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這位是帥氣的護衛任務的隊長夸斯特39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRi39t4iUk
塔庫魯這才開口，語氣裡帶著幾分不以為意的粗獷自豪。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZpzktKis7
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnIkWnFtbH
「我打仗向來是衝最前頭的那個。你知道的嘛，誰搶得快誰有得砍。但一到撤退的時候……嘿，回頭一看，兄弟們早就像鬼一樣溜得不見人影了。只剩我一個還在那兒跟敵人扭打。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhBOkKbciu
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tJPSuKBOE
他咧嘴一笑，眼裡卻沒有一絲苦楚，彷彿那是種常態。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPbgPu37ED
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDEguBtVVZ
「等我意識到不對，再轉身一看──媽的，他們都退了好幾十公尺。我要不是這雙腿夠力，現在早就成了祭旗的骨頭堆。這種事多了，腿自然也練出門道。現在啊，我的腳程可不輸那些精靈國的小個子，他們要跳林子我也跳得過！」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ6CDWDre3
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWCgigZUfJ
他語氣一頓，補了句：「幾天前我還一個人被困在萬縱谷，四面八方都是長吻野狗──就是那種咬住你腳不放的該死畜生！我靠這雙腿，活著跑出來的！」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEgU82Ta5x
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWTdl1Odye
會議室裡氣氛頓時輕了些。一旁那名長髮披肩、外表文雅得像詩人貴族的中年男子輕輕一笑，側頭看向他左手邊的同伴。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1G2Y0w8bR
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8GLwUdufu
「一個跑得飛快的山蠻族人？」他語調輕快，眼裡卻有思索的銳光閃過，「也許真能派上點用場？」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSkpAhFO9G
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtSPd09asN
坐在他身旁的那名黑髮短髮軍官並沒立刻回應，只是沉聲答道：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAv36e1KbL
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAvCbNLEDh
「只要他沒吹牛，這速度，確實是戰場上難得的本錢。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVVv3VRifC
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk9dap9tyb
「很好，」長髮男子一拍手，語氣變得正式起來，卻仍保持著某種輕鬆的傲氣，「我是這次任務的護送隊長，名叫夸斯特。歡迎你加入我們的小隊，塔庫魯。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cPIe2AHwn
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT7dbqT3N1
他說歡迎，卻連個手勢都沒給，更別說什麼握手或寒暄。他只轉頭吩咐道：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXGHOWNFV8
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Nl6qvBz2
「副隊長泰倫斯，把他帶去見其他人，熟悉一下環境。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3GXcXA8aJ
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFvjmBoRuv
黑髮男子──也就是泰倫斯──點了點頭，站起身來。沒有多餘的言語，只有簡單一句：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIYaWtUHlA
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBfITDSE2L
「跟我來。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b4LTRoCrF
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssgS1aDp7U
塔庫魯起身時，也沒表現出什麼特別的敬意。他腦子裡早習慣山蠻族的那一套：誰打得贏誰就說話，哪裡講求什麼敬禮、鞠躬、拱手那些彆扭的動作。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2qdEbAtYd
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQtNXvxgEq
他只是微微點了個頭，就像點頭致意給山裡的野獸那樣，隨即大步走出會議室，腳步踏得沉穩堅決，彷彿下一秒就準備再度衝入刀光劍影的山林之中。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc3jszGRsz
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQDf1j38lW
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAcP8CODnl
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk3L69iM3R
大使館的會議室內氣氛稍稍緩和，留在室中的那位美麗女子卻依然眉頭輕蹙。她靜靜望著塔庫魯離去的方向，眼神裡掠過一絲疑惑。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D2yRMtNFE
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12loUpUJM9
「這個山蠻人……」她終於開口，聲音婉轉如笛，「他這麼粗魯，連基本的敬禮都不懂，你不覺得，至少該教訓他一下？」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j25seWyAi
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYv0pd9IX5
夸斯特笑了，那是一種見慣大場面的隊長才有的餘裕。他聳聳肩，語氣裡帶著一絲近乎調侃的無奈：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkSMVM9AIQ
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qtHuCPY7I
「公主殿下，若我每次都要為山蠻族沒禮貌的行徑動氣，那我早就七竅生煙，魂飛九霄了。你要知道，對山蠻人，我唯一的期待就是兩樣東西：聽得懂命令，還有，照著做。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYDQsOzcDt
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyrb8DKSZS
他微微一頓，嘴角浮現一絲嘲弄的笑意。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vDsyVQHF9
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7TGqvJ9dB
