「斯特拉德大人是我們的土地、我們的先賢,你們這群德魯伊看見大人不出來迎接,竟然妄想以武器攻擊?還不趕快把手上的武器丟了!」258Please respect copyright.PENANAj5HMPUJH7C
258Please respect copyright.PENANAdCThioT2rs
原本凶神惡煞的德魯伊們連忙放下木杖,不敢直視造訪的「斯特拉德」,既畏懼又敬重地跪伏於地面,低喃無法聽清的話語,膜拜著他們所敬重的土地、先賢,拔高音調連綿不絕地歌頌領主之名,呼喚那唯一能辨明的字詞。258Please respect copyright.PENANAKnBvSzO5Ma
258Please respect copyright.PENANAHpyeRoGsk7
整齊劃一的謳歌中,忽有突兀的淒厲嚎叫驟然打亂秩序,似疑惑、似控訴,其中一名德魯伊無視斥責,高舉的法杖瞄準幻影,尖叫怒吼著獨屬德魯伊的祕密語言,蓄勢待發地預備施法——他識破了假象,並試圖將其破壞以警示被迷惑的同伴們。258Please respect copyright.PENANA44KUFUXnxk
258Please respect copyright.PENANAsjvkkhBjWO
「看來有人在我的土地上不聽從我的命令!將那個頑劣惡徒處理掉,以示你們的忠誠!」幻影下達號令,不明就裡的德魯伊們群起撲向那名形影單隻的男人,奪取他的武器、壓制他單薄的軀體,男人不及反抗的哀號掩沒在暴戾與血腥中。258Please respect copyright.PENANAiXK4Jcuevq
258Please respect copyright.PENANAU2QZ8JgsWv
喀拉。258Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0pFbqROJi
258Please respect copyright.PENANAeuwiiGNaK2
不知是何人踩響了碎石,雖然藏匿的眾人盡其所能地抑制音量,不尋常的動靜仍吸引了部分德魯伊的注意,只聽見探查的腳步漸近,下一秒,熟悉的光芒籠罩我與阿姆塔特的周身,銀白火焰迅速灼燒我們的身軀。258Please respect copyright.PENANAmh2Q0wxsqV
258Please respect copyright.PENANA0Z4ANA8egF
敵人的攻擊沒有停歇,第二發魔法隨之襲來,冰霜的劍刃刺穿龍裔的手臂,迸裂的寒冰衝上我的皮膚,刺骨的寒意滲透肌理,擴散全身。258Please respect copyright.PENANAHYj0wLoo2l
258Please respect copyright.PENANAQpL2HqbzIr
猝不及防的襲擊沖散了所有人,無法看清其他人的動向,但龍裔的巨劍搶先予以了反擊,狂暴的龍吼劃破空氣,猛力的斬擊劈砍至來襲者的肩膀。以此為信號,我唱詠咒文,施放火焰追上阿姆塔特的攻勢,歐爾綻放著紅色雙翼自空中滑翔而來,灼炎的飛羽點燃所有近身之人的衣物,迫使靠近的德魯伊止步於石圈入口。258Please respect copyright.PENANAEVSHFWhRm1
258Please respect copyright.PENANA9roT2JP5de
「放肆!」當率先引發衝突的敵人重傷跪地時,斯特拉德狠戾的嗓音再次怒斥,「全部給我停手!外頭之人都是我的隨從,誰準你們恣意攻擊?」258Please respect copyright.PENANAgNBqPr573M
258Please respect copyright.PENANAqxv5PPqbfU
肯奇操控幻影施加壓力與威嚇,頃刻之間,德魯伊們化為卑微的僕役,殺意被膽怯取代,匍匐在地請求主人的寬恕。吟遊詩人趁勢喝令他們終止儀式、拆除草木塑造的巨型樹人,「把寶石取下,在我允許前不准輕舉妄動。」幻象陰沉的眼神有如俯視微小螻蟻,不敢違命的兩名德魯伊順從地攀上巨樹枝藤。此時我才得以近距離仰望這尊龐大得近乎詭異的樹像,胸口的綠色寶石明滅閃爍,底下猙獰的鬚根好似隨時會拔起根脈,以排山倒海的姿態橫掃巴洛維亞大地。258Please respect copyright.PENANAsAm3mlF9Fz
258Please respect copyright.PENANATpnBkXgxyd
就在攀爬的德魯伊即將摘下寶石的前一刻,異變徒生。258Please respect copyright.PENANAXIbO1UWAn5
258Please respect copyright.PENANAzaUrp508qA
數道嘶啞的咒罵撕毀本欲安穩收場的平和,其餘跪拜的德魯伊不經意間觸摸到幻象的足靴,瞻仰的臣服之舉反倒創造了看破魔法虛假偽裝的契機,恢復清明的他們厲聲叫嚷著被欺騙的慍怒,隨後衝向巨像,紛紛從懷中掏出匕首。258Please respect copyright.PENANA1CeDC6CXFG
258Please respect copyright.PENANAZMMu9Ij70n
「阻止他們!」不祥的預感油然而生,我毫不猶豫地吟詠咒文傳送至企圖自殘的德魯伊面前,飛快拍落其手中利器。258Please respect copyright.PENANA5qNfWNT9Tj
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然而,還是太遲了。258Please respect copyright.PENANAvjP1nS7yru
