47Please respect copyright.PENANABxXLfZX27s
47Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4xBvtOjIA
47Please respect copyright.PENANAKwJ0Wi3wmp
47Please respect copyright.PENANAOufzuppYTZ
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1.347Please respect copyright.PENANAsczgrKz5wO
47Please respect copyright.PENANAFQdbgLdfpW
大概是四年前的事。47Please respect copyright.PENANApD2pOhKBBs
47Please respect copyright.PENANAo3GYvF5a4D
當風眼廷宣布開始進行針對鏡影的掃蕩行動時,大家只說城底區最近不太安全。當酒石教的教舍被一一摧毀後,教殿莫名其妙成了他們口中恐怖份子的根據地。最後,當黑幫和傭兵組織起了軍隊,就再也沒有人來得及從升降梯塔離開了。47Please respect copyright.PENANA4hN1JGl2qW
47Please respect copyright.PENANAyDbzKutqVD
那時候的城底區還有天空,雖然地面的氣氛已經處於劍拔弩張,不過這份恐怖之下的寧靜,卻反倒令迦桑迪亞依賴了起來。47Please respect copyright.PENANA8HEvA8nB9w
47Please respect copyright.PENANAo7t3LMzF26
偷懶時,她習慣來到這個隱密的天台,這裡三面都有更高的大樓作為遮掩,而正前方則剛好能看得見遠方的伸降梯塔,也幾乎瀏覽了整座城市。她會在這裡享受偷來的隨身聽,直到教舍的晚餐煮好。47Please respect copyright.PENANAmyN6vljhSL
47Please respect copyright.PENANAWyvAcpuAPn
47Please respect copyright.PENANAZkHbvH0Dbl
「這是碎酒杯的《籠內出口》?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAONGP3IIYLZ
47Please respect copyright.PENANA7HNCFwJywB
「呀!」背後突然傳來的聲音,令迦桑迪亞嚇得整個人都跳了起來,她這才發現自己的耳機沒有插好線。而回過頭看,竟然是那個人?「建!呃......建構師先生?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAQaTRh6kwSS
47Please respect copyright.PENANAtLmcbf6Q7B
那人輕輕笑了一聲。「妳可以叫我的名字,就跟大家一樣。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAxM0OkGPjmB
47Please respect copyright.PENANABjrExvde1S
她默默地深呼吸。「......朽空先生。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAtnIuqiSQdS
47Please respect copyright.PENANAQi59q3OmjC
「妳是迦桑迪亞?」47Please respect copyright.PENANABekqnLzRDy
47Please respect copyright.PENANAkUDDR0EscB
「哎?哎!怎麼......」47Please respect copyright.PENANAdGn3U1CtNL
47Please respect copyright.PENANABqU1cNJBTI
「艾法露茲跟我提到過,妳想成為建構師?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAjI12WPQDBV
47Please respect copyright.PENANAk9fi5MbVYB
小迦桑迪亞都快哭了出來。47Please respect copyright.PENANAgdbx27weNl
47Please respect copyright.PENANAbc4SKXL6J2
他來到她身邊,靠上同樣的欄桿。「這裡是個好地方。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAAlKLNZfya1
47Please respect copyright.PENANAl2aWbmYUGe
「嗯......」她點頭。「嗯,很安靜的地方。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAeLAD5EtMHU
47Please respect copyright.PENANAuAMOi0PrPn
在戰爭正式打響以前,她在城底區沒有聽過朽空這個人,但自從開始對這個職業感到憧憬後,就曾耳聞過在遙遠的風港那,存在著一名喪體者建構師,這可是前所未見的例子。47Please respect copyright.PENANA706j0hP2fl
47Please respect copyright.PENANAg8JsMySRC9
朽空的身材並不高大,掛著一件會令他看起來變得厚重的老舊灰色皮大衣,但只要行家都知道,那是跨越時代的好貨。其他部分也和喪體者差異甚大,手套、衣褲和靴子,即使同樣屬於灰黑色調,卻充滿了質感,不過最奇怪的地方,還是在於脖子以上。47Please respect copyright.PENANA3pEBg4wese
47Please respect copyright.PENANAWArn6hydlj
他沒有戴兜帽或任何遮掩用的布料,露出的是看起來與絀人無異的皮膚,甚至留著往後紮的深褐色髒辮。迦桑迪亞知道那是他自創的包覆材質,能令他隨心所欲地存在於凝燄的照耀下。47Please respect copyright.PENANAxAwS6ZlCsZ
