The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

Alfonso naturally paused at the "guillotine", and then went on to say: "I have to say that the number of countries and cities that actually use this punishment may be a little less than you imagine."

Siles came back to his senses and asked, "Because this is a rather cruel punishment?"

"Yes...but it's not just because of this." Alfonso replied, "In the older era, when the old gods were still alive, people would be more inclined to use the power of the gods to punish criminals.

"In the true sense, or in the modern sense...laws, courts, and trials may not appear until the Silent Era. At that time, a country can truly get rid of the influence of the old gods."

Siles's heart moved, thinking of the records he had read about Dormaine, the kingdom of God in Akamala.

In those materials, Dormaine's internal trial and punishment system is to let criminals sink into nightmares; the more serious the crime, the more terrifying the nightmare will be.

Although there are not many countries recognized as the "Kingdom of God" of the old gods, people at that time were more or less influenced by the power of the old gods and this belief.

Different countries may choose completely different methods of trial and punishment because of different mainstream beliefs within the country.

On this basis, in the age when the old gods still existed, beheading for public display-this bloody and straightforward approach became an indirect choice.They do exist, but are less common.

If it is a world without supernatural powers, then the practice of beheading for public display can be used to warn people not to commit illegal and criminal acts; however, in the world of supernatural powers, there are other frightening things here, which are floating in the air. invisible shadows.

The old gods oppressed and ruled the former Fisher world, and they were the source of people's fear.

Alfonso went on to say: "So, after the fall of the old gods, this kind of punishment became a little more common. In the silent period or later, when some countries were just established, they may need this practice to maintain social order.

"If I remember correctly, the Duchy of Constance carried out a legal reform in the last century, canceling some bloody and brutal punishments and replacing them with imprisonment or other methods.

"...Some people think that with the fall of the old gods and the disappearance of the influence of the old gods, people begin to care about the dignity of the same kind, even if it is a criminal; punishment. This is a topic of endless debate.

"Oh, it's a bit off topic. In short, before the fall of the old gods, in those more remote villages or tribes that didn't care about the world, or in small cities, beheading was indeed a custom that often appeared.

"Actually, it's a form of torture; I don't know much about it. Humans have always been creative in torturing their own kind.

"However, this is a way of death. Therefore, some people think that the early executioners were probably followers of Thaddeus. They were practicing it with their own hands, or in other words, they were close to 'death'."

Siles nodded thoughtfully, and he couldn't help asking: "Is there any evidence for this statement?"

"No." Alfonso spread his hands helplessly, "You know, sometimes such guesses are just hearsay, or...because this matter is related to death, so this matter is related to 'death'."

Alfonso's statement made Siles laugh.

He thought of death.

Regarding Thaddeus, the god of death and calamity, this can also be said to be a rather mysterious god.

He maintains a relationship that is neither near nor far between believers and human beings.Death is always something more terrible and more distant, and so does the god of death.

One question that caught Sirius' attention at this moment was, why would "Shadow" choose his father over death?Did He want some authority or power from death?

In the statement that "death and the stars gave birth to a child, and life cursed the child and broke with the two gods", both Ruthmi and Pessonari are quite prominent, but Thaddeus is rarely was noticed.

Why did Thaddeus get involved in this matter?

...that grave bag.Siles realized.It might be necessary for him to go to the oasis in the mist, to see if it was possible to get some information from the population of that tribe.

In Herman Grove's narration about that oasis and that tribe, he mentioned that they did not understand the language of the aborigines in this tribe.Therefore, their observations there and their guesses about the tomb are actually quite one-sided.

Just like Siles' speculation about Alfonso's past experience.If it hadn't been confirmed by Alfonso himself that those who followed him were out to kill him, then Siles might have always believed that Alfonso was deliberately driven into the mist.

But in fact, the group of people Alfonso met and the group of people encountered by the archaeological team did not have the same goals; maybe they did meet together by chance, but they belonged to two forces.

Therefore, regarding the tomb bag, Siles thought it was necessary for him to know what the "participant" said.

...Of course, it does not refer to the "shadow" party.

He pulled the topic away from the guillotine and said, "Alfonso, are you going to... go back to that oasis?"

Alfonso was silent for a moment, then nodded, he said: "Yes. I met many people in the mist, some left with me not long ago, and some are still in the mist.

