餘燼93Please respect copyright.PENANAZAbfWweTJB
93Please respect copyright.PENANA5oGdLWR7Oj
93Please respect copyright.PENANA1Bhps8PYL9
93Please respect copyright.PENANATT6XOoKOmJ
193Please respect copyright.PENANAKkuvPUR4AS
93Please respect copyright.PENANAHKO1EnZBlm
93Please respect copyright.PENANAN15MnUc6HO
93Please respect copyright.PENANAHdOcy5eVC5
93Please respect copyright.PENANA424daGRNCr
泡麵......好香......93Please respect copyright.PENANATyaDmZmn9b
93Please respect copyright.PENANAPiaVeQ0yLF
「......排骨雞麵?」93Please respect copyright.PENANA2aaEqUDnp2
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGttACZhOqv
93Please respect copyright.PENANAefaHWvq7DT
香味被小卷嗅進了腦袋裡,於是腦袋就把她的眼皮暴力拔開。93Please respect copyright.PENANADk3iIWy9k0
93Please respect copyright.PENANACfspq6b4W4
她看見自己的兩條小腿靠放在明旭的大腿上,而明旭一手托著臉、一手用筷子在溫暖的麵湯裡頭攪拌,他盯著螢幕上密密麻麻的文字看,表情像一百萬年都沒有睡過覺一樣疲倦。93Please respect copyright.PENANANTvCV99xtz
93Please respect copyright.PENANARWQVY4SDlC
從窄巷逃出來後,一回到大街上,回頭一看,那個穿著西裝的詭異男子已經消失無蹤。93Please respect copyright.PENANA33lngIfQux
93Please respect copyright.PENANAwMspfvHPZX
但小卷趴在明旭的背上不肯放開,於是明旭只好把她揹去網咖,包夜。93Please respect copyright.PENANA8GG0WsBX7O
93Please respect copyright.PENANAa8vWdtX6Xb
雖然環境不是很整潔,也彌漫著重重的菸酒檳榔味,但畢竟是少有的包廂式,而且位置還在地下室,然後也不曉得是本來就這麼規劃,還是來這裡的客人大多都有這個需求,這裡可以付費盥洗,甚至還有販賣輕便衣物。93Please respect copyright.PENANAb75CjJaF6O
93Please respect copyright.PENANA8GMUqIJguF
小卷往牆上的掛鉤看,他們倆人昨天才洗過的校服現在還沒有完全乾,但身上這套棉質的短袖和短褲還算得上是舒服,所以她願意繼續像隻倉鼠一樣把自己埋在枕頭堆中,雖然這些東西很臭。93Please respect copyright.PENANAc3i0qbGQ57
93Please respect copyright.PENANA8W8GYqGrSZ
93Please respect copyright.PENANAdv7rYSIIPx
「你有找到什麼嗎?」懶懶散散地,她帶著還沒開嗓的憨音開口問道。93Please respect copyright.PENANA5blVz3E2uA
93Please respect copyright.PENANAKVhGKSKvFF
明旭慢慢轉頭,一眼瞪了過來。「我覺得爽睡一整晚的人第一句話應該是要道歉才對。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAJiXI2vS0GZ
93Please respect copyright.PENANAUxmNPBBexc
小卷皺起眉頭,偷偷把腳收回來。「......我又不是故意的。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA0v9l5M50X6
93Please respect copyright.PENANALlnoutZBQq
「肚子餓嗎?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAQbfC0lMsWf
93Please respect copyright.PENANAC1hcs8J7CH
小卷眼睛一亮。「餓。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA2B7sxbzC7K
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGnKGA6i1P5
「這裡還有湯。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA8YIHatL4TW
93Please respect copyright.PENANALZVjC1Bvli
她看著明旭把碗推向她。「......只有湯?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAhvaA744Nhl
93Please respect copyright.PENANA5ln3o7Urcd
「不然妳現在趕去學校,還來得及吃桶餐。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAPsRMJyH9qG
93Please respect copyright.PENANAi4E46UmWFD
小卷眨眨眼。93Please respect copyright.PENANA19y5FY0CS5
93Please respect copyright.PENANAs4raswzGC0
突然之間坐起身來。「什麼!已經中午了?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAVXHZLOEV5r
93Please respect copyright.PENANA12jpNfVCwS
「噓!小聲一點啦!」明旭往包廂外一指,現在或許還有很多人還在補眠。93Please respect copyright.PENANA36PplpfHfN
93Please respect copyright.PENANAOp5pkX4dj8
「愛里怎麼辦?她......她沒有我,還活得下去嗎?」小卷慌張地捏緊了抱枕。93Please respect copyright.PENANAwI4d9vgEcD
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGoMVMccmGe
「......這句話從各方面來講都很糟糕啊。」明旭遲疑了一下,然後動手用滑鼠點了點,把一大疊的網站全部關掉。「反正,妳擔心的話就早點去學校吧。」93Please respect copyright.PENANARrPcDIlsj4
93Please respect copyright.PENANAdiSauWrZsC
「那你呢?」小卷問道。93Please respect copyright.PENANAfpJLUmgTf0
93Please respect copyright.PENANAcrTeF2KX4Z
「我要回家補眠了。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAHHJkV81Udv
93Please respect copyright.PENANApYoietJpyP
93Please respect copyright.PENANAfQ8LEff4ry
她盯著看,一語不發,並沒有隨著明旭起身的動作而準備,反倒又默默地倒回抱枕堆中。93Please respect copyright.PENANAgzZCjxibqc
93Please respect copyright.PENANAwpi3kFIi4Z
93Please respect copyright.PENANA1CdXM3pypa
「......怎樣?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAuSVwdscGgv
93Please respect copyright.PENANASDYztBUNRe
「你如果要睡覺,會直接睡在這裡。」小卷瞇起了眼。「你一定是發現了什麼,然後想要把我給支開,自己一個人跑去調查。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAoEBKc9Caqr
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGhyYI9EAGZ
93Please respect copyright.PENANAf2cg6OmZAY
聞聲,明旭突然咬緊了牙,他握緊拳頭,往桌面用力一槌。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVmFqJbmoHE
93Please respect copyright.PENANAyeRIZbI2D2
「妳不要說得一副好像很了解我一樣!」93Please respect copyright.PENANA0DkDCUz9yE
93Please respect copyright.PENANAjhl4qvwIHC
「你才不要想用這種漫畫的口氣打混過去!」93Please respect copyright.PENANAXWReX15EtA
93Please respect copyright.PENANAtFtDd3OWKE
小卷也握起了小拳頭,往抱枕上一敲。93Please respect copyright.PENANAikw0fzJuCn
93Please respect copyright.PENANAMd5SuCetgh
「唉、」明旭大嘆了一口氣,倒回沙發上。「煩欸。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAjWkEpz6t0h
93Please respect copyright.PENANATPFR1f0kzq
「快點,快說。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA4BGQKAqRJD
93Please respect copyright.PENANA0eRDckik1j
「平常到底是在裝笨還是怎樣啊?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAIfuUMZvbF9
93Please respect copyright.PENANAfR10ixuh0e
「你太失禮了吧?我從來都沒有笨過吧!」93Please respect copyright.PENANA9QQ4mYYdx2
93Please respect copyright.PENANAo2yBvU44Bc
93Please respect copyright.PENANAIy82O3T4GM
93Please respect copyright.PENANAzfLGjQvVoc
93Please respect copyright.PENANARoElIS6Mmq
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGX0yplw1G1
293Please respect copyright.PENANAuTLbSzho3l
93Please respect copyright.PENANABh4DdDK9vV
93Please respect copyright.PENANA1jYBD2IEpi
93Please respect copyright.PENANAoUYrkHvjbt
93Please respect copyright.PENANAkTAf0CAGJ1
一個小時後,他們回到人潮稀疏的百貨商場面前。93Please respect copyright.PENANA21a8zmFWvV
93Please respect copyright.PENANAQXXtRRyC9d
為了不引起注意,校服和過於暴露的網咖衣褲都沒有辦法用上,於是兩人在附近的成衣店買了便服。明旭穿了一身習慣的黑衣黑褲,小卷則考慮到有預感接下來還會碰上妖怪的問題,選了腰上有蝴蝶結的牛仔短褲和紅豆粉色的荷葉挖肩小薄衫。她的長捲髮也向後紮起了一束蓬鬆的波浪高馬尾。快要比她的頭還大。93Please respect copyright.PENANA8JVPMRvtZq
93Please respect copyright.PENANAcT8Ldrnejo
「妳來外拍的嗎?有在兼職嗎?多少錢?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAPj79vQtatl
93Please respect copyright.PENANAMCoAs7pFju
「你專心一點,這件事情很嚴重。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAhtUojfV1gp
93Please respect copyright.PENANAYiWHO8XoxX
面對小卷嚴肅的教訓,明旭挑了眉,只好聳聳肩。93Please respect copyright.PENANA5BDgiCq8fM
93Please respect copyright.PENANAe4riwnDp4r
接著,他們便踏進大門口,直接往教會而去。93Please respect copyright.PENANAEec4zg6TTF
93Please respect copyright.PENANA1KWraLNNoh
93Please respect copyright.PENANAMFyDduy94F
推開頂樓那扇安全門,白天的玻璃隧道和夜晚時相差許多,並沒有夢幻的感覺,甚至還有些悶熱,出了隧道後,兩人往四周一看,或許這就是為什麼教會要座落在這個地方的原因,這裡幾乎可以清楚地眺望到整座回安鎮。93Please respect copyright.PENANAv2cebgyARs
93Please respect copyright.PENANAaadvFeINpD
如果從回安中學的天台往這看,應該也能多多少少看見教會的屋頂吧?但他們過去並沒有對這方向感到好奇過。93Please respect copyright.PENANAREqm2Es1xN
93Please respect copyright.PENANA1DQ7cdTfXj
教會依然靜謐,甚至比起晚上,白天連外頭街道的吵鬧聲都顯得收斂。往小花園的彼端看去,黎恩牧師沒有在上次的小木椅上,往門口靠近,那個男修士也沒有剛好走出來。93Please respect copyright.PENANAeWYi49gnYi
93Please respect copyright.PENANAHP7fkFat6C
「我們先在這等嗎?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAaxLVn1UO1S
