The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

Thursday, July 5th.

That night, he entered a deep sea dream.

There are still two days until May 5rd.And the next time I enter the deep sea dream will be after the 23rd.A dark premonition told him that entering the deep sea dream this time might gain something.

Sure enough, the dream bubbles of Hud Dreyson and Herman Grove hang there—and of course, the dream bubble of Cendo.He was used to Qin Duo's company in the dream.

He looked at Qin Duo's dream bubble, with a slight but genuine smile.After that, he first went to Hed Dreyson's dreamland.

Hurd should still be staying near the Folio Sea at this moment, and he knows the situation of the sea to the north best.He wanted to get some latest news from Hurd first.

Some time ago, he entered the deep sea dream several times, and he also roughly understood the recent development and current situation of Fuli'ou Sea, and even the entire Eternal Land.

Herman Grove and his team proved from their own experience that using the ritual of "self-reappearance" can keep them sane in the fog.Many, many explorers wanted to find out if this was true.

Some explorers from the Principality of Const also seem to have heard about this incident. After all, there are still many revelations related to the Historical Society or the Church of the Past, and they can always hear some clues.

But these people didn't pay much attention to this ceremony before, thinking that it was just some kind of gimmick or something-there are always some malicious people who promote some kind of weird ceremony, usually it is a conspiracy.

But, fog?This ritual can fight the fog?

In fact, although the "Reincarnation" ritual was originally intended to combat mental pollution, when this ritual came to the Everland, these crazy explorers only noticed one thing-this ritual may make them in the fog. explore freely.

Some impulsive and greedy explorers, after first hearing about this and understanding how this ritual is used, even recklessly entered the fog range directly.

Some of them disappeared, while others miraculously escaped safely from the mist—something that had never happened before in the Everlands.

Even if some explorers successfully leave the range of the fog, they will fall into a state of distortion and madness.Even if some people don't enter the fog range, their mental state will be affected just in Gainesd.

So the fact that someone managed to emerge—safely, the point is—out of the fog is a testament to the reliability and importance of the ritual.It is impossible for any explorer to ignore this ritual, unless they are already crazy.

Of course, at this moment, the vast majority of cautious and thoughtful explorers are watching the changes.It is impossible for them to go to the fog immediately, but to wait for more information, and more people's adventures.

This didn't affect them immediately going to the station where Herman Grove and the others appeared, inquiring about relevant news, and learning about the specific method of this ceremony.

This moved the wind and clouds, and diverted people's attention from the sea to the north.

The isolated island in the Sea of ​​Folio is still guarded by the tribe of Basil.In fact, most of the explorers gathered around the Sea of ​​Folio were a little frustrated because they realized that their individual strength might not be able to compete with the entire Basil tribe.

So the "reincarnation" ritual is apt to grab their attention.

Originally, this matter would not have spread so quickly, but Hurd Dreyson sneakily talked about it with a businessman he knew well.The businessman from Never Ember clearly realized the business opportunity, so he secretly carried out some publicity in the north.

As a result, many explorers who originally wandered around the Fuliou Sea, intending to find opportunities to make a fortune on an isolated island, instead decided to first learn about the ritual of "self-reappearance".

Anyway, the isolated island will always be there, and it is impossible for the entire island to disappear completely. It is better to take advantage of the current stalemate and first improve your own strength.I am afraid that many explorers think so.

Some explorers even left the Folio Sea directly, while others remained there.But in any case, even the explorers who are still there are a little absent-minded now.

The original stalemate and sharp situation that was about to explode disappeared invisibly.People may still pay attention to the interests of the star dust in front of them, but they may also imagine the glory and wealth of exploring the depths of the mist in the future.

As a result, the interests of isolated islands appear less urgent.

Because of this, the aristocratic young man showed a relaxed mood during the past few meetings with Herd Dreyson.He probably thought it might just be over.

This is also very much in line with Mr. Ghost's idea.He was expecting that the complicated and tense situation in the north of the Never Emberlands would calm down.

However, when Mr. Phantom stepped into Hed Dreyson's dream that day, he was greeted with panic words from the latter.

"Mr. Ghost, I received a letter." Hurd said nervously, "They...they are urging me to leave quickly."