"I think it's necessary for me to check on them too. I'm also very interested in oases in the mist. I think it's a terrible and interesting mystery.

"...In addition, I am also guessing whether the group of people who chased me knew the existence of this place. Whether they died because of this. Therefore, I want to explore the secrets of this place even more."

Siles nodded, he could understand Alfonso's mood, and he said, "However, have you found a companion now?"

Alfonso shook his head with a wry smile: "Some explorers even think I'm crazy. I have miraculously left the fog, but now I want to go back.

"Also, there are indeed some explorers who are willing to accompany me. But their attitude is quite disgusting. Let me tell you this by the way, that is... about the impact of the 'return to self' ritual in the land of no embers .”

Siles asked sharply, "Is there any explorer who is ready to touch the fog?"

"It's not just ready to move, they have begun to enter some areas... that they didn't dare to enter before." Alfonso said, "Some people succeed, some people fail. But success means wealth."

In the darkness of the Everlands, both of them fell silent for a moment.

"...you'll hear about it later, Professor. It's really nothing to do with you. It's just a weapon—no, it should be said, a medicine for wounds. Whether the person using it is a good person or a bad person, It's out of your control."

Siles nodded slowly, and he simply said: "I understand."

"There are people who want to go to the mist with me. They may think that I have already been there once, so it is safer to go with me. However, I don't think such people are suitable for this journey." Alfonso He shook his head with a wry smile.

He returned to sit on the sofa opposite Siles, and then showed a tired expression.

He said, "Professor, I don't even think I need to do this. I feel very...hesitant. Should I really seek out this secret? Or, at least, everything seems to be calm now.

"Perhaps, it is also a good choice for me to go directly back to Lamifa City and enjoy a relaxing life. I don't need to stay in the Land of No Embers.

"The group of people failed before, but maybe someone will come after me later. Maybe I should take advantage of the present and escape to a place where they can't find me. The country to the west, or the country to the north, or the experience of going over the mountains , to the country to the south.

"...In short, if they can't find me, I can enjoy life with peace of mind. Maybe they also hope that I will no longer appear in the Land of Embers, which is like death.

"However, it seems that there is a terrible, hot flame burning in my heart and brain. If I escape like this, it seems that my soul will die along with this flame.

"...I want revenge."

The word popped out of the folklorist's mouth and disappeared abruptly from his anguished, oppressed face.

"All the questions come back to who wants to kill you." Siles whispered.

"Yes." Alfonso said in a rather cold tone, "I have some guesses... Do you think it has something to do with the Hales House? It has something to do with the tribal ruins we once entered?"

Siles considered it for a moment, and then said: "I have such a guess, Alfonso."

Alfonso said: "You can speak up."

"You have entered that tribal relic... or, in other words, the 'shadow' of the Belan Temple." Siles said, "Under normal circumstances, this can only happen to believers of the gods."

Alfonso showed a confused expression.

"...that is, when the old gods still exist, only believers of the gods can enter the paradise of the gods."

Alfonso frowned, and his tone almost retorted fiercely: "But I'm not a believer in Huddoca!"

"Of course you are not." Siles' tone remained calm, which also made Alfonso calm down a little, "Now the power of the gods is dissipated and free, so anyone can touch the power of the gods and enter To the paradise of the gods.

"But the crux of the matter is that followers of the Old Gods may not think so."

Alfonso was stunned for a moment, then murmured in a low voice: "They will regard me as a devout believer of gods."

"Even, someone who has the power of the gods." Siles said.

This is not nonsense.After Siles entered the deep sea dream for the first time, he mentioned this to Mr. Grenfell; at that time, Grenfell warned him not to let other people know about it.

People fear the power of the gods, but some people also yearn for the power of the gods.Now that the old gods have fallen, if you really ask some human beings if they want to obtain this power without a master, then people are likely to be secretly moved.

In the case of Alfonso, he once made it known to everyone without realizing what the place he entered was.

This cannot be blamed on Alfonso, after all, he thought that he had really entered a tribal ruin that once existed—it did exist, but it was preserved in another unique form.