93Please respect copyright.PENANAYqWjsSQnOl
「等個屁啊。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAcmf8Y4Oc9t
93Please respect copyright.PENANAeaIPvmaCkN
明旭從擔憂著的小卷身旁往前走,一手按上實木大門,直接推了開來。93Please respect copyright.PENANA56HkxZZP5J
93Please respect copyright.PENANAkXzJhbgDDA
93Please respect copyright.PENANAhQdqTgX557
日光循著漸開的門縫,照耀清涼靜謐的石板路,喚醒了白堊石柱與泥灰磚牆,使兩側的玻璃彩窗開始閃爍虹光。93Please respect copyright.PENANABmxB9wTkTT
93Please respect copyright.PENANAQyVXh8RhOg
佇立於內殿處,在詩班席旁的黎恩牧師,將那潔白、高雅、卻又孤獨的背影,側了些角度過來。93Please respect copyright.PENANAMUOIH5BZUI
93Please respect copyright.PENANAhoxga1mT5x
她看見兩人,並透過唯一可視的左眼確定了後方沒有其餘來者後,便將身子轉正,將燒毀的半張臉、與那顆琉璃眼珠面對著他們。93Please respect copyright.PENANAN94S1VE7j9
93Please respect copyright.PENANAfjgwZ3Wocq
93Please respect copyright.PENANAUAwy1hoEAs
明旭帶著小卷,一前一後走過中殿筆直的道路,穿過耳堂,到了祭壇前才停下。93Please respect copyright.PENANAmWjOcP3oZq
93Please respect copyright.PENANAMl7P7eZCWe
他一直注視著黎恩牧師的表情,但對方卻平靜地令人猜測不出情緒,彷彿早就預料到了這一刻,這讓他感覺很不是滋味。93Please respect copyright.PENANAWcEA6MOhK0
93Please respect copyright.PENANAtzf8uXOOEP
93Please respect copyright.PENANAego2YAjxWn
「我們昨天去了妳給的地點。」明旭直視著黎恩牧師。「一個被放棄的火場廢墟,沒有人負責清理,裡頭長滿了青苔,雨水淤積在地下室,連野貓野狗都不想靠近。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAuB5j2QGfaG
93Please respect copyright.PENANA3srb1wSznG
「如你所見,一個活生生的悲劇。」黎恩牧師只是盯著明旭,她一眼都沒有看向小卷過。93Please respect copyright.PENANAvZDg0U5Ytg
93Please respect copyright.PENANArJKv18e4iu
「雖然大部分的東西都被燒爛,還是有少部分能夠辨認得出原本的模樣,但事實上來說,有那些就已經足夠充分了。」明旭抓牢了黎恩牧師的眼神,並接著繼續說下去。「掛在牆上被燒成炭的木雕,是你們聖子的形象、被燒熔的油畫上,還有一個角落標有你們宗教的圖示、然後,那直到現在仍站穩於祭台上的石像,是在你們的神話之中,代表著火焰而不受焚燒的聖靈。」93Please respect copyright.PENANACtX3ua3bnt
93Please respect copyright.PENANAt2ZcFbp8uN
黎恩牧師微微一笑。93Please respect copyright.PENANAapzSMlJcT8
93Please respect copyright.PENANA8oPidxHXyK
「還有散落在地上那些,只要仔細看就能看出來的經文書和儀式法器。」明旭往這座教會的四周看了幾眼。「那是你們供給修士使用的住所。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAfuD5awmanB
93Please respect copyright.PENANAl7GmFMnX89
「是的。」黎恩牧師輕輕點了頭。「那並不屬於這座教會管轄,但的確是我們的居所。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAz8PqBoMXCo
93Please respect copyright.PENANAegGBgRM09K
「然後,我去找了官方的救災紀錄。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAjLV5RrZM4l
93Please respect copyright.PENANArWfPcs8nOI
93Please respect copyright.PENANAJsw8RVXvbD
黎恩牧師突然一愣,暫停了呼吸,嘴角的微笑也隨之沉了下來。93Please respect copyright.PENANAwXffhA4eDd
93Please respect copyright.PENANACxOFWN5LHZ
她稍稍縮起了身子,開始有些喘息,彷彿在短短的時間內,準備好了要面對接下來那不堪回首的過去。93Please respect copyright.PENANAxrZwvCp0OL
93Please respect copyright.PENANAOgJGdvGlPE
明旭發現在她的表情之中,竟然有著期待。這令他更加確信了自己的推論,完完全全屬於一項可悲的事實。他吸了一口氣,緩慢地、慎重地說下去。93Please respect copyright.PENANAuQsQYI0Tdh
93Please respect copyright.PENANArM2fhUnHPf
「那棟廢墟失火的時間點,在十五年前。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA9alUlx4UjI
93Please respect copyright.PENANAf5ZiHoMbnx
小卷握緊了雙手,放在自己小小的胸口上。即便已經多次預先演練,她仍是不曉得該以何種表情面對接下來的一切。93Please respect copyright.PENANAy7FlDvx58h
93Please respect copyright.PENANAi5isSXHeCX
「從那場火裡被救出來的,不是當時只有兩歲大的愛里。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA3nP5EOwESy
93Please respect copyright.PENANA9PeVtjQ3de
明旭直視著她。93Please respect copyright.PENANAoacPUPZOwz
93Please respect copyright.PENANAbsoFTG2kYc
「是妳。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAXNFztkuwPU
93Please respect copyright.PENANACbZIdUEwM3
93Please respect copyright.PENANAVk7prToWhX
一聲嘆息,彷彿終於得到救贖。93Please respect copyright.PENANAbt3dOH5zIa
93Please respect copyright.PENANAxioSlVFMke
黎恩牧師輕輕向後退了一步,並將身子側了一邊,只以半臉示人。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVDdSNQmXNp
93Please respect copyright.PENANAf7Dc2wYud2
--受過惡火肆虐的那半張臉。93Please respect copyright.PENANAik03mrnPbO
93Please respect copyright.PENANA7wIMFGCaJI
而藏匿於後,在仍完好無缺的另半邊,她悄悄閉上了眼,與這座教會一同寧靜。93Please respect copyright.PENANAxedjEWtlul
93Please respect copyright.PENANAFhm4LifIMG
93Please respect copyright.PENANALbLGS9e63K
「如果我把妳的修袍脫下。」明旭仍是選擇繼續開口追問。「告訴我,我能不能夠在妳的身上,也看到和愛里一樣的,那被人雕刻出來的火疤?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7umJPfJpp
93Please respect copyright.PENANAQLgTKUDrHd
93Please respect copyright.PENANA6FWCSjjkYv
小卷伸手握住明旭的手腕,她認為已經夠了,不應該再繼續殘忍下去了。93Please respect copyright.PENANABT0gRtS1JP
93Please respect copyright.PENANABJ2wjumdd4
但黎恩牧師卻伸手拉掉了肩上的淡金色禮帶和金邊祭披。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVFueIkKPVH
93Please respect copyright.PENANArtFeyWKLV9
接著,她轉身背對著兩人,並同時將雙手環抱住自己的祭袍,抓緊,向上拉開、褪去。93Please respect copyright.PENANAIMaAGgf4Kg
93Please respect copyright.PENANATgplxg3jHS
93Please respect copyright.PENANAuGjb3if2Q2
在潔白無垢的長褲上方,那裸露出來的纖細上身。93Please respect copyright.PENANAV1I8NFsGK3
93Please respect copyright.PENANA1XFNyJlkHc
小卷倒抽了一口氣,雖然早有準備,但仍一時之間無法接受地摀起了自己的臉龐。93Please respect copyright.PENANAUZmlKZ9EuH
93Please respect copyright.PENANA4jDpZqSGIw
她注視著黎恩牧師背上的紋路與圖騰。「......和、和愛里的一樣......」但又趕緊搖搖頭。「不、不......不太一樣......多了......」93Please respect copyright.PENANAR2svO1aqGf
93Please respect copyright.PENANAiilsGvQsaK
「多了最後的一道火蝕。」黎恩牧師輕輕說著。93Please respect copyright.PENANAJDrFk63mbV
93Please respect copyright.PENANAlU8h8dR6J1
和愛里的一樣,她們背上都有著放射狀,彷彿從火山洞口直視而下,將那滾燙的熾熱焚風和暴虐的烈火岩漿給構線後的圖紋,誇張的深刻、卻又細緻得繁複,就算是一般的刺青,那也是需要好幾日夜不眠不休才有辦法刻完的藝術成品。如果與她們兩人如影隨形的痛楚也算在藝術之內的話。93Please respect copyright.PENANAmCRdAlnsEW
93Please respect copyright.PENANAuijee7xtJ9
但黎恩牧師卻比愛里多了一道,粗曠的螺旋狀筆劃。93Please respect copyright.PENANAty5gqIeojk
93Please respect copyright.PENANARTHlVeqaUK
她伸手,指向自己臀部右上方,從那裡開始,彷彿繞著一座塔、繞著她的身體一路旋轉向上,而在最末端,則從左胸口改變了路徑的角度,轉而一路畫往右肩上,沿著頸子、經過右耳,在右臉上結束。93Please respect copyright.PENANAJCGLxBuYdu
93Please respect copyright.PENANAxcQnTKxUpJ
「這是最後一個步驟,也是啟動用的鑰匙。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAI0NvdOpgkI
93Please respect copyright.PENANAzmiFChy7uh
93Please respect copyright.PENANA10TTpsv10L
明旭低下了頭,讓視線離開黎恩牧師應當受人憐憫的胴體。93Please respect copyright.PENANAN1SSejJnqW
93Please respect copyright.PENANALZUbjvsWeV
然後,他看向聖殿中央的神像。93Please respect copyright.PENANA2WeTnyGdfG
93Please respect copyright.PENANARZ7DlECbux
「......告訴我,這到底是什麼儀式。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA81g8ZI0UNF
93Please respect copyright.PENANApOLXprUl70
93Please respect copyright.PENANA5z0YzNFBN8
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393Please respect copyright.PENANA8ItP6V7vOF
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93Please respect copyright.PENANA0kIRQp3bJX
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就好像整間教會只剩下黎恩牧師一人一樣,除此之外他們沒有再見到任何人的身影經過。93Please respect copyright.PENANAtQ6OrOa538
93Please respect copyright.PENANAywMaHcJNfI
教會的一樓中央挑高,一抬頭就能直接見到兩層樓上用作屋頂氣窗的鑲嵌玻璃。所以二樓實際上能使用的範圍只剩下環繞的旁側,立於一樓兩旁的走廊之上。但即便如此,房間數也已經相當地足夠,至少包括黎恩牧師在內,所有屬於這座教會的神職人員都居住於此。93Please respect copyright.PENANA0GWZzsIMRs
93Please respect copyright.PENANAfNiYTsRmza
她帶領著小卷和明旭步上階梯到了二樓,又往其中一側向裡頭探進,到了最底端後,最後一間開門,是類似藏書室的空間。93Please respect copyright.PENANAJI9DigU7uQ
93Please respect copyright.PENANAbaMWsnklbW
她讓兩人先找處角落待著,便開始往書架上摸索。93Please respect copyright.PENANA5puz7IKGsF