Mr. Phantom frowned slightly, and he still maintained a calm tone, just said: "What is written in the letter?"

Hurd recalled for a while, and then said: "After I woke up this morning... We have been living in a hotel for several months. When I walked out of the room, I saw a letter at the door... the letter That’s what’s written on it.”

He probably realized that what he said was a little confusing, so he directly reproduced the letter in the dream and handed it to Mr. Ghost.

Mr. Ghost took it and looked down.He noticed that some of the words seemed vague, maybe Hurd couldn't remember them clearly, but the general meaning was quite clear.

"It's (time) time to go. The deep sea calls (your) ship, and the lighthouse's light will illuminate your (path). It's getting late, Hurd!"

Mr. Phantom was silent for a moment, then said: "It seems that they have been paying attention to you."

Hurd froze for a moment, belatedly showing a frightened expression.He said with a wry smile, "Yes... do I really want to go? Maybe I can... I can pretend to go on a boat, but don't do what they tell me to do."

"I'm more worried," Mr. Ghost said bluntly, "once you really go out to sea, what happens next may be out of your control. Remember some of your previous thoughts? You unconsciously Do as they ask."

Hurd looked at him blankly, and after a while, he said with a trembling voice, "You mean... I'm polluted, don't you?"

Not just pollution.thought Mr. Ghost.That is, the power of blood.

Of course, if Hurd knew this, the young man would probably be even more terrified.

"It's possible." Mr. Ghost didn't object to Hurd's guess, "So, the sea is quite dangerous for you."

Hurd opened his mouth, and then fell silent for a moment.He said: "Well... I wanted to tell you another thing today. But I realized that it might have something to do with this letter... They wanted me to die at sea, so they did it ..."

Hurd whispered in an almost sleepwalking whisper.

"What happened?" asked Mr. Ghost.

"...The attitude of the Basil tribe seems to have loosened." Hurd whispered, "Someone has been driving a boat and looking at the isolated island from afar, and they found that the people of the Basil tribe seem to be planning to leave .

"Afterwards, some people said that the Basil tribe might leave completely tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. By then, we can go to the island. This kind of talk is now spreading among the explorers around the Folio Sea. I know many people They are all about to move.

"...Including my companions. They seem to be planning to go to sea. Tonight, before I entered the dreamland, they were already planning when they would go to sea to seize the opportunity...

"They said that if they were the first batch, they would definitely be alerted by others. Moreover, we don't know the situation on that isolated island now, so we can't be the first batch of people to set off.

"However, you can't leave too late. If the stardust on the isolated island has been scavenged by the Basil tribe, and there are only scattered scattered stardust left, then there is no point in arriving too late.

"Also, first of all, we have to confirm whether the Basil tribe really mined the stardust on the island..."

Hurd made a slightly troubled expression, and then realized he had strayed off topic, and said, "I mean...Mr. what to do?"

As the date of May 5 approaches, it is clear that there are related movements on the side of the Everland.

Mr. Phantom thought for a moment, and then asked a question first: "Have you learned the ritual of 'self-reappearance'?"

"learn".Any ritual has a degree of fit, and the closer the degree of fit is to the full value, the stronger its reappearing power will be.As for the ritual of "self-reappearance", the degree of fit means how close to the healthy state of mind that I used to be.

Hurd was probably very hasty when he set off from La Mifa City. Mr. Phantom wasn't sure if he had brought any time track suitable for the ritual of "self-reappearance".

He nodded and said: "When I set off, I brought a teacup that I was used to, so I used this cup as a time track." Enamel mug.

Mr. Ghost was a little helpless for a moment.The young man was almost kicked out of the house, and there was probably only a short time in all to pack his luggage, and he even brought a teacup.

This makes people feel a little funny, but it also helps at this time.

Mr. Phantom said: "You have two options. The first is to continue to delay. After this weekend, there should be no problem. For other explorers, the weekend is also very important. "

By that time, the mastermind behind the scenes probably won't be in the mood to pay attention to Hurd anymore.

Hurd nodded thoughtfully.

"But I'm afraid you need a suitable reason to explain why you continue to procrastinate." Mr. Phantom said, "This is a certain risk. The gang may reveal their true colors and directly tie you to the boat forcefully. Take you out to sea."

