犬又二分之一 Hex & Hound
犬又二分之一·一 Hex & Hound (I)
有些情绪如同夏日的阵雨一般，来得不明原由，又让人措手不及。遥远贵族时代的怀古风夏日物语，自此展开…
Sometimes, feelings are like the summer rain, coming out of nowhere and catching you unprepared. A nostalgic summer story set in the age of aristocrats begins right here.
众所周知，劳伦斯是声名狼藉的大贵族家族。
As is known to all, the Lawrence Clan is a noble family of considerable notoriety.
贵族们不事生产，依靠着压榨百姓，维持着极其奢华的生活。
The nobles idle away their time, extorting the common folk to furnish their lavish lifestyles.
为政残暴、生活荒淫、压迫百姓、作恶多端，简直罄竹难书。
They lead licentious lives. Under their cruel governance, countless unspeakable crimes are committed against the people.
民众对贵族们的贪婪无度极为不满，不过大家都只是敢怒而不敢言。
Although the common folk unanimously resent the nobles' greed, they are powerless to speak a single word against them.
荻特里希是个贵族少爷。
Young Dietrich was a highborn noble.
不过因为他还太年轻，所以并没有做过什么十恶不赦的事情，甚至他的剑术在贵族中也能算得上精湛。
He hadn't yet committed any deplorable crimes at his tender age. In fact, his swordsmanship was reputedly exceptional among the noble circles.
如果一定要挑什么毛病的话，那就是他脾气不怎么样，还觉得自己是宇宙中心，一切皆应围绕自己而转。当然，这是贵族公子哥们的通病，并不是什么大事。
If you wished to find something to cavil about, it would have been his short temper and chronic delusion that the whole universe revolved around him. Such traits, of course, are not uncommon among the sons of nobility, so it wasn't of any major concern.
但是他的姓氏——劳伦斯，注定让他被划分入混蛋的行列中。
However, given that he was born into the Lawrence family name, it was only a matter of time before he would get drafted into the ranks of the other scoundrels.
现在，这位混蛋少爷决定做出他这辈子第一件混事。
It was at this time that the young scoundrel decided upon the first reckless act of his life.
早些时候，他翘掉了大魔导师的元素原论课，打算出城游玩。但在路过平民街区时，见到了一位金发蓝眼的少女。
A short while earlier, Dietrich had made up his mind to skip the Grand Mage's discourse on the elements in favor of a bit of fun outside the confines of the city. As he pressed his way through the streets crowded with commoners, his gaze fell upon a young lass with blonde hair and blue eyes.
荻特里希描述不出来那一瞬间涌上心头的情绪，只感觉心跳声从未如此吵闹过，且不受控制。
Dietrich was at a loss for words for the emotions that bubbled in his heart at that moment. The only thing he was certain of was that his heart had never thumped so loudly, or so uncontrollably, within his chest.
「大概这就是母亲大人对她的猫咪一样的情绪吧。」
"So this must be how dear Mother feels when she sees her kitty."
荻特里希心里暗暗想着，忍不住往那位少女所在的地方走去。
As Dietrich kept thinking in his heart, he suddenly found himself moving towards where she was standing.
可惜这位平民少女对他兴致缺缺，在他说明身份之后居然面色如常，不见丝毫情绪波动。
Much to his dismay, the young commoner girl didn't so much as bat an eyelid at him. After making his identity known to her, she didn't display even the slightest sign of any interest.
所以他决定在夜里去将这位不知好歹的民女掠走。
Convinced that this commoner didn't understand what was good for her, he decided that he would carry her off under the cover of night.
「抓来之后，就把她关进笼子里吧！像母亲大人对待那些不听话的猫咪一样。」
"Once I take her, I'll lock her away in a cage, just like dear Mother would when her kitty is being naughty."
犬又二分之一·二 Hex & Hound (II)
金钱虽然不能解决一切烦恼，但是真的能解决很多问题！ 以叮当作响的摩拉作为开幕，浪游少女的蒙德夏日物语！
Money doesn't solve all your problems, but it can certainly solve a lot of them! A young woman's summer vacation in Mondstadt opens to the melodic tune of a symphonic sum of Mora.
平民少女是在一个风和日丽的午后，来到城里的。她的浅金色长发如同春日暖阳，浅蓝色的眼眸闪闪发亮，就像是波光粼粼的午后水面。很难想象这样一位少女是怎么只身一人从魔物肆虐的郊外，跋山涉水来到了城里。
The plebeian lass arrived in the city on one fine sunny day. Her long golden hair shone like the spring sunshine, and her blue eyes sparkled like the gleaming waves in the afternoon sun. It's hard to imagine how such a girl could travel alone from the monster infested outskirts all the way to the city.