「要是哪天他們學會正襟危坐、挺胸敬禮，我反倒得擔心是不是哪個奸細披了獸皮混進來。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2CXlIpZ9h
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7nwkXyvkH
公主忍不住掩嘴輕笑，笑聲如晨霧拂過樹梢，輕盈卻真實。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aa8bJbQFY
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVOtrt825d
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkXAWdvNJZ
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI9XML92re
「這還是我第一次這麼近距離見到山蠻族人。確實……嗯，高得像塔樓一樣。但說真的，沒傳聞中那麼可怕嘛。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkDiLZig5V
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52SVAZc80G
夸斯特斜睨了她一眼，似笑非笑地問道：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6gAHysD6d
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIBwlD3C0R
「哦？公主都聽過些什麼樣的傳聞？」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzjcMWUUyN
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwifFF5RmyP
她略作思索，然後湊近些，像是說起一個禁忌的故事那樣壓低聲音：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0esHEVjled
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBohn5Hk07J
「有人說，他們力大無窮，打仗時會徒手抓住敵人的四肢，把人硬生生撕成兩半……還會吃掉對方的心臟呢。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgAYTXJmRa
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i9zQ6vJuc
這話一出口，她自己也有些發毛，忍不住縮了縮脖子。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N9At4DxJn
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NFDgkrY2W
夸斯特哈哈大笑，那笑聲在高天穹頂間蕩漾開來，連窗邊的帷幔都仿佛被這笑意撩動。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXqWtF4Mwr
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYs02h4a2h
「這傳說嘛……一半對，一半是胡扯。山蠻族確實有些戰士力大無窮，打起來野得像魔獸，一怒之下撕個人倒不是沒見過。可至於吃心臟那一段……那是金獅國的土瓦族幹的。人們老愛把這兩群野人混為一談，實在冤枉山蠻人了。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2EQiRm4sK
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxMhkTtREX
「那土瓦族……是怎樣的？」公主好奇問道。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzTTyTHmF0
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgryd0JJrR8
「他們更瘋些，」夸斯特聳了聳肩，「出手狠、下刀快，一心只想榨出敵人的血與骨。可要說蠻力，還是山蠻族更勝一籌。你若想看血腥，他們在戰場上絕對讓你大開眼界。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8dwoIAuzy
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4yjNyfDLq
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiTKonaPgB
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzz5edMyB9
公主眨了眨眼，忽然又小聲道：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK15wWkeEwW
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiANs58Saa
「那……聽說他們對女性敵人也不講人道，會……做些骯髒事……」說到後半句時，她的臉頰泛起一抹羞赧的紅暈。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdduE4ZyQ8Y
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxzKcjAahm
夸斯特這回沒笑，語氣反倒嚴肅了些，但依舊保持著冷靜與理智。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8Qir0Gu5H
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjMBEiIAly
「公主，這種事……反倒是我們人類比較常做得出來。山蠻族的審美觀與我們大相逕庭，他們崇尚強壯、粗糙、血性與野獸般的氣息。像公主這樣的美人，在他們眼中，大概和一旁的士兵沒什麼差別。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dj2B5Aar9
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURlfMLO2VB
他停了停，像是回憶起什麼往事般地說：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWJo5D81Aa
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkv6c5UU4Y
「二十多年前，海莉國的魔女蘿菈美艷動人，魅惑術冠絕天下，成千上萬士兵為她失了魂。但有一回，她想用那媚術擾亂山蠻軍陣，結果剛踏進去兩步，還來不及眨眼，就被一名鐵甲山蠻當場劈成兩段。連魅惑之術都來不及施展。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiQrDmyRAP
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXos9dsBOU2
公主的表情一時有些複雜，像是放心，又像是惆悵。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ227iHYHKl
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq77EmuajpW
「所以說啊，」夸斯特總結道，「許多傳言其實不過是人類的惡行投射罷了。說穿了，真正殘暴的從來不止是異族。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyia3fHFKbV
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1IOUYR52N
她點了點頭，接著問了個直擊本質的問題：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZSX2cZjle
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBJ1BAGbTl
「那……山蠻族、土瓦族這些……也算是人類嗎？」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbEc6Fvi6z
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPBsgyy6vg
