The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

Siles had been looking at the gray and black embers of the Crystal, thinking about something.Qin Duo's words brought him back to his senses suddenly, and he turned his head to look over.

Under the still overcast, cloud-covered sky, he saw a small figure rushing recklessly towards the churning sea.Foster ran to the opposite side of the destroyed Crystal, while everyone was not paying attention.

In his hand is a bone machete, which seems to be used by the chef of the Crystal to cook.

Siles' heart skipped a beat.

Because of Qindo's voice, many people have noticed Foster's figure, but they don't know what happened, and they don't even know that the person who is running towards the sea is Foster.

Garrett has indeed reacted, but Garrett is still fighting with Captain Golden, and he will be unable to get away for a while.

Siles whispered almost without thinking: "Determine the will attribute of Foster Langhe."

Qin Duo was about to make a move, but when he heard what he said, he stopped and looked at him.

Everything around me seemed to slow down.Every time Siles made a judgment, the world seemed to be waiting for the choice he made.

[Keeper of the Secret, Foster Langhe (follower of the old god) is making a will judgment. 】

【Will: 45/...】

Siles was almost taken aback.When he came to Middleton last time, because of the problematic ceramics from Bethune University, he made a will judgment for everyone who was dining at the time.

At that time, Foster Langhe's will attribute left him a very deep impression. This young man has a will attribute as high as 72.But now, his will attribute is only 45.

……what happened?What caused Foster's self-perception to drift?

He also noticed how the dice defined Foster Longey's identity.During the last judgment, he remembered that Foster's identity should be a student of Bethune University, but this time, his identity is already a follower of the old god.

Siles sighed in his heart, and then chose the lowest one among the scattered choices provided by the dice.

【Will: 45/30, success. 】

[The fate of the family is always in a constant cycle, like a curse.The young man thought of his great-grandfather, and thought of himself.What did he get that made him so crazy now?The important thing is that he suddenly realized that his own death can not bring anything. 】

Foster Runcie stopped suddenly and stood there dumbfounded.The waves beat against the sand, occasionally passing his feet, and it was so cold that he shivered.

"Successful?" Qin Duo asked in a low voice.

"Just stopped him temporarily." Siles replied.

The rest of the people also slowly realized that except for the crew of the Crystal, everyone else basically walked towards Foster.Garrett also pushed Golden away, got up in a bit of embarrassment and wrung out the muddy water on his jacket before following their footsteps.

Siles glanced at everyone present and noticed that the two sailors were still missing.He asked Qindo in a low voice, and Qindo said that the two just came out to check the situation after the storm, and then returned to the tent.

Siles couldn't help frowning slightly. He glanced at the campsite in the middle of the isolated island, and then asked Qindo to go back and take a look in a low voice. After all, all their supplies were stored there.

Qin Duo understood, called Isaac, and the two left together.

The rest walked to Foster's side.

Speaking of "the rest", in fact, there were only Sirius, Johnny, Alpert, Garrett, Nigel, and Captain Golden who followed, a total of six people.

Garrett stepped up and gave Foster a rough shove.And Foster was in a daze, being pushed by him like this, he fell directly into the muddy water on the beach.His face was splashed with dirty rain, but his pale face remained expressionless and dull.

After a while, he suddenly reached out and wiped his face.

Garrett looked at him condescendingly for a moment, then said something.

Alpert hurried up to support Foster, and wiped his face.He plucked up the courage to say something to Garrett, but quickly lowered his head again, and just helped Foster up without saying a word.

"Garrett said that this person is completely hopeless." Johnny was translating for Siles, "and Alpert said that Garrett's attitude doesn't have to be so extreme."

While he was translating, Alpert helped Foster up from the ground, but Foster seemed to be completely collapsed, and Alpert alone could not support him.

Garrett obviously didn't intend to help, and Nigel originally planned to help, but at this moment, an unexpected figure suddenly stepped forward and supported Foster's other side.

...is Gordon.

Golden looked even enthusiastic. He took Foster's hand and put it on his shoulder, while the other hand grabbed Foster's armpit.Without even needing Alpert, Golden alone held Foster in place.

Alpert looked at this man with some surprise.

Gordon gave an almost benign smile, a smile that seemed rather false on his still dirty face.He said something.

