意識漸漸復甦,首先感覺到的是泥土與草葉混雜的氣味,還有一股強健的溫暖包圍著自己。86Please respect copyright.PENANAK6qKZbOzAX
86Please respect copyright.PENANAWKi8eeXF9g
艾芙娜緩緩睜開雙眼,纖長睫毛下的墨黑眼眸恢復了光采,她發現自己正躺在拿堤爾健壯結實的胸膛上。86Please respect copyright.PENANAlkuVxPzcSj
86Please respect copyright.PENANA6VBhgMf5rH
她嚇得趕緊起身遠離拿堤爾,微熱的紅暈瞬間攀上她白皙的面頰,腦袋也因為受驚變得一片空白。86Please respect copyright.PENANAHnQzfFvFOM
86Please respect copyright.PENANA5v0WSDjisf
「嗯……」86Please respect copyright.PENANAWwgrmmEBNy
86Please respect copyright.PENANARcNCaLma7O
感覺到身邊傳來不小的動靜,拿堤爾的意識逐漸恢復,他一睜開眼,就注意到離自己有一段距離的艾芙娜,正滿臉通紅地盯著他瞧。86Please respect copyright.PENANA0TODnhCtba
86Please respect copyright.PENANAk0G0XUxrHd
「艾芙娜小姐,妳還好嗎?」思緒還有些模糊不清的拿堤爾茫然地問道。86Please respect copyright.PENANALayNXN6PS3
86Please respect copyright.PENANALBnEN8pmcX
「我很好。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAF9126eb3KT
86Please respect copyright.PENANAv6hfFUVTTE
艾芙娜回答時依然紅著臉,似乎不想多說下去,氣氛瞬間變得有些尷尬。86Please respect copyright.PENANAKkoLcQmLnL
86Please respect copyright.PENANAKxqbdRuFOm
拿堤爾轉而環顧四周環境,才發現自己和艾芙娜在一座陌生的森林裡。86Please respect copyright.PENANA3B6JATZhY1
86Please respect copyright.PENANA5TcNFdY5ub
在裘德的店裡失去意識,接著一醒來就在杳無人跡的荒郊野外,在他身上搖曳的斑駁樹影,是如此的虛幻而朦朧,讓拿堤爾一瞬間以為自己身在夢中。86Please respect copyright.PENANAtGkfDWUPqc
86Please respect copyright.PENANAYshcxsilDP
但是陽光的溫暖、泥土與草木的清新氣味,以及幾乎淹沒視野的蓊鬱綠意,卻又如此的真實而清晰,讓他感到更加混亂。86Please respect copyright.PENANAfbEWTI1nyr
86Please respect copyright.PENANAHKsIGkeU4H
拿堤爾深吸一口氣鎮定心神,回想來到這裡前的事情經過,他認為關鍵就是當時的那面鏡子。86Please respect copyright.PENANA70fygb0TXb
86Please respect copyright.PENANAUkaW23s1hl
那面鏡子原本在儲藏間的角落,外觀乍看之下沒有可疑的地方,但當艾芙娜看到鏡框的魔晶後,就發生一連串詭異的現象。86Please respect copyright.PENANABNUP6kFfM5
86Please respect copyright.PENANASRN9FMA8T6
「該不會,那面鏡子具有傳送魔陣的功能,將我們傳送到別的地方了,但運作的方式,又似乎跟傳送魔陣不太一樣……」86Please respect copyright.PENANAr0Cr8uhaql
86Please respect copyright.PENANAkHwjm1uIg6
拿堤爾百思不得其解,轉而向艾芙娜問道:「艾芙娜小姐,那妳知道這裡是什麼地方嗎?」86Please respect copyright.PENANApXA3zwioXH
86Please respect copyright.PENANArx7lrq6KtE
艾芙娜搖搖頭,她困惑不安的神情,很明顯是真的不知情。86Please respect copyright.PENANAsRC4Bg5AXp
86Please respect copyright.PENANAulrvh72tAp
「那麼,那面鏡子有什麼問題嗎?」86Please respect copyright.PENANAY74SWU0dra
86Please respect copyright.PENANAIEyqj6i1rB
拿堤爾丟出真正想問的問題,在裘德離開之後,艾芙娜不尋常的舉動,以及看到鏡子時異常的反應,拿堤爾推測這些都與那面鏡子有關,可惜他當時來不及仔細查看那面鏡子。86Please respect copyright.PENANAfd8PSdlWW7
86Please respect copyright.PENANAvOW4imJWsc