258Please respect copyright.PENANAZu5njCF5p8
癲狂的男人將匕首刺入胸膛,拚盡全力擁住巨樹的枝幹——即便銅鬚使用神術束縛另一人的行動,露希亞精準的箭矢阻撓第三人傷重踉蹌的步伐,依舊不足以阻擋所有德魯伊。258Please respect copyright.PENANAF7Y4oZc34v
258Please respect copyright.PENANAVPVrbBIPog
鮮血灑落,深埋土壤的根鬚彷彿有生命般汲取腥紅液體。258Please respect copyright.PENANALY9PgEME3N
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撲通。258Please respect copyright.PENANANWZUc2IZVI
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某種躁動聲透過地表敲響震盪的節奏。258Please respect copyright.PENANATnPFLgpE9W
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撲通撲通撲通。258Please respect copyright.PENANAKN5H8eQiDk
258Please respect copyright.PENANAWkKSt0ZEC5
大地顫動,仿若鼓跳的臟音,由沉睡的緩慢趨向活躍的快速律動,雷光似是傳遞258Please respect copyright.PENANAlG3lYKARdP
能源的脈流,一次又一次地擊向樹頂,雷鳴響聲越加急促,德魯伊瀕臨死亡的吟唱往復循環,恍若祝禱的囈語於石圈內迴響。258Please respect copyright.PENANAdDPuEhFi1u
258Please respect copyright.PENANAwE3SIujuOG
樹像正在復甦,已然無法休止。男子的鮮血活絡它的肉驅,寶石的力量賦予了它活動的能力——我總算明瞭巨像的真身,這是甘提亞斯之樹的仿物,如同原生樹種的特質,以祭品的血肉灌養而成的怪物。258Please respect copyright.PENANAGIE4M5FPh2
258Please respect copyright.PENANAsZmoVyRUho
究竟犧牲了多少生命,才成就它龐大的形體?凹壑處填塞的不僅是土壤草屑,當它蠢蠢欲動之時,流淌而下的烏色汁液更像是糜爛的腐肉。258Please respect copyright.PENANALzEuaFuDVN
258Please respect copyright.PENANA5VI5UWzQ9N
纏繞的樹藤向外舒展,甩開攀爬的兩名德魯伊,尚未識清幻術的他們於落地後看向斯特拉德,迷惘地尋求領主的後續命令。258Please respect copyright.PENANAnZlVmWuMZk
258Please respect copyright.PENANAC0Z8PR1FGA
摧毀這棵樹——肯奇透過假像釋出指令,驅趕始終困惑的德魯伊,假借斯特拉德的名義准許眾人攻擊。258Please respect copyright.PENANAozFZrkjDFy
258Please respect copyright.PENANA3K5gJ9oiUq
「所有人往後退!」我當機立斷凝聚魔力,呼喚歐爾前來協助,共同釋放焚燒的烈焰。熾熱的塑能能量爆散火紅光芒與轟然巨響,受損的巨像被陷於危難的情勢激起本能,枝條藤蔓霎時如洪水猛獸般朝四方蔓延,痙攣似地抽動著。258Please respect copyright.PENANA5V91F6azoJ
258Please respect copyright.PENANAsrps8oxz8w
露希亞與伊莉娜的箭矢接連從高處射來,埋入樹體的羽箭成為了武僧的著力點,丹丹靈活的雙腳交互踩踏著羽箭和枝幹,飛身抓握揮舞的藤蔓,將續存已久的氣力藉由猛烈的拳擊灌入樹身,同時間,阿姆塔特的巨劍在怒號聲中落下。258Please respect copyright.PENANALVwswSNRO0
258Please respect copyright.PENANAhNpMXA6hGk
但是,即使攻勢凌厲且密集,樹像仍未停止動作,強勁的生命力驅使著它擴張自身的領土勢力。258Please respect copyright.PENANAQzQq149voS
258Please respect copyright.PENANA0klh2Z2Gcu
地面龜裂,拔起的樹根翻湧巨浪般的土石;空氣撼動,降下的軀殼拍響滔天般的震鳴。滯留於樹旁的幾名德魯伊在難以抵擋的純粹力量前奉獻他們最後的禱告,接著被塌陷的土地吞噬,樹藤有意識地捕捉侵擾的敵襲,緊緊箝住攀附己身的武僧與閃避不及的龍裔。258Please respect copyright.PENANAviUApwNa5A
258Please respect copyright.PENANA1dhARxz8BA
兩人的身體在空中擺盪,反覆撞向周圍石牆。258Please respect copyright.PENANAwvKyUyCtk3
