171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3La5MESkxn
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z0B9wcsht
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU38qidwdo
不儘是人的臂膀 枝枒斷面也會有樹的骨骼171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5Sp0kTajK
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jf0IV2Zdm
無願無慾之處子剜去眼珠／只因他視此無足輕重171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzYVU72CDn
願望受奪之木折下了血肉／只因他沉於霜雪的低泣171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYPF4hS2jD
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxykcwr13NO
祂眼裡的他就像是個遺忘自己容貌的傷者／他眼裡的祂就像是個讓人費解的孤花171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlmPg7Bmdr
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkOuZ4CaZk
但是 愛意與血肉皆同樣灼熱不已 171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2t6ZywnRA
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHTMpVxO63
燙人唇舌171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDg7vFjNLx
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0A6cwjCsn
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84ub4J1zPd
其實，拔舍巴知道「樂園」的傳說。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx1Ptks5d3
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpg5ReYW1C
雖然只是一種直覺──但，身為世間所稱之「巫者（女巫）」的他還是明白這種直覺的意涵，直覺告訴他：從他對姑方動念開始，姑方身上就有一股明顯強大，有別於那花香魔力的「東西」存在。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnEQLdaC8R
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw1iljkgr4
他勢必會朝那東西伸手。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87UxOTu90U
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlFPtWmhYa
從一開始就遵照「啟示九夜」的命令，為尋得傳說中「咒文」而行動的他一直記著這條傳說，主教有言，「樂園」可能正是「咒文」所在之處，若有尋得前往樂園之法，務必前去探尋。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnkxePjpug
然而咒文也好、樂園也好，兩者皆是人們言傳的飄渺之物……所幸他並不在乎飄渺與否，拔舍巴更在乎的還是彼方可能存在之物，既然見到了就去尋找，不顧教團要利用他做些什麼。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBKTSXG2ab
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oQCc3TmA1
所以，就算叫他「魔具」也無妨──可姑方明顯不屑於「啟示九夜」的存在。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrXo5zwIiF
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBw7dpxOmp
「……你這小鬼頭還真是不怕皮肉痛，做決定都不先三思而後行！你……哈……唉、我回鯤島一定被菊姑娘罵死，接回去又不知道會念我多少……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZR6LsmW2d
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUL0uUX3KY
又是那停不下的嘴巴，又是那差點讓拔舍巴擠出「好吵」的話匣，才在渡船上說了「自己不是人」的這位「姑方」不久前的舉止切實展現了他異常之處，身周的花海與姑方對「花朵枝枒，即為血肉」的宣示讓人第一時間難以相信自己的眼睛，那真的是血肉嗎？171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJie2y9aeSQ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB4qe9SSvW
當拔舍巴的疑問一起，不只是引渡人對獻祭的允諾，姑方猛地更加蒼白的神色就成了最好的回答。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4xLrSj1zo
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNKcGxWCZN
見到姑方現出部分真身的那位「引渡人」當下顯然很「快樂」──那是一種莫名地讓人費解的快樂──像是他從一開始就在姑方身上見到這個答案一般，欣然引領姑方將「枝枒」贈與神像，收得「匕首」。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wSBQULvj6
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxzyGTjjeX
引渡人說，匕首是要他們收著的，之後會有大用。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fCK18GDBT
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jqWJ0b3fP
「……你做甚那樣看我，我臉是慘白了嗎？？？哈……哈啊，我摔倒不負責，你自己扶好我，有力氣挖你眼睛就擠點力氣出來站著……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fHxzrSZVH
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxocIKHZ2tx
現在，領了手冊與匕首的他們身邊已經沒那個「引渡人」了。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfHpDkVe4I
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgGPdLfA9j
相倚相攜，彼此攙扶，身上的外袍底下，灼熱感時不時提醒拔舍巴腳下濕潤的由來。傷口還在出血，一滴一滴為他們蹣跚的步履劃下記號。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCaWGCPz63
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqobA9gHBnc
離開被稱為「神像森」的場所以前，就算贈（獻）了東西也依然話嘮的姑方對著那引渡人就是一頓罵，說著「沒看到我這裡一個沒力氣看書，一個沒視力看書嗎，這鬼地方哪裡能休息，你口頭說！」的姑方面前，踏上樂土平原的引渡人神奇地沒有半分動搖。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ4dS8NvHy
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzVDy2VN8h
