第12章 掌控咒印的代价
赫洛感受咒印升级而滋养的力量，顿觉心旷神怡。
回忆著阿泰为自己带来的特殊的亮黄色敬仰之力，他开始思考阿泰与旁人的区別。
［难道，是我將阿泰变成粉丝的原因？］
但他很快否认了这个想法，毕竟当时演讲有不少路人青年对自己黑转粉，却没有展现出特殊性。
最合理的解释，就是阿泰类似游戏里的重要npc。只有刷满这类人的好感，才能升级咒印。
他展望未来，雄壮野心不断加剧。只要將咒印升级到极致，自己將无所不能。
然而咒印突然带来的剧烈痛感，无情地熄灭了他的热情。
不同以往，这次咒印的光芒呈现猩红之色。仿佛创造之神表达他的汹涌恨意，古老而沉闷的神諭不断在颅內迴响，疯狂地砸向太阳穴，让赫洛痛苦地接受了神的旨意：
【主上闻到了死敌的气息，祂欲沾其污血生啖其肉。】
【埃忒耳莉婭就在汝面前，为何还不动身献上祭品？】
［主上……祭品？］
赫洛跪倒在地，捂著嗡嗡作响的脑袋，他看见一根更加紧绷的金线，从手腕刺入身后神像的胸膛。
他忍受著疼痛，很快想清楚其中缘由。
一开始传音给自己的神秘存在，只是忒克诺斯的神使。祂正处於某个未知的位面监视自己。
而不断加剧的灼痛，警示著他倘若不能献上祭品，强化后的咒印將会反噬其主。
赫洛紧紧压制著手腕，脑海中的话语排开痛苦的波涛，试图与神秘沟通：
[等等！现在还不行！］
［一旦被村民发现，以后都没办法拿到祭品了！］
他紧盯灯红酒绿的村庄，此时去破坏神像，无异於当街杀人。
仿佛认同了赫洛的想法，神使下达新的指令：
【主上的宽恕只有三日。】
咒印开始沉寂，痛苦逐渐消退。
但如果赫洛三天后不能交出成果，等待他的將是远超今晚的蚀骨铭心。
赫洛全身被冷汗浸透，双膝无力將他支撑。
他握紧拳头，重重砸向地面，“该死……”
掌握神赐的力量，果然需要付出代价。所有命运馈赠的礼物，早已在暗中標好了价格。
回想自己从穿越再到成为勇者，不过一天时间。
自己真的从“金丝雀”变成“雄鹰”了吗？
不过是飞进更大的牢笼罢了。
良久，他艰难地起身。
金线依旧连接著神像，如同镣銬限制他的自由。
他望著女神像彩光流转的元素力场，或许那就是忒克诺斯需要的祭品。
他又看了眼台阶两侧全程昼夜通明的路灯。尘芯村基建完善，看来自己必须去找能隱秘身形的物品了。
可是隱形道具在教会和皇家的控制下属於管制品，普通的杂货铺根本买不到。
［村长，或者他的女婿？再不济，想办法勒索信使看看……］
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他想了很多可能藏私的人，但都有风险。
［只能走一步看一步了。］
他托著疲惫的身体，向旅馆的方向走去。路上遇到打招呼的醉汉和巡夜人，他依旧困难地挤出笑容回应。
他刚踏进旅馆的商务区，走廊深处便传来一阵放浪的嬉笑声。
只见信使披著浴巾，正露著痴汉的笑容，左拥右抱著两名拥有健康小麦色肌肤还身著轻薄浴衣的异域少女，走进了奢华的房间。
那是村庄前不久刚收留的一对无家可归的异国姐妹。
很显然，信使刚洗完澡，准备检验村长给他安排的优渥待遇。
前世附庸权贵的遭遇，让赫洛习惯性地去同情底层。至於那周身元素稀薄的信使，则加剧了自己勒索他的想法。
这时，一个身材矮小的侍从跳到赫洛眼前。
他叫查尔，是旅店里最机灵勤快的服务生。他脸上带著该有的谦卑，以及对勇者大人强烈的膜拜。
“赫洛大人，您终於回来了。老板特意嘱咐我好生伺候您，这几天只要你有需要，都能隨意使唤我。”
