《天堂旅館》長篇奇幻愛情小說

【二十】白狼將軍進退兩難
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白狼微微頷首，眼神一沉，回憶起曾與史特龍交過手的那一幕。“我和史特龍有過一場交鋒，”他的聲音低沉而有力，“他的本事我自然清楚。他的戰鬥技巧精准無比，早已超越了普通的神父。”

鬼卒C站在角落裡，雙手交握，神情不安。他的聲音中帶著一絲焦慮：“將軍，難道我們就要在這裡和史特龍消耗下去嗎？如果我們一直與他們糾纏，最終只會全軍覆沒。請三思，長久下去，恐怕沒有活路。”

白狼的眉頭緊蹙，顯然對這種情況感到深深的為難。他的眼中閃過一絲猶豫，口中低聲自語：“我當然知道史特龍不好對付。”他停頓了片刻，目光凝視遠方，仿佛在尋求某種突破。“可是，如果我們不牽制住史特龍，他必然會帶著他的降魔軍前往瑞士，和瑪莉亞集團會合。而一旦他們彙聚，首領和法師那邊的主力將會陷入兩方夾擊的困境。”
他慢慢轉向鬼卒們，眼神變得銳利而決絕。“你們說得對，我們不能坐以待斃，但也不能輕舉妄動。我需要冷靜思考一下對策，做出最合適的決定。”他頓了頓，語氣堅定，“你們去休息吧，別讓情緒影響了判斷。”

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夜幕低垂，佛羅倫斯市西側的路口被一片死寂籠罩。微風輕拂，街道兩旁的古老建築在昏暗的燈光下投下長長的影子。遠處，鐵血禁衛軍的佇列逐漸顯現，龍騎士騎乘的飛龍在空中盤旋，羽翼扇動間掀起了陣陣風聲。

陸戰隊的哨兵班緊張地盯著遠方，突然有一名班長抓起無線電設備，急切地呼喊：“報告上校，前方來了隊穿著怪異的部隊！”他的話語充滿了不確定與警惕。

無線電中，裡納爾多上校的聲音傳來，冷靜而威嚴：“他們是什麼樣的部隊？會不會是吸血鬼的增援部隊？”

“上校，他們手持長矛、盾牌，隊形規整，像是中世紀的羅馬軍隊。”班長A的聲音低沉，帶著一絲疑惑與緊張。

裡納爾多皺起了眉，語氣帶著些許困惑：“這就奇了！如果是教廷方面的部隊，怎會使用長矛盾牌？繼續觀察，務必查清楚來意，儘快回報。”

“是，上校！”班長A轉身離去，步伐匆忙而急切。

站在一旁的參謀官費許中校稍作沉思，忽然低聲開口：“上校，難道是傳言中的鐵血禁衛軍？”

裡納爾多疑惑地回望他，眉頭緊鎖：“鐵血禁衛軍？那是什麼東西？”

費許微微頷首，略帶嚴肅地解釋：“我曾從一位老神父口中聽過，傳說中有位名為瑪莉亞的吸血鬼公主，她統治著一群心地善良的吸血鬼，這支軍隊便是她的禁衛軍。”

裡納爾多忍不住輕笑出聲，帶著一絲諷刺：“吸血鬼還能心地善良？參謀官，您真是個笑話。”

費許神情依舊嚴肅，目光如劍般銳利：“上校，我寧願相信老神父的故事。你想想，如果真是吸血鬼的增援部隊，他們怎可能不察覺每個出入口的重兵佈防，貿然闖入？這不符合常理。”

裡納爾多深深吸了口氣，低聲回應：“兵不厭詐，務必保持警覺。若對方來意不善，我們就先下手為強。”

費許思索片刻，提議道：“上校，不如這樣，待他們到達後，由我出面詢問他們的來意。”

裡納爾多微微點頭，目光嚴峻：“好吧，但你要小心，萬一有什麼不對勁，立刻撤回來。”

不久，鐵血禁衛軍終於抵達了路口，龍騎士率領的部隊步伐穩健，馬蹄聲沉重而堅定。陸戰隊的隊員們立即緊繃神經，手中的長槍穩穩端起，警惕地注視著對方。費許中校從掩體後方走出，身姿挺拔，眼神銳利。他停在馬路中央，站定後高聲問道：“請問你們是鐵血禁衛軍嗎？我是陸戰隊參謀官費許中校。”

前方的士兵C揮手回應：“是的！我們剛從總部過來，任務是支援義大利政府，掃蕩安德森恐怖集團。”

