27Please respect copyright.PENANAA0ePoDaDlH
克里斯反手持劍,像射標槍那樣用力投射而出。27Please respect copyright.PENANAWleIhvq5Wz
27Please respect copyright.PENANAVJ8I6BwKDR
他射飛刀的技術不怎麼樣,但這次運氣似乎不錯。27Please respect copyright.PENANAoUwjQmY6dL
27Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZxpSw07hJ
遠處一人慘叫一聲倒下,那劍擦過他的腿釘入地面,讓他踉蹌倒地。克里斯順著他們留下的繩索溜下草地,拔足狂追。27Please respect copyright.PENANARZfWO8rRi0
27Please respect copyright.PENANA0BSEJh8mwe
一人原本努力地試圖拯救倒地不起的夥伴,可一看見身後追來的男人,頓時慌得轉身就逃。27Please respect copyright.PENANAUhUcHcYikH
27Please respect copyright.PENANAcmhyoTjMqB
克里斯很快追上他,他抄起自己釘在地上的劍,幾大步趕上黑衣人身側,躍起一腳後踢,那男人奔跑間猝不及防,被這當胸一腳踢得往後跌飛出去。27Please respect copyright.PENANAdsYZ4rOosn
27Please respect copyright.PENANAXr19QvxfAa
然而克里斯沒再理他,繼續追趕前方的匪徒。27Please respect copyright.PENANAJNPdZHAHcb
27Please respect copyright.PENANAgjvMMiNYIz
察覺趕來的威脅,有兩個人停下腳步,轉身抽劍面對克里斯。這兩人都比他身材高大、壯碩許多,看架式就知道不是外行人。27Please respect copyright.PENANAf5lzgCekZj
27Please respect copyright.PENANA66mMA5LMCj
克里斯沒停下腳步,藉著速度一劍往前猛刺出,一人舉劍格擋,但被克里斯往前衝的勢子逼退幾步。克里斯一劍接著一劍,施展他得意的突刺,迅速且凌厲地逼退對手。27Please respect copyright.PENANAtJ0aFefy0R
27Please respect copyright.PENANA4isBekukwA
27Please respect copyright.PENANAwdt96JtWem
另一人立刻拔劍衝上前想來助陣,可克里斯卻突然迴身一肘重重擊向衝來的那人,他機警地往後退,想待克里斯這一擊失利,重整旗鼓再追擊。27Please respect copyright.PENANA0jY3nRoNqP
27Please respect copyright.PENANAHUfwEe7zYS
但克里斯這一招並非臨時起意。他故技重施,再次單腳轉身,劍從脅下刺出,追擊往後退避的男人。27Please respect copyright.PENANA6tjgCE8Jjt
27Please respect copyright.PENANA8I70H57DGr
對方被這迅捷的連續追擊逼退幾步,待他回過神來,以為會面臨更加險厲的攻勢,誰知克里斯根本不理會他們。27Please respect copyright.PENANAsNFjKGh5vB
27Please respect copyright.PENANAEyfg9codOa
逼退嘍囉後,他絲毫不放鬆地繼續往前追。27Please respect copyright.PENANAAbxacU7qmf
27Please respect copyright.PENANAmfcjHm9P2B
克里斯清楚在這裡和小人物纏鬥一點意義也沒有,這群人明顯以跑在最前頭、披著短斗篷的身影為首,抓住那傢伙才是最重要的。27Please respect copyright.PENANAtsWHVHUfzF
27Please respect copyright.PENANABXJuMEdkbU
又一人前來阻截他的腳步,對方也是劍術高手,兩人一時間打得難分難解。27Please respect copyright.PENANAxsCgUUIsJt
27Please respect copyright.PENANA7ydGJAUTk3
那劍客腳步小且靈敏,節節逼近克里斯,克里斯舉劍還擊,劍身從側面拍開對手的,順著手肘上挑,直刺脖頸要害。27Please respect copyright.PENANAzREUxqqree
27Please respect copyright.PENANA7FZfebsZ4h
男人以最小的幅度避了開去,右腳一跨再次逼近克里斯,克里斯順勢側身,然腳退到一半突然頓止,左手肘往前撞去,直擊對方右肩。27Please respect copyright.PENANAochNawZpHk
27Please respect copyright.PENANAKCN2qHkSTk
他若得手本可以令對手棄劍。可劍客經驗豐富,憑直覺避過了這危險。27Please respect copyright.PENANA1JMLRtEwNq
27Please respect copyright.PENANAk6njtXpFLB
就在這時,先前被克里斯甩掉的一人追了過來,加入戰局。27Please respect copyright.PENANAfIQ1jdUxXz
27Please respect copyright.PENANARNLmdNFTnZ
他向克里斯刺的劍雖被輕易擋下,可那名劍客已趁機上前,面對兩人圍攻,克里斯一時左支右絀。27Please respect copyright.PENANAzB5rLK7ytq