93Please respect copyright.PENANAuMeLYBeCj0
93Please respect copyright.PENANAdxRoY4ZWd5
「嘉柔說......愛里今天沒有去學校。」等待的時間,小卷看了手機後,向明旭報告。「她說班導正在試著聯絡愛里的姐姐。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAMXhaYld1sO
93Please respect copyright.PENANAeQRWqHxmxJ
「在你們到來不久前我們這也有接到電話,但我想既然愛里沒有來到教會,那也就只能夠待在家裡了?或許晚點你們可以去探望她。」黎恩牧師剛好回到兩人面前,她手上多了一只老舊的木盒,掀開盒蓋,裡頭靜靜地躺著一本老舊的古籍。「雖然不想被打擾的話,禱告室也有桌椅可以使用,但我不希望這手稿被帶出藏書室之外。」93Please respect copyright.PENANApxCbv2fpOh
93Please respect copyright.PENANA20sL97Dmfu
「無所謂,這裡很好。」明旭點點頭,並伸出手。「方便嗎?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAAzgokuro6V
93Please respect copyright.PENANAb2M1h1vbjL
「我私心希望你有足夠粗魯到能把它給破壞掉。」黎恩牧師即刻便交至他手上。「但還是請您多加當心,這份文獻相當寶貴。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAoiDWJRlTJL
93Please respect copyright.PENANAJDcsPYTm12
「我會像對待小卷那般地呵護它的。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAEXMbNrpJ1f
93Please respect copyright.PENANA4qks3kjJqZ
他身旁的少女露出了驚恐的表情。93Please respect copyright.PENANAuG3hqBpnXb
93Please respect copyright.PENANA4D9QMtdJeO
「手寫的文件?」明旭翻開作為封面的油紙,內頁在經過悠長得無法想像的年月洗禮後,已經失去了原先柔軟的溫度,而是僵硬、薄脆,稍有不慎就會破碎。「該不會全世界就只有這一份?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAqBCUjLThk5
93Please respect copyright.PENANAvAwpXBc9qu
「這裡頭的一切,全都不被允許讓外人知曉,因此也不曾有過手抄本。」黎恩牧師有些無奈。「或許之後的某日會請人來重新謄寫,但正本就也只能銷毀了。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAbni7GhojNR
93Please respect copyright.PENANA0I2C42PUrJ
「那麼,現在的問題是,」明旭翻了幾頁後,卻突然嘆了口氣,他只好闔上,小心地交還給對方。「我看不懂。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAqWkAd43P9Z
93Please respect copyright.PENANAuuobWz4qsN
「那是當然地。」黎恩牧師像早就準備好逗弄他一般地輕笑。「畢竟這屬於已不存在的文字。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA1FAIeiaTqm
93Please respect copyright.PENANAL0OLfVPyYz
先不說那些形狀如海浪般的文字,手稿裡的撰寫格式也非常凌亂,即便有些看起來屬於同一段落,每一句下筆的開頭點也嚴重地參差不齊,但卻讓人感受到是刻意而為,彷彿這個細節也屬於文法中的一部份。93Please respect copyright.PENANAS5daNy501q
93Please respect copyright.PENANAjXGcutHWqr
裡頭的圖樣也很多,有些看起來是在描繪某種動植物、有些像是地圖,但傳達的方式卻不如現今主要以示意外貌輪廓和向量數據為主,手稿裡的傳達方式......不敢說有多少可能,但明旭直覺性地認為那是用符文的方式在敘述一件事物的......功能?93Please respect copyright.PENANAVex7MMV1X9
93Please respect copyright.PENANAzRCqqqqCRi
「既然你甚至都到了地下室去察看。」黎恩牧師將手稿完好如初地收回木盒裡,封蓋。「那麼對於那根船錨有什麼看法?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAxXG2lq36kX
93Please respect copyright.PENANArTRMNXwmw5
「講到這個,我想先釐清一個問題。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAaF4KiWWZ5b
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明旭有事先把當時的狀況說明給小卷聽過。93Please respect copyright.PENANAG8Oax0HPGj
93Please respect copyright.PENANA06bRbaVSou
在他踏入汙濁的積水後,為了避免誤踩尖刺物,幾乎是以拖行的方式,在厚累的淤泥中左右扭進。幸虧與船錨的距離不遠,沒有想像中的久,就站到了面前。93Please respect copyright.PENANArkLfB3MnTQ
93Please respect copyright.PENANAMIsxUqAKUG
船錨大約兩公尺高,錨尾是最古老的微笑新月形狀,那幾乎已經被淘汰,只會在卡通裡頭出現,而至於錨頂,有著一段同樣材質的鎖鏈,直直向下掉,沒入渾濁的水面下。93Please respect copyright.PENANASxjfNOc3Yz
93Please respect copyright.PENANAcwyZQEHvlO
而材質讓他完全無法理解,看起來像石材、卻又如同金屬,又或者兩者都是?但無論是哪一種,它都不該身處於這種腐敗地方,卻表現得彷彿精品展間裡的全新商品。那表面居然光滑到足夠將手機的燈光反射成更刺眼的樣子再回擊到明旭身上。93Please respect copyright.PENANAWRhhyYswVY
93Please respect copyright.PENANAEWUBcWeoyI
再來,無論是石頭還是銅鐵好了,就算不鏽鋼,也不可能泡在這種腐臭的髒水裡卻沒有任何一點變質的跡象。為了確認,明旭甚至彎下身子,將手順著錨身觸摸,一路下探到水裡,而同樣地,就算在泥層覆蓋之下,它也仍是高貴得無法受到任何汙染。93Please respect copyright.PENANA7bmEruVwPU
93Please respect copyright.PENANAblMZmXCLOD
至於它嵌進地下的部分,在交接處也沒有任何被物理破壞的痕跡,就好像它不是後來才「嵌」進去的,而是像某些碼頭的裝置藝術那樣,若不是一開始就沒有那一段,要不然就是預先「埋」起來的。93Please respect copyright.PENANAOy1fdMaNr6
93Please respect copyright.PENANA6PYrOqrRHu
明旭站直身子,接著研究那段鎖鏈,他握住,以為有很大的機率會沉重到無計可施,但卻只是稍加用力地一拔,整段便如同釣竿收線一般,從水下直接被拉起。鎖鏈大約長三公尺,但這麼說不太準確,因為在末端的部分有很嚴重的、燒熔過後的斷面,那噁心、毫無美感的處理方式不應該被用來對待任何一件藝術精品,那麼,又是誰下的這手?又為什麼?93Please respect copyright.PENANANJKJdVk6L7
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGR2eJpDi1D
而既然這材質是能夠被燒斷的,就不可能在經歷過大火肆虐仍完好無恙。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVOBOF1HCQ7
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但如果是之後才被放置在這的,又很奇怪了,這麼做到底有什麼意義?93Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1sclCik2t
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不過現在,親身經歷過那場大火的黎恩牧師卻搖了搖頭。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVu2y733fY0
93Please respect copyright.PENANAm0dlbiHQ9d
「它一直都在。」她做了一口深呼吸,說道。「在我進到地下室以前,就已經存在了。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAQMgP2x27Bw
93Please respect copyright.PENANAsRTvWPipIK
明旭只得啞口無言,他的腦袋進入短路。93Please respect copyright.PENANAhoBcY2uLoz
93Please respect copyright.PENANAju1JoQhVdZ
「但並沒有相差太久。」黎恩牧師想了一想。「大約半個小時左右,當那根錨下在那個地點後,我只花了半個小時就被送到那了。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAPsnrtnCF1P
93Please respect copyright.PENANAvMYbEViGXh
「......送到那?」小卷不解。93Please respect copyright.PENANAWKGsORqE1d
93Please respect copyright.PENANApuKoWQOIFK
「嗯......」黎恩牧師抬起頭,隔著厚實的水泥外殼,在受教會保護的小房間內,她看往天空。「你們相信嗎?就在這裡,有一個失落的國度和我們的世界重疊在一起。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAxnU3GPuGbz
93Please respect copyright.PENANAveo2qVGmmh
「......當然不相信,但我可以試著想像。」明旭有點疲憊地說道,他現在決定先不以常識來思考任何事情。93Please respect copyright.PENANAOgMmEwXr4I
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGXd7mxWWUe
黎恩牧師點點頭。「那個地方,和我們的世界完全不一樣,無論是地形、文化、物種,甚至連環境也從最根本上有所不同,那是一個在深海之下的國度。」93Please respect copyright.PENANArdFOI0z2iB
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兩人聽著。93Please respect copyright.PENANAJYzO2GbBX2
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「我們彼此之間各自就像是一盞投影燈,當兩道燈光打上同一面牆、同一個位置上時,無論從哪個角度來看,就都是重疊在一起的。」黎恩牧師伸手指向空無一物的牆面。「而兩道光的路徑,在某種力量的介入下,能夠成為通道,提供雙方一個能夠踩踏而上,並藉由於此前往另外一端的道路。」93Please respect copyright.PENANATVlrJmsKlN
93Please respect copyright.PENANASzmCFcEx7H
「這聽起來不太妙。」明旭思考著。「通常兩個截然不同的文化相撞在一起時,只要有足夠明顯的強弱之分,那麼就不可能和平共處,而是一方成為另方的養份。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAXp80UjLR41
93Please respect copyright.PENANA7uQeTqGQ5X
「就算我們是較強的一方好了,就算最後的勝利的是我們,過程之中的腥風血雨,也沒人能夠倖免。」黎恩牧師說道。「而值得慶幸的是,現在這兩道光並不夠穩定,在無法長時間保持完美密合的情況下,這條通道會成為壓碎路徑上所有生靈的刑具。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAH1WGhyNsNJ
93Please respect copyright.PENANA3D8G1XiSHk
明旭點點頭。他偷偷瞥向小卷,小卷的智商已經不見了。93Please respect copyright.PENANAWbkrYMts4h
93Please respect copyright.PENANAyUaimWiTc9
「而在地下室的那根船錨,便是作為連接兩個世界的鉤索。」她舉起雙手,將手掌攤平相對,接著,各自彎下食指,使指尖相觸。「雖然並不足以牢固通道的穩定性,但能夠成為橋梁,即便一次只夠一人通過,也確實成為可行的事實。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAKXUH1vQCN2
93Please respect copyright.PENANAM92N6BQki2
「那麼--」那麼那根錨不就必須被摧毀了嗎?明旭差點喊出聲來,但隨即又想起了鎖鏈末端那燒熔的斷面。「--那麼就必須弄斷鎖鏈。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAUYxTfnDT7a
93Please respect copyright.PENANARPI0TQDUnt
「是的。」黎恩牧師點點頭。「已定位的錨身便已成了事實,就算將之移除原處,它仍已確實地鉤掛上了我們的這端,唯一阻止的辦法,就只有將作為連結的鎖鏈斷除。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAfbzSgy3n80
93Please respect copyright.PENANAXKau06GrMH
「所以......」明旭看著黎恩牧師被燒毀的那半張臉。「妳被送到那裡。」93Please respect copyright.PENANASKHxBpM4AX
93Please respect copyright.PENANAEVGdLR7p3O
「我是合適的祭品,在焰火的儀式下所鑄造而成的寶劍,是目前已知唯一有辦法斬斷鎖鏈的方法。」她一手按上右臉,順著向下輕撫,經過右頸、繞過右胸、停在心口。「我完成了我的任務,被燒盡的柴火無法復燃,因此,為了下一根船錨的到來,教會不得不尋找有能力成為祭品的人選。」話語稍停,她默哀了一下,才繼續說道。「遺憾的是,在能力所及的範圍之內,整座回安鎮裡,就只有愛里一個人。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAbbtRa93Oc4
