這位是帥氣的護衛任務的隊長夸斯特43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G7idWVnEg
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc6MWR1Q6c
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0PCYjpcQV
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oK8egxheC
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhZIHoRdJT
他咧嘴一笑，眼裡卻沒有一絲苦楚，彷彿那是種常態。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwphqPo6om
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6dgDQE3rc
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YZOwYL9uY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4p8Aj29M4
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKCB5Mv6BW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7jRKyTDBM
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOnZjMjm0V
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk200mbnMj
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqIzHbQrJp
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfatLms1eY
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlD0UPX64c
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTZjp3YU58
「只要他沒吹牛，這速度，確實是戰場上難得的本錢。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmzwo9XBfM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW3qi10BTN
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbktiTceFwD
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc1geTD04v
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptbD4Sp2f9
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BWVIFnsB2
「副隊長泰倫斯，把他帶去見其他人，熟悉一下環境。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyaKNk3EQA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHqMDQhbpc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkeJYZeoZK
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC4XlR0uXJ
「跟我來。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79vTAoufPL
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrME8QzIDJE
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehRxbYJhkd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAzVjI22ht
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZuyayzGal
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC5S5zTHZu
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ULoAjWzAg
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZLRZDVd0b
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn4g54kvfT
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDsb0LWHy5
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZiqXKOnxJ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxupzEDlo1h
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCccfiur2s
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDImCSZtdZb
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7GCPIG75n
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcOiySkrNf
他微微一頓，嘴角浮現一絲嘲弄的笑意。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhRb7hzXrW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXckRdXO5Ta
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkoTKgBap0
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaa7FF29Ut
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChk6WIakHP
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvl2xdp9W9
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMBLPoaVZE
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20lZM6K6LW
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZs4D0yPQU
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCUUQgazp5
夸斯特斜睨了她一眼，似笑非笑地問道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTComQVZCd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQzi3nPP80
「哦？公主都聽過些什麼樣的傳聞？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWTdIT9Rck
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBImvGJEEPm
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE4QoH0Fxk
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOye6DOZdE0
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkZ0WNgbZB
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO7BCeiBmA
這話一出口，她自己也有些發毛，忍不住縮了縮脖子。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotRyW0PWHN
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKycV1IdacS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLmHuvCLQ4
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8LsMQs79h
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19iYz3AtZI
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8OiYtquyJ
「那土瓦族……是怎樣的？」公主好奇問道。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DGw4BhBmL
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfcmfXaGRe
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EAAeOt4gC
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfJYn1cq9Y
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTCRICdrVL
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6kKkoUHp7
公主眨了眨眼，忽然又小聲道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3SOnwIEVY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa9H49WIvk
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw2aLBy2g8
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqPSwM6ESC
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPETckybwf2
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPLnhuHMSb
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7mbFlc0Ev
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uCANkVrmb
他停了停，像是回憶起什麼往事般地說：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUWmdSgUk7
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVudCjrQ0KQ
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwfvUfoKYg
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97hQYgPYKG
公主的表情一時有些複雜，像是放心，又像是惆悵。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8NbUpi5er
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpNrQvmJn4
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRSyD3wLnW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigFSwZAjfS
她點了點頭，接著問了個直擊本質的問題：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTuJVIkzIz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp5ydsu6XW
「那……山蠻族、土瓦族這些……也算是人類嗎？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaks21SIhN
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjnZXvJ0SA
夸斯特聞言，神色收斂，語調也變得莊重：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzr0LHb3td
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwD5A2MdO7
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT28dv5e7iQ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOIUi5bgjb
他語氣一頓，帶著淡淡的歷史沉重感：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzubBffK7Ri
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zqsVMd3M9
「他們是人，只是……我們選擇遺忘了這點。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC9NUlq0yo
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty5S75HFwf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEmIiFnu6l
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADLh7nQ3Qc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbshkTOBXY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH0lIWuH0p
「我已經派人，用最快的信鷹回報天龍本國了！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkguWvfbeMI
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdrYLaUIPE
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKZ3FLl7cd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV51gjWoHIP
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXarNEllmlV
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3znazTXLut
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pEYUNheLy
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCCHsglDRU
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBJw5fLMr5
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyHc6w4d3y
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9LCWSY7cE
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnardsfG0AZ