27Please respect copyright.PENANAvNHAE5fm1C
突然一聲槍響,克里斯左手邊那男人慘叫一聲倒地,捂著右肩指間滲出鮮血。27Please respect copyright.PENANAFHVMI4iFF8
27Please respect copyright.PENANAUzkkZ7cNCd
在場幾人全都一怔,克里斯最快回過神,一手抓住面前劍客的手反扭,就要將他的劍奪下。27Please respect copyright.PENANAsuTNIdqR54
27Please respect copyright.PENANAmmhWNNKfLw
戰鬥本能瞬間凌駕於驚訝之上,劍客當機立斷鬆手棄劍,左手卻猛然往克里斯左肩伸去,隨即右臂往前一扯。27Please respect copyright.PENANAhC05S7sncO
27Please respect copyright.PENANAN21ot97DQb
克里斯早料到對方會來這一招,他沒和對手硬碰,順勢前踏,身體壓低、右手丟下劍從那人腰下鑽過,腳一跨上半身一使力,左手再扣住對方肩膀,一下把人扳倒在地後,隨即轉身追向已趁機跑出一段距離的兩人。27Please respect copyright.PENANAa1ZaNWV8iK
27Please respect copyright.PENANADwmgNxpOo6
跌倒的那人從地上爬起來,抓了劍就想再阻止克里斯,可兩道槍聲響起,一槍擊中他膝間,一槍打在肩胛。那人哀嚎著倒地。27Please respect copyright.PENANA7ruwfu9F0h
27Please respect copyright.PENANAGul7zE8abr
克里斯多福毫不理會身後發生的事,他專注地追趕眼前僅剩的兩人。27Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9PoisXL25
27Please respect copyright.PENANAfixCUcZMdt
突然一人停下,轉身一腳朝他踹來。27Please respect copyright.PENANAkMaS7qrMnd
27Please respect copyright.PENANAWxhG9Ni34k
克里斯連忙舉臂擋在面前,豈料衝擊並未發生,正要放下手臂時,迎面一把粉塵朝他灑了過來,他被嗆了一口,難受地咳嗽,眼睛也刺得直流淚。27Please respect copyright.PENANAc0jRvKSi1I
27Please respect copyright.PENANAsJEHD035UG
又是三道槍聲響起。27Please respect copyright.PENANAWkvczyVdJT
27Please respect copyright.PENANAdgvyVjR51U
他聽見一道悶哼,顧不了眼睛無法視物,忙往聲音傳來的方向追,衝進煙霧裡。27Please respect copyright.PENANAyoQa04ZeER
27Please respect copyright.PENANAtl8rxvlblH
他伸出手胡亂一揮,碰到了個東西就死命抓住。他聽見一聲咒罵,接著是一到布帛撕裂聲。27Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5y7czEN5h
27Please respect copyright.PENANAtx9MgnOkLS
前方拉扯的重量忽然消失,克里斯猛地往後跌,大喘著氣坐在地上,煙霧緩緩散去,他看清了手上抓著的只是隻黑色的外套袖子,氣餒地將它丟在地上。27Please respect copyright.PENANAMGHf7p33EM
27Please respect copyright.PENANASccbSIxikd
「克里斯!」身後熟悉的聲音接近,克里斯回頭,眼睛仍在流淚,但從矇矓間他認出那是卡萊爾。27Please respect copyright.PENANAme2DM9vrcO
27Please respect copyright.PENANAN1dbkG6rcP
「他們跑了!」克里斯挫敗地大吼。「該死的!」27Please respect copyright.PENANA4tLjyZG94P
27Please respect copyright.PENANAk321sO45gu
「我看到了。」卡萊爾聳聳肩,走到他面前聞聞空氣,「嗯,癢粉。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAOcHmpDjlTl
27Please respect copyright.PENANAVxJZbD37SY
「什麼?」克里斯邊用袖子擦拭眼淚和不斷打噴嚏的鼻子,口齒不清的問。27Please respect copyright.PENANAMdhmkt2ojU
27Please respect copyright.PENANAGVUCqleGog
「一種能讓人流淚打噴嚏的粉末,通常是我們惡作劇拿來用的。」卡萊爾回答,在他面前的草地上來回走動,突然彎腰撿起什麼。27Please respect copyright.PENANAiHKuzJJonh
27Please respect copyright.PENANAbk79nGJmFm
「那是什麼?」克里斯問。27Please respect copyright.PENANAmsI39KSwOA
27Please respect copyright.PENANAjCli9brCPb
「一張小紙片。」卡萊爾說,看著那上面簡陋的圖案蹙起了眉,「這是什麼東西,豎豎橫橫的?」27Please respect copyright.PENANA5QKpusfuQp