Hurd showed a frightened expression, as if he couldn't believe it, but also as if he had already expected this.

Mr. Phantom said again: "The second option is that you take the initiative to go to sea. It just so happens that your companion is planning to do the same. But as I said before, the sea is very dangerous for you now.

"In order to fight against this danger, you have to use the ritual of 'Reincarnation' to keep yourself calm and awake. Like the first option, the time node is also this weekend.

"As long as you can get through this weekend intact, then your crisis is basically solved."

In fact, there are only two ways for Hurd to go: either go to sea, or not to go to sea.

It was a very dangerous move for Hurd to voluntarily leave the vicinity of the Furiou Sea.There has always been someone secretly observing Hurd's every move behind the scenes, which even Hurd himself knows.

If Hurd showed signs of retreat, then the group behind the scenes may choose to kill the net.Therefore, even if he does not go to sea, Hurd can only choose to delay, pretending that he is still thinking about how to go to sea, rather than rejecting it completely.

Between going to sea and not going to sea, since Hurd has indeed mastered the ritual of "self-reappearance", Mr. Phantom thinks that going to sea may be a better choice. Very dangerous.

Only with a high enough will attribute can Hurd's safety be guaranteed.

Moreover, judging from the current information, the group behind the scenes hopes that Hurd will take the initiative to seek death; some guarantees.

... Before May 5, Hurd may have to go to sea.

"I understand." Hurd said in a low voice. "First, I have to delay the time as much as possible, and then...use the ritual of 'returning myself' as much as possible. Even when I have to go to sea, I can maintain my sanity."

"Yes." Mr. Phantom said, "tea cup, this timing track is quite a good choice. As long as you keep drinking water, then this ritual will help you."

Hurd nodded nervously.He took a deep breath. "I will... this weekend, yes?" He said firmly, "I will survive this weekend."

Mr. Ghost couldn't help him any more.That's far north of the Eternal Lands.Even though he can meet Hurd in the dream, he can only come to the deep sea dream at night.After all, all this depends on Hurd's own will.

I hope that this young man, Hurd Dreyson, can survive, at least he is worthy of his current desire to survive.

Mr. Ghost sighed in his heart.

Soon, he left Heard's dream.He stared at the seaweed on the isolated island in the deep sea dream, and wished Hed Dreyson's fate in the next few days in his heart.

Afterwards, he traveled to Herman Grove's dreamland.

"...We have completed your task." Herman said a little joyfully, "In the Land of Never Embers, this ceremony even caused a stronger response than we imagined."

Mr. Ghost nodded in the same way.He agrees with that.

With the promotion of the "self-returning" ritual in the Land of Never Embers and various countries, Fisher's world may also usher in a new look.From a certain point of view, this just promoted the development plan of the withered wasteland.

Mr. Ghost turned to ask: "What are you going to do after that?"

Herman said: "We...I mean, those of us who belonged to the archaeological team. We plan to go back to the city of Ramifa first. We have to report to our family that we are safe and go back to reunite with our family... Said Really, I miss my parents very much.

"However, we also want to know what the truth is. Some people don't plan to go home, they want to stay in the land of no embers and continue to investigate the truth...including what I mentioned to you earlier, Alfonso Carlisle .

"He said that he had no family anymore, and he only planned to write a letter to his familiar friends to tell him that he was safe. He said that he wanted to know what happened to the tribe in the mist.

"Now that there is the ritual of 'self-reappearance', I think...he may choose to return to the mist. However, even if he does not lose his mind, it is easy to lose his way in the mist. So this Things may need to be discussed in the long run.

"As for me... Actually, I still really want to continue digging that historical relic. I still want to know what happened in the Shadow Era."

His tone had a low, stubborn and cold undertone.The underlying meaning is that he wants to know what kind of history and past will make people secretly plot against them.

Professor Dunlop, who is still alive and dead today, may become Herman Grove's heart knot all the time.

Mr. Phantom couldn't help asking: "About that ruin, have you found any valuable information?"

"I understand what you mean." Herman shook his head regretfully, "We failed to find anything. Those trivial and messy information simply cannot form a complete logical chain.

"The owner of the tomb is a nobleman from the Shadow Era, possibly a great nobleman. There are many precious funeral objects in the tomb, but before we had time to analyze the meaning, those funeral objects disappeared one after another.

