The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

April 4th.Saturday.

After seven o'clock, Siles finished his breakfast and planned to go out.But when he went upstairs to change his clothes, there seemed to be someone knocking on the door.Qin Duo went to open the door, and then communicated with the man.

When Siles went downstairs, the man had already left, and Cindo said, "Just now the postman stopped by and told me about the situation in Merlin Town."

Siles couldn't help but startled.

He counted the time and realized that the letters sent on Wednesday morning would arrive in Merlin Town in about a day or two.So, when the postman passed by No. 99 Kelly Street this morning, he relayed some relevant information by the way.

"Is there anything worth mentioning?" Sirius asked.

Qin Duo shrugged, and said: "The postman's statement is similar to that in your mother's letter. Merlin Town is indeed undergoing reconstruction, especially the road surface, which is quite chaotic now.

"When the postman arrived, your mother was not at home, so this letter was returned."

He raised the envelope in his hand and put it on the table casually.

Then he said: "By the way, the postman also said one more thing. He said that he observed the situation of your farm and found that the farm seems to have been abandoned for a long time. Because it is spring now, it is reasonable to start the new year's sowing up.

"...But, now you don't need a farm business anymore?"

Qin Duo said a little uncertainly.

Sirius nodded slowly.In my memory, when I was younger, my mother did ask him to help share some farm affairs, and the family savings were also accumulated at that time.

However, after Siles went to Lamifah City to study, things on the farm basically stagnated, and his mother also found a more relaxed job in Merlin Town.

Therefore, it is quite normal for farms to fall into disrepair.However, this statement just made him feel a little subtle.Looking back, this situation is really...

After thinking for a moment, Sirius sighed softly."It looks like I'm overthinking," he said.

"It's not that you are careless, you are just worried about what's wrong with Merlin Town." Qin Duo said considerately, "But if you still feel worried, do you need the Praia family to go to Merlin Town to investigate? ?”

Siles shook his head and said, "No, there's no need." He thought of Dice's reaction to the question of "mother" and various clues, and said, "I don't think it's necessary."

Dice fled, Merlin Town was the birthplace of Antinam, the "mother" who was heard but not seen, the deserted and empty farm...

Seriously, the farm.Was it because he was afraid that he would not be able to think of Akamala?

And Akamala's power is precisely illusory.A dreamlike, lifelike illusion, or even, a false memory?

Siles was so skeptical.

He began to suspect that the name Siles Noel had come from nothing.Perhaps the person "Siles Noel" never existed in this world, but because of the arrival of He Jiayin, this world provided him with an identity to use.

...He was stunned for a moment, then pinched the bridge of his nose to stop himself from thinking so much.In any case, it was just suspicion, and he couldn't use his intuition as evidence.

Qin Duo asked in a timely manner: "What did you think of?"

Siles looked at him for a while, and after a while, he said, "Cendo, maybe there is something I need to let you know."

Qin Duo was taken aback for a moment, and Sirius' serious tone gave him a bad feeling.He wondered a little perplexed, could it be something related to Sirius' mother?

He looked at the letter, then at Sirius, and said hesitantly, "Uh... do you mean to say that your mother left Merlin Town because she doesn't like me?"

Siles: "..."

He was at a loss for a moment, never expecting that Qin Duo's thoughts would turn in that direction.

He couldn't laugh or cry for a moment, and the complicated and dull emotions in his heart disappeared in a blink of an eye.

And his silence made Qin Duo even more troubled.Qin Duo thought for a while, and then said: "So you need to tell me about this? Then should I do something..."

"...No, no." Siles had to interrupt Cindo, "I didn't mean our relationship. I meant... myself. Siles Noel."

Gindo looked at him in bewilderment.

Siles walked up to him and took Qindo's hand."I started to doubt my own existence," he said.

Qin Duo was startled, and then realized that this would be a more complicated and heavy topic.He frowned and asked, "Why?" He paused, "Because of Merlin Town? Because of your mother's departure? Because..."

"Because of the farm." Siles said, "Akamala's farm, and my family's farm in reality."

"Coincidence..." Qin Duo suddenly understood, "For you, this is not only a coincidence, but also fate."

And since it's fate, it's natural to wonder if I've been... er, "arranged"?

