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這位是帥氣的護衛任務的隊長夸斯特43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrGrVlYQ06
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm1CdmEB8z
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZHU1CCdww
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fe50ROfRe
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLllVBZosV
他咧嘴一笑，眼裡卻沒有一絲苦楚，彷彿那是種常態。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ooD3Fxe1E
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uV8a2mjRv
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcy1osdrnI
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iIb97LsUs
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrmsmVF1uG
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vwTSTEeLI
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTebykFm4hX
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cHJ0xRO34
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWt0MpwQox
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zvB4yYWcr
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzJHwFnuP0
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0RcdewcTi
「只要他沒吹牛，這速度，確實是戰場上難得的本錢。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjc5UGxIDr
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNakBJODM1
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLjValB33Y
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAede5W8noL
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD4zrRGGaH
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Jep19PdPm
「副隊長泰倫斯，把他帶去見其他人，熟悉一下環境。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD0DhLFvzR
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR7DNBy56Q
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t39wAnuG3
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3IFNC2S7v
「跟我來。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56bpctAgsN
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7dyN4dp51
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjevJxhqo6T
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAeGtRI3x3
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlwm8bv7WQ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJwm26nzPs
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgZlXsHd8G
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ehMJYcoeh
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDoKCZ1Sts
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33W5JXhYn2
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dtGpI1oCb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMJOVeHgZ1
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAalB5GG9q
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMRa5uMekd
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVrJf2vwsD
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQihQOjiH11
他微微一頓，嘴角浮現一絲嘲弄的笑意。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5WECJZmKv
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCc5bklKfr
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIM48BeaRA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRqMKY8muH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKehEpnwSwj
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA66p1S2XvU
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztUfHWAQya
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQptZtexi6y
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2GVDuvI3N
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Y6UWBRrL
夸斯特斜睨了她一眼，似笑非笑地問道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH9IZO8c1D
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGmIpW53vh
「哦？公主都聽過些什麼樣的傳聞？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf7t5hntER
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStbUsBVgIS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudaFQ9C8lH
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD0gpZOhxx
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1yTVC40bp
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwO5dGAhJX
這話一出口，她自己也有些發毛，忍不住縮了縮脖子。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui2DaPI1H1
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHoyNMTV7C
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJnkhrXwm8
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3QbkyOuBl
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhUPp78gEM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgkQaCrLJV
「那土瓦族……是怎樣的？」公主好奇問道。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKqOoXEXm5
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiATOMcv6gw
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7nOOvKFCr
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUO26sxAQW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aZZ1iYzn4
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC9t7srOAv
公主眨了眨眼，忽然又小聲道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFybR0diBZ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6CVfrxOQm
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4jDqfhKDA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCkQhKPPru
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iCpGZAskS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1rzVJcQUq
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUI5Sc1caU
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7TOPKNuXN
他停了停，像是回憶起什麼往事般地說：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkUN1iUHK0
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmkOtmLiwD
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ5uthPbiC
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGlqoFLy24
公主的表情一時有些複雜，像是放心，又像是惆悵。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW33Egobhw
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5tMC81umR
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz7gUPf02I
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH4KnostL2
她點了點頭，接著問了個直擊本質的問題：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqZKUyua69
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvevYtUdT0g
「那……山蠻族、土瓦族這些……也算是人類嗎？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLzJ5uYq6k
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvQuPgWmgI
夸斯特聞言，神色收斂，語調也變得莊重：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAAZMNmM8f
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTi8A7BLi1
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTUBLwIHhp
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1wL3Jdgtt
他語氣一頓，帶著淡淡的歷史沉重感：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6LwJVgzKy
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFW14bnDFA
「他們是人，只是……我們選擇遺忘了這點。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCooZDthKtH
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMsOWnM3AM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bxNzRIFAf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGUkilGaLC
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMXmRKSnM5
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiM3wZThlk
「我已經派人，用最快的信鷹回報天龍本國了！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbCvUxyDVQ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD2ouUtFDA
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIiEAstmFS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0JNiGMHhr
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtlfNk2RMV
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SHMgK9G0M
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw9wMgyBlF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn0TK2Ml7D
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimqepq9bFg
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsZQQsh1VD
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4cXnNn9FR
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnHQ1yHj04
