The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

"Dear mother, Zhan Xinjia.

"This long winter is finally coming to an end. The city of Ramifa is about to usher in a soft and warm spring.

"However, [Smart Fan] did bring some unexpected surprises to people. Before winter, Qin Duo and I donated a batch of time tracks to some specific industries, hoping this can help them.

"...

"With the advent of the new season, our busy work in the past has also come to an end, many mysteries have been revealed, and I have completely relaxed.

"I'm glad to see that the world we face seems to be coming back to life. In fact, spring has indeed arrived.

"We have put in a lot of effort, it should be said, many, many people have put in a lot of effort to finally usher in this satisfactory result. This makes me happy and looks forward to the future of this world.

"...

"You should already know that the Church of the Past named the new era the Age of Dawn, right? They are hesitating whether to use last year or this year as the first year of the Age of Dawn, and my suggestion is this year.

"Last year was the zeroth year, a starting point, a new beginning, and a prelude to changes. It was the last year of the Mist.

"So, I am writing to you now in the first year of the Dawn.

"I don't know if this makes you smile?

"...

"The other piece of good news I'd like to share with you is that my third novel just came out not long ago.

"This may be said to be a very heroic mystery novel. The protagonist has extremely exaggerated special abilities, and fights against incredible, but also arrogant and stupid enemies. In the end, the protagonist (easily) saves the world.

"... I'm using a bit of a tongue-in-cheek phrasing, and people might suspect that it's just a funny story, or a business novel. And I'd rather they think so.

"I gradually realized that people's ordinary lives may not need those cruel colors. If this novel can make readers laugh, then I am already satisfied.

"...

"Remember what I told you earlier about my travel plans with Qindo?

“We plan to leave after this semester. I just got to witness the graduation of the first batch of students. Becoming a professor is also something unexpected for me, but I think it is also a good experience.

"However, it cannot be said that Qindo and I will leave completely. There will be another 'I' who will still stay here. It is very convenient for Qindo to return here. I think this matter should also be within your expectations .

"Anyway, we'll probably go on a journey during the rainy break this year. To escape the rainy season in July, no?

"...

"Maybe it's because I'm leaving soon, so I have to think and look back on these past days, these times in Ramifa City, and the impressions and memories left on me by the Land of Ashes, Middleton, and Kansas.

“It was chaotic, turbulent, long and arduous, and at the same time funny, magnificent, and fleeting. At one point, I felt so close to the world, as if I could listen to the world, as if I could feel the pulse of the world.

"I will miss it (although I don't want to go through it again). I still remember the places, the people, the experiences. Even now, I even miss the sea breeze of the Sea of ​​Folio occasionally.

"Now I can honestly admit that foreigners have finally integrated into this world and regard this place as their hometown. I love this world, people and things in this world.

"So, thank you for bringing me into this world, dear mom. Maybe that's what makes 'mother' so great.

"..."

"(I've been thinking about what to use as my conclusion for a long time, but perhaps the simplest blessing can also be the most sincere.)

"I hope you are happy every day."

There was a knock on the office door.

Siles raised his eyes, glanced at the ring on his finger, and said, "Qindo?"

Qin Duo pushed the door open, leaned against the door frame with a smile, and said, "Just to make sure you are indeed in the office."

Siles raised his left hand and said, "Do you still need confirmation?"

"If you wish." Gindo said, and then sighed regretfully, "Unfortunately, I have another business to tell you. When I just came here, I met a lost lady on the first floor of the castle." .

"She said she was a reporter for a newspaper and wanted to interview you a few questions about your new novel. She's waiting downstairs now, if you'd like?"

Siles couldn't help feeling a little surprised.

His new novel had just been published a few days ago, and he hadn't even gotten any feedback from the publisher before a reporter came over?

"Perhaps because of the success of Ms. Garland's performance, people are paying close attention to you, the original author—Mr. He." Qin Duo slowly reminded him, "People are very curious about your new novel."

Miss Garland's stage was indeed well-received, especially for the children.

The young children in Lamifa City showed great excitement and excitement for a girl of their own age to appear on the stage.The adults were dragged to the theater by their children, watched the play for a while, and found it very interesting, so they were already very satisfied.

