推開教堂的大門,裡面立著五道身影,像是等候已久,除了君柳及主教外,其餘都是新臉孔。28Please respect copyright.PENANAsVdw7kuPCe
28Please respect copyright.PENANAndJDzGWBH9
在陽光照進紅地毯的瞬間,五人同時轉過身來,楓垚感覺到無形的壓力向他逼近,少女則不受影響地走在前。28Please respect copyright.PENANAklvvREEjk3
28Please respect copyright.PENANAW2tCKzP9Pt
「來了。」主教厚醇的嗓音響起。28Please respect copyright.PENANAhvy1awPSYk
28Please respect copyright.PENANAGnw3iWNs9X
嗯。楓垚點了點頭。28Please respect copyright.PENANAAQVIggOEiz
28Please respect copyright.PENANAtMYBkP0OGN
「不好意思,這麼突然請你叫過來。」主教微微頷首。28Please respect copyright.PENANASgtv9CqCfH
28Please respect copyright.PENANAQXhnTgvaF8
請…沒事,貴教會的作風我也不陌生……楓垚以微笑回應。28Please respect copyright.PENANAcFOoZdflQk
28Please respect copyright.PENANAm25xEfZsUI
主教接著說:28Please respect copyright.PENANAmpWPTuIO2s
28Please respect copyright.PENANAuikOpE5sVC
「今天會見你的原因是,想知道你是否願意加入教會呢?」28Please respect copyright.PENANAWdnonVNMwk
28Please respect copyright.PENANAgC2Z2HESxV
這個問題倒是出乎楓垚的意料,他一下不知該如何作答。28Please respect copyright.PENANABaoTs1sx4l
28Please respect copyright.PENANAtERfJCsQJT
「加入教會對你沒有壞處哦,至少你的薪金會得到保障。」少女補充了一句。28Please respect copyright.PENANAd8bALseQ9F
28Please respect copyright.PENANAznBhSm1TPv
對矣,我都沒有想過錢的問題……楓垚如夢初醒,但他仍需釐清些問題,斟酌開口:28Please respect copyright.PENANAbJqsEDAmQY
28Please respect copyright.PENANAC6ehgCGJdW
「加入教會後要需做些什麼呢?」28Please respect copyright.PENANAfCilpWcHCy
28Please respect copyright.PENANAcm5qypeVKr
「只需要執行一些簡單的任務即可。」主教說。28Please respect copyright.PENANAK75QPDGHWy
28Please respect copyright.PENANA7D7ZzNsMXF
凡是說簡單的都不會有好事,但誰叫我沒得選呢……楓垚又嘆一口氣,他發現自己最近嘆氣的次數變得頻繁,都快趕上別的老人。28Please respect copyright.PENANA7PTXL6ncz1
28Please respect copyright.PENANAEfScccLfub
「我加入。」楓垚說。28Please respect copyright.PENANAe4fDeNCNHN
28Please respect copyright.PENANA0DOJ1mSt3P
「很好。」主教點頭,「那麼開始見證儀式吧。」28Please respect copyright.PENANAeNXWnxLygW
28Please respect copyright.PENANAfhMaLsCXzu
主教走前幾步,站在人群中央,下巴微仰,敞開雙臂,手掌朝上,他輕聲誦念起經文,28Please respect copyright.PENANA08DfRq3m7G
28Please respect copyright.PENANAshUyMjyyEi
「全知全能的主,28Please respect copyright.PENANAw9W8NAc4jm
28Please respect copyright.PENANAt1BrbrzTml
「願祢的靈降臨,願祢與我們同在,願祢作見證28Please respect copyright.PENANA8tw4NUtXGU
28Please respect copyright.PENANAsf2CmEj9EX
「他將打開心靈,成為祢的子民。」28Please respect copyright.PENANArRmHR7Vh8M
28Please respect copyright.PENANAAM1PU2mURT
楓垚原本以為這只是象徵式的禱告,哪知在完畢的剎那,他的身心確切地輕微變化,像是靈魂得到了歸宿,有種回到家的樸實幸福感。28Please respect copyright.PENANAlAICXrY60D
28Please respect copyright.PENANAvdIsdBFJjg
很微妙的感覺……楓垚回味著過去的那瞬間。28Please respect copyright.PENANA2U3Oc5N68q
28Please respect copyright.PENANA40heAXDQcI
