？若有必要，我願親自快馬奔赴前線。只要在天黑前回來，不會耽誤今晚的任務！」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2atJud7pqG
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqt2cpEeAn
莫洛德大使神情堅毅，毫不動搖地擺了擺手：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EVFsM7Ejh
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvGwKodhQf
「不必。古拉茲副隊長不是毛頭小子，他辦事老練，會比你跑得還穩。他一定能在金獅國動手之前把消息傳達出去。你現在的任務，是確保今晚的行動萬無一失！」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD3l23yDoy
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLnOtFu82n
一旁的公主也出聲了，語氣雖柔卻堅定：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6QEkhNtnX
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2omnB8kn5n
「夸斯特，若我們失敗，天龍國的損失將不只是一座蘆德城。我們面對的，是一場潛伏多年的陰謀。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qENlV8HLb
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qiCXNjWgC
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZLdnb0dO0
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv6SKYjZh4
夸斯特沉默片刻，深吸了一口氣，終於坐回了椅中。他低聲道：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDe5P7EcIx
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDPTe8bG3r
「我明白……那麼，天神族方面的配合人手，安排好了嗎？」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Ic01dXQ1
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGURjIfQFp
大使回應迅速，顯然對細節早已胸有成竹：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5ipfc5IiW
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oY547BiLD
「各國都配有四名天神族協力者——兩男兩女。我們天龍國的行動小隊也限定八人之內，包括公主殿下在內。至於男女比例，不拘。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEUat6MybI
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvWkd7tbhS
「那就由露西和派緹隨行。」夸斯特點頭道，「這兩人膽識過人，作戰穩健，都是我親自挑選出的好手。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE8mWTzhph
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuXP9CKQMm
但大使的眉頭忽然皺起來，語氣也低了幾分：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCGIgGdVg8
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0atqcSI6ly
「隊長……你知道的，只有純潔的少女才能安全接觸天魔王的骨骸。光憑她們自己的一面之詞，這樣的賭注——」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqgh9kjLDG
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl3w0nqruU
夸斯特勉強笑了笑，帶著一種無奈又諒解的語氣說：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmMtARxp95
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo9F2LxDKg
「信與不信之間，總得選一邊。我相信她們。況且……她們只是備選。我們真正的希望——還是要靠公主殿下親手完成那件事，把那該死的骨頭丟進火炎山，讓它永遠消失在岩漿裡。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkJgWzANoo
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevIlGXVRGz
聽到這話，大使終於鬆了口氣，點點頭，聲音低沉：44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTFM1PKIvA
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86wLe3FllM
「那就好……願神之契印庇佑你們。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknOKiMix17
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y5TRNVEYA
房中一時無聲。火盆中的炭火噼啪作響，仿佛遠方戰場的前奏。任誰都知道——今晚的任務，不僅僅是一場行動，而是一場決定命運的賭局。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq7UwY2CMG
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aF17waoZN
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoa4vDr3O2
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOhohwk38z
另一邊，塔庫魯跟在泰倫斯身後，穿過石砌走廊，來到一扇厚重的橡木門前。泰倫斯沒敲門，只是伸手推開，門軸嘎吱一聲，在沉重空氣裡顯得格外響亮。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SonkkqwWZ
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgx6TFY2YP
裡面是間不大的休息室，爐火搖曳，牆邊擺著幾張長椅與沉重的武器架。五人正圍坐爐旁，三男兩女，衣甲整齊，但神情鬆懈，顯然正處於難得的片刻放鬆時光。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrWR4lGfP5
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWtqpBtbwJ
每人身旁皆靠著一件武器——寬刃斬劍、雙手戰刀、鉤斧或長弓。那套銀灰色皮甲在火光照映下泛著柔和的金屬光澤，如同一層安靜潛伏的殺意。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkQOdYsrVl
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMD8gMKldB
門一開，眾人話語戛然而止。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXRgkIZGS6
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHkylM74iK
五道視線幾乎同時落在塔庫魯身上，有審視、有戒備，也有赤裸裸的困惑。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2SXevjODj
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJRBmyfmDY
其中一名金髮的女兵微微眯起眼，皺著鼻子低聲咕噥了一句：「副隊……山蠻人也能進禁地了？」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnbPUrJuR3
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLrk5uWSjS
她聲音雖不高，卻沒人聽不見。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBCIM42AZW
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMKSlfORkf
泰倫斯毫不動怒，只是語氣冷靜地回應道：「他不是隨便跑進來的。他誤闖了禁地——而且，帶來了情資。金獅國，正準備奇襲蘆德城。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO40vK9JR0O
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7gdt1wcg6
空氣驟然一緊。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwchrzVn3D
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB5lbp5sRe
原本倚椅半斜的紅披肩男兵一個彈身坐直，長髮披肩，雙眼銳利如刀，「有人派人回報了嗎？」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjK57uDJMO
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cCZjttM4M
「大使親自安排信鷹送信。」泰倫斯乾脆回答，「現在輪不到我們操這份心。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaTYVyMHvy
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsMkkHaga8
接著，他轉頭，指向其中一人——那是個光頭濃眉、肩寬背闊的壯漢，正鼻頭泛紅，裹著厚披風打噴嚏。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysABKBRiIY
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IU5LQZ6Tt
「克拉茲，你感冒還沒好，這次任務你留守。讓這個山蠻人頂你的位置。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FjNykko8U
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TjKpRzxzj
克拉茲一聽，簡直像被赦免的死囚，當場鬆了口氣，笑得跟中了彩票似的。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30n3anu4ep
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbWkCCDXXh
「太好了……這兩天我腦袋像浸在泥裡一樣，真的不想穿甲出門……」他摸摸鼻子，連聲感謝神明。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVd8PAPyxH
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMjsmKXjWP
其餘幾人則忍不住互看一眼，有人輕笑，有人悶哼一聲，但眼神中都藏著些許羨慕——誰都知道今晚的任務不輕鬆，而能留在安全的使館裡，絕對是當天的「上上籤」。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JvYXJG26M
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPqvlwdh8b
不過更多的視線，又落回塔庫魯身上。這高大的山蠻族戰士站在門邊，渾身肌肉線條如岩壁般分明，滿身野氣與風霜氣味，與這些披著整齊軍裝的戰士們形成強烈對比。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCVRF37DaA
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNsf6E31gS
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfYuprwCZ6
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg3s5DKFx0
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARCS5re54F
塔庫魯才剛踏進這間屋子，就嗅出一股濃烈的氣味──不光是汗水、皮革與武器油混雜的味道，更是那種快要上戰場的焦躁、默契與懷疑雜揉成的氣氛。他心中暗道：這趟任務，八成不是什麼單純的護送差事。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepeJT3z1p4
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8ReLuN1Z1
克拉茲走了過來，雖然肩膀還打著哆嗦，臉上卻堆滿笑意。他伸手用力拍了拍塔庫魯的後背，像在拍戰馬的屁股那樣響。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nq8p9EFMa
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvikfc72Ar
「兄弟！」他咧著嘴說，「你真是我的救星啊！出現在這種時候，簡直比神諭還準！這次若能活著過冬，肯定得請你喝個痛快！」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78yfplErg7
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoblC1xxhP
「滾出去！」泰倫斯的聲音像掄起的長劍一樣冷冽有力。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7UYPA5pfu
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngjjyScbbB
克拉茲臉上笑容沒斷，腳下倒是比誰都快，連滾帶爬地閃出房門，走前還不忘回頭朝眾人揮了揮手，像是交接班的戲子退場一般滑稽。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1ZQJ6ZDAl
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalxA6iWFFu
「那邊。」泰倫斯懶得多說，指了指克拉茲剛空出來的座位。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ75dslwu2f
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk16ciA7dT
塔庫魯點了點頭，大步走過去，坐下。椅子沉沉地發出嘎吱一聲，他坐得筆挺，餘光掃過每個人：他們的坐姿、手掌繃緊的幅度、腰間未完全鬆懈的扣帶。是的，他心中已有定見——這群人，都不是什麼普通士兵。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ePsKU7evR
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1lB5DuGVT
正當他盤算這支小隊的實力時，那名紅披肩男兵開口了。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEcym8MgB2
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7bgNASUE8
「你的武器呢？」聲音不急不緩，語氣卻帶著某種試探。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy6kFT3IUq
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiycjYYEEd
塔庫魯下意識挺直了背脊，語速利落：「報告，被要求放在大門口的武器架上了。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP6IaXG0q8
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz6ZqyoIl4
「哈，別這麼死板嘛！」那人一笑，拍了拍自己胸口的銀徽章，「我又不是什麼長官，我們都是上兵。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpispLBqHXf
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aEti46erL
其他人也紛紛輕笑，氣氛微微緩和些許。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cdpI2H0k0
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzBzJajA30
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk0KwTP123
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4SnWHobie
泰倫斯這時站到了火爐前，語氣一如既往地嚴肅：「各位，這位新夥伴塔庫魯，是來自山蠻族的戰士。你們看得出來，他夠硬，也跑得夠快。這種人上了戰場，是救命的好夥伴——這次的任務不容閃失，誰都得全力以赴，聽明白了嗎？」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVxJoBncjG
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xs5SyH1GM
眾人齊聲答道：「明白！」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQr9uuuaGo
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1udqeNLIYB
但就在這時，那名金色辮子的女兵靠著牆，冷哼了一聲，目光像利箭般朝塔庫魯掃了過去。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6Ssjol6AA
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi676SmqsX
「希望這位山裔戰士，別還沒見著敵人，就先掉頭開溜了。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYyQKRM76T
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLKbliSAZ0
話語像釘子一樣敲在空氣裡，其他人紛紛靜了下來。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GKbPzb7Io
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6XT0Ul5es
塔庫魯沒有生氣。他反而歪了歪頭，像聽不懂似的擠出一個憨厚的笑容，嘴角咧得老大，露出幾顆因風霜而發黃的牙。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXTjxlf40b
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUTIKyU6rJ
女兵皺了皺眉，神情露出一絲不適，「你這笑法……還真有點嚇人。」44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWjhFaRMcj
44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvnn8PQNx5
塔庫魯趕緊把笑容收起，低頭撓了撓鼻尖，心裡悄聲苦笑：看來，要讓這張臉學會微笑不嚇人，比逃出萬縱谷還難哪。44Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5LlgJak2V