Overall, Garland, Arkwright, and Carlos Ranmier, and perhaps Siles himself, have all gotten a lot of attention through this drama, and Garland is particularly excited.

She has even started to find new scripts for herself, and it seems that she has found a little joy in acting.

Siles found an opportunity to chat with Garland before, and mentioned his relationship with Mr. Ghost - and Garland, the little girl said very slyly, she had already guessed it!

...It should be said that Garland is a very smart little girl.

Not just the relationship between Siles and Mr. Ghost, but also the... er, "big event" that happened in Ramifa last year.

People have many sayings and titles for what happened on that day. Some people call it "worm plague" or "bad luck night"; some people call it "nightmare" or "catastrophe".

It is worth mentioning that there are not a few people who call it a "nightmare".

But in the end, on the bright side, people just objectively call it a "big event", or, "1019 incident".

From nightfall on October 10th to dawn on October 19th, it was a long time of nearly ten hours, and many things did happen.

After that, various official and unofficial investigations continued for half a year. It was not until this winter passed and Lamifa City was gradually shrouded in the breath of spring that the follow-up of this incident came to an end.

Siles was not directly involved in much of the investigation.He and Qindo are more busy with issues in other parts of Fisher's world outside Lamifa City.

Many cities and regions have also been attacked similarly to Lamifa City. Although the intensity of the attack is not as high as that of Lamifa City, it has also caused considerable losses.

They don't need to worry about the obvious treatment, but many places also need some hidden finishing touches, especially the pollution removal, which took them a lot of thinking-but at least this is the ending after the problem is solved, so everything Still seems easier.

From the follow-up statistics, a total of thirteen different regions have been attacked as a whole, which exactly corresponds to the thirteen old gods.

...Although this matter was done by the shadow believers, the followers of the old gods may have to bear the blame.

In the past six months, different countries in Fisher's world, including Land of No Embers, have ignited a fire of revenge against the followers of the Old God, causing most of the followers of the Old God to either run away with their heads in their hands, or simply stay away. surrender.

In contrast, the losses on Lamifa City's side were lighter because Siles was here.Dream bubbles enveloped the city, making all losses undoable.

Of course, Siles didn't dare to go too far, lest he go out of his way.

He just made up for some too serious damage—for example, if it really developed according to the dream, the sewers of the entire Lamifa City would collapse, and the Lamifa City would completely sink to the ground.

Even so, the fact that no one died in the entire Lamifa city due to the "big incident" (injury is inevitable), this incident still shocked the residents.

At the beginning, people couldn't even believe the figures in the official investigation report, but when they gradually learned from their own side that no one really died, this disbelief turned into great joy.

What an incredible night it was.Living is already the best result.

Ordinary people’s psychological shadow about that day will take about half a month to ease—but Siles heard that Langmier made a lot of money by selling pesticides—as for the enlightener, They may need more time to relax.

The "self-reappearance" ritual did help, but the revelator is still human after all, and psychological shadows are inevitable.Many revelators still dream of those mutated worms and buzzing bugs in their midnight dreams.

... Bugman.

This is a question that everyone is very concerned about during the follow-up investigation.In particular, many people don't understand, why do those bugs immediately mutate people when they touch them?

Unless it is the old gods who want to directly pollute a person, it is impossible for this to happen.But now that the old gods have fallen, there is really no clue to this situation.

It wasn't until later, when news came that other places were also affected by disasters, that people suddenly realized that the thirteen places corresponded to the thirteen old gods.

And the old god of Lamifa City is obviously Trisley.

Fourteen years ago—now 14 years ago, but let’s call it what it is—the Historical Society experiment on the Canla River was a flash in the spotlight.

A hypothesis was raised, that is, people in these places may have been affected by the relevant pollution earlier, such as the pollution of Trisley through the Kanla River, which had been polluted 14 years ago or even earlier all the inhabitants of the city.

People in other regions may experience similar situations.

This explains why the people in Lamifa City will mutate as soon as they encounter those bugs, because this kind of pollution has already soaked their souls, almost living in symbiosis with them.

Forrest, who was a witness to the experiment 14 years ago, was outraged by this.Not because of pollution, but because he was deceived and used.