93Please respect copyright.PENANARK8YK6bqCk
「怎麼可能有這種事。」明旭皺眉。「怎麼可能只有她一個。」93Please respect copyright.PENANApict4LDBSN
93Please respect copyright.PENANAe23RFM8e3r
「或許你們會覺得,教會只是藉由誇大而把責任強制加諸於她身上。」黎恩牧師搖搖頭。「但如我先前就告訴過你們的,愛里的父親是教會裡的重要人物,以私心來看,她的身分反倒最不可能受人所逼迫,而無奈的就是,奠基於這項事實上,她的父親也只好忍痛同意。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAZfNJG4wMxJ
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGjacs2srFD
「......愛里知道這件事嗎?」小卷緊緊握住雙手,她在顫抖,但在那眼神中,是無以復加的憤怒。「愛里知道自己是祭品嗎?她真的......有同意過你們對她做這些事嗎?她真的答應過你們可以傷害她嗎?她、她知道.....她知道這是自己爸爸的決定嗎?」她撇開頭,又咬著牙轉回直視。「我......我看起來,她完全就不像是知道的呀!她根本就不明白自己遭遇了什麼,她根本就不懂為什麼自己會被丟進大火之中,到底為什麼你們可以擅自安排她的命運呀?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAU0s5t16Lgm
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGmXCYlZWph
「也沒有人問過我。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA9qvEzO9RVi
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黎恩牧師平靜地說著。93Please respect copyright.PENANAPXvvCgbdri
93Please respect copyright.PENANAklp5lO2ilG
「我也沒有過同意的權利,因為我甚至連個有機會、有能力可以保護我的人,都不曾擁有過。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAEtqfEc3hFc
93Please respect copyright.PENANAST7zeVdJX8
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小卷低下了頭,她強忍著眼淚。93Please respect copyright.PENANAfeLFXICzzp
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「畢竟,當這寒冷的世界急需一篝救命的焰火時,又有誰會在乎底下的一塊薪柴有多麼地痛苦呢?」93Please respect copyright.PENANATXyP7t938s
93Please respect copyright.PENANAz7frYQDJ5Y
黎恩牧師只是露出了淡淡地微笑。93Please respect copyright.PENANA8KsTmZTjVg
93Please respect copyright.PENANAO4PAjj3GNP
她伸手按上小卷的髮頂,輕順著、安撫著,以聖職者的身分,平復少女的心靈。93Please respect copyright.PENANA5imLu4vTFf
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一滴滴的淚珠,自小卷的眼角掉落而下。93Please respect copyright.PENANA3B2GD2GAUb
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「先讓她一個人靜靜吧。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAwRB2JKscTf
93Please respect copyright.PENANAigfJNfogQC
遠處,小卷獨自坐在花園彼端的小木椅上,她需要一點時間和空間。93Please respect copyright.PENANANeJuE7nwM5
93Please respect copyright.PENANAAPUteM8XRf
而教會大門外的階梯,明旭回頭朝向黎恩牧師。93Please respect copyright.PENANAcbXLAVU7tW
93Please respect copyright.PENANA59MAOKZKfA
「我還有些問題想要問妳。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAru3c9BY1cD
93Please respect copyright.PENANAZbL7f2D10Q
「只有我們的時候,我答應你會盡可能地回答一切。」她注視著玻璃隧道的出口。「但除此之外,」93Please respect copyright.PENANAv2xt1BMooE
93Please respect copyright.PENANAVRxwKsjIq3
「除此之外,我們兩個一點關係都沒有。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAHBGwP81vqP
93Please respect copyright.PENANAYwnXVViLXI
黎恩牧師愣了下,才點頭苦笑。「雖然這表達的方式有點傷人呢。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAtmquXcxAFI
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGoRIaaiWcV
「你說愛里還缺少最後一道火蝕。」明旭說道。「而那是啟動的鑰匙。」93Please respect copyright.PENANATs0GiFOPAn
93Please respect copyright.PENANA1ia6sMXR6y
「是的。」她輕點頭。93Please respect copyright.PENANAd3UYh8l4Pf
93Please respect copyright.PENANApjinXkqVaQ
「我想知道分成兩次進行的原因。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAvYVQihXKB6
93Please respect copyright.PENANAXUwTEYyOoE
黎恩牧師抿了一下嘴唇,有些無奈地嘆了口氣。「認真說起來,儀式正式開始的時間點,並不是火蝕紋上身的那一刻,那就只能算是前置作業而已。」93Please respect copyright.PENANADmiqyJMd0N
93Please respect copyright.PENANATWUMcAwGKp
「......所以果然是為了縮短派上用場時的準備時間、降低容錯率嗎?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAzPJZJeLYb2
93Please respect copyright.PENANAOyrqZbqnvX
「畢竟萬一出了差錯,要是來不及趕上了,那麼隨之陪葬的可是一整個世界。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA6ASRS3skXI
93Please respect copyright.PENANAVXgeGI0aSV
「那麼......」明旭有些遲疑,他在思考著該以何種角度看待各個角色,像小卷那樣視黎恩牧師為教會的一份子,雖然邏輯上說得通,但總隱隱約約地覺得不太妥當。「......那麼,小卷說的是真的嗎?愛里她並不知道自己的身分?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAsIMuJdSzq8
93Please respect copyright.PENANAtlYhNkTilK
黎恩牧師頓時語塞,她掙扎了一會後,點了點頭。「她的信仰不夠堅定......當然了,你要怎麼去強迫一個無神論者來為自己所信奉的教義捨身奉獻?即便那確實不只是一種用以宣揚的虛假口號,即便那除了提供迷茫者的精神寄託以外,也確實致力於庇護著這個世界,但在天秤的兩側,教會、包括她的父親,在經過審評後,都一致地認為愛里不會願意為了眾人而犧牲。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAcrOCoDvlWU
93Please respect copyright.PENANA0YBmByRZYV
「當然,是我我也不會。」明旭果斷地說。93Please respect copyright.PENANABzvjzScTtx
93Please respect copyright.PENANAjVgN923BvD
「倒不如說,在不受逼迫和利益的誘惑下,又能有誰是發自內心願意的呢?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAHJiUkJjofE
93Please respect copyright.PENANAE3hZnQ0i7x
明旭聳了聳肩,而他又嘆了口氣。「既然如此,教會是怎麼讓愛里接受第一階段的火蝕?」93Please respect copyright.PENANANTV6NmEuUd
93Please respect copyright.PENANArTXnVqU5jo
「綁架。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAINvSi1NwqN
93Please respect copyright.PENANAP6qdX1ptZx
黎恩牧師回答。93Please respect copyright.PENANAjM1MAHjMKK
93Please respect copyright.PENANAC6I5QPKQ36
明旭有些不可置信,但卻又不出預料地看向她。93Please respect copyright.PENANANQnivpxdK4
93Please respect copyright.PENANAVHwU6a5ldn
「教會偽裝成一場平凡不過的綁架。」她偏轉了目光,直到完全背視教堂內殿的神像。「偽裝成一群邪惡的匪徒,對愛里施以暴行。」93Please respect copyright.PENANARHq91oTpsA
93Please respect copyright.PENANAADaThmitZG
「這不會太過分嗎?」明旭卻往旁跨了一步,掠過黎恩牧師,反而直接面對著教會裡頭。「在確定要凌虐她肉身的前提下,竟然還選了絕對會崩潰她心靈的方法?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAfMUpfCZ2NN
93Please respect copyright.PENANAOvZ1Aq4JiX
黎恩牧師低下了頭。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVQI9Khexk7
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「就為了這個,她的創傷後壓力症候群、她的焦慮症--」93Please respect copyright.PENANA4ItosW3obp
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「--不。」黎恩牧師搖了搖頭。「不是。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAyUN030uuXe
93Please respect copyright.PENANACHARwjAybe
「......不是?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAK39ouS6Hjf
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGilMpT9Ptd
「假如現今已有能夠透過完全科學的方法來對愛里進行診斷,那麼她的精神狀況與一般人並不會相差太遠。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7BlldAPSs
93Please respect copyright.PENANAMOIvtpIZoh
「......妳在說什麼東西?」93Please respect copyright.PENANA4wQKGJcaw4
93Please respect copyright.PENANAO6LVHPiSpu
「愛里這些日子以來所經歷的一切,感受著身處的世界被大火給吞噬的恐懼,承受著靈魂和軀體被焚燒入骨的痛楚,她的喉嚨、她的內臟,被熾熱的空氣燃盡成灰的絕望,全部都不是幻覺。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAO8MtyUQIQC
93Please respect copyright.PENANAljr5WfKX1z
明旭完全不能理解。93Please respect copyright.PENANAUgTUivpTVG
93Please respect copyright.PENANA7JEuNpdxUC
「那些是儀式未完成的留存。」黎恩牧師雙手貼上自己胸口,裡頭是一段不願想起的久遠記憶,深刻銘心。「惡火......不,聖火已經被點燃了、被召換到了這個世界,若非用於原本的目的而耗盡能量,就只能隨著薪柴的消散而熄滅。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAjlhCRMiEh7
93Please respect copyright.PENANAHw7Flj4nUo
「......所以,」明旭搖搖頭,彷彿在恥笑著這個世界。「這個可憐的祭品,如果不被獻祭,就只能永無止盡地承受著火刑?」93Please respect copyright.PENANA3P969I1uwl
93Please respect copyright.PENANA8UWJoZkOhQ
「永無止盡?」黎恩牧師停頓了一下,在她僅存的那眼裡所浮現的,是過去的日日夜夜受盡烈火折磨的自己。「一塊被點燃的柴火,能夠支撐多久才不被化為灰燼?她又能有多強韌的意志力?而這到底又能改變什麼呢?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAIOGBWOSoi4
93Please respect copyright.PENANAtWP4cT2JKK
明旭沉默了下來,看著黎恩牧師那漸漸泛起淚光的眼眸。93Please respect copyright.PENANAXKePolr1ok
93Please respect copyright.PENANAew5fWJXGH9