他似乎察觉到赫洛对信使的恶意，低声下气地补充道：“大人，您消消气。是那对姐妹主动请缨的，为了村里的户口。”
“我没事，只是对这不公的世界无奈。”赫洛脸上露出和蔼的笑容，从钱袋里掏出一大把远超常规小费的银幣，塞进侍从手里，“辛苦了，这么晚还在等我。”
赫洛不仅是在释放善意，还是在犒劳过去当童工的自己。
查尔第一次收到这么多小费，还是自己的偶像赐予的，他的眼睛愈发闪亮，喜色溢於言表，对赫洛的崇拜远超他人。
“大人，太谢谢您了！我將永远追隨您！”
赫洛赶紧搀扶住快要跪下去的查尔，“別激动，先带我回房间，再为我准备好洗澡水。”
查尔连连点头，一路端茶倒水带领赫洛。
进入房间，查尔熟练地放出热水，將芯树的瓣和优质牛奶倒入浴缸。
隨后將一杯清茶端至赫洛面前，“对了大人，公爵大人让我给您带话。他说您最迟一周后就得动身前往帝都，一个月后教会將对勇者进行评定和考核。而大人他会，呃，监督並祝福您直至启程。”
［自己拖延七天，那头猪就能公款吃喝嫖赌七天。真会算计。]
赫洛压下心声，“我知道了，谢谢你。”
他为查尔倒了一杯茶，“你去休息吧，有事我会摇铃的。”
查尔从未想过有客人会替侍从服务，他毕恭毕敬地接过茶杯，一边对赫洛叩首致谢一边退出了房间。
房间寧静下来，此刻留给赫洛的只有舒適，可他却无心安逸。
他站在落地窗前，眺望著光彩的埃忒耳莉婭的雕刻身躯。咒印依旧发散著猩红光晕。
一番挣扎抉择后，他决定还是依靠村长，看看他女婿的道具店涉不涉及灰產。
他快速沐浴更衣，融入柔软的鹅绒床中。此刻的愜意与前世成为明星后的待遇別无二致。
他很快入睡，进入异世界的第一晚梦乡。
梦中的他已经在全国巡游，就连国王和教皇都得对他顶礼膜拜。
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}</style><a class=“exo-nati/click.php?d=h4siaaaaaaaaa1vsepn6pqlbwau18rtuebistvh1by_9hmktoi5aa6nfvntx.r.jpcpwo.o9v9jofoipklhwtchineipzh6eo_r8sxgj9fw4w7heo3vdmm9zrcv9ti172pp3ifkezipcrr7xytrjbaiq9qaj5m09mctuhblv3sfuopbe_kxepncfgkdaaa-&cb=e2e_695aeb0ad63df5.88716227“ oncontextmenu=“setrealhref(event)“ onmouseup=“setrealhref(event)“ rel=“nofollow“ target=“_blank“>united statesunited statesdating<ins class=“eas6a97888e2“ data-zoneid=“5820802“ data-processed=“true“></ins>
拋撒的鲜和彩带铺成一条星光大道，他踩著绵密的“红毯”享受两侧粉丝的欢颂。
欢颂声杂乱无序，他始终听不清。但他没有在意，一路高昂地前进。
但越是前进，心中的感觉越是不安。他感到粉丝的眼神由灼热变得癲狂，浓烈的敬意反常得让他如鯁在喉。
欢呼的乐章开始规律，他终於听清那些高声的颂词：
【伟大神主，吾等用血肉迎接您的到来！】
