-姑方&拔舍巴&傭兵培根,樂土平原神像森,第一次儀式/遇到來訪樂園的「流亡者」
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儀式開始了,一切虔誠匯聚為清澈的水塘。223Please respect copyright.PENANABDcHNfSaKW
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而姑方知道這詭秘的樂園可不會對他狠戾的想法(摧毀樂園)負責,且對他而言,人的願只能由人親手去實現,肖想一步登天的愚蠢也只是過程。223Please respect copyright.PENANAX1s2p08p1P
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相反地,拔舍巴沒有撫育人心的經驗;他知道哭啼該以母親的擁抱安撫,知道凡人的不安該以溫柔去慰……然而,於拔舍巴心裡高懸的使命卻在這兒落到了水塘裡頭,濺起陣陣波紋。
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兩個日落的時間沒有太久,屋主來無影去無蹤的足跡讓她彷彿從沒有回來過,準備好的兩頭羔羊待在門邊,排遺也好了,兩隻乖巧的羔羊身旁有個給牠們喝水用的水盆。223Please respect copyright.PENANAUBedpTWsim
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要是兩頭活羊不夠,要不要多帶一點生肉過去?拔舍巴的提議被姑方駁回了。223Please respect copyright.PENANAWLlJob086o
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「唉……別浪費魔力也別浪費力氣,小傻子。」223Please respect copyright.PENANA2hg8qh5ywb
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頰邊滴著冷汗,隨意紮起馬尾的他面色凝重地望著那張寫有通知訊息的紙條,從凌晨看到晚上,又從晚上看到第二天早上……和手冊相互對照之下,發現自己竟沒辦法解出文字裡更多訊息。223Please respect copyright.PENANA051kZF0wrb
姑方皺著眉頭,表情難看──可難看的主因大多還是在昨天晚上,研究從自己陰道裡掉出來的手骨時,竟能從上頭嗅到幾分未解的花香……他明明洗過了,怎麼會?223Please respect copyright.PENANAEkUH16WZrA
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「任誰都不知道接下來會發生什麼事,那個老小……咳咳,我是說蓓塔已經提前出發了,咱們也知道那個破儀式要幹啥了,給匕首用的皮鞘也買了……怎就不見你休息啊?」223Please respect copyright.PENANA6HMMh803py
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讓人困惑的事情太多了,一多起來就會阻礙思考。姑方絲毫沒在意他豐富的表情可能會把標緻的臉皺出紋路來。223Please respect copyright.PENANAEI2kAvKKX6
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「……梅花也沒有休息到的樣子。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAYiEhJxrjWC
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而拔舍巴反之回應時,姑方還噘起了嘴。223Please respect copyright.PENANABiMdL1uJg2
幹嘛說他沒睡?他明明就有睡──雖然是坐著用了簡易的冥想小睡過去的。姑方睡得吃力之時,安然通宵的拔舍巴也在準備工作途中賣了他那條蕾絲手帕,果真因織工而價值不斐,十枚金幣。223Please respect copyright.PENANAM1YaqSNGKx
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還記著手冊上提到那神像喜血肉與財寶……主張一個「別完全信那紙條內容」的姑方喃喃著提醒拔舍巴:保險起見,兩個都備。223Please respect copyright.PENANAF1P6woqgYV
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「我是想解咒、解咒──結果不只解咒無果,還在這兒浪費時間,該死……這個樂園好像有自己的語言,我想試著解出它是如何被創造的,結果什麼屁蛋大的線索都看不見。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAjUtz3BjcGd
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姑方拍了拍手冊,自顧自地發洩完以後就朝拔舍巴看來,一雙粉嫩花兒般的眸子靈動地打量著再次乾淨的衣物又滿意地點點頭──那是他蹲著用手搓乾淨的,嗯,拔舍巴有好好穿著,很棒。223Please respect copyright.PENANA7zFI9pZrJg
整裝待發時,蓓塔織的那條毯子更成了夜裡給拔舍巴裹在身上,避免著涼的小被子。223Please respect copyright.PENANAORGh4qJG2K
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關於手冊上的內容如何,只剩單眼的拔舍巴實在難以閱讀,就算把臉靠到紙前直盯,眼中的文字也都似蠕蟲般散亂。再次將手伸向自己那本手冊,拔舍巴能讀見的還是依稀幾個拉丁字母,沒什麼對方說的「樂園自己的語言」。223Please respect copyright.PENANA89CXyuFf2N
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「嗯……」他幫不上忙。已經認清事實的拔舍巴皺了皺眉。223Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2m1412Q2t
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「別勉強看了。」不用多想就能感覺到對方想幫忙的姑方有些好笑地大嘆,從仰躺狀態向前傾身,咚地一聲,掌心輕拍那張當餐桌、織布都萬用的木頭桌面,「你到現在還沒食慾嗎?」223Please respect copyright.PENANACdo2vy6PNb
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「……沒有。」拔舍巴也不知道是為什麼。223Please respect copyright.PENANAIrth3xyaw0