Johnny translated under his breath: "He said Foster was his employer after all."

Several people were in a stalemate for a moment, and then walked towards the campsite at the same time.Garrett walked up to Siles, and seemed to want to say something, but finally looked at Johnny, and just choked out a sentence.

"The Marlin is on its way," Johnny translated.

Although the tone Johnny translated was statemental, Siles knew Garrett was actually trying to confirm the question: Is the Marlin on its way?

"Yes. Now we can only count on the Marlin." Sirius whispered.

Johnny translated the sentence to Garrett.Garrett breathed a sigh of relief.

Siles looked at the crowd on the isolated island with a slightly worried gaze.He wondered how long it would take for the Marin to come over.Now the Crystal is completely destroyed, and their supplies can only allow them to stay on the isolated island for a day or two.

...Of course, if it is really not possible, then he can only use the pasture area of ​​Kanyo Farm.The crops in pastoral areas can be grown in an instant and brought out to reality.At least that doesn't kill people, being a follower of Akamala is another matter.

Thinking, Siles looked at Foster again.

Supported by Golden, Foster walked like a walking dead.The strange thing is that not long ago, Foster was in high spirits, arguing with Golden, but now the two of them are quite close together, showing similar depression by coincidence.

Siles looked at Foster for a moment.He thought of a detail mentioned by the dice when it was judged just now.

What did Foster get to make him what he is now?When did he get it, and what was it?

Siles reminded himself to look back at the question.Now Foster seems completely uncommunicative, and Alpert talks to him anxiously, and Foster doesn't respond at all.

When they returned to their campsite in the middle of the island, they realized that things were a little more complicated than they thought.

Cendo and Isaac stood there, and there were two people lying or kneeling beside them.The two sailors.

Cendo saw Sirius come back, strode to his side, and then explained in a low voice what happened.As he spoke, Johnny translated.

After Siles noticed that the two sailors were missing, Cindo returned to the campsite with Isaac.The crew of the Crystal was still on the shore checking the damage of the Crystal and putting out the fire; while others were attracted by the sudden movement of Foster.

In other words, there was a time when only the two sailors were left in the camp.

And they did make some moves.They set fire to the tent where the food was stored.The rain has almost stopped now, but the wind is still strong.When Qindo and Isaac came over, some of the supplies had already been burned.

"We checked the food and water reserves. Some vegetables and rice have been burned to ashes. It may only last until tomorrow." Qin Duo paused, "But there is still a lot of wine, probably from Captain Golden Stock up."

When he said this, his tone was actually quite sarcastic, but the translation lost the meaning.Captain Golden gave a cheer of joy.

It's hard to say what the captain is thinking now, he seems a little crazy, as if he has entered a desperate situation, and it seems that he has experienced the joy and joy of being overwhelmed at this moment.He even laughed out loud, taking a few sips from the flagon hanging from his belt from time to time.

He let go of Foster.But Alpert didn't bother to help Foster at this time.

Alpert stared blankly at the two sailors, then at the partially burned supply tent, belatedly showing a trace of consternation and fear.He even trembled.

At this moment, Foster suddenly moved, and he hugged Alpert's foot.

Alpert screamed at this moment, he almost kicked Foster away subconsciously, but the next second he realized what happened, so he suppressed his fear and asked Foster anxiously.Foster responded with a low voice.

Johnny said from the side: "Foster wants to go back to the tent to rest, let Alpert help him."

Alpert looked flustered and at a loss now. This cowardly young man couldn't find a place for himself in this chaotic situation. He froze for a moment, and then instinctively helped Foster up. up.

Foster seemed to have regained some strength as he stood up.

Suddenly, he looked at Siles and said, "...Professor." His voice was very soft, like a ghost, "If possible, later...can I talk to you?"

"Of course," said Siles. "I'm free anytime."

Foster nodded almost invisible. He looked at the destroyed Crystal again. After looking at it for a while, he took out a key from the inside pocket of his clothes and threw it on the ground.

Gordon's expression twisted for a moment.

But Foster didn't seem to care at all, and he returned to his tent with the help of Alpert.

"What does he want to talk to you about?" Qin Duo couldn't help asking.

Siles shook his head, he had some guesses in his mind, but it was hard to say what Foster was thinking during this period of time.