27Please respect copyright.PENANAOVi3LEBeP4
「讓我看看。」克里斯說著就要伸出手,可途如其來的一連串噴嚏又讓他彎下了腰。27Please respect copyright.PENANAiNkcCBdgw8
27Please respect copyright.PENANASVYQHSu4Tm
「我想還是等等吧。」少年說。過去攙著男人往回走。27Please respect copyright.PENANA798ontYJdS
27Please respect copyright.PENANAHX5oQI8WnQ
「這些傢伙到底來幹什麼的?」待咳嗽稍緩,克里斯才又開口,「希望答案能從他們留下的黨羽口中知道。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAeKp2VUf5eP
27Please respect copyright.PENANA806fGF0j1Q
「……我想可能有點難。」27Please respect copyright.PENANARDjex13N3d
27Please respect copyright.PENANAfp3JKNypoQ
「為什麼?」27Please respect copyright.PENANAg8A83L6Wz2
27Please respect copyright.PENANAgXJTV9IKI1
「因為他們全都死了。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAqMrtshioCf
27Please respect copyright.PENANAxqBWaoF7R1
突如其來的聲音讓克里斯停下腳步,「你說什麼,奧斯頓?」27Please respect copyright.PENANAXoZKoKFIQJ
27Please respect copyright.PENANAroMcnpnu2Z
但奧斯頓沒回答他弟弟的問題,他穿著睡袍站在那,手裡拿著一把長槍,站在他身後的僕人還抱著三把,他意外地瞪著克里斯狼狽的臉。27Please respect copyright.PENANA8zS1GU9ep9
27Please respect copyright.PENANAqOWPkBIc5u
「你還真是……嗯,精彩萬分,我的弟弟。」奧斯頓謹慎地選擇他的措辭。27Please respect copyright.PENANAzKAa8JMFDz
27Please respect copyright.PENANAWkGimOAXyc
「這不是重點!」克里斯說,但卡萊爾明顯看到他氣紅了臉。27Please respect copyright.PENANAo9AYVrTOGt
27Please respect copyright.PENANAX229FlIOmx
「他說的對。」少年第一次開口幫奧斯頓說話,「那些傢伙全都死了,服毒自殺,我們來不及阻止,他們都是死士。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAnRxYVaDeQI
27Please respect copyright.PENANAR0FRlssEee
「死士?什麼事情會讓這樣的人闖進我們家?」27Please respect copyright.PENANA5lh4fvkYFx
27Please respect copyright.PENANAnHKbPY3ZRE
「哦,我相信這就是接下來要查清楚的。」奧斯頓聳肩,把手上的槍交給僕人。27Please respect copyright.PENANAKUFFUnuZO1
27Please respect copyright.PENANA0NrLXduw5w
27Please respect copyright.PENANA6GDYltCYQz
27Please respect copyright.PENANATY86jRh5eL
27Please respect copyright.PENANAef1g2zJCkQ
27Please respect copyright.PENANAuvFwUuFHbv
他們回到宅邸,克里斯不願休息,幾人便到二樓的沙龍去。27Please respect copyright.PENANAqweYRU8jKC
27Please respect copyright.PENANA3ejcWDmsS5
其他人也被這場深夜裡的打鬥驚醒,不過老侯爵命令大家不准驚慌,因此沒有人出來看熱鬧。他讓查爾斯處理一切,自己則絲毫不過問。27Please respect copyright.PENANAx0AulTDhLB
27Please respect copyright.PENANAKzsqNAW7c3
卡萊爾對此總覺得奇怪,老侯爵的表現太過平靜了要不是他對所發生的一切毫不關心,就是他其實對此並不意外。27Please respect copyright.PENANAfpanaf2qQn
27Please respect copyright.PENANAmVJT9TUn6l
「死的那幾個人有一個是家裡的僕人。」奧斯頓說。這時,查爾斯拿來一盆熱水讓克里斯擦去臉上殘餘的粉末,它已經開始令人發癢。27Please respect copyright.PENANAx7gAK4UCwu
27Please respect copyright.PENANAIQl3S6Loco
「那傢伙才來不到兩個月,沒有窗戶或其他地方的鑰匙。」27Please respect copyright.PENANA113jE6coEP
27Please respect copyright.PENANAZVw5AloMxg