「……哦。」氣氛因姑方斗大的煩躁感而有些古怪。223Please respect copyright.PENANA46jxEU7gZh
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自古美人破事多,姑方完全就是能以那破天荒的自信自稱美人的傢伙,而美人也是會掉淚的,發洩後就要他沉住氣冷靜下來嗎?冷靜才是一種浪費;他覺得這樂園處處都在嘲諷他,想要給創造這樂園的傢伙一點顏色瞧瞧──這與他的美麗並不衝突。223Please respect copyright.PENANAZdTSwXqmQz
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「算了,沒事,其實我也沒什麼食慾。」223Please respect copyright.PENANALaw0ZqbPVO
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到樂園以來,姑方真覺得自己徹底被看不起了,這樂園搞自己那套規則還敢自稱什麼樂園?他都還沒把自己老家叫人間仙境呢!暗罵罵不完就改明罵,一連串奇形怪狀還彷彿有風聲呼嘯而過的漢語頓時讓站在桌旁的拔舍巴眼睛眨了又眨,梅花怎麼了?他慢慢走到旁邊,拉椅子坐下。223Please respect copyright.PENANAeg8RofIQhL
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拔舍巴覺得自己能看著這樣的梅花看上整夜。223Please respect copyright.PENANAgnw6vFPnmT
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對拔舍巴來說,能安心睡上一覺到醒也是足夠,雖然不知怎地吐過一輪,看到肉也沒什麼食慾,勉強吃了點蔬菜的拔舍巴沒有太將食慾變化的事放在心上;放在心上的反倒是喜孜孜地留下客廳桌上那些金幣,頭也不回地在黃昏時離開的蓓塔。223Please respect copyright.PENANAIRGyMkfKWJ
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「梅花?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAFtYSAGIdqf
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姑方哼了哼,表示自己有聽見。223Please respect copyright.PENANAXKFQaDZoHh
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「……除了解咒不順利以外,你還注意到什麼?」223Please respect copyright.PENANArNGqPKBFPG
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看著那粉色的眉頭瞬間擠在一起──用最大力擠成了一座山峰再隨之垮成平原──姑方看起來比方才冷靜許多。223Please respect copyright.PENANAjQ762ZSQNb
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「還有什麼?不就是這裡的屋主留了一堆錢給我們自個兒跑出去這點在怪嗎?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAyQ8bzgiDM3
「她有健忘問題。就算你說她被看不起是正常,但是她反而得到了優渥的好處,明顯就有那種商人的『交易』氛圍在。」姑方在交易一詞上加了重音,「……雖然也有我們不知道這裡規矩的可能性存在,要如何才能了解這種『違和感』也是難題。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAMitDAOeAbh
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想想那個老小孩,這大半夜宵禁出門就算了,還踏出不只一次,在手舞足蹈的老婦人離開前,姑方終於問了拔舍巴同樣在意的事──為什麼宵禁還不待在屋子裡,不是只要往外走就會有危險嗎?223Please respect copyright.PENANASUyd10DhwX
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只要找庇護所就沒關係了,聽說大人的用意是為了秩序,也是為了安全!在夜裡出去,容易失去方向,只要在那之前進到室內……仙女大人、仙女大人……您倆要好好照顧自己,我要出發啦──223Please respect copyright.PENANAvZfZYYUG5v
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老女人面色紅潤地彷彿剛才受過鮮花女神的恩惠,興奮的她又一次將直呼的名諱退回到「仙女」這般稱謂。拔舍巴還記得她就像梅花來時昏倒那樣重重地在正門的階梯上摔了一跤。一同上前關心的拔舍巴徹底了解到什麼是「興奮過頭,聽不進任何話語」的樣子──只慶幸跌傷的部分並無大礙。223Please respect copyright.PENANAcfLw6WhQKm
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「嗯……」可即使心裡覺得古怪,目前的拔舍巴也見不著參加儀式之外的辦法。223Please respect copyright.PENANAQg8xc0z1BC
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「我知道你在擔心她,大概也會在那個神像森裡面見到她吧?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAg1RoMqKj8l
「我再閉一下眼睛……如果儀式無恙我再給你看看身體吧,不然一直沒有食慾也不好,你這樣可經不起操。意志力也不是無敵的,『肉身』可是為『靈魂』獨創的牢籠。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAxJ615iBnBZ
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說完這些的梅花揉了揉肩膀。223Please respect copyright.PENANA15FMln5pZW
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「我……真的擔心你。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAqdd5i4fHJ4
