這位是帥氣的護衛任務的隊長夸斯特43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNjDQll317
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGIirYB2cA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNptvEL302I
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYB5ccO1AY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeNsGrgAH7
他咧嘴一笑，眼裡卻沒有一絲苦楚，彷彿那是種常態。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS2GnbvQZY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGTm70jMHE
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy5xiFQgJ1
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30D8hBGOuM
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWgqOOUxQM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVfZscCUsF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHNPtzw7sp
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPjjrqFS1D
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrixbyPE4o
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrobfuoMm6r
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqNSZW7OmA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA51i17XQh8
「只要他沒吹牛，這速度，確實是戰場上難得的本錢。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRNtPtDHV4
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVztkcljHu
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oOlmjr5uo
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiebJCU7GN
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4ciU1cZBb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6w5kVugsT
「副隊長泰倫斯，把他帶去見其他人，熟悉一下環境。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXhcHZA7Rz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceINE80TDE
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc3Ql4rsWz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4sORkRHQ4
「跟我來。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSatGzYHOnY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h9DFHuJRQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1WACmXdsu
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqb72zgjtP
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg0S728BlG
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8KKrcFwdi
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQjgqaRLhU
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmIxYLSJ1R
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPaATDDKZv
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck5qs5jCKB
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L0Fbw33Ig
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aQzyd8hrn
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzDIVe0NJc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm41ndKKRx
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu99rYz5sx
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5i0v64x4v
他微微一頓，嘴角浮現一絲嘲弄的笑意。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKUyGjPIEF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitlQCS32gO
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yXKLdDuBc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OubJVRv7B
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL39x5k0hLP
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwP6nyJO3T
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjnAGkLANB
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXpMTZNiwn
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUumlmQkQ8S
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnuCFieKLr
夸斯特斜睨了她一眼，似笑非笑地問道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPLIRDUCuS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNTdYDNKEy
「哦？公主都聽過些什麼樣的傳聞？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW8PpyzWfc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVfrmRRPO2
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2wHL4siAk
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMfcdHdVXE
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzfQimRg3o
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPldwL8h9vy
這話一出口，她自己也有些發毛，忍不住縮了縮脖子。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cITw0Y8XU
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK9TFRrQ36
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNFVbccZJp
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXY1fdwY0U
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoN8dVFyu6
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cv5l4Pa5N
「那土瓦族……是怎樣的？」公主好奇問道。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71kr37IVbJ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVh4NGA2ae
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCBZLy9Zdd
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X2jpVTNcN
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0TUspd3MG
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zuSP9LFqL
公主眨了眨眼，忽然又小聲道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoJQGy5gvV
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTrfkZp3bL
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWLhCXgW0Z
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRatzPqhSO
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoBVLyNSaQ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIhQctqyU3
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxol0PQSWVz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE3Jq0IQHU
他停了停，像是回憶起什麼往事般地說：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdxyzWDdzz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47QiTbPQmn
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7KLMV5QrA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oSOTJKe00
公主的表情一時有些複雜，像是放心，又像是惆悵。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BNoAPzRNa
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIDddwxtN6
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKchKOM1KFk
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbMrAjUsmg
她點了點頭，接著問了個直擊本質的問題：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttfUMX4HtJ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAEk8GzrFO
「那……山蠻族、土瓦族這些……也算是人類嗎？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMoWl4C6H6
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUebAVl6ON1
夸斯特聞言，神色收斂，語調也變得莊重：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS92Ai8vdG5
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgJv2PzJ4U
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyaoihwL7Z
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8WLzHFkw0
他語氣一頓，帶著淡淡的歷史沉重感：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uWw1CaedW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpR1HDadBq
「他們是人，只是……我們選擇遺忘了這點。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ99pJn9EM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4Uu4qTGiY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7jcHJjLAu
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof8UWrk3ym
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw46zWDXnIo
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VP81P1gsP
「我已經派人，用最快的信鷹回報天龍本國了！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoADNitYEot
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc9e9NDD87
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhTD8VAEaP
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9EA7LYaGD
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGAIUkoYBG
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yuQOSxCKc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHoMyTuTGB
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsMNxbIXUX
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCfEJJ0dkq
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1bHZRzcdf
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HUTtBGwrb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42LRxZJQ9A
他猛地起身，盯著大使的眼睛，一字一頓地說道：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAp1QySQCw