艾芙娜眉間微皺,低著頭久久不發一語,明顯在猶豫要不要對拿堤爾坦白。86Please respect copyright.PENANAHxvVsIn5LL
86Please respect copyright.PENANABlH6vibEw8
「如果不想說出來不用勉強。」原本拿堤爾想對艾芙娜說這句話,卻沒想到對方搶在自己前面說道:「那面鏡子的魔晶,是妖精的靈核製成的。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAtpn4MNJ2qA
86Please respect copyright.PENANAI4zzRE0Gg6
聽到這句話,拿堤爾大為震驚,萬萬想不到這種可怕的東西居然真的存在於世。86Please respect copyright.PENANAuJsmev2M4N
86Please respect copyright.PENANAWZp7CKGy2C
絕大多數魔晶的材料是金屬礦物,金屬礦物易於煉製且最為穩定,也能儲存大量魔力,但魔晶的材料其實不侷限於金屬,只要是能儲存魔力的材質都能煉製為魔晶,例如妖精的靈核。86Please respect copyright.PENANAStxarYj0Pe
86Please respect copyright.PENANAPSMJgzrWCx
妖精是從古世紀繁衍至今的物種,身體只有人類的手掌般大,能與植物及動物對話,但大多數妖精相當懼怕人類,他們的生活環境也是人跡罕至的秘境,因此很少人親眼見過妖精。86Please respect copyright.PENANAvULs2w5BfG
86Please respect copyright.PENANAq55UOyyTbj
然而,妖精的生命型態跟其他生物並不相同,妖精沒有所謂的肉體,他們的身體是魔力純粹具象化後的一種形式,妖精體內的靈核是他們的魔力來源,也是生命的核心。86Please respect copyright.PENANAonnqdmsI9r
86Please respect copyright.PENANAeEvWk0mEeX
於是,有些心腸歹毒的人會抓捕妖精,用妖精的靈核煉製魔晶,但這樣的做法等同殺死了這些妖精,而且以靈核製成的魔晶,雖然能保留極大量的純淨魔力,但也會吸收妖精臨死前的悲傷及怨恨,化為一股沉重的負面魔力,所以這類魔晶通常用來製作施展黑魔法的魔具,作為詛咒及虐殺等等惡毒駭人的用途。86Please respect copyright.PENANAq2TSqFUINq
86Please respect copyright.PENANAnP9IAoudbU
原本拿堤爾以為這類魔晶只是沒有經過證實的恐怖傳說,過去並不怎麼在意,但現在當它變成事實,卻如此令人不寒而慄。86Please respect copyright.PENANAD8A35h6feZ
86Please respect copyright.PENANABbk8BNhOgn
「這麼說,我們可能被詛咒了嗎?但感覺也不太像……」86Please respect copyright.PENANAywt0aKON6Q
86Please respect copyright.PENANA7QCRThP8fJ
他們兩人只是被傳送到陌生的地方,身體也沒有什麼不適,但拿堤爾的內心還是籠罩一層恐懼的陰影。86Please respect copyright.PENANAm0eawGCQWX
86Please respect copyright.PENANAiqqVBx2PbI
「我也不確定,而且這裡也……」艾芙娜慌張地左顧右盼,彷彿看到了令她感到不安的存在。86Please respect copyright.PENANAxni6apd8kK
86Please respect copyright.PENANAgMoezG3ksq
「這裡怎麼了嗎?」拿堤爾循著她的目光看過去,卻沒發現任何異狀。86Please respect copyright.PENANAEKUWXiUpLK
86Please respect copyright.PENANADKofVaXf2U
「沒什麼。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAR7MwNkLunu
86Please respect copyright.PENANAU72PHcb7ly
艾芙娜斬釘截鐵的回答,反而讓拿堤爾覺得她似乎還有所隱瞞,不過他也不好意思繼續追問。86Please respect copyright.PENANAORt7OHFOTu
86Please respect copyright.PENANAw6xMw3Wu9K
「現在還是離開這片森林,找找看附近有沒有住家或村莊。現在兩人一起行動會比較安全,請艾芙娜小姐跟在我身後,畢竟不知道這裡會不會有危險。」86Please respect copyright.PENANA5QLqyO96Vn
86Please respect copyright.PENANAKM9JyotCul
「好,謝謝你,拿堤爾先生。」艾芙娜緊繃的神情放鬆了些,拿堤爾也悄悄鬆了口氣。86Please respect copyright.PENANAAqSlHh5eqQ
86Please respect copyright.PENANAE4umCvBcFR