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牢籠……?凝視坐在他正對面,掌心安然地托腮的長髮麗人,藏於語句的擔憂赤裸而精準地撫過拔舍巴的感官,梅花在擔心他嗎?為什麼?可比起擔心,注意力還在「牢籠」一詞的拔舍巴有些恍惚,沒有人像這樣擔心過他,面前的「同伴」卻眼角泛著讓他陌生的紅暈,百無聊賴地望著自己。223Please respect copyright.PENANATH4ZTfr5qu
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「……」223Please respect copyright.PENANA6D2prRgSKJ
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頓時不知道該怎麼回答。是「別擔心我」,還是「我沒事」比較好?好似梅花掌控了「擔心」一樣,或許拔舍巴更覺得意外。然而還沒找到答案,面前的梅花便柔下眼眸。223Please respect copyright.PENANAmPnvNaE1nX
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「……既然是同伴,就要互相。所以我叫醒你了,你也要記得叫醒我,好不?」223Please respect copyright.PENANATl7vstGp4m
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面對同伴突來的請求──拔舍巴毫不猶豫地答應了他。223Please respect copyright.PENANApO0j4X1Ah2
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已經整理整齊的內襯、罩住全身的黑色連身袍。223Please respect copyright.PENANAyfK5dQo86F
在準備日時額外給彼此都買了新鞋,姑方牽著兩頭羔羊,一路上眼神皆銳利萬分。從日出開始,寂靜充斥大街,該是人聲鼎沸的喧鬧皆為寂靜充斥。223Please respect copyright.PENANAFAO6hTusUN
這裡是莊園邊界,本來的環境就安靜了,預想到即使日出也不會有人特地經過這裡,一聲「走吧」就帶著拔舍巴上路,隨之攜帶的行李是兩頭羔羊、包在羊皮包裡的一對手骨與零星金銀──帶鞘的匕首被固定在一條皮帶上,皮帶則服貼地綁到了拔舍巴的大腿上頭。223Please respect copyright.PENANAkxblkEk7oL
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姑方的匕首則綁在腰間──他其實沒有用過冷兵器,要跟真正在戰場上胡鬧的人類來比,他更適合回家搓洗翠玉,握好並注滿靈力,直接以大地之名給對方來一頓鉤拳。223Please respect copyright.PENANASl2jDCoJTI
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「我們應該是跟上人群了,莫急,就先探探情況吧。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAIFvvVeOazV
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「……嗯。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAYLQFc2bZWg
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一晚上盯著的睡顏在短暫的休憩間恢復凜冽,日出時分,一度發現簡單的呼喚叫不醒梅花,咬臉頰不成、親嘴也不醒,都把托著腮的手從腮幫子上扳開了也還是不醒。223Please respect copyright.PENANANjEbltmuki
彷彿有一股力量在支撐梅花,不只搖不醒,還沒辦法從椅子上搖下來。223Please respect copyright.PENANAGtuqWCKAPF
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「……梅花,你沒事嗎?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAyHsPMwk4cG
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挽著對方手臂的拔舍巴揉揉那手臂詢問。223Please respect copyright.PENANApSTqdiA1TL
最終,還是拔舍巴試圖扳開姑方的雙腿──他知道這裡算是容易叫醒人的敏感帶──要碰他腿間時他才醒來,慵懶地說了:「肚子餓還是要等儀式完……小小孩。」223Please respect copyright.PENANA9nnRRLbZZA
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其實他只是好奇想看看梅花腿間而已,拔舍巴有著「叫不醒的話,給與這些刺激便能讓對方甦醒」的認知──雖然是從「啟示九夜」學來的,對於幾度欲把對方當花香床鋪窩著睡一回試試的拔舍巴來說,舔舔腿間也是樂意之至。223Please respect copyright.PENANAfLml3jEEyM
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「你不也一樣(醒不過來)?甭擔心了,我的軀殼比你完整多了,我要煩惱的都是別的問題。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAI0szGa9Pl6
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帶著兩頭羔羊又駝著一袋子東西,匕首的重量也不算什麼了,梅花看起來確實「沒事」,精神上的疲憊卻如此真實──這個深夜時還說擔心自己的「同伴」怎麼會這樣回他?感覺自己的「擔心」被拒絕了,拔舍巴小小地蹙起眉頭,將注意力轉回「儀式」。223Please respect copyright.PENANAqEzMY0E34y
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行過莊園,來到池邊。223Please respect copyright.PENANAkxnZbNbGRp
跟隨足跡,搭上朝聖的列隊。223Please respect copyright.PENANAfKQLFZTBq7
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在這莊園裡是否也住著那些因為「門票」而從外邊世界來的人?答案當然是肯定的,又還沒在這待上個幾月幾年,沒辦法馬上碰到「受邀的貴客」也情有可原。或許運氣好的話這次就能碰見?223Please respect copyright.PENANAz3xOuUTWCA
