《天堂旅館》長篇奇幻愛情小說

【三十二】瑪莉亞的懺悔

西西里島上，陰暗潮濕的蝙蝠城裡，自從傳回來安德森被殺、魯夫出走的消息，整個士氣很低迷。
議事廳裡白狼和黑熊將軍，女巫蘇美跟著幾個小牙將在開會。
白狼神情沮喪說：「鬼帝不在了，就剩下我們這夥殘兵敗卒。我預測很快地龍騎士的鐵血禁衛軍或者陳約翰和史特龍神父的教廷降魔軍，就會來攻打我們，以我們現在的殘餘勢力，只怕會被他們完全殲滅…
。」
黑熊忿忿不平說：「雖然大勢已去，可我們豈能坐以待斃？我提出一個構想，我們分頭去捉更多活人當人質，當敵人大舉前來圍攻，我們就讓那些人當我們的人肉盾牌，白狼、各位覺得這主意如何？
在座的那幾個牙將紛紛點頭，其中一個說：「這是個好主意啊！黑熊將軍。」
白狼和女巫師蘇美四眼對望。
蘇美冷冷的語調說：「不是我要潑各位冷水，其實，在鬼帝和兩位率領蝙蝠軍出發前，從水晶球裡我就已經得知鬼帝會落得如此下場；現在，同樣的話似乎得再說一次。各位明知不可為，卻偏偏還想要去賭一把，我還能說什麼呢！」
蘇美起身，丟下話：「各位回頭是岸吧！不要再做困獸之鬥了！」
蘇美轉身離開議事廳，在場的黑熊和那幾個牙將面面相覷。
白狼說：「我同意女巫的觀點，可如果各位想再賭這一把，我會奉陪各位，跟著各位一起下地獄去。」

「計畫趕不上變化」，黑熊的計畫還來不及實施，次日白天，龍騎士率領的鐵血禁衛軍已經封鎖整個蝙蝠城的每一個出入口，正要開始進行「火攻」：把一桶桶煤油傾倒進地下坑道裡。大白天執行火攻，這些鬼卒即使逃出來，也會被守在出口的禁衛軍格殺；就算能逃出禁衛軍毒手，在太陽底下，這些鬼卒也會被陽光給曬到身體起火燃燒。
衛兵慌張地進來議事廳，向白狼和黑熊報告情況。
「將軍，大事不好了！我們被龍騎士的禁衛軍和大批軍警包圍，對方正準備把一桶桶煤油往我們城裡傾倒…。」
白狼一臉淡定說：「對方打算使用火攻，我決定放棄抵抗，歸順公主，保全弟兄們性命。黑熊，你們的決定嘞？」
黑熊低頭沉默了好一會兒，才幽幽說：「好死不如賴活著！我不想死在這裡。」
白狼說：「蘇美，妳代表我們出去跟對方談判吧。」
女巫蘇美是唯一可在白天行走的談判人選，因為她是進化過的吸血鬼，其實沒人知道她是被瑪莉亞收服的內應，曾服用過龍血丹，所以可在白天裡活動。

蘇美從地底城走出來，衛兵把她帶來見龍騎士。
蘇美說：「白狼和我一起說服他們了，他們願意棄暗投明，歸順公主。」
龍騎士說：「蘇美，妳把這袋龍血丹帶回去，給他們一個人服下一粒，兩刻鐘後就集體出來投降。」
蘇美接過那袋龍血丹，轉身離去。
兩刻鐘後，百來個老弱殘兵依序從地下坑道裡走出來，在禁衛軍和當地軍警的嚴密戒護下，走進囚車。這些鬼卒將被送到琉森湖天堂旅館，然後帶進去天空城堡接受治療和改造。

陳約翰一行人離開妖怪森林後，妖怪森林竟然漸漸消失在濃霧裡，亞米和柯林向他們揮手道別。林曉陽知道，坦雅已開始兌現她的承諾，從此幽冥山谷將不會再有任何入徑。
除了陳約翰，同行者雖然察覺但並不理解，何以妖怪森林竟然憑空消失。
陳約翰一行人先經過石灰林山，蜥蜴人頭目拉旺接獲偵查兵通報，和親信朱古力，蒙大拿等手下幾名帶隊官，在一處小溶岩洞口等待大衛經過，拉旺想親自和大衛這個東方面孔的青年見上一面。
陳約翰一行人抵達小溶岩洞口，拉旺等人迎上前來。
拉旺主動伸手，向朗恩表達善意：「老狼頭，別來無恙啊。」
朗恩說：「老臭蟲，這算是哪門子待客之道啊！我還以為你想永遠躲開我。」
拉旺尷尬陪笑臉說：「先前多有得罪，您佬就別放在心上。」
拉旺轉身向林曉陽夫妻拱手說：「這位青年少俠，想必就是大衛，久仰你的盛名。」
林曉陽態度謙和說：「冤家宜解不宜結，先前我等借道通過，情非得已。」
拉旺熱情和曉陽握手說：「不計前嫌，大衛，我喜歡你的態度。」
雙方此時一團和氣，盡釋前嫌。