258Please respect copyright.PENANA3VK9HKKqlq
屏住呼吸,我專注地尋找著藤條間的空隙,避開遭受困縛的同伴,準備施放第二發火球術;當我猶疑的指尖左右移動時,身後的銅鬚爽朗笑道,「不用擔心,長耳朵!我會負責治療那兩個人,大膽地攻擊吧!」258Please respect copyright.PENANASwz5IP7sCN
258Please respect copyright.PENANAqYFmYaHLRr
說得可真輕鬆——我輕笑一聲,積攢的魔力交織成火焰迸發而出,襲向粗壯的枝幹,歐爾遵循指示釋放大量能量,飛越灼炎開闢的道路,夾帶熱浪席捲樹頂,將其觸鬚一一焚毀。丹丹奮力掙脫,撕裂緊纏的枝條,在露希亞的掩護下逃離又一波的攻勢。258Please respect copyright.PENANAowYRBpSozb
258Please respect copyright.PENANA3irifVZiru
樹人開始搖晃,被蘋果與聰明豆子抓扯的根部逐漸支撐不住沉重的體型。258Please respect copyright.PENANAGUHAgfWVgv
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趁現在!258Please respect copyright.PENANAAdrWq7JJ4d
258Please respect copyright.PENANAz8lTtszUBA
我抽出細劍直衝而前,將魔力貫注於利刃之上,縈繞青焰的劍刃刺入失去防護的樹體,鳳凰的火焰襲向脆弱內裡,一連串炸裂聲響中,斷裂的樹身頹然傾倒。258Please respect copyright.PENANA5aVEqsPMer
258Please respect copyright.PENANASgOwOD3cyM
「快躲開!」258Please respect copyright.PENANAeKzijr2dP6
258Please respect copyright.PENANAUkcycvp4PZ
龐然巨物瞬間遮蓋我的視野,千鈞一髮之際,吟遊詩人撲向我,一同躲過坍塌的樹像。崩裂的枝藤枯條散落一地,堆積成廢墟般的瘡痍滿目,塵土漫天,惡臭的腥味充斥鼻端,在看清周圍人的安危前,奇異的光線先一步奪去我的注目。258Please respect copyright.PENANAyVwSfJt8Cg
258Please respect copyright.PENANANK9TvICIbx
太陽照耀著飛揚塵埃,將細小灰土映照出點點光屑——在迷霧籠罩的巴洛維亞大陸,我第一次見到久違的陽光。樹怪汲取的魔力衝破碎裂的軀殼奔入蒼穹,濃厚的烏雲散去,溫暖的日輪在雲朵後顯露光芒,儘管只是一小片清澈藍天,也是足以稱作奇蹟的景象。258Please respect copyright.PENANAjcfjIaNJl8
258Please respect copyright.PENANAu66dHSo7Ja
「那是⋯⋯寶石的力量嗎?」隱約可見雲層的邊緣閃爍綠色光點,能夠感受到殘存的能量於空中流轉。258Please respect copyright.PENANAZgVPcFjRGW
258Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5H8mMqJo5
「所以,那顆寶石呢?」丹丹攀上如山高的枯枝殘骸,四處張望,沾染泥灰的面孔滿是狼狽。258Please respect copyright.PENANAbKngJqsTNM
258Please respect copyright.PENANA4Mw7VGfzlP
事實上,所有人皆是如此。258Please respect copyright.PENANAiGRnfDxCYj
258Please respect copyright.PENANAzUobIRByX2
而現在我們苦尋不著寶石蹤跡,但是時間卻無法給予我們更多餘裕,山坡下吹響的號角鳴聲揭示了另一場戰役的到來,人馬雜沓的足音由遠而近,位於石牆頂端的遊俠高聲警告,眾多敵人自北方的土徑集結進逼。258Please respect copyright.PENANA96cv8vIPMg
258Please respect copyright.PENANAMVaAbTtpEY
「銅鬚先生,你們打算怎麼做?」尤特的聲音響起,她與道格不知何時出現在眾人身後,關押烏鴉的籠子已被悄悄開啟——正如露希亞所言,這是鴉人們沒有明說的祕密。258Please respect copyright.PENANA8gwSCuFaYX
258Please respect copyright.PENANAfGg4Ixly7p
「我們以這座石堡為據點,守住入口、拖慢他們的進攻,長耳朵趁這時間找出寶石。」經驗豐富的矮人道出臨時拼湊的計策,「尤特小姐、道格先生,你們也一起吧。」258Please respect copyright.PENANAxDQ5s2YDRt
258Please respect copyright.PENANA5SkjwaTFgW
「不。」道格搖首,堅定地環顧眾人,將生死置之度外,「我們擅長游擊,可以在前線阻擋部分敵人,盡可能減少你們的負擔。」258Please respect copyright.PENANAYhTwOjRqoP