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碰見來訪樂園的「流亡者」。223Please respect copyright.PENANAVXPcj55NKy
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露珠未落時,他們終於見到了緩步走向神像森的人群。223Please respect copyright.PENANAUybmyCYtZw
上前望去,才發現那一個個都面色平靜,晨光將他們黃白相間的肌膚照成了同一個顏色──蒼如冬雪,白如乳汁,形同他們信奉的神像那樣,臉上各個掛著淺笑。223Please respect copyright.PENANAnab98PoMp8
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姑方與拔舍巴沒有在人群裡找到蓓塔·巴托羅的蹤跡,倒是因為這些乳白色、寂靜,看著還有幾分死灰的居民面容而分辨出了誰是「本地人」,誰又是握有門票的「受邀者」。223Please respect copyright.PENANAuFFVAR8eUy
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「……梅花,那個是……」223Please respect copyright.PENANALs9Tt8jCn4
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「我知道,是這裡的居民,變得跟那堆石頭一樣顏色了。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAqRPz6nGtEI
「最好啥都別說,安靜點,要是發現有誰跟他們不一樣,十之八九也是『受邀的』。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAXsSuMXdFxl
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來到神像森內,又是那三座神像,又是那三個姑方眼裡的王八──場景卻多了零星數十來位居民,一個個高矮胖瘦、男男女女,甚至還有攜家帶眷的家庭帶著花果、鮮肉而來。223Please respect copyright.PENANANtQmo88Fjb
他們異常安靜,安靜的原因顯然與他們的臉色脫不了關係。母親懷裡的嬰兒面色乳白,牽著父親衣角的男孩即使還沒過脫離大拇指的年紀,他童稚的臉蛋也是乳白色的。就在他們中央,離三神像有一段距離的草坪上,身披斗篷的「引渡人」就站在那兒。223Please respect copyright.PENANANYvHxMs4Oy
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是故人,是野獸。223Please respect copyright.PENANAVVbZCc0RMX
是美女,同時也一無所有。223Please respect copyright.PENANAIVJWq2209y
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似一面安插在樂園中的明鏡。223Please respect copyright.PENANAlIrOhuuiPo
完整時精緻、而碎裂亦是斑斕──姑方也意識到了,佇立在那的引渡人不過就是擺飾而已,伸出來的手指也是石頭做的。223Please respect copyright.PENANAy5Iiu6Vq2z
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「……嘖,拔舍巴,跟好我,我們去中間獻供品以後就離開這,好嗎?」223Please respect copyright.PENANArt84Ste4lj
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「好。梅花……小心別讓羊跑走。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAf8Jt0l62Kk
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「我知道啦。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAqbP84iaCVZ
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姑方不會認錯那個波動。在陽光普照之森,引渡人動也不動,任居民一個個從他身邊經過。有別於進樂園時的朗誦,現在的引渡人如裝飾品一樣安安靜靜的──安靜到能在草木的摩娑聲裡聽見昆蟲的耳語,還能聽見……噴嚏聲?223Please respect copyright.PENANAPgLJZEEdV2
大概是聽錯了。姑方如此斷定,把注意力放在搜尋蓓塔上頭,腳底的靈力流動還是老樣子模糊,那個引渡人還是石頭做的死物,看上去沒有那種「忽然動起來」的跡象,動起來的話大不了用匕首弄壞就好……姑方漠然地自我提醒。223Please respect copyright.PENANAviILZOKiVx
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「我沒看到蓓塔,拔舍巴,你有感覺到什麼嗎?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAmI7IH4Rs9f
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「……沒有,可是……」啊嚏、啊嚏!遠方傳來的噴嚏聲讓拔舍巴開口,「有奇怪的聲音。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAHadGuyuhlx
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「我也聽到了。」哈啾、哈啾!怎麼會,原來拔舍巴也聽到那怪聲了?姑方困惑,「先別管那個了,一會兒在神像前,我會照居民的動作完成儀式,你也跟著叩拜神像,好嗎?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAgPge5BPphe
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先是忽視噴嚏聲,牽著活羊,經過引渡人──打算在中間那個該死的神像下現場用匕首殺羊的姑方就好定位,羔羊意外地乖巧。本來在神像森外還會鳴叫的羔羊陷入死寂。223Please respect copyright.PENANA8Lxd7WzfPP
兩頭羊、兩人份,還有豐富的肉與銀子……再來就是向神像叩拜?視線模糊,拔舍巴望著眼裡的乳白色塊點了點頭。223Please respect copyright.PENANAE2SoXaWmh9