夸斯特聞言，神色收斂，語調也變得莊重：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtJWmvUzTj
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARTWHQjx8n
「是。他們的血脈，源自與我們相同的先祖。幾千年前，大法師們為了懲罰十三位違背預言的國王，將那十三國的子嗣下了古老詛咒。從此，他們的後裔逐漸變異，散成十三支族裔——如今只剩九族存續於世。每個國度大多擁有其中之一……除了可憐的海莉國，倒楣地有兩族留在國內。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFjbdqW8Rd
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBVK9ELGLu
他語氣一頓，帶著淡淡的歷史沉重感：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF1WPBMBnz
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn2SXl21wK
「他們是人，只是……我們選擇遺忘了這點。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxvihjbOoL
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YYxO1a3GH
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrmh64CPKS
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmOk0oig8B
就在他們談話之際，大門嘎吱一聲被推開，一股威嚴如雷般的氣場隨之湧入。那位儀態非凡、身著長袍的老者昂然步入，聲音如晨鐘暮鼓般在廳中響起：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS0HjKgk2H
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYAHausvkG
「我已經派人，用最快的信鷹回報天龍本國了！」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr46p9LuYWM
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE6PEEfjK3
他目光掃過房中眾人，神色間帶著一絲急切。「那個山蠻族人呢？」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25uvgkF1T8
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGcyL55RwM
夸斯特抬頭回應，語氣輕鬆中帶著些許自信：「讓副隊長泰倫斯帶他去熟悉小隊的其他人了。今晚就要出任務了，總不能讓他一頭霧水地衝進戰場，連誰是敵誰是友都搞不清。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9Tf5jS8jU
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlvQIloERh
老者──天龍國大使，名為莫洛德──點了點頭，臉色轉為凝重。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzsbMJedjN
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDqr8OGghY
「剛才我向天神族那邊查詢過了。」他語氣低沉地說，「萬縱谷外，金獅國的大軍已經集結。粗略估計，約有兩個大隊的兵力——」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyadN4NY91
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIKmEUmUcl
「兩個大隊？」夸斯特眉頭瞬間蹙起，臉上的笑意消失無蹤，聲音壓得幾乎低到胸腔裡。「若他們正面攻城，或許還撐得住。但若守軍鬆懈，尤其是在開城門讓百姓進出的時候……那可就是地獄開門了。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ803jfUhhY5
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dQnyiv0x9
他猛地起身，盯著大使的眼睛，一字一頓地說道：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7bcuXNGNU
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4NQCZ1Jhf
「你能保證使館的人真能趕得回去嗎？若有必要，我願親自快馬奔赴前線。只要在天黑前回來，不會耽誤今晚的任務！」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhguMefAG4X
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvILWyHdfCx
莫洛德大使神情堅毅，毫不動搖地擺了擺手：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd349T84NS
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOankZfeaQV
「不必。古拉茲副隊長不是毛頭小子，他辦事老練，會比你跑得還穩。他一定能在金獅國動手之前把消息傳達出去。你現在的任務，是確保今晚的行動萬無一失！」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLrN035Jgv
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL82Ap8QUUY
一旁的公主也出聲了，語氣雖柔卻堅定：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna2u29oyZn
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F92A6JVPf
「夸斯特，若我們失敗，天龍國的損失將不只是一座蘆德城。我們面對的，是一場潛伏多年的陰謀。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ5k8OfICe
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn9PeklmnI
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpsZQgdddE
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5FHoLD8A2
夸斯特沉默片刻，深吸了一口氣，終於坐回了椅中。他低聲道：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQCRNdLCnB
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImnEuzChMZ
「我明白……那麼，天神族方面的配合人手，安排好了嗎？」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6kgjBtb1c
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xmQR8Kdjd
大使回應迅速，顯然對細節早已胸有成竹：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTLf18edRP
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM7NnWO4fH
「各國都配有四名天神族協力者——兩男兩女。我們天龍國的行動小隊也限定八人之內，包括公主殿下在內。至於男女比例，不拘。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZWnRpGZxA
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaTn14Mqq3
「那就由露西和派緹隨行。」夸斯特點頭道，「這兩人膽識過人，作戰穩健，都是我親自挑選出的好手。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07gAvGQn8L
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV6cmmlkS6