「......我一開始就說了,沒有人能夠拯救愛里,她再也無法恢復成原先枝枒茂密的樣子,她只會和我一樣,化為一簇受人遺忘的餘燼。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAI2ChhQnUrf
93Please respect copyright.PENANAh8YVYW2Zfx
93Please respect copyright.PENANAhTgNEpslES
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ns216.73.216.89da2 93Please respect copyright.PENANAHKO1EnZBlm
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泡麵......好香......93Please respect copyright.PENANATyaDmZmn9b
93Please respect copyright.PENANAPiaVeQ0yLF
「......排骨雞麵?」93Please respect copyright.PENANA2aaEqUDnp2
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香味被小卷嗅進了腦袋裡,於是腦袋就把她的眼皮暴力拔開。93Please respect copyright.PENANADk3iIWy9k0
93Please respect copyright.PENANACfspq6b4W4
她看見自己的兩條小腿靠放在明旭的大腿上,而明旭一手托著臉、一手用筷子在溫暖的麵湯裡頭攪拌,他盯著螢幕上密密麻麻的文字看,表情像一百萬年都沒有睡過覺一樣疲倦。93Please respect copyright.PENANANTvCV99xtz
93Please respect copyright.PENANARWQVY4SDlC
從窄巷逃出來後,一回到大街上,回頭一看,那個穿著西裝的詭異男子已經消失無蹤。93Please respect copyright.PENANA33lngIfQux
93Please respect copyright.PENANAwMspfvHPZX
但小卷趴在明旭的背上不肯放開,於是明旭只好把她揹去網咖,包夜。93Please respect copyright.PENANA8GG0WsBX7O
93Please respect copyright.PENANAa8vWdtX6Xb
雖然環境不是很整潔,也彌漫著重重的菸酒檳榔味,但畢竟是少有的包廂式,而且位置還在地下室,然後也不曉得是本來就這麼規劃,還是來這裡的客人大多都有這個需求,這裡可以付費盥洗,甚至還有販賣輕便衣物。93Please respect copyright.PENANAb75CjJaF6O
93Please respect copyright.PENANA8GMUqIJguF
小卷往牆上的掛鉤看,他們倆人昨天才洗過的校服現在還沒有完全乾,但身上這套棉質的短袖和短褲還算得上是舒服,所以她願意繼續像隻倉鼠一樣把自己埋在枕頭堆中,雖然這些東西很臭。93Please respect copyright.PENANAc3i0qbGQ57
93Please respect copyright.PENANA8W8GYqGrSZ
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「你有找到什麼嗎?」懶懶散散地,她帶著還沒開嗓的憨音開口問道。93Please respect copyright.PENANA5blVz3E2uA
93Please respect copyright.PENANAKVhGKSKvFF
明旭慢慢轉頭,一眼瞪了過來。「我覺得爽睡一整晚的人第一句話應該是要道歉才對。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAJiXI2vS0GZ
93Please respect copyright.PENANAUxmNPBBexc
小卷皺起眉頭,偷偷把腳收回來。「......我又不是故意的。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA0v9l5M50X6
93Please respect copyright.PENANALlnoutZBQq
「肚子餓嗎?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAQbfC0lMsWf
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小卷眼睛一亮。「餓。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA2B7sxbzC7K
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGnKGA6i1P5
「這裡還有湯。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA8YIHatL4TW
93Please respect copyright.PENANALZVjC1Bvli
她看著明旭把碗推向她。「......只有湯?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAhvaA744Nhl
93Please respect copyright.PENANA5ln3o7Urcd
「不然妳現在趕去學校,還來得及吃桶餐。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAPsRMJyH9qG
93Please respect copyright.PENANAi4E46UmWFD
小卷眨眨眼。93Please respect copyright.PENANA19y5FY0CS5
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突然之間坐起身來。「什麼!已經中午了?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAVXHZLOEV5r
93Please respect copyright.PENANA12jpNfVCwS
「噓!小聲一點啦!」明旭往包廂外一指,現在或許還有很多人還在補眠。93Please respect copyright.PENANA36PplpfHfN
93Please respect copyright.PENANAOp5pkX4dj8
「愛里怎麼辦?她......她沒有我,還活得下去嗎?」小卷慌張地捏緊了抱枕。93Please respect copyright.PENANAwI4d9vgEcD
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGoMVMccmGe
「......這句話從各方面來講都很糟糕啊。」明旭遲疑了一下,然後動手用滑鼠點了點,把一大疊的網站全部關掉。「反正,妳擔心的話就早點去學校吧。」93Please respect copyright.PENANARrPcDIlsj4
93Please respect copyright.PENANAdiSauWrZsC
「那你呢?」小卷問道。93Please respect copyright.PENANAfpJLUmgTf0
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「我要回家補眠了。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAHHJkV81Udv
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她盯著看,一語不發,並沒有隨著明旭起身的動作而準備,反倒又默默地倒回抱枕堆中。93Please respect copyright.PENANAgzZCjxibqc
93Please respect copyright.PENANAwpi3kFIi4Z
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「......怎樣?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAuSVwdscGgv
93Please respect copyright.PENANASDYztBUNRe
「你如果要睡覺,會直接睡在這裡。」小卷瞇起了眼。「你一定是發現了什麼,然後想要把我給支開,自己一個人跑去調查。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAoEBKc9Caqr
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGhyYI9EAGZ
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聞聲,明旭突然咬緊了牙,他握緊拳頭,往桌面用力一槌。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVmFqJbmoHE
93Please respect copyright.PENANAyeRIZbI2D2
「妳不要說得一副好像很了解我一樣!」93Please respect copyright.PENANA0DkDCUz9yE
93Please respect copyright.PENANAjhl4qvwIHC
「你才不要想用這種漫畫的口氣打混過去!」93Please respect copyright.PENANAXWReX15EtA
93Please respect copyright.PENANAtFtDd3OWKE
小卷也握起了小拳頭,往抱枕上一敲。93Please respect copyright.PENANAikw0fzJuCn
93Please respect copyright.PENANAMd5SuCetgh
「唉、」明旭大嘆了一口氣,倒回沙發上。「煩欸。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAjWkEpz6t0h
93Please respect copyright.PENANATPFR1f0kzq
「快點,快說。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA4BGQKAqRJD
93Please respect copyright.PENANA0eRDckik1j
「平常到底是在裝笨還是怎樣啊?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAIfuUMZvbF9
93Please respect copyright.PENANAfR10ixuh0e
「你太失禮了吧?我從來都沒有笨過吧!」93Please respect copyright.PENANA9QQ4mYYdx2
93Please respect copyright.PENANAo2yBvU44Bc
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一個小時後,他們回到人潮稀疏的百貨商場面前。93Please respect copyright.PENANA21a8zmFWvV
93Please respect copyright.PENANAQXXtRRyC9d
為了不引起注意,校服和過於暴露的網咖衣褲都沒有辦法用上,於是兩人在附近的成衣店買了便服。明旭穿了一身習慣的黑衣黑褲,小卷則考慮到有預感接下來還會碰上妖怪的問題,選了腰上有蝴蝶結的牛仔短褲和紅豆粉色的荷葉挖肩小薄衫。她的長捲髮也向後紮起了一束蓬鬆的波浪高馬尾。快要比她的頭還大。93Please respect copyright.PENANA8JVPMRvtZq
93Please respect copyright.PENANAcT8Ldrnejo
「妳來外拍的嗎?有在兼職嗎?多少錢?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAPj79vQtatl
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「你專心一點,這件事情很嚴重。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAhtUojfV1gp
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面對小卷嚴肅的教訓,明旭挑了眉,只好聳聳肩。93Please respect copyright.PENANA5BDgiCq8fM
93Please respect copyright.PENANAe4riwnDp4r
接著,他們便踏進大門口,直接往教會而去。93Please respect copyright.PENANAEec4zg6TTF
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93Please respect copyright.PENANAMFyDduy94F
推開頂樓那扇安全門,白天的玻璃隧道和夜晚時相差許多,並沒有夢幻的感覺,甚至還有些悶熱,出了隧道後,兩人往四周一看,或許這就是為什麼教會要座落在這個地方的原因,這裡幾乎可以清楚地眺望到整座回安鎮。93Please respect copyright.PENANAv2cebgyARs
93Please respect copyright.PENANAaadvFeINpD
如果從回安中學的天台往這看,應該也能多多少少看見教會的屋頂吧?但他們過去並沒有對這方向感到好奇過。93Please respect copyright.PENANAREqm2Es1xN
93Please respect copyright.PENANA1DQ7cdTfXj
教會依然靜謐,甚至比起晚上,白天連外頭街道的吵鬧聲都顯得收斂。往小花園的彼端看去,黎恩牧師沒有在上次的小木椅上,往門口靠近,那個男修士也沒有剛好走出來。93Please respect copyright.PENANAeWYi49gnYi
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「我們先在這等嗎?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAaxLVn1UO1S
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「等個屁啊。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAcmf8Y4Oc9t
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明旭從擔憂著的小卷身旁往前走,一手按上實木大門,直接推了開來。93Please respect copyright.PENANA56HkxZZP5J
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日光循著漸開的門縫,照耀清涼靜謐的石板路,喚醒了白堊石柱與泥灰磚牆,使兩側的玻璃彩窗開始閃爍虹光。93Please respect copyright.PENANABmxB9wTkTT