拿堤爾從地面抓起一把有些潮濕的土壤,身為伯萊雅族人,他可以觀察土壤的狀態得知日出的方向,以此判定大概的方位。86Please respect copyright.PENANAV1piEUdGkK
86Please respect copyright.PENANA7yI3sz9jdi
「如果這裡還是賽媞亞大陸境內的話…這邊就是東方,就先往這邊走,可以嗎?」86Please respect copyright.PENANAda3jpCwFG7
86Please respect copyright.PENANA1dZXkq6M8F
拿堤爾徵詢艾芙娜的意見,艾芙娜點點頭,緊緊跟在他身後。86Please respect copyright.PENANAYvCQ35nfmr
86Please respect copyright.PENANAeHrCkepleV
兩人在看不見盡頭的綠意中行走著,林立的高聳樹木以及濃密的低矮樹叢,讓他們的步伐變得有些緩慢,雖然周遭只有蟲鳴鳥叫的低淺聲響,但拿堤爾還是謹慎地踏出每一步,警戒可能潛伏的危險。86Please respect copyright.PENANATpGOSUP26G
86Please respect copyright.PENANAWgjaWx7vqs
艾芙娜注視拿堤爾高大的背影,安心的感覺壓下了處於未知環境的恐懼,一股複雜的心緒卻也油然而生。86Please respect copyright.PENANAhtXbzu3uZz
86Please respect copyright.PENANAS3gACcovnE
經由跟拿堤爾的數次接觸,艾芙娜感受到他的誠懇與善意,她卻不明白拿堤爾為何對她的音樂盒如此執著,為此感到些許不安。86Please respect copyright.PENANA15sEgc04Oj
86Please respect copyright.PENANA0W2NWTptDg
過往的慘痛記憶,是禁錮艾芙娜內心的深沉黑暗,對於捉摸不定的人心,不管是她能感知的部分,或是無法知曉的部分,都令她感到害怕。86Please respect copyright.PENANA7zC3VXT1cY
86Please respect copyright.PENANAg07PUkG4bE
「等等。」拿堤爾突然在她面前停下腳步。86Please respect copyright.PENANAlW6rjOmjsu
86Please respect copyright.PENANATlnhogUP36
「前面似乎有什麼動靜,我先去那邊看看。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAHQeKavJfyr
86Please respect copyright.PENANAShe28VnbwN
拿堤爾指著前方的樹叢,那裡隱約傳出細微的聲響,艾芙娜內心開始不安的顫動,有些害怕的躲在拿堤爾的背後。86Please respect copyright.PENANAVRMn4ZnY0u
86Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0W7k3OGLe
拿堤爾謹慎地走過去,就在他想要掰開樹叢查看的時候,某個東西突然從樹叢裡頭竄出來,迅速掠過拿堤爾身旁。86Please respect copyright.PENANANHyWA9QUnf
86Please respect copyright.PENANA4gFe8QuUG2
「唉啊!」86Please respect copyright.PENANAaJwqZzgCfs
86Please respect copyright.PENANAM9GImqowzo
聽見艾芙娜的一聲驚叫,拿堤爾趕緊回頭查看情況,只見一隻全身澎軟的球鼠,正爬到艾芙娜的肩膀上,往她雪白的臉頰拚命聞嗅著。86Please respect copyright.PENANAdrW7nd7KJL
86Please respect copyright.PENANA2J4apEpX4u
「不要這樣,好癢,哈哈。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAAJJQlcnT6U
86Please respect copyright.PENANAhvPb7I0mlX
球鼠往艾芙娜敏感的肌膚摩擦著,讓艾芙娜因發癢而發出難為情的輕笑,她反射性地伸手想要抓住球鼠,卻又被球鼠逃開,爬竄到她另一側的肩膀上。86Please respect copyright.PENANATJZGxDyiQh
86Please respect copyright.PENANAW9RVlHVpBq
這逗趣的景象,讓拿堤爾放下心中的大石,他走向艾芙娜想要幫她抓住球鼠的時候,一道聲音從他身後傳來。86Please respect copyright.PENANAc8j24MEbcH
86Please respect copyright.PENANAh50MjHympb
「米米,怎麼鑽到人家身上去了?快回來。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAMW89KsEpbG
86Please respect copyright.PENANA1GrxME3Lcz
「吱!」球鼠立刻從艾芙娜肩膀跳下,拿堤爾往球鼠奔竄的方向看過去,一名小女孩就站在他和艾芙娜身前。86Please respect copyright.PENANANk3RAqsLt5
