The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

Mr. Ghost froze for a moment, then laughed: "Yes, Garland. Are you ready to hear this story?"

"Of course!" Garland said briskly.

Mr. Ghost recounted the content of his novel. He hasn't finished writing it yet, but the subsequent plot development has been decided.He said: "In the end, Garland will leave that underwater city and embark on a journey back to her hometown. She will have a brand new adventure."

"Ah!" Garland exclaimed, "She's not dreaming, she really went to a weird world!"

"Yes," said Mr. Ghost, "so she must find a way to get home, to her own home."

"So, can that Garland come home?"

"Maybe, maybe not. But, this story will stop here." Mr. Ghost said, "The future will be decided by the future."

Old stories should end; new journeys should start.he thinks.

Garland tilted his head in confusion: "But, Mr. Ghost, isn't Garland a character in a story? A character in a story should have a definite ending."

"Perhaps she really lives in a certain corner of this universe." Mr. Phantom said in a surprisingly gentle tone, "It's like you are really living in Fisher's world."

Garland froze for a moment, then suddenly understood.She said: "Yes...that's right! She may not be a fake. Maybe one day, I can really meet that Garland!"

Mr. Ghost smiled.

This is what he thought of, a compromise.

Garland took the Garland in the book as himself, so he took this name for himself.In other words, her self-perception is an illusory persona from the start.If Garland's authenticity is denied, it is likely to destroy Garland's self-perception once again.

Therefore, let the little girl in the book also become a character with mixed truth and falsehood.She may really be living in a certain corner of the universe, escaped from the adventure in the sea, and then headed for the journey in the more distant future.

That would be her journey, and it would be Garland's too.There is no need to distinguish the real from the false in this moment.

Garland is still young now, her thoughts and minds are still so immature.When she grows up, maybe she will secretly feel that she was very naive and ridiculous because of this incident; or, she will miss the innocence of that time.

In any case, Garland's life has slowly been on the right track.

Garland listened to Mr. Ghost's story with great satisfaction.And she said, "Thank you, Mr. Ghost. I'm glad you'd like to tell me a story."

"I'm glad, too," whispered Mr. Ghost, "that you'd like to hear the story."

"I love hearing stories," Garland said. "It's kind of people."

Mr. Phantom was startled, then laughed: "Novelists will like readers like you."

Garland tilted his head, as if he didn't understand why.But she didn't continue to ask.Soon, Mr. Ghost bids her farewell.

"See you next time, Mr. Ghost," Garland said.

"See you next time."

He returns to the island.This long dream is coming to an end.However, he went to the farm as usual, talked to the puppets for a while, and then left the deep sea dreamland.

This is Ramifa City at four o'clock in the morning.The closer to summer, the sooner the sky will be bright.At this moment, there is already a rose color sweeping by the window, and the hazy light makes Siles feel a little drowsy.

Qin Duo posted a note to him, and then said in a low voice: "Sleep a little longer?"

"Go to sleep." Sirius said softly.

Although they are all blessed by the power of Akamala and will not feel tired from lack of sleep-Jindor can be said to be because of the rose-but doing too much business in the dream will eventually make people feel tired. Psychologically irritable.

They slept in the cage for a while, and got up around seven o'clock.

This time, Cendo will not go to the West City with Siles, he has to go to the Praia family.Just to send news to the noble lady, he had to go and speak to the Praia family in person.

But Qin Duo was a little unhappy.He said, "But can I come to you later?"

Siles was having breakfast, looked up at him, and after a while, he said, "Of course."

Only then did Qin Duo calm down contentedly.

Siles couldn't help feeling amused.Qin Duo's careful thinking is clear at a glance, and he himself expresses it quite frankly.

...Maybe it was really the magnifying glass that Jon gave and the term "young detective" that stimulated Qindo?

He felt that Qin Duo must have something to say about this matter.

Sure enough, after a while, when they were about to change their clothes and go out, Qin Duo couldn't help but leaned over and hugged Sires, and said in a low voice, "I'm not interfering with your social life, I just... care a little bit. After all , we seem to be people from two worlds."

What had he been thinking, Sirius thought?

The two of them are really in the physical sense, people from two worlds.