Of course, in the past six months, he has been questioned and interrogated countless times, and he has become visibly depressed.

Another thing worth mentioning is that the official attitude of the Principality of Const to the investigation of this "major incident" is unprecedentedly active and enthusiastic.

It can be said that this is the first time that the Principality of Const has participated in matters related to the Revelator on the surface, which was handed over to the Church of the Past and the Historical Society in the past.

Considering the horrors of that night in Ramifa, this approach is understandable.

However, if you think about that night, the guards of Grand Duke Constance actually appeared on the street to fight against those bugs and bug people, then things seem a little unpredictable.

The Principality has shown a more active and proactive attitude, and has begun to directly interfere in matters related to the Revelator... It is hard to say whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, but it is inevitable.

...Times have changed after all—this is a real change, even the name of the era has changed.

People may also usher in a life that is changing with each passing day.Although it is said that [smart fan] and door-to-door delivery are very convenient for people's daily life, some people feel uncomfortable.

Many are still old-fashioned, but young people are starting to change their habits.Of course, what is even more worth mentioning is that there are more and more studies on "life-like rituals" in the Research Department of the Historical Society.

In fact, this kind of ritual has always existed. For example, Siles once remembered that he saw a "Household Ritual Sharing School" in the salon; but before that, it was considered a "small skill".

Just because Langmeer made a lot of money, more and more people participated in this kind of research.

For Siles, his life has not changed drastically.

He has already shared the existence of the [Invisible Pen] ritual, but apart from being able to remotely order from the restaurant... life seems to be still the same as before.

The existence of the eight-petal rose paper has really become a secret.He even had to recycle some eight-petal rose paper that other people had.

At that time, he folded eight petals of rose paper into a paper airplane, and then communicated with the "shadow".Although it was just a few words, it completely changed the nature of the eight-petal rose paper to some extent.

That really gave this power a place in the universe of the gods.And this is thanks to the generosity of "Shadow", who directly admitted that this is a paradise belonging to Sirius.

...even if only for a while.

After the time came to Spring Day, the temporary will provided by Antinam disappeared.This point of will was obtained when Siles was commended by the Historical Society for the ceremony of "returning himself".

Just as he thought at the beginning, the duration of this temporary will is a whole year, that is, from the beginning of this commendation ceremony to the next one.

However, now that Antinam is still in a deep sleep, Sirius suspects that this temporary will will never appear again.

Siles had no way of verifying the veracity of his idea, since he was no longer honored by the Historical Society.Rather, the Historical Society is not in the mood to pay attention to this issue now.In the past period of time, the organizational structure of the Historical Society has undergone great changes.

...In any case, now Siles' will is always maintained at 99 points, which is the same as Qindo.

As for whether Antinam would wake up, that was another question.

Siles hoped that Antinam would wake up.

To be precise, he got help from Antinam Fisher twice.

Once, in the name of the god of the past and history, Antinam provided Siles with a one-year will bonus; once, in the name of Fisher civilization, Antinam provided him with a solid enough backing.

These two points are the confidence that Cilles was finally able to face the "shadow" and persuade the "shadow".

Regarding the issue of "the 'Shadow' believing that the power of fate is not in Fisher's world", Siles slowly sorted out all the details during the follow-up investigation and confirmed that the "Shadow" firmly believed in this.

A core problem is that "Shadow" doesn't think Sirius has gained the power of fate in the first place.

On the one hand, Siles himself has escaped the pollution of fate, and he rarely uses the power of fate.The real power that is always entwined and intimate with him is "illusion".

It's hard to say whether Ebenezer Const's selection played a role.

On the other hand, for "Shadow", it is also very easy for him to realize that the reason why Sirius was able to become a god at that moment was because the dream bubble was covering the city of Ramifa, and an adventurer in a dream The drama was going on -- and Garland and Arkwright were a big help here.

The interweaving of real and illusory forces, as well as the secret that Siles has long been aware of and that he has always kept, jointly created the opportunity for Siles to become the "Keeper of the World" at that moment.

This point, especially the former, was actually ignored by Siles himself at the time.