86Please respect copyright.PENANARMItSiXTt7
球鼠很快爬到小女孩的肩上,親暱地蹭著她的臉頰。86Please respect copyright.PENANAFe0NgjTyYc
86Please respect copyright.PENANAusjHPltUAy
「大哥哥,大姊姊,你們是誰啊?」小女孩睜大深藍色的眼眸,訝異地注視艾芙娜及拿堤爾。86Please respect copyright.PENANARTuFZ4RX8P
86Please respect copyright.PENANAOuky3ZXjuG
小女孩的年紀看起來只有七、八歲,金黃色長髮綁成雙邊馬尾,襯上她圓潤的臉龐及嬌美可愛的五官,整個人看起來就充滿朝氣。而她身上穿著米黃色的連身長裙,繡有深紅色的繁複圖騰,彷彿有隻紅色山羊在她的衣裙上躍動,瞬間就吸引住拿堤爾的目光。86Please respect copyright.PENANAY38oKrZIrI
86Please respect copyright.PENANAJPegLT0Bhc
「我的名字是拿堤爾,那位大姊姊叫艾芙娜,我們不小心迷路了,正在找走出森林的路。」拿堤爾向小女孩露出溫和笑容,希望能取得她的信任。86Please respect copyright.PENANAEJVmlIiJW2
86Please respect copyright.PENANAfHYEO4l8hQ
「原來如此啊,我是菲莉,然後牠是米米。」菲莉天真地笑道,並從籃子裡掏出一顆深紫色漿果。86Please respect copyright.PENANAJghzbO7rk8
86Please respect copyright.PENANAxB8u5nZJaP
米米立刻從她手裡叼走漿果,在她肩膀上蜷縮成一團灰色毛球,牠埋頭大口嚙咬漿果的模樣十分逗趣可愛。86Please respect copyright.PENANAE9msAw9ZSZ
86Please respect copyright.PENANAPbioaFPgxU
「原本我和米米在這森林裡採漿果,想不到米米卻突然跑掉了,還爬到艾芙娜姐姐身上,米米很喜歡對人惡作劇,對不起喔,艾芙娜姐姐。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAwRDFlEfzsN
86Please respect copyright.PENANA4Fw7NkABUa
菲莉低頭向艾芙娜道歉,艾芙娜擺擺手表示沒關係,輕聲說:「妳不用向我道歉,這不是妳的錯。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAMhyb8f21xa
86Please respect copyright.PENANAcz4YAnpqBp
雖然艾芙娜正在對菲莉說話,她卻站在離菲莉有一段距離的地方,神情也有些凝重,似乎是下意識地迴避菲莉。86Please respect copyright.PENANAgRXEcf9zOW
86Please respect copyright.PENANAUnOsLWXEv6
艾芙娜怕生的程度遠超出拿堤爾想像,如果是對身為陌生男子的自己還能理解,卻沒想到艾芙娜對嬌弱的小女孩也是如此。86Please respect copyright.PENANARLA4gSAJIl
86Please respect copyright.PENANALaUqWKc2E2
感覺到艾芙娜對自己有些疏遠的態度,菲莉不再跟她多說什麼,轉而向拿堤爾說:「對了,大哥哥,我可以帶你們走出森林,我家就在這附近的村子,你們可以來我家休息喔。」86Please respect copyright.PENANA5LpNS4SE9r
86Please respect copyright.PENANAJzHqboec2j
「那真是幫了大忙呢,謝謝妳,菲莉!」86Please respect copyright.PENANA4ebGx7NXxE
86Please respect copyright.PENANAp0uVkrfrTA
拿堤爾本來就想請菲莉帶他們離開森林,菲莉的熱情與善意讓拿堤爾喜出望外,這附近有村子的消息更讓他精神為之一振。86Please respect copyright.PENANAdp2GnkOk20
86Please respect copyright.PENANAalp2MryY68
然而,拿堤爾卻沒注意到在一旁的艾芙娜,臉上浮現猶疑不定的沉重表情。86Please respect copyright.PENANAGBAHqBsdIf
86Please respect copyright.PENANAHAOTqqQB1z
「那就跟我走吧,往這裡!」86Please respect copyright.PENANAD4GuFD5bCd
86Please respect copyright.PENANAZyy8Lb5NkY
菲莉興高采烈地朝森林外頭走去,在她腦後的兩束金黃馬尾,隨著輕快的腳步輕盈晃動。86Please respect copyright.PENANAFKNOOsNziG
86Please respect copyright.PENANAknLnTnNLWu
懷抱著各自的想法,拿堤爾和艾芙娜跟隨著菲莉愉快的嬌小背影。86Please respect copyright.PENANA79nhIPCrFB
