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這位是帥氣的護衛任務的隊長夸斯特43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnD4VP52Vx
塔庫魯這才開口，語氣裡帶著幾分不以為意的粗獷自豪。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH85S7rjNWB
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa52ESRjBv
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgevELEGqO
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlASwgRgmlg
他咧嘴一笑，眼裡卻沒有一絲苦楚，彷彿那是種常態。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqDfuC0sgN
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2uaMNjtOc
「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！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguBpMMSWSy
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22HxGS2zeU
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！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkfzouawil
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCR99RIoAm2
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7uguzk8Ig
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk75BEvr68
「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？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfg9EAwWCm
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpU4w1KIOY
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：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1084obm02x
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNZPL50uSB
「只要他沒吹牛，這速度，確實是戰場上難得的本錢。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M4O93KgQY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TYH7SKMXz
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukTeXURIBS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4Ms7pSioC
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：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAaZtzDkQr
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpaU9GxKvZ
「副隊長泰倫斯，把他帶去見其他人，熟悉一下環境。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeixhMWZaK
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRnhcoB1vf
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：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrEb8T6c23
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLg63LvHis
「跟我來。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dZ776ywy5
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGZkYsOkXv
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrnlCHu56p
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAMPZVqDyR
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrUi3Aa2vW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFIKRRZtee
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH3Dfcws03
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXLU8hgf1V
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0BqqzRycJ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXQ8pVgCpS
「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？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUHdadqPYw
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8uJLNrZT2
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：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqaozsURun
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7vntKhDKL
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBMai7E8dz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ476HqjUt25
他微微一頓，嘴角浮現一絲嘲弄的笑意。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzUYHfkdE2
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiAopsygTN
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVHuPYmIGl
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm9Dgs8J3G
公主忍不住掩嘴輕笑，笑聲如晨霧拂過樹梢，輕盈卻真實。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CIcD9jvNc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm610Vmj619
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CKp87klbB
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn1V8dStGB
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA2H2Pq2OD
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUEUGJo9hd
夸斯特斜睨了她一眼，似笑非笑地問道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gWTMHOyrw
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5YaFF1mVF
「哦？公主都聽過些什麼樣的傳聞？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqdM4udVqB
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EFFMWOppF
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：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uVrSKbPb9
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiVnr7gl6w
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF784nrF50
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0CkuJEmFO
這話一出口，她自己也有些發毛，忍不住縮了縮脖子。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA6WND97uZ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax677CcHmH
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL9zBgGj60
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYHKBrYqUi
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GMuZVn0yT
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZHge6fyNw
「那土瓦族……是怎樣的？」公主好奇問道。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4vfIAUDQY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngu0O4ReTv
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdtPbwpNiR
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zZ3ekMBZF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkpkFQltKL
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IvZtomGOQ
公主眨了眨眼，忽然又小聲道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ17h2HFwxX
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzAjpm5SCz
「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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI2aFQi7rv
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm1vbWw0Q5
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmjOJlzaVl
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOur6IjYxz7
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSHJpzk7vr
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLaLB8zFki
他停了停，像是回憶起什麼往事般地說：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWhmsMPjzi
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWgTU8iZTp
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG1SogvyPq
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk2BtRuJfE
公主的表情一時有些複雜，像是放心，又像是惆悵。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRoqL1AyLx
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYztjkIB99C
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeGG3wZleJ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdSxpIrum8
她點了點頭，接著問了個直擊本質的問題：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytewlpZxov
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE1Xywyo1h
「那……山蠻族、土瓦族這些……也算是人類嗎？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PgWYvMWRp
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN1yhtN8eW
夸斯特聞言，神色收斂，語調也變得莊重：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0nj8nPZRF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktE4Hkb65j
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8HE7d7NPr
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8agg2vqKo1
他語氣一頓，帶著淡淡的歷史沉重感：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRYT8aduAM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuPGw4RPKD
「他們是人，只是……我們選擇遺忘了這點。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWDfYxdjSU
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJvPtIVMQA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EKxANfJh0
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UU7ZMEpqI
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：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpilMoc0neF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus4VDuSodo
「我已經派人，用最快的信鷹回報天龍本國了！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDiGD81w4a
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLalM6tO1c
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？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M8L01Omln
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSioMH0wLFY
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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj9jnEucDZ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcriswb6NkQ
老者──天龍國大使，名為莫洛德──點了點頭，臉色轉為凝重。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ484dVXUxt3
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXtDvkXvf8
「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——」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScRhkqwHa9
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5MXJt3C7d
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXXiorQGBA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo0ZEKBdfC