「歡迎你,主的新子民。」主教在額頭及胸口點了一下,其餘人也動作劃一。28Please respect copyright.PENANAuJmDO3tBOZ
28Please respect copyright.PENANA47oOHoigRE
我也應該跟著做吧……楓垚模仿著一模一樣的動作。28Please respect copyright.PENANA0xgUmsTZWM
28Please respect copyright.PENANAqhaeKCP4qq
「接下來會由君柳及靈芝領著你處理教會的事務,有什麼問題請教他們即可。」主教說。「很抱歉,我得失陪了。」28Please respect copyright.PENANAaEXoDB8TrQ
28Please respect copyright.PENANAoQFeBqJqNU
話落,其中一位陌生的身影忽然走了上前,他身穿藍金長袍,額頭圍繞一圈墨藍絲巾。他緊閉雙眼,一隻手搭在背後,一隻手在身後比劃,憑空描畫出一個透明橢圓。28Please respect copyright.PENANAWxn1G7Kpd1
28Please respect copyright.PENANAuCKYAD3IN0
幾息過後,那橢圓的邊界閃爍著游離的電絲,宛如即將噴發的雷雲。28Please respect copyright.PENANAmbi6wIlxMc
28Please respect copyright.PENANA32vRkvVFrt
滋啪。28Please respect copyright.PENANAhixEl2HCpf
28Please respect copyright.PENANApEGttH7pV2
電絲漸漸粗壯,由邊界向內部聚合,橢圓慢慢被白茫填滿,變得有形可見。28Please respect copyright.PENANAkg8xMlZsZV
28Please respect copyright.PENANALXgcIWiMOS
滋滋。28Please respect copyright.PENANAh0XaIgnJXE
28Please respect copyright.PENANA7A2STyUefE
難得的尖銳聲自橢圓傳出,像修長的指甲刮在玻璃上,有根豎立的黑線在白茫中央浮現,然後往外擴張,壓縮著白色的空間。28Please respect copyright.PENANAjoufsm51r6
28Please respect copyright.PENANAkil6OdCjIG
更讓楓垚驚奇的是,那被撐開的白色後面並非教堂內部的景象,而是全新的未知的光景,那顯然是一道連接大陸某處的「門」。28Please respect copyright.PENANAYwswwpasqg
28Please respect copyright.PENANAYzNxSNChaZ
「我會期待下次的見面,楓垚。」主教說完便回頭鑽進那被撐開的「門」,陌生的身影跟隨其後,待他們都進去以後,「門」像沙粒被風吹散般,被無痕抹去。28Please respect copyright.PENANAQDsC5THhdL
28Please respect copyright.PENANATE4LYp5Rop
「你帶著他吧,我去睡個覺。」少女打了個呵欠,走到樓上,消失在兩樓陰影盡頭。28Please respect copyright.PENANAKsPBQZkBXE
28Please respect copyright.PENANAoaycVLj2Ao
她好像叫作靈芝?楓垚轉頭望向君柳,28Please respect copyright.PENANAYtPV4q9KWk
28Please respect copyright.PENANAbcv6DEyP5O
「剛才那些人是?」28Please respect copyright.PENANAVi4anDH4Am
28Please respect copyright.PENANAopjrYRYg1o
「一位司鐸及兩位執事,他們是前來護送主教的。」君柳答。28Please respect copyright.PENANAQDB1TW9wvt
28Please respect copyright.PENANAQysvPNpTBk
「司鐸?執事?咦,你好像也是執事矣。」28Please respect copyright.PENANA0EfIFu7eN0
28Please respect copyright.PENANABrSJXRpHDh
「都是教會的職位,在教會核心的階級裡,主教在頂端,其次是七司鐸,然後是十六執事。」28Please respect copyright.PENANAhobHR1GaTV
28Please respect copyright.PENANA2MGuSxOT5R
「那位白髮少女呢?她也是執事嗎?」楓垚拋出疑惑。28Please respect copyright.PENANAB1mmmNBbkP
28Please respect copyright.PENANAN3lzUpn5VQ
「你說靈芝?她是七司鐸之一,『夢魘』」君柳淡淡解釋。28Please respect copyright.PENANAustNb5k61r
28Please respect copyright.PENANAOwaNUOmjK8
居然是七司鐸…那豆丁看起來還沒成年吧……楓垚心底吐嘈了句,表情卻表露得清清楚楚。28Please respect copyright.PENANAjxrEnO5u2b
28Please respect copyright.PENANA1fSKCVaheJ
君柳見此嘴角一彎,28Please respect copyright.PENANA5FxPqWOqKJ
28Please respect copyright.PENANAPazEWZbv5L