克里斯用牛奶漱了幾次口,才終於讓咳嗽停下來。「這解釋了他們為什麼有內應,卻還是得用打草驚蛇的辦法行動。」27Please respect copyright.PENANA64Jf6arSXW
27Please respect copyright.PENANAa1WXVF6Bya
說完,他起身檢查僕人搬進來的一具屍體。27Please respect copyright.PENANAPpLXLheU4S
27Please respect copyright.PENANAFqhJp6iBCr
那是和他對打過的那名劍客的屍體。那人身材和他差不多,穿著的衣服是很普通也很便宜的料子,相對於克里斯從另一人身上扯下來的外套袖子相距甚遠。27Please respect copyright.PENANA7v5aDnJixv
27Please respect copyright.PENANAFhfGtmJfSf
那人的臉有很明顯的高額頭和長鼻粱,眼睛是北方少見的深棕色。克里斯確定他有阿爾巴的血統。27Please respect copyright.PENANAWiCYOzhKNl
27Please respect copyright.PENANAyhtmDz9ois
「阿爾巴人。」他站起身,揮手讓查爾斯把屍體抬下去。27Please respect copyright.PENANAzK1xBeph61
27Please respect copyright.PENANA5GqoHH3Xjx
「你不能這麼果斷,克雷,誰說看到深色捲髮和深色眼睛就是阿爾巴來的。」奧斯頓說。27Please respect copyright.PENANAC0kNz8rOte
27Please respect copyright.PENANAGg35E94ItO
「我看過的阿爾巴人比你見過的多,奧斯頓。那傢伙有明顯的特徵。」克里斯瞪了他哥哥一眼。27Please respect copyright.PENANAuMlzNV2exD
27Please respect copyright.PENANAQGOfJvM4zW
「但不管是從哪裡來的,他跑進這裡幹麼?」奧斯頓環視四周,在看到被火燒得漆黑一片的地毯和報銷了的掛氈,視線停了一秒又轉開,「我們家這些東西又沒什麼好偷的。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAA8jMnqlEG7
27Please respect copyright.PENANAoztZRsSCAu
「這個?」卡萊爾拿出紙片搖了搖。27Please respect copyright.PENANAEYVqxkB7zw
27Please respect copyright.PENANAwPaK534AEr
克里斯走過去接過,往紙上瞥了一眼,「這是簡圖。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAahiwOtKf0K
27Please respect copyright.PENANAsxlcoe1Iio
「什麼的簡圖?」27Please respect copyright.PENANA5f7UkmDsYB
27Please respect copyright.PENANA1aFFhNAWZM
「建築簡圖。」克里斯回答,伸手指著那些橫線和豎線,「一道橫加一道豎代表一棟建築,尖頂用三角形表示,斜頂用兩條斜線,這能在最短的時間裡畫出目標地點……」27Please respect copyright.PENANA73ko36LM2h
27Please respect copyright.PENANAamABIdaAxH
說到這裡,克里斯頓了下,看看奧斯頓。27Please respect copyright.PENANAXG2j4R2g3S
27Please respect copyright.PENANA4iXrOVp0MS
男人一臉無聊地坐在那裡,顯然沒興趣知道他們在講什麼。27Please respect copyright.PENANAxeZUiugh6W
27Please respect copyright.PENANAPhOBNEei1u
「……是間諜常用的暗號。」克里斯回頭,低聲在卡萊爾耳邊說完。27Please respect copyright.PENANARLDe0GGJ5f
27Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6FZS2f9eH
少年點點頭。27Please respect copyright.PENANABJSglkIuwM
27Please respect copyright.PENANAftA7OhydXk
這時奧斯頓打了個呵欠。27Please respect copyright.PENANApTa7Nldp9d
27Please respect copyright.PENANAdXfI5KzyW5
「你為什麼不回去睡,奧斯頓。」克里斯高聲提議。27Please respect copyright.PENANAzKW9jVf5XS
27Please respect copyright.PENANAPm4fSbsFT6
男人攤攤手,「我想確定你們這邊不需要我的幫助了。」27Please respect copyright.PENANA4110NXvG5i
27Please respect copyright.PENANAhuTbKAmuP8
「我們不……」克里斯剛想開口,但一見奧斯頓朝他眨眼,他頓了頓,深吸口氣。27Please respect copyright.PENANAKkNNr88yA7
27Please respect copyright.PENANACDRFElHege
「謝謝你剛才的協助,大哥。」他說,扯出一個轉瞬即逝的笑容,「我想我們應該可以自己來,感謝你的熱心,奧斯頓,祝你有個好夢。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAZ46fblulkP
27Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZyKJPUYMK
奧斯頓乾脆地站起來,「好吧,既然你都這麼說了,我親愛的小弟,祝你有個美好的夜晚。」說著,他踏著愉悅的步伐離去。27Please respect copyright.PENANAqm6GS1mwXb
27Please respect copyright.PENANAyyKKnilc7M
卡萊爾看克里斯明顯鬆一口氣的樣子,不由得輕笑,「你們兄弟真有趣。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAeWNHVX8kZa
27Please respect copyright.PENANAap6H0kdoP4
克里斯回答他的是狠狠一瞪。27Please respect copyright.PENANAHRAo6lCm0L
27Please respect copyright.PENANAHFIPIk1UlT
「別談他了。」他揉揉額頭,把紙條還給卡萊爾。「我們有更麻煩的事得煩心。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAaVsfKP1kCJ
27Please respect copyright.PENANASuiOvnKghq
「比如說阿爾巴的間諜來這裡幹什麼。」卡萊爾說。27Please respect copyright.PENANAGAP2kRyuj8
27Please respect copyright.PENANAj7ch0G2rIc
克里斯沉吟一陣,「只有一個理由,和我們一樣。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAfvuIFvLiJK
27Please respect copyright.PENANAFBD4iC16JY
「──為了王璽。」27Please respect copyright.PENANArVjX8Mb8v3
27Please respect copyright.PENANALqOenRUem1
見男人點頭,卡萊爾又低下頭來看手裡的紙張,「但這究竟是什麼,也不像你家這裡的地型。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAOYzCxqBws8
27Please respect copyright.PENANAi8p3sGLjVH
「是用炭筆畫上去的……」卡萊爾摸了摸線條,手指立刻沾上了黑色粉末,「而且很新。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAMy6iMQKiJD
27Please respect copyright.PENANAH9sChQKuuz
「那這很有可能就是他們的目的。」克里斯瞇起眼,「再給我看一下。」27Please respect copyright.PENANATTEPE7UMgh
27Please respect copyright.PENANAb8Ljb7Ia7g
卡萊爾依言遞過紙條,在男人仔細檢視的同時,也努力回憶一開始他看到那群人潛入這房間的景象。27Please respect copyright.PENANAnn2Yf8aaDT
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「他們是有目的的潛入這裡,他們要找的東西一開始就在這個房間裡。」少年站起來,繞著房間走。27Please respect copyright.PENANA2daTO9dgeC
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最後,他停在被火焰燒灼後的地毯前,抬頭往上看。27Please respect copyright.PENANAbkFzfIVKx9
27Please respect copyright.PENANAlwtgM3xHGS
牆上原本遮蔽畫作用的簾幕被拉起,巨幅畫作中,金髮、意氣風發的國王帶著傲然神色直視前方。27Please respect copyright.PENANAxBTSTAmLmZ
27Please respect copyright.PENANA6WBAQ502ec
「這就是他們的目標。」卡萊爾低聲說:「他們甚至打算目的達成後毀了這幅畫。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAjpKS3VJUyf
27Please respect copyright.PENANAWP9ULi41uN
「又是它。」在朗費羅樞機主教已焚毀的大宅裡,也是這幅畫。27Please respect copyright.PENANALwtmhp4dmX
27Please respect copyright.PENANAnF3QzLwac7
克里斯走到它面前。「你到底有什麼祕密……」他喃喃自語,審視的目光由上到下,緩緩掃過每一寸畫面。27Please respect copyright.PENANAMKz6YWJb2u
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最後,他的視線停在那三枚金幣上。27Please respect copyright.PENANANMOapTXa8z
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這不對。27Please respect copyright.PENANAsjZXuKN62R