「将她当做可疑人士，简直就是对她的美貌的侮辱！」
"To call her suspect would only be an insult to her beauty!"
醉倒在酒馆的守门士兵坐在嘈杂的人群里大声嚷嚷着。他今天守门时收获颇丰，足够在酒香中醉到天明。
Thus shouted the drunken gate sentry among the clamor of the crowded tavern. His earnings from guarding the gate that day were especially bountiful, enough to keep his cup brimming until dawn at least.
「你不过是被人家的美貌晃花了眼！」
"We all know you were just dumbstruck by her beauty!"
边上的人毫不留情地揭穿了他。
The man next to him pulled no punches.
「才不是！我是那种好色之徒吗？我是被这个晃花了眼！」
"Hah, what do you know! Do I look like one to go frolicking after ladies? I'll show you what I really have my eye on!"
士兵摇了摇手上的金币袋。
The soldier promptly pulled out his money purse and shook it in his hand.
「好家伙，那今天你请客！」
"Good heavens! Today, drinks are on you!"
「请客就请客！就怕你一杯喝完就倒下！」
"You heard the man, drinks all around! I'm just worried that one more will be one too many for ya!"
……
...
于是这位自称芙莉的游学者顺利在城里安定了下来。
So this traveling scholar who went by the name of Nottie settled into her newfound life in the city.
芙莉说话语调柔和、声音平静。不知从什么时候开始，坊间渐渐流传开了一个传闻。据说只要和芙莉说上几句话，晚上就能做个好梦。
Nottie spoke in a quiet, gentle manner. A rumor eventually began floating around the streets claiming that if you exchanged a few words with Nottie during the day, you would have sweet dreams the following night.
除此之外，新来的少女似乎并没有给城里的生活带来什么变化，毕竟居民们每天需要面对的，不仅仅是眼前的苟且生活，还有来自贵族的源源不断的压迫。
Apart from this, the new girl didn't disturb the lives of those in the city in any manner. After all, the people not only had their daily lives to deal with, but also the constant oppression from the nobility.
「呀，本来以为是很简单的事情呢。没想到已经变成这样子了……」
"Oh, I thought life in the city would be simple. I never imagined it would be like this..."
灯光昏暗的室内，芙莉歪头托腮，坐在桌边，手指上似乎缠绕着什么。她说话的语气仿佛念咒一般，有着蛊惑人心的力量。
As rays of sunset filled her room, she tilted her head and rested it on her hands. Sitting beside the table, her fingers seemed to be circling around something. Her words flowed like a magical chant with the power to persuade people into believing almost anything.
犬又二分之一·三 Hex & Hound (III)
即使居于安全的城市，也要小心夜间逼近的狼爪…比大型催眠术更难以掌控的东西，在此揭晓。
Even when you live in a safe city, you should watch out for the wolves that lurk in the night... Something more impossible to master than mass hypnosis is revealed within these pages.
是夜。
Night came.
远处隐隐约约传来了野兽的嚎叫声，似乎是狼。
The faint howl of a wild beast could be heard echoing in the distance. It seemed to be the cry of a wolf.
芙莉在床上坐着，掀起了长长的衣袖，露出了一条白骨森森的蛇镯臂环。
Nottie sat on her bed and lifted her long sleeves to reveal a bone-white armband carved in the fashion of a coiling snake.
蛇头栩栩如生，咧开着嘴露出尖牙，仿佛下一秒会扑向猎物的脖子。
The serpent's head was strikingly lifelike with its mouth stretched open to reveal its fangs. Its neck was reared back as if ready to pounce on its prey the very next moment.
蛇身蜿蜒缠绕在她的胳膊上，在魔法灯的冷光下散发出危险的气息。
The snake's slithering body was wrapped around her arm, emitting a dangerous aura under the rays of the magical lamps that lit the room.
「我亲爱的妹妹，晚安。」
"Goodnight, my dear sister."
芙莉轻轻拨动了一下臂环，小拇指在蛇尾之间穿梭，像是在和蛇镯亲昵地玩闹。
Nottie gently petted the armband, rubbing her pinkie playfully along the snake's tail.
不一会儿，魔法灯熄灭了，整个房间坠入黑暗。
Shortly after, the magic lamps went out and the entire room was draped in darkness.
黑夜会给芙莉带来无限的力量。
The darkness of night brought Nottie boundless power.
所以，几乎是在陌生气息侵入房间的那一瞬间，芙莉就察觉到了。
So Nottie was already wise to the unknown presence the moment it entered the room.