一行人通過地獄穀來到狼族地界。
陳約翰對夥伴們說：「各位夥伴，曉陽和敏華將在此地和我們分別，不跟著我們回去天堂旅館。」
阿多諾和蘿娜、凱斯同感驚訝和不解，凱斯正想要問曉陽是什麼原因，讓他改變主意，但是被陳約翰以眼神制止了。
阿多諾附在曉陽耳邊說：「老闆，你真的是個好人，我會懷念你的，隨時歡迎你回來天堂旅館。」
林曉陽說：「謝謝你，請你和威爾森幫忙照顧我爺爺黃立華。」
阿多諾三人分別和曉陽夫妻擁抱道別，離情依依，彼此盡在不言中。
朗恩發覺林曉陽和黃敏華沒打算跟陳約翰回去，一臉歡天喜地。
朗恩拉著曉陽的雙手說：「大衛，你跟你媳婦就在這裡安心住下來，雖然我們生活的地方稱不上世外桃源，可絕對沒有人類的勾心鬥角。」
「兄弟，那我們夫妻就去叨擾你幾天囉。」林曉陽看著朗恩熱切的眼神，不忍心這時婉拒。

天空城堡大廳裡，瑪莉亞公主親自接見這趟任務的夥伴們，卻沒見到大衛夫妻那支「太陽法杖」。
瑪莉亞心想：「大衛沒把太陽法杖帶回來，事情可能發生變化。大衛會不會被坦雅給說服了…。」
瑪莉亞和眾人握手，慰問陳約翰等一行人旅途辛勞，刻意先不提出任務的事情。
等到在場的人都離開，陳約翰折回來議事大廳，把林曉陽的決定約略說了：「公主，大衛見到坦雅，他似乎被坦雅說服了，決定讓坦雅繼續保管太陽法杖，並且帶著愛琳回到朗恩的狼族生活區。」
瑪莉亞聽完，眼眶裡不禁淚光閃閃，忍住悲傷問：「大衛，還交代了些什麼？」
陳約翰說：「大衛讓我帶一句話給公主：這一輩子，請放林曉陽和黃敏華自由。」
瑪莉亞眼淚流下粉嫩的雙頰，搖頭啜泣著：「大衛，我愛你，請原諒我自私地做出這樣的選擇！」
約翰目睹此情景，也為這對苦情愛侶的遭遇，深深動容……。

Chapter Thirty-Two: Maria’s Confession

On the island of Sicily, in the dark and damp Bat Castle, morale had fallen extremely low ever since news came back that Anderson had been killed and Ruf had left.

In the council chamber, General White Wolf and General Black Bear, the witch Sumei, and several junior generals were holding a meeting.

White Wolf said dejectedly, “With the Ghost Emperor gone, all that remains is our defeated and battered force. I predict that very soon, either Dragon Knight’s Iron-Blooded Imperial Guards or Father John Chen and Father Stylon’s Exorcist Army from the Holy See will come to attack us. With what remains of our forces, I’m afraid we will be completely wiped out...”

Black Bear said indignantly, “Although the situation is already lost, how can we simply sit here and wait for death? I have an idea. We can split up and capture more living humans as hostages. When the enemy launches a major attack and surrounds us, we can use those people as human shields. White Wolf, what do you all think of this idea?”

The few junior generals present nodded repeatedly. One of them said, “That’s a great idea, General Black Bear!”

White Wolf and the witch Sumei exchanged glances.

Sumei said coldly, “I don’t mean to dampen everyone’s spirits, but actually, before the Ghost Emperor and the two of you led the Bat Army out, I already knew from my crystal ball that the Ghost Emperor would meet this fate. Now, it seems I have to say the same thing again. You all know that this cannot be done, yet you insist on taking another gamble. What else can I say?”

Sumei stood up and left them with these words: “Everyone, turn back before it is too late! Stop struggling like trapped beasts!”

Sumei turned and left the council chamber. Black Bear and the few junior generals looked at one another in silence.

White Wolf said, “I agree with the witch’s view. But if you all want to take this gamble, I will go along with you and follow you all into hell.”

“The plan cannot keep up with changes.”

Before Black Bear’s plan could even be carried out, the next day, Dragon Knight’s Iron-Blooded Imperial Guards had already sealed off every entrance and exit of Bat Castle. They were about to begin a “fire attack” by pouring barrel after barrel of kerosene into the underground tunnels.

Carrying out the fire attack in broad daylight meant that even if these ghost soldiers escaped, they would be killed by the Imperial Guards waiting at the exits. Even if they managed to escape the Imperial Guards’ deadly assault, under the sunlight, these ghost soldiers would still have their bodies ignited and burned by the sun.

A guard hurried into the council chamber and reported the situation to White Wolf and Black Bear.

“Generals, this is terrible! We are surrounded by Dragon Knight’s Imperial Guards and a large number of military and police forces. They are preparing to pour barrel after barrel of kerosene into our city...”

White Wolf said calmly, “They intend to use a fire attack. I have decided to give up resistance, submit to the Princess, and preserve our brothers’ lives. Black Bear, what is your decision?”