After that, the scene froze for a moment.Everyone seems to be thinking, or thinking about nothing.

After a while, Golden moved first. He moved his steps, took some firewood and a bottle of spirits, the slight smell of gunpowder smoke from the matches brought a little spark, and he lit the bonfire again.

Flames burst into flames, illuminating Captain Golden's expressionless face.

Some of the Crystal's crew have also returned.They were all weak, and they didn't understand how their lives suddenly became like this.

Gordon looked up at the group of people, and suddenly, he burst out laughing, and after talking for a long time, he threw bottles of spirits to the crew.

Johnny whispered, "He said it's the end time, friends. Now, let's party. It's the night of the dead, it's the night of the dead. Now, friends, drink , come dance, come sing, let's get drunk."

The sailors on the Crystal clapped sporadically, then cheered.They were the first to join Golden, while the cooks went to the tent to get supplies for dinner.

But Garrett stopped them first.He grabbed Isaac and decided to make a detailed count of how many supplies were left.

Cindo, together with Johnny and Nigel, tied up the two malicious sailors with ropes.No one mentioned when they would be let go, and everyone seemed to agree to the silent death of these two men.

… Siles stood there, lowered his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose somewhat with a headache.

"The Marlin will be here soon." Cinder walked up to him and whispered, "Don't worry too much."

Siles nodded.He looked at the group of people who seemed to be in a doomsday carnival, and at the Crystal that had been blackened by the flames.After a while, he whispered, "Gage Island."

Qin Duo was taken aback.

"Snake in the Mist, Island Whale...I've been thinking about what the Snake in the Mist is." Siles said in a low voice, "And now, going backwards, storms, fog, isolated islands... the Snake in the Mist."

Qin Duo thought for a while, and then sighed: "You'd better stop being a fool."

Celes smiled.

He said, "Lightning." He paused, then added, "From the sky, 'the Serpent.'"

Qin Duo was surprised to hear this statement, and he subconsciously looked at the sky that was gradually being dyed red by the setting sun.Not long ago, there were strong winds, torrential rain, lightning and thunder.Lightning even struck the Crystal, leaving the ship now a pool of ashes on the edge of the island.

"...boat." Qin Duo suddenly realized.

"Yes." Siles nodded, "In Hed Dreyson's dream, the image of the big ship and the whale overlapped a bit. Ships traveling on the ocean are like fish in water, just like whales swimming in the sea. They will bring a feast of food and harvest to the residents on the shore."

Qin Duo was also lost in thought.

Siles continued: "In the material I read before from Hurd, the northerner who went out to sea to find the island of Gutch, he said that he saw with his own eyes a huge snake whose head arched their heads. The boat... I have never been able to understand what kind of scene this is.

"Is there really a giant snake in the sea, is the giant snake a living mysterious creature? But... now I seem to understand. The giant snake does exist, but it is not real. It is an illusory point.

"I thought maybe they had a storm and lightning hit their boat and it capsized or something and they ended up on an island by accident.

"That should be the Paradise of Themiafah, but it may not be the place where Themiafah itself dwells. It may be similar to the 'bubble' of the deep sea dream, the 'shadow' of the Temple of Belan. They 'fit' the requirements , so they get into it.

"...'Serpent in the Mist' did take them to the rumored paradise of the North."

The Serpent of the Mist dwells among the islands which the Whale became, and this island is the Isle of Gotch, the Land of the North, the Paradise of the Old Gods.

...After the heavy fog, the lightning brought by the storm hit the ship moored beside the isolated island.People are stranded on isolated islands with only enough supplies to survive for a day or two.This is the last carnival before the end.

Amid the laughter of people drinking and eating meat not far away, Qin Duo was silent for a long time.

Finally, he whispered: "This 'Northern Paradise' doesn't sound very 'happy' either."

Siles felt that Cendo's statement was a little funny, but the thought made him feel heavy.

He thought of the diary of Dua, a worker who built a temple, that they had read earlier when they first met Cindo.

Dua got up at night and noticed the grotesque in the shadow of the temple.He almost stepped into the shadows behind the temple that night, but he did narrowly escape.He missed the Temple of Belan, whether it was luck or misfortune.

These paradises of the old gods all have their own symbolic meanings, as well as their own entry conditions.

