推開教堂的大門,裡面立著五道身影,像是等候已久,除了君柳及主教外,其餘都是新臉孔。35Please respect copyright.PENANAXG7oYCHWZE
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在陽光照進紅地毯的瞬間,五人同時轉過身來,楓垚感覺到無形的壓力向他逼近,少女則不受影響地走在前。35Please respect copyright.PENANAexNZ0mYq5v
35Please respect copyright.PENANA7LLig8KuHb
「來了。」主教厚醇的嗓音響起。35Please respect copyright.PENANA8Fz3wiISXe
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嗯。楓垚點了點頭。35Please respect copyright.PENANAZVRgkZyRTl
35Please respect copyright.PENANAd4Sx9wsEKP
「不好意思,這麼突然請你叫過來。」主教微微頷首。35Please respect copyright.PENANAewLTbvh17h
35Please respect copyright.PENANAENYh4USGvc
請…沒事,貴教會的作風我也不陌生……楓垚以微笑回應。35Please respect copyright.PENANACj4GitZmg8
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主教接著說:35Please respect copyright.PENANAzxHl4MJ82B
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「今天會見你的原因是,想知道你是否願意加入教會呢?」35Please respect copyright.PENANAMQbt1Aeitj
35Please respect copyright.PENANAJwTqcmVHTF
這個問題倒是出乎楓垚的意料,他一下不知該如何作答。35Please respect copyright.PENANAAqRD71YujK
35Please respect copyright.PENANA9cnJaWTdAI
「加入教會對你沒有壞處哦,至少你的薪金會得到保障。」少女補充了一句。35Please respect copyright.PENANAYoom2ggD7M
35Please respect copyright.PENANACpMr5yVE2y
對矣,我都沒有想過錢的問題……楓垚如夢初醒,但他仍需釐清些問題,斟酌開口:35Please respect copyright.PENANAq9cURzqcoj
35Please respect copyright.PENANArhUSCUyX4u
「加入教會後要需做些什麼呢?」35Please respect copyright.PENANANL3K8Nfv07
35Please respect copyright.PENANAjqII4ozFCH
「只需要執行一些簡單的任務即可。」主教說。35Please respect copyright.PENANATx7Tn8OYLt
35Please respect copyright.PENANATEXDQ8eqR6
凡是說簡單的都不會有好事,但誰叫我沒得選呢……楓垚又嘆一口氣,他發現自己最近嘆氣的次數變得頻繁,都快趕上別的老人。35Please respect copyright.PENANAKlCtIgbnwY
35Please respect copyright.PENANAaOLVxFpqXU
「我加入。」楓垚說。35Please respect copyright.PENANAz0M0FMw32D
35Please respect copyright.PENANA5ua1GWR0ee
「很好。」主教點頭,「那麼開始見證儀式吧。」35Please respect copyright.PENANAgaDd8kpa18
35Please respect copyright.PENANA6Plg9hydR5
主教走前幾步,站在人群中央,下巴微仰,敞開雙臂,手掌朝上,他輕聲誦念起經文,35Please respect copyright.PENANAUbD8xP5hfa
35Please respect copyright.PENANAjwHCfMaNug
「全知全能的主,35Please respect copyright.PENANAqSY2VpkSHa
35Please respect copyright.PENANALIJMH5jVVK
「願祢的靈降臨,願祢與我們同在,願祢作見證35Please respect copyright.PENANAvwoALsCrIa
35Please respect copyright.PENANAA5FBzqEiNn
「他將打開心靈,成為祢的子民。」35Please respect copyright.PENANAb0K8ZxTVly
35Please respect copyright.PENANAFL5mtoPSP1
楓垚原本以為這只是象徵式的禱告,哪知在完畢的剎那,他的身心確切地輕微變化,像是靈魂得到了歸宿,有種回到家的樸實幸福感。35Please respect copyright.PENANA40bCuZ71SI
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很微妙的感覺……楓垚回味著過去的那瞬間。35Please respect copyright.PENANAB1aMw1vlp1
35Please respect copyright.PENANAb2sAITVxkH