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vXq6JQCWH
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQieWkdOZo
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonAPsDAYS6
莫洛德大使神情堅毅，毫不動搖地擺了擺手：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkBO9lJFwm
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm4XjAAWVJ
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yv0PcBTdz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94NVadsvO9
一旁的公主也出聲了，語氣雖柔卻堅定：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNTDdAqCkG
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxVaRuFYgL
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH2UPWSjuO
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJQZuybAkf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCLmw6cSQX
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrPlRCN4wM
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNTHexHAPA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnEI3myCsE
「我明白……那麼，天神族方面的配合人手，安排好了嗎？」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsGN10L7oj
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4PTqHsC3u
大使回應迅速，顯然對細節早已胸有成竹：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ616ByjhKzC
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUVA9MPNT4
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoh5R42xcO
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet96F4D3Gp
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqrl3ORC8z
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpUjCMN8vD
但大使的眉頭忽然皺起來，語氣也低了幾分：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0UYF7INGc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVfaA2C5fE
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfoFPCh79t
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRwyInJqGJ
夸斯特勉強笑了笑，帶著一種無奈又諒解的語氣說：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmhHCN45WT
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM7pgbmNai
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzevRsX4xBQ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcj83s19lo
聽到這話，大使終於鬆了口氣，點點頭，聲音低沉：43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKfOTHhr0t
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9pjiZlACB
「那就好……願神之契印庇佑你們。」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsePBNWXfR2
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYVFH0aCt8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y9t4ufT09
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwde7SbD4Dl
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfJo8t5LFH
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMGuuNknFg
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U8phL8BfC
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7nsusG0cY
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdOSpkHIei
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH06aEDS1si
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifxjz5HlHc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bcMl2ehur
門一開，眾人話語戛然而止。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWhlpogKEn
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNtFXeNEkC
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV7xfE96iO
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNG1rXdop7
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCDVlB2bVK
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ85e1bCMl
她聲音雖不高，卻沒人聽不見。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7ScTKMqkb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8x2B1Giz0
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWkcD8zXkH
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dXOH9SSkV
空氣驟然一緊。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUzIIBxCr1
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKxbNbI30z
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcQSfMpPpf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKN5hjWpke
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TPDOfI62z
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoNlqShULe
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD2U6xQPfD
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3LRf5as5e
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEecLvO2GI6
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5fWzIhUIA
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX7MiSWVXF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tjZ464ssE
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRuMDslNxB
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIWal8gHV4
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarNrBgPHG7
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYymzxh44x
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7hbNfvSi7
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3Nbkw2YM5
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Lm2dIgW8
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCxPUoMixO
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlwWxTBNO5
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OPItYWVpM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuOmMmoYUW
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxXlAC7rU8
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaqCMCDvTA
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx3uTuk4yh
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVfl63VbHb
「滾出去！」泰倫斯的聲音像掄起的長劍一樣冷冽有力。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCj0xwKyBb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciOy5OCvbq
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN29AiVsqxZ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0L5NhwjYC
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8IdrDhxNS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGvQppH0Dq
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckcyd2PDaF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qqm0LDrhW
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GiThE8s4b
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP5mNxS3dA
「你的武器呢？」聲音不急不緩，語氣卻帶著某種試探。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA6nHuaGFz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2tbDm02gX
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodl6nELFJ9
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE3DAjNqEv
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1tJOWfdrW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kgIEx9W9H
其他人也紛紛輕笑，氣氛微微緩和些許。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR1walR5uF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqZ0eXNHBP
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WPLNx5vhc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVHa9sHB4w
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrHJMuvcik
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH06m17N7lC
眾人齊聲答道：「明白！」43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZZpUlETpM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlIHjnm2ab
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWTySO961c
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgZwduv5oh
「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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8mcrsy7iF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8RM62oLUl
話語像釘子一樣敲在空氣裡，其他人紛紛靜了下來。43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuj4KqQvOC
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoWImiTK0y
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEzqs6Of0k
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds8PuU78fM
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41RMueQV72
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2OhVzWxuB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmlGozzfX1
然後按「加至主畫面」