【伟大神主，吾等用灵魂迎接您的新生！】
【吾等神主——重塑凡间的创造之神——忒克诺斯！】
“！”
赫洛捂著心口喘著粗气。他从梦中惊醒，自己只睡了四个小时。
慵懒的晨光撒在身上，试图缓解刚刚的噩梦。
侍从查尔一直守候在门外，他听见房间內奇怪的动静，轻轻叩响了房门：“大人，您还好吗？”
“我没事，你进来吧，帮我准备洗漱用品。”
赫洛还没从噩梦中走出，他只是靠演技显得自己没那么难堪。
查尔有些心慌，他谨慎地推进餐车，將一杯温水送到赫洛面前。
他还带来了一个消息，“勇者大人，礼堂有个奇怪的人要找您。”
回忆著阿泰为自己带来的特殊的亮黄色敬仰之力，他开始思考阿泰与旁人的区別。
［难道，是我將阿泰变成粉丝的原因？］
但他很快否认了这个想法，毕竟当时演讲有不少路人青年对自己黑转粉，却没有展现出特殊性。
最合理的解释，就是阿泰类似游戏里的重要npc。只有刷满这类人的好感，才能升级咒印。
他展望未来，雄壮野心不断加剧。只要將咒印升级到极致，自己將无所不能。
然而咒印突然带来的剧烈痛感，无情地熄灭了他的热情。
不同以往，这次咒印的光芒呈现猩红之色。仿佛创造之神表达他的汹涌恨意，古老而沉闷的神諭不断在颅內迴响，疯狂地砸向太阳穴，让赫洛痛苦地接受了神的旨意：
【主上闻到了死敌的气息，祂欲沾其污血生啖其肉。】
【埃忒耳莉婭就在汝面前，为何还不动身献上祭品？】
［主上……祭品？］
赫洛跪倒在地，捂著嗡嗡作响的脑袋，他看见一根更加紧绷的金线，从手腕刺入身后神像的胸膛。
他忍受著疼痛，很快想清楚其中缘由。
一开始传音给自己的神秘存在，只是忒克诺斯的神使。祂正处於某个未知的位面监视自己。
而不断加剧的灼痛，警示著他倘若不能献上祭品，强化后的咒印將会反噬其主。
赫洛紧紧压制著手腕，脑海中的话语排开痛苦的波涛，试图与神秘沟通：
[等等！现在还不行！］
［一旦被村民发现，以后都没办法拿到祭品了！］
他紧盯灯红酒绿的村庄，此时去破坏神像，无异於当街杀人。
仿佛认同了赫洛的想法，神使下达新的指令：
【主上的宽恕只有三日。】
咒印开始沉寂，痛苦逐渐消退。
但如果赫洛三天后不能交出成果，等待他的將是远超今晚的蚀骨铭心。
赫洛全身被冷汗浸透，双膝无力將他支撑。
他握紧拳头，重重砸向地面，“该死……”
掌握神赐的力量，果然需要付出代价。所有命运馈赠的礼物，早已在暗中標好了价格。
回想自己从穿越再到成为勇者，不过一天时间。
自己真的从“金丝雀”变成“雄鹰”了吗？
不过是飞进更大的牢笼罢了。
良久，他艰难地起身。
金线依旧连接著神像，如同镣銬限制他的自由。
他望著女神像彩光流转的元素力场，或许那就是忒克诺斯需要的祭品。
他又看了眼台阶两侧全程昼夜通明的路灯。尘芯村基建完善，看来自己必须去找能隱秘身形的物品了。
可是隱形道具在教会和皇家的控制下属於管制品，普通的杂货铺根本买不到。
［村长，或者他的女婿？再不济，想办法勒索信使看看……］
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他想了很多可能藏私的人，但都有风险。
［只能走一步看一步了。］
他托著疲惫的身体，向旅馆的方向走去。路上遇到打招呼的醉汉和巡夜人，他依旧困难地挤出笑容回应。
他刚踏进旅馆的商务区，走廊深处便传来一阵放浪的嬉笑声。
只见信使披著浴巾，正露著痴汉的笑容，左拥右抱著两名拥有健康小麦色肌肤还身著轻薄浴衣的异域少女，走进了奢华的房间。