荻特里希在黑灯瞎火之中，小心翼翼收拢衣摆到处摸索的样子，全都被坐在床边的芙莉看得一清二楚。
Sitting on the bed, Nottie could clearly see Dietrich as he quietly gathered her clothes and felt his way around in the dark.
对于芙莉来说，忍住笑声在此时变得比大型催眠术更难，不过好在荻特里希已经来到了眼前。
It became harder and harder for Nottie to hold back her laughter, until Dietrich was just in front of her.
荻特里希看到了他日思夜想的那双动人眼眸。
Dietrich met the same dazzling eyes that occupied his mind all day.
只是，和白天的浅蓝水面不一样，此刻，芙莉的双眼似乎也染上了夜色，毫无波澜，如同静寂深海。
But her eyes were somehow different now. They were no longer blue like water as Dietrich had seen that day. At this moment, they were filled with the night, devoid of waves, tranquil like the depths of the sea.
「把这杯子里的水喝掉。」
"Here, drink the water in this cup."
这是荻特里希在意识模糊前听到的最后一句话。
That was the last thing Dietrich heard before his consciousness faded away.
犬又二分之一·四 Hex & Hound (IV)
就算是犬科动物也能学会的贵族礼仪等二三事——自外而来的淑女教师执鞭教导！
Even a dog can learn basic things like upper-class etiquette — or so insists a certain non-nonsense teacher from afar.
杯子从手上跌落，荻特里希倒了下去。
The cup fell from his languid hand as Dietrich collapsed to the floor.
芙莉蹲下来，取走了荻特里希腰间的佩剑。
Nottie crouched beside Dietrich and relieved him of the saber sheathed upon his waist.
手掌抚上剑柄又松开，镶嵌其上的一枚黑色泛光宝石便落入了她的掌心。
She stroked the hilt of the blade for a moment before pulling back her hand, and a black gemstone that had been inlaid in the hilt fell into her palm.
「专门把永夜之眼送上门来，谢啦。」
"How convenient... You have brought the Eye of Eternal Night right to me. Thank you."
说着，她从胳膊上扯出蛇镯，直接将黑色宝石投入蛇口中。
Removing the snake armband as she spoke, she placed the black gemstone in the mouth of the snake.
鳞片与血肉从头骨处开始飞速蔓延，不一会儿一条黑色的小蛇从芙莉的手上蜿蜒落地，开始变大，最后化为一条红眼黑鳞的巨蟒，占据了几乎整个房间。
Scales and flesh began to quickly ripple from the snake's head down its body. A small black snake uncoiled in Nottie's hands, slithering off her palm and falling to the floor. The snake began to enlarge, forming into a massive python with red eyes and black scales, its twisting body almost filled the whole room.
芙莉伸出手，魔法灯便亮了起来，巨蟒开始缩小缠绕回她的胳膊上。
Nottie extended her hand and as the magical lamps illuminated the room, the python began to shrink down again and coiled back around her arm.
「嗯？躲起来了吗？」
"Hmm? Are you hiding?"
芙莉转头看向床底。
Nottie turned her gaze to beneath the bed.
床底下是——
Under which she found...
一条狗。
A dog.
似乎被刚刚的巨蟒吓到了，狗颤抖得厉害。
It was trembling uncontrollably, probably frightened by the python a moment before.
「呀，本来想要把你变成狼的，结果变成了狗。抱歉啦！」
"Oh, what a pity. I wanted to turn you into a wolf, but it seems you turned into a dog instead!"
芙莉说着道歉的话语，但是语气里毫无歉意。
Although Nottie's words seemed to be apologizing, her voice lacked any hint of remorse.
荻特里希还没意识到发生了什么，跑到床底下躲避完全是本能。
Dietrich still hadn't realized what had happened yet. It was only by pure instinct that he had scurried under the bed.
这才回过神来，听到芙莉的话之后，荻特里希张开嘴想要说什么，但是就算用尽全力，也只能发出「汪汪汪」的声音。
Only then did he begin to come to his senses. He tried to say something after hearing Nottie's words, but no matter how hard he tried, only "woof woof woof" would come out.
听到自己的声音之后，荻特里希慌了，立刻从床底下蹿了出来。
After hearing himself, Dietrich panicked and dashed out from under the bed.
不管荻特里希在穿衣镜前上蹿下跳多少次，哀嚎悲鸣多少遍，那位贵族少爷都已经回不来了。
No matter how many times Dietrich leaped in front of the mirror, or how many times he howled in disbelief, the reflection of a striking young noble never appeared again.