86Please respect copyright.PENANAKdJCnpHUAX
* * *86Please respect copyright.PENANA56q3MkcTpd
86Please respect copyright.PENANAnZFoGNfa4q
「啊!那邊就是我們的村子喔!」86Please respect copyright.PENANAeZNwJpZMdl
86Please respect copyright.PENANA9OsxM0nOvm
穿越茂密的森林,菲莉所指的村子,馬上就映入拿堤爾和艾芙娜的眼簾。86Please respect copyright.PENANAPbinUUZ6JL
86Please respect copyright.PENANAqXlZTHawyd
村子裡數十間低矮的磚瓦房屋,聚攏於河流兩側的平地,從翠綠山頭流淌下來的河水如一條清澈的絲帶,將整個村子劃分成整齊的兩半,而環繞在村子周邊的高山則撐起蔚藍的天空,形成天然的屏障,彷彿守護村子不受外界侵擾。86Please respect copyright.PENANAFp78WSrZ4k
86Please respect copyright.PENANAgMUD577KYC
「看起來是很棒的村子呢。」拿堤爾不禁發出感嘆。86Please respect copyright.PENANAMuu37esHwk
86Please respect copyright.PENANAHbIO5cp318
「等你們進去村子後,就會覺得這裡更棒了喔。」聽到拿堤爾的稱讚,菲莉格外開心的笑道。86Please respect copyright.PENANAWyxQwe8Uvr
86Please respect copyright.PENANAwIWv9GXQDH
菲莉領著拿堤爾和艾芙娜進入村莊,雖然路上見到的村民都對拿堤爾和艾芙娜投以好奇的目光,其中也有些異於人類樣貌的獸人,但經過菲莉的說明後,村民們便對他們露出友善的笑容,熱忱歡迎兩人的來訪。86Please respect copyright.PENANAWXMuYbkncp
86Please respect copyright.PENANAuPga91fjcu
寧靜祥和的村莊風光,以及親切樸實的人情味,將拿堤爾心中的擔憂不安一掃而空,但艾芙娜的神情卻始終籠罩著一層陰鬱。86Please respect copyright.PENANAoGjcE1MW0P
86Please respect copyright.PENANA9aU25ChD1S
注意到艾芙娜如弱小雛鳥般的瑟瑟不安,拿堤爾不知道原因,也不知該如何安慰她。86Please respect copyright.PENANAPpo2gl41aC
86Please respect copyright.PENANAwGTVSW3aUZ
菲莉完全不知道艾芙娜的不安,以及拿堤爾的苦惱,她帶著兩人來到位於村莊邊界的一幢房屋,蹦蹦跳跳地走到大門前。86Please respect copyright.PENANAl36RISBDAY
86Please respect copyright.PENANAG7EP7qScuI
「這裡就是我家,現在就只有我跟爺爺住,不過不用擔心,爺爺一定會歡迎你們的。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAsJ0OcSD6PJ
86Please respect copyright.PENANA1CD4cByLmX
菲莉推開大門,當拿堤爾看到那個人的剎那,他頓時露出無比驚訝的神情,無以名狀的情感,宛如浪濤在他的胸口翻騰不息。86Please respect copyright.PENANAvYnN0QXfdQ
86Please respect copyright.PENANALZHgO8WXAP
那個人已是一名白髮蒼蒼的老人,背對著他們坐在火爐前,明亮火光照耀著他佝僂的身影。86Please respect copyright.PENANAKIJqEODY3h
86Please respect copyright.PENANANvbnKZXUHQ
老人頭部兩側有著一對如山羊般的蜷曲長角,是他身上最為明顯的特徵,而他身上的黃褐色背心,上面的豔紅圖紋是屹立於高山之巔的山羊,那是伯萊雅族的靈魂圖騰,象徵在艱苦之中堅忍不拔的強韌意志。86Please respect copyright.PENANA7YUERoMMJJ
86Please respect copyright.PENANANzADUFCvee
在遙遠的孩提時代,在拿堤爾眼中蒼老卻堅毅的背影,如今卻鮮明地浮現在他的眼前,讓他不禁喚道:「爺爺!」86Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3qoGiRf74
86Please respect copyright.PENANANlsXfCh26P
艾芙娜對拿堤爾突如其來的激動反應感到詫異,此時那名老者也緩緩轉過身,慢悠悠地說:「是誰啊?有人叫我嗎?」86Please respect copyright.PENANAWDBzOsS2Bp
86Please respect copyright.PENANAD9AgE3UN2T