費許微微點頭，目光放鬆了一些，他隨即舉手向後方的部隊做了個手勢，示意大家放鬆戒備。“歡迎你們前來，”他說著，朝他們走去，帶著一種優雅的姿態。他的步伐沉穩，似乎對接下來的談話有著十足的信心。

裡納爾多上校與幾名軍官隨後迎了上來，見到龍騎士後，裡納爾多伸出右手，微笑著說道：“我是陸戰隊阿爾法部隊的指揮官裡納爾多，代表杜喬將軍歡迎你們。”

龍騎士從一頭巨大的飛龍背上跳下，矯健的身姿令所有陸戰隊的官兵都忍不住側目。他輕輕一躍，飛龍立刻成為了他們所有目光的焦點。龍騎士走到裡納爾多面前，與他握手，目光堅定：“上校，我是瑪莉亞公主的侍衛長龍騎士，奉公主命令，帶領本部精銳前來支援義大利政府，掃蕩安德森集團的妖孽。”

裡納爾多微微一笑，眼中閃過一絲欣慰：“有你們的支持，我們對付這群神出鬼沒的吸血鬼，勝算更大了。”

龍騎士輕輕點頭，語氣鏗鏘：“對付這群吸血鬼，就由我的部隊主力出擊。你們駐守在原地，不讓敵人有任何逃脫的機會。”

裡納爾多深吸一口氣，堅定地回答：“好的，待會兒我會和將軍報告。”

龍騎士的部隊隨即分為四路，快速進入各自的責任區域，行動迅速而有序。裡納爾多看著他們的背影，不禁感歎：“他們的訓練有素，紀律嚴明，真是讓我大開眼界。”

費許站在一旁，眼神充滿了認可：“上校，有他們作為主力，我們可以稍微放心了。”

與此同時，黑蝙蝠部隊的黑熊和白狼兩位將軍，帶領著他們的鬼卒，正與史特龍神父的降魔軍和龍騎士的鐵血禁衛軍激烈交鋒。經過數個夜晚的激戰，雙方死傷慘重。儘管白狼和黑熊將軍為此焦頭爛額，但他們依然沒有收到大法師魯夫的撤退命令，因此只能忍耐，遲遲不敢輕舉妄動。

Chapter Twenty — General White Wolf Caught Between Two Impossible Choices

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White Wolf nodded slightly, his expression turning solemn as he recalled the encounter he had once had with Stylon.

“I’ve fought Stylon before,” he said in a deep, powerful voice. “So naturally, I know what he is capable of. His combat skills are extraordinarily precise, far beyond those of an ordinary priest.”

Ghost Soldier C stood in the corner with his hands clasped, looking uneasy. His voice carried a trace of anxiety. “General, are we really going to keep wearing ourselves down here against Stylon? If we keep fighting with them like this, eventually our entire force will be wiped out. Please think this through carefully. If this continues, I’m afraid there will be no way out alive.”

White Wolf frowned deeply, clearly troubled by the situation. A trace of hesitation flashed in his eyes as he muttered, “Of course I know Stylon won’t be easy to deal with.” He paused for a moment, gazing into the distance as though searching for some way to break through the deadlock. “But if we don’t keep Stylon occupied, he will inevitably lead his Exorcist Army to Switzerland and join forces with Maria’s group. Once they unite, the main forces on the Leader’s and the Mage’s side will be caught in a pincer attack from both sides.”

He slowly turned toward the ghost soldiers, his eyes becoming sharp and resolute. “You’re right. We can’t just sit here and wait to die, but neither can we act rashly. I need to think calmly about our options and make the most appropriate decision.” He paused, then said firmly, “Go get some rest. Don’t let your emotions affect your judgment.”

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Night had fallen, and the intersection on the western side of Florence was shrouded in deathly silence. A gentle breeze swept through the streets, while the ancient buildings on both sides cast long shadows beneath the dim streetlights. In the distance, the ranks of the Iron-Blooded Imperial Guards gradually came into view. The Dragon Knight’s flying dragon circled overhead, its wings stirring gusts of wind.

A Marine sentry squad stared nervously into the distance. Suddenly, one of the squad leaders grabbed the radio and called out urgently, “Report to the Colonel! A unit wearing strange uniforms is approaching!”

His voice was filled with uncertainty and vigilance.

Colonel Rinaldo’s voice came through the radio, calm and authoritative. “What kind of unit are they? Could they be reinforcements for the vampires?”

“Colonel, they’re carrying spears and shields. Their formation is orderly, like a medieval Roman army.” Squad Leader A’s voice was low, carrying a trace of confusion and tension.