Indeed, he has been recognized and helped by the world.The world is willing to lay the last brick at the end of his road to becoming a god.However, before this last brick is laid down, the "pedestal" of the gods must have at least a prototype.

...One other thing can serve as a footnote to this question.

When the light of dawn shone on the world on October 10th, Siles unexpectedly discovered that he had control over the last three puppets.

In other words, at that moment, he possessed Akamala's last power.He became an illusory god.

...although not anymore.He turned back into a human being with 99% willpower.

To put it simply, the drama staged in the dream, but the unreal repertoire fits the theme of the adventure in the dream.At the same time, it was he who made it all happen.Obviously, this made Akamala very happy, and finally opened the last dusty door of power.

It can also be said that what happened that night, the huge dream bubble and the dramatic scenes staged in the dream are exactly the "eternal solidification ritual" possessed by Siles.

That was his paradise, and it was exactly what he had in mind at the beginning—because it was from a novel he had written on paper.

Siles actually didn't realize this. After all, he hoped that Miss Garland's story would be rehearsed in the dream bubble all the time, just for the power of "reappearance" and "fitness", hoping that the ending in reality would be the same. As beautiful as the ending in the story.

But "Shadow" clearly saw the essence of his power at a glance.

Maybe it's a good thing that Siles didn't realize this. If you want to deceive others, you have to deceive yourself first.

In short, "Shadow" rules out the possibility that he has the power of "Fate".

To become an illusory god is also a good thing for Sirius.

Especially since he's not a "true" god (he doesn't really have 100 will), so his life hasn't changed much, at most he can control six puppets at the same time.

…If the world he lives in is a book, and the introduction of the book states that he is the "God of Time and Destiny", then unfortunately, the readers may be deceived just like the Outer God. (The "reader" is really like an outer god to his world, isn't it?)

It was a cunning ruse - and it became a well-kept secret.

Because, although he has the power of time and destiny, he has never been able and unwilling to become the "God of Time and Destiny".That just masks his true power.

A figment, a half-truth, a lie to conceal the truth, well suited to his powers.

And the power of time and fate—at least for Siles, he doesn't like to use this power.

He can say that he likes the concepts of reality and illusion, world and story, based on the nature of a novelist; but let him really control the fate of human beings in reality like a god, just like controlling the fate of the characters in the book. Fate...then he doesn't like it that much either.

Until now, he has always believed that "fate" should be in the hands of every human being, not the hands of gods.

In short, on that night, "Shadow" found that fate was not in the hands of the new god.

And can he draw any other conclusions about the direction of fate?

Antinam?No, no, he is very clear that Anti-Num has thrown away "Fate", and that Anti-Num only has the power of "Time", and "Shadow" has no interest in "Time".

And the other gods in Fisher's world (except Sires) have all fallen. "Shadow" is also very clear about their strength.

As for the other... er, living creatures in Fisher's world?

"Shadow" is willing to talk to Siles, that's because Sires has become a god; "Shadow" is absolutely too lazy to look at those humans or other creatures, in his eyes, they are all small bugs, and it is impossible to have "fate" "the power of.

It is absolutely impossible for a single ordinary person who has not become a god to bear the power of time and fate (Siles is not responsible either, Dice and Ball are independent "semi-finished" godheads).

Of course, Fisher's world itself cannot be the host of the power of time and fate.Moreover, "Shadow" has been in this world for so many years, and he is very aware of the situation in this world.

So far, the only conclusion that "Shadow" can draw is that "Destiny" is not in this world.

And he will soon realize a possibility, that is, since Anti-Nam has abandoned "fate", it is entirely possible for him to throw this power to other worlds through the universe of the gods—anyway, he cannot let "fate" Shadow" is obtained.

That's why "Shadow" left so anxiously, he was afraid that other gods would snatch his "destiny".

As for whether "Shadow" will do evil in the universe of gods in the future, that is another question.For Siles, at least Fischer's world has gained a bit of respite.

In the new Dawn Epoch, the human beings in Fisher's world will be able to develop peacefully for a period of time.

...even develop the entertainment industry.

Qin Duo quickly brought the newspaper reporter to Siles' office.