拿堤爾看見老人佈滿皺紋的臉龐,並不是他熟悉的那個人,雖然有些失落,但還是對老人有種特別的親切感。86Please respect copyright.PENANAARkwapCH8n
86Please respect copyright.PENANAfrIvlihFan
「爺爺,是我們啦,我帶兩個客人過來了!拿堤爾哥哥剛才一定是太興奮了,才會叫爺爺您的。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAl6WiPaBDzc
86Please respect copyright.PENANA4c1bnr4mST
菲莉一蹦一跳地跑到老人身邊,她向老人說明事情經過之後,老人便露出和藹的微笑:「兩位辛苦了,我叫史萊恩,菲莉會遇到兩位也是難得的緣分,不嫌棄的話,我正好煮了洋菇濃湯,請兩位一起來嘗嘗吧。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAln5b0PmZm8
86Please respect copyright.PENANAAEREhGdtUH
「來,請坐這邊。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAdFRJH9Waw1
86Please respect copyright.PENANAoMve268Mv0
菲莉立刻拉開餐桌旁邊的兩張椅子,拿堤爾對菲莉點頭致謝,坐在菲莉指定的位子,艾芙娜雖然有些猶豫,但最後還是坐在拿堤爾旁邊。86Please respect copyright.PENANAfuZNPBDjZV
86Please respect copyright.PENANAr6qxCTI0Di
火爐上的鍋子冒出蒸騰的熱氣,史萊恩從裡面舀出幾碗濃湯,端到拿堤爾和艾芙娜的面前,濃湯的溫厚香氣立刻勾起兩人的食慾。86Please respect copyright.PENANArZkKZsJqh2
86Please respect copyright.PENANA6zJu5Cv1ba
「謝謝您的招待。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAr6th1KjLnZ
86Please respect copyright.PENANAf81yTagDPY
拿堤爾和艾芙娜異口同聲地說道,此時的默契讓他們兩人有些愣住了。86Please respect copyright.PENANAnpRm8jELWZ
86Please respect copyright.PENANAF5sks7NSNV
「拿堤爾哥哥和艾芙娜姐姐默契真好,是因為平常的感情也很好吧。」菲莉捧著一碗濃湯坐在兩人對面,單純地笑道。86Please respect copyright.PENANAcaG8qxBipU
86Please respect copyright.PENANAUbir9uldym
「只是剛好一起說出口罷了,其實我們……」其實我們兩個今天才剛認識。拿堤爾本來想這樣說,但一想到可能會讓史萊恩和菲莉起疑,就把接下來的話硬生生地吞回去。86Please respect copyright.PENANAkuMUrBxdhC
86Please respect copyright.PENANAJtLVBtQk4E
在他一旁的艾芙娜則是喝著濃湯沉默不語,表情顯得有些尷尬。86Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZeBhbaZzP
86Please respect copyright.PENANA3k9ge8nEsS
查覺到兩人氣氛有些不對勁,坐在菲莉旁邊的史萊恩巧妙地轉換話題:「話說兩位是從哪裡來的呢?我們這個小村子啊,很久很久沒有外面的人來了呢。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAZOFLfgzzae
86Please respect copyright.PENANANMSkGH5ETX
「我們是從柏德聯合公國過來的,因為某些意外才來到這裡,請問一下,這村子附近有什麼城鎮嗎?要怎麼過去呢?」86Please respect copyright.PENANADVPjdCYyKW
86Please respect copyright.PENANAdM7WamC7jr
村裡的人能以通用的賽媞亞語溝通,拿堤爾判定這村子仍在賽媞亞大陸境內,如果這附近有大型城鎮,說不定就能藉由城鎮的交通工具返回柏德聯合公國。86Please respect copyright.PENANAIvrV473AP6
86Please respect copyright.PENANAonTTlZ6t5z
然而,史萊恩卻露出有些為難的表情:「對不起,我無法告訴你們。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAs1kodVpydQ
86Please respect copyright.PENANAfMLXhrjcPZ
史萊恩的回答,讓拿堤爾和艾芙娜感到愕然,拿堤爾慌張地問:「這是為什麼呢?」86Please respect copyright.PENANABqgaRE7y4G
86Please respect copyright.PENANAJyRnPG4fyU