"Those unfamiliar characters, complicated patterns and patterns... I still remember some, but it may not be meaningful. It's just... just some messy... like scattered corpses."

The way he described it made Mr. Ghost frown unconsciously.

Soon, Herman took a deep breath and came back to his senses.He said: "I may go to the ruins with my companions before returning to Lamifa City. I don't know if it will remain the same after we leave."

Mr. Ghost is skeptical.The archaeological team has disappeared for more than five months. Although the tomb remains are quite remote, there are always explorers who may stray into it by mistake, or the mastermind behind the scenes may do something.

... He believes that even the ruin itself may have been specially arranged there by the mastermind behind the scenes.The purpose is to attract people there, and then complete a grand, world-wide sacrifice.

Mr. Ghost stepped in halfway, at least not letting all the people who strayed into the fog die.

"Another thing that needs to be told to you specifically comes from Alfonso." Herman said, "He asked me to pass on some information to you."

Mr. Phantom couldn't help being startled, and asked, "What is it?"

"Well, let me start off by saying that Alfonso is a bit of a chatterbox. He used to be a folklorist, and he was always talking about 'prophets' 'tribal relics' 'parchment' 'pens' and stuff like that Something, I don't know if this symbolizes something.

"Alfonso knew you were trying to solve the whole thing, so he wanted to give you some clues that might come in handy. What he asked me to pass on to you was that he suspected he had been to a tribal ruin, and Oasis in the mist."

Mr. Phantom narrowed his eyes and listened silently, not in a hurry to ask.

Herman continued: "He probably described to me the tribal ruins he had been to before. He said it was a small deserted village with a guillotine in the middle of the village. He said he picked up a piece of paper there. Parchment and a pen.

"On the parchment there were words like 'God gave revelation, a prophet will appear' and so on. He said that the place should be related to Huddaka. That's probably it, he didn't describe more."

It seemed that Hermann suspected that Alfonso knew more, but did not say so.thought Mr. Ghost.But in fact, Alfonso didn't know much about the tribal ruins.

But the topic of "pen" made Mr. Ghost think of the pen that was still stored in the bank safe in reality, and the manuscript he had obtained from Professor Kabell.

In the manuscript, Professor Kabell mentioned an explorer he had met. From this explorer, Professor Kabell learned that "they are indeed one", "the pen beyond the age wrote the Proverbs of the Times" these two messages.

Even today, he still doesn't know what the "motto beyond the times" is, but it is indeed a piece of information related to the "pen".

…pens, parchment, guillotine.Mr. Ghost pondered these three concepts in his mind.He felt more or less troubled.

Herman added: "Alfonso said that he connected the two places because he noticed that the building arrangement in the desert oasis was very similar to the tribal ruins he had visited.

"The dwellings of the people in the oasis are around the grave, and the houses of the tribal ruins he visited are around the guillotine in the middle of the village. Those two scenes are related to death, which made him think it might be related.

"He thinks there might be a central point to all these events, like these scenes around the 'death' ... It's a kind of, there's a subtlety to it. There's going to be a death at the heart of the plot. , or something related to death."

Suddenly, Mr. Ghost understood what Alfonso meant.Of course, it was based on a lot of information he already knew.

Now they have investigated many, many things that happened in the Sea of ​​Folio, in the Land of No Embers, and in the city of Ramifa.These clues are intricate, with a hammer here and a mallet here, as if there is no connection at all.

However, everything should revolve around a center.All things are derived from this center.

...Marina Kellan's child?

Mr. Ghost thought of this naturally.However, if the center refers to the center in the sense of orientation, then the situation seems to be slightly different.

They now know three locations: the Sea of ​​Folio, the oasis in the mist, and the city of Ramifa.They approximately form a right-angled triangle, from the Fuliou Sea above, to the oasis almost directly below the Fuliou Sea, to Lamifa City, which is level with the oasis in the mist.

If you really want to say "center", the oasis in the mist is more qualified.

……etc.Mr. Ghost suddenly realized a problem.

That grave is probably the body of "Shadow" that was not successfully born.What if someone wants to use that grave bag to resurrect "Shadow"?And if that's really the center of their plans?

This is indeed a possibility that he missed in his previous thinking.