258Please respect copyright.PENANAvXspTDKPDP
銅鬚面露猶疑,不過仍是選擇尊重對方的意願,「⋯⋯我明白了,那讓多魯陪你們吧,雖然他是吸血鬼,但也正因他的特殊而有強大的戰力,他能夠替你們帶來莫大幫助。」他拍了拍多魯的肩膀,與他交代作戰計畫,矮人的信任令少年倍感榮譽,連連點頭應允了被囑咐的任務。258Please respect copyright.PENANA8kytWQzo9A
258Please respect copyright.PENANALJHb6ANTbq
「還有豆子!豆子也可以幫你們。」丹丹背起聰明豆子奔至他們面前,挺起胸膛讚頌妹妹的強大,又轉頭與吸血鬼女孩訴說勉勵的話語。258Please respect copyright.PENANAYdijNB7y3x
258Please respect copyright.PENANA5xZZ0fojw2
四人組成的游擊小隊趁著敵人襲來前自山崖躍下,當尤特與道格身體凌空時,他們的背部張開了碩大的翅膀,全身被黝黑的羽毛覆蓋,形變成似人似禽的姿態,朝向森林俯衝而去。258Please respect copyright.PENANAI7ANrbUzuY
258Please respect copyright.PENANAjbuMI8w5Kj
剩下的人兵分二路,各別守候兩道出入口。258Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7ui1mVuPX
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佇立於石墻中央,陽光灑落的圓環內飄移著紊亂不堪的混濁能量,我嘗試集中精神,讓體內僅存的魔力與周身魔網相連結,辨別、捕捉微弱的寶石訊號——每項魔法物品都有專屬於它們的魔網紋路,只要解明魔力訊息的構成,便能立刻尋得那枚重要晶石。258Please respect copyright.PENANAHFOWvi27Qj
258Please respect copyright.PENANAZYzsRYBUDJ
耳邊傳來低沉的呢喃,倖存的兩名德魯伊來到我身旁,我下意識繃緊警戒,手指反射性比劃起施法術式。258Please respect copyright.PENANADr2444g5CN
258Please respect copyright.PENANAEBtRCRGEqk
「沒事的。」銅鬚阻止了我的直覺反應,湊近低聲解釋,「多虧肯奇老弟,他們現在相信我們是鴉閣堡來的使者。」258Please respect copyright.PENANABUrnVCqy5B
258Please respect copyright.PENANApe4c8C6WtM
我半信半疑地觀察跪地面朝太陽的德魯伊,陽光灑落於他們虔誠的臉孔,神色已不復稍早的瘋狂,我不清楚吟遊詩人對他們說了什麼,但此刻的兩人心無旁鶩地向天地祈禱,看似重拾了曾經的信仰。258Please respect copyright.PENANAej0aHpSFF9
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「他們來了!」258Please respect copyright.PENANAkl9sJUAyOK
258Please respect copyright.PENANA7KsUTWresU
露希亞的警訊隨即被嘹亮的戰吼淹沒,遠方黑影逼近,我趕緊加快儀式的詠唱,為增加戰力,我命令歐爾跟從龍裔,協助他攻擊所有不懷好意的敵人,以火焰之驅保護其他人。258Please respect copyright.PENANA4jwglWedGI
258Please respect copyright.PENANAqTTG02czqf
刀械撞擊聲不曾間斷,溢散的法術能量來回衝擊。肯奇再次召出領主的幻影操弄敵人心智,局勢已在掌控中,德魯伊的戰意被龍吼聲斥退,鳳凰的鳴叫傳達著一切順利的佳音。258Please respect copyright.PENANAo3CBKCwww0
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但是,改變戰局的意外猝然到訪。258Please respect copyright.PENANA86I47Q5x0z
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一陣馬匹長嘯響徹雲霄,斯特拉德騎乘黑色烈焰馬降臨於此,追隨其後的德魯伊不再受幻象迷惑,氣勢洶洶地包圍石墻外側,眼看戰場的勢力平衡已然傾斜,我停下了手中進行的魔法儀式,欲暫時放棄搜索寶石,加入抵禦敵人的行列,但銅鬚卻出聲制止了我。258Please respect copyright.PENANAWWU3F1Bbf0
258Please respect copyright.PENANAKmLyCNSPAq
「長耳朵,你專心找那顆寶石就好!相信我們!」258Please respect copyright.PENANAvaUxSLB8W0
258Please respect copyright.PENANArZMGSEVBTB
我不確定他的自信如何得來,亦不知曉心中躁動不安的情緒為何萌生。258Please respect copyright.PENANAtugVPBynGh