Besides, for Siles, the situation is a little different.After all, he came from another world, and at the same time, he had already learned that his time travel had a purpose, so now he naturally doubted whether his current identity was real.

But for Qin Duo, he may not be able to personally experience this subtle feeling.

Siles hesitated, not sure whether to take this opportunity to directly tell Qindo about his coming from another world.He felt that it seemed a bit too hasty, and Qin Duo was completely unprepared.

But Qin Duo looked at his expression, but said thoughtfully: "Did you confirm this from other clues...but you couldn't tell me directly?"

Siles thought for a while, shook his head, and said, "I'm not sure about that." He glanced at the time and found that it was almost eight o'clock, so he said, "Let me clear my mind, Gyndo. Turn back I will tell you all this."

"Okay." Qindo whispered softly, he leaned over and hugged Sires, and rubbed Sires' shoulder affectionately, "What I want to say is that I trust your wisdom. You can always It's all settled."

Siles couldn't help smiling, and he said, "I just think there are some things that should be shared with you. That's what you should know."

Ginto muttered a little confused, not quite understanding what he "should" know.However, Siles believes that, as his partner, Cindo should of course know where Siles came from and where he will return in the future.

...he was still counting on returning to Earth with Cindo.

Siles kissed Qindo's side face, and then said: "Then, see you tonight."

"See you in the evening." Qin Duo said, and added, "Can I start looking forward to the night in advance?"

"We have nothing to do tomorrow morning." Siles smiled lowly, "So... yes, Qindo, you can start looking forward to it."

"That's great." Qin Duo said impatiently.

This day, Tian Qinduo is going out too.In fact, his business with the Praia family is not much less than that of Siles, especially recently he intends to expand the business of the Praia family in the Principality of Const.

In addition, according to him, with the further development of the Blight Wasteland development plan, more transportation and infrastructure construction is underway.It also took up part of his time.

Thinking about it now, the time when he was free to explore in the Land of No Ashes even seemed quite far away.

However, Gindo willingly did these things because it made him feel like he could be doing his beloved god a favor.Besides, he knew that Siles would like this situation - the development of the world, the convenience of transportation.

At the beginning of winter last year, they had discussed related topics in Land of No Embers.Of course, Qin Duo noticed Siles' thoughts and visions on this aspect.

And now, he can also be said to be realizing Siles' idea at that time, but they all tacitly didn't mention it again.

They discuss the old gods and the stories of the past; but everyone knows that they are based on the present after all, and will also create the future of this world.

At 08:30 in the morning, Siles arrived at the Historical Society, and he collected some leaves along the way.He had a feeling he was going to spend the day at the Historical Society.

However, he didn't rush to the space behind the door on the third floor, but went to the first floor, the scriptor's room first.As soon as he got closer to that corridor, he could almost smell ink and paper.

He recalled the room Bart had taken him to the last time, and walked there, knocking on the door.

After a while, the door opened.The scribe Bart yawned, looked over blankly, and then was suddenly shocked, as if he woke up immediately.

The middle-aged man couldn't help but say in surprise: "Professor Noel!" He hurriedly took a step back and turned sideways to let Siles into the room. He said a little embarrassedly, "It's a bit messy here..."

It is indeed messy.Paper, ink, and quills are everywhere.However, there were also a few pens placed randomly on the desk. It seemed that even old-school scribes were gradually beginning to use pens as a convenient copying tool.

Siles noticed in particular that there was a quill pen carefully placed by Bart on the first floor of the glass cabinet, and its feather was also very delicately arranged.

Siles also noticed that Bart's expression and movements looked quite normal, without the neurotic and gloomy feeling he used to have.It seems that the ritual of "reincarnation" can have some effect after all.

"Good morning, Bart. I hope I haven't interrupted your work," Siles said.

"No." Bart shook his head vigorously, "I know you must have come to me because of business."

Siles was startled, and couldn't help feeling that his image seemed to have been fixed on adjectives like serious and serious.But he couldn't deny that he came to find Bart because of business.

"Yes, Bart. I need to ask you something," Siles said.

Bart barely cleared a small space in his scriptorium.He asked Siles to sit on the small sofa, and he moved a stool to sit opposite Siles.

He looked awkward because he had nothing else to entertain Sirius, but Sirius told him not to mind it so much.