荻特里希转身对着芙莉呲牙并扑了过去，芙莉并没有什么动作，只是双手交叠抱胸看了它一眼，它立刻没办法继续向前，不管如何挣扎都没用。
Dietrich then turned with a snarl and leaped towards Nottie. Without even being the least bit startled, she simply glanced at him with folded arms. Suddenly Dietrich could no longer move toward her, no matter how hard he tried.
「这可不是面对淑女应该有的礼仪哦。本来想直接放走你的。嗯……但是现在看来，你似乎很需要教导呢！」
"That's not the proper etiquette for addressing a lady. Hmm... It seems you need to be trained!"
犬又二分之一·五 Hex & Hound (V)
「好好当我的狗吧！虽然做得好可能没有奖励，但是做不好可是有惩罚的！」黛色的魔女如是笑道——
"Be a good dog! Yes, there's no reward for getting it right, but there's still a punishment for getting it wrong!" The witch in black makeup smirked.
「再重新自我介绍一遍吧。我是诺特芙莉嘉，或许我的称号你会更加熟悉一点。人们经常称呼我为暗夜魔女。」
"Allow me introduce myself again. I am Nottfriga, but perhaps you're more familiar with my nickname. People call me the Enchantress of the Night."
诺特芙莉嘉说着，她的温柔的浅金色长发开始慢慢变暗，最后化为一片漆黑，融入窗外夜色之中。犹如蓝天一般的眼眸迎来了黑夜，化为漆黑。
As she spoke, her long golden hair began to gradually darken, eventually turning black as the night sky outside the window. Her once sky-blue eyes were now pitch-black, ushering in the darkness of night.
「现在，我就是你的主人了。当然，我会好好教导你的。」
"I am your master now. Of course, I will need to train you well."
诺特芙莉嘉蹲了下来，给荻特里希套上了不知道从哪儿拿出来的项圈。项圈随着荻特里希的挣扎渐渐缩小，最后稳当地停留在它的脖子上。不管它怎么甩脑袋，或者用爪子挠，都没办法移动项圈一丝一毫。
Nottfriga knelt down and placed a necklace that seemingly appeared out of nowhere on the still struggling Dietrich. The necklace shrank in size until it fit perfectly around his furry neck. No matter how he thrashed his head about or clawed at it, the necklace would not budge.
「唉，真是浪费了不少时间呢。抓紧走吧。」
"Tsk, we've already wasted so much time. Come, we're leaving."
诺特芙莉嘉起身朝城外走去。荻特里希铆足力气，呜咽着想要逃往贵族庄园的方向，但是无济于事，项圈似乎能控制住他的身体，只能跟着诺特芙莉嘉走。
With that, Nottfriga set off towards the city. Dietrich whimpered along the way with all the strength he could muster, wishing he could simply run back to his villa. But he couldn't, no matter how hard he tried. The necklace Nottfriga had placed on him seemed to somehow control him, so he had no choice but to follow behind her.
诺特芙莉嘉瞥了一眼不情不愿跟着自己的荻特里希，手指勾住头发打了个圈。
Nottfriga glanced back at the reluctant Dietrich dawdling behind her, and curled a strand of her hair around her finger.
「虽然看着你挣扎很有趣，但是真的太吵了。如果你想要试试看我的新法术『寂静之夜』的话，不妨再多叫几声。」
"Although it is certainly amusing to watch you struggle in your current state, you are much too noisy. So unless you'd like a taste of my new Silence of the Night spell, you'd better keep your yapping mouth shut."
似乎整个世界都瞬间安静了下来。直觉告诉荻特里希，绝对不能成为她新法术的实验对象。
The whole world seemed to fall into silence at that moment. Intuition told Dietrich that it'd be best not to become the latest test subject for Nottfriga's new spell.
犬又二分之一·六 Hex & Hound (VI)
「编辑寄语：谢谢大家的支持！我们去猫尾酒馆把酒鬼作者给抓出来啦！虽然看起来醉得像沾了水的蒲公英球，但继续写连载完全没有问题！接下来也请各位多多关照！」
"Message From the Editor: Thank you for your support, everyone! We've managed to snag our erstwhile author from the bowels of The Cat's Tail! Although they look drunker than a sodden dandelion, continued serialization should pose no problem! We hope for your continued support from here on out as well!"
荻特里希看到劳伦斯家族崩塌了。
Dietrich witnessed the fall of the house of Lawrence.
母亲养的猫咪早已不知道去了哪里，失魂落魄的父亲与歇斯底里的母亲似乎就离他咫尺之遥，但是任凭他怎么呼喊，他们都没有转过头看他一眼。
Who knew where Mother's kitty had gone. His father, driven to distraction, and his mother, hysterical, were so close by, and yet no matter how he shouted, they did not pay him any heed.