Black Bear lowered his head and remained silent for a long while before finally saying quietly, “A miserable life is better than a good death! I don’t want to die here.”

White Wolf said, “Sumei, represent us and go outside to negotiate with them.”

The witch Sumei was the only suitable negotiator who could travel outside during the daytime because she was an evolved vampire. In fact, no one knew that she was an undercover agent recruited by Maria. She had taken the Dragon Blood Pill, which allowed her to move about during the day.

Sumei walked out of the underground city, and a guard brought her to meet Dragon Knight.

Sumei said, “White Wolf and I have persuaded them. They are willing to turn away from the darkness and come over to the light and submit to the Princess.”

Dragon Knight said, “Sumei, take this bag of Dragon Blood Pills back with you. Have each of them take one pill. Two hours later, have them all come out and surrender together.”

Sumei accepted the bag of Dragon Blood Pills and turned to leave.

Two hours later, more than a hundred elderly, women, children, and wounded soldiers emerged one after another from the underground tunnels. Under the tight guard of the Imperial Guards and local military and police forces, they walked into prisoner transport vehicles.

These ghost soldiers would be sent to Paradise Inn on Lake Lucerne and then taken into Sky Castle to receive treatment and rehabilitation.

After Father John Chen and the others left the Monster Forest, the Monster Forest gradually disappeared into the dense fog. Yami and Colin waved goodbye to them.

Lin Xiaoyang knew that Tanya had begun fulfilling her promise. From then on, there would no longer be any route into Netherworld Valley.

Except for Father John Chen, the others noticed what had happened but did not understand how the Monster Forest could simply disappear into thin air.

After Father John Chen and the others first passed through Limestone Forest Mountain, the lizardmen chief Lawang received a report from his scouts. Along with his trusted subordinates Chocolate, Montana, and several other officers leading their respective groups, Lawang waited at the entrance of a small lava cave for David to pass by. Lawang wanted to meet this young Oriental-faced man named David in person.

Father John Chen and the others arrived at the entrance of the small lava cave, and Lawang and his people came forward to greet them.

Lawang extended his hand first and expressed his goodwill to Lang En.

“Old Wolf Head, long time no see!”

Lang En said, “You old bug, what kind of way is that to treat a guest? I thought you wanted to hide from me forever.”

Lawang gave an awkward smile and said, “I offended you quite a bit before. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Lawang turned toward Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua, clasped his hands, and said, “Young hero, you must be David. I have long admired your reputation.”

Lin Xiaoyang said humbly, “It is better to resolve grievances than to create more conflicts. We had no choice but to borrow your territory to pass through before.”

Lawang warmly shook Xiaoyang’s hand and said, “Let bygones be bygones, David. I like your attitude.”

At that moment, both sides were on friendly terms, and all past grievances were completely put aside.

The group passed through Hell Valley and arrived in the territory of the wolf clan.

Father John Chen said to his companions, “Everyone, Xiaoyang and Minhua will part ways with us here. They will not be coming back to Paradise Inn with us.”

Adorno, Lorna, and Keith were all surprised and confused. Keith was about to ask Xiaoyang why he had changed his mind, but Father John Chen stopped him with a look.

Adorno leaned close to Xiaoyang’s ear and said, “Boss, you really are a good person. I’ll miss you. You’re always welcome to come back to Paradise Inn.”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Thank you. Please help Wilson take care of my grandfather, Huang Lihua.”

The three of them each hugged Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua goodbye. They were reluctant to part, and everything they wanted to say was conveyed without words.

Lang En realized that Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua did not intend to return with Father John Chen, and his face immediately lit up with joy.

Lang En took Xiaoyang’s hands and said, “David, you and your wife can stay here with peace of mind. Although the place where we live cannot be called a paradise on earth, there is absolutely none of the human scheming and intrigue here.”

“Brother, then my wife and I will come stay with you for a few days and trouble you a little.”

Seeing the eager look in Lang En’s eyes, Lin Xiaoyang could not bear to refuse him at that moment.

In the great hall of Sky Castle, Princess Maria personally received the companions who had taken part in the mission, but the husband and wife named David had not brought back the “Sun Staff.”

Maria thought to herself, “David didn’t bring the Sun Staff back. Something may have changed. Could Tanya have persuaded David...?”

Maria shook hands with everyone and expressed her concern for the hardships Father John Chen and the others had endured on their journey, deliberately avoiding the matter of the mission for the time being.

After everyone present had left, Father John Chen returned to the council chamber and briefly explained Lin Xiaoyang’s decision.

“Princess, David met Tanya, and it seems that Tanya persuaded him. He decided to let Tanya continue to keep the Sun Staff and take Aileen back to Lang En’s wolf-clan settlement.”

After hearing this, tears glistened in Maria’s eyes. She held back her sorrow and asked, “Did David have anything else to say?”

Father John Chen said, “David asked me to convey a message to the Princess: For the rest of this lifetime, please set Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua free.”

Tears flowed down Maria’s tender cheeks. She shook her head and sobbed.

“David, I love you. Please forgive me for selfishly making this choice!”

Witnessing this scene, John was deeply moved by the tragic fate of this pair of lovers...