The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

"It was also a snow day," Fred said, "and it happened in weather like this. Ten years ago, the trains weren't as accessible as they are now, so we were stuck in the middle of the road.

"...it wasn't even a problem with the train tracks, it was just snowing so hard that the train couldn't go any further. We were stuck there for days and everyone was just disheartened.

"The old man, he told me to call him Edwin. Edwin was in his 60s at the time, and it was very difficult for him when the train stopped there. That's why he talked to me in the same compartment.

"At that time, I had just taken over my family's business and went to the north country to discuss business. I didn't get any good results and had to come back alone. I was very hesitant...I don't know if you can understand this feeling.

"I really wanted to hear from some older people. I always felt that they could bring me some reasonable opinions, or their life experiences. It might not really help, but at least someone's past Experience. But I'm not too embarrassed to admit it.

"Anyway, we chatted for a while at that time. I also talked about some troubles in my family. Perhaps because of this, Edwin felt that the relationship between us became closer.

"Therefore, before he died, he wanted to tell me something... It didn't have to be me. It's just that I happened to be by his side at that time, so he could only tell me."

Having said this, Fred could not help but pause.He looked at the flames in the dying furnace.After a while, he said: "At that time, Edwin's life was also like this flame, which will not be extinguished."

Siles hesitated for a moment, and finally said in a low voice: "So, in fact, you are very clear that what Edwin said is true."

Fred froze for a moment, then nodded slowly.When he admitted it, he felt lighter, or even heavier.He smiled wryly, and after a while, he said, "That's true, but...

"However, things are not that simple. Edwin actually wants me to solve this mystery for him, but I, I can't do it. I'm just an ordinary person.

"And the things he said, it's incredible...it's incredible. It's like the world suddenly changed at that moment. It was originally peaceful and gentle, but now it's ferocious and violent.

"How could the world be like this... I can't believe it. However, I did learn about Edwin's experience. The ocean, the shadows, the frightening past..."

he murmured.It can be seen that after many years, because the train stopped running again, he couldn't help thinking about what happened ten years ago.That's indelible, exactly what happened.

Siles waited patiently.

After a while, Fred came back to his senses.He apologized to Sirius, and at the same time calmed down completely.He said: "What Edwin told me was mainly about the shadow in the ocean. He said he saw it in a very strange state.

"At that time, he went to the seaside...it was Middleton, as the foreigner said just now, Middleton. He went to one of the prosperous port cities in Middleton. I don't remember which city it was.

"His health was not very good, and he was not used to the seaside climate, so he soon became seriously ill. For a while, he lingered on his last breath, and he didn't even want to live anymore.

"So he wanted to commit suicide by throwing himself into the sea. He thought so, and on a certain night, he wanted to do it in such a trance.

"However, when he stepped into the icy sea, he suddenly felt dazed, as if he could see a huge shadow under the sea at night...

"And if he walks in, he will be swallowed by the shadow, and even his soul will be unavoidable.

"This kind of fear made him decide to return to land, which even surpassed his fear of death... No, it should be said that he was no longer afraid of death, but... But that shadow is far more terrifying than death.

"He said he didn't know how he got back to the beach, he just remembered panic, restlessness and terror. When he woke up, he was lying on the beach and coughing violently.

"After that, he left the place in a hurry. But he still couldn't forget what happened that night. He spent countless drawings on his notebook, all depicting his experience that night.

"...When we parted, he was extremely weak. He said that he didn't plan to go home, but that he planned to find a place outside to meet his own death. Before he left, he gave me his notepad and asked I will burn that book.

"He told me not to open that book no matter what. He said it was his last wish before he died. But...but I couldn't do it. Before I really burned it, I took a look... I still took a look!

"I shouldn't have seen it, really. Sir, I shouldn't. I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyway. I took a look, and the shadow will follow me for the rest of my life.

"That happened ten years ago, but even if ten years have passed, even if I have achieved great success, even if the old guy's bones are probably reduced to ashes, I will still be tortured by this matter, forever and ever... ..."

Fred murmured, and his expression gradually weakened.He seemed to be inevitably affected by this matter, especially his will.