47Please respect copyright.PENANANsxJOc1eQ2
但即使如此,卻仍堅持戴著一張樸素的霧面銀面具。平面與稜角,簡單、神秘。47Please respect copyright.PENANAKdeqQbuCuE
47Please respect copyright.PENANADZ6xYZM3SD
「朽空先生。」迦桑迪亞偷偷瞄著他。「我們......不能把整個身體都換成義體嗎?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAcmO7o8LJEc
47Please respect copyright.PENANAmtQ7qkee3V
她以為自己問了一個會被嘲笑或責罵的蠢問題,但朽空卻只是平靜地搖搖頭,彷彿已經對此回答過無數次。「喪體者的身體會鏽蝕任何接觸到的東西,在完成連接的義體上更為嚴重,而大腦是無法義體化的,即使全身汰換到只剩下大腦,頭部仍然會被鏽蝕,這很危險,就像是把鐵鏽從頭頂灌進去一樣。除了一種例外,妳對於席古粒子了解多少?」47Please respect copyright.PENANATBQ0E6zcXG
47Please respect copyright.PENANAQZshsGTU4S
「席古粒子?不多......我只知道所有的物質都由祂所組成。」當所有同伴都為了生存而扒竊食物時,只有迦桑迪亞一人窩在教舍裡研讀偷來的建構術論文。她開始回想自己整理過的筆記。「然後,范昂塔代碼則決定了型態,是請求席古粒子進行特質變換的祈禱文,一般來說約為五十到五千字元的符文章節,比如一單位的純水需要七十五個席古粒子進行聚合,但若是更動代碼中的幾個部分,則可影響污濁與清澈、冰涼與熾熱、沉重與輕浮。但是那嚴格來說就已經不是水了......」47Please respect copyright.PENANALm2KMCniOZ
47Please respect copyright.PENANAMeQXtHNf0w
意識到了自己的班門弄斧,迦桑迪亞的音量突然消失在半空之中。她緩緩把自己縮成了一小隻,如果這時候摘掉她的面具,應該能看到裡面在燃燒。47Please respect copyright.PENANAQL6UINjwTH
47Please respect copyright.PENANAOYPMRBWwoW
「很厲害,妳懂得比金鐺還多。」朽空和她四目相對,似乎希望她能繼續說下去。47Please respect copyright.PENANAHRcrU7bEU9
47Please respect copyright.PENANAYfOnyZJk8b
迦桑迪亞忍不住後退了一步。「......但也就只會說說而已,我甚至都沒親眼見過。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAn8vxj575JX
47Please respect copyright.PENANAlqyY6oKmVY
朽空看著她低垂的神情,於是他回過頭,轉向角落那一大堆廢棄傢具。「有什麼想要的東西嗎?」47Please respect copyright.PENANA0EmpVs57eJ
47Please respect copyright.PENANA3RN8DlMwBl
「哎?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAQNjZ74xt4A
47Please respect copyright.PENANAnX2v6Hg9Xs
「布娃娃、小洋裝、果汁或冰淇淋,什麼都可以。」47Please respect copyright.PENANABiSD2X7uyF
47Please respect copyright.PENANASKibcNaNGi
......怎麼會是這些東西?她只是矮了一點,那時可是已經十五歲了。但......「真的可以嗎?」她藏不住興奮的語氣。47Please respect copyright.PENANAhDUjWVcm8D
47Please respect copyright.PENANASLfWzGUIDQ
「當然。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAoWVPsSDJzk
47Please respect copyright.PENANARGr0KzYJOU
「那我......」她盯著朽空看,閃爍的目光裡似乎跑馬燈過許多物品。但當某樣東西閃過腦海的同時,表情卻一度梗塞,花了許久才重新又勉強起笑容。「那朽空先生,我想要面具。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAE6BvRWcM2O
47Please respect copyright.PENANATS6mFg71dZ
「面具?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAxdbdDzKYSf
47Please respect copyright.PENANAwAVzlu4IHe
她點點頭,雙手插在腰後扭捏著。「一張漂亮的面具。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAVUSPODkvEh
47Please respect copyright.PENANAwBwOPeOvTv
「好。」47Please respect copyright.PENANACwWDTXyCsU
47Please respect copyright.PENANAJFVWoYhcHC
他走向廢棄物,拉開了外套袖子,露出手腕上那顆藍色的寶石。47Please respect copyright.PENANAWsbJZoisay
47Please respect copyright.PENANAGVHaSxNym4
深藍色的三軸立體網格以藍寶石為基準擴張開來,範圍恰好包覆住地上那堆材料,位於其中的一切皆化為靜止,並略微透明。47Please respect copyright.PENANAMbs8Hd2MSi