那是村庄前不久刚收留的一对无家可归的异国姐妹。
很显然，信使刚洗完澡，准备检验村长给他安排的优渥待遇。
前世附庸权贵的遭遇，让赫洛习惯性地去同情底层。至於那周身元素稀薄的信使，则加剧了自己勒索他的想法。
这时，一个身材矮小的侍从跳到赫洛眼前。
他叫查尔，是旅店里最机灵勤快的服务生。他脸上带著该有的谦卑，以及对勇者大人强烈的膜拜。
“赫洛大人，您终於回来了。老板特意嘱咐我好生伺候您，这几天只要你有需要，都能隨意使唤我。”
他似乎察觉到赫洛对信使的恶意，低声下气地补充道：“大人，您消消气。是那对姐妹主动请缨的，为了村里的户口。”
“我没事，只是对这不公的世界无奈。”赫洛脸上露出和蔼的笑容，从钱袋里掏出一大把远超常规小费的银幣，塞进侍从手里，“辛苦了，这么晚还在等我。”
赫洛不仅是在释放善意，还是在犒劳过去当童工的自己。
查尔第一次收到这么多小费，还是自己的偶像赐予的，他的眼睛愈发闪亮，喜色溢於言表，对赫洛的崇拜远超他人。
“大人，太谢谢您了！我將永远追隨您！”
赫洛赶紧搀扶住快要跪下去的查尔，“別激动，先带我回房间，再为我准备好洗澡水。”
查尔连连点头，一路端茶倒水带领赫洛。
进入房间，查尔熟练地放出热水，將芯树的瓣和优质牛奶倒入浴缸。
隨后將一杯清茶端至赫洛面前，“对了大人，公爵大人让我给您带话。他说您最迟一周后就得动身前往帝都，一个月后教会將对勇者进行评定和考核。而大人他会，呃，监督並祝福您直至启程。”
［自己拖延七天，那头猪就能公款吃喝嫖赌七天。真会算计。]
赫洛压下心声，“我知道了，谢谢你。”
他为查尔倒了一杯茶，“你去休息吧，有事我会摇铃的。”
查尔从未想过有客人会替侍从服务，他毕恭毕敬地接过茶杯，一边对赫洛叩首致谢一边退出了房间。
房间寧静下来，此刻留给赫洛的只有舒適，可他却无心安逸。
他站在落地窗前，眺望著光彩的埃忒耳莉婭的雕刻身躯。咒印依旧发散著猩红光晕。
一番挣扎抉择后，他决定还是依靠村长，看看他女婿的道具店涉不涉及灰產。
他快速沐浴更衣，融入柔软的鹅绒床中。此刻的愜意与前世成为明星后的待遇別无二致。
他很快入睡，进入异世界的第一晚梦乡。
梦中的他已经在全国巡游，就连国王和教皇都得对他顶礼膜拜。
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拋撒的鲜和彩带铺成一条星光大道，他踩著绵密的“红毯”享受两侧粉丝的欢颂。
欢颂声杂乱无序，他始终听不清。但他没有在意，一路高昂地前进。
但越是前进，心中的感觉越是不安。他感到粉丝的眼神由灼热变得癲狂，浓烈的敬意反常得让他如鯁在喉。
欢呼的乐章开始规律，他终於听清那些高声的颂词：
【伟大神主，吾等用血肉迎接您的到来！】
【伟大神主，吾等用灵魂迎接您的新生！】
【吾等神主——重塑凡间的创造之神——忒克诺斯！】
“！”
赫洛捂著心口喘著粗气。他从梦中惊醒，自己只睡了四个小时。
慵懒的晨光撒在身上，试图缓解刚刚的噩梦。
侍从查尔一直守候在门外，他听见房间內奇怪的动静，轻轻叩响了房门：“大人，您还好吗？”
“我没事，你进来吧，帮我准备洗漱用品。”
赫洛还没从噩梦中走出，他只是靠演技显得自己没那么难堪。
查尔有些心慌，他谨慎地推进餐车，將一杯温水送到赫洛面前。
他还带来了一个消息，“勇者大人，礼堂有个奇怪的人要找您。”