Siles looked at him silently, and finally he said: "Anyway, Mr. Fred Dudley, you have successfully passed through these ten years, and you don't have to think about those past things anymore."

"...With your kind words." Fred said with a wry smile, "I hope I can do it. Besides..."

He was silent for a while, and finally said: "Thank you very much for your willingness to listen to my secret. This secret that has been kept for ten years, perhaps, has finally reached the moment when it is difficult to keep silent.

"Just like Edwin at that time, I just need someone to listen to this story at the right time.

"...Maybe I shouldn't talk too much. However, I don't want you to fall into a situation similar to Edwin's once because of your curiosity about the ocean. That's really..."

He didn't continue talking, but said goodbye to Sirius, and then left the room.

After he left, Qin Duo walked in.He said, "How is it?"

Siles told Cindo what Fred said, and after thinking for a moment, he finally said, "It's Middleton's ocean again. I think there may be many unknown secrets hidden in that place. Cindo, I remember , you ever said you'd been to Middleton?"

"Yes." Cindo said, "Many explorers of Never Embers come from Middleton. In addition, the Praia family also owns some assets in Middleton. I need to go to Middleton occasionally."

"However, from your previous description, it's hard for me to feel Middleton's...mystery?"

Siles used this word, but shook his head again, feeling that the word was not very appropriate.

He turned to describe: "I just feel that Middleton ... is a coastal, fishing country, a country that still worships Amoys and is very martial.

"Despite all the rumors that the residents of Middletown worship Amoys, people don't seem to think that this is a very 'old god' country."

Qin Duo nodded, he could understand what Sirius meant.He said: "That's it. People think that Middleton is a very secular country, a country that ... is not so crazy and doesn't have many followers of the old gods."

However, Siles thought, this is quite inconsistent with the endless sea legend.He has heard many anecdotes about the ocean, but Middleton, who is directly related to the ocean, still lives in a secular and ordinary state?

This is somewhat contradictory.

In the end, Siles just said: "We can't imagine here, maybe we can ask the guide and translator later to find out about Middleton's history and past."

Cendo also agrees with this idea.

He turned to say: "It's getting late, you should rest early. You're going to Biddle City tomorrow."

Siles came back to his senses, glanced at the time, and found that it was nearly ten o'clock.He couldn't help but say: "I see. Qin Duo..."

He was about to let Qin Duo rest early, but when he looked up and saw Qin Duo's expression, he stopped.After a while, he said with some confusion: "Qin Duo?"

Cendo was staring at him intently.He said: "In a few days, we will be separated. I miss you already."

Siles realized this belatedly."We can still meet in our dreams," he said.

"... Even so, even so." Qin Duo whispered, "If I can't hug you in reality, then I feel that my life will wither."

"I'm still here, Gindor," said Siles. "We won't be apart for long."

Cendo hugged him and rubbed Siles' shoulder.He muttered reluctantly, "I wish this winter would be over soon... No, I wish you could come back from Middleton sooner."

Siles thought dumbfoundingly, before he arrived in Middleton, Cindo had already urged him to come back quickly.

After a while, he said: "You should expect the Middleton trip to come soon."

"...Why?" Qin Duo said a little puzzled.

"Because .

Qin Duo was stunned for a while, and then lamented even more: "Then I can't wait more and more."

Siles couldn't help laughing.

He said: "Let's go, Qin Duo, go back and rest early."

When they went back, Professor Bella was announcing the departure time tomorrow.They will leave for Biddle City tomorrow afternoon just after two o'clock, which will just allow them to finish lunch at the Conrad Hotel.

This time also let Lorenzo breathe a sigh of relief.He didn't look sleepy yet and just wanted to keep partying outside.However, no one stopped him from doing so.

The first floor is still noisy, but the third floor has fallen into silence.Siles finally decided to sleep in Cendor's room and spend the night with his lover.Two beds, that was perfect.

This made him seem to have returned to the feeling he had when he first came to Maltz, the first time he went to the Land of Eternity.At that time, he and Qin Duo were still very strangers, but things have changed, and the situation has completely changed.

"Good night, Gyndo," he said.

Cendo turned over and saw Sirius' figure in the darkness.He was stunned for a while, feeling like a dream come true, like a dream.The rose obtained from Akamala's power was placed on the bedside table, and Qin Duo specially packed it with him when he went out.