47Please respect copyright.PENANABt92AW5Onq
接著,他進入建構模式。47Please respect copyright.PENANAFvfFKrrlTQ
47Please respect copyright.PENANAVP5kPPBMcf
每個建構師都有自己的行事風格,而他的話,習慣在第一步時就全數打碎。47Please respect copyright.PENANAJKzGEmcKUd
47Please respect copyright.PENANAhmbaBufhpY
他將所有材料全數退回至席古粒子的原始狀態,並繪製了一份面具的三維構造圖,同時設定好六種能夠構成透氣內襯的材質代碼,再把粒子安排進去。47Please respect copyright.PENANA6zLjnxkSj7
47Please respect copyright.PENANAMsU20hgZ5N
當其他的配件陸續添加上去後,他結束編輯模式,將網格收束回到寶石之中。47Please respect copyright.PENANAqgqxkbzHH1
47Please respect copyright.PENANAF7ycTk5Nf0
「妳先試戴看看,我再來微調尺寸。」他將成品放到迦桑迪亞手中。47Please respect copyright.PENANAzZA26nuWM1
47Please respect copyright.PENANApXL9QTOs4R
那是一張簡潔、修長,宛若少女小指的面具,表面像是包上了一層透光漆,滾著珍珠般圓潤的光澤。底面倒入了青與天藍兩種顏料,在水中隨著角度而迷幻。眼部是一抹如卷雲的亮藍色毛筆畫,右眼角落有顆星光。47Please respect copyright.PENANAzR3oPzx0A0
47Please respect copyright.PENANAa4QSuAx13g
「嘩......」她捧在手上,端詳了許久。「......好美!而且好輕!那一大堆東西呢?其它沒用到的都消失了嗎?還是說......消耗掉了?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAv6ho2Xsx63
47Please respect copyright.PENANAZk65xHsoL3
「正常情況中建構術沒有消耗材料的需要,真要說的話就是我們的體力和大腦吧?至於那些東西並沒有消失,消失的只有重量。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAe0kltur8iy
47Please respect copyright.PENANA2WpYzTetOX
「消失的重量?」迦桑迪亞歪頭。「這不是違反......」47Please respect copyright.PENANAI10DgxbFPP
47Please respect copyright.PENANAnQHwi1zx7M
「質量守恆,沒錯。」朽空點頭,然後搖頭。「但對這個物體來說,席古粒子的總數並沒有改變,是粒子在重量的特質上進化了,而能達成這種現象的就只會有一個原因,那就是粒子等級的升格。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAi1yZcsfXmV
47Please respect copyright.PENANAdjnPLeu5Yj
「升格?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAUL0nrzdIdL
47Please respect copyright.PENANAoXy7vd5h26
「第一次聽到吧?這是建構師之間的最高機密,千萬不能說出去。」他故作神秘地將食指靠上嘴前。「席古粒子有等級之分,這張面具整體來說仍有少部分是三級席古,就像所有的絀人和大多數可見的物品。至於其他主體,我設定的是二級席古的范昂塔代碼,同等的例子是鏽風。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAeT2DWMzJUY
47Please respect copyright.PENANAzI3orvUflJ
「這和鏽風是同樣的等級?」她驚呼出聲。「所以你能夠製造出鏽風?」47Please respect copyright.PENANA6tOCHbNNgg
47Please respect copyright.PENANASsgEDSjuNi
朽空搖搖頭。「目前不行,除非拿到鏽風的代碼。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAw6poVqN9Is
47Please respect copyright.PENANAc4RoxMzdny
「鏽風也有代碼?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAKUUkJqa4jy
47Please respect copyright.PENANAm3wOdhowrk
「所有的東西都有代碼。所以在我們建構師眼中,所有的東西都是平等而且悲觀的。」47Please respect copyright.PENANACtCp8fZSyB
47Please respect copyright.PENANAMA887r0rYO
「怎麼會?才不會呢!」迦桑迪亞將禮物緊緊抱進自己懷裡。「朽空先生!這張面具對我來說就是全艾路索立最棒的!」47Please respect copyright.PENANACo438ftOV7
47Please respect copyright.PENANAJdGFzRClQ5
朽空笑了笑,待女孩開心到一個段落以後,才繼續解釋。「至於我剛提到的例外,那就是一級席古。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAOIz2HO8QaR
47Please respect copyright.PENANAuDkOhQaGq9
迦桑迪亞再度歪頭。47Please respect copyright.PENANA3aoeC144pa