258Please respect copyright.PENANAHGieYZgHmU
只有自己身在安全之處,這是正確的抉擇嗎?258Please respect copyright.PENANA9Qoswjna5r
258Please respect copyright.PENANAJiRXQ1hjew
若是此刻的信任換來其他人的落敗與死亡,我又該如何自處?258Please respect copyright.PENANAhBldAyf6wc
258Please respect copyright.PENANAxcNv6yLZhH
混亂無序的雜念於腦海干擾施咒,我使勁搖頭,屏除多餘念想,深深吐息,專注於眼前的使命。搖擺不定僅會淪於卵覆鳥飛的下場,我不會允許自己犯下這般低等的錯誤!258Please respect copyright.PENANAkUrlbasVBf
258Please respect copyright.PENANAlGuT5Ah9fD
重新展開魔網迴路的探查,將魔力的探知擴張至極限,時間的流逝仿若停滯,抑像是轉眼千年的飛快運轉。當我終於捕獲那道特殊能量時,與歐爾的鏈結應聲中斷,我知道祂回歸了火源之地,取而代之的,是盈滿活力之光的寶石。順著魔力的牽引,我捉住了深埋於廢墟的晶石。258Please respect copyright.PENANAtlbA54590i
258Please respect copyright.PENANAfoI8y5TjEM
手握透出溫暖光芒的純淨寶石,我聽見風中飄響懷念的樂音,周圍的聲音漸漸遠去,感官被一陣白光吞沒——是太陽,在即將消匿於雲霧後的陽光中,我見到了白色巨塔圍繞的家園,被戰爭摧殘前的夏諾特城。258Please respect copyright.PENANAoImInGLrEO
258Please respect copyright.PENANADXVpVLTOKs
『只要在聖壇誠心向真知女神祈禱,就能看到過往最想看見的景色。』258Please respect copyright.PENANAij5FUc5ojK
258Please respect copyright.PENANAj6Zb3T3PeH
這一刻,我明瞭卡西米爾的話語並非童年軼聞,而是確切的奇蹟。258Please respect copyright.PENANA42FcZFFdnM
258Please respect copyright.PENANAQu3pkwmgQy
有如被真實景象包裹,雙腳踩踏的不再是崎嶇不平的枝幹,而是鋪墊整齊的純白石磚。清幽的音樂引領飛舞躍動的池水,奏出曼妙的水舞之歌;歡快的談笑充斥熱鬧熙攘的街道,道出榮耀的城市之景。258Please respect copyright.PENANAM3uFbemH1R
258Please respect copyright.PENANAeh8eCkslI7
這是過往的夏諾特城,如同我記憶的一般美好。258Please respect copyright.PENANAPjQrtFTQqR
258Please respect copyright.PENANA4Jc2M8ENrV
父親與母親從我身旁走過,手持巡視的筆記清單,皇家護衛們井然有序地隨侍在後;下一秒,夜晚的黑幕披蓋白日,點點星光閃爍,幼小的弟妹相繼朝我奔來,手中揮動我贈予的魔法玩具。258Please respect copyright.PENANAXixYBqJtM8
258Please respect copyright.PENANAnJlMnBENjH
然而,在我伸出手想擁抱他們時,幻景轉瞬即逝。258Please respect copyright.PENANAa4lKYyO4zN
258Please respect copyright.PENANAYDnEXDqSn5
仍舊是被枯枝覆蓋的殘骸堆,仍舊是被岩壁包圍的石圈內,太陽被濃霧遮蔽,天空回歸晦暗。械鬥聲不再,戰事停歇,而我依然注視消逝的餘光。258Please respect copyright.PENANAAHqJe9zVEa
258Please respect copyright.PENANAVRxt9MNPl9
「卡爾納提斯先生。」伊莉娜的聲音將我自迷茫中喚醒,她遞出一條白淨的手絹,「不知道你看到了什麼,但是⋯⋯我很遺憾。」258Please respect copyright.PENANAOZtwqu9Ygq
258Please respect copyright.PENANAfyrE3PVYcM
一滴清涼的液體滑過臉龐,我有些困窘地接過手帕,迴避伊莉娜擔心的眉眼,不想被瞧見落淚的模樣,「⋯⋯謝謝妳。」258Please respect copyright.PENANApCUbzmtYpd
258Please respect copyright.PENANAwtfzb8r617
少女輕聲微笑,像是明白我的心情,轉身走至阿姆塔特的身側。258Please respect copyright.PENANA5ihxLKlkV5
258Please respect copyright.PENANA87g0d3tnLd
真是有失顏面⋯⋯我以為自己理應捨棄了脆弱的情感,無論如何懷念也回不去那純粹無暇的歲月。258Please respect copyright.PENANAJsHjOibruU
258Please respect copyright.PENANAv0r0iPsC1d