The deep sea dream can only be entered when dreaming; the Tau cemetery only houses the souls who died in a foreign land; Conan Fremont was once rejected by the Mojache Hills...

In the past many, many years, the poor people decided to go to sea, pursue the distant ancient legends, and look for the rumored island where the snake in the mist inhabits.How many people can realize the essence of "Snake in the Mist", and how many people can understand the essence of "Northern Paradise"?

Now they have inadvertently met the requirements of Gotch Island.

Now, the isolated island looks normal; but, in the short time to come, won't there really be a complete change here?

Siles and Qindo were silent for a moment.

Qin Duo breathed a sigh of relief, and he said: "I will contact the Marin and ask them to come over as soon as possible... Two ships, it should be. One ship will let us move on, and one ship will take some people back. "

Siles nodded.

Qin Duo thought about it for a while, and he asked somewhat puzzled: "Why is the Temiya ceremony related to Lightning?"

Siles stared at the ashes of the once beautiful ship.He also thought for a moment, and then said, "Maybe it's... fire."

Lightning strikes trees, or whatever, and brings fire.People are treasured in that moment.That brings warmth, but also...cooked goodness.

Perhaps lightning inadvertently struck a fish and sent people the first grilled fish?This is just a funny guess unintentionally generated by Siles, but it doesn't seem particularly ridiculous when it's connected with Temia Law.

After all, in that distant and ancient age, in that dark and ignorant age, people really needed such a light that pierced the sky.

Although today, things have changed.The old gods have turned away from the stage of history.

They stood in silence for a while longer, witnessing a sunset over the sea, before returning to eat by the campfire.To be honest, if it weren't for this chaotic situation, it would be quite romantic to watch the sunset over the sea with your lover.

It's a pity that they are all absent-minded now, and have no time to experience this romance. They are so angry that the sun left the distant coastline early.

Night fell.The revelers also slowly calmed down.Suddenly, Golden started to cry loudly. He was obviously drunk, and the whole person seemed delirious. He muttered a lot of words, and tears washed down his face over and over again.

The crew of the Crystal was a little calmer than the captain.Each of them maintained a silent, empty expression, disengaged from the carnival, just staring at the jumping bonfire.After the storm, everyone seems to have been washed over.

Garrett Gielgud kicked Golden and swore at him.Johnny translated to tell Golden to be quiet.But these words even had the opposite effect, and Gordon simply cried even harder.

Garrett frowned irritably, and held up a hand to let some of the Crystal's sailors carry Golden into his own tent, so he wouldn't get in the way outside.Golden probably felt tired, as soon as he entered the tent, his voice completely disappeared.

The group of people outside also gradually quieted down.They have a conversation.

Things are getting tense these days.A storm destroyed the Crystal, which meant they were temporarily unable to leave the isolated island.

During the conversation, Garrett also mentioned the Marlin.However, the storm has just passed, and even if the Marlin is to come, it will be at least tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.The port will be closed the day after the storm, and it is impossible to go to sea at this time, unless the Marlin never returns.

Of course, other people are more or less concerned about the current position of the Marin.Their questions weren't answered patiently by Garrett though...and given Garrett's character, no one was surprised.

No one realized that Garrett had no idea what the Marlin was doing either.When mentioning this matter, he always inadvertently glanced at the positions of Siles and Qindo.

As for their current life on the isolated island, the good news is that they have made statistics, and the current supplies can at least last them until tomorrow night; and starving for a day is not a big deal, so if the Marin can arrive the day after tomorrow, That would be great.

If the Marlin hasn't arrived the day after tomorrow, then they have to think about fishing and the like.Fortunately, they are backed by the sea, and they can get good ingredients by catching the sea.

…and the bad news is that there is not enough drinking water.

If cooking and cooking can still rely on sea water to barely survive, the lack of clean drinking water is a very bad problem.

There were plenty of drinking water reserves on the Crystal, but unfortunately, when the storm hit, they didn't move down completely; in addition, the two sailors also deliberately spilled some drinking water when they set fire to it.This has led to the current embarrassing situation.

Johnny translated Garrett's words: "We only have a bucket of clean water left. Even if we save some water, we have twenty or thirty people now, and it will be almost the same by tomorrow. Starting tomorrow afternoon, everyone will have a drink. Thirst mentally prepared."

Everyone was silent for a moment.