It was a lady in her mid-thirties who looked very capable.She handed over her business card, and at the same time introduced that the newspaper she worked for was newly established this year and mainly aimed at information in the field of culture and art.

Therefore, not long after the publication of Siles' new book, they found out the real identity of the so-called "Mr. He", and hurriedly came to visit.

This day was Friday, and Siles was handling some administrative affairs at La Mifah University as usual, so he happened to run into this lady reporter.

They quickly got down to business.

"I've read your new book," said the woman, "I have three questions for you, may I?"

"Of course." Sirius replied.

"So... the first question is, I feel that you seem to deliberately make the style of this book biased towards lightheartedness? It is essentially a heavy story, about the destruction of the world and the sacrifice of heroes.

"However, many of the words and sentences are so playful, even funny, that I have to suspect that you are writing this way on purpose. Is there any purpose in your doing so?"

Siles considered it for a while, and then said: "Yes." He paused again, and then continued, "I don't think all stories about saving the world have to be tragic and dark, as if the protagonist must lose something. What can prove his difficulty.

"Of course I also appreciate that type of story and admire that type of hero. But for me, when I conceived this story, the first question I thought about was, what kind of story do I want to write?"

The lady reporter asked, "You want to write a light-hearted story about saving the world?"

"That's true. But this attributive didn't exist from the beginning." Siles said, "I wanted to write a story about saving the world, and then I started thinking about who should be the protagonist who saves the world.

"Some novelists I know have given me some inspiration. We all realize that if the protagonist is not strong enough, then he must not be able to save the world; but if the protagonist is already so strong, why does saving the world seem so difficult? difficult?

"We realized that because the novel had to have some dramatic conflict to engage the reader. It was very deliberate.

"And you want to get rid of it?"

"I don't want to get rid of this 'deliberate', the novel's charm and falsehood come from this 'deliberate'." Siles said earnestly, "If a clown never makes a fool of himself, why should people read it? What about his show?

"I just wanted to try a more interesting way to make the hero who saves the world more comfortable, and let the script of saving the world get rid of the cruel bloody smell that never goes away.

"I like the happy ending and the story, but it's also more authentic."

"Really?" The reporter lady looked at Siles suspiciously.

Qin Duo smiled softly at the side - he knew Sires' intentions, he knew that Sires wrote this, just to make the secret he hid in the book more secure.

Siles hides the truth of what happened on the night of October 10 in his new book.

This practice obviously refers to the writing style of Jen Calder, making it absolutely impossible for people to believe that the content of this book is true.

...In fact, for Siles, if it wasn't for the dice that reminded him of his knowledge growth and the power of fate as a guarantee, then it was impossible for Siles to take the "gossip" of those old gods seriously.

Therefore, in Qin Duo's view, what Siles just said was serious nonsense.Of course, there must be a real part in it, and Sirius may indeed think so.

But the starting point of writing is completely different.

So Qin Duo had to work hard to hold back her smile.

Siles still looked at the reporter lady calmly, and said, "It's not only tragedies that are real, is it?"

"Uh..." The lady reporter smiled coyly, and she quickly rounded up the situation, "I think those children will like this story, just like Miss Garland's.

"The second question I want to ask is that after the drama adaptation of "Miss Garland's Dream Adventure", it has received more praise. Do you intend to develop in the direction of a playwright?"

"Not yet," said Siles, who simply replied, "Actually, Carlos is in charge of most of Miss Garland's adaptation."

"Carlos?" asked the lady reporter. "That Mr. Ranmier?"

"Yes."

The reporter lady nodded thoughtfully.She turned to the third question: "This is your third novel. So, do you have any plans for the next novel?"

"I think any writing needs some relaxation and leisure time, so I plan to talk to my teaching assistant before conceiving the next novel—" Siles shifted his gaze slightly, and looked at Qindo , before saying, "Travel for a while."

"Oh, have you decided on your itinerary yet?" The lady reporter couldn't help asking.

"That destination was decided a long, long time ago." Siles said, and he smiled slightly. "We just finally set off for it."

Although it sounded a bit mystical, the lady reporter finally held back her curiosity and didn't ask any more questions.She said that if there is a chance, she can conduct an exclusive interview with Siles later.

Soon, the lady reporter bid them farewell without disturbing their time too much.