但大使的眉頭忽然皺起來，語氣也低了幾分：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILjl8wu7qz
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmRgGL9ZFG
「隊長……你知道的，只有純潔的少女才能安全接觸天魔王的骨骸。光憑她們自己的一面之詞，這樣的賭注——」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zNhHfpn5K
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0JkYgHqEd
夸斯特勉強笑了笑，帶著一種無奈又諒解的語氣說：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8QQ1rjtjc
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShhQ4xGsNV
「信與不信之間，總得選一邊。我相信她們。況且……她們只是備選。我們真正的希望——還是要靠公主殿下親手完成那件事，把那該死的骨頭丟進火炎山，讓它永遠消失在岩漿裡。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxocs7vzrta
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lRtLYxbmQ
聽到這話，大使終於鬆了口氣，點點頭，聲音低沉：39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz3x3Id8MY
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpThJXs36o8
「那就好……願神之契印庇佑你們。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdCmxBDJnt
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8owk0dbG8h
房中一時無聲。火盆中的炭火噼啪作響，仿佛遠方戰場的前奏。任誰都知道——今晚的任務，不僅僅是一場行動，而是一場決定命運的賭局。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKjYTYztXX
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6fFUCaY44
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3H4d29bBE
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuySQiaFhz
另一邊，塔庫魯跟在泰倫斯身後，穿過石砌走廊，來到一扇厚重的橡木門前。泰倫斯沒敲門，只是伸手推開，門軸嘎吱一聲，在沉重空氣裡顯得格外響亮。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsDYmprV2d
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPuyMENB22
裡面是間不大的休息室，爐火搖曳，牆邊擺著幾張長椅與沉重的武器架。五人正圍坐爐旁，三男兩女，衣甲整齊，但神情鬆懈，顯然正處於難得的片刻放鬆時光。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0CyDYM1tC
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCfMpA0xEL
每人身旁皆靠著一件武器——寬刃斬劍、雙手戰刀、鉤斧或長弓。那套銀灰色皮甲在火光照映下泛著柔和的金屬光澤，如同一層安靜潛伏的殺意。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGHYBZ2Nyk
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK44P7FgDb
門一開，眾人話語戛然而止。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjNRWXYUJB
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEnB7Mjqbn
五道視線幾乎同時落在塔庫魯身上，有審視、有戒備，也有赤裸裸的困惑。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiPEJ7dxf3
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBaGpOj8gQ
其中一名金髮的女兵微微眯起眼，皺著鼻子低聲咕噥了一句：「副隊……山蠻人也能進禁地了？」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT72CCAdscx
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCK3vS82a5
她聲音雖不高，卻沒人聽不見。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy5Dv26FAV
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7d7UFLLlw
泰倫斯毫不動怒，只是語氣冷靜地回應道：「他不是隨便跑進來的。他誤闖了禁地——而且，帶來了情資。金獅國，正準備奇襲蘆德城。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HPzsrFrA9
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss1Nb7T5l7
空氣驟然一緊。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnatshcYOi
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9Zx569Nt0
原本倚椅半斜的紅披肩男兵一個彈身坐直，長髮披肩，雙眼銳利如刀，「有人派人回報了嗎？」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdWyqf3rE9
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoJtuZxqId
「大使親自安排信鷹送信。」泰倫斯乾脆回答，「現在輪不到我們操這份心。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRmGwXgzjN
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj93Z3EewT5
接著，他轉頭，指向其中一人——那是個光頭濃眉、肩寬背闊的壯漢，正鼻頭泛紅，裹著厚披風打噴嚏。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwMPAi2Poo
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U0nGHPUN6
「克拉茲，你感冒還沒好，這次任務你留守。讓這個山蠻人頂你的位置。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNyJcvmOOs
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U9SrpN1JD
克拉茲一聽，簡直像被赦免的死囚，當場鬆了口氣，笑得跟中了彩票似的。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CnKU2LqJi
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbJoapE7Fa
「太好了……這兩天我腦袋像浸在泥裡一樣，真的不想穿甲出門……」他摸摸鼻子，連聲感謝神明。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLQRnHUMYP
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZvyijJ7J5
其餘幾人則忍不住互看一眼，有人輕笑，有人悶哼一聲，但眼神中都藏著些許羨慕——誰都知道今晚的任務不輕鬆，而能留在安全的使館裡，絕對是當天的「上上籤」。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVIBn0VyWa