好像過了那艘渡船開始，一切便照「樂園」的意思運行。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNK1JnPh8o
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd09TsGlXK7
「確實很蒼白，比剛才白了很多。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaO4f9mCcO
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcaMXbwP15
打聽了「參加者」可以在不遠處的「莊園」落腳，林林總總的「守則」被明事理的引渡人簡化成一句「先確認無人的空屋進去居住，有人也要遵循禮儀」就結束了。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1XCpLmePJ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEJy7ZxoEg
姑方也停止了他的怒罵。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kLtXij5Xj
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcpdQJDrUB
「……哈、好，正常……我們趕緊找地方落腳，不是空屋也沒關係，我跟屋主招呼一下吧，你安頓下來，我也給你看個手冊……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4Fycu5Ibj
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4uOLMpHB9
對拔舍巴平板的敘述如此回應的姑方接連喘著粗氣。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhe2AQZ9zB
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6Ad8q54V7
有別於在樂園外留下的傷，拔舍巴剜去一眼的傷口神奇地在樂園的風裡停止滲血，可眼窩裡的灼熱更甚，視野也仍是紅的，模糊之中，姑方即使抱怨，手上也依然緊握著他的手臂，使力在喘息中拿穩他本就踉蹌的重心。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JcXWHc2uC
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1khwpTF2Q
這是從未有過的感受。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGOpGrlRFo
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xWNIoJi0b
您看見了什麼？主教的話語又一次響起。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5egDQ7rfz
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXtCR0luWl
意外進入「樂園」的拔舍巴現在的處境已完全脫離了計畫與命令，突然又被這名叫姑方的「非人」惹得有些耳鳴。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzkJgs7Tb2
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4AoinYSJI
可是，這姑方又在樂園的入口前蓄意要阻止他的獻祭，又隨之用他真正的血肉當作供品，跟了上來。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL11CeBhwCB
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx3hGYQI8H
「……嗯……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAqJaq2EUz
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2imjYAQxNf
若現在還要問他見到什麼──如此「非人」，「聖處子」還從未見過。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK9xssMGqM
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqzmwmsbAD
他太古怪了，實在難以理解。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh5EIMnEYd
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwFWB0T7kh
這麼想的拔舍巴微微皺眉，一眼因血而緊閉的關係，他略帶莫名的皺眉表情成了因熱血而疼痛的反應，他剜得很好，剜得眼窩乾淨地溢出鈷藍鮮血，完整地在這片「潔淨」（鮮血）裡緊閉。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx4cwdhJPj
不過，即使傷痕的熱辣讓他發寒，也阻止不了拔舍巴的前行。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q3Oe4BrYV
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrluStn7sX
「拔舍巴。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZynK2Fkp7
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqrqeg6XdW
「？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46FdUaaUU2
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuQ5vNBJXB
來到莊園，尋覓庇蔭，還有多少距離？在他開口詢問以前，姑方的聲音引去了他的注意。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95CJGwwzvw
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNKWLuG12Q
這異端的髮色與方才花海裡的真貌顯眼到成了他視野裡的標的，姑方接下來的話題讓他呆滯。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9oR1yeTqE
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtOzlo4vNs
「你會多少咒語？怎麼不見你隱藏足跡？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMjsdAZMc7
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujgGLN3z0F
「……咒語……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gg6J7esN7
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX9DhyE0k5
怎麼突然問他會什麼咒語？隱藏足跡，那是什麼？匿蹤用的咒語……他好像聽過。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY5avri6bN
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRhS3amHgb
恍惚之中，姑方一個彈指，視野裡成為標的的粉色便瞬間消失，轉為不大顯眼的深金。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSH1XIvftA
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt7mWDXIw0
「是啊，咒語，像這樣。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwYuqUlsoG
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzMDrFZDPT
「……！」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXLooRLX59
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmsamJIyri
深金、橘紅、暗紅，他連續變了幾個顏色，在拔舍巴眼裡都沒有原先的粉色明亮──讓不僅是失去標的物的拔舍巴為之一顫。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeedzuul3ff
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsO2D2hWHK
還是原本的樣子比較──171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcbC8pDkWU
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2ejOF6729
「你打顫個什麼勁兒？我頭髮亮，顯眼嗎？啊哈。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iMpnqJFjV
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUSdqY1VF3
──又不等他開口，姑方逞強的笑聲就傳了過來，發話權的魅力在此激增，惹得拔舍巴不得不接著搶話來說。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYeZifhn4K
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnLAfu1etR
「我沒用過匿蹤用的咒語，平時也不需要。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVqsPsrVa4
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrhjXKTbeB
跟這人講話很累。他竟頭一次有這種感覺……171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1SgEIxi64
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEulbeSMIb
「……我使用的術式僅限於『淨化』與『處決』，除此之外一概全無。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwoy07FTas
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fCiZ4wbTX
「噢。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dpO0RzaM2
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQjwGa6gkC
聽到拔舍巴這麼一說，合理懷疑「淨化」跟「處決」是同一個意思的姑方皺了皺眉頭。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9OfRCPsza
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7eosYFdAx
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIkzTi3EsG
抬眸在搖曳的視野裡尋覓形似「莊園」所在的建築，設有神像的森林確實離莊園不遠。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA6vcM3YWK
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGKmZwhjIM
幸好引渡人沒撒謊，要他倆傷患相互扶持著跋山涉水，姑方怕不是直接捨命把樂園炸了也要把創造這鬼地方的主人從裡頭挖出來……一見到並排的建築群，姑方便急切地開口：「走，有屋子了。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0qvO3B1Po
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHxDTzFv6G
微暖的清風拂起兩人的髮絲。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2Pnhl5sH4
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqrg5jqKFo
淡粉色的散髮及肩、漆黑的長髮如浪，急著找屋下榻的身影在拔舍巴僅存的視野裡又回到了原先顯眼的樣子。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTmDf5U8rp
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w9N35c3XL
「找個最近的、咳咳……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH32cgEUPf
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkUTZM78Fe
看著姑方不明所以的虛弱與輕咳，他不是治療師，實在看不出除了脖子以外的其他傷痕。拔舍巴仔細思索之中，傷口、髮色、名字、「枝枒」……意識到他好像也很少見過這麼明亮的髮色，若是在外這人終將是「獵巫」的目標對象，大公與賓客們的階下囚……171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzCptFCene
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYfK4dZoFp
見姑方側身踉蹌又重振姿勢的模樣，拔舍巴即使疼痛也是挺直了身。姑方、Gu Fang？這是他的名字……哪一個才是姓氏，他的職業又是什麼？171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jIknIzrDY
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo5vKiRwN0
疑問如輕煙緩慢上升，疼痛讓他暫且將困惑置於一側。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbHZFaLQRc
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ2vb4UuyV
「就選這裡，我來敲門打招呼，你別動……拔舍、巴……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDWtAjzZM2
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnimzUsrc3d
來到一幢石造的屋宇之前，聳立的煙囪升起徐徐白煙。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjGiaeZK0h
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynLf1inadw
叩叩、叩叩。他看不清前方。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0kZVF7otP
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP9FPQutIO
「──砰。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5RLFXwzQb
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCUtENcCxV
叩叩、硄硄，似是知道他們將要獲得庇蔭，支撐拔舍巴的氣力也像是老鼠咬破的穀米袋一樣不斷流失，這麼多事情……他累了，眼睛渴望緊閉，大腦渴望歇息。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCWaMJE0EV
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OLkPNBL8Y
還有感知的器官就只剩耳朵了。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPveA0g2gd