"Okay, okay." Bart nodded, he looked a little flattered, and couldn't help but say, "What do you want to ask? I must know everything. You may not know, but you saved the lives of us scribes. .”

He couldn't help but look at the quill placed in the glass cabinet.He looked at the quill pen with a subtle obsession and dependence, as if that pen was his whole world.

This performance made Siles frowned slightly.

He didn't show what was on his mind, he just asked calmly, "Have you been using this quill to help yourself get rid of pollution?"

"Yes, you are right." Bart came back to his senses, and smiled a little embarrassedly, as if apologizing for his distraction, "It was a very magical power and feeling, as if going back to the past... …in the beginning, I was just becoming a scribe.

"You may not know that, in fact, I chose to be a scribe because I like words and writing. However, as the work became more and more arduous, I gradually forgot the initial love for words themselves."

He sighed, a tired and helpless expression inevitably appeared on his face.

But then he cheered up again, and he said kindly, "It's because of you, because of this ritual you invented, that I'm able to get back to my youthful mindset. Thank you so much."

Seeing the middle-aged man's excited expression and his renewed mental outlook, Siles couldn't help being silent for a moment.He said, "It's all right, Bart. I'm very glad I was able to help you."

Bart couldn't help laughing, and then said: "So, what do you want to ask?"

"Remember that transcript you gave me last time?" Sirius asked.

Bart froze for a moment, then nodded, he said a little uneasy: "Did that cause you some trouble..."

"No, don't worry." Siles shook his head, "I just accidentally came across some information related to the contents of that manuscript, so I want to ask you about your knowledge of this file."

Only then did Bart breathe a sigh of relief. After thinking for a while, he said, "Wait a minute. I have recorded all the relevant materials and information I have copied. Let me look for them."

Siles was taken aback, and couldn't help feeling that Bart's habit was quite admirable.He waited silently.

Bart opened a cabinet in the corner and took out a rather heavy, bound file from it.He recalled the date, and flipped through it.

"...October, a nursery rhyme, isn't it?" Bart whispered, running his fingers across the rough paper, and said, "He didn't leave his real name, just asked me to call him 'Fu Rest'.

"I know that he is a big man who often appears in the historical society. He is about 50 years old. He is a thin, gloomy old man. He came alone, handed me an envelope mysteriously, and asked me to Copy the contents inside.

"...By the way, he also specifically asked me to put the paper back in the envelope before handing it to him after copying. It seems that he himself doesn't want to see the paper inside the envelope.

"At the time, I didn't understand why he did it. Now...he just wants a lowly scribe to be his scapegoat, and it just so happens that no one from the Historical Society will jump out and accuse him of doing so."

Bart said in a low voice, and he squatted there, shaking his body back and forth involuntarily.His voice was also a little ups and downs, as if this incident had aroused his emotions.

But he soon sighed and returned to normal.He put the file back in the cabinet and sat back on the chair.

Siles looked at Bart thoughtfully.He thought, judging from Bart's performance, the pollution he had received still had some residual effects, which made his mental state less stable and easily trapped in his own emotions.

...But it could also be because of his working form?Always burying his head in copying, maybe it will make him more introverted and more excitable.

In any case, the ritual of "self-reappearance" seemed to be a backing, allowing him to maintain as calm as possible without completely collapsing.But at the same time, this ceremony also made Bart a little dependent, and now he values ​​the quill too much.

Siles couldn't tell if that was a good thing or a bad thing.In any case, Bart at least does not fall into a more hopeless abyss.

After Bart sat down, Siles asked, "Did the other party say anything about the source of that envelope?"

Bart shook his head, and he said, "No. But..." He thought about it for a while, "The envelope is quite old, and I even had to carefully take out the paper inside.

"Perhaps it wasn't the big man who specifically put the paper in, but it was already in the envelope when he got the information. I'm afraid he didn't dare to open it himself."

Bart inadvertently showed a little contempt.

Siles listened thoughtfully, and he asked again for confirmation: "In that envelope, is there only the paper on which the nursery rhyme is recorded?"

"Yes, there is only that piece of paper." Bart nodded repeatedly, "There is no mark on the envelope either... By the way, there is a postmark on the envelope."

Postmark?