The thought made him smile.He said, "But, Gyndo, you need to know one thing."

Qin Duo looked up at him.Those emerald green eyes are filled with a kind of pure affection and love.He was always so, so obsessed with Sirius himself.

Siles said, "Welcome to my world. You are the first and only one."

Qin Duo was stunned for a while, he subconsciously opened his mouth to say something, but felt that his vocabulary was so poor.It's too bad, he obviously has learned Const language very well, and he can even correct the students' homework very well.

In the end, Cindo could only whisper, "I'm honored to be in your world. It makes me feel like I love you even more." He thought for a moment, then said, "Oh, what a pity."

"What are you sorry about?"

"...We have to go out now, instead of going to the bedroom on the second floor." Qin Duo sighed.

Siles: "..."

He really looked up to Qin Duo.

He tugged at Gindo's braid helplessly, and said, "Okay, change your clothes, Gindo. I'll wait for you in Ernestine."

Qin Duo vaguely agreed, and then leaned over to kiss his lips.Siles took the initiative to deepen the kiss, but also controlled the intensity and time.After a while, he patted Qin Duo's back lightly, and said with a low smile, "Okay."

"Taste and stop." Qin Duo said dissatisfied.

"Leave some expectations for the evening?"

"...I've already started fantasizing."

Siles laughed.

They changed their clothes and left 99 Kelly Street.It was not yet nine o'clock when Siles arrived at Ernestine's.

Jon hadn't come yet, so Siles went to the back kitchen first, found Eric, and told him about the "female factor" in the May serial murder case.

He said: "The vocal teacher is the most clearly identified dead person we know today. Maybe we can start investigating from the women who appeared beside him."

Eric suddenly realized, he thought for a moment, and then said: "I have some impressions that there was indeed a female friend or something around the deceased. I will look for it carefully."

Siles nodded and said, "This may be an important breakthrough."

Eric agrees with this.Anyway, they don't have any breakthroughs now, so it's good to find a clue.

Siles left the back kitchen, sat by the window and waited for Jon's arrival.

It is already the end of April.The spring is as bright as a veil blowing across the sky, soft to the touch but bright in color.The transformation of Lamifaxi City has also made the streets here more tidy.

However, the temperature is gradually increasing.It is said that in May, Lamifa City will usher in a short gloomy rainy season.The drizzle will bring summer to the city of Ramifa.

...uh, not a sunny summer day.Summer in Ramifa is as miserable as winter.

Fortunately, they plan to go to sea this July.Siles turned to think about it.

The letter addressed to Foster Longey is already on the way, and Foster will probably receive it some time later.They will go to sea together, just like the trip of Frank Langhe.

That trip hadn't yielded any good results, but Sirius hoped that this time they would.

Now they are dealing with the incident caused by the believers of "Shadow", but they can't think of any way to deal with "Shadow" itself.In fact, he was powerless, and he needed more information.

While thinking, Jon appeared.

He came to Siles, and said a little surprised: "Mr. Qin Duo didn't come today?"

"He'll come later," said Siles. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Jon sat across from Sirius and said with a smile, "I thought he was reluctant to part with you."

This is a bit of a joke.Siles stared silently at the detective.

Obviously, the keen detective is probably aware of the relationship between Siles and Qindo, and at the same time realizes that he can only make a bold joke when Qindo is not around.

However, Siles' cold and calm expression also made him tease without any sense of accomplishment.

Jon sighed and said, "So, Professor, shall we get to the point?"

"Of course." Siles thought for a while, and while sorting out his thoughts, he told Jon the information he had learned in the past period.Of course, it was mainly about the May serial murder case, especially the two cases investigated by the Second Corridor of the Historical Society.

After these two cases came out, they had a deeper understanding of the serial murders that occurred in the past century, especially the time issue that they had been puzzled by.

Now, the time of this incident seems to be quite regular, even more regular than they imagined.

This group of gangs hiding behind the scenes, they are obviously getting impatient; and Dice once said, "Shadow" is also slowly losing patience.Humans and gods have reached a certain level of agreement.

Siles also probably mentioned what happened in Neverland, but he couldn't reveal Mr. Ghost's identity too clearly, so part of the information was not stated directly.