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNvVxx85BE
「……你們好……我跟……是……傷……幫幫……咳、咳……啊………」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoJCs6fqZW
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2rzpSs7bq
──那抹讓他耳鳴的噪音在模糊的幾句字節後銷聲匿跡。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4dbr8A1C9
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmYzNt6Oje
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwkPHGNyrI
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRmgFuWbTk
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvXSXc9hmH
／171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7WxGE4g03
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ561wgeVacD
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMveFsEugQ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubcWuGkHBC
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tSsISG8eO
拔舍巴與這位意外的賓客（姑方）正式來到樂園了。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXNKlDM9Rb
首先就是要找地方落腳，這突發情況卻不是拔舍巴能反應的類型。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF4lQrMRcW
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBOoClCCtu
踏入大門的拔舍巴先是聽見的是火爐溫暖的迸裂聲、腳步聲，最後，陌生的人聲便伴著水聲傳來──他和姑方被人泡到了浴池水中。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurN04K2dGL
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklrksbu57w
發生了什麼？只記得僅剩半邊的視野裡映出了姑方明亮的身影，卻能聽見他彷彿身受重傷的喘息，沒辦法替他檢查傷口，同樣也身受重傷的自己一個晃蕩便倒進了陌生的懷中。「打招呼」成功了嗎？拔舍巴吃力地睜開左眼。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjqs8tY76X
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAjg7Qk7xc
「……？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwidRrBQVK
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy0wYqz9Ey
「哎呦，您醒啦？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdLDKUR7SE
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJYbqmLZtX
雖然泡至胸口的熱水溫度有些灼人，還是對幫助清醒起了不小的作用，沒意識到肩上的重量來自於誰，拔舍巴先是見到了拿著毛巾的老婦人。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E0LxtsvEA
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmRxwfyMKu
「我看您兩位受這麼多傷又倒在咱家門前，特別是你……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGaiyCASFc
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU2isLzbO2
「……？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7yarfV9zs
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9DZjL4Oiv
什麼「特別是他」？一位素未謀面的婦人出現在他面前，她皺著眉頭、眼裡滾著淚光，看上去很難受，不習慣直接這般對著人臉的拔舍巴卻辨別不出後續的情報了。過一會兒才勉強看見他所處位置周遭的模樣。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C57TL2r3r
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui3UytsuAv
石造建築、石牆、火爐的聲音……這裡則是一間窄到不行的浴室，他的下半身泡在清澈微溫的水中，水流溫度算不上拔舍巴平時需求的冰冷，腿間的傷口卻沒想像中疼痛。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNwdBgpE3Y
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kki4OMV2C
現在，比較痛的還是他的眼睛……至於昏過去的姑方就靠在他的肩上。 171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dm3QUv2XF
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZN53xLCUE
「傷口先給你洗一洗啊，你的朋友狀況比較奇怪，泡水也沒有反應，肌肉特別僵硬……我得叫我老公來看看。噢，不過我親愛的去外頭工作了，他要明早才回來──」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IebxWRf9E
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgAbiPv1QU
他們進入樂園，被屋子裡的居民救助了，是嗎？居民……拔舍巴轉悠的思緒漸漸將之與外頭的普通市民劃上等號。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hqMuFCnZx
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwAGi2MIZq
那些離黑教堂如此遙遠的人們。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsJgPPwFwY
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDym413dfWc
看著老婦人粗壯的臂膀，她身材偏胖，仔細看上去肩膀也是能獨擔下兩人體重的精壯，能知道正是她將倒在門外的拔舍巴與姑方抱進屋裡安置了，虛弱還是讓拔舍巴嚴重語塞。僅剩的左眼吃力地轉悠，老婦人臉龐的皺褶與雀斑看起來是這麼的……171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6livkP20T
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegnLe0c2SJ
「神啊，老天……你還沒辦法說話嗎？你身邊這位是你的朋友，還是你的女傭？隨從？長得這麼精緻，還是你們是……私奔的情侶？噢，我先為我的無禮道歉，但是在替你清洗時，我真的不知道該叫你女士還是先生……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiBwAFawHr
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyH5Jmoxqh