For some followers of the Old Gods behind the scenes, there's a good chance they knew about Alfonso's existence.In fact, the fact that Alfonso was able to successfully escape from the heart-shaped canyon at the beginning also proved that in the eyes of some people, Alfonso's identity may be very important.

At that time, the followers of Huddorca let Alfonso go; however, after the destruction of Hales House, after the mysterious Mr. Dreyson went to the sea to the north, Alfonso became a "shadow" The thorn in the flesh of the believers.

If Alfonso was really allowed to control the paradise and power of Huddoka, wouldn't the "Shadow" lose part of its power instead?

It just so happened that this group of "shadow" believers planned to make some big moves in May of this year. Before that, they naturally might want to kill the grass.

Alfonso gradually became thoughtful: "...my identity seems quite embarrassing. Some people think that I am a follower of the old gods, but the followers of the old gods are not a unity with the same goal, and there are differences among them.

"So, before what you just mentioned, before the May event, they will want to do something to eliminate me as an uncertain factor. However, I accidentally discovered their hidden secret .

"...that graveyard, that oasis."

He smiled coldly and said, "In this case, I want to go back there even more to find out."

Siles stared at him for a moment, then said, "I hope you will be happy to let me go with you."

Alfonso was startled, he subconsciously wanted to refute this, thinking that the place was really not safe enough, but he remained silent in the end.After a moment, he said, "Thank you, Professor."

Siles shook his head. He said, "This is what I should do. Alfonso, as a friend, I hope you will remain sane. You don't need...and you shouldn't, torture yourself with this mystery.

"Whatever happened in that place, we can finally unravel the mystery and discover the ultimate truth."

Alfonso showed a bitter and sincere expression."It's like Hales House," he said.

"Like Hales House," whispered Sirius.

Alfonso's mental state does not seem to be very good. Although he is still using the "reincarnation" ritual, he is still haunted by the dark past.This has nothing to do with his will.

Siles could only comfort this old friend.He wondered if it was necessary to reveal the identity of Mr. Ghost and what he was doing to Alfonso.His old friend was evidently quite a formidable helper.

But Alfonso's current state of mind made him feel that it might not be too late to wait until the oasis matter is resolved.Today's Alfonso may not be able to stand too much information stimulation.

They chatted about other things, some ordinary life.Siles and Alfonso mentioned the Geisha grocery store, which made Alfonso deeply aware of the great changes in Ramifa City.

As the night darkened, Siles bid farewell to Alfonso.

Before leaving, Alfonso suddenly mentioned: "When are we going to leave, Professor?"

Siles originally agreed with Alfonso that the deadline for meeting was July 7, but now he came here several days earlier, half a month before the start of school, so the time seemed less urgent.However, Alfonso was obviously in a hurry.

"Maybe the day after tomorrow," Siles finally replied, "if Cyndo comes over in time."

"...the day after tomorrow," Alfonso said, looking relieved, "I see. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," Sirius said.

He first went to the counter downstairs to book a single room for two nights, and then went to his own room.In the quiet room, he turned on the light, sat on the sofa, and thought about this conversation with Alfonso.

Alfonso was unaware of the existence of the "Shadow", so he thought it was a dispute among the followers of the Old Gods.But for Siles, if the element of "shadow" is mixed in, then things become more complicated.

The masterminds behind the Hales House incident—those Huddoka or Menawaka believers—seem to have only a half-knowledge of the existence of the "Shadow".

They don't fully understand what happened when Huddoka fell, they just know that "the followers of Huddoka caused the fall of Huddoka" and "the followers of Menawaka took advantage of Huddoka's Believers" statement.

They don't know the truth, so they speculate "whether it is possible that Huddoka swallowed Menawaka".

In this way, the followers of the old god who knew the existence of the "shadow" and those who did not know the existence of the "shadow" were divided into different camps.The former peers into the world of ordinary people, as well as the world of followers of the Old Gods, at the same time.

Siles tried to put himself in the position of the believers of "Shadow" to think about the thoughts and actions of this group of people.

Siles wasn't sure if this group of people knew that the "Shadow" was a god from outside Fisher's world. He tended to think that this group of people didn't know, and even the dice didn't directly reveal the identity of the "Shadow", but instead After Siles realized it himself, he gave a confirmed answer.

And judging from the various manifestations of "Shadow", it seems that this god himself intends to replace Taotao and appear as a local god in Fisher's world.