Even so, the things he mentioned already amazed Jon.

Jon thought about it blankly, and then couldn't help saying, "I should apologize to you."

Siles asked in surprise, "Why?"

"You have collected too much information in the past period of time." Jon couldn't help shaking his head, "For the first time, I feel that thinking is a headache, because it is intricate."

Celes smiled.He felt that way occasionally, especially when he was faced with this tangle of clues.

Jon thought for a moment, then said, "Looks like time is quite important in this case." His first curious question was, "Why did this case go on so regularly for a century?"

This is a confusing thing.

Obviously, the murderer behind the scenes cannot be alone.They are a team, even an organization.They do it all purposefully, even with some deeply religious philosophy in mind.

This is a very obvious thing, but also troubled by this piety.In fact, this kind of organization is very prone to concept changes.

For example, in the Historical Society, in the past ten years, the concepts of high-level and ordinary enlighteners have changed several times in succession.It's irresistible, because people will always receive different points of view and be molded into very different people.

Moreover, judging from the current situation, this is not a small group with only a few people.This is a behemoth that can do some malicious things in Land of Embers and the Principality of Const at the same time.

In other words, how did the behind-the-scenes gang ensure the "purity" of their ideas?How can they do it?

For Siles, the situation largely converged with his more familiar religious concepts of his home planet.People are brought together by religious ideas so that they can maintain their devotion from generation to generation.

Siles said: "There may be a ... core person among them, or a core idea. As long as this core idea does not change, then the people after that will continue to follow the old pattern."

Jon rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and said, "The serial murders that happen in May every year are the embodiment of this idea?" He still felt a little unbelievable, "What kind of idea would that be? What are they? What do you think? What can murder bring?"

Siles shook his head and reminded him wisely: "It may not be the conclusion we can reach now. The issue is still quite complicated. Maybe we can focus on the case itself."

"I understand." Jon said bluntly, "I'm just a little surprised by the duration and repetition of this time. Twenty years and ten years..."

He pondered for a moment.

Then he said, "Don't you think, this is like a process of growing up as a person?"

Siles was slightly taken aback.

Jon said: "Twenty years is enough for a person to grow up. According to your previous analysis, the deceased in the first two cases did not wear the armor of a female knight. In the third case, they improved the technique, but it still had no effect.

"So from the fourth start, they chose to shorten the time interval. Maybe they want to cultivate a plastic talent as soon as possible?"

Siles frowned and said, "You mean, they're training a killer?"

"I just think this time is quite surprising." Jon emphasized, "20 years and ten years. For such a long time, apart from human beings, what else can be cultivated?"

Siles narrowed his eyes and looked at the detective in front of him.That subtle feeling reappeared.

Jon seems to know something, so he can be so sure that this time interval is waiting for a person to grow.However, he was unwilling to clearly state his reasons.

Just as he had always avoided talking about why he could notice the trash can before, now, Jon also kept silent about the reason why he had this idea.

20 years and ten years.Why does it have to be human growth?

It can also be a tree, a building, or a business.There are many options, but Jon thinks it's human.

Siles was silent for a moment, then simply changed the subject.He didn't think there was any point in entangled with Jon about this statement, after all, Jon was unlikely to really tell what he knew.

Then he said: "Perhaps so. Mr. Detective, I remember you said in your letter that there was something you wanted to tell me in person."

Jon coughed and touched his nose subconsciously: "Uh, yes. That's true." He thought for a while, as if he was thinking about the wording, and seemed to be confused by Sirius' attitude, but he was still quite straightforward Say, "I looked at that painting again."

The sudden mention of the item made Sirius startled.

"That painting I picked up from the trash can," Jon said. "When I saw that painting, I got a kind of mental pollution. It's all about your 'reincarnation' ritual, I to get rid of that pollution.

"Anyway, after the pollution is completely removed, I think maybe I should look at the painting again, maybe I can find some details that I didn't notice before."

Siles nodded.He thought Jon's behavior was quite thoughtful.

In addition, he also noticed that Jon avoided talking about the time track used in his "self-returning" ceremony.Although he didn't think Jon had to explain it clearly, it was quite interesting to talk about and share his past with friends.