他猛地起身，盯著大使的眼睛，一字一頓地說道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGz70sq0cj
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBppZnd4ZB
「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！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ8aLefUxS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJKqyg9Idx
莫洛德大使神情堅毅，毫不動搖地擺了擺手：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxlaQJmVF0
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMunCCdMAR6
「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！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbyQUWjG1D
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdIz2Auxcn
一旁的公主也出聲了，語氣雖柔卻堅定：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVc8Uw8pjd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPsqtTozRC
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyREI8jMhd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR9XFDIQRY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSDeXJBSVP
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetpcg7TUAe
夸斯特沉默片刻，深吸了一口氣，終於坐回了椅中。他低聲道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnryPUKJX4v
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6afkmGJcyA
「我明白……那麼，天神族方面的配合人手，安排好了嗎？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsATM6XhAU
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuog8MSDTIo
大使回應迅速，顯然對細節早已胸有成竹：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvXFC5mefX
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQVe6XS1b7
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFvW3OQAMC
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOyf70QlHA
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWwdos1i59
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X5nAgW62y
但大使的眉頭忽然皺起來，語氣也低了幾分：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAV2J09dxm
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbreWM7Uv3
「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——」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5lu2HlMfm
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvV86KHHX3
夸斯特勉強笑了笑，帶著一種無奈又諒解的語氣說：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlFrTtf3cs
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV2RER4V8B
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA7a79LES1
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCW8DIrZtY
聽到這話，大使終於鬆了口氣，點點頭，聲音低沉：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJfmMXK7bS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjRk7V1PCm
「那就好……願神之契印庇佑你們。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoesrSDA13
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPBVDTeMj5
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN8MViovde
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOZk6gcZUf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uDpod0zEl
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlZ0up0Frx
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSEHXo5yao
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkRNW25eq7
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV37JC9smSs
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4Aws7x5vK
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhpFYrFtjY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6NqzcO3vY
門一開，眾人話語戛然而止。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgimhfX9zjX
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DGVViBWcH
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpecdzSQlq
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ8ktV0nSK
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？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BEQ9KnWlQ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oe8mcyS1x
她聲音雖不高，卻沒人聽不見。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYjl653DsQ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j0a3Obvky
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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1JJ8SAniJ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1wQMedZxv
空氣驟然一緊。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAZnRWEAa3
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxSNUPAxNO
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？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99ktTuZWO8
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8kxwJg5Zf
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h1hpG9Oy0
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMJdo14CJw
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86apFjX93u
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNrXh6tSZL
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2XfaKpuf7
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0V6jPMi1C
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VAuLX7bZg
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVLfKfEebP
「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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9s2gaQRi5
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwqxdwqxgF
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」。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCvebdKv0A
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshufxhsRJX
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNaesMbBVy
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmreA6xsT1u
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtX1jYlPfL
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmbt92wSth
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YYE52qU52
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAho9odgYky
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG148xrBQEN
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4RrZNehRN
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0WQFyQOe1
「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！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEst0LtvHz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxeWRRDYWa
「滾出去！」泰倫斯的聲音像掄起的長劍一樣冷冽有力。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQJE0FG468
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDZGo9EBgf
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJDPQCycw4
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtVqvMxdlt
「那邊。」泰倫斯懶得多說，指了指克拉茲剛空出來的座位。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeC8ydHTIL
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26oStKhftd
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4b5lnwEfj
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO5f9a2AEK
正當他盤算這支小隊的實力時，那名紅披肩男兵開口了。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8OFEqZ8gr
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemOwqJSvKg
「你的武器呢？」聲音不急不緩，語氣卻帶著某種試探。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewNaBlhpIb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKgWGwxpBD
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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwSvlJ4Bp0
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCB3r21NeV
「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。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb6jJzFbwd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFsVUobN1V
其他人也紛紛輕笑，氣氛微微緩和些許。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL3mQ8IlZy
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3yG2AB8cP
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I2HPZLq7g
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTCOyHmCyh
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？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlr3wqE6cX
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1vBJbxb0q
眾人齊聲答道：「明白！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOsDjaCvip
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X0cc9Xt4L
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CgHGqMtIl
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCSWLcr5de
「希望這位山裔戰士，別還沒見著敵人，就先掉頭開溜了。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuuZ7WXY5h
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqO4uctuQE
話語像釘子一樣敲在空氣裡，其他人紛紛靜了下來。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lV6nV9148
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxg214X2LW
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHRf9HVaxR
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oaD82Pdbi
女兵皺了皺眉，神情露出一絲不適，「你這笑法……還真有點嚇人。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhmZQLcaHi
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLru4ZYY9db
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。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ80WmpuyB