Herman observed Mr. Phantom's expression and noticed his pensive look, so he said, "Does this give you some inspiration?"

"Yes." Mr. Phantom came back to his senses, "I suspect that those people want to use the things in that grave bag. However, after you have all left there, they may not be able to achieve their goals."

"Thank you for telling us about the ritual of 'self-reappearance'." Herman said, "So, those who are still in the mist, have they also escaped the shadow of death?"

He does not mean that.Have they really escaped from the "shadow"?

Mr. Ghost secretly sighed in his heart.

Herman had nothing else to do, so Mr. Phantom left his dream.

After returning to the dreamland of the deep sea, Mr. Ghost thought for a while, and then searched for the dreamland of Augustus Dunbar.This explorer of the Never Ember always carries a machete said to come from the executioner of Lamifa City.

He doubted whether Dunbar would know something related to the guillotine and the execution, so when he entered the deep sea dream these days, he would always try to find Dunbar's dream.

Unfortunately, he never found it.

He didn't force it, he just shook his head and put it aside for the time being.He confirmed that there was nothing else in the dream, so he went to Qinduo's dream and talked to him, and then the two left the dream together.

It was four in the morning again.

Fortunately, the power of Akamala protected them, and even when they woke up so early, they would not feel tired; unfortunately, there was a strange pressure at four o'clock in the morning.

But Siles couldn't sleep at this time either.Those heavy, complicated and obscure information rolled back and forth in his brain, forcing him to think at this time.

Gyndo looked pretty much like him.So they got up very tacitly to wash up, and while slowly making breakfast in the kitchen, they exchanged various thoughts on this incident.

Qin Duo learned some information obtained by Siles in the dream, and said thoughtfully: "Do you think the 'center' may be the grave bag?"

"It's possible. But I doubt how they can use the corpse of 'Shadow'." Siles said, "Herman said before that they struggled even to get close to that grave."

Qin Duo thought for a while, then said hesitantly, "Rely on...'Returning Self'?"

Siles: "..."

He was silent for a moment, then sighed.

Yes, it is possible. The "Reincarnation" ritual can keep people sane and get rid of spiritual pollution.So of course, this effect can come in handy when they want to get close to that grave bag.

...Indeed, the "Reincarnation" ritual can provide soul protection.But this protection does not distinguish between bad and good people, it treats them equally.

Instead, Qin Duo comforted: "But we now know what they might do. We can stop them in advance."

Sirius nodded slowly.He turned and said: "When Brewer Darrow and Marina Kelan met, the ritual of 'reincarnation' had not yet occurred. So, at that time, they certainly would not have grave bags as a possible option. .

"As for now..."

Siles hesitated.

"They'll have to see what Marina Kellan's baby will be like first," Cinder said affirmatively, "Shadow's body was always there anyway.

"If their plan in Ramifa City continues to fail, then they will definitely try another direction. But the premise is that they have indeed tried various methods.

"This group of 'shadow' believers, they seem to be quite cautious and cautious. They have been hiding in the dark, using such a long time to carry out their own plans. They will not recklessly use the tomb in the mist."

Siles agrees with this statement.After all, the guys were amazingly patient.

They are willing to observe those "children" in a way of more than ten or twenty years. Naturally, they will also put some more dangerous experiments behind.

They experimented step by step with the possibility of "death and the child born of the stars", getting closer to the core a little bit, and the approach can be described as quite cautious and careful.

Therefore, the oasis in the mist may be their backhand, or it may be a "sacred place" that they have been guarding carefully for a long time.Those explorers who were "driven" into this place by them might just be the sacrifices they prepared for "Shadow".

...just because they are afraid that the gods they believe in will feel "hungry" in the state of death.

Thinking of this, Siles couldn't help but think of what happened in the sea to the north—the sacrifice in the storm.The aborigines on those isolated islands cut off their hands, feet and other things, and then sacrificed them to the sea.

Siles frowned slightly, feeling that this approach... was closer to Themiafa, the god of gluttony and lust. It just so happened that the "Island Whale" in the Sea of ​​Folio seemed to be the paradise of Themiafa.

...But why is "Shadow" associated with Temiafa again?

The relationship between these gods is really quite complicated.