But Jon never does that.His mysterious past is as mysterious as his tone.

... Sometimes the reason why Siles doesn't think Jon is his friend, but can only be called an acquaintance, may be because of Jon's secretive and mysterious behavior.Jon has always had an instinct to hide his identity and personal characteristics.

Is this also a detective's instinct?

Siles was slightly puzzled by this question.

Jon said to himself: "Before I looked at the painting again, I reviewed the painting skills I had learned, and then made a copy, and then found an unknown but really superb painter to comment on it. for a moment.

"He didn't know the source of the painting, but both he and I felt that the person who painted this work...was quite conflicted and painful."

As he spoke, he took out a folded drawing paper from his pocket, and unfolded it.

He said: "This is the work after I copied it."

Siles looked over.He had met the young painter once in Atherton Square, and had glimpsed his work.That is exactly the same as the painting at this moment.

Beautifully detailed city squares, crowds, and buildings, but the sky is cloudy and heavy; shadows envelop the entire city, as if a storm is coming, as if a storm is approaching.

Siles looked at it for a moment, then asked, "Because of its brushwork?"

To be honest, he himself couldn't see any self-contradictory psychology in the painting; he just felt that the oppression was indeed quite strong.

"You can also say that." Jon said first, "I just think that he...or she, used an almost hysterical emotion and strength to smear the dark clouds over the city of Ramifa. Fear, hatred, looking up... what You can see the emotion."

Siles: "..."

It seems that he really has no accomplishments in the field of art.To him it was just a shadow.

...OK, "Shadow".

He suddenly understood what Jon meant.

Jon had been mentally polluted by that painting.In other words, he experienced the subtleties of that painting from another dimension.He can naturally sum up this subtle feeling.

Now that Siles looked at the copy, it was hard to imagine the pollution that Jon felt when he saw the original.In addition, the will attributes of the two of them are obviously quite different.Siles' will has surpassed the scope of ordinary humans in Fisher's world.

But, as far as "shadows" go, he understands.

Siles was silent for a moment, and decided to believe Jon's statement on this matter.Jon has no need to lie to him.

Siles said, "Who do you think this painter might be? Someone among those people...but who doesn't think like them?"

Jon shrugged: "I'm not sure. But I don't know why this person left that painting there. It's an obvious hint that someone is telling us that a storm is coming."

"...This painter's belief in gods doesn't seem that crazy." Siles whispered.

Jon nodded.This is exactly what he thought.

Siles pinched the bridge of his nose subconsciously. He said, "Even so, we can't find anyone now. Have you tried any rituals of finding people? Under the guidance of that painting."

Jon shook his head regretfully. He put away the copied work and said, "I did try, but I couldn't get any results. Maybe those people have a special ritual to eliminate traces."

Siles frowned, and said, "The other possibility is that they discovered this person's intentions."

Jon couldn't help being silent, and after a while, he smiled wryly and said, "You really...have considered a rather bad possibility."

Siles was noncommittal.

Jon turned to say, "Maybe that's true...but, so what?" His tone was a little tired, "We went around this case and couldn't find a way out. That breakthrough Where? What on earth are they going to do?"

Siles shook his head honestly, and he still said calmly: "The worst outcome is just to wait until the middle and late May. When the incident happens, we will know their intentions."

Jon opened his mouth in vain, then leaned back.His expression gradually calmed down, and he said: "You are right. We don't need to be so anxious. Besides, I doubt..."

Jon hesitated.

"what?"

Jon said, "Can they really make it?"

Siles was taken aback, then said, "Of course I hope they don't succeed."

Jon was also taken aback.They talked like chickens and ducks, but at the same time laughed because of it.

Jon also showed a more relaxed expression, he shrugged, and then said: "It is true. I mean, what they want to do is related to the old gods, and the unknown 'shadow'.

"However, in the past few hundred years in the Mist Age, no one seems to have really gained anything related to this matter. For example, those followers of the old gods who want to resurrect the old gods have never succeeded.

"Sometimes I feel that this may be the decision of fate. The decision of fate, the gods are outdated in this era, and they will no longer appear."

Siles listened quietly.