他猛地起身，盯著大使的眼睛，一字一頓地說道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXtWfOrMOh
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNq8a4vZej
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHa8gI0hdd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBVc3lIeSt
莫洛德大使神情堅毅，毫不動搖地擺了擺手：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89iNpI8GFc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDzfFXniCS
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4VsjuYzgm
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk2sKn90PT
一旁的公主也出聲了，語氣雖柔卻堅定：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjKXmTK9zL
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKtBE12HEM
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2xDkfaDkZ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl77F7QY4qm
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZbuehQCb2
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJviFHlwVC
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGL3fOu3Bb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR07n0doP5
「我明白……那麼，天神族方面的配合人手，安排好了嗎？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTialuyPNF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV0W42DuSn
大使回應迅速，顯然對細節早已胸有成竹：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aUGtDzw6G
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRqiF80xYB
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgriUr4yd4t
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrsuKESy8x
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lY2BNG7tx
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0vJJ4idto
但大使的眉頭忽然皺起來，語氣也低了幾分：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTevIOFWeM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfkatjj7ml
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGbB6Pnh2U
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWahtV7q0O
夸斯特勉強笑了笑，帶著一種無奈又諒解的語氣說：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAQyct8hqf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXeKgATyho
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjMb6SWAax
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlXIq5H38D
聽到這話，大使終於鬆了口氣，點點頭，聲音低沉：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxmldTRfXm
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wFv8HePn6
「那就好……願神之契印庇佑你們。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiCGhxLQ1q
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kC1C6JKkB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkSd5Pe5Zu
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J48Vv4Dk0
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwDTAvN3z8
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6Vi07dFXi
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ySX9NdRoA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5vIP5juV8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x2YYi8RoT
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X6IobSp7K
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRNMZiZdNG
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwdyb8eI7J
門一開，眾人話語戛然而止。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZTyLyTvDY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFf3N0M4Zo
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g8A1fUEwr
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfPFiVwUeR
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI4jG9RMQV
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJDAq8T8MQ
她聲音雖不高，卻沒人聽不見。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5plkNQdas
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13ztX7c7Ph
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhZjBSTsWy
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAWokGWHNn
空氣驟然一緊。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq2gx1ko4A
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKyI4iDqJ4
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbpPatWkGj
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd4zUTOUkz
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTyeuH8S2B
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OiHxMU9Pq
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgh5QX77tW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIE2wY2xm6
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmIBsmBrDl
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqknee1TD0
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9AjECSIr1
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb1y5YVT1Y
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeeG4hiXQA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGYqHyVECD
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0ebONgMVj
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKpTWMZyCE
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNpbBj9q7X
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNh8PzOGxn
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7AB2gEZsw
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr1hzJT9cK
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1cWEMLWgF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeO25X10n8
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkvWD434ic
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiEaYeZS9b
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLHTmlqCQj
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2TLhbLQUR
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjzg3ZgFDD
「滾出去！」泰倫斯的聲音像掄起的長劍一樣冷冽有力。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP8jrB51rj
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzQbFFngEB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciJtjrIzag
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7SUprymUC
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSzGAL0oUt
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsk4CQlw6X
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJZH27zsMW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXNU7fPhIb
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f21hOnbXA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDcSiS5mwq
「你的武器呢？」聲音不急不緩，語氣卻帶著某種試探。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8q4ATpb9Y
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto39G8uI9I
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LNzR3JjdW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vilMWc2Vv
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPSX1UTfaV
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3ca04Djek
其他人也紛紛輕笑，氣氛微微緩和些許。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72jbYJRUA5
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FTrVlvO67
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YyLFWfns8
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXgObmOlCk
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CJT3d4CsK
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq55Rhdwjb
眾人齊聲答道：「明白！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKYrzZk7gb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnolcFbwC6
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKlzQ62MzN
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4iQhTDRaP
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtDEX36Jnp
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DCrRjAN8D
話語像釘子一樣敲在空氣裡，其他人紛紛靜了下來。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2g7DKE33z
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8wtwfXcEi
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72OaufIbDL
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kqae66lMB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD4nyyWpfS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEyHDrZ51w
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Ca2te5Xw