Suddenly, a sailor of the Crystal said something, which was echoed by many drunken people around, and the scene even became chaotic for a while.

Garrett stared at the sailor for a moment, then kicked him to the ground.The sailor's wailing suddenly overwhelmed the laughter of the others, and a subtle, suffocating sense of oppression spread.

"The sailor said wine could be used for water," Johnny translated hastily, "and Garrett made him sober up. Now it's time for reality. We're on an island struggling to survive."

In the silence, Garrett clapped his hands expressionlessly, said a short word, probably meaning "the meeting is over", then turned and left.

Nigel was the first to keep up with him.Soon, the rest of the people also stood up and returned to their tents.In the end, there were only a few sailors who were still planning to laugh and carnival around the campfire, and the two sailors who were still tied up.

After the crew of the Crystal learned what the two sailors had done, they all showed malicious expressions towards the two sailors.By everyone's tacit consent, these two have been given up.

Siles and Qindo found the toiletries in the luggage of the tent, and took a brief wash.One thing that I don't know if it is good news is that at least they are close to the sea and don't have to worry about domestic water.

After washing, they were in no hurry to return to the tent.The dark night gradually covered the entire island.But now it's almost nine o'clock, and summer in the north always has long days.

Siles was waiting for Foster.

They walked around the isolated island, taking this opportunity, Qindo contacted the Praia family, still using a string of words in the blood manuscript.

Siles couldn't understand those symbols, and Cindo explained to him: "It means that travelers who travel far away from home write letters to their families to inquire about the situation."

Siles suddenly realized, he said: "It is indeed very suitable for our current situation."

From Siles' perspective, the string of characters seemed to form an envelope, and then the invisible hand pressed the small transparent wings and flew away quickly.

Siles: "..."

He suddenly began to doubt what was determined by what he could see in his field of vision.He always felt that this manifested invisible power seemed too lively.

Wait, "lively".

…Okay, he suddenly realized where this subtle familiarity was coming from.

dice.he thinks.

He could hardly help sighing inwardly.

Soon, they were back at the campsite in the middle of the island.They went to check on the condition of the two sailors, and then gave them each a small mouthful of water to avoid any accident.

The two sailors still looked very quiet and silent, as if they didn't do it at all when they set fire to drag everyone into the water.Judging from various situations, their inner activities may not be as simple as they appear.

Unfortunately, Siles was unable to communicate with them for the time being.

They waited another moment by the campfire.

At ten o'clock, Siles even felt a little sleepy.

He theoretically only slept for an hour last night, thinking about many things.Although Akamala's power did protect him, but the psychological sleepiness, coupled with the day's running around, also made him feel exhausted inevitably.

He quietly looked at the campfire.

Qin Duo turned his head to look at him, and then said: "You go to bed first? Who knows when Foster will come to see you. I can wait for him outside."

"...It's okay." Siles closed his eyes and whispered.

Qin Duo frowned, and was about to continue persuading him, but at this moment, the zipper of Foster's tent was suddenly pulled open.Two people, Foster and Alpert, came out.

Later, Garrett and Nigel also came out of the tent.Probably hearing the movement outside, Isaac also poked his head out of the tent to check the situation.

So not long after, the first few members of the team reunited somewhere in the isolated island.

They lit a bonfire alone, not far from the campsite, and confirmed that they could notice each other's movements at a glance.

Foster obviously planned to communicate with Siles alone, but so many people followed him, which made him show a dissatisfied and irritable expression.His condition seemed to have recovered a lot, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking.

Garrett said something.

Johnny was still translating: "He said, he hasn't questioned Foster yet, why did he walk to the sea alone this afternoon."

Foster was silent for a moment, then suddenly took a deep breath.He said a word, with a firm meaning.

Almost as soon as he said this, Nigel suddenly turned his head to look at him, showing an incredulous expression.

Alpert sat beside Foster with his head bowed, his expression was shrouded in darkness and had not been illuminated by the bonfire.

Because of the Praia family's business, Cindo can understand some commonly used Middleton words.Of course, during the trip, he never showed this, all because he didn't know Middleton at all.But at this moment, he couldn't help staring at Foster for a while.

"...He said that he was polluted by the shadow of the old god." When Johnny translated, he also had a little incredible thought.