93Please respect copyright.PENANAQyVXh8RhOg
佇立於內殿處,在詩班席旁的黎恩牧師,將那潔白、高雅、卻又孤獨的背影,側了些角度過來。93Please respect copyright.PENANAMUOIH5BZUI
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她看見兩人,並透過唯一可視的左眼確定了後方沒有其餘來者後,便將身子轉正,將燒毀的半張臉、與那顆琉璃眼珠面對著他們。93Please respect copyright.PENANAN94S1VE7j9
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明旭帶著小卷,一前一後走過中殿筆直的道路,穿過耳堂,到了祭壇前才停下。93Please respect copyright.PENANAmWjOcP3oZq
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他一直注視著黎恩牧師的表情,但對方卻平靜地令人猜測不出情緒,彷彿早就預料到了這一刻,這讓他感覺很不是滋味。93Please respect copyright.PENANAWcEA6MOhK0
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「我們昨天去了妳給的地點。」明旭直視著黎恩牧師。「一個被放棄的火場廢墟,沒有人負責清理,裡頭長滿了青苔,雨水淤積在地下室,連野貓野狗都不想靠近。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAuB5j2QGfaG
93Please respect copyright.PENANA3srb1wSznG
「如你所見,一個活生生的悲劇。」黎恩牧師只是盯著明旭,她一眼都沒有看向小卷過。93Please respect copyright.PENANAvZDg0U5Ytg
93Please respect copyright.PENANArJKv18e4iu
「雖然大部分的東西都被燒爛,還是有少部分能夠辨認得出原本的模樣,但事實上來說,有那些就已經足夠充分了。」明旭抓牢了黎恩牧師的眼神,並接著繼續說下去。「掛在牆上被燒成炭的木雕,是你們聖子的形象、被燒熔的油畫上,還有一個角落標有你們宗教的圖示、然後,那直到現在仍站穩於祭台上的石像,是在你們的神話之中,代表著火焰而不受焚燒的聖靈。」93Please respect copyright.PENANACtX3ua3bnt
93Please respect copyright.PENANAt2ZcFbp8uN
黎恩牧師微微一笑。93Please respect copyright.PENANAapzSMlJcT8
93Please respect copyright.PENANA8oPidxHXyK
「還有散落在地上那些,只要仔細看就能看出來的經文書和儀式法器。」明旭往這座教會的四周看了幾眼。「那是你們供給修士使用的住所。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAfuD5awmanB
93Please respect copyright.PENANAl7GmFMnX89
「是的。」黎恩牧師輕輕點了頭。「那並不屬於這座教會管轄,但的確是我們的居所。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAz8PqBoMXCo
93Please respect copyright.PENANAegGBgRM09K
「然後,我去找了官方的救災紀錄。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAjLV5RrZM4l
93Please respect copyright.PENANArWfPcs8nOI
93Please respect copyright.PENANAJsw8RVXvbD
黎恩牧師突然一愣,暫停了呼吸,嘴角的微笑也隨之沉了下來。93Please respect copyright.PENANAwXffhA4eDd
93Please respect copyright.PENANACxOFWN5LHZ
她稍稍縮起了身子,開始有些喘息,彷彿在短短的時間內,準備好了要面對接下來那不堪回首的過去。93Please respect copyright.PENANAxrZwvCp0OL
93Please respect copyright.PENANAOgJGdvGlPE
明旭發現在她的表情之中,竟然有著期待。這令他更加確信了自己的推論,完完全全屬於一項可悲的事實。他吸了一口氣,緩慢地、慎重地說下去。93Please respect copyright.PENANAuQsQYI0Tdh
93Please respect copyright.PENANArM2fhUnHPf
「那棟廢墟失火的時間點,在十五年前。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA9alUlx4UjI
93Please respect copyright.PENANAf5ZiHoMbnx
小卷握緊了雙手,放在自己小小的胸口上。即便已經多次預先演練,她仍是不曉得該以何種表情面對接下來的一切。93Please respect copyright.PENANAy7FlDvx58h
93Please respect copyright.PENANAi5isSXHeCX
「從那場火裡被救出來的,不是當時只有兩歲大的愛里。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA3nP5EOwESy
93Please respect copyright.PENANA9PeVtjQ3de
明旭直視著她。93Please respect copyright.PENANAoacPUPZOwz
93Please respect copyright.PENANAbsoFTG2kYc
「是妳。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAXNFztkuwPU
93Please respect copyright.PENANACbZIdUEwM3
93Please respect copyright.PENANAVk7prToWhX
一聲嘆息,彷彿終於得到救贖。93Please respect copyright.PENANAbt3dOH5zIa
93Please respect copyright.PENANAxioSlVFMke
黎恩牧師輕輕向後退了一步,並將身子側了一邊,只以半臉示人。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVDdSNQmXNp
93Please respect copyright.PENANAf7Dc2wYud2
--受過惡火肆虐的那半張臉。93Please respect copyright.PENANAik03mrnPbO
93Please respect copyright.PENANA7wIMFGCaJI
而藏匿於後,在仍完好無缺的另半邊,她悄悄閉上了眼,與這座教會一同寧靜。93Please respect copyright.PENANAxedjEWtlul
93Please respect copyright.PENANAFhm4LifIMG
93Please respect copyright.PENANALbLGS9e63K
「如果我把妳的修袍脫下。」明旭仍是選擇繼續開口追問。「告訴我,我能不能夠在妳的身上,也看到和愛里一樣的,那被人雕刻出來的火疤?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7umJPfJpp
93Please respect copyright.PENANAQLgTKUDrHd
93Please respect copyright.PENANA6FWCSjjkYv
小卷伸手握住明旭的手腕,她認為已經夠了,不應該再繼續殘忍下去了。93Please respect copyright.PENANABT0gRtS1JP
93Please respect copyright.PENANABJ2wjumdd4
但黎恩牧師卻伸手拉掉了肩上的淡金色禮帶和金邊祭披。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVFueIkKPVH
93Please respect copyright.PENANArtFeyWKLV9
接著,她轉身背對著兩人,並同時將雙手環抱住自己的祭袍,抓緊,向上拉開、褪去。93Please respect copyright.PENANAIMaAGgf4Kg
93Please respect copyright.PENANATgplxg3jHS
93Please respect copyright.PENANAuGjb3if2Q2
在潔白無垢的長褲上方,那裸露出來的纖細上身。93Please respect copyright.PENANAV1I8NFsGK3
93Please respect copyright.PENANA1XFNyJlkHc
小卷倒抽了一口氣,雖然早有準備,但仍一時之間無法接受地摀起了自己的臉龐。93Please respect copyright.PENANAUZmlKZ9EuH
93Please respect copyright.PENANA4jDpZqSGIw
她注視著黎恩牧師背上的紋路與圖騰。「......和、和愛里的一樣......」但又趕緊搖搖頭。「不、不......不太一樣......多了......」93Please respect copyright.PENANAR2svO1aqGf
93Please respect copyright.PENANAiilsGvQsaK
「多了最後的一道火蝕。」黎恩牧師輕輕說著。93Please respect copyright.PENANAJDrFk63mbV
93Please respect copyright.PENANAlU8h8dR6J1
和愛里的一樣,她們背上都有著放射狀,彷彿從火山洞口直視而下,將那滾燙的熾熱焚風和暴虐的烈火岩漿給構線後的圖紋,誇張的深刻、卻又細緻得繁複,就算是一般的刺青,那也是需要好幾日夜不眠不休才有辦法刻完的藝術成品。如果與她們兩人如影隨形的痛楚也算在藝術之內的話。93Please respect copyright.PENANAmCRdAlnsEW
93Please respect copyright.PENANAuijee7xtJ9
但黎恩牧師卻比愛里多了一道,粗曠的螺旋狀筆劃。93Please respect copyright.PENANAty5gqIeojk
93Please respect copyright.PENANARTHlVeqaUK
她伸手,指向自己臀部右上方,從那裡開始,彷彿繞著一座塔、繞著她的身體一路旋轉向上,而在最末端,則從左胸口改變了路徑的角度,轉而一路畫往右肩上,沿著頸子、經過右耳,在右臉上結束。93Please respect copyright.PENANAJCGLxBuYdu
93Please respect copyright.PENANAxcQnTKxUpJ
「這是最後一個步驟,也是啟動用的鑰匙。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAI0NvdOpgkI
93Please respect copyright.PENANAzmiFChy7uh
93Please respect copyright.PENANA10TTpsv10L
明旭低下了頭,讓視線離開黎恩牧師應當受人憐憫的胴體。93Please respect copyright.PENANAN1SSejJnqW
93Please respect copyright.PENANALZUbjvsWeV
然後,他看向聖殿中央的神像。93Please respect copyright.PENANA2WeTnyGdfG
93Please respect copyright.PENANARZ7DlECbux
「......告訴我,這到底是什麼儀式。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA81g8ZI0UNF
93Please respect copyright.PENANApOLXprUl70
93Please respect copyright.PENANA5z0YzNFBN8
93Please respect copyright.PENANAe4KJggh5m3
93Please respect copyright.PENANAN30iexN7dt
93Please respect copyright.PENANAYxSL9KtHUu
393Please respect copyright.PENANA8ItP6V7vOF
93Please respect copyright.PENANAUUwoNaNp8H
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93Please respect copyright.PENANA0kIRQp3bJX
93Please respect copyright.PENANABZPLoVG9MN
就好像整間教會只剩下黎恩牧師一人一樣,除此之外他們沒有再見到任何人的身影經過。93Please respect copyright.PENANAtQ6OrOa538
93Please respect copyright.PENANAywMaHcJNfI
教會的一樓中央挑高,一抬頭就能直接見到兩層樓上用作屋頂氣窗的鑲嵌玻璃。所以二樓實際上能使用的範圍只剩下環繞的旁側,立於一樓兩旁的走廊之上。但即便如此,房間數也已經相當地足夠,至少包括黎恩牧師在內,所有屬於這座教會的神職人員都居住於此。93Please respect copyright.PENANA0GWZzsIMRs
93Please respect copyright.PENANAfNiYTsRmza
她帶領著小卷和明旭步上階梯到了二樓,又往其中一側向裡頭探進,到了最底端後,最後一間開門,是類似藏書室的空間。93Please respect copyright.PENANAJI9DigU7uQ
93Please respect copyright.PENANAbaMWsnklbW
她讓兩人先找處角落待著,便開始往書架上摸索。93Please respect copyright.PENANA5puz7IKGsF
93Please respect copyright.PENANAuMeLYBeCj0
93Please respect copyright.PENANAdxRoY4ZWd5
「嘉柔說......愛里今天沒有去學校。」等待的時間,小卷看了手機後,向明旭報告。「她說班導正在試著聯絡愛里的姐姐。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAMXhaYld1sO
93Please respect copyright.PENANAeQRWqHxmxJ