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有兩枚金幣躺在桌面上,但一枚是立的。27Please respect copyright.PENANAM12j9EMQND
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克里斯突然一陣心跳加速。27Please respect copyright.PENANArHhOBzRZfj
27Please respect copyright.PENANAWzxb9Tvp1L
他蹲下來,仔細看那枚金幣──這幅畫以精細著稱,任何細節都唯妙唯肖,就連這些等大的金幣上的花紋都完整呈現。27Please respect copyright.PENANATGQ9azcy2q
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非常完整。27Please respect copyright.PENANALmZhpjsMn7
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這不是占卜用金幣上的花紋──27Please respect copyright.PENANAgrZaBc7XkL
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這是城市一景!27Please respect copyright.PENANAsStyJd9MAc
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他立刻把那張紙條拿到眼前對照。27Please respect copyright.PENANAE6VpeYtkIE
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同樣的建築數、同樣的高度與比例……還有最中間的高塔……27Please respect copyright.PENANAucB4cIqinZ
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在蘭登,全英倫只有蘭登有這樣的高塔……27Please respect copyright.PENANAnISxqGaFa2
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高塔、敵人目的,蘭登,畫在金幣裡的提示……27Please respect copyright.PENANABCSwMIOg2r
27Please respect copyright.PENANAiwVc26N7rg
「這就是他們的目的……」克里斯低語,突然又大叫起來,「這就是他們要隱藏的真相!」27Please respect copyright.PENANAKGeT3Zb3g6
27Please respect copyright.PENANAxinEfQdbDg
「什麼真相?」卡萊爾被他突如其來的激動嚇了一跳。27Please respect copyright.PENANAvEPuu9Btq0
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克里斯轉過頭來,灰色眼睛熠熠生輝。27Please respect copyright.PENANAYueh2ifHDt
27Please respect copyright.PENANARVrGfMUUky
「榮耀。」他說:「這祕密將被藏在榮耀裡、藏在黃金之下──被他們藏起來的就是王璽!」27Please respect copyright.PENANAyY6i493x0J
27Please respect copyright.PENANA5L2Bg67xyi
「榮耀──」他看著畫像道:「受賜愛德華王在位期間唯三幅肖像,在當時被認為是對三家族的忠誠所賜予的最大榮耀,即便現在,這肖像也是無價之寶。這就對了,王璽是在雙花戰爭中丟失的!但實際上沒有丟失,而是被藏起來了!他們把藏王璽的地點暗示藏在榮耀裡,當初受賜肖像的三家族──一個是我的家族,還有兩個……」27Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3NPOeg15P
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卡萊爾接著道:「菲茲傑拉德和蘭開夏。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAcMpCiSisRg
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是的,這樣的解釋就合理起來了。27Please respect copyright.PENANASwJ8xCn3k3
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手札裡提到的另外兩個人,很有可能就是菲茲傑拉德公爵和蘭開夏公爵。27Please respect copyright.PENANAb0iCNadL9B
27Please respect copyright.PENANApUIUjzB0QH
雙花戰爭起因是愛德華王的兒子年紀尚幼,因此在國王逝世時,改由皇堂弟亞瑟代理王位,但當亞瑟王過世,王位並沒有合理地交還王子愛德華二世,而由亞瑟之子亨利即位。27Please respect copyright.PENANAzjiBi3Kvka
27Please respect copyright.PENANAC3OfYxWPrQ
亨利二世及位時,愛德華二世之子愛德蒙為了取回王位而發動雙花戰爭,從此英倫南北分裂,阿爾巴以亨利二世為王,脫離英倫獨立;而愛德蒙則在蘭登即位為王,以英倫正統自居。27Please respect copyright.PENANALI9eesCiiA