Bart recalled for a while, and then said: "But the postmark has been blurred, maybe it has been too long, or it has been damaged, so I can't see the specific date of sending the letter.

"It can only vaguely recognize the two numbers 3 and 8. It was more than 380 years ago in the Fog Middle Ages, that is, more than ten years ago."

Siles nodded and said in a low voice, "I understand."

A letter sent more than ten years ago has been preserved until October last year when it was suddenly found by a man who called himself "Forrest".He didn't dare to open the envelope for fear of contamination, so he handed the letter to Bart for him to copy.

At the same time, Siles also thought of the inspiration for the ritual of "self-reappearance".Edward Bello, then director of research, selected Larry Lampson and Bart Evans as participants in the experiment.

Thinking of this, Siles suddenly belatedly realized an ingenious timing.

He asked, "Bart, when you participated in my experiment, did you sign up yourself?"

Bart froze for a moment, then nodded: "Yes. I remember...the director of the research department at that time would choose from those of us who signed up."

"Do you only need to report your own name?"

"No, it's a paper application form. The research department has such a form, and you need to fill in some basic information, such as name, age, occupation, etc. I have filled out some before, but I couldn't participate in those experiments. You The experiment was the first time I was selected," Bart said.

Siles nodded.The reason why he asked this question was because he felt a little doubt.

Edward Bello was also a senior member of the Historical Society. He stayed in the position of director of the research department for a long time until the research results of Siles made him decide to abdicate.

Siles doubted whether he would know some inside information, and even knew that Bart needed to copy that document, so he specifically put Bart on the experiment list.

Of course, Siles also knew, perhaps only because of Bart's special occupation.The quill is obviously a fairly intimate object to Bart, so that Bart can benefit from the ritual of "self-reincarnation" to the greatest extent.

Is the selection of this experiment random or specific?

In any case, Siles did not intend to let go of this inspiration.He hadn't been in touch with Edward since the Luna eve dinner last year.One problem was that he didn't know Edward's mailing address either.

After that, Siles asked Bart a few more questions, but he also found that Bart didn't know more, so he didn't continue to ask.

Bart asked a little awkwardly, "Can I help, Professor?"

"You have helped me." Siles said sincerely.

In any case, the copy itself also came from Bart, which is already quite a valuable gift.Bart also needs to take risks in doing this, and Siles cannot ignore this.

Bart breathed a sigh of relief, and he said happily: "It's a good thing to be able to help you. If there is anything you can use me for, then you can just say it."

Siles thought for a while, then asked Bart about his life this past winter.

Bart was at a loss, not understanding why Siles would ask about this.But he also said it quite frankly, and added: "It's really a cold winter, it's a bit difficult."

Siles nodded thoughtfully, and he shared his idea for a new subject.

Bart listened in surprise, and slowly opened his mouth, he said: "This is really...Professor Noel, you are really a noble person! No one has ever cared about us like this after mastering powerful power Mediocre ordinary people!"

Siles smiled slightly.

It is difficult for him to say whether he can be described as "noble".Perhaps, it was only because he came from a world that did not possess magical power that he could so easily think that this power might be used in daily life.

And for those Revelators who have basked in the immensity and grandeur of this power for many years, they may not dare to think about it.

Can stardust be used as heating fuel?If they were people in this world, they might be reluctant to do so; but in Siles' view, it is only natural for energy to be used for life.

...Of course, Stardust is the skeleton of a god, and he is very clear about using a little less.

Therefore, after all, this world needs to get rid of the confinement of the power of the gods and embark on its own path of civilization.It's just that in today's environment and conditions, it may not be a bad thing to let the power of the enlightener act in daily life.

Bart became excited because of Siles' new project, but Siles had to remind him: "I hope to get some results before this winter. Before that, I hope you can keep it a secret for me."

"Of course, of course. I will, don't worry." Bart nodded vigorously, "I'm just... I'm just... how should I put it, I'm just so sincerely looking forward to the results of your project."

He was so excited that his whole body trembled.He may only be vaguely aware of the symbolic meaning behind this subject, but he has not yet clearly realized how much change this subject can bring to the world.

But he was already quite excited, because he had personally experienced the cold winter in Ramifa City.

Bart took a deep breath and murmured, "I'm looking forward to it."