「汪呜…」
"Arf..."
荻特里希低下了头，但他还来不及开口，脚底的地面突然裂开了。一双老巫婆般的手从地面伸出，紧紧地攥住了他的脖子。
Dietrich lowered his head, but before he could speak again, the ground opened up beneath him. A pair of old crone's hands stretched out from the ground, seizing him by the neck.
只感到自己的身体不断下落，最后摔倒在了老巫婆的脚边。
Then he fell, and his fall seemed not to end, till at last he crashed to earth at the feet of the old witch.
奇怪，倒是没有痛觉。
Strangely, it hurt not at all.
似乎有什么东西勾住了项圈，荻特里希整条狗被拉了起来。
Something hooked onto Dietrich's necklace, and he found himself hoisted up bodily.
视线中几乎所有的地方都一片漆黑，能看得清的只有——脚底。那里是一口冒着热气的锅，锅里黑色的不明液体在咕嘟咕嘟地冒泡，还有些固态物体，能分辨的出来的有蜘蛛丝、毒蛇的骸骨…
All before him was darkness, and he could only see one thing — that which was below him. It was a steaming pot, filled with some unknown black substance that gurgled and belched. There were some solids in there, too, and when he looked, he could espy spiderwebs and the bones of venomous vipers...
耳边传来诺特芙莉嘉的声音：「呀，抓住最后一味佐料了。只要把你放下去，我的永生之汤就完成了。哈哈哈！」
Into his ear crept Nottfriga's voice: "Ah, I have you now, my last ingredient. Once I've put you in, my stew of life eternal shall be complete. Hahaha!"
「汪汪汪！」混蛋老巫婆放开我！
"Woof! Woof! Woof!" Let me go, you dastardly witch!
荻特里希拼尽全力挣扎，没想到平时牢不可破的项圈就这样被轻易挣脱了——
Dietrich struggled with all his might, not thinking for a moment that the bond of the hitherto inescapable necklace would suddenly be so easily slipped—
「汪——」
"Ar—"
他掉了下去…
And so he fell...
其他什么都听不到了，耳边仅剩的是呼啸的风声与诺特芙莉嘉癫狂的笑声。
He heard nothing more, naught else but the howling wind and Nottfriga's crazed laughter whipping about his ears.
犬又二分之一·七 Hex & Hound (VII)
「是会一边笑着一边分发狗饼干的好人呢…」在熟悉的树林与陌生的少女再次相逢，其真身究竟是——
"A good person, one who smiles as she gives out dog biscuits..." What is the true identity of the strange young woman in the familiar forest?
「醒醒——」
"Wake up—"
荻特里希感觉身体被轻轻摇晃着。
Dietrich felt his body being rocked gently.
「还好吗？」
"Are you alright?"
有一只手伸了过来，似乎是在试探鼻息。
A hand reached over as if to check his breathing.
是熟悉的声音…
It was a familiar voice...
温柔得如同四月和风，和煦得如同三月暖阳。
Gentle as the April breeze, and genial as the March sun.
荻特里希猛地睁开眼，眼前的是——
Dietrich forced his eyes open, and before them—
金发蓝眸的少女。
Was the golden-haired, blue-eyed girl.
「太好了，你终于醒了。」少女微笑着。
"Ah, wonderful, you're finally awake," she said with a smile.
「这里…难道是…天空岛吗？」荻特里希想着。
"This place... Is this... Celestia?" Dietrich wondered.
「不是哦，只是普通的树林而已。」少女说。
"No, I'm afraid it's just an ordinary forest," the girl replied.
荻特里希回过神来，眼前的少女，正是罪魁祸首——可恶的老巫婆诺特芙莉嘉！顿时整条狗都不好了，立马后跳拉开距离，保持警戒姿势。
Then Dietrich's senses returned to him, and he knew then that the young lady before him was the source of all his troubles — the wicked old witch, Nottfriga! In a flash, he had recovered, and leaping a distance away from her he maintained a guarded stance.
「别紧张呀。我不会伤害你的。哦，对了，我还没有自我介绍呢。我是玛达琳涅，嗯…那个，诺特芙莉嘉的妹妹。」玛达琳涅说着，放在背后的手指轻轻转了转——是光魔法中的安神术，并向荻特里希靠近，「好啦，这样就行了吧。」
"Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you. Ah, I must've forgotten to introduce myself. My name is Magdalene. I'm, well, Nottfriga's younger sister." So saying, Magdalene gave the finger behind her back a twirl — a calming spell of light magic, and she approached Dietrich. "Come now, it's alright."