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叩拜、叩拜……愈是重複這種信仰字眼就愈讓姑方發怒,氣得牙癢難耐,向這臭不要臉的王八蛋……哈啊,混帳東西;稍微觀察周圍一陣子,姑方發現了,是從森林上方撒落下來的陽光在搞鬼,光芒襯起了神像的莊嚴,也把居民的臉都照成了一個信徒該有的樣。223Please respect copyright.PENANA6Pt7k89NGl
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什麼樣?就是那種與神像比較起來相形失色,要你對神卑躬屈膝的樣子。要對這種「神性」低頭簡直是在羞辱他自己的神性,可當下的姑方也別無選擇,只能在這種彷彿下一刻所有東西都會衝上來吃了他們的壓迫氛圍下消極處理。223Please respect copyright.PENANA1JnNMRLJbt
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「我來替你殺羊,我摸你肩膀時你就用祭拜姿態跪下、低頭。」沉默的居民仍在湧入神像森,獻到神像下的祭品有些堆高,有些則在轉眼間消失,現場照抄步驟這種事還是抄得出來的──湊到拔舍巴耳邊的姑方如此低語:「放心吧,這次我死也不會放開你。」223Please respect copyright.PENANA6PduGtwMtk
223Please respect copyright.PENANACqUxMG1mcx
看著那些一個個向神像獻上供品的居民,看著他們整齊劃一的姿勢;若祭拜者為一人,即下跪表恭敬,二人以上即選出代表人獻上供品……安靜到連腳步聲都快消失的人群之中,沒一個是他們在意的蓓塔·巴托羅。223Please respect copyright.PENANAMBhTTXiFCD
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她真的沒來參加儀式嗎?人到底去哪兒了?興奮成那樣的傢伙怎麼可能遲到?與姑方相同想法(但更委婉一些)的拔舍巴緊緊黏在姑方身旁。223Please respect copyright.PENANAHpf50IgUiZ
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「……現在,低頭。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAZr7heC6rSv
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方才在用餐中嘔吐,沒什麼進食的他只覺這儀式場地瀰漫著陌生的氣息。223Please respect copyright.PENANASserCymlNM
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「嗯。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAivbigKlMN6
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低下頭來,聽著殺羊的切肉聲,模糊地望著姑方認真地細瞇起來的粉色眼眸,參加完這個儀式以後就暫時無事了,是嗎?要怎樣才算完成,怎樣才能知道神像有沒有收下這些供品?223Please respect copyright.PENANA4q8GNW5EDV
唰唰、唰唰,草皮與泥土的摩娑聲還是清晰。還在狐疑時,「樂園」就開始回答他們的問題了,堆在神像腳下的羊血、金子與肉塊都陷進地裡,確認獻祭完成的姑方皺著眉頭,朝神像的底盤瞥了一眼,這種收供品的方式微妙地有種「神像其實沒有用處」的感覺──跟那個引渡人裝飾品一樣。223Please respect copyright.PENANAAbRsqYoa2I
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既然這裡都給這些面目死灰的居民佔去祭拜了,他有機會在這堆人群裡找出那個特別不同的人嗎?223Please respect copyright.PENANArkPcUPTD74
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然而轉頭過去,恰巧就有個不是乳白色的傢伙站在那兒。223Please respect copyright.PENANAOKz7bH4cOS
手裡拎著現宰的羊頭,粗鄙地滴了一路羊血過來。223Please respect copyright.PENANAqj7SLFLyZe
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「哈啾!啊嚏!啊──啊~啊~啊……你走山路,我走平原,我要比你先到蘇格蘭──」223Please respect copyright.PENANAzUPYAtMHge
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很顯然,若是沒個人在旁邊督促這個拎羊頭,用食指跟拇指握著匕首,餘下手指都拿來撓後頸癢癢的雇傭兵,今天的他所留的鬍子量絕對能給烏鴉狠啄一上午。223Please respect copyright.PENANA6LFkOFhGKJ
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但事實就是他刮鬍子了,用他這輩子最體面的模樣來到神像森供奉祭品,口哼走調的蘇格蘭民謠──再狠狠給「某種花」的味道醺到直打噴嚏。223Please respect copyright.PENANATGMVfkKuGs
223Please respect copyright.PENANAG9JIfe8XJA
哈啾嗷啾,滿臉鼻涕,他必須在衝出鼻腔的黏液徹底破壞他難得的體面前擦掉這些東西;這次當作祭品帶來的新鮮羊頭卻沾得他滿手血腥──上下把羊血擦在山羊頭頂毛的男人理所當然地用沒擦乾淨的手指捏掉了他狼狽的鼻涕。223Please respect copyright.PENANA13iVNoQnIr
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「啊嚏!啊嚏!喔,這味道是花粉?這個『儀式』步道上怎麼這麼多花粉,嗯、欸……花粉裡怎麼有人啊?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAgMZ3mOyTPw
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一路走來就聞到了超濃的花香味,感覺也不是那張張白臉本地居民的花在香啊……皺了皺鼻子,抬頭就看到了兩個明顯不同的身影,左邊那個粉色的還滿手羊血──「反應很快的花粉」馬上就跳起來了。223Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5W2yQLoX2