Siles waited politely for him to calm down.

Bart wished he could help a little bit, so he eagerly asked what he could do.

Siles thought for a while and said, "Will it be a huge burden for you to buy potions?"

Siles hadn't bought many potions himself, because he had gifts from Mr. Grenfell and the Church of the Past.The latter probably regarded this little effort as an indirect act of ingratiating Antinam.

Therefore, Siles himself didn't pay much attention to the price of a bottle of potion - especially the generic finished potion.

Under normal circumstances, a finished potion with 1% purity and 1 standard capacity would cost about 1 duke coin.

5%纯净度的大概是10公爵币，10%为100公爵币；20%和50%的魔药价格波动比较大，大概在300到500、600到1000这个区间波动。

The price of potions with 50% purity may not be capped.Because at this stage, the production of potions is quite risky. For a period of time, it is very likely that no new potions with a purity of 50% will be produced for a long time.

For ordinary enlighteners, potions with a purity of 1% are enough for daily use, because they usually do not involve the rituals of the patron.

In addition, a potion with 1% purity and 1 standard capacity provides 10 hours of ritual time; 5% is 50 hours.It is impossible to stay in the ceremony time during normal use, which is quite a waste.

This is the situation in Siles' impression, but in the past period of time, due to various reasons, he guessed that the price of potion might rise for a while, and it was not recovered until recently.

In contrast, the price of Star Dust is more stable than potion.

Stardust itself has a huge profit margin, the quantity is small and the channel is basically monopolized by the church of the past.Just judging from the attitude of the church in the past, it is unlikely that they will raise the price of stardust circulating on the market (stardust on the black market will be counted separately).

Siles had witnessed an auction at Ernestine's underground trade fair before, and 50 grams of star dust was auctioned for a price equivalent to about [-] duke coins.On the regular market, Stardust of the same specification may only cost one-third or two-thirds of the price.

However, it also means that buyers must register their identity, name, purpose, and so on.The Church of yesteryear doesn't want people to misuse stardust.

For those who are inconvenient, or who want to use Stardust to do some illicit activities, purchases through formal channels are almost completely cut off.

However, Siles doesn't need to consider the price of potion and stardust on the black market for the time being.Besides, the ritual of [Flowing Wind] obviously does not require a potion with too high a purity.

For enlighteners who need to use the patron ritual, the price of potion will become their burden; but for ordinary enlighteners, a finished potion with 1% purity may not be too expensive a luxury.

Sure enough, Bart said: "I don't use high-purity potions. I usually only use 1% and 5%. Most of the time, I use the former. Sometimes I use potions to make my work easier. .”

He gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

Afterwards, he continued: "The price of potion also fluctuates a bit. So I will try to buy some when the price is cheap. I will spend about 5 duke coins at a time to buy 5 bottles of magic potion with 1% purity and 1 standard capacity. The medicine is enough for me to use for three or four months."

Siles nodded and said, "If you want to spend so much money for heating, are you willing?"

Bart thought for a while, and then said honestly: "I might want to save a little when it's not so cold. But the potion itself is a must-have for me, so I'm happy to buy an extra part to keep warm."

Siles breathed a sigh of relief.He is now doing a survey: whether he is willing to pay the "electricity bill".

In fact, some high-end residences in La Mifa City have something similar to heating.There is a high probability that the technology of this world has reached this level.

However, for the residents living in the west city, as well as the vast majority of ordinary residents in the east city, their lives are insulated from heating.Even 99 Kelly Street, which Siles bought, has no heating.

This is why Siles was so yearning for the heating in Kansas before.

In any case, regarding the price issue, they will conduct more detailed investigation and calculation later.This is all for later.

Siles quickly ended the conversation with Bart, and then left the scriptorium on the first floor.He went to the space behind the door on the third floor, but he didn't rush to his office, but went to Ms. Bonita Aston's first.

"The mailing address of Director Edward Bello?" This question made Ms. Aston startled.

"Yes." Siles gave a reasonable excuse, "I'm preparing for a new project recently, so I remembered some suggestions from Director Bello about my project, and wanted to write to him to respond to those questions , also happened to mention the new topic.

"I also want to ask him some questions about potions. But after he left the Historical Society, I don't know how to contact him."