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRaSztY8GY
不過更多的視線，又落回塔庫魯身上。這高大的山蠻族戰士站在門邊，渾身肌肉線條如岩壁般分明，滿身野氣與風霜氣味，與這些披著整齊軍裝的戰士們形成強烈對比。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyFFT6LTyG
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdpBvgk9FH
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubAMRCHAyX
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvc5hOqMzn
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDfLHJNdAj
塔庫魯才剛踏進這間屋子，就嗅出一股濃烈的氣味──不光是汗水、皮革與武器油混雜的味道，更是那種快要上戰場的焦躁、默契與懷疑雜揉成的氣氛。他心中暗道：這趟任務，八成不是什麼單純的護送差事。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFqzMFdwBB
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJRrgjLS2U
克拉茲走了過來，雖然肩膀還打著哆嗦，臉上卻堆滿笑意。他伸手用力拍了拍塔庫魯的後背，像在拍戰馬的屁股那樣響。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkERE4k5pa
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcnMmeXG97
「兄弟！」他咧著嘴說，「你真是我的救星啊！出現在這種時候，簡直比神諭還準！這次若能活著過冬，肯定得請你喝個痛快！」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq6txEcRyD
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BmXe7cFZB
「滾出去！」泰倫斯的聲音像掄起的長劍一樣冷冽有力。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE07G1EVDn
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL3DNrcm2b
克拉茲臉上笑容沒斷，腳下倒是比誰都快，連滾帶爬地閃出房門，走前還不忘回頭朝眾人揮了揮手，像是交接班的戲子退場一般滑稽。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSQm3qc26l
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8Xl1xokr4
「那邊。」泰倫斯懶得多說，指了指克拉茲剛空出來的座位。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbhj4g1H63
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhFmpNKp1U
塔庫魯點了點頭，大步走過去，坐下。椅子沉沉地發出嘎吱一聲，他坐得筆挺，餘光掃過每個人：他們的坐姿、手掌繃緊的幅度、腰間未完全鬆懈的扣帶。是的，他心中已有定見——這群人，都不是什麼普通士兵。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOblMSZVNZx
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo559LyHzFl
正當他盤算這支小隊的實力時，那名紅披肩男兵開口了。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI0MJ4khUG
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ662V8Aep2T
「你的武器呢？」聲音不急不緩，語氣卻帶著某種試探。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla9spLwI0e
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXNaxnnunH
塔庫魯下意識挺直了背脊，語速利落：「報告，被要求放在大門口的武器架上了。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG3nlRlvrY
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2A6h6XS0Y
「哈，別這麼死板嘛！」那人一笑，拍了拍自己胸口的銀徽章，「我又不是什麼長官，我們都是上兵。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmrCbCrdTK
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd90aVzABty
其他人也紛紛輕笑，氣氛微微緩和些許。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykqiCK2aVD
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mP0RjJKHn
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcvvmQOLmK
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oQ4bWv69M
泰倫斯這時站到了火爐前，語氣一如既往地嚴肅：「各位，這位新夥伴塔庫魯，是來自山蠻族的戰士。你們看得出來，他夠硬，也跑得夠快。這種人上了戰場，是救命的好夥伴——這次的任務不容閃失，誰都得全力以赴，聽明白了嗎？」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWljDIDsAx
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsCzHT466Z
眾人齊聲答道：「明白！」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBQHKhpgI3
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9c0yyamxd
但就在這時，那名金色辮子的女兵靠著牆，冷哼了一聲，目光像利箭般朝塔庫魯掃了過去。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJd3ycOM1Y
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrubB6taBp0
「希望這位山裔戰士，別還沒見著敵人，就先掉頭開溜了。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazMyilIzNR
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w7pOO0hxe
話語像釘子一樣敲在空氣裡，其他人紛紛靜了下來。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCzfifi61W
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5jO66j7TZ
塔庫魯沒有生氣。他反而歪了歪頭，像聽不懂似的擠出一個憨厚的笑容，嘴角咧得老大，露出幾顆因風霜而發黃的牙。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe8yvKfsro
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nP6knt0qy
女兵皺了皺眉，神情露出一絲不適，「你這笑法……還真有點嚇人。」39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlZRt5P5Dd
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zd1KF8sAh
塔庫魯趕緊把笑容收起，低頭撓了撓鼻尖，心裡悄聲苦笑：看來，要讓這張臉學會微笑不嚇人，比逃出萬縱谷還難哪。39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqEGQO4OJl