「另外，你的外袍看上去特別嬌貴，我真不敢動，我在替你脫下的時候先把他放在外面的盆裡了。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvvnzUzB5d
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPiENc5deX
──陌生。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnkRPjbL18
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHJ1rwJBK3
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ85YlYulz
這是他第一次跟一般人說話。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JvbD8ZqEc
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡherOOJ37Wr
還是一個沒有穿著長袍，把他當作傷患照護的老婦人，他不知道「聖處子」，不知道女巫，更沒有人告訴他這位老婦人是否有罪……除了姑方，已經開始當他沒辦法開口的老婦人接二連三的誤會逼得他顫動咽喉。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9umK4OR7X
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3UUFRkc5J
「不是。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtberVc6hTq
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYwofoA0Dz
這是他第二次被逼著說話……171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMObSeJXDY
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K1OhFf6AI
「噢！？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhh0VC8cq0
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tiO2OM6vx
「不是……我們、不是情侶，他也不是，女傭。我們是……旅人……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODQrDq5KLq
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNPTa2YgKG
「噢噢噢！？老天……仙女開口說話了……！！」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EubMJSvd9
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZtFlURiDG
也是他第二次對其他人的情緒感到莫名。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh941xYCSg
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI6TVnBMlD
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKRC32KELU
天曉得呢？對老婦人來說，猜測範圍落在女傭、隨從、私奔的情侶已經是她渺小世界裡的一切了。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyETYdqqMoy
她短暫的一生裡，自己不過就是住在莊園邊疆與丈夫自給自足的女人，兒時的她是街坊鄰居裡最欣賞的那種姑娘，老去的她則是田野裡最能幹的女人，看到拔舍巴與姑方時她會有些情緒是難免的。看到這兩個漂亮的……男人、女人？171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjB9iMHH48
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbL7DstXJo
這個黑髮又嬌貴的人兒腿間沒有任何東西，這個粉嫩的跟少女紅潤的臉龐一般的人兒更是同時有陰莖與陰道……她的思考不爭氣地停滯了。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfstv0KG86
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC4ieeV3hw
就算回溯她做為一個模範妻子所經歷的童年也沒有答案，她只清楚分辨什麼樣的麵粉才是好的麵粉，只知道她的「理髮師丈夫」所帶的行李裡必須要有剪刀與餐刀般的刀具。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrgXrEPPfb
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tQLreHyjx
所以，她盡力行使的禮儀最終讓她把兩人稱作「仙女」──這才是最符合她直覺的形容。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aUYtRMGDV
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxUxeSIray
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqkfqpu9HJ
兩位仙女中，率先醒來的「黑色仙女」沒有力氣回應她的驚嘆，即使婦人沒有因為他的色彩就對他另眼相看，說他是不吉的烏鴉、黑貓或者凶獸就足夠讓人驚訝了。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg2Mij75oV
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY6o2FYtFz
拔舍巴對她的音量眉頭深鎖，雙眼緊閉，深吸一口氣，彷彿這是他此生初次體驗到的哭啼。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqZtFUZRxS
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeSa5RcWoM
「……我們借住一宿之後就會離開……向您、致歉……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvpPhR2PXc
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4n4Jta6pp
乾澀的喉頭吃力地帶動音節，組成句子。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeIld9ZQpo
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfl729qLaj
若是在這裡輕舉妄動……他的使命，關於「咒文」的線索……171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XtwTsU2wp
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUPXfy6KvX
──別動。一陣異音在拔舍巴的耳邊響起。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B0GN0sJfF
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMozeA1nNl
「噢，看看我……！不不不，沒關係的，請兩位住下來，這身傷去到哪兒都危險啊！恰巧我丈夫對這方面很有辦法，兩位仙女，等他回來就沒事了，來，身體放鬆……別看我這樣，我是很強壯的。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy351E5KhVM
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96DtcUVSEi
看著老婦人上前來用泛黃的掌心攙扶起他，姑方的背脊也給婦人倚到了一旁的浴池邊緣，眼見姑方被攙扶著從浴池離開，他倆想必是被這位婦人一個個搬來這兒洗澡的。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbzDWlux0u