不是早該明白透徹了嗎?258Please respect copyright.PENANAe39M3kWgDj
258Please respect copyright.PENANAQU0Y7fmDDy
我不需要這份奇蹟,不需要看見虛假的幸福,過往情景銘刻心頭,我記得每個死去之人的面貌,記得夏諾特城毀去時的慘景——這些都是我的過錯。沉溺於幻象只是逃避的軟弱,更不該奢求不屬於自己的美好。258Please respect copyright.PENANAkIYDL7GT6v
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因為他們早已遠去。258Please respect copyright.PENANAgpK6O8ihv6
258Please respect copyright.PENANAGnhD4Z58Vo
支撐我繼續踏足前行的,是恨意,是復仇。258Please respect copyright.PENANAMwbHBpm0aH
258Please respect copyright.PENANAaD25sVzoBE
睜開緊閉的雙眼,褪去無謂的心緒,確保自己與平常無異後,我走向石墻外的原野,查看其他人的情況。斯特拉德在我陷入回憶幻象時已然離去,死去的德魯伊們倒臥遍地,除卻被肯奇說服的兩人,尚有六人存活,他們帶著重傷的身軀趴伏在武僧面前,而後又各自散去,躍入森林隱沒了身形。258Please respect copyright.PENANAxp1llvRqd9
258Please respect copyright.PENANAyfhmTXpDeS
「這是怎麼回事?」258Please respect copyright.PENANAxSdKhIa42s
258Please respect copyright.PENANAnZ3greqkEM
阿姆塔特望向我,回以同樣不解的神情,「我不知道,他們突然跪拜丹丹。」258Please respect copyright.PENANArIYNRsV8kh
258Please respect copyright.PENANAFBaQMLg6eE
「夥伴們!」武僧手舞足蹈地雀躍高呼,仰起頭、搓揉著鼻尖,一副驕傲自滿的姿態,「剛剛經過一番慷慨激昂的演說,我說服這些德魯伊了!他們已經化敵為友,成為我們的友軍了!」258Please respect copyright.PENANAHE09smbMwx
258Please respect copyright.PENANAZdc0xhg2Ay
「是嗎?可是他們對你跪拜之後馬上逃走了耶?」龍裔一反平日的安靜吐出調侃之語。258Please respect copyright.PENANA0r2vwWcDfV
258Please respect copyright.PENANAYvovTQC4oy
矮人也斜睨著半精靈,似笑非笑地挑眉,「是不是你太臭了啊?丹丹。」258Please respect copyright.PENANAIBK6nF27eS
258Please respect copyright.PENANAvDvMJnHNyL
同時被二人嘲弄,武僧高漲的氣焰也不禁被澆熄了大半,「那⋯⋯我們是不是要把他們找回來?放任這些宗教狂熱的德魯伊在森林流竄,好像不是很好的事情⋯⋯?」258Please respect copyright.PENANALZpTB01e2b
258Please respect copyright.PENANAloxOi87pbX
「你確定剛才有說服他們嗎?你的表情不像這麼肯定的樣子。」阿姆塔特忍不住二度質疑。258Please respect copyright.PENANAjJrj9yF1Jy
258Please respect copyright.PENANA3qyYWYKieC
「他們相信的不只是我!」武僧辯駁,「還有我背後的三女神,我現在已經感覺到三女神的榮耀降臨在我的背上了!」258Please respect copyright.PENANAUwFzziXUdU
258Please respect copyright.PENANAyG4D83C7wk
他究竟在說什麼?前後矛盾、反覆無常——這個半精靈是否有檢視自己說出口的內容?我抱持懷疑,開始覺得不要認真看待武僧的話或許較為洽當,無疑是浪費心力。258Please respect copyright.PENANAKsAxv5k070
258Please respect copyright.PENANAsnhvSMfvZV
遙看北方的山坡土徑,三道蹣跚的身影緩慢走近,馬蒂柯夫家族的少女揹負著其叔父,面色悲慟地步回眾人聚集之處,銅鬚立即上前查看,最終只是莫可奈何地垂首嘆息,男人的身體平躺於滿目瘡痍的草地,平靜的胸口不再有任何起伏。258Please respect copyright.PENANAX6j34X40dH
258Please respect copyright.PENANAhd8KuWJjw8
道格死了,遭受阻隔的神力無法授予矮人牧師復活逝者的力量,一切皆難以挽回。258Please respect copyright.PENANAXbFUDy34sR
258Please respect copyright.PENANAXy9bFsYAkb