荻特里希终于安静了下来，他想问问面前的少女为什么能听懂自己说的话，但是却只能发出「汪汪汪」的叫声。
At this did Dietrich indeed calm down. He desired to ask the girl before him how she could understand him — but he could still do naught but bark.
「嗯？这个只需要一个小法术就行了呀。姐姐也会的。」
"Oh, this? It is but a small spell. My sister knows it too."
「汪，汪汪！？」也就是说那个老巫婆能听懂我说的话，还装作不懂戏弄了我一路！？
"Woof, woof woof!?" So that crone did hear what I said, and simply pretended not to so she might string me along!?
「唔，不过姐姐实际上是个温柔的人哦。」说到诺特芙莉嘉，玛达琳涅又露出了和煦而绚烂的笑容。
"Well... Still, Nottfriga is actually a gentle person." And speaking of her sister, Magdalene smiled gorgeously once more.
「…」
"..."
犬又二分之一·八 Hex & Hound (VIII)
「糟了，居然当着魔女的面说了魔女的坏话！」「唉，真是不乖呢。不过，训练狗是主人的义务，所以没办法咯~」魔女大人的残酷秘密，正在拉开帷幕——
"Heavens, I spoke ill of a witch to her face!" "Oh, what a bad boy. Still, discipline is a master's duty, so there's nothing for it~" The curtains rise on the witch's cruel secret—
「魔女，难道是用脑子换取的强大魔力吗？感觉完全没办法沟通啊…」荻特里希一边跟在絮絮叨叨说着些什么的金发少女身边，一边想着。
"Do witches trade their brains for mighty magic? I can't get through to her at all.." Dietrich thought to himself as he followed the golden-haired maiden, who rambled on about something or another.
「欸——不要这么说嘛！如果姐姐听到了的话，会生气的哦。」玛达琳涅低头看向荻特里希，声音越来越小。
"Ah, don't say that! If my sister heard you, she would be most angry." Magdalene said this in a quiet voice as she looked at Dietrich.
「汪汪汪，汪汪？」那你不要告诉她不就行了，等等，你怎么知道我在想什么？
"Woof woof woof, woof?" Well, you needn't tell her, do you... Wait, how did you know what I was thinking?
「可惜，已、经、来、不、及、了。」
"Ah... But. It. Is. Too. Late. Now."
荻特里希惊恐地抬起头，望向气压骤升的上方——
Dietrich lifted his head in alarm at the rising pressure above him—
虽然外表似乎确实并没有变化…
Her expression had not changed at all...
虽然如此…
But even so...
但是他十分肯定眼前的少女已经换人了。
He knew that the girl before him was now changed.
「看来刚才的噩梦对你还算有点作用，让你长了点记性。虽然以我的标准来看，远远还不够。」一如既往高傲冷漠的语气，的确是诺特芙莉嘉。
"It seems that your nightmare has been of some use — for your memory, at least. But as I see it, you are still far from adequate." That proud, cold voice from on high — yes, surely this was Nottfriga.
「那么，『心鬼之髓』就先放在你那儿吧。」
"Well then, I suppose I shall leave the Essence of the Inmost Heart inside you."
「心鬼之髓」是什么啊…
What on earth was the "Essence of the Inmost Heart"...
等等，刚刚玛达琳涅好像提到过。
Wait, no. Magdalene had mentioned just such a thing.
「不用害怕啦，其实刚刚的噩梦都是虚假的哦。因为姐姐把『心鬼之髓』放入了你的体内，『心鬼之髓』能诱发恐惧，所以你会梦见最害怕的东西。」
"Don't worry! The nightmare from before was a falsehood. My sister placed the Essence of the Inmost Heart into you, and it can see your fears. That is why you dreamed of the things you fear most."
「不过姐姐肯定是为了你好，毕竟姐姐是个很温柔的人呀。」
"But I think that my sister must've done it for your good. She is, after all, a most gentle soul."
…
...
荻特里希全身汗毛竖起，发抖着看了一眼诺特芙莉嘉，已经不敢在心里想些别的了。
Dietrich's fur stood on end, and he trembled as he peeked at Nottfriga, banishing any other thoughts from his mind.
「看来我的教导挺有用的嘛。那就继续上路吧。」荻特里希畏畏缩缩的模样成功取悦了魔女大人。
"Hah, it seems that my teachings have been quite useful indeed. Well then, let us be on our way." Dietrich's frightened appearance pleased his master, the witch.