「別小看她,你可要知道教會只有派遣一位司鐸及兩位執事前來吞龍城,而其他的大城至少有三位執事駐留。」28Please respect copyright.PENANAk2Y5AtJifv
28Please respect copyright.PENANABsD0mR3k37
「什麼意思?」楓垚不解道。28Please respect copyright.PENANAgurAHMwBSR
28Please respect copyright.PENANA7bCoOKNs8O
君柳不自覺昂首,「說明我們不需要那麼多人。」28Please respect copyright.PENANAo5AH1nh2sP
28Please respect copyright.PENANATJvY41ZGxa
楓垚點了點頭,他認為當中的誇大成份並不多,畢竟見識過靈芝的實力,在她面前自己像隻螞蟻般渺小,不存在反抗一說,心底萌起另些想法:28Please respect copyright.PENANA1poeXYBkfz
28Please respect copyright.PENANAe0cqHMksh8
不知道她和君柳相比如何,按階級的話靈芝排得更高,不過教會的分級是否取決於實力仍不確定。28Please respect copyright.PENANARzEhTqbgp1
28Please respect copyright.PENANAi70lIZfGHS
「哦對,忘了問薪金的事。」楓垚急忙道,這可關係到他的生活。28Please respect copyright.PENANA6Dbuaj6BSN
28Please respect copyright.PENANAhF35pU7l7d
君柳按著額頭,好一會才說:28Please respect copyright.PENANAiCzEqfcesp
28Please respect copyright.PENANAwpIjOGimjE
「1金4銀,兩周結算。」28Please respect copyright.PENANA2wv4S6KJX0
28Please respect copyright.PENANAA6NQzlCjDV
這個世界裡1金等於20銀,等於200銅,又等於1000仙,而1仙約等於地球港幣5元。28Please respect copyright.PENANAMsB7Vd5IfV
28Please respect copyright.PENANA79zZZdM7ph
半個月6000,很不錯了……楓垚簡單計算,非常滿意,這筆薪金應該可以過上物質充裕的生活,心情一下愉快不少,連聲調也隨之提高,28Please respect copyright.PENANAXG6usTsOOP
28Please respect copyright.PENANAKcRl12su7g
「我的職位是?」28Please respect copyright.PENANAoqP13MFaRM
28Please respect copyright.PENANAg7E09nII8K
「執事助手。」28Please respect copyright.PENANAJfpunGzpQM
28Please respect copyright.PENANAOL0ZNVRkhy
「工作都有些什麼呢?」28Please respect copyright.PENANA93lUkDX7yI
28Please respect copyright.PENANA1NeglOsqP1
「等等就知道。」君柳揉了揉太陽穴,「走吧。」28Please respect copyright.PENANArU8GGngDje
28Please respect copyright.PENANACyhI2BiWRh
「去哪?」楓垚跟上步伐。28Please respect copyright.PENANAwiCCN7HsP2
28Please respect copyright.PENANAbbxB0N3Fuw
「赤里區,水道街。」28Please respect copyright.PENANACCZtMV8VFH
28Please respect copyright.PENANAGkY0pGOVPS
……28Please respect copyright.PENANA7GmPZKk4jw
28Please respect copyright.PENANA6wAEGkpag9
馬車平坦行駛,前面不遠便是水道街,吞龍城的三大貧窮窟之一。28Please respect copyright.PENANAF2jQ32IwBB
28Please respect copyright.PENANAXlGsz7UuDK
楓垚和君柳在一間尚算體面的旅館下車,兩人前來之前已經換過教會的工作服,束身上衣、長筒襪、棕色靴鞋,胸前掛上一枚彌爾教的徽章。到目前為止,君柳沒有一句話,楓垚靜靜緊隨其後。28Please respect copyright.PENANAlmgzLjo2lC
28Please respect copyright.PENANAIwAhv3HfNl
不少地攤沿著道路兩旁擺放,有的賣菜、有的賣手工品、有的招攬髒衣服…君柳一眼沒望,直直往前行,只有楓垚對於新的景象深感興趣,東張西望,同時也暗自慨嘆:28Please respect copyright.PENANALImWJf4oTS
28Please respect copyright.PENANAvD6OPYT6Ie
無論在什麼地方,生活都不易啊,唉……28Please respect copyright.PENANAdRN59YBcoP
28Please respect copyright.PENANAgKLT74KPnd
走過一陣子,君柳停低步伐,到達了目的地,那是一棟三層高的建築。他從袋口拿出懷錶睄一睄,又啪答合上,這才推開底層的門走進去。28Please respect copyright.PENANA29poR1XmX7