47Please respect copyright.PENANAA6iGg1U1G6
「一級席古,能與四級席古共存。」他拉開大衣,將領口拉至肩膀。「而我們喪體者,就是四級席古的生物。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAQWwspKpwel
47Please respect copyright.PENANAcMQG6q62w1
那是一條墨黑色充滿金屬感的義體手臂。47Please respect copyright.PENANA5VZOcZ7YJ4
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和她現在後腰裡的懸浮器同樣珍貴,也出自同一人之手。47Please respect copyright.PENANAb7S0Kg3AFF
47Please respect copyright.PENANAycfQGrDFhz
這段故事對迦桑迪亞而言,就像顆腐敗的糖果,放入嘴裡的瞬間是幸福,一旦多留戀一秒,便又成了永遠無法吐出的苦楚。47Please respect copyright.PENANAW97Dxiv1ln
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47Please respect copyright.PENANAlzoXGux9wE
雨下著,攤販的音樂和廣告看板持續播放著,迦桑迪亞一跛一跛地拖著逐漸失控的雙腿走著。 47Please respect copyright.PENANAWSckV0EP9A
47Please respect copyright.PENANAOF5stdiyVB
幾乎所有的義體技術都依靠一種名為凝燄的膠狀物質作為燃料。那是相當優秀的能源,支撐著整座艾路索立的運作,從升降梯塔、電車,甚至每塊招牌的霓虹燈。與其說喪體者透明的身軀會受城市的燈光所灼傷,準確點其實是焚於凝燄。47Please respect copyright.PENANAV7Usd8SrKL
47Please respect copyright.PENANAVHU8DTXkCU
因此常識上而言,他們是絕對無法安裝義體的。除了會造成鏽蝕以外,一旦發生故障或被破壞,直接接觸到外洩的凝燄,那與其說是燃燒,更像是直接熔解。47Please respect copyright.PENANALoOQ9nszvq
47Please respect copyright.PENANAau3IVSmREj
不過,最現實的原因,還是因為喪體者們無論有沒有加入酒石教,一律身處於貧窮的最底層,根本沒有能力負擔這種奢侈品。自從開始跟金鐺合作後,迦桑迪亞的凝燄都是由他提供的,而他也一直都給得很小氣。47Please respect copyright.PENANAEobVoug8TT
47Please respect copyright.PENANAIq0Tca682k
此時鋼瓶內的存量就要見底,別說是後腰上的懸浮器了,她甚至只能將旋鈕調節至最低,勉強讓膝蓋上的外骨骼維持在最低功率。47Please respect copyright.PENANAG9g0h0sLdN
47Please respect copyright.PENANACgcvFGt9TW
對了,要不是利用懸浮器的通訊纜線再做外接,身為喪體者的她甚至連控制外骨骼的能力都沒有。從遇見朽空開始直到現在,迦桑迪亞所糟蹋的每分每秒都能說是他賜予的。47Please respect copyright.PENANAaLzV8GHRRB
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而她卻背叛了他。47Please respect copyright.PENANAsuxHH6JIU8
47Please respect copyright.PENANAoiJ5DsxEsA
47Please respect copyright.PENANAks2qkJxufv
疲憊感像是濕黏的泥砂,從腦袋湧出,流滿了全身,對於平靜的渴望驅使著她繼續往人潮稀少的地方走去。她想要找處無人的角落,光是窩著休息一會也好。47Please respect copyright.PENANAciXqKOukQ8
47Please respect copyright.PENANA988QTbM9wp
轉進了大樓之間的窄縫,這是一條長度不到十公尺,寬度只夠她這樣纖瘦的女孩通過的幽谷深淵。街上的彩光從頭尾兩端狹射了進來,顯得刺眼,在正中央針鋒相對,夾困著一小塊不受侵擾的黑暗區域。她在那裡抱著膝,慢慢靠牆,終於能夠將一路跛著硬撐過來的雙腿暫先停擺下去。47Please respect copyright.PENANAwEHqS2QfIK
47Please respect copyright.PENANAP6NeFK8Ayv
但許久過去,街上眼花撩亂的霓虹燈光依舊,看似昏暗的窄巷卻更加吵鬧,音樂、吆喝、叫賣、腳步聲,冷氣機忽強忽弱的運轉、塑膠管裡的潺潺流水以及令人發麻的電流聲,全都被放大數百倍,她才慢慢想起,城核區裡根本不存在安靜的一隅。47Please respect copyright.PENANA5W9Qv6P5dj
47Please respect copyright.PENANAQdLpFl09iv
冷靜下來後,迦桑迪亞終於明白自己為何會來到這裡。47Please respect copyright.PENANATwE2Ila0nN
47Please respect copyright.PENANArVtO4eGvjr
即使事到如今,她仍可悲地認為這裡就是避風港,就是她的歸屬。47Please respect copyright.PENANAAdD1Xu0cfP
47Please respect copyright.PENANA2mcFiu2U5N
47Please respect copyright.PENANAahpvStc2Sh
緊抓著牆上突出的鋼筋,迦桑迪亞硬把自己沉重的雙腿撐了起來。面對一旁狹長陡峭的牆外鐵梯,她以雙手緊抓著欄桿,一階一階地踩著鋼板,吃力地將自己與背包以及沉重的雙腿給硬拉上去。47Please respect copyright.PENANAJgGo4lxtE0