犬又二分之一·九 Hex & Hound (IX)
「和煦春日的死亡，是怎样的触感呢？」在清晨温馨的时刻，少女吐露出的是——背离常识的话语…「大概是——毛茸茸的吧？」
"What does the death of a warm spring day feel like?" So the young maiden said one morning, in defiance of all common logic. "I suppose it must feel... furry?"
这是一处漫无边际的森林，薄雾柔柔地弥漫在林中，一缕缕金丝般的晨光穿过繁茂的枝叶，洒落在翠绿的地上。
This was a forest without end. A fine mist shrouded the area and the golden rays of dawn shone through the canopy, scattering themselves upon the emerald earth below.
此时此刻，玛达琳涅正抱着一只狗——没错，正是荻特里希，不紧不慢地赶着路。金发少女踩着盘根错节的巨树，轻盈又平稳地穿行于林间，如同一只优雅的白鸟。
At this moment, Magdalene was clutching a dog — indeed, this was Dietrich — as she kept up a leisurely pace. The golden-haired maiden traipsed upon the gnarled roots of massive trees like an elegant swan, lithely making her way through the woods.
「还好现在是玛达琳涅。如果是诺特芙莉嘉那家伙，绝对会让我自己走的，说不定还会用什么法术强迫我跑起来，说来这条路根本不是狗能走的路吧，不对，正常人也没办法走，这里根本没路啊，都是树…啊，如果玛达琳涅能一直抱着我就好了…」荻特里希边胡思乱想，边转头看向玛达琳涅。
"How fortunate that she is currently Magdalene. If it were that hag Nottfriga, she would certainly make me walk or use some sort of magic to force me to run. This path is not made for dogs — no, not even humans could traverse it. There isn't even a road, only trees... Ah, it would be nice if Magdalene could keep carrying me like this..." Dietrich's thoughts meandered as he turned to look at Magdalene.
晨光起起落落地洒落在少女的脸上，她有着不输任何一位贵族少女的美貌，白皙的肤色和温和的眼神，让她看起来柔柔弱弱的，有种初生于花瓣上的晨露般的易逝感。
The morning light danced upon her face. She possessed a beauty that could not be considered lesser than any noblewoman's. Her light complexion and gentle expression made her seem delicate, like the short-lived morning dew born upon on flower petals.
「玛达琳涅的皮肤真白…好像我见过的所有贵族都比不上她。」荻特里希看着少女这样想着。
"Magdalene's skin is so fair... I daresay none of the nobles I've met can compare to her," Dietrich thought as he gazed upon the girl.
「和你讲个故事吧，那个，我其实已经死掉了。」玛达琳涅突然开了口。
"Let me tell you a story. That is, I'm already dead," Magdalene suddenly spoke.
犬又二分之一·十 Hex & Hound (X)
毕竟在这世界上，没有一个人能活着得到解脱。
After all, none can live and still obtain release.
很久以前，有一位魔女，她生下了一对双胞胎女儿。
A long time ago, there was a witch who gave birth to twin daughters.
然而，魔女家族向来无法同时留下两个后代。这是代价，是换取强大魔力的报偿。
However, witches are unable to keep two offspring from the same generation. That is the price they pay, the cost of their enormous power.
可这位魔女的黑魔法造诣已经巅峰造极，她以自己的生命力为祭，守护住自己的两个后代。
But this witch had already reached the apex of mastery in dark magic. She offered her own life force to preserve the life of her twins.
好景不长，魔女的生命力流逝殆尽之时，便是注定的死别之日。
Still, this solution could not last forever, and as the last of the witch's life force faded, the day of their fated farewell arrived at last.
魔女已经得到了永远的解脱，而活下来的姐姐诺特芙莉嘉承担下了一切，她觉得妹妹玛达琳涅没能活下来全是自己的错。
In death, the witch was finally freed from the world. The surviving elder sister, Nottfriga, inherited everything, and felt entirely responsible for the passing of her younger sister, Magdalene.
好在诺特芙莉嘉继承了那位魔女的黑魔法天赋，她以自身为容器，辅用繁杂的法阵与晦涩的咒文，抽离出了玛达琳涅的灵魂。
Luckily for Nottfriga, she inherited the witch's talent for dark magic. Using herself as a vessel, she summoned Magdalene's soul using complicated magical symbols and obscure incantations.
又在高塔之内翻遍魔女留下的兽皮书卷，结合黑魔法与炼金术制造出了躯体。将灵魂放入新的躯体中使其复活，这在光魔法禁术中也不是一件简单的事情，更何况诺特芙莉嘉对光魔法一窍不通。
Then, she read all of the leather-bound books in the tower, and combining what she learned with dark magic and alchemy, created a new vessel. However, the ability to place her sister's soul inside the vessel and bring her back to life was not only a forbidden art in light magic, it was also exceptionally difficult — especially for Nottfriga, who knew no light magic whatsoever.