史萊恩神情嚴肅,語重心長地說:「幾十年前,我們這些難民流浪到這個山谷裡,有些人因為戰爭無法回去故鄉,或是被外界排擠而不容於世,為了創造容身之所,我們便在這裡建立這個村子。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7PPRhezJr
86Please respect copyright.PENANAbvtLwnNV9T
「而這村子位於西方邊境,距離柏德聯合公國相當遙遠,四周也都是險峻的高山以及茂密的森林,地處隱密且封閉,除了像你們這些偶爾來訪的外來者,外界幾乎不曉得這村子的存在。我們這些村民也一直在這過著自給自足的生活,早就忘記村子外面的路怎麼走了,更何況附近也沒有其他城鎮。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAcfJh8Rv6hZ
86Please respect copyright.PENANAcgTjuPcccc
「這樣的話,我們等於是被關起來了嗎。」86Please respect copyright.PENANA4UoL4h5HyY
86Please respect copyright.PENANAHjp9rbluwm
拿堤爾沮喪地說,身旁的艾芙娜也失落的低著頭,史萊恩沒有說謊的可能,兩人只能無奈地接受這殘酷的事實。86Please respect copyright.PENANAXkgoGZ8qUV
86Please respect copyright.PENANAYNWFLRaJ9N
「別那麼難過,我家菲莉遇到你們也是有緣,我會幫你們想想辦法的。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAGxJV08dY3g
86Please respect copyright.PENANAqaBlYa3Wsj
史萊恩的安慰,讓拿堤爾心裡好過了一些,他凝視史萊恩歷經滄桑的臉龐,以帶著一股熱切的嗓音問道:「那麼,史萊恩先生是伯萊雅族人嗎?」86Please respect copyright.PENANADs4xlpwTPB
86Please respect copyright.PENANASOWdh6oVAC
「我是啊,沒想到你居然知道我們伯萊雅族。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAgHrynoiAuS
86Please respect copyright.PENANADsxgGnTieK
史萊恩難掩激動的情緒,不禁嘆道:「我們伯萊雅族是獸人的一支,原本定居於大陸北方的裘喀拉雪峰,我衣服上的紅色山羊,就是我們伯萊雅族的守護祖靈-斯拉。我們一族是斯拉的後裔,即使在冰天寒地的雪峰之上,我們的靈魂仍如斯拉的火焰熾熱強韌。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAeLfhYjPZTO
86Please respect copyright.PENANAxZJMWANvHN
「但在賽媞亞大陸上,許多的人類忌憚獸人的存在,甚至稱我們為『異族』,因為北方的伽諾教國對獸人的迫害,我們伯萊雅族不得不過著顛沛流離的生活,有許多族人像我一樣離開故鄉逃難到各地,才得以保全性命。」86Please respect copyright.PENANA5wgTyrOU0D
86Please respect copyright.PENANAiTBODSrdEG
「在這個村子,也有許多和我一樣受壓迫的獸人,以及和我們處境相似的人類,像菲莉的父母也是為了躲避戰禍,才跟著我們到處流浪,最後一起來到這裡建立村子。但她的媽媽在生下菲莉時難產而死,爸爸也在不久之後病逝,我看菲莉孤苦無依,便收留她跟我一起住。我認為獸人和人類本就不應該互相仇恨,而是要在這塊大地彼此扶持,共同生活下去。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAlvzA6BwBzd
86Please respect copyright.PENANAzaPOz1QOlD
說到此處,史萊恩看著菲莉的眼神因憐愛變得柔和,連同艾芙娜的神情也流露淡淡的哀傷。86Please respect copyright.PENANAQtahKMHmKj
86Please respect copyright.PENANADlzqxlYiWt
「嗯,雖然爸爸媽媽已經不在了,但是爺爺對我很好呢。」菲莉純真歡快的童言童語,聽在拿堤爾和艾芙娜耳裡卻有些悲傷。86Please respect copyright.PENANAUCPJgFUx9q
86Please respect copyright.PENANA4eFHOoxXjf
「史萊恩先生,我也有件事想告訴你。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAlps47Yq0Ji
86Please respect copyright.PENANAGEZoIrYWH3
像是下定了決心,拿堤爾緩緩解開頭上的頭巾。86Please respect copyright.PENANAKhjWuWP5UM
86Please respect copyright.PENANAWjM1rQSLPH
艾芙娜和史萊恩驚訝地看著解下頭巾後的拿堤爾,菲莉則好奇地問:「拿堤爾哥哥,長在你頭上的東西是什麼?」86Please respect copyright.PENANAho901tf9gF