47Please respect copyright.PENANAhxrqJV5Y67
走過半,視野裡能夠看到燈火闌珊的伸降梯塔,仍屹立不搖地貫通上下。雨絲濃密得彷彿迷霧,五光十色的霓虹燈光卻不像星空,而是深海裡詭異的點點螢光。那一大堆的鋼鐵方塊,每處都正在猙獰咆哮。47Please respect copyright.PENANAKMuhx82t5o
47Please respect copyright.PENANAsM0ghmUwLK
往下看去,城核區的五區車站口被圍觀的群眾堵得水洩不通,最近風眼廷偷偷利用伸降梯塔,從風港的頂端運送軍備下到城底區。但即使不說流出的消息,光那聲響就不可能瞞得住誰。47Please respect copyright.PENANAsSSy4sqAf2
47Please respect copyright.PENANAwkx287vtjL
戰爭還沒結束,誰都明白這點。
47Please respect copyright.PENANAoBuEkrGeHd
47Please respect copyright.PENANAfjMTVPAouu
休息過後,迦桑迪亞繼續向上層邁進。花了彷彿一輩子那麼久才終於踏上到頂樓時,探頭一看的瞬間,她似乎聽見了自己心裡有什麼東西碎掉的聲音。47Please respect copyright.PENANACtBUyUUjMZ
47Please respect copyright.PENANARLYk6TIZGP
艾法露茲帶著大家逃離城底區的那一天,他們數十人利用酒石教的密道,在經歷軍隊的追捕下,成了最後一批成功叛逃的孩子。而首先,就是選在這裡偷偷搭建起了鐵皮屋當作臨時的據點。原先是這麼打算的,但他們很快地就意識到,相比城底區的貧民窟而言,這裡的環境簡直無法再更好。這裡有水有電,沒有幫派和仇視酒石教的偏激分子......至少那時候還沒有。47Please respect copyright.PENANAGrsL8xg10w
47Please respect copyright.PENANAW69jcQEhAS
迦桑迪亞在這有一張屬於自己的床,現在還留著,她的被單、枕頭、衣櫃和一張小書桌。事實上,這裡幾乎全部的傢具和設備,都是當時就已經身為建構師的她所打造的。47Please respect copyright.PENANAqtYlFPWTlw
47Please respect copyright.PENANANTN30CV7VG
她曾經是那無可取代的成員。47Please respect copyright.PENANAr8dKSxSXF7
47Please respect copyright.PENANAfKa7zwRb4r
但現在,他們全部都被取代了。47Please respect copyright.PENANAetYEKzDrZF
47Please respect copyright.PENANAx1B5gbOu4k
金鐺沒有騙人,這裡的確明顯發生過一場屠殺,打鬥與破壞的痕跡正大光明地保留了下來,四處濺灑的血跡說不定都還是濕的。但如果撇除掉這些的話,卻還是原本的那個樣子,和她離開以前的印象並沒有相差太遠。47Please respect copyright.PENANADkXRZBnHh0
47Please respect copyright.PENANAUauqgyoG1u
不過住的人卻不同了。47Please respect copyright.PENANACLAIc6ysJB
47Please respect copyright.PENANAzC5OyaJLug
看上去彼此間都互不熟識的流浪漢們各據一角,曾經的廚房、客廳、浴室,還有迦桑迪亞自己的床墊上。47Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1THW2Lktx
47Please respect copyright.PENANAOFrDklRYck
幾個人和她對上了眼,投來強烈的敵意。47Please respect copyright.PENANAgviXigVIzA
47Please respect copyright.PENANAz5qhzNLVtH
「滾吧,這裡沒妳的位置。」47Please respect copyright.PENANARS4eGTclIa
47Please respect copyright.PENANApwdOTDPvRn
「那裡就是我的位子。」迦桑迪亞一跛一跛地朝自己的床鋪走去。「還給我。」47Please respect copyright.PENANADsjbbVT5Wd
47Please respect copyright.PENANAiN86pY1ad2
「喪體者?信不信我把妳衣服給脫了?剛好燒來取暖?」對方從一旁抓來了一根扭曲的鋼筋。47Please respect copyright.PENANAglmaUmsnEU
47Please respect copyright.PENANAzUDjv5OebB
「你的燈夠亮嗎?」迦桑迪亞完全沒有將腳步放慢。「你知道喪體者不是一見光就會直接起火燃燒的嗎?如果光照不夠強大,我們只會泛出紅光,雖然身體正被灼燒著、被破壞著,但同時也獲得了可怕的力量。和火災怪力不同,那不是我們自己存有的,而是被你們所灌溉的。如何?想嚐嚐看嗎?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAfolWTqVeu9
47Please respect copyright.PENANAKBUOocQRpT
流浪漢搖搖頭,他丟掉手中的武器,但卻一個字也不敢說。47Please respect copyright.PENANAPFQEzVOvL8
47Please respect copyright.PENANAHngmlagPv6
「可以還我了嗎?」47Please respect copyright.PENANA7Xa9WFKbLi
47Please respect copyright.PENANAP3tx4KZfAT
他嗚了一聲,狼狽往旁滾下床,面目猙獰地逃走。47Please respect copyright.PENANABGiC9Utfoa
47Please respect copyright.PENANA8PSkNV9App