「我們不後悔。」尤特咬牙說道,挺直著背脊,儘管語調顫抖仍是竭力抑止傷痛外露,「我們做了一件早就該做的事情,他光榮地戰死在這裡,希望你們也不用感到自責。」258Please respect copyright.PENANAIRmsKYRggf
258Please respect copyright.PENANA6BHVnYZ3D2
「⋯⋯辛苦你們了。」銅鬚嘆息,起身檢查尤特的傷勢,施展神術治癒其遍布全身的傷口。258Please respect copyright.PENANAPIevoxgryN
258Please respect copyright.PENANAmHTlzwJuJN
「我很遺憾。」將寶石交與尤特,我默默退至後方,將空間留給擅長慰藉的其他人。258Please respect copyright.PENANASULLvzp6wG
258Please respect copyright.PENANAscYy8YUwLM
「我高貴的尤特女士,戰鬥目前已經全部結束,妳不必再擔心了,好好休息吧!」258Please respect copyright.PENANA22dxUidasP
258Please respect copyright.PENANAMb0tB83MCM
尤特趕在被丹丹親吻前抽開被執握的手,以疏遠又不失禮儀的口吻回應,「你們也辛苦了,但這一場戰役我想還只是剛開始。」她看向銅鬚,「我們在這裡首次攻擊那些德魯伊,之後一定會有更多德魯伊朝酒莊襲擊。」258Please respect copyright.PENANAmvIBYM51OB
258Please respect copyright.PENANADNCK9LuNRT
「尤特小姐,實不相瞞,目前這座山僅存的德魯伊好像還留有那麼一點點人性,我現在正努力使他們重新信仰這片大地上古老的三女神!」258Please respect copyright.PENANA8RqQGWZ3di
258Please respect copyright.PENANAL0A8mI5O0r
眾人滿腹疑慮,尤特的表情更是凝重,在武僧煞有其事地道出長而浮誇的名號、擔保自己身為神選之人的能耐後,變得越加複雜扭曲,「我需要一個講話能讓我聽懂的人。」少女投以一記白眼,放棄與他對談,轉而求助露希亞,「所以,你們接觸到神祇了嗎?」258Please respect copyright.PENANAR7rSZSZwSl
258Please respect copyright.PENANASh6tbx4chz
遊俠搖頭,將武僧的胡話認作無意義的妄言,「丹丹可能比較特別一點,妳要花時間習慣他。」258Please respect copyright.PENANAoUgNrbjeZO
258Please respect copyright.PENANA0gz9kx67SB
露希亞的諷刺理所當然地引來丹丹的抗議,二人爭論不休時,肯奇伴著兩名德魯伊走來,那是方才不斷與太陽祈禱的男女,「他們好像有東西想給我們看。」吟遊詩人說。258Please respect copyright.PENANAZoQ94kDRzX
258Please respect copyright.PENANArpUmwwv4pq
留下協助治療的銅鬚與露希亞,我們跟隨德魯伊去往山丘的另一側,於一棵枯萎傾斜的樹木前停下腳步,周圍滿是蜷曲的枯枝怪,毫無聲息頹倒在地,失卻生命力般無視我們靠近。258Please respect copyright.PENANAuixaLedMs1
258Please respect copyright.PENANArlNHOnuhn9
「樹死了⋯⋯土地,沒有生機⋯⋯無能為力⋯⋯」其中一名德魯伊以生疏的通用語言艱澀地拼湊斷斷續續的語句,抬手指向那棵枯樹,目光空洞、疲憊。258Please respect copyright.PENANAHzVphEnEyr
258Please respect copyright.PENANAd3Oi3gi9Bl
一股濃烈的血腥味從中空的枝幹擴散。258Please respect copyright.PENANAYhUM8WWO1G
258Please respect copyright.PENANAHRUybEkvS1
漆黑、黏稠的不明液體流淌而下,像是那尊人造的巨大邪惡產物,也像是瀰漫整座往日山丘的腐化詛咒——這是一棵古老的甘提亞斯之樹,借助吸血鬼的血液孕育成長。258Please respect copyright.PENANA11Q9Ubzjc9
258Please respect copyright.PENANATPfBLxIJx0
德魯伊攤開手掌,手心朝下伸展,模仿著樹木扎根的姿態,另一名女子則是擺動雙手、扭轉腰身,以詭異又靈活的身姿舞著律動,繞著樹為中心旋轉。258Please respect copyright.PENANA31RUIf5g1C
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「你們膜拜它嗎?」258Please respect copyright.PENANAD1P3ON2rGT
258Please respect copyright.PENANAB4r3UVrMmY
「斯特拉德命令你們種植的嗎?」258Please respect copyright.PENANAQAeaMJWNsk