At last he whispered, "Good night, Sirius."

The next morning, they all woke up around seven o'clock.In the morning they were taken to play cards by Chester and Lorenzo.Lorenzo said that it is not so hard to go out, and Chester said that it is necessary to relax in time.

Siles couldn't refute what the two said, and Qin Duo was also happy to see it.So they played cards all morning while being surrounded by other people in the hotel.

Some people obviously knew about the existence of Noel's cards, and because of their behavior in the hotel restaurant, they were itchy and formed another game.

The professors at La Mifa University, the knights and investigators from the Church of the Past had already started playing on that train.Now, they are very familiar with the game, even explaining the rules to some curious people who don't know how to play.

After finishing a game of cards, Siles raised his eyes and looked around, suddenly feeling that the scene was unexpectedly familiar.

…Yes, it was the feeling of wonder and surprise when he, Qindo, and guide Mary came back from the mines near the Hales House, and then saw the first floor of the Hales House camp full of poker players.

Some people play cards and want to gamble money, but there are explorers from the land of no embers, for whom the popular science said that the secrets related to the gods are hidden in Noel cards, so they cannot be related to money, otherwise they will be cursed .

So those who wanted to gamble immediately backed down.

But Siles himself was a little surprised by this.He didn't expect that what he said at the beginning would eventually evolve into this.

However, Qin Duo was not surprised. He explained to Sirius in a low voice that anything related to the old gods would eventually be related to the "curse".

After all, sometimes people want to do bad things, but they dare not expose themselves blatantly, so they can only borrow the name of "old gods" and push everything to the "curse of old gods".

"That's how things are." Qin Duo showed a cold smile, "You can't count on the moral bottom line of those explorers. Of course, in the matter of fate cards, this approach may be a good thing."

Siles was slightly taken aback, and finally sighed unavoidably.

The morning passed quickly.At noon, after having lunch at the restaurant of the Conrad Hotel, they went to the train station and boarded the train bound for Biddle City.

After settling down on the train, Siles also found the opportunity to communicate with the accompanying guide and translator.

The guides and translators arranged for them by La Mifa University are not employees within the university, but people hired outside the university.They all knew something about Middleton.

In fact, even though the vast majority of people do not know the existence of Middleton, there are not a few people from Middleton, or people who have intersected with Middleton.

For example, the owner of the seafood restaurant in Atherton Central Plaza in Lamifa City is from Middleton.

Perhaps through certain channels, Ramifa University found this guide and an interpreter who knew enough about Middleton to accompany other professors on the trip to Middleton.At least from the arrangement point of view, this time the journey is adequate enough.

Both were men, the guide named Isaac Cobden, a rather strong, tall man; the translator, Johnny Hoyt, a leaner, silent man.

Their presence along the way is not very prominent, after all, they will only play a role after arriving in Middleton.Most of the time, Siles could only see them communicating with each other in a very strange language.He thought that might be Middleton's language.

Both of them were a little surprised by Siles' initiative to chat.The guide Isaac took the initiative to say, "Hello, Professor Noel. What can you do?"

His Const language is also very proficient, just like his mother tongue.

"I am very curious about Middleton. In a few days, we will arrive at that land." Siles said, "But until now, I don't know much about Middleton. You know Middleton very well. ?"

"It can be said that we were all residents of Middleton once." Isaac said, "Johnny and I came to Conster together, when we were young, because of the famine in our hometown, so we came out together vagabond.

"We went south because it was very cold at that time, and it was warmer to the south. After a while, we came to Conster and settled here. In fact, this is the first time we will return to Mimi after many years. Delton.

"...we were equally nervous."

As he said so, he also looked at the passing scenery outside the window.It was the end of February, and although they had only been caught in the snow not long ago, the weather was actually going to be warmer.However, they are heading north.

Backtracking along the lines Isaac and Johnny used to wander.

Siles was a little surprised to learn this.Famine, he thought?That was probably ten years ago.However, Middleton is close to the sea. Even if there is insufficient food, the residents should be able to go fishing, which should cover their daily food needs.