迦桑迪亞又回頭環顧整間鐵皮屋。「我說!這裡!全部!都是我的!」47Please respect copyright.PENANAtZmI9TSO0y
47Please respect copyright.PENANACKrLsR6gv9
一陣逃竄之後,這才終於乾淨。47Please respect copyright.PENANAFXynclOurA
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除了......47Please respect copyright.PENANAoSvLAcShij
47Please respect copyright.PENANAYr1FHrQgoU
「那如果我就不走呢?妳會對我做什麼?」對視了許久後,還有個人仍坐在貨架前,毫不在意地說。47Please respect copyright.PENANAPegb9sjNVh
47Please respect copyright.PENANAy45lQyIKE4
迦桑迪亞看著他,猜測是個中年男子,裹著黑斗篷,戴著一張纏布面具。嗓音有某種詭異的突兀感,與那破舊的外表不太相符。「喪體者的話,我會把你當作是客人。」疲累與不想多惹事的心態,使她決定停止與那人的交集,刻意別過了臉後,她開始著手整理自己的床鋪。47Please respect copyright.PENANA5M0XDida0A
47Please respect copyright.PENANA0VH549ReUc
「最近晚上在風港飛的人就是妳吧?」那人接著說道。「在整個艾路索立,只有兩種東西會飛。一種是雲族做的東西,比如風眼廷。另一種是那位名為朽空的建構師所打造的機械,比如妳腰上的懸浮器,或者是--止風者。」47Please respect copyright.PENANA14MQxtE99e
47Please respect copyright.PENANAgbZ6lXbd3t
迦桑迪亞停下了動作,完全不敢看向對方。
47Please respect copyright.PENANAwisXOc9kQM
「我知道妳需要工作,我這裡剛好有一份工作。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAAteFOq8qrH
47Please respect copyright.PENANAc7jN6sgw2C
「......你到底是誰?」她害怕得縮起了身子。47Please respect copyright.PENANAfuaw2nzmhO
47Please respect copyright.PENANAGGOm04wwcZ
「我也知道妳渴望贖罪。而我這裡也剛好能給妳一個機會。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAv8XF9RSwZB
47Please respect copyright.PENANAyTYShvVVD7
「我不會上你的當。」迦桑迪亞又後退了一步。「收入和贖罪?這對任何一個喪體者都適用。別裝神弄鬼了,你對我根本一無所知。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAxnzxepYsx7
47Please respect copyright.PENANATpplwkwanz
「十二歲以前,妳的名字叫做拉貝,在星潭人的語言裡,意思是烏鴉,涵義是反哺。妳以為自己出生城底區,然實際上卻是星潭人。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAdui6cFjWdu
47Please respect copyright.PENANASsks59bAWT
城底區是艾路索立的最底端,人們是這麼認為的。但包括迦桑迪亞在內,少數幾個幸運的孩子還是能從老者口中聽過這個故事。47Please respect copyright.PENANAXgrxzPiQwr
47Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9DbXEOWjb
或許陰錯陽差,或許刻意為之,在一場平凡不過的挖掘工事當中,有人不小心打通了探往地底的狹長窄道,那段被後人稱之為「風止咽喉」,意思是,鏽風無法通過那裡。47Please respect copyright.PENANAfpr8v0F7MO
47Please respect copyright.PENANADWXTxtPmT4
窄道的末端是一處巨大寬廣的石造廳堂,廳堂內有扇石門,石門後是深邃靜謐的岩洞,巨大的古樹盤根錯節,清澈的潭水映照著銀河般的星點。艾路索立的文明無法觸及到那,人類的足跡卻繁榮一時,就在遠古的時代。47Please respect copyright.PENANAooTZwB3Tgs
47Please respect copyright.PENANAihzfMhAeil
而在那之後,風眼廷不出所料地下了命令,把所有通往星潭的入口封閉,火藥聲震耳欲聾,坍方了牢籠的隙縫。從此再也沒有聽聞星潭的消息。47Please respect copyright.PENANAdqnEN4knf3
47Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZIUNq5PZy
這些是沒什麼問題,問題是......47Please respect copyright.PENANAwpm315nP6E
47Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6dApTWY2g
「星潭人?那是什麼?」迦桑迪亞不小心笑了出來。「烏鴉?烏......」她頓時背脊寒顫,想起了酒石給她的那首預言。套上鍊圈的烏鴉......47Please respect copyright.PENANAuXiDmMvLft
47Please respect copyright.PENANAMbKKWqedm1
「十二歲,妳加入了酒石教,一位經營古物鋪的麥樂絲太太給了妳迦桑迪亞這個名字。她後來成了妳的監護者與教舍長,也是在日蝕之戰時違抗命令替你們打開逃生密道的人。」47Please respect copyright.PENANALqqTshxeCK