There was a subtle arrogance in Jon's tone, human beings against gods.

Siles could not help looking thoughtfully at the young detective.

After Jon finished speaking, he said, "So, what about Antinam?"

For the first time, there was a little hesitation in Jon's eyes, and he asked, "What do you mean?"

"The gods are outdated, but Antinam still exists." Siles said in a low voice, "What kind of existence do you think He is?"

"...a well-meaning but unnecessary god," said Jon.

Siles froze for a moment.

"I'm on the side of humans." Jon suddenly smiled, and he said in a very firm tone, "But, I'm not on the side of Anti-Nam."

Siles looked deeply at the young detective in front of him.He didn't show a particularly surprised or surprised expression.

Although Siles' expression has always been like this, Jon couldn't help but ask after pausing for a moment: "Don't you think this position is very strange?"

Siles said fairly objectively: "People will have their own positions. It's not surprising."

Unbeknownst to Jon, "Shadow" comes from outside Fisher's world.Otherwise, with such a foreign enemy, maybe he would put himself on Anti-Nam's side, at least not against Anti-Nam.

Leaving aside the issue of "shadow", in Fischer's world, the status and role of gods are indeed very embarrassing for today's human beings.Is that the majestic god who once blessed them, or a vicious foreign body that caused long suffering in the past?

Anti-Nam could not be spared from such a predicament, even though he did protect mankind for a long time.

Jon froze for a moment, then couldn't help but say, "You're still really... I mean, your neutrality is always pretty amazing." He asked back in a subtly aggressive tone, "And your stance ?”

Siles looked at the young detective calmly.

Jon said: "Maybe you think I'm always hiding something, that I'm not honest enough about this cooperation. However, you seem to always hide some thoughts."

Siles sighed inwardly, feeling like he was facing students—he meant those young, innocent students who were stuck in their own life problems and couldn't get out.

…For example, Doreen Lucas.They are always confused and unaware.

"I don't need a position," said Siles. "Gods and humans, time and destiny, world and universe. When we talk about these topics, I only represent myself, not any other position.

"It's not accurate enough to generalize me from the standpoint of humans, gods, or... more specifically, the residents of Lamifa City. I am not the person who speaks for this group."

Jon was stunned for a while, then laughed: "Professor, you are really arrogant."

arrogant?

Siles shook his head. "Everyone has their own past, their own concerns and headaches, their own goals and visions. I just do what I can."

He never claimed to represent the interests of any group, or took it for granted that he interfered with other people's views—except students, perhaps; The world, based on the present, looking back at the past, thinking about the future.

He can admit that the gods have indeed blessed the development of human civilization for a long time in the past, from the earliest forgotten weak gods to the thirteen famous old gods, and now they stand silently in the fog of history Antinam among them.

He also admitted that the existence of gods has indeed hindered and imprisoned the development of human civilization.Human beings have to rely on the gods to shape their own worldview, and at the same time kill each other because of this; various problems after the fall of the gods have highlighted this point.

... Yes, he does admit both views, is impartial and fairly impartial - but his impartiality does not help.The world needs development, development in a practical sense, not criticism and debate of ideas.

They are here discussing old gods and history, and what has this world to do with it?

So Siles had to admit that, in a sense, Jon was right.Siles did hide his position.He sees no point in talking about positions, and the idea is itself a position.

...Forget it, they seem to be talking about some philosophical topic.

Siles laughed at this, and he turned to say: "In any case, we have to solve these things after all-at least the things we need to solve at hand."

"Seek truth from facts." Jon also commented quite objectively, "I appreciate your thinking, even though I can't do it myself."

"...Good morning? It seems that you have a very happy conversation."

A voice that came late, with a subtle tone.Cendo, of course.

Siles turned to see Cindo's cold emerald eyes.He smiled in a low voice, reached out quite naturally, and pulled Cinderella to sit beside him.Qin Duo muttered something in a low voice, but his expression instantly became cheerful, and then he sat down peacefully.

But he still held Siles' hand, playing with it intimately and earnestly.He was like the kind of animal that had to rub against its owner to sleep peacefully.There is no way to describe it as a small animal; occasionally, Sirius would think that Qindo is a large, clingy beast.