86Please respect copyright.PENANA4V5SCbjGlq
拿堤爾的銀髮之間,隱約露出一對硬質的突起物,卻有著被切斷過的痕跡。86Please respect copyright.PENANA8fBeIsLirz
86Please respect copyright.PENANAujJEqjIHtw
「其實,我也是伯萊雅族。」拿堤爾緊握繡有紅山羊的頭巾,他專注的眼眸彷彿燃起了炙熱焰光,呼喚著在體內流淌的血脈。86Please respect copyright.PENANAgs2cHC4bhB
86Please respect copyright.PENANAE0vqY9o5Ks
「啊…拿堤爾先生,我怎麼沒注意到呢?原來你也是我們的族人…但你的角,怎麼會遭遇這種可怕的事呢?」86Please respect copyright.PENANAr4ZyjgBGYf
86Please respect copyright.PENANAyFQJ8krHMM
史萊恩的聲音沙啞地顫抖,他一眼就看出,拿堤爾頭上原本有著和他一樣的羊角。對伯萊雅族而言,那是繼承祖靈斯拉血脈的證明,失去了雙角,等同失去屬於伯萊雅族的象徵,比起死亡更令他們感到恐懼。86Please respect copyright.PENANAslFHitt52w
86Please respect copyright.PENANALzOHVkH1bw
「我的角,是被我爺爺砍斷的。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAZiNoq1AoI6
86Please respect copyright.PENANAKXycPKvgpT
第一次將這個傷痕袒露在外人面前,拿堤爾的語氣卻相當平靜,彷彿歲月的流逝撫平了過往的傷痛,反而史萊恩不敢置信地驚呼道:「怎麼會,你爺爺居然對自己的孫子做出這樣的事?」86Please respect copyright.PENANAlKbD3LSAbN
86Please respect copyright.PENANAYckvJWZEXP
「我的爺爺會這麼做,是迫於無奈。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAoddLCWPkXq
86Please respect copyright.PENANAVbwBWBW2M3
拿堤爾的表情更加凝重,接著說道:「我剛出生的時候,伯萊雅族被伽諾教國的軍隊襲擊,我的父母因此喪生,而爺爺為了保護我,便將我的雙角砍斷,把我偽裝成普通的人類嬰兒,請一名旅行商人帶我到安全的地方。之後爺爺僥倖從伽諾教國的追殺下逃走,保住性命的他,從旅行商人那裡把年幼的我接回來,我們祖孫倆最後逃到柏提德聯合公國,過著相依為命的生活,直到我的爺爺去逝……」86Please respect copyright.PENANAqI09hHR4nJ
86Please respect copyright.PENANA35YVXI8QUZ
「所以能遇到史萊恩先生,遇見和我同樣的伯萊雅族人,我真的非常高興,即使我已經失去了伯萊雅族的雙角,你可能看不起我這樣的殘缺之人。」拿堤爾的欣喜之情溢於言表,笑容卻也挾帶一絲苦澀。86Please respect copyright.PENANAUeQC4qLKlm
86Please respect copyright.PENANAhW2GeIqYIH
「唉,我怎麼可能看不起你,你的爺爺那麼做也是情有可原,在這世上還能遇見同族的人,我這老頭也感到欣慰啊。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAobAPH7h9kS
86Please respect copyright.PENANAa3tRfTD1Qj
史萊恩走到拿堤爾身旁,親暱地拍拍他的肩膀,熱切地說:「都是同族的人,你和艾芙娜小姐的事,就包在我身上吧,你們可以住在我這裡,吃的用的我都會準備好的。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAaVFmzzzhZT
86Please respect copyright.PENANAa2IamTEop5
「對啊,拿堤爾哥哥和艾芙娜姐姐就一直住在這裡,不要離開這個村子嘛。」菲莉興奮地如此提議,史萊恩搖頭說:「傻孩子,這不是妳說了算,也要看拿堤爾和艾芙娜小姐的意願呢。」86Please respect copyright.PENANA4QRGZgRFmC
86Please respect copyright.PENANAzSHRAlfFFE
「總之,兩位今晚就住在我這,我等等就幫你們準備房間。」86Please respect copyright.PENANAF6i9O7ylhD
86Please respect copyright.PENANAvEKliEoFwc
史萊恩的盛情讓拿堤爾感到暖心,他笑著說:「史萊恩先生,太謝謝你了,艾芙娜小姐應該沒問題吧。」86Please respect copyright.PENANArXGHUvD6Tl
86Please respect copyright.PENANA1xmyjR8kPp
艾芙娜沉默地點點頭,沉浸於喜悅中的拿堤爾,並沒有注意到艾芙娜看著自己的眼神,有了些許暖意。86Please respect copyright.PENANAxqFBDs2bvL