47Please respect copyright.PENANAKT2baYskKb
面具下,迦桑迪亞瞪著他。「......好。你和我們之中的某人成為了朋友?某個大嘴巴嗎?是普特恩還是利利瓦多?或者是更糟的?你抓到我們其中之一,然後逼供?拷問?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAc7SpkxUC8h
47Please respect copyright.PENANAELh4kRTMGA
「十五歲,妳成了有史以來最年輕的建構師,在戰爭前期,一人支撐起了革命軍大半的義體工程。那時候能安裝義體的都是主力部隊,可以說妳幾乎是風眼廷最急迫處理的目標之一。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAJKpWItR5k7
47Please respect copyright.PENANAzKEofDA2dz
她的呼吸變得沉重。「嗯哼......所以你是風眼廷的人?來抓我的?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAD4YRmYAwOx
47Please respect copyright.PENANAvvkdak6OcY
「十七歲,逃來城核區並已經安頓好的妳,開始沉迷起堤拉米花園,而接著,就把自己賣給了皮偶館。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAdvsMB89QQY
47Please respect copyright.PENANAuQnLJjjr3G
「好了!夠了!閉嘴!」她憎恨著眼前這來路不明的危險人物。47Please respect copyright.PENANAqe1yugIPtR
47Please respect copyright.PENANAHdmkWtoHvf
即使在接待業中,堤拉米花園也是相當特殊的存在。那裡的公關清一色都是中年男子,來客則大多都是未成年的女性,尋求一種帶有扭曲親情的慰藉,和即使虛假但仍遠遠豐沛於街頭上的安全感。47Please respect copyright.PENANAUGtXJMosaA
47Please respect copyright.PENANAK6zelbgEgs
初次踏入那時,有個人對迦桑迪亞說,她看起來就像個逃出城堡的小公主,連身上的洋裝都還來不及換下,好不容易來到了這處湖泊想喘口氣、喝口水,但看著平靜的湖面,卻只敢以腳尖輕踮。47Please respect copyright.PENANAVfy362UwuF
47Please respect copyright.PENANALTAJ0fOtcE
他說,這裡的湖水很清涼,妳會愛上的,接著就牽起了她的手。47Please respect copyright.PENANAQRhpMFGIS1
47Please respect copyright.PENANAkBpWMMKmt8
於是迦桑迪亞就這麼溺斃了。47Please respect copyright.PENANAhh08muUChW
47Please respect copyright.PENANAvkOfA4K3fO
她當然知道不能這樣,但又有什麼辦法呢?她需要人陪,不然會寂寞死的。47Please respect copyright.PENANAqvd6MYzvRa
47Please respect copyright.PENANADYrmxSzOEi
何況,當初艾法露茲是這麼對她說的:「扣除掉生活所需後,剩下的再交給麥樂絲太太就好了,而來堤拉米呢,本來就是為了活下去所必需的。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAbAi3QTBniP
47Please respect copyright.PENANAmJ9qRwgDZm
雖然在那天以後,艾法露茲自己就再也沒有去過了。47Please respect copyright.PENANAo0ayPSUtFn
47Please respect copyright.PENANAK8OITZEKea
後來,勞動的工作已經支撐不起迦桑迪亞的花費,她便順著其他幾位公關的安排,把自己關進皮偶館的地下暗房裡。她以為那裡就是最後一站了,反正其實也沒什麼特別,有一大部分的喪體者女孩來到城核區後都是這麼總結掉一生的,更別說那時正逢戰爭末期,沒有提早被炸得粉碎,還能過上花天酒地的生活......她覺得真是有夠適合犯賤的自己。47Please respect copyright.PENANAyk1Jdkrb9U
47Please respect copyright.PENANAMk0nX3yOPu
直到艾法露茲甩了她一巴掌,硬是把她拉到金鐺面前。47Please respect copyright.PENANAaEgj33g0OB
47Please respect copyright.PENANAxZ45vrP6f3
現在想想,那或許真是自己走過最錯誤的一步。47Please respect copyright.PENANA81P6ic39yy
47Please respect copyright.PENANAbHRcS5xIQ4
「你以為這件事能讓我感到羞恥?如果是想激怒我,那可就做錯了。」迦桑迪亞終於走向前,向那人逼近。「我後悔的是把自己賣給金鐺,我後悔受道德觀的束縛而毀了自己。你看我,已經是半個殘廢了,」她拉開斗篷,露出如捕獸夾般禁錮在長褲上的外骨骼。「那些當初說為我好的人,現在全都不要我了!」47Please respect copyright.PENANALBGhcOeS9Z
47Please respect copyright.PENANAx1YmeKYqCp
她把鋼瓶的旋扭轉至最大,外骨骼發出垂老瀕死的哮喘聲,以駭人、搖晃、粗魯的動作拖著迦桑迪亞前進。47Please respect copyright.PENANAw9I1msTJOs
47Please respect copyright.PENANAlDncRLMUu4