「歡迎你,主的新子民。」主教在額頭及胸口點了一下,其餘人也動作劃一。35Please respect copyright.PENANAK0pGs1pFLG
35Please respect copyright.PENANAyismS7nIWt
我也應該跟著做吧……楓垚模仿著一模一樣的動作。35Please respect copyright.PENANAj2K5TI3E5y
35Please respect copyright.PENANACPb3BIQb6F
「接下來會由君柳及靈芝領著你處理教會的事務,有什麼問題請教他們即可。」主教說。「很抱歉,我得失陪了。」35Please respect copyright.PENANAoVwVfHgqzM
35Please respect copyright.PENANAZiSKmd0ZkW
話落,其中一位陌生的身影忽然走了上前,他身穿藍金長袍,額頭圍繞一圈墨藍絲巾。他緊閉雙眼,一隻手搭在背後,一隻手在身後比劃,憑空描畫出一個透明橢圓。35Please respect copyright.PENANAEXZJ1GAtd4
35Please respect copyright.PENANAY8etHn1x16
幾息過後,那橢圓的邊界閃爍著游離的電絲,宛如即將噴發的雷雲。35Please respect copyright.PENANAAUj3htiI1v
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滋啪。35Please respect copyright.PENANAEyINGeIfrt
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電絲漸漸粗壯,由邊界向內部聚合,橢圓慢慢被白茫填滿,變得有形可見。35Please respect copyright.PENANA0iv2YTCLsC
35Please respect copyright.PENANAfwmoJsDj6S
滋滋。35Please respect copyright.PENANATJnxTcaf4I
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難得的尖銳聲自橢圓傳出,像修長的指甲刮在玻璃上,有根豎立的黑線在白茫中央浮現,然後往外擴張,壓縮著白色的空間。35Please respect copyright.PENANAY2uJCVb6IM
35Please respect copyright.PENANA56xZSYx6cT
更讓楓垚驚奇的是,那被撐開的白色後面並非教堂內部的景象,而是全新的未知的光景,那顯然是一道連接大陸某處的「門」。35Please respect copyright.PENANAEQoEa0isn9
35Please respect copyright.PENANAYu6hRfp8x0
「我會期待下次的見面,楓垚。」主教說完便回頭鑽進那被撐開的「門」,陌生的身影跟隨其後,待他們都進去以後,「門」像沙粒被風吹散般,被無痕抹去。35Please respect copyright.PENANACvp6flV0cB
35Please respect copyright.PENANAcmDFklzMyE
「你帶著他吧,我去睡個覺。」少女打了個呵欠,走到樓上,消失在兩樓陰影盡頭。35Please respect copyright.PENANAMXGfd7D140
35Please respect copyright.PENANAq5viXaeW1U
她好像叫作靈芝?楓垚轉頭望向君柳,35Please respect copyright.PENANADp9SwuzOFd
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「剛才那些人是?」35Please respect copyright.PENANAPo0YfPf783
35Please respect copyright.PENANAb9grAbwb9s
「一位司鐸及兩位執事,他們是前來護送主教的。」君柳答。35Please respect copyright.PENANAKwvkYUifJW
35Please respect copyright.PENANAbQz04u5Upk
「司鐸?執事?咦,你好像也是執事矣。」35Please respect copyright.PENANAIF21MOYqUY
35Please respect copyright.PENANAc3DNoprBwn
「都是教會的職位,在教會核心的階級裡,主教在頂端,其次是七司鐸,然後是十六執事。」35Please respect copyright.PENANA7TbSJzAtTA
35Please respect copyright.PENANAybrg3CuIfw
「那位白髮少女呢?她也是執事嗎?」楓垚拋出疑惑。35Please respect copyright.PENANAzfvYdSC3Ry
35Please respect copyright.PENANA2oMb7Pdx8k
「你說靈芝?她是七司鐸之一,『夢魘』」君柳淡淡解釋。35Please respect copyright.PENANAI5Aj1As5df
35Please respect copyright.PENANAsRSo0WMpaG
居然是七司鐸…那豆丁看起來還沒成年吧……楓垚心底吐嘈了句,表情卻表露得清清楚楚。35Please respect copyright.PENANALkgvpvvqdo
35Please respect copyright.PENANA2CFPMrfmcF
君柳見此嘴角一彎,35Please respect copyright.PENANAxw8v4S5NLj
35Please respect copyright.PENANAGjCkJzWMbQ
「別小看她,你可要知道教會只有派遣一位司鐸及兩位執事前來吞龍城,而其他的大城至少有三位執事駐留。」35Please respect copyright.PENANAqgyyFTEAEB