Therefore, for its believers, they are likely to think that this god is a "later god" who was unknown and hidden in the dark corner of history in the long past.

...However, Siles turned to think that the information these believers received might also be incomplete and confusing.

Some of them may know about the "Children of Death and the Stars" and regard this as the true origin of "Shadow".But some might even think that the "shadow" is the derivative existence of some gods after the Shadow Period and the Silence Period.

The group of believers on the Furiou Sea seemed to regard "Shadow" as the new owner of Gochi Island, replacing Temiafa's position.

In any case, as long as you learn about or realize the existence of this god through various methods, then its believers are likely to fall into a state of devotion in a short period of time.After all, an unknown god, one who has been dormant for days, is quite exciting.

If a person discovers a secret, he may feel proud and complacent; if a group of people discovers a secret, they may form an unbreakable organization.

The composition of "Shadow" believers can be quite complicated.

Some of them may originally believe in other gods, but because of spiritual pollution or their own reasons, they finally converted to "shadow".Such believers will bear indelible traces of old beliefs.

Some may not be believers, but consciously or unintentionally learned some concepts related to "shadow", or documents.They may just simply believe in this unknown god.

And some... They may not even be called "Shadow" believers, but simply stand on the opposite side of Anti-Nam.

In fact, Sirius has always known that there are many humans in this world who oppose Antinam.Among these humans, there are followers of the old gods, and there are also people who are simply unwilling to let humans continue to be ruled by the gods.

And if this group is combined with the existence of "shadows", the situation will become even more complicated and difficult to distinguish.

Do those who oppose Antinam know the existence of "Shadow"?

It is more likely that some people know and some people don't, which is similar to the situation of the followers of the old gods mentioned above.

Siles had to wonder if there were followers of the "Shadow" who were behind the scenes, further fueling human's resentment towards Anti-Nam, even though Anti-Nam was already so low-key.

He even suspected that there might be a little personal emotion in it.

As we all know, Antinam is "the only god in this world".However, "Shadow" also exists, and it is also a god.

One is high and worshiped; the other is little known and hidden in the dark.Based on the comparison of such situations, Siles believed that those crazy believers must be angry at the existence of Anti-Nam.

However, in the final analysis, if this kind of organized and large-scale action is to be carried out, then the "Shadow" group of believers needs a leader, a group of high-level leaders, to discuss and decide what they need to do next.

... Is there really such a central figure?Siles had to think about it.

Judging from all kinds of information and analysis, believers of "Shadow" seem to be somewhat independent.However, they seem to have a tacit cooperation attitude with each other.

For example, what happened in Lamifa City and Furiou Sea at the same time in May, Siles didn't think that the Graves family alone could do it.They must still have a partner, but they didn't find it out, and they couldn't ask it from the Graves family.

If such a person, or a family, or a group really exists, then he (they) is likely to have a relatively close connection with the "shadow".Siles can observe the movement of "Shadow" from its actions.

"Shadow" wants to plunder the authority of "fate" in this world, but according to Dice, his patience seems to be exhausted.How long Amoys' will can continue to resist is still unknown.

Once the "Shadow" can no longer be restrained in the Sea of ​​Follou, once the "Shadow" starts to do it himself, then the world of Fisher may have no power to fight back.

The problem is, they don't even know when The Shadow will strike.

Moreover, there are still some humans in Fisher's world who believe in this terrible and evil god.They are offering sacrifices to the Shadow.

Although Siles is not sure how much help this sacrifice can bring to "Shadow", judging from the sacrifice in the storm he spied at the beginning, at least "Shadow" did appear, which means that this This act of sacrifice can be regarded as a kind of help to the "shadow".

One ebbs and another. "Shadow" can gain power from such a sacrifice, but the situation of Amoys is completely unknown.

In addition, their exploration on the Follou Sea this time allowed them to discover that the "shadow" believers who had stayed on the isolated island seemed to have disappeared.This is not good news, and it further deepens the uneasiness in Siles' heart.

The future of this world is always shrouded in shadow.

Thinking of this, Sirius couldn't help sighing in his heart.He thought about what he needed to do next.

First of all, nature is an oasis in the mist.