258Please respect copyright.PENANANPdgWMj2EU
「平時用誰來供養這棵樹呢?」258Please respect copyright.PENANA0kIuM6cF0M
258Please respect copyright.PENANAsTq0TYgnYb
接二連三的疑問自肯奇與丹丹口中道出,得到的皆是否定的搖首。無人餵養、無人看顧,這棵無主之樹的悠久年歲已不可考,從遙遠的時代便身在此地。258Please respect copyright.PENANASiguYhb4vt
258Please respect copyright.PENANASMCHtBo2fg
「你們打造樹人是為復甦這棵樹嗎?」258Please respect copyright.PENANAZH64CzazVV
258Please respect copyright.PENANArUjTVLI9xB
德魯伊停止舞蹈,給予肯定的頷首,他們生硬地解釋信仰的源頭,深信透過這棵樹能與大地溝通。258Please respect copyright.PENANAKaaWvSSjAW
258Please respect copyright.PENANAL9jwgdnguY
「樹洞裡有魔法的靈光,屬於死靈與咒法的迴路。」258Please respect copyright.PENANAh1dkEu7iJ7
258Please respect copyright.PENANAuL3ldVAWEz
阿姆塔特聽聞我的話語後,拿起巨劍試探性地伸進去鼓搗,「好像有東西埋在下面,像是武器。」258Please respect copyright.PENANAZu44xhwIeW
258Please respect copyright.PENANAuVpt5iBsJt
那是一把沾染血腥味的長矛,龍裔將其掘出、抹去沾附的土壤仔細端詳,木製的長柄雕刻著一組潦草文字——卡萬。德魯伊手指疑似名字的字詞,持續複述酋長、酋長、酋長,再度揮舞手臂,沒有人明白他們想表達的意涵,猶如歌頌某種無法言傳的遠古傳統,不停地唱著、舞著。258Please respect copyright.PENANAjWXeoOvDDJ
258Please respect copyright.PENANA0Slh0Lb6Ed
長矛的死靈魔網與這棵樹融為一體,當我解析魔力構成時,能清晰地感應到其散發的渴求之慾,渴望著啜飲鮮血——興許是前任之主藉由它汲取敵手的生命與鮮血,而後又在因緣際會下被深埋於此,成為餵養甘提亞斯樹的養分。258Please respect copyright.PENANAgKh2fGkPwT
258Please respect copyright.PENANA2wKkZDglMv
「卡爾,燒。卡爾,燒。」忽然,武僧模仿德魯伊歌唱的音調叫喚著,跟隨兩人的舞步於樹旁環繞。258Please respect copyright.PENANAWxqexH2HTb
258Please respect copyright.PENANA9osBCfQOqJ
眾人一陣沉默,直到阿姆塔特淡然說出一句讓人無法反駁的中肯之言,「我終於知道為什麼這些德魯伊會膜拜丹丹了,因為丹丹是我們這一群人中最像他們的人。」才打破尷尬的寧靜。258Please respect copyright.PENANAJoLoTCu4tF
258Please respect copyright.PENANAYtZfFM3sjt
最後,我們在武僧的堅持下點火燒盡了沉眠的古樹,火焰從外部侵蝕乾枯樹皮,點燃烏黑的枝幹,腐敗的汁液竄出腥濃臭氣,似是風聲的號哭迴盪四周,宛如樹木靈魄死亡前夕的哀鳴。258Please respect copyright.PENANAeceLYT6ImU
258Please respect copyright.PENANAQHaSqoJtVS
「沒有了,沒有了⋯⋯」德魯伊們惆悵地低語,茫然的雙目仰望遠方天空,「大地,不說話了⋯⋯」258Please respect copyright.PENANAeJabHbcBfA
258Please respect copyright.PENANAmCZwuRDPrb
「大地都跟你們說了些什麼?」258Please respect copyright.PENANADtvZJ5cgk3
258Please respect copyright.PENANAGYAkLqPg8s
他們沒有回答肯奇,逕自往下山之路踏去,當吟遊詩人詢問他們未來的打算時,德魯伊的指尖直指東方,「遺跡,朝聖。」258Please respect copyright.PENANAkgLDwD4OVm
258Please respect copyright.PENANA5Q2UfZLPUQ
「我明白了,希望你們的誠心祈禱,能夠重新恢復過往的光輝、聽見女神的聲音。」肯奇彎身行禮,贈予臨別前的祝福,「期盼在不久的將來,我們可以再次相見。」
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斯特拉德的詛咒
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斯特拉德的詛咒
Author:
冰藍

ISSUE #30
第二十七章-甘提亞斯之樹
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