Rinaldo frowned, his voice carrying a hint of puzzlement. “That’s strange! If they’re a force from the Holy See, why would they be using spears and shields? Keep watching them. Make absolutely sure we determine their intentions and report back as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Colonel!” Squad Leader A turned and hurried away.

Lieutenant Colonel Fei Xu, the staff officer standing nearby, thought for a moment before suddenly speaking in a low voice. “Colonel, could they be the Iron-Blooded Imperial Guards we’ve heard rumors about?”

Rinaldo looked back at him in confusion, his brows tightly furrowed. “The Iron-Blooded Imperial Guards? What are those?”

Fei Xu nodded slightly and explained with a serious expression, “I once heard about them from an old priest. According to legend, there is a vampire princess named Maria who rules over a group of vampires with kind hearts. This army is her Imperial Guard.”

Rinaldo could not help laughing softly, with a trace of sarcasm in his voice. “Vampires with kind hearts? Staff Officer, you really are telling a joke.”

Fei Xu remained serious, his eyes as sharp as swords. “Colonel, I would rather believe the old priest’s story. Think about it. If they really were vampire reinforcements, how could they fail to notice the heavily armed troops guarding every entrance and exit and simply barge in? That wouldn’t make sense.”

Rinaldo took a deep breath and replied in a low voice, “In war, deception is everywhere. Stay alert at all times. If they mean us harm, we’ll strike first.”

Fei Xu thought for a moment before making a suggestion. “Colonel, how about this? Once they arrive, I’ll go out and ask them what they’re here for.”

Rinaldo nodded slightly, his expression stern. “All right, but be careful. If anything seems wrong, withdraw immediately.”

Before long, the Iron-Blooded Imperial Guards finally reached the intersection. The troops led by the Dragon Knight advanced with steady steps, the heavy sound of their mounts’ hooves firm and resolute. The Marines immediately tensed up, raising their rifles steadily and watching the approaching troops with vigilance.

Lieutenant Colonel Fei Xu stepped out from behind the defensive position, standing tall with sharp eyes. He stopped in the middle of the road and called out loudly, “Are you the Iron-Blooded Imperial Guards? I’m Lieutenant Colonel Fei Xu, the Marine staff officer.”

Soldier C at the front waved in response. “Yes! We just came from headquarters. Our mission is to support the Italian government and eliminate Anderson’s terrorist organization.”

Fei Xu nodded slightly, his expression relaxing somewhat. He then raised a hand and gestured toward the troops behind him, signaling everyone to ease their guard. “Welcome,” he said as he walked toward them with an elegant bearing. His steps were steady, as though he had complete confidence in the conversation that was about to take place.

Colonel Rinaldo and several officers then came forward to welcome them. Upon seeing the Dragon Knight, Rinaldo extended his right hand and said with a smile, “I’m Rinaldo, commander of the Marine Corps Alpha Unit. On behalf of General Duccio, I welcome you.”

The Dragon Knight jumped down from the back of a huge flying dragon, his agile movements drawing the attention of every Marine present. With a light leap, he immediately became the focus of everyone’s attention. The Dragon Knight walked up to Rinaldo and shook his hand, his gaze resolute. “Colonel, I am the Dragon Knight, Captain of the Guard to Princess Maria. Under the Princess’s orders, I have brought the elite forces under my command to support the Italian government and eliminate the monsters of the Anderson organization.”

Rinaldo smiled slightly, a trace of relief flashing in his eyes. “With your support, we have a better chance of dealing with this group of elusive vampires.”

The Dragon Knight nodded lightly, his voice ringing with conviction. “Let my main force take the lead in dealing with these vampires. You remain stationed here and make sure the enemy has no chance to escape.”

Rinaldo took a deep breath and answered firmly, “All right. I’ll report this to the General later.”

The Dragon Knight’s forces immediately divided into four units and quickly entered their respective areas of responsibility, moving swiftly and systematically. Watching them disappear into the distance, Rinaldo could not help exclaiming, “Their training and discipline are truly impressive. They’ve really opened my eyes.”

Fei Xu stood to one side, his eyes filled with approval. “Colonel, with them serving as the main force, we can relax a little.”

At the same time, the two generals of the Black Bat forces, General Black Bear and General White Wolf, were leading their ghost soldiers in fierce clashes with Father Stylon’s Exorcist Army and the Dragon Knight’s Iron-Blooded Imperial Guards. After several nights of fierce fighting, both sides had suffered heavy casualties. Although Generals White Wolf and Black Bear were overwhelmed by the situation, they still had not received an order to retreat from Grand Mage Ruf, so they could only endure and remain cautious, afraid to act rashly.