35Please respect copyright.PENANAwRbSOB3NB4
「什麼意思?」楓垚不解道。35Please respect copyright.PENANAM385RphYR8
35Please respect copyright.PENANATT6Mt4QWAN
君柳不自覺昂首,「說明我們不需要那麼多人。」35Please respect copyright.PENANAZSlYWI8H2s
35Please respect copyright.PENANAnaRr4z8BW6
楓垚點了點頭,他認為當中的誇大成份並不多,畢竟見識過靈芝的實力,在她面前自己像隻螞蟻般渺小,不存在反抗一說,心底萌起另些想法:35Please respect copyright.PENANAUQv5Cu5eBB
35Please respect copyright.PENANAU7plHHg5T7
不知道她和君柳相比如何,按階級的話靈芝排得更高,不過教會的分級是否取決於實力仍不確定。35Please respect copyright.PENANAeAMdVQKYSC
35Please respect copyright.PENANAF3nHcrwpER
「哦對,忘了問薪金的事。」楓垚急忙道,這可關係到他的生活。35Please respect copyright.PENANA51LDtqetBL
35Please respect copyright.PENANAgyQMfCjQYa
君柳按著額頭,好一會才說:35Please respect copyright.PENANA96G0iynutw
35Please respect copyright.PENANABZyZzaNhU0
「1金4銀,兩周結算。」35Please respect copyright.PENANA7ERuNUzbku
35Please respect copyright.PENANAp9qHajU4eO
這個世界裡1金等於20銀,等於200銅,又等於1000仙,而1仙約等於地球港幣5元。35Please respect copyright.PENANA5lS1HOdTKQ
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半個月6000,很不錯了……楓垚簡單計算,非常滿意,這筆薪金應該可以過上物質充裕的生活,心情一下愉快不少,連聲調也隨之提高,35Please respect copyright.PENANA10a55D4w2t
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「我的職位是?」35Please respect copyright.PENANAdJbzDc6GyP
35Please respect copyright.PENANAVRt60Hj4Pu
「執事助手。」35Please respect copyright.PENANAyG8PGtGWAd
35Please respect copyright.PENANAgAd0hdh5qP
「工作都有些什麼呢?」35Please respect copyright.PENANA9Pemx501dg
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「等等就知道。」君柳揉了揉太陽穴,「走吧。」35Please respect copyright.PENANAwHDmOCkjyZ
35Please respect copyright.PENANA162AJzLi87
「去哪?」楓垚跟上步伐。35Please respect copyright.PENANAelFs0oBLBX
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「赤里區,水道街。」35Please respect copyright.PENANAsqIHlSs9oi
35Please respect copyright.PENANA0rpMKq8EK5
……35Please respect copyright.PENANAwgbeb0em7R
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馬車平坦行駛,前面不遠便是水道街,吞龍城的三大貧窮窟之一。35Please respect copyright.PENANAX9vP6LESIQ
35Please respect copyright.PENANABrCJwiVH2X
楓垚和君柳在一間尚算體面的旅館下車,兩人前來之前已經換過教會的工作服,束身上衣、長筒襪、棕色靴鞋,胸前掛上一枚彌爾教的徽章。到目前為止,君柳沒有一句話,楓垚靜靜緊隨其後。35Please respect copyright.PENANA0sPWHoZiU6
35Please respect copyright.PENANA3NWbwLrUWT
不少地攤沿著道路兩旁擺放,有的賣菜、有的賣手工品、有的招攬髒衣服…君柳一眼沒望,直直往前行,只有楓垚對於新的景象深感興趣,東張西望,同時也暗自慨嘆:35Please respect copyright.PENANAMrYJlcYuUM
35Please respect copyright.PENANAYkfJfazQp4
無論在什麼地方,生活都不易啊,唉……35Please respect copyright.PENANAP1Ll2OYdoC
35Please respect copyright.PENANAX55LDtBP6F
走過一陣子,君柳停低步伐,到達了目的地,那是一棟三層高的建築。他從袋口拿出懷錶睄一睄,又啪答合上,這才推開底層的門走進去。35Please respect copyright.PENANAP7D0VEDHEI