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「啊──這裡怎麼有人──!?」滿臉鼻涕的男人先是驚呼。223Please respect copyright.PENANA63tBtdKyvu
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「欸,先生,你滴羊血滴整路啊?!」聒噪的花粉來源插嘴迅速。223Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZQ2j6ZYTE
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這個見都沒見過的異鄉臉孔怎麼會他家母語(蘇格蘭語),該不會是同鄉人!天知巫者之任性,當場就照著蘇格蘭民謠硬讀一波的姑方原地照著那腔調彈了一頓拙劣的舌。雖然因為被人身限制而學得有點粗陋,但至少還堪用。223Please respect copyright.PENANAnXvt32eOKI
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「可是小妹妹你弄得比我髒啊──!」223Please respect copyright.PENANA9u6gYOxf3h
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一個懂得掩飾自己的人能做到哪兒還不知道,倒是那些不會掩飾的人啊,傻乎乎的模樣很是真實;姑方大概屬於兩者皆有的範疇──除了某些時候的必要掩飾之外,那些叨叨絮絮都是發自靈魂的聒噪。223Please respect copyright.PENANAAssJNaLxpO
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「梅花……!」223Please respect copyright.PENANAMcmQFjPGkc
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本意只是用掌心摀嘴而已,拔舍巴卻差點把自己手指全塞進同伴嘴裡好堵住這張口無遮攔的嘴巴。識相地壓低聲音的姑方馬上攔截了拔舍巴的手心──聒噪和吃手指相比哪個比較糟糕?此時也沒有選擇的必要。223Please respect copyright.PENANAfjFTYstpB6
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那蓄著棕色大鬍子、短髮的男人和藹可親,酣然而友善地笑著。223Please respect copyright.PENANAwPc1HNIS2H
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「……?」不過,不一樣。223Please respect copyright.PENANA9VJhUW6N3r
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這個人的氣息不一樣。雖然一上來就說了聽不懂的話,拔舍巴模糊的視野卻這麼告訴他。223Please respect copyright.PENANAWqC6yCAnLl
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他還有一對綠如刺蕁麻一樣的雙眸──雖然他的鬍鬚更像刺蕁麻──當他一把將手裡新鮮的山羊頭拍到神像前面(羊血顯然已經滴光了,只剩鮮肉),欣然地說著「這樣應該可以了?」一面轉過頭時,姑方就確定他們碰到同樣擁有門票的人了。223Please respect copyright.PENANAbEb2oehpSq
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「喂,你說你叫培根?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAwf3wkvlHcN
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姑方開口搭話。223Please respect copyright.PENANAsQMZY8CSyl
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就算找不到蓓塔,悄悄在喧鬧中向拔舍巴提議「想暫時待在神像森裡看看儀式」的姑方正在與頭一回碰到的「參加者」火熱地打著交道。223Please respect copyright.PENANA1kxT4er2RV
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名為培根的老男人語調活潑而歡快,一身大皮甲咚咚地碰出悶響。223Please respect copyright.PENANASks1jQKtQI
三把匕首,兩張聒噪的嘴巴,最後一張安安靜靜地在那兒。223Please respect copyright.PENANA19AMqkfhgp
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「啊嘿!抱歉啊,嚇到兩位小妹妹啦,我叫培根──也真是見鬼了,你這小竹竿怎麼會這麼流利的低地蘇格蘭語(Lowland Scots)……」223Please respect copyright.PENANAaBpkYQPP5d
223Please respect copyright.PENANApfS8vKLY4e
「我操,你才小竹竿!我為什麼會?碰巧是我比較聰明而已,我來自東方,他來自奧地利。『Gu Fang』、『Bathsheba』、『姑方』、『拔舍巴』。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAwG46ZNhIJj
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小妹妹也好、竹竿也好、姑方那不在意他們被叫小妹妹,反而抓著竹竿在反駁的奇怪邏輯也好──以上對話只有「姑方」、「拔舍巴」的發音進到了拔舍巴的耳朵。耳邊仔細輸入發音,拔舍巴大抵能聽出他們在自我介紹的句型。223Please respect copyright.PENANANACUyM1tUW
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原本在外頭時,門票的傳聞就已到處漂流了。223Please respect copyright.PENANA117Ld3Ak4d
能在那傳聞地遇到外頭的人也是再正常不過的事……對吧?223Please respect copyright.PENANAhPCLuY5orx
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正式開始自我介紹的當下,悄然在拔舍巴耳邊說「對方是外國人,但是確實是參加者,我使用語言的速度比較快,交給我」的姑方正操著明顯是從培根的語氣照抄過來的腔調說話。223Please respect copyright.PENANA8N357Dv9Ak