His idea for this place is that it is best to destroy the grave bag and the unborn body of "Shadow"; at least learn about it from the aborigines of that tribe.This is a matter of urgency.

The second is the issue of "shadow" believers.

He realized that they should investigate this matter with a more active and positive attitude. They had to confirm the current situation of this group of crazy believers and their goals.They have to investigate clearly how many "shadow" believers there are.

The group of followers of the old gods who disappeared on the Fuliou Sea is the target they need to pay attention to.And in Lamifa City, the investigation about the Graves family is also an appropriate starting point.After Siles returns to Lamifa City, they can learn more about the relevant news.

In addition, the family information provided by Detective Jon also gave Siles some inspiration.He thought of the artist's section that Darrell Hobbs had joined in the salons of the Historical Society, and Mrs. Fuller's family business.

He thinks there may be some unexpected surprises in these information channels.He can let his companions join this investigation, which is good news.

All along, they have been aware of the conspiracy of the followers of the old gods, and then investigated, and finally stopped; but if they can be one step ahead and know the existence of this group of people first, then their conspiracy may not be so lethal up.

Apart from the above two things, another crucial thing before him was that he had to find a way to meet with Dice and Anti-Nam.They need to talk more candidly about it.

All along, Siles could only get some vague and unclear information from the dice through the sealed item.

"Shadows" spy on the real world, so they can't have too deep conversations in the real world.They can only scratch the surface, avoiding the attention of the "shadow" as much as possible.

But outside the world, in the dark "sesame paste", the "shadow" couldn't fully grasp their movements.

Dice told him about this a long time ago.But he has never been able to find a way, and the "right place".

Where is good enough?Paradise of the Old Gods?But Antinam seems unable to enter the deep sea dream...

and many more.

God's Paradise?

Siles was taken aback suddenly.

He suddenly realized a very important question: Does Antinam have a paradise?

Siles had heard of the existence of several paradises.

Kanyo Farm in Akamala, Tomb of Tau in Lycadia, Brotherhood of Assi in Amois, Temple of Belam in Huddaka, Isle of Gochi in Temiafa, Thaddeus The Mojacher Hills...

Without exception, it is the paradise of the old gods.This is the place where the old gods store their power, and it is also the residence where the old gods live.

It's hard to say whether this practice is common enough, whether every old god or even every god has such a paradise, but this paradise is indeed secret enough and safe enough.

And Antinam?

Siles thought for a while, and felt a subtle..."blank feeling".

The god of the past and history, the guardian of the space-time rift, Antinam.This god—the New God—had always given Celes a rather strange feeling.

On the one hand, this is indeed a god, and it can even be said to be the guardian of Fisher's world today.

He blessed the human civilization that was in trouble due to the outbreak of the fog of the Silent Period, and He also took various countermeasures when the "shadow" struck, including the inheritance of the Praia family, including He Jiayin's time travel and so on.

But on the other hand, this is a very non-existent god.It can be said that in Siles, "Shadow" has far more presence than Antinam.

...Uh, of course, Sires now knows that Anti-Nam is "mother", so it cannot be said that Anti-Nam has no sense of existence at all.

However, on the whole, Antinam is not like the original gods.Compared with religious organizations, the Church of the Past is more like a center for investigating difficult and unsolved cases; and Antinam itself is quite low-key and quite far away from human society.

Relatively little is known about Antinam itself.

Everyone knows that Anti-Nam protected human civilization at the beginning of the Era in the Mist; some people also know that the power of the Revelation comes from Anti-Nam, and even the business of Stardust is controlled by the Church of the Past hands.

But other than that, Antinam itself is like a blank, empty outline, as if his godhead is the past and history, and he himself has really become a shadow from the past.

Akamala's believers knew that this god would occasionally play Cynthia himself—although Akamala's approach could be said to be quite bizarre—but Antinam's believers seemed to have no understanding of this god.

When they are in awe of Antinam, they seem to be in awe of the past and history of Fischer's world; they are in awe of the gods of this world, this long time, this tortured civilization and the world.

But what about Antinam itself?

After thinking for a while, Siles had a subtle idea.

Compared with Antinam, the dice is more vivid, more like a "living" thing.Antinam, on the other hand, seemed to be a functional character.