他猛地起身，盯著大使的眼睛，一字一頓地說道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoOzXeQcw1
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7IPa9OOOM
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdad2Z78rWt
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZxy0eOdHk
莫洛德大使神情堅毅，毫不動搖地擺了擺手：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7V6YqdDpe
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXqubnkyMa
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAk4UcOplI
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRBPei3Tbu
一旁的公主也出聲了，語氣雖柔卻堅定：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnghpRuZJQ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyGLuCmrbP
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev3c4a8r7J
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XBnyU1LKf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUmms5uaw3
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQbGWoZzoQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TWf1LfGKb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxZGI17KrP
「我明白……那麼，天神族方面的配合人手，安排好了嗎？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE2pJ5x8yV
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdPml1yU44
大使回應迅速，顯然對細節早已胸有成竹：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LTKGMGmXG
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0wDqVVqsl
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xdMIbe1kO
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkpBWa3K0B
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHLy0MrE1J
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi08RvGCMi
但大使的眉頭忽然皺起來，語氣也低了幾分：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn7DbbbWOR
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsWbqZeGZF
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfBb8ZIo9u
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARnBWwSTHB
夸斯特勉強笑了笑，帶著一種無奈又諒解的語氣說：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUOxMf1VXP
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItoqI3DFQO
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEakubJy0el
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo7KJyc63e
聽到這話，大使終於鬆了口氣，點點頭，聲音低沉：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ABHV7RqQz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2iwarhYWU
「那就好……願神之契印庇佑你們。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7ifXtoyMd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklLcLT4A2g
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEebsFmQQd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmGtUMMjQ3
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEQ7GKUHGu
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXlnkhqiiO
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrUWmBYyjO
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfExUKV1jms
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyLvWIr7t2
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW168RMqQ8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz98Dq8o4ZF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LGxShWbfD
門一開，眾人話語戛然而止。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxuCCkWYAM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYcqYwHxhh
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rLSqUYWBV
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIn2Sfh30R
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEKQeMcBh5
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2gYQo8yuX
她聲音雖不高，卻沒人聽不見。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1RmIZv1iC
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4hG1xj5fh
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtME5CyScyK
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjPhffqPF5
空氣驟然一緊。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDsMZiZNia
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyZTxMHnyk
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtpsUNBRKW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETVw649CYP
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfOJLhXdSf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoaLLVgv1r
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4HZGh6XQ1
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeav2EBKNI
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScAeLF0I5r
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW08ZInFwg
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTHNN8fpEU
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToWuT94lcC
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvpoTeFXt6
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxkNMHAwwx
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa5D2VgQd8
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoRVZX4Yzf
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBfN2RCEnf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uAVFAOSmx
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N6NAztXCq
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6HfSRbNmk
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG5S7cCOHM
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SVsDj7Fid
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPpRdurTL6
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp84esJPqUE
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT2gRssOWk
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtikbWQ4pi
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUAqZoKz94
「滾出去！」泰倫斯的聲音像掄起的長劍一樣冷冽有力。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2Yz2roi7e
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkccSd9dQ4
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZgTrUbvXI
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe84i2yXaU
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iJKLFFblq
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5mJkZGlLg
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv98K2z5yyW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWXW29nlFP
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVChMWieBw
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRDfT6AAwC
「你的武器呢？」聲音不急不緩，語氣卻帶著某種試探。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIToywbPP6h
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oRxYQfWCS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnppZC46SA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokuOYF89OT
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTYD95GuGf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF19Q5jogOc
其他人也紛紛輕笑，氣氛微微緩和些許。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqhuCOXm6R
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPU35oZ3YD
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX81qyjOmM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS82yAc1fN
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP9YqsvYxE
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9uDPPd3FJ
眾人齊聲答道：「明白！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4jrrUkmGc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WP89eYcwq
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVn0gyjzQa
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPbROa7x46
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwGmG4HuQ7
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI7Ha4p3KK
話語像釘子一樣敲在空氣裡，其他人紛紛靜了下來。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUEsAV5tZl
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXyJ9vwgAZ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNZG4F1k87
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX7TftTBNw
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjZxZPVvrd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0uzniBeon
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXyL5e7paN
然後按「加至主畫面」