诺特芙莉嘉对玛达琳涅的执着使得她终于找到了解决的方法，由此她将躯体变形成蛇镯臂环戴在腕间，踏上了冒险的旅途。
Nevertheless, Nottfriga's insistence on bringing Magdalene back spurred her on, and eventually she found a solution. She transformed the vessel into a serpent bracelet that she wore on her wrist, and set out on an adventure.
「亲爱的妹妹，等这一切结束，我们就再也不会分离了…」
"My beloved sister, when this is all over, we will never be apart again..."
犬又二分之一·十一 Hex & Hound (XI)
「吵吵闹闹的狗嘴，让我来堵上好了…」「唔唔——！」那一夜，少女向忠犬托付了重要的东西…
"I should just stuff that noisy puppy yapper of yours..." "Woof, woof!" That day, the young maiden gave her loyal dog something precious...
最后一丝光线渐渐消失，黑暗将要笼罩整片森林。
The last ray of light was fading, and darkness was about to engulf the forest.
「该换姐姐了。」
"It's time to switch, my dear elder sister."
玛达琳涅突然把怀里的荻特里希放了下来。
Suddenly, Magdalene put down Dietrich, whom she had been holding in her arms.
「对了，最后再送你一份礼物吧。姐姐也一定会高兴的。」
"One last thing, elder sister — I have a present for you. I hope you like it."
说着，只见荧光从少女的指间渗透而出，渐渐汇集成耀眼的光团，玛达琳涅发动了光魔法。
With this, light slowly began to shine from her fingers, gradually forming a dazzling ball of light. This was Magdalene's light magic.
「好啦，现在开始你要乖哦。嘘——先不要说话。」
"Alright, from now on, you have to be well behaved. Shh, don't say anything."
「什么啊——神神秘秘的……唔唔。」荻特里希还没反应过来，小声嘀咕了一声，但话语还没出声便被打断了，原来一只纤细的手牢牢握住了荻特里希的狗嘴。
"What? Why are you being so mysterious... Ugh." Before Dietrich could react, he had quietly muttered something, but his speech was interrupted when he suddenly found a slender hand tightly covering his mouth.
才过一瞬，嘴里被已经换人的少女迅速塞进了什么东西。
A moment later, the girl — now transformed — hastily stuffed something into his mouth.
「这是——」
"What's this..."
是剑柄，他的剑。
It was the hilt of Dietrich's sword.
曾经骄傲地佩在他腰带上的剑。
The sword that once proudly hung from his belt.
「？！」
"!?"
荻特里希本能地想要张开嘴说点什么。
Dietrich opened his mouth instinctively to say something.
「不想死的话，给我紧紧咬着。」诺特芙莉嘉向着虚空一伸手，荻特里希只感觉到脖子上的项圈紧得快要无法呼吸，无力抵抗只能咬紧了牙关。
"Bite down on it if you want to live." Nottfriga raised one hand into the air, and Dietrich felt unable to breathe as the collar around his neck grew tighter and tighter. Powerless to resist, it was all he could do to bite down as instructed.
「听好了，等下用这把剑保护好你自己。虽然你是个无理的废物大少爷，但是如果你死在了这里的话，我可是会很困扰的——」诺特芙莉嘉抬高了荻特里希的头，又压低了声音，「毕竟教导也还没结束，轻易死掉的话，我的乐子会少上不少呢。」
"Listen carefully. In a moment, you will need to defend yourself with this sword. Even though you're an ignorant and useless spoiled brat, it would still be a lot of trouble for me if you died here." Nottfriga raised Dietrich's head and spoke in a low voice. "After all, I haven't finished teaching you a lesson yet. It would ruin my fun if you died too easily."
暗夜魔女大人说罢，收回了伸出的手指，整理了一下自己的外袍。
The witch of the night finished speaking, and retracted her hand to adjust her garments.
项圈又松了回了原样，空气透过牙缝和鼻腔一股脑地灌入肺中，荻特里希不敢松口，只好艰难地喘着粗气。
The collar loosened again, returning to normal tightness. At once, air rushed passed his teeth and in through his nostrils, filling up his lungs again. Dietrich still did not dare relax his jaw's grip on the sword, however, so he had to make do with somewhat impaired breathing.
不久，远处传来纷乱的响动——
Before long, the sound of commotion was heard in the distance...
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