但那雙纖細的腿,卻是那麼地脆弱,讓人相信只要再多踩下一步,就會被那巨大的怨念所壓碎。47Please respect copyright.PENANAKJdisgFsvN
47Please respect copyright.PENANAowt8SBuJob
「我不知道你到底是誰,但我對你一點興趣也沒有。和你不同,你對我感到好奇,所以調查我的過去,而可惜,你不知道的事可還多著呢?」47Please respect copyright.PENANA3BPXGHohbR
47Please respect copyright.PENANAHGyvqKGpqf
那人卻仍像顆石頭,寒風吹拂著草動,唯他死若枯槁。「......例如?」47Please respect copyright.PENANArgbtZc5Gsu
47Please respect copyright.PENANAbGdNilSGMo
「想知道?」迦桑迪亞伸手進到兜帽裡,從領口下抽出一條繫著綠色寶石的項鍊。「好,我表演給你看,有什麼想要的東西嗎?」當寶石貼上一旁雜物堆的同時,天青色的立體網格迅速擴展了開來。「一份嘲笑?玩弄?還是能看見我究竟有多可悲的理由?一顆子彈?」47Please respect copyright.PENANA9CETT7aNin
47Please respect copyright.PENANAScOCRTjpdj
網格裡,迦桑迪亞叫出了一份肩部義體設計圖,從中將隱藏式的榴彈發射器部件特地分割出來。接著,她在作為材料的雜物堆裡迅速鎖定幾種材質,將他們裁切過後編入藍圖的框架裡面。最後,她將瓦斯桶如煙火那般爆破開來,瞬間凝滯又瞬間聚合,做成一顆砲彈。47Please respect copyright.PENANAsYiYyDdRm7
47Please respect copyright.PENANAZZxONRJ5qY
當網格收束回到寶石裡時,她的手中同時也握著一把簡易的手銃。47Please respect copyright.PENANAP4D7RSuIyd
47Please respect copyright.PENANAT3g4wY6Ogr
雖然簡易,卻作工精細。47Please respect copyright.PENANA6s7J20t9Rx
47Please respect copyright.PENANABdb0949eFK
「我不只是負責修東西的。」迦桑迪亞將砲口抵住對方的胸口。「我出生就是喪體者,不代表我沒殺過人。」但在突然之間,她卻停了下來。47Please respect copyright.PENANAbLUgPdBa77
47Please respect copyright.PENANAfFAOhzKF10
那人從頭到尾,就只是靜靜地看著她。47Please respect copyright.PENANApFZJQZh8sM
47Please respect copyright.PENANAqvwJthbmfz
「我......」發射器從迦桑迪亞的手中滑落。「我殺了他......那天是我......」47Please respect copyright.PENANAvf9URDS4sl
47Please respect copyright.PENANAUzBA5V0EPq
外骨骼上的能源燈熄滅,凝燄終於耗盡,迦桑迪亞那脆弱的身子垮落一地。47Please respect copyright.PENANAAXREJcmBnN
47Please respect copyright.PENANAIAKwg1kOM0
取而代之的,那男人這時站了起來。47Please respect copyright.PENANAh4vXnusaCO
47Please respect copyright.PENANA3UHkyKQlWA
「那如果我告訴妳他並沒有死呢?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAIsXuPeBYLa
47Please respect copyright.PENANAnTGpy9Nyon
迦桑迪亞驟停了哭泣。她愣愣抬起頭,看見了從男人簡陋的斗篷底下,露出黑底紅綴的義體四肢。「......你不是喪體者?那為什麼戴著面具?等等--」她握緊拳頭,用力按住胸口,底下是急促的怦動。「朽空......沒有死?」47Please respect copyright.PENANA6vGhuFPjaG
47Please respect copyright.PENANAtnTsl8Y23p
「至少在我離開以前還沒。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAaPAgF7VOs8
47Please respect copyright.PENANAcaeFUSz68B
「離開?離開哪裡?這怎麼可能?」迦桑迪亞一想起,便又緊縮了纖瘦的雙肩。「......我對準他的心臟,扣下扳機的。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAv8TiHGpDUt
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「圓頭彈?那並不足夠穿破他的人造皮膚。」他說,而她猛然抬起頭。他便又繼續說。「他被關在一間吊滿油燈的牢房,沒有上銬,因為全身八成左右都癱瘓了,就像不久後的妳一樣。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAf03eSmjtXq
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「所以!到底在哪裡?」47Please respect copyright.PENANAJINKjXyS9W
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男人沒有直接給出答案。他從斗篷下拿出幾顆凝燄鋼瓶。「妳自己選擇吧?如果願意幫我的忙,那這份就是微薄的訂金。視進度而言,妳可以拿到很多很多。」47Please respect copyright.PENANAWchpAFp1TU
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