「在你們到來不久前我們這也有接到電話,但我想既然愛里沒有來到教會,那也就只能夠待在家裡了?或許晚點你們可以去探望她。」黎恩牧師剛好回到兩人面前,她手上多了一只老舊的木盒,掀開盒蓋,裡頭靜靜地躺著一本老舊的古籍。「雖然不想被打擾的話,禱告室也有桌椅可以使用,但我不希望這手稿被帶出藏書室之外。」93Please respect copyright.PENANApxCbv2fpOh
93Please respect copyright.PENANA20sL97Dmfu
「無所謂,這裡很好。」明旭點點頭,並伸出手。「方便嗎?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAAzgokuro6V
93Please respect copyright.PENANAb2M1h1vbjL
「我私心希望你有足夠粗魯到能把它給破壞掉。」黎恩牧師即刻便交至他手上。「但還是請您多加當心,這份文獻相當寶貴。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAoiDWJRlTJL
93Please respect copyright.PENANAJDcsPYTm12
「我會像對待小卷那般地呵護它的。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAEXMbNrpJ1f
93Please respect copyright.PENANA4qks3kjJqZ
他身旁的少女露出了驚恐的表情。93Please respect copyright.PENANAuG3hqBpnXb
93Please respect copyright.PENANA4D9QMtdJeO
「手寫的文件?」明旭翻開作為封面的油紙,內頁在經過悠長得無法想像的年月洗禮後,已經失去了原先柔軟的溫度,而是僵硬、薄脆,稍有不慎就會破碎。「該不會全世界就只有這一份?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAqBCUjLThk5
93Please respect copyright.PENANAvAwpXBc9qu
「這裡頭的一切,全都不被允許讓外人知曉,因此也不曾有過手抄本。」黎恩牧師有些無奈。「或許之後的某日會請人來重新謄寫,但正本就也只能銷毀了。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAbni7GhojNR
93Please respect copyright.PENANA0I2C42PUrJ
「那麼,現在的問題是,」明旭翻了幾頁後,卻突然嘆了口氣,他只好闔上,小心地交還給對方。「我看不懂。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAqWkAd43P9Z
93Please respect copyright.PENANAuuobWz4qsN
「那是當然地。」黎恩牧師像早就準備好逗弄他一般地輕笑。「畢竟這屬於已不存在的文字。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA1FAIeiaTqm
93Please respect copyright.PENANAL0OLfVPyYz
先不說那些形狀如海浪般的文字,手稿裡的撰寫格式也非常凌亂,即便有些看起來屬於同一段落,每一句下筆的開頭點也嚴重地參差不齊,但卻讓人感受到是刻意而為,彷彿這個細節也屬於文法中的一部份。93Please respect copyright.PENANAS5daNy501q
93Please respect copyright.PENANAjXGcutHWqr
裡頭的圖樣也很多,有些看起來是在描繪某種動植物、有些像是地圖,但傳達的方式卻不如現今主要以示意外貌輪廓和向量數據為主,手稿裡的傳達方式......不敢說有多少可能,但明旭直覺性地認為那是用符文的方式在敘述一件事物的......功能?93Please respect copyright.PENANAVex7MMV1X9
93Please respect copyright.PENANAzRCqqqqCRi
「既然你甚至都到了地下室去察看。」黎恩牧師將手稿完好如初地收回木盒裡,封蓋。「那麼對於那根船錨有什麼看法?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAxXG2lq36kX
93Please respect copyright.PENANArTRMNXwmw5
「講到這個,我想先釐清一個問題。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAaF4KiWWZ5b
93Please respect copyright.PENANAOcl1tnf65E
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明旭有事先把當時的狀況說明給小卷聽過。93Please respect copyright.PENANAG8Oax0HPGj
93Please respect copyright.PENANA06bRbaVSou
在他踏入汙濁的積水後,為了避免誤踩尖刺物,幾乎是以拖行的方式,在厚累的淤泥中左右扭進。幸虧與船錨的距離不遠,沒有想像中的久,就站到了面前。93Please respect copyright.PENANArkLfB3MnTQ
93Please respect copyright.PENANAMIsxUqAKUG
船錨大約兩公尺高,錨尾是最古老的微笑新月形狀,那幾乎已經被淘汰,只會在卡通裡頭出現,而至於錨頂,有著一段同樣材質的鎖鏈,直直向下掉,沒入渾濁的水面下。93Please respect copyright.PENANASxjfNOc3Yz
93Please respect copyright.PENANAcwyZQEHvlO
而材質讓他完全無法理解,看起來像石材、卻又如同金屬,又或者兩者都是?但無論是哪一種,它都不該身處於這種腐敗地方,卻表現得彷彿精品展間裡的全新商品。那表面居然光滑到足夠將手機的燈光反射成更刺眼的樣子再回擊到明旭身上。93Please respect copyright.PENANAWRhhyYswVY
93Please respect copyright.PENANAEWUBcWeoyI
再來,無論是石頭還是銅鐵好了,就算不鏽鋼,也不可能泡在這種腐臭的髒水裡卻沒有任何一點變質的跡象。為了確認,明旭甚至彎下身子,將手順著錨身觸摸,一路下探到水裡,而同樣地,就算在泥層覆蓋之下,它也仍是高貴得無法受到任何汙染。93Please respect copyright.PENANA7bmEruVwPU
93Please respect copyright.PENANAblMZmXCLOD
至於它嵌進地下的部分,在交接處也沒有任何被物理破壞的痕跡,就好像它不是後來才「嵌」進去的,而是像某些碼頭的裝置藝術那樣,若不是一開始就沒有那一段,要不然就是預先「埋」起來的。93Please respect copyright.PENANAOy1fdMaNr6
93Please respect copyright.PENANA6PYrOqrRHu
明旭站直身子,接著研究那段鎖鏈,他握住,以為有很大的機率會沉重到無計可施,但卻只是稍加用力地一拔,整段便如同釣竿收線一般,從水下直接被拉起。鎖鏈大約長三公尺,但這麼說不太準確,因為在末端的部分有很嚴重的、燒熔過後的斷面,那噁心、毫無美感的處理方式不應該被用來對待任何一件藝術精品,那麼,又是誰下的這手?又為什麼?93Please respect copyright.PENANANJKJdVk6L7
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGR2eJpDi1D
而既然這材質是能夠被燒斷的,就不可能在經歷過大火肆虐仍完好無恙。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVOBOF1HCQ7
93Please respect copyright.PENANAdJ9BrYJxvn
但如果是之後才被放置在這的,又很奇怪了,這麼做到底有什麼意義?93Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1sclCik2t
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不過現在,親身經歷過那場大火的黎恩牧師卻搖了搖頭。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVu2y733fY0
93Please respect copyright.PENANAm0dlbiHQ9d
「它一直都在。」她做了一口深呼吸,說道。「在我進到地下室以前,就已經存在了。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAQMgP2x27Bw
93Please respect copyright.PENANAsRTvWPipIK
明旭只得啞口無言,他的腦袋進入短路。93Please respect copyright.PENANAhoBcY2uLoz
93Please respect copyright.PENANAju1JoQhVdZ
「但並沒有相差太久。」黎恩牧師想了一想。「大約半個小時左右,當那根錨下在那個地點後,我只花了半個小時就被送到那了。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAPsnrtnCF1P
93Please respect copyright.PENANAvMYbEViGXh
「......送到那?」小卷不解。93Please respect copyright.PENANAWKGsORqE1d
93Please respect copyright.PENANApuKoWQOIFK
「嗯......」黎恩牧師抬起頭,隔著厚實的水泥外殼,在受教會保護的小房間內,她看往天空。「你們相信嗎?就在這裡,有一個失落的國度和我們的世界重疊在一起。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAxnU3GPuGbz
93Please respect copyright.PENANAveo2qVGmmh
「......當然不相信,但我可以試著想像。」明旭有點疲憊地說道,他現在決定先不以常識來思考任何事情。93Please respect copyright.PENANAOgMmEwXr4I
93Please respect copyright.PENANAGXd7mxWWUe
黎恩牧師點點頭。「那個地方,和我們的世界完全不一樣,無論是地形、文化、物種,甚至連環境也從最根本上有所不同,那是一個在深海之下的國度。」93Please respect copyright.PENANArdFOI0z2iB
93Please respect copyright.PENANAEDhIw7CPNI
兩人聽著。93Please respect copyright.PENANAJYzO2GbBX2
93Please respect copyright.PENANAVoKGfhGt5Y
「我們彼此之間各自就像是一盞投影燈,當兩道燈光打上同一面牆、同一個位置上時,無論從哪個角度來看,就都是重疊在一起的。」黎恩牧師伸手指向空無一物的牆面。「而兩道光的路徑,在某種力量的介入下,能夠成為通道,提供雙方一個能夠踩踏而上,並藉由於此前往另外一端的道路。」93Please respect copyright.PENANATVlrJmsKlN
93Please respect copyright.PENANASzmCFcEx7H
「這聽起來不太妙。」明旭思考著。「通常兩個截然不同的文化相撞在一起時,只要有足夠明顯的強弱之分,那麼就不可能和平共處,而是一方成為另方的養份。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAXp80UjLR41
93Please respect copyright.PENANA7uQeTqGQ5X
「就算我們是較強的一方好了,就算最後的勝利的是我們,過程之中的腥風血雨,也沒人能夠倖免。」黎恩牧師說道。「而值得慶幸的是,現在這兩道光並不夠穩定,在無法長時間保持完美密合的情況下,這條通道會成為壓碎路徑上所有生靈的刑具。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAH1WGhyNsNJ
93Please respect copyright.PENANA3D8G1XiSHk
明旭點點頭。他偷偷瞥向小卷,小卷的智商已經不見了。93Please respect copyright.PENANAWbkrYMts4h
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「而在地下室的那根船錨,便是作為連接兩個世界的鉤索。」她舉起雙手,將手掌攤平相對,接著,各自彎下食指,使指尖相觸。「雖然並不足以牢固通道的穩定性,但能夠成為橋梁,即便一次只夠一人通過,也確實成為可行的事實。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAKXUH1vQCN2
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「那麼--」那麼那根錨不就必須被摧毀了嗎?明旭差點喊出聲來,但隨即又想起了鎖鏈末端那燒熔的斷面。「--那麼就必須弄斷鎖鏈。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAUYxTfnDT7a
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「是的。」黎恩牧師點點頭。「已定位的錨身便已成了事實,就算將之移除原處,它仍已確實地鉤掛上了我們的這端,唯一阻止的辦法,就只有將作為連結的鎖鏈斷除。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAfbzSgy3n80
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「所以......」明旭看著黎恩牧師被燒毀的那半張臉。「妳被送到那裡。」93Please respect copyright.PENANASKHxBpM4AX
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「我是合適的祭品,在焰火的儀式下所鑄造而成的寶劍,是目前已知唯一有辦法斬斷鎖鏈的方法。」她一手按上右臉,順著向下輕撫,經過右頸、繞過右胸、停在心口。「我完成了我的任務,被燒盡的柴火無法復燃,因此,為了下一根船錨的到來,教會不得不尋找有能力成為祭品的人選。」話語稍停,她默哀了一下,才繼續說道。「遺憾的是,在能力所及的範圍之內,整座回安鎮裡,就只有愛里一個人。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAbbtRa93Oc4
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「怎麼可能有這種事。」明旭皺眉。「怎麼可能只有她一個。」93Please respect copyright.PENANApict4LDBSN