…Is it because there is something wrong with the ocean itself?What factors have affected Middleton's fishing industry?

Just like what the man from Middleton said in the fireside chat before, the fishermen went fishing but encountered some strange scenes, so they hurriedly took their families away from Middleton... the truth of this kind of thing Happening is probably not rare.

The inhabitants of Middleton fear the sea, as much as they adore it.However, it is all hidden in that deep-rooted belief.After all, for believers, even if the gods are cruel, they cannot leave such gods.

But Siles didn't ask, because Isaac in front of him didn't seem too happy to talk about it.Isaac said, "What do you want to know?"

Siles said: "I have never heard of Middleton's existence before. What is the history of this country?"

Isaac didn't seem to expect that Siles would ask this question, he couldn't help but scratched his hair, and said with a little embarrassment: "I didn't go to school much before, Professor. Johnny?"

He turned to his companions for help.

The translator obviously has good knowledge.After thinking for a while, he said: "Middleton was established during the Silent Era, and this country has continued until the Mist Era...Compared to the country, it should be more accurate to say, the alliance."

"Yes, yes." Isaac seemed to react suddenly, and said, "Each tribe is relatively independent."

Johnny's statement is more careful: "The country of Middleton is an alliance of tribes. Although the government in the capital does manage the entire country, each tribe has a certain degree of autonomy.

"...It should be said that it is precisely because of this form that Middleton was able to continue from the Silent Era to the Mist Era. Many things happened during this period. Some tribes may collapse, some tribes may prosper, and some tribes may be replaced... …

"But Middleton has always existed, and always will."

Aside, Isaac also nodded.

There is a kind of, very natural, confidence in Middleton in their attitudes.It should be said that even though Middleton can indeed be divided into different independent tribes, the residents of all tribes agree with the concept of "Middleton".

That sense of identity did not come from Middleton's government.

It can also be seen from the attitudes of Isaac and Johnny just now that they are not in awe of the existence of the "capital".What they really recognize is only the country of "Middleton" itself.

... Faith is what truly makes this country.

Siles tried to ask the two about the significance of Amoys to Middleton, but the two did not give a clear statement.

They left Middleton at a very young age, and they don't have a special understanding of Middleton's current situation and this more esoteric level, Middleton's beliefs.

They did mention, however, that adults in Middleton do have a very strong belief in Amoise.And children usually follow in the footsteps of adults ignorantly at a very young age.

"Don't they think that Amoys has fallen?" Sirius couldn't help asking in confusion.

Isaac and Johnny looked at each other and shook their heads at the same time.They said with one voice: "But the sea lasts forever."

Siles couldn't help but startled.Even though they have been away from their hometown for so long, the background of these two people is still Middleton, and at the same time they still have the absolute firm belief of Middleton.

...but the sea lasts forever.Siles thought to himself that Middleton's belief in Amoys seems to be closer to people's primitive worship of the ocean on a practical level.

Because the place existed and has always existed, people are in awe of the eternal power of nature, and this awe has always been firmly transmitted in this same cultural circle.

He learned this, and he couldn't learn more from these two people for the time being.They generally introduced the current situation of Middleton to Siles, as well as several well-known tribes.

On the whole, Middleton is located on the east side of the sea in the north, inlaid on the southeast side of the ocean like a crescent moon. The land is very narrow and long, extending from the southwest to the northeast. earth.

That sea was named the Folio Sea by the inhabitants of Middleton.The name is a transliteration. In Middleton's language, it means cold, and it also has a cold attitude.

Johnny additionally explained that it was called this because the ocean had swallowed the lives of countless Middleton residents.After all, at the same time, Middleton did rely on Folio Sea.

Since the country is narrow and long, the composition of its administrative divisions is also very simple and horizontally cut, just like cutting a piece of baguette.About two dozen tribes make up Middleton, and the capital Bethune is located in the middle of Middleton.

Isaac introduced to Siles: "This time we arrived at the southernmost port city of Middleton via Kansas, named Kingsley. This city belongs to the most powerful tribe in the south, Basil.

"In the past, Kingsley was a very prosperous port, and it was almost the transshipment center for the northern hemisphere of Fisher's world. However, that was before the Silence Era.