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不得不承認這種時候他這麼做簡直是耗神──輔以手勢,姑方甚至重複用原文發音與蘇格蘭口音說了兩次他們的名字。從說話簡單的人身上獲得的句型勢必簡單;雖然分神在觀察居民上頭,耳朵相對靈光的拔舍巴也聽出了「培根」、「小妹妹」與接下來那些閒話家常。223Please respect copyright.PENANAbPvogOMJ5U
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坐在離三神像有一段距離的草坪,時間是陽光和煦的正午。223Please respect copyright.PENANAocSfVwIlH1
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與梅花背靠著背,拔舍巴轉過頭就能把頭叩在那帶著花香的肩膀,拔舍巴探頭探腦,優雅而安靜的模樣屬實符合男人口中「可愛小妹妹」的描述。223Please respect copyright.PENANAAaof2obxpB
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可愛小妹妹(黑色那個)盯著「梅花」機哩呱啦地說話時,微微隨呼吸顫動的背脊。此刻,拔舍巴自然聽出了「培根在牧場工作」、「培根有女兒」的訊息,望向不斷從神像森外湧入的居民群,就如梅花所願,把對話的事情交給對方吧。223Please respect copyright.PENANA6FRZdJ3K45
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讓姑方負責溝通,拔舍巴負責觀察,遙望從外頭進入神像森的道上往返的人流,拔舍巴悄然掌握了從遠處判斷人流的方法。223Please respect copyright.PENANABtY3MLayPX
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在拔舍巴眼中,雖然那火光感覺異常微弱,居民各個都是搖曳的火。就像他記得蓓塔的火是如何燃燒、如何顫抖、又是碰到什麼事才會搖動……確定這些居民裡沒有蓓塔的拔舍巴聽到了經過姑方粉飾,他倆進入樂園時的事情。223Please respect copyright.PENANAZosQ6OUkTx
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耳邊的對話內容愈發清晰,那天「儀式」,他們和新朋友在神像森待了許久。223Please respect copyright.PENANAJM08BsD4n3
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「……所以,我們是拿著兩張門票進來的,算是個意外發生的奇蹟吧?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAgUORMIEbCv
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這「許久」當中,姑方頭頭是道地掩過了所有秘密──包含聖處子、梅花,還有他複製了門票的法術都是。就當作他們都拿了一張門票正正當當地進來吧……反正這鬼地方(樂園)本來就不正當。223Please respect copyright.PENANAzvzZNZ6ZGJ
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「那還真是奇蹟啊,我都還不知道我的願望能不能實現來著……」223Please respect copyright.PENANAiPSZKoFNqT
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姑方沒有過問培根的願望,倒是囉嗦地打聽到了現在的牲畜價格何時會上漲,剛出生幾個月的崽肉質特別嫩,價格也特別貴,不過,培根覺得都好。223Please respect copyright.PENANAAbFyq6K3vo
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「『門票』這種邪門東西,在外頭可以賣到一輩子不愁吃穿的金子,實際進這個樂園還不是要人工作換錢,我說啊,不覺得他們對『樂園』的定義太微妙了嗎!不正是因為『樂園』才人人都不用工作,吃飽穿暖?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAoqLf3XA1ge
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「……夥計,你真的打過仗?怎麼說這些我一輩子都想像不到的事。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAlF3JONALix
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出了莊園,越過許願噴泉,神像森裡邊,唉呀~唉呀~又有嘴巴說起了「樂園門票」的傳聞,就像覬覦珍寶船團的老船長,還有那些將畢生積蓄奉獻給信仰的人們那樣簡單。223Please respect copyright.PENANA2ktlmnJMSx
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單邊眉高高地聳起,作為一進來就算有了穩定生活的,聽到另一個長得也挺標緻的「粉紅色小妹妹」說了一小段經過粉飾的故事,雇傭兵不在乎故事真偽,他只在乎答應自家女兒要快些回去牧場的諾言。223Please respect copyright.PENANAjXNm8PN9uz
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短暫地暢談,自在而悠閒。正午的陽光傾斜,姑方獲得了一位和善的「外地人」能給出的所有情報──同樣也清楚宵禁限制的蘇格蘭雇傭兵暫且沒有在滿月前待在室外的意願。223Please respect copyright.PENANANyH8Ho2R8F
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「莊園深處有個古堡啊,滿月時正門才會開,就算是巫者好像也破不了門。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAQoxY3WZGHC
「噢?原來,我認識的人不知道會不會在那兒……培根,你剛剛說你要快點回去了,對吧?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAFgQhKtAu0c
223Please respect copyright.PENANARDxUUFTcyT