Cindor finally couldn't help laughing, saying, "When you answered the first question, I think the lady was thinking, 'Is that so? Is that true? Sounds like something, too. But something feels wrong.'"

Siles also smiled. He glanced at the time and said, "Let's go, it's time for us to eat."

"What are your plans for the afternoon?"

"Nothing," said Siles.He tidied up the papers on his desk—thankfully, he and Gindo finally had the energy to handle the papers themselves, without bothering the puppet and the ghost—then grabbed his coat and bag, and headed out with Gindo.

Qin Duo originally came to have dinner with him, but there was a short interview on the way.

Qin Duo suddenly laughed.

"What's wrong?" Sirius asked a little confused.

"I just thought..." Qin Duo laughed again, "How busy you used to be. But now you can have 'nothing to do'."

Siles: "..."

What's so funny about this?

He narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at Qin Duo for a while, until Qin Duo restrained his smile and came over to kiss him flatteringly.

Qin Duo said: "I just want to sigh...it's over."

"Yes, Gindor." Siles replied, "It's over."

However, during the meal, Siles still talked about some things about the past.They picked a quiet and familiar restaurant near Ramifa University.

"Chester just came to see me." Siles said.

Qin Duo was a little surprised: "Oh, the doctor came to you? For... his parents?"

"It seems that Ms. Elizabeth finally told him about his life experience. It may be because the matter has come to an end, so the time is ripe." Siles said, "The doctor seems... quite calm."

"After all, it has been so many years." Qin Duo said disapprovingly, "I think after the Hales House incident, the doctor will no longer panic about other things."

Sirius couldn't help laughing, he suddenly sighed, "Hales House."

"It's been more than a year." Qin Duo whispered, "Almost two years."

Sirius was silent for a moment, he thought of Hales House, and then thought of more related things.Afterwards, he said: "Sometimes I find the concept of 'shadow' selection interesting."

Qin Duo raised her eyebrows and listened attentively.

Sirius looked out the window.Half a year after the "big event", the city of Lamifa has already recovered its original calm and even become more prosperous.The afternoon sun shines on the streets, people come and go, with the vitality of spring.

When he first walked into the restaurant, Siles saw the leaf-shaped bottle.When the winter is over and the [smart fan] is no longer needed, the leaf-shaped bottle becomes a beautiful decoration.

... He did feel that many things had changed.

He said: "I think the concept of 'spider web' is very interesting. From the beginning of the Grayson incident, to the destruction of Hales House, to the underground arch incident, to the history of Middleton, to what happened to Kelan, to An oasis in the mist...and the moment when the curtain finally rises."

He told all of his encounters in Fisher's world in one breath.

"It's really like a spider's web, isn't it?" he said. "All kinds of clues, events, people, intertwined. Follow this person, this clue, this object, and you can find more other clues. .

"...it's like a spider web. When you think you're just entangled in a thread, look up and you realize it's a huge, endless web."

Qin Duo listened thoughtfully, he frowned again, and said, "I don't like the name 'spider silk'."

"I don't like it either," said Siles. "It's kind of cold—like a bug."

"Oh, the residents of Lamifa City must agree with your idea very much." Qin Duo smiled sullenly and commented at the same time.

Siles couldn't help laughing.

Qin Duo turned and said, "In short, that's the original purpose of 'Shadow'?" He paused, and added, "Using spider webs to fit the concept of 'Destiny'."

"Yes, he originally thought so." Siles said, "I went back to the past and observed the practices of the shadow believers, and found that their actual plan was to make the 'thirteen paintings first. ’, and then pollute these thirteen paintings with the concept of cobwebs.

"...They thought, or, 'Shadow' thought, that this would allow him to control the power of destiny."

Silas spoke in a low voice.

After the "big event" ended, relying on his will at the time was still 99 (+1), accompanied by dice and balls, Celeste went back to the past carefully to understand what the shadow believers did, lest they Cutting the weeds does not remove the roots.

He is not willing to do this before the matter is resolved; but the matter has been resolved satisfactorily and the past time has been established, so he does not have to worry about disturbing anything inadvertently when he goes back to the past, so he can borrow a little bit of time