"Now, that city is a bit deserted, and there are no large cargo ships. The port there will provide shipping services for passengers like us. We can take a ship there to Bethune. It may take two or three days time."

Siles counted the time.

From Maltz to Biddle, they need to spend three days and two nights; from Biddle to Kingsley, they may need about five days because they will stop and drop off passengers halfway; and then from Kingsley It will take another two or three days to reach Bethune.

Calculated in this way, they would need about twelve days just to go to Bethune in Middleton.And they are expected to stay in Bethune for a week.

...In other words, their schedule is so tight that they will usher in the third semester a day or two after returning to Lamifa City.

The arrangement of this journey was of course a detour, but it was impossible for them to go directly from Const to Middleton.If they don't go to Biddle City for a train transfer, then they can only travel by horse-drawn carriage, which is longer and less comfortable than the train.

This made Siles feel helpless.

Fortunately, he plans to stop in Kansas for a while on his return trip, so that he doesn't have to go to Biddle City to transfer trains, and at the same time, he can experience the power of Cendo's magical acceleration.

... To be honest, in this day and age, Lygardia's power is really very convenient, at least when traveling.

He bid farewell to his guide and interpreter and returned to his compartment.

They were still on the "Light of the First Snow" train, so there were only four sleeping berths.Therefore, there are four people in this carriage: Siles, Cindo, Chester and Lorenzo.

It still fits very well with the scene when Siles first went to the Neverland, except that Alva was replaced by Lorenzo.

Siles shared with them some of what he had learned about Middleton."Middleton, it seems, is older than Const," he mused.

Chester said: "Professor, you must be thinking of going to Middleton again to find books to read."

Siles was slightly taken aback, and then remained undeniably silent.

In fact, one thing he regretted very much was that when he went to search for the Darrow family's information, he didn't bring more books from that storage room.

Even though he knew very well that he didn't have enough time, it was a precious collection of books that he couldn't bear to miss.

…I don’t know if it’s still possible now, please ask Carol to ask for another power of attorney.

However, the bigger problem with Middleton's books is that he cannot find a suitable and reliable translator to explain the contents of the books to him.

Qin Duo can speak Kansas and Const, but he can't do anything with Middleton's language. He only knows a small part of everyday language, which is not enough to interpret those advanced technical terms.

In any case, Middleton's books are for later.Now, Siles pays more attention to their current itinerary.

Soon, Lorenzo and Chester left the carriage.They went to play poker with new friends.When leaving, Chester also discussed some tricks of playing cards with Lorenzo.

Siles looked thoughtfully at Chester's leaving figure.

"The doctor seems to have completely shaken off the shadows he once had," Cinder said.

Siles nodded approvingly.The last time he went to Biddle City with Chester, Chester was full of anxiety, nervousness and fear.He didn't know what fate he was about to face.

But this time, Chester appeared calm and relaxed.He appeared as an accompanying doctor, so as long as there were no injuries in the team, then he could easily enjoy this journey.

A distant, unknown country.That is indeed something to look forward to.Besides, for this trip, most of the expenses will be reimbursed by the Academy of Literature and History.This is even more perfect.

"So what are you going to do later?" Qin Duo asked instead.

Siles doesn't plan to play poker—the main reason is that if he plays poker, he is mostly a croupier, which is not very interesting to him—in addition, he still has some materials to read.

He had to finish reading as much as possible before separating from Cinder, so that Cinder could help take these materials away when he got off the car, so as not to have to go to Middleton with heavy paper materials.

So he thought for a while, and finally said: "Let's continue reading those archives."

Qin Duo naturally agreed.He said: "Is it what you said before, the information about the fall of the old gods provided by the church in the past?"

Siles nodded.He took out the stack of documents from the suitcase and opened it.While reading, he inadvertently looked out the window and saw the vast and shining snowfield.

Further away, a gray-black fog billowed across the sky.The afternoon sun was just breaking through the mist.The world is still silent, and still shrouded in shadows.

Siles was slightly taken aback by this scene.When he read this information—this information about the fall of the old gods and the locations of Stardust, he felt more sighs.

Silence Ji.An era muted by the fall of the gods.