他們真的有時間悠閒嗎?還未得到問題的答案,培根離去的身影便恰巧與另一道少女般的身影重疊。223Please respect copyright.PENANAMSmg5daIuW
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“Guidbye, ma new freends!”223Please respect copyright.PENANAnXzu9cijLP
(再見,我的新朋友們!)223Please respect copyright.PENANA7agFfyDcHm
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“Guidbye.”223Please respect copyright.PENANAmfvWmUixLO
(再見。)223Please respect copyright.PENANA8GEB12AlQ9
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「?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAB5zRo8hbsG
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姑方被拔舍巴出口的蘇格蘭語驚得一愣。223Please respect copyright.PENANAKZ2bZDDieK
雖然不知道那友善的新朋友有沒有聽見,先行與培根道別的拔舍巴忽然開口的舉動讓專心在口舌上頭的姑方愣是抬著手,嘴沒趕上那句「再見」,那培根就快步跑著出森林了。223Please respect copyright.PENANAvjRyPzlGXB
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「拔舍巴,你也會蘇格蘭話?」223Please respect copyright.PENANA5NhEK5nrli
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「……那個不要緊。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAfaKXLuWy5I
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拔舍巴用他最大的力量揪緊身旁「同伴」的手臂,視線隨著那少女身影緩緩移動。223Please respect copyright.PENANAKyWszVG9Lv
愈抓愈大力,抓得姑方的手臂都要發青;注意到拔舍巴視線的姑方才朝他所望的方向看去,他認得那個人,他是不會認錯的──畢竟不只與「他」正面交鋒過,姑方更是用另一種方式見證過對方的靈魂。223Please respect copyright.PENANAt9wGE3jR6C
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居民的列隊裡啊,有一個懷孕的女孩。223Please respect copyright.PENANAcubH8eBAte
是個橙色長髮的女孩,頭髮捲捲,眉眼彎彎。223Please respect copyright.PENANAdOrWsvBnex
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「──梅花,冷靜。」感覺到身旁暴動起來的粉色魔力,拔舍巴開口。223Please respect copyright.PENANA8dO3lCxyOV
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雙手溫柔如慈母,雙腿白皙而纖長。223Please respect copyright.PENANAxfq94U8L3f
那也是一個深受支持的男孩啊,橙色長髮的男孩。223Please respect copyright.PENANACdDOef0Vv1
即使他腿間有不符合這天使外貌的汙點,簇擁他的群眾也選擇了折衷對待。223Please respect copyright.PENANAmec5E9iNnq
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他知道梅花對雅妮的事情頗有微辭,所以從梅花的反應來看,拔舍巴知道自己確實從人群中認出了雅妮。223Please respect copyright.PENANAL9WDwWGrt4
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看著跟在雅妮身後,面孔也平靜地宛若神像的零星人群,見證過記憶的姑方痛苦地皺眉。沒料到復活的居民(雅妮)這麼快就會出現,少女模樣的母親正滿足地在安寧中邁步,在喜好鮮花與果物的女神像之下獻上那束由他親自編織的橘子花花圈。223Please respect copyright.PENANA1JOV54ucc0
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這才不是什麼復活──兩人構造相異的直覺在此刻皆導向了同一個結果。223Please respect copyright.PENANAohd3gccuZy
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「他的身邊,有人?」223Please respect copyright.PENANAuAvNW6ymDR
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先行認出了雅妮的拔舍巴細聲詢問時,方從怒火中冷靜下來的姑方嘶啞地嘆出回應。223Please respect copyright.PENANAUGJz6qvmb0
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「對,是他的丈夫,夫妻倆家的父母。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAWoPA3jfOYc
「……還有雅妮那尚未出世的女兒。」223Please respect copyright.PENANAxJx2XGNhHt
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橘子園的女兒從死亡中歸來,得到他應得的簇擁、褒讚與寵愛。不只姑方,同樣也知道那少女結局的拔舍巴也有些失措──一旁的姑方則在轉達完人群身份以後果斷地別開目光。223Please respect copyright.PENANAlhJgjIeOnt
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本來在草坪中央的引渡人也哪兒都不在了。
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