28Please respect copyright.PENANA0Vc8O7E1r1
前方有一條徑直走廊,兩旁排列著一式一樣的小門,而走廊的盡頭是通往上層的樓梯。28Please respect copyright.PENANAMy6cScIcfr
28Please respect copyright.PENANAVXOIrka3ai
「真是不方便的設計。」楓垚無奈道。28Please respect copyright.PENANAt5v2X1Byas
28Please respect copyright.PENANAq4MZTIrVZS
穿過走廊的時候,總會有哀怨夾雜著痛苦的低沉聲音傳來,令人不寒而慄,像有處細縫不斷漏進寒風。28Please respect copyright.PENANAqzWxYmkU8n
28Please respect copyright.PENANAZI5XETJieH
「什麼聲音?」楓垚忍不住問。28Please respect copyright.PENANAWJLoEQ6SJr
28Please respect copyright.PENANAotnYrLgePX
「這裡是老人院。」君柳點頭。28Please respect copyright.PENANA0cDmNRSNTs
28Please respect copyright.PENANAr2LET3x4sz
原來是老人……楓垚不禁同情起這裡的住客,他對老人院的觀感一直很差,認為那裡只是提前擺放屍體的地方。28Please respect copyright.PENANALCrLG9jG1T
28Please respect copyright.PENANATdjfPTs9Wu
咚咚咚。28Please respect copyright.PENANAOqaeGjfj2m
28Please respect copyright.PENANA6yFYvOCV0N
兩人來到二樓的一扇門前,敲起門芯板。28Please respect copyright.PENANAynPMUuz9RL
28Please respect copyright.PENANAr6bXdocuVP
得得得。28Please respect copyright.PENANAsAHaPdvVj1
28Please respect copyright.PENANAPxglOLH0zU
腳步聲傳來,門很快便打開了三分一,門後的是位中年婦女,束起棕色馬尾,身穿陳舊麻布衣。28Please respect copyright.PENANA0VQNjl4qmO
28Please respect copyright.PENANAzF1MxCybJV
「請問你們是?」婦女問,身體保持在門後。28Please respect copyright.PENANAkF3lxxHmUh
28Please respect copyright.PENANAXRfpuaDuMD
「教會執事,過來探望蔓莎女士。」君柳行了個微禮。28Please respect copyright.PENANAakaWKw4Vxh
28Please respect copyright.PENANAVfmUSkxq3C
「裡面請。」婦女點頭回應,將門完全打開。28Please respect copyright.PENANA2nSEtibFV8
28Please respect copyright.PENANAB8TTqJ2FEU
裡面的空間大概有三百多呎,一人住起來不算狹窄,廚房、臥室、衛生間,應有盡有。28Please respect copyright.PENANAfvtjpdsIuR
28Please respect copyright.PENANAO6uGNxyMet
婦女領著二人走進臥室,裡面有張單人床,上面正躺著位年邁的女士,她側頭望向窗戶,沒有注意到進來的客人。28Please respect copyright.PENANAawSesW3TPG
28Please respect copyright.PENANAyBnEe8CGiq
哐哐。28Please respect copyright.PENANAc3tHKWyIOh
28Please respect copyright.PENANAwUJFYPBRSA
「夫人,教會的人來了。」婦女輕輕敲門。28Please respect copyright.PENANAS7ihPYxM47
28Please respect copyright.PENANAAEe5JZkMts
蔓莎女士在聽後門聲後才後知後覺地扭過頭來,臉上拱起笑容,略帶歉意地說:28Please respect copyright.PENANAP7NQf0LA6d
28Please respect copyright.PENANAjNVGWh4NTB
「真是抱歉,看得太入神,沒有注意到你們呢。」28Please respect copyright.PENANAS73Z5MM5lQ
28Please respect copyright.PENANAPk9zvHMy1g
君柳坐在床邊的椅凳上,嘴邊掛起難得可見的微笑,28Please respect copyright.PENANANz6uuEAoOx
28Please respect copyright.PENANAhhxGiM0lUV
「女士在看什麼呢?」28Please respect copyright.PENANAbeSURMehPd
28Please respect copyright.PENANASuzIUJhIxn
蔓莎女士再次望去窗邊,她的笑容更濃了些,眼神裡有種響往,28Please respect copyright.PENANAxLMer0NV9E
28Please respect copyright.PENANA6Uf9neCNBu
「我看見兩隻烏鴉追逐,然後飛走。可惜這窗太小了,看不見他們飛去哪裡。」