Jon said at the right time: "My professor and I didn't really get along very well. In fact, we almost got into an argument."

"Arguing?" Qin Duo said suspiciously, "Why do you want to quarrel?"

Jon: "..."

Qin Duo's tone of voice, which he confidently thought was that he wanted to quarrel, and his instantly alert eyes left Jon speechless.

"It's just a disagreement." Siles reassured, and then said, "However, I don't think it's a big deal."

Jon shook his head and sighed, and said, "It's really boring to talk to you. In short, we don't seem to be able to find any breakthrough about this case. There is nothing more worth investigating."

Siles mentioned the "female factor" to Jon.

So Jon turned to say: "Okay, there is another clue." But he was a little skeptical, "But, do you really think we can investigate anything?"

"Perhaps." Siles was noncommittal, "At least it is a possibility."

In fact, Siles had greater confidence in his heart.Because that is a big success in the dice judgment; and the other choice is a big failure.In other words, it's a make-or-break thing.

Siles didn't think that such a judgment would lead them astray and continue to be at a loss.

The last time there was such a judgment of either a big success or a big failure, it was when they traveled from Kingsley to Bethune.At that time, they used this judgment to rescue Garrett Gielgud who fell into the water.

And Garrett obviously brought a lot of useful information to Siles, and is now doing things for him.

Siles had confidence in this judgment in his heart, but he couldn't make it too obvious.

Jon didn't understand, and still sighed.

Qin Duo asked suspiciously: "Mr. Detective, why do you seem to become negative all of a sudden?"

Jon said lazily: "Maybe it's because this case has dragged on for too long. I've never encountered such a thing. How long has it been?"

"The past century." Siles described objectively.

Jon and Jindo looked at him at the same time, and then the two laughed together.For some reason, they seemed to have reached a consensus at this moment, and both of them were laughing.Cendo fell on Siles.

Siles: "..."

... It seems that his bad joke career is expected to develop further.

It's just that the timing is a bit different from what he imagined.

He sighed helplessly in his heart.

After they finished laughing, the atmosphere improved a lot, and Jon wasn't so listless anymore.Instead, he said, "So, Professor, what do you think I should do now?"

The clues at hand seem to have been investigated almost, and all that is left is to wait and see.

…Actually, although Siles thought it might be a delusion, he still wanted to find an insider—an insider in any sense.

He thought for a moment, then said: "The organization you joined, did they show any abnormalities about the May incident?"

"Oh...they." Jon thought for a while, "nothing. They seem to have a kind of... silent, quiet anxiety. I don't know if you can understand. Each of them is trembling, but from another angle That said, they don't seem to be able to do anything."

Qin Duo commented harshly: "It is similar to our current situation."

Jon gave a wry smile.

Siles frowned slightly.

Is everyone just watching and waiting for that time to come?That didn't sound like good news, at least according to Siles.He doesn't like to wait.

Jon glanced at the time and said: "Since you mentioned that organization, I will try to start from there later to see if I can find someone who is willing to tell me the inside story. Maybe with that organization As the time approaches, some of them may not be able to bear it."

"I hope so," said Sirius sincerely.

Soon, Jon said goodbye to them and left.

After Jon left, Qin Duo said: "The frustration of this detective is amazing. Obviously we have made some new progress and discoveries, but he feels that we seem to be spinning in circles."

"Maybe he thinks we're really going in circles," said Siles. "There's always more and more problems."

Cindo looked at Siles and said, "But I'm not worried at all."

Siles froze for a moment.

"You have the power of destiny." Qin Duo said, "and the process of several events we have experienced in the past is similar, the problems are more and more complicated, we seem to be in a fog...

“And then all of a sudden, you see a breakthrough. And we solve those things with such speed, even ease, as if the mystery that has puzzled us for so long in the past does not exist at all.

"Perhaps this should be your habitual way of solving problems."

Siles thought for a moment, then smiled.He said: "However, I would rather have clues come one after another, everything is very clear, and then the ending happens naturally. Rather than like we are now, as if we are haunted by something."

Qin Duo tilted his head and said, "That sounds more like your fiction than reality. Maybe, you have the opportunity to practice this in reality."