Many gods had actually disappeared before then.For example, Ruthmi, the god of stars and light, and Lygardia, the god of leaving home and traveling.In this material, the "star dust" of these two old gods has never appeared.

Except for these more powerful gods who are now called "old gods", those weak gods are even less concerned.

It should be said that since the beginning of the Imperial Age, people have gradually stopped paying attention to those weak gods.The thirteen powerful old gods gradually occupied every aspect of people's lives, and when they fell, the world also changed drastically.

The fall of Erkoo, the god of wine and pleasure, opened the prelude to the Era of Silence.And He fell in a place no one knows.

According to this information, the location where Erkoo fell is likely to be the location of the ocean that is still covered by fog.His "ashes" have never been exhumed.

Such a statement made Siles slightly puzzled.He couldn't help thinking, since Erkoo's star dust has never been discovered, just like Luthmi and Lycardia, then, has he really fallen?

The attitude of the old gods is indeed acquiescing that Erkoo has fallen, but there is no other circumstantial evidence for this matter.

However, in the Destiny Card created by Mr. Xia, the rule that "the alcoholic card must be replaced by the chef card" also implies the fall of Erkoo.

Judging from all indications, Erkoo is an unobtrusive god.He has become a symbol of festivals, carnivals, and pleasures, and is indeed closely related to human beings, but it is impossible for people to indulge in it every day, and they cannot often have carnival feasts of wine.

In other words, Erkool seems to be more closely related to Temiafa than to humans.After all, there is always a chef at a banquet.

This kind of "substitutability" also makes Erkoo, the god, not have much reputation, at least not as good as Tie Miyafa, let alone the god of life and death.

After Erkoo, the second god to fall was Trisley, the god of mountains and rivers.

But just as people usually only remember No.1 and don't remember the second No.3.In fact, the time of Trisley's fall was very close to that of Erkoo.But people always remember the fall of Erkoo, but not the fall of Trisley.

Trisley fell early in the Silent Period, probably only a few decades after El Khoal.There are no more exact dates in the historical records.He fell in the Booth Mountains, a majestic mountain range south of the Never Emberlands.

Some merchants discovered the existence of star dust there, so mining excavation work was carried out.The Church of the Past collected some of the star dust over there, and at the same time found that it belonged to Trisley.

This kind of thing is not uncommon.

The Church of the Past has mastered the locations of most of the Stardust mine veins, and at the same time mastered most of the Stardust sales channels.Therefore, if a businessman intends to sell Star Dust through formal channels, he will diligently report to the Church of the Past.

In any case, the power of the Revelation comes from Anti-Nam, and most people know this well.

And this also allows the Church of the Past to further grasp more information related to the old gods, on the premise that they understand the nature of Stardust.

Erkoo and Trisley, after these two gods, the third fallen god with historical records is Huddoka, the god of sin and lies.He fell in the 134th year of the Silence Era, and the place where he fell was near Hales House.

Siles had investigated this matter in depth, and he knew that Huddoka's fall was essentially swallowed by Menawaka.

Erkoo, Juddoka.These two gods were old gods known to Sires, devoured by other gods.The experience of the former has not been confirmed by relevant information, but the latter is a certainty.

Of course, what that confrontation between Huddoka and Menawaka means, he still does not know.

After Huddoka, the fall of the old gods suddenly stopped; after that, about 200 years later, a group of old gods suddenly fell at the same time.

During the 300 years from 500 to 200 years of the Silent Age, Akamala, the god of dreams and illusions, Temiafa, the god of gluttony and lust, Brangkani, the god of asceticism and silence, and Atkin, the god of music and art, Asia has fallen.

Akamala fell in the year 356 of the Silence Era.Before His fall, everyone in Fischer's world was shrouded in nightmares for three full days.That announced his fall.The place where he fell was in the Principality of Const, even very close to Lamifa City.

However, the mist belonging to Akamala also dissipated very quickly.Nowadays, people no longer know that there was a god who fell in the Duchy of Const.

As for Temiafa and Broncani, they both fell in about 400 years of the Silent Era.

The time and place of the fall of Temiafa are more mysterious, especially the place where it fell is likely to still be shrouded in fog.However, some people did take out the star dust belonging to Temiafa. Of course, the investigation of its source