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAGeCLIWim
如此質樸，毫無懷疑……要說是無知，還是這些人類的心靈純淨？171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C5Wx89owI
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs561V2irzU
除了困惑還是困惑──然而，他更為眼前水光裡淡粉色的幻影困惑。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNmuWpnK12
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNzdJTdp0p
『……別動，我只能堅持一下，沒想到這個樂園精明到能知道我的本體在哪。既然你能理解我的法術（言靈），就這樣試試跟你傳音吧。』171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19BbJEgDUb
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9m7Kitkd5
『我只是來告訴你我沒事，睡一下就好，但是我恐怕會昏倒到明日正午，在那之前注意一點，這屋子裡的居民有鬼。』171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObkWXLiYKQ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AYTfeORUx
『特別是她每天早上才回來的丈夫。』171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1S6e6YT3n
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3dj5IL6P9
聽清姑方傳音的眉頭反而因為這番話舒展開來，拔舍巴愣是向門口處抬眸。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWtwMUDqCo
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtuFj5lHBI
「……！？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiHE7ITE5V
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeV0h6ZI5p
已經把姑方安置到床上的老婦人拿來了一個裝滿剪刀的木桶，隨手放到一邊的地上。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtQX8L0htA
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0OTI7t47N
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRs723t3J0
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HwPOmMUx3
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUSBul2VfV
／171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqSN9DPR2F
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45x7kgLkSO
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9xmCjcGdJ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1dZdlLR1F
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYi6IVjXRS
「……？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XjQix14A2
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr3FrCFdfG
拔舍巴覺得姑方這個人有古怪。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sZ0OG12cz
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuLR75Qgbv
從浴池裡起來以後，撇過那桶生鏽剪刀的拔舍巴愣是往，水珠熱辣地燙過腿間的觸感固然疼痛，身體得到清潔的事實還是讓拔舍巴舒坦許多，沾染一身的黏膩得以在此清透。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAwEFAvb1p
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l5zdnUNL2
來到古舊的寢室，向老婦人接過毛巾，拔舍巴還是有如何與這般親切市民交流的知識──把他們當作那些熱情的貴族即可──他垂眸看著床上的姑方，又往腿間的痂痕看去，水珠沿著厚實的痂痕淌落。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYnJXnUglq
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSkoEpcckv
被簡單擦乾的姑方就在旁邊躺著，身上僅存的水珠沾濕床鋪，方才……方才出現在他眼前的身影顯然是姑方的法術，聲音是姑方的，聽起來卻極其違和。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUKeTYh8va
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uHZMCE7G4
眼下，說自己「要睡到隔日正午」的姑方身軀正像是昏死的傷患一樣不停顫動。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡradSI6rWvY
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInIT5mCDi7
到這裡，他對姑方這人尚未奠定的信用更是模糊了幾分──他不是人類，不是教團成員，有特殊的聲音，又或許什麼也不是？171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZbwhyu8c9
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaIPpX3DXV
一些人把這般分辨的過程稱之為「好奇」。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevNeeubF9a
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogaOBqzPOt
「嗚……呵、嗚……嗯、嗯嗯……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGnRURQDYX
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ILyoAOoWk
「……怎麼了？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW2U03I4t9
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMH58JNBPd
在居民的善心下得到滋潤的薄唇得以輕啟，喉嚨不再乾澀了，把毛巾置於一旁的拔舍巴就對床上呻吟的姑方歪著頭，壓低了詢問的聲音。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR9iVJMmkY
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqKDR91UU4
「……嗚嗚……呵……」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXsXe4xI7s
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDAdu2UeBy