He thought for a moment, then shook his head, and came back to the topic.

"Tomorrow is May 5. I will meet with Ms. Elizabeth in the morning." Siles said, "We have to decide in advance what we will do in La Miafa City."

Cindo said: "Today I will go to the Praia family. They are sorting out some information about house 32. I hope to find some breakthroughs."

"Anyway, it seems like we'll have to wander around the city tomorrow." Siles said objectively, "That's the only way."

Qin Duo nodded in agreement with helplessness, he glanced at the time, and then reminded: "In half an hour, you have to leave for class."

Siles couldn't help being startled for a moment, and then he couldn't help laughing.

What came together with the dawn of Lamifa City was not only the conspiracy of the followers of the old gods, but also the classrooms of Lamifa University.

This put Celes in a subtle trance.While conspiracies and bloody incidents are being staged, the world continues to go on as usual.Everything seems to have not changed, everything seems to be changing.

In the club activities in the afternoon, the students talked about poetry, novels, history and other topics happily as usual.One of them sighed suddenly: "Half of this semester has passed. Time flies so fast."

"We've known each other for a long time, too," Angela Clayton said.

"...Can I use something to commemorate it?" Dorothea suggested, "A special souvenir that can represent this club and the Geisha Literary Society. Medal, brooch, bookmark...or something else?"

Their eyes slowly turned to Sirius.

Siles laughed. He said, "Of course. You can discuss it, and we can choose from different options."

This suggestion was obviously approved by everyone, and they began to discuss enthusiastically, and gradually formed several proposals, but basically they were similar to what Dorothea had just said - medals, brooches, bookmarks, notebooks, pens, and so on.

In the end they unanimously agreed in favor of the brooch.Things like notebooks, pens, and bookmarks, they all have items they are used to.Brooches are more commemorative, but also have a more sense of design.

So everyone agreed to the plan, but couldn't decide what elements to add to the brooch.

As the club activity time draws to a close, the students are still chirping and discussing.In the end, they handed over the choice to Siles and asked Professor Noel to help decide—"Besides, this is your club." Dorothea said plausibly.

…Probably they all saw that Siles was basically good-natured—maybe just a little more homework; yes, just a little—so they wanted Siles to make the decision.

Siles thought for a while, but did not refuse the proposal.When he went to a jewelry store to order a ring not long ago, he noticed that there were other jewelry in the store, such as brooches, necklaces and the like.Maybe you can ask the lady boss.

The students started anticipating what this club member-only brooch would look like.The cost of custom brooches can also be deducted from the club's activities.

Siles wrote it down in his notebook, planning to take some time to think about it.

He then left Ramifa University and returned to 99 Kelly Street.Qin Duo is not at home. I am afraid he is still with the Praia family and has not returned yet.

...Tomorrow will be May 5rd.Siles thought inadvertently.And they need to find information related to house number 23.

While thinking, the postman knocked on the door.A letter from Detective Jon.

A few days ago, Jon heard about house 32 from Celes.Siles began to look forward to what he could find out.

...Of course, there is also the question of Jon's true identity.

Siles looked at the words on the letter paper.

"Zhan Xinjia, Professor.

"Well, first of all... I'm afraid I must apologize to you. I took it for granted that you knew something about me, and I have been a little offended at pursuing you. Of course, I'm afraid you do now.

"I have to say, I can't help but feel a little bit of a laugh when I look back and think about all the chicken-and-duck talks we've had all this time. Professor, I'm afraid you'll think my flight was exaggerated, but I was embarrassed. I I think you are the same.

"Anyway, as to your curiosity about how I found the trash can - I'm a pretty good detective, I have to say.

"Finally I realize you may have been thinking this was an excuse, but if you try that magnifying glass, I'm afraid I'm right. Hope this clears up your curiosity.

"I once gave a magnifying glass that I used earlier to a friend. He was amazed and praised the wonderful effect of this magnifying glass in the [Trace Tracking] ceremony. Unfortunately, I couldn't experience it myself.

"...then I'm afraid we'll have to get back to what we're investigating now.

"About the issue of House No. 32, I have summarized the situation I know, and I have also learned some information from other familiar detectives. The roads and buildings in Lamifa City... This is really a familiar yet unfamiliar place. The problem.

"I can't bear