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「或許你們會覺得,教會只是藉由誇大而把責任強制加諸於她身上。」黎恩牧師搖搖頭。「但如我先前就告訴過你們的,愛里的父親是教會裡的重要人物,以私心來看,她的身分反倒最不可能受人所逼迫,而無奈的就是,奠基於這項事實上,她的父親也只好忍痛同意。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAZfNJG4wMxJ
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「......愛里知道這件事嗎?」小卷緊緊握住雙手,她在顫抖,但在那眼神中,是無以復加的憤怒。「愛里知道自己是祭品嗎?她真的......有同意過你們對她做這些事嗎?她真的答應過你們可以傷害她嗎?她、她知道.....她知道這是自己爸爸的決定嗎?」她撇開頭,又咬著牙轉回直視。「我......我看起來,她完全就不像是知道的呀!她根本就不明白自己遭遇了什麼,她根本就不懂為什麼自己會被丟進大火之中,到底為什麼你們可以擅自安排她的命運呀?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAU0s5t16Lgm
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「也沒有人問過我。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA9qvEzO9RVi
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黎恩牧師平靜地說著。93Please respect copyright.PENANAPXvvCgbdri
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「我也沒有過同意的權利,因為我甚至連個有機會、有能力可以保護我的人,都不曾擁有過。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAEtqfEc3hFc
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小卷低下了頭,她強忍著眼淚。93Please respect copyright.PENANAfeLFXICzzp
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「畢竟,當這寒冷的世界急需一篝救命的焰火時,又有誰會在乎底下的一塊薪柴有多麼地痛苦呢?」93Please respect copyright.PENANATXyP7t938s
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黎恩牧師只是露出了淡淡地微笑。93Please respect copyright.PENANA8KsTmZTjVg
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她伸手按上小卷的髮頂,輕順著、安撫著,以聖職者的身分,平復少女的心靈。93Please respect copyright.PENANA5imLu4vTFf
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一滴滴的淚珠,自小卷的眼角掉落而下。93Please respect copyright.PENANA3B2GD2GAUb
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「先讓她一個人靜靜吧。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAwRB2JKscTf
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遠處,小卷獨自坐在花園彼端的小木椅上,她需要一點時間和空間。93Please respect copyright.PENANANeJuE7nwM5
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而教會大門外的階梯,明旭回頭朝向黎恩牧師。93Please respect copyright.PENANAcbXLAVU7tW
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「我還有些問題想要問妳。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAru3c9BY1cD
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「只有我們的時候,我答應你會盡可能地回答一切。」她注視著玻璃隧道的出口。「但除此之外,」93Please respect copyright.PENANAv2xt1BMooE
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「除此之外,我們兩個一點關係都沒有。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAHBGwP81vqP
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黎恩牧師愣了下,才點頭苦笑。「雖然這表達的方式有點傷人呢。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAtmquXcxAFI
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「你說愛里還缺少最後一道火蝕。」明旭說道。「而那是啟動的鑰匙。」93Please respect copyright.PENANATs0GiFOPAn
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「是的。」她輕點頭。93Please respect copyright.PENANAd3UYh8l4Pf
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「我想知道分成兩次進行的原因。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAvYVQihXKB6
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黎恩牧師抿了一下嘴唇,有些無奈地嘆了口氣。「認真說起來,儀式正式開始的時間點,並不是火蝕紋上身的那一刻,那就只能算是前置作業而已。」93Please respect copyright.PENANADmiqyJMd0N
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「......所以果然是為了縮短派上用場時的準備時間、降低容錯率嗎?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAzPJZJeLYb2
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「畢竟萬一出了差錯,要是來不及趕上了,那麼隨之陪葬的可是一整個世界。」93Please respect copyright.PENANA6ASRS3skXI
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「那麼......」明旭有些遲疑,他在思考著該以何種角度看待各個角色,像小卷那樣視黎恩牧師為教會的一份子,雖然邏輯上說得通,但總隱隱約約地覺得不太妥當。「......那麼,小卷說的是真的嗎?愛里她並不知道自己的身分?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAsIMuJdSzq8
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黎恩牧師頓時語塞,她掙扎了一會後,點了點頭。「她的信仰不夠堅定......當然了,你要怎麼去強迫一個無神論者來為自己所信奉的教義捨身奉獻?即便那確實不只是一種用以宣揚的虛假口號,即便那除了提供迷茫者的精神寄託以外,也確實致力於庇護著這個世界,但在天秤的兩側,教會、包括她的父親,在經過審評後,都一致地認為愛里不會願意為了眾人而犧牲。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAcrOCoDvlWU
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「當然,是我我也不會。」明旭果斷地說。93Please respect copyright.PENANABzvjzScTtx
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「倒不如說,在不受逼迫和利益的誘惑下,又能有誰是發自內心願意的呢?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAHJiUkJjofE
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明旭聳了聳肩,而他又嘆了口氣。「既然如此,教會是怎麼讓愛里接受第一階段的火蝕?」93Please respect copyright.PENANANTV6NmEuUd
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「綁架。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAINvSi1NwqN
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黎恩牧師回答。93Please respect copyright.PENANAjM1MAHjMKK
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明旭有些不可置信,但卻又不出預料地看向她。93Please respect copyright.PENANANQnivpxdK4
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「教會偽裝成一場平凡不過的綁架。」她偏轉了目光,直到完全背視教堂內殿的神像。「偽裝成一群邪惡的匪徒,對愛里施以暴行。」93Please respect copyright.PENANARHq91oTpsA
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「這不會太過分嗎?」明旭卻往旁跨了一步,掠過黎恩牧師,反而直接面對著教會裡頭。「在確定要凌虐她肉身的前提下,竟然還選了絕對會崩潰她心靈的方法?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAfMUpfCZ2NN
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黎恩牧師低下了頭。93Please respect copyright.PENANAVQI9Khexk7
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「就為了這個,她的創傷後壓力症候群、她的焦慮症--」93Please respect copyright.PENANA4ItosW3obp
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「--不。」黎恩牧師搖了搖頭。「不是。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAyUN030uuXe
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「......不是?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAK39ouS6Hjf
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「假如現今已有能夠透過完全科學的方法來對愛里進行診斷,那麼她的精神狀況與一般人並不會相差太遠。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7BlldAPSs
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「......妳在說什麼東西?」93Please respect copyright.PENANA4wQKGJcaw4
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「愛里這些日子以來所經歷的一切,感受著身處的世界被大火給吞噬的恐懼,承受著靈魂和軀體被焚燒入骨的痛楚,她的喉嚨、她的內臟,被熾熱的空氣燃盡成灰的絕望,全部都不是幻覺。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAO8MtyUQIQC
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明旭完全不能理解。93Please respect copyright.PENANAUgTUivpTVG
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「那些是儀式未完成的留存。」黎恩牧師雙手貼上自己胸口,裡頭是一段不願想起的久遠記憶,深刻銘心。「惡火......不,聖火已經被點燃了、被召換到了這個世界,若非用於原本的目的而耗盡能量,就只能隨著薪柴的消散而熄滅。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAjlhCRMiEh7
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「......所以,」明旭搖搖頭,彷彿在恥笑著這個世界。「這個可憐的祭品,如果不被獻祭,就只能永無止盡地承受著火刑?」93Please respect copyright.PENANA3P969I1uwl
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「永無止盡?」黎恩牧師停頓了一下,在她僅存的那眼裡所浮現的,是過去的日日夜夜受盡烈火折磨的自己。「一塊被點燃的柴火,能夠支撐多久才不被化為灰燼?她又能有多強韌的意志力?而這到底又能改變什麼呢?」93Please respect copyright.PENANAIOGBWOSoi4
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明旭沉默了下來,看著黎恩牧師那漸漸泛起淚光的眼眸。93Please respect copyright.PENANAXKePolr1ok
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「......我一開始就說了,沒有人能夠拯救愛里,她再也無法恢復成原先枝枒茂密的樣子,她只會和我一樣,化為一簇受人遺忘的餘燼。」93Please respect copyright.PENANAI2ChhQnUrf
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