Because the flames of human civilization were faltering at that time, a god was needed to protect the fire of civilization; because an organization was needed to investigate and solve these problems caused by the followers of the old gods, this god let himself believers to do this.

...Like a backhand left by the old gods.Siles thought.

However, considering the existence of the mysterious "Father God", maybe Anti-Nam might also be a new god in the true sense?The new blood of the gods?But what about the "father"?

Siles felt a headache, he pinched the bridge of his nose to calm himself down.

He warned himself that when he could really see Anti-Nam, he would naturally know the answers to these questions, and it was pointless to torture himself with these questions now.

He turned to the question he had just been thinking about.

If Anti-Nam has a paradise, can they talk in Anti-Nam's Paradise?

Seems to be... doable.he thinks.But what would Antinam's Paradise be?How to enter?

If the dice could tell him, then the dice would most likely have said it long ago.Since the dice didn't say anything at all at the time, it meant that the question itself might symbolize a secret.

...another puzzle.Siles thought.

Considering Anti-Nam's godhead, wouldn't this god's paradise be a place like a library or an archive?Does he need to scour the endless history books for a possible way into his paradise?

After thinking for a moment, Sirius shook his head.He won't be able to get any inspiration for a while, but at least he has thought of the possibility of Anti-Nam's Paradise, which is already a progress.

He went to the bathroom to take a shower.The weather was uncomfortably hot.

After taking a shower, while wiping his hair, he put his consciousness on the No. [-] doll.

There is a little time difference between Qindo and Siles, and he is still exploring in the middle of the Furio Sea.As the time over there approached evening, Qin Duo returned to the boat and planned to continue tomorrow.

The puppet jumped off his shoulders and became Sirius.Communication is easier when he's on the boat because he can use pen and paper here.He wrote a sentence on the paper and handed it to Qin Duo.

"The day after tomorrow?" Qin Duo thought for a while, "The central part should be finished tomorrow. However, the fog in the northeast may be too late."

Sirius frowned inevitably.He thinks it is still necessary to check the situation in the northeast of the Folio Sea.

He thought for a while, then wrote a paragraph on the paper: "Alfonso and I will set off the day after tomorrow, but it will take some time for us to go to the fog. You can go to the fog in the northeast to see the situation and improve the sea as much as possible. Tu, come join us again the day after tomorrow.”

Qin Duo showed a slightly worried expression, but he knew that this approach was the best.After thinking for a moment, he couldn't help but say, "I listen to your arrangement. I hope that the completion of this chart will allow me to further grasp the power of Lygardia."

Otherwise, it would be a big loss for him to leave Sirius' side for several days because of this matter!His expression seemed to say so.

Siles couldn't help smiling.

If Siles is using the main body now, then Qin Duo might have rushed to his side and muttered something.However, now that Siles is using the wooden body of the No. [-] doll, Qin Duo has behaved a lot instead.

"I think you can do it." Siles wrote on the paper, "Today I will go to a dream, and we will meet again in the dream."

"Okay." Qin Duo blinked and wanted to say something, but he didn't say anything in the end.

Siles glanced at him with a half-smile, and didn't say anything, just let the doll return to its small size, and then left.

Qin Duo couldn't help sighing—his beloved, cold and reserved god.

Thinking of the meeting in the dream tonight, Qin Duo hesitated for a moment, then placed the puppet face-out on the desk with a guilty conscience, and then went to the bathroom to take a bath by herself.

In the middle of the night, they met again in Qinduo's dream bubble.

Mr. Ghost told Qindo the information he learned from Alfonso and what he thought about afterwards.

"So now you need to look for the Paradise of Anti-Nam that may exist." Qin Duo reacted, "...what if you look for the dream of Anti-Nam?"

"I just made an attempt, but I couldn't find it. I think Akamala's power may not be able to cover other gods." Mr. Ghost thought for a while, and added, "Also, Anti-Nam may not be able to cover other gods." will dream."

Qin Duo also nodded.He was hugging Mr. Ghost at the moment, so the nodding motion also seemed to be rubbing against Mr. Ghost's shoulder stickily.The hug and intimacy in the dream always made him feel that he touched each other's souls more deeply.

After a while, Qin Duo said again: "However, we need to find the exact target." He thought for a moment, then said, "You said dice