「不是……昏睡了？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03j6ivZV47
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKBf3lmzul
結果姑方不只沒有回答，還繼續呻吟。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wOZPJaL7i
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzuJNUBNVz
也是。他想起自己……想起自己如此疼痛的時候，教堂一片寂靜，彼時，只有主教與貼身侍者才會主動來找自己搭話，不擇時機的發言更是容易讓侍者面臨隔日就被更換職位的命運。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1otf8VoN3
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpcxDBjHld
但他還不知道要如何稱呼這個「非人」。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG8R9KQeil
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq2KYxNeaO
「……？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMdtMj8hgD
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcKFDMBHMp
先是把頭向右微歪，拔舍巴又往反方向歪起了頭，真的只有「姑方」這個名字嗎？171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqAtJvafc7
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko5uRStl5A
像極了靈肉的拉扯，想要起床卻起不來的孩童──之所以能聯想到這裡，多少也是因為拔舍巴曾經有過無法甦醒的經歷，特地施法來提醒自己就算了，為什麼還要在自己的法術裡如此掙扎？171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQeZHsS0G1
新穎的法術也好，在神像前使用的魔法、祭品也好，低頭煩惱著要如何擦拭身體的拔舍巴注意力隨之偏到了一旁的姑方上頭，就寢也未好好就寢……「祂」究竟是什麼？171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEQ33hdRuo
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xRHLDlDO7
「……！」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxES18Uaxf8
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgkwavXtI8
像是用身體感受到他的困惑似地──難言之隱如此多，姑方更無法在自己真身被樂園影響的情況下快速安頓下來。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSfMTfNIXX
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAd2yKW4fK
在神像森時，他用自己的「聲音」說了：「我開放一定範圍，祢取走祢貪求之物。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN3qVrw5x8
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v40RDZDnE
沒料到自己直接被折斷了一大段已經開花的「手臂」（枝枒），時值春季，此時的鯤島依然寒冷，可不知自己的真身要花多久時間才能恢復……那遙遠的幾千海里之外，其他人眼中的自己就像突然被誰砍傷一樣，正可怕地滴著花瓣吧？171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoED8QyrFn
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbIIx8ivOX
勉強「扯動」自己與肉體的連結，姑方伸手碰上拔舍巴的指尖。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRebOV7HIi
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyugyidcKbc
「……姑……？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOVWvn5Nle
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGeBBBGNVx
依稀能聽見他困惑的氣息，清楚知道自己不能放對方一個人的「梅花」難忍疼痛地皺眉。那是一種更為深邃的疼痛，轉而濃烈起來的花香無情地沁入了周遭人的嗅覺。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXHwqcd8Ho
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKQr0EJZmB
我沒事。他想這麼說。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqyninEMrZ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a7sx6gu4C
「……嗯、嗯……！」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHpJsayK9z
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzknFPjJZgS
要說的話，其實拔舍巴咬在他頸上的傷口反而助了他維持聯繫，啊啊，對法術的抽絲剝繭可是他平時打趣在幹的，要這樣頻繁用在一個嬌弱的孩子（他身體原先的主人）身上可不是姑方的本意。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0MrmgKyov
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BK12b3MPr
愛意與血肉皆同等灼熱，愈發厭惡起這個樂園的創造者。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLFQtknvtm
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpO3U3xLBy
「……有一股香味。」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29Bkw8i5ZV
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CNPMRhxKF
忽然牽起他的手貼到鼻前嗅聞的拔舍巴超出他意料的行徑則差點讓姑方提早驚醒。171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONju5IvxhB
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsNKQgmUvJ
「……！！？」171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDrzSYh56Y
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZIqe034ly
雙眼吃力地睜開一條縫隙，好奇仙女體香的拔舍巴依舊握著他的手杵在那裏，湊到鼻前嗅嗅，像是抓到了探查的空隙。為什麼這個人會這麼香呢？171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlgPZil0MP
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83CznNvtxX
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx490WcRFI
一股不自然的花香讓拔舍巴直接把姑方的手指放到了嘴裡──試試味道，吸了又吸。