35Please respect copyright.PENANAW8NUtaCauH
前方有一條徑直走廊,兩旁排列著一式一樣的小門,而走廊的盡頭是通往上層的樓梯。35Please respect copyright.PENANAtUhuNADEcI
35Please respect copyright.PENANALaj9BJGIgZ
「真是不方便的設計。」楓垚無奈道。35Please respect copyright.PENANAKTccNhlst4
35Please respect copyright.PENANAo1kGm9yuy3
穿過走廊的時候,總會有哀怨夾雜著痛苦的低沉聲音傳來,令人不寒而慄,像有處細縫不斷漏進寒風。35Please respect copyright.PENANA7MH0QSngXo
35Please respect copyright.PENANAXZGxw3yRem
「什麼聲音?」楓垚忍不住問。35Please respect copyright.PENANAiON4zBSrhv
35Please respect copyright.PENANAnkfKkWHqQK
「這裡是老人院。」君柳點頭。35Please respect copyright.PENANAyFyVOiJJNh
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原來是老人……楓垚不禁同情起這裡的住客,他對老人院的觀感一直很差,認為那裡只是提前擺放屍體的地方。35Please respect copyright.PENANAQPzLmDxuah
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咚咚咚。35Please respect copyright.PENANA8b21Otm6rT
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兩人來到二樓的一扇門前,敲起門芯板。35Please respect copyright.PENANAPKmFANVYMT
35Please respect copyright.PENANA1AykPQZeM8
得得得。35Please respect copyright.PENANAKPhsqhS7wF
35Please respect copyright.PENANAvUTTNL6zfL
腳步聲傳來,門很快便打開了三分一,門後的是位中年婦女,束起棕色馬尾,身穿陳舊麻布衣。35Please respect copyright.PENANAUv9pssZiQS
35Please respect copyright.PENANAeP1FyIcbhl
「請問你們是?」婦女問,身體保持在門後。35Please respect copyright.PENANAJgO0yala1q
35Please respect copyright.PENANADrdIhdHz0j
「教會執事,過來探望蔓莎女士。」君柳行了個微禮。35Please respect copyright.PENANALUr85EaVNl
35Please respect copyright.PENANAObBI3GhqiE
「裡面請。」婦女點頭回應,將門完全打開。35Please respect copyright.PENANAVho63BlXMW
35Please respect copyright.PENANAdVHZpyrnJR
裡面的空間大概有三百多呎,一人住起來不算狹窄,廚房、臥室、衛生間,應有盡有。35Please respect copyright.PENANA6ph1lkDYF6
35Please respect copyright.PENANAnEMEkrOkVn
婦女領著二人走進臥室,裡面有張單人床,上面正躺著位年邁的女士,她側頭望向窗戶,沒有注意到進來的客人。35Please respect copyright.PENANAFz7bEvy6y5
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哐哐。35Please respect copyright.PENANAHPaCAllb2g
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「夫人,教會的人來了。」婦女輕輕敲門。35Please respect copyright.PENANA6xERUPzHu8
35Please respect copyright.PENANA3xtkZxlbii
蔓莎女士在聽後門聲後才後知後覺地扭過頭來,臉上拱起笑容,略帶歉意地說:35Please respect copyright.PENANAcFB6ZBzfl0
35Please respect copyright.PENANATib50osLcN
「真是抱歉,看得太入神,沒有注意到你們呢。」35Please respect copyright.PENANAP3D07TWyQw
35Please respect copyright.PENANAH4g0LGtr2c
君柳坐在床邊的椅凳上,嘴邊掛起難得可見的微笑,35Please respect copyright.PENANAat3FBkvSji
35Please respect copyright.PENANA7FoUj33DGO
「女士在看什麼呢?」35Please respect copyright.PENANAh8k02ksR4t
35Please respect copyright.PENANA8txhSJyqWo
蔓莎女士再次望去窗邊,她的笑容更濃了些,眼神裡有種響往,35Please respect copyright.PENANAAgWOb173TE
35Please respect copyright.PENANACkAL1ZIzDm
「我看見兩隻烏鴉追逐,然後飛走。可惜這窗太小了,看不見他們飛去哪裡。」