Followers of the Old Gods never have this self-knowledge.If Foster can realize that he is polluted, then he can get rid of this pollution...at least in theory.

Wondering, Siles thought, if the "reincarnation" ritual spread to Middleton.

Should the church of the past promote this ceremony in Middleton?

As he mused, he listened as Johnny continued to translate the dialogue in the scene.

"...Garrett asked, so you admit that the behavior of the afternoon is because you have gone completely crazy? Foster said, yes, I am indeed crazy, but maybe not that crazy. So I want to talk to Professor Noel talk.

"Garrett asked why it had to be Professor Noel. Foster said, because I trust this professor."

After translating to this point, Johnny couldn't help but look at Siles.It should be said that everyone looked at Siles, including Foster and Garrett.

There is a subtle scrutiny in Garrett's gaze, but it can't be called hostility.There is a kind of clarity in his eyes that only those who know well can understand.

He seems to think that since Siles is Mr. Ghost's "doll", then Mr. Ghost may have dealt with Foster long ago, which is why Foster trusts Siles so much.

... Maybe at a certain moment, he felt the same feeling in his heart, as well as a subtle, "I know more than you" complacency.

So he shrugged his shoulders and made a gesture of letting go.It seems that this conversation is imperative, and everyone realizes it.

Siles and Foster went not far away alone, a place where they could be seen by others but could not hear their conversation.

Cendo originally wanted to follow, but Foster insisted on talking to Siles alone, so Cendo stood there reluctantly, staring at them, for fear that Foster would do something radical.

But Foster looked very calm at this time.

He remained expressionless and didn't even speak for the first time.He didn't look at Sirius.

After a while, he said, "Professor, what I want to tell you is: Sorry. I want to apologize to you."

Siles froze for a moment.

"...I shouldn't have invited you to take part in this journey. From the beginning, I knew what was going to happen...something would change." Foster's voice was very soft, "You see, I didn't even Seasick. That's not what the family says."

seasick.The word reminded Siles of that letter from Foster.It seems that the Langhe family has always told the younger generation that their family has a tradition of seasickness, so family members would not go to sea when they were young.

However, Foster broke this statement with his own personal experience.In fact, they didn't suffer from seasickness.

Foster closed his eyes, and then said, "Things have been wrong...from a long time ago. Or maybe, it was me...I don't know. Maybe I have indeed gone crazy...Sorry, Professor, I don't know what to do. What to say... I think I owe you an apology.

"...was for yesterday...or the day before yesterday...no, yesterday. I don't remember exactly. It was for that time, when I offended you on deck. I shouldn't have said that...you were right Yes. I've realized... death...

"But that's not enough, it should be said... I can't say it's enough for me to die... I know what it means, the ocean, is waiting for me... I know, I do feel it too... But I You should not be involved, you are totally innocent...

"This is my family...my family's mission, our responsibility. I was so excited that many unrelated people got involved...but it was too late, we have already come here..."

Foster's dreamlike words appeared incessantly.Siles even had to listen carefully to understand what Foster had said.

"Why do you think it's too late?" he asked.

Foster stopped abruptly.He stared at Siles for a moment with an almost nervous expression, and then said: "Do you think it's still too late? No, no, it's too late. You know that too."

Siles maintained a calm expression. He thought that at this time he could no longer provoke Foster, but he did need to ask some questions from Foster.

He asked: "We can wait for the Marlin to appear later. You know Marlin..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Foster immediately said, "Yes! I know! But it's too late! Impossible! We're out of time! No, it's not just us...what, it's too late !"

Siles could not help but pause.In the leaping bonfire, he could just catch glimpses of Foster's crazy, bewildered eyes.

He could not help but feel a subtle sigh when he thought of his earlier meeting with Foster.

"...what have you got, Foster?" he finally asked the question.

Foster's face froze suddenly.It should be said that his whole body froze and froze at this moment.He seemed completely unaware that Sirius would ask that question.

"...Before you set off." Siles observed his expression, and at the same time took a small step back without any trace, "Did you get something from the family?"

Foster fell into a long silence, his expression alternately contorted and calm; he slowly broke into a strange smile.His voice also became a little strange, as if he was stuck, and he seemed to speak in such a deliberate manner.

He said, "Yes, that's right. I did, got it, from the past