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而在那場戰爭中消失的有兩樣東西,一樣就是國王的王璽。27Please respect copyright.PENANARoE3mfzQb1
27Please respect copyright.PENANAatIgzxFAAB
「但在黃金之下的意思是什麼?」卡萊爾問:「如果只是指金幣總覺得有點牽強,而且……愛迪生曾說,王權在黃金之上。」27Please respect copyright.PENANA5SA0iP8MhN
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「我想這是指同樣的東西。」克里斯回答。「在雙花戰爭中失去的寶物不只王璽,還有另一樣東西失蹤了。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAzgwe7AHHY0
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「什麼?」27Please respect copyright.PENANAyKp1YkDmKm
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「愛德華王的寶藏。」27Please respect copyright.PENANATToSnspYOi
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「寶藏?」卡萊爾皺眉。「這傳說我也聽過,但……那只是個傳說不是嗎?」27Please respect copyright.PENANAMg6EyDWSlQ
27Please respect copyright.PENANAwMIBimj2Jq
「傳說總有來由。」克里斯繞著房間來回踱步,他邊走邊說:「我們曾實際核對過王室財產。當年愛德華王南北爭戰,掠奪來了不少財物,可為什麼現在的英倫王室窮得連養支軍隊都得靠走私奴隸?」27Please respect copyright.PENANAs4SReH1k53
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「雙花戰爭曾令王室分裂,而且花了大把金幣,加上查理國王不斷掀起戰爭?」卡萊爾提出反證。27Please respect copyright.PENANAakJ5qq9xcv
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「那是事實,但王室財政捉襟見肘不是雙花戰爭後才發生的事,早在亞瑟王時期就已經入不敷出了。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAB5aaLxIKLO
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「你是指……真的有大筆財富流落在外?」27Please respect copyright.PENANAEub4SCON8l
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克里斯點頭,再望向畫中的君王。27Please respect copyright.PENANABlkyOdcyMf
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「當時就一直有人流傳,愛德華王不信任他的堂弟亞瑟,為了替自己的兒子留下財富,他藏下一大筆寶藏,囑咐近臣藏起。」他說:「有人懷疑我家的祖先是其中一個知情者,為此他們曾在亞瑟王時期遭受質問,但後來不了了之,我的家族記錄裡有記載這件事。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAmMk18IAUL6
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「那麼……真的有嗎?」卡萊爾問出口時,覺得有些忐忑。27Please respect copyright.PENANAFn2kFwhzBo
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克里斯深深看著他,「看來也許有,但我恐怕不是知情的那一個。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAY4ZGHFHV7E
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在多年前,他還為女王效命時也曾動過寶藏的主意,那麼一大筆財富可以解決很多事情。27Please respect copyright.PENANA14VPuPQA3D
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但無論他怎麼翻找家族記錄,就是沒找到相關的線索。不料線索竟在現在浮出水面……27Please respect copyright.PENANAXyUO8N8XfK
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「不過有一件事倒可以證實。」克里斯篤定地注視著金髮少年,「寶藏真的存在,而王璽應該也在同一個地方。」27Please respect copyright.PENANAhZwwmdZhVb
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卡萊爾點點頭,「看來我們要回蘭登一趟了。」ns3.144.165.245da2