If it was someone else, then Siles might consider office politics.But in front of Ms. Aston, he knew that this lady didn't care so much.She herself was promoted by Edward Bello herself, and she is also a teacher and friend with Edward.

Suddenly, Ms. Aston took out a piece of paper from the desk drawer, then flipped through her notebook, copied a copy of Edward Bello's contact address, and handed it to Siles.

She thought for a while and said, "It seems that I haven't contacted him for a long time. Maybe I should pick a time to visit him personally."

"You are also quite busy." Siles said involuntarily.

Ms. Aston sighed and said, "Indeed. I'm almost overwhelmed by administrative matters." She thought for a moment, then suddenly said thoughtfully, "You know how many new people have joined the Historical Society lately?" ?”

Sirius hesitated, then nodded.

Ms. Aston said: "Some of them want to join the research department, but I don't have time to investigate their specific situation. If you have time..."

Siles: "..."

He said tactfully but resolutely: "I have only joined the research department for less than a year, so I am afraid I am not suitable for such a responsibility." And there is no time.Of course he didn't intend to tell the real reason.

Ms. Aston met his silent gaze.

That's... well, pretty accurate.It has indeed been less than a year since Siles joined the research department.

Ms. Aston shook her head helplessly. She said, "Forget it... It is true that after the commendation ceremony at the beginning of the year, you have attracted the attention of many people within the Historical Society. This is a good thing and a bad thing."

Siles agrees with this statement.Look how angry those remarks made Grenfell.

He looked at the time, then asked about the opening time of the group arena in the afternoon.

"It will start around one o'clock." Ms. Aston said, "You can just go there by then, and the corresponding seats have been arranged. Now the salon is open, and there is no entrance hall for changing identities, just go in."

Siles suddenly realized, and couldn't help but feel that the salon is really a magical place.He planned to take a closer look later.

After that, he went to room 557.His assistant, Aneurin, was already there waiting for him, praising Siles' new subject with a little excitement.

The previous research on the sealed item was gone, but no one cared about it.Of course, Siles himself is quite interested in the sealed item, as far as the nature of the sealed item is concerned.

He shared with Aneurin his thoughts on the new topic, and mentioned that he would cooperate with a potions master, who would study in depth whether it was possible for ordinary people to use this ritual.

This made Anuilin's eyes widen, and he felt a little shocked, even surprised beyond the scope of his comprehension.Because he never imagined that the rituals used by the Revelation could one day be connected to ordinary people.

"There is no difference between the power of the enlightener and the power of ordinary people." Siles commented objectively, "Ordinary people can kill the enlightener with a gun."

The extraordinary power of this world is not exaggerated to the point of breaking through the limits of the human body.

In the older ages, when the patrons of the old gods were still active in this world, in the Imperial Era, those with extraordinary power were quite powerful, almost breaking away from the definition of human beings.

But now, with the fall of the old gods, their believers have lost their respected status.

Aneurin nodded seriously, and seemed to have some thoughts because of it.

Siles then turned his attention to how to preserve the leaves for a long time.

If placed on his native Earth, the answer to this question might be leaf specimens.A good question though is that Chemistry in Fisher's world seems to have been replaced by Potions, and Industrial Chemistry seems to be stagnant on the other side.

Now that they are revelators, there is no need to look far away, and they still have to explore the solution to this problem from the perspective of the power of revelators.

Siles and Aneurin opened the two thick books "Basic Rituals" and "Advanced Rituals", looking for rituals that might preserve items for a long time.They did find some, and recorded them, intending to test them one by one later.

But in the process of searching for these rituals, Siles also realized that these rituals were all for a single object.

In other words, none of these rituals can handle several blades at the same time.If they want to promote the results of this subject to a wider range, it means a rather terrible workload.

At noon, Siles breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the rituals that he and Aneurin had sorted out, as well as the few leaves that had been tried, began to suspect that they were doing a futile effort.

However, he did not express this idea.In any case, they need to make some progress slowly before then.Their ultimate goal is the application level, which means that they must go through countless experiments.

Aneulin didn't think that far, he is still in a state of high interest.But it was almost noon, and he just heard that Siles said that he would go to the club to watch the game later, so he proposed to stop and study together.

Siles too