The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

Herman Grove showed a surprised expression the first second he saw Sirius.

When he met Mr. Ghost in the dream, he had been away from Lamifa City for nearly half a year.During these six months, his experience was complicated and distorted.This even made him not very used to life in the city when he first returned to Ramifa City.

Therefore, he has almost forgotten the appearance characteristics of these professors and classmates in the school.Of course he still remembered their names and dispositions, and that was one of the motivations for him to continue to persevere in the fog of the Neverland.

But, to put it bluntly, he hadn't noticed the resemblance between Sirius and Mr. Ghost at all.

... until now.

He realized with astonishment that Professor Siles Noel of La Mifa University had a rather similar appearance to the mysterious Mr. Ghost in the dream!

Of course, he knew that Siles was the enlightener, and that the ritual of "self-reappearance" was the professor's invention, but...but this was still far from Mr. Ghost in the dream.

After the initial shock faded, Herman Grove fixed his gaze on Sirius.The cold and crazy temperament that only belonged to the explorers of the Never Embers flashed away from his body, which was only noticed by a few people in the classroom.

Siles looked at Herman thoughtfully.

It was good to meet this young student again in the classroom.

However, thinking of Herman's cheerful and carefree personality when he started school last year, Siles couldn't help but sigh in his heart.He smiled at Herman from a distance, but didn't say anything to him immediately at this moment.

Herman took a deep breath and slowly calmed down.

Another student who hesitated to speak because of the appearance of Siles was Kellogg.

This international student from the Principality of Kansas has spent more than a year at Ramifa University.Her Const language became much more fluent, and she gradually got rid of the lonely state when she just started school last year, and established good friendship with many classmates.

But at this moment, her expression was rather tangled and complicated.She clutched a stack of papers tightly in her hands.

She didn't notice Herman Grove's expression, but when Sirius appeared, she took the initiative to walk over.She whispered annoyedly: "Professor, about the history of the Shadow Age... can I talk to you later?"

Siles was momentarily surprised.

Kellogg's major is Shadow History.In the last school year, Siles also had a strong interest in the history of the Shadow Age, so he asked Kellogg for some relevant information, and got a book list from Kellogg.

At the same time, Jan Calder's "Gods and Believers in the Shadow" was also recommended to him by Kellogg.

…has Kellogg uncovered some secrets?The thought flashed through Sirius' mind.

Without hesitation, he quickly replied, "Of course, Kellogg."

Kellogg seemed relieved and returned to his seat.

The weather is still sunny today.However, the hot weather did not make the students lose their interest. A dozen or so students were still happily discussing club activities for this semester in the classroom.

Today's community activities did not involve specific activities, but were discussing what to do next.During such a long time together, these students have become very close friends with each other.

They talked about their rainy vacation life, about the weather and food, about their studies and homework, and curiously and cautiously asked about Herman's experience in Land of Never Embers.

All of these students will graduate this school year, both in elementary and further education.Perhaps except for Herman Grove, because he has already forgotten a lot of knowledge, and he may not be able to graduate smoothly.

Therefore, their topic inevitably mentioned the work after graduation, as well as the graduation thesis.

Siles just listened quietly, occasionally participating in a few words.

He noted with some relief that the students were still alive and well.That would make him feel that the followers of the old gods and the followers of the shadows, death and killing, blood and shadows are all extremely distant things.

Of course, he didn't intend to involve these ordinary students.

Discussions and conversations are still going on.Dorothea came over and whispered to Celes, "Horatio Dwight, he should be waiting outside your office right now."

Siles nodded. He confirmed that there was nothing for him in the society, so he left temporarily and went to the office on the fourth floor.

Horatio Dwight was standing in the corridor.He stood by the window, looking out at the lawn of La Mifa University, with a calm and dead emotion in his eyes.He had lost a lot of weight, almost skinny.

When Siles appeared at the end of the corridor, he looked over sharply.He looked over with vigilance and anxiety, but when he saw Sirius, he froze there.

He stood there almost bewildered.After a while, he whispered, "Professor Noel."

His voice was rather hoarse and dry, as if he was not used to speaking.He hesitated to speak, wanted to say something but didn't know where to start.Ultimately, he just said, "I'm sorry."

Siles walked in front of him and looked at the student calmly.

Horatio opened his mouth, and whispered, "I'm sorry...what happened that night."

"You don't know," said Siles, "so, Horatio, don't blame yourself."

Horatio gave a wry smile.He simply said, "I've been an abettor." He paused, then added, "So... I think I should apologize to you. For a lot of things..."

"If you really want to apologize, then you should apologize to those victims." Siles' tone remained calm, "I'm not yet a victim of the Grayson incident."

He had eaten no food from Grayson Foods and suffered no damage that night.It should be said that he just investigated and solved the matter.

"...I do..." Horatio paused, "I really should."

He hung his head a little frustrated.

Siles looked at the young man, and after a while, his tone gradually softened."Let's talk in the office," he said.

He opened the office door, and Horatio followed him.The young man sat down awkwardly.

"How have you been these past nearly a year?" Siles asked.

"Just some interrogations, some investigations . …I can not do anything.

"...at first, I didn't even understand what was going on...everything seemed to change all of a sudden."

Horatio murmured, still with that ethereal, dreamlike tone in his voice.After nearly a year, he still couldn't let go of what happened that night.

He was forced to stand at the door of the kitchen where the horrific sacrifice took place.But is that really "forced"?

"...Horatio, forgive my bluntness." After a moment of silence, Siles said directly, "Do you believe in Brancani now?"

Horatio shuddered, and there was a sense of panic in his pale face.

After a while, he slowly shook his head and said, "No." He seemed relieved by saying that, "...no, I'm not. I've never...I might be curious, but I've never Not...to be, Follower of the Old Gods.

"You once told me ... after that night was over. You once said to me, 'We live in a real world' ... Yeah, I've been thinking about that.

"Do I believe in Browncarney? Or, do I believe in Browncarney? I question the real self...the one who lives in the real world...and I'm sure, I don't.

"I'm just a little curious about these gods, these believers, these histories, that distant story... that's all. I never believed in any gods."

He lowered his head, as if he was thinking about something and confirming something.Finally, he firmly said: "Yes, I never."

Siles looked at the young man thoughtfully.

Generally speaking, one would think that the disciples of the Brancarney have a very good will.This is a group of ascetic monks, forging their will in pain and self-restraint.This was originally their area of ​​strength.

Perhaps Horatio did not believe in Broncani.For this young man, it may be difficult for him to inherit the family's beliefs after that night... Besides, he has already passed the inspections of the Church of the past and the Duchy of Constance.

However, in this process, his will has already undergone a very thorough experience.

They were all silent for a moment.

Then Siles suddenly changed the subject: "Do you know what's going on in Ramifa lately, Horatio?"

Horatio hesitated, then shook his head a little bewilderedly.He added: "I just left ... from that place. I haven't had much contact with the outside world in the past period."

Siles nodded, and he said: "Many followers of the old gods have come to Lamifa City. They are trying to do something in this city... So, I have to confirm that your appearance has nothing to do with them. This That's why I'm asking you if you still believe in Brancani."

Horatio was a little surprised and said, "Come to...Ramifa City? But why..."

"Maybe it's because of Antinam." Siles said, "After all, the center of the church in the past is here. But maybe it's because of other things."

"...Antinam?"

At that moment, Horatio's face showed an extremely complicated expression.It may be dazed, it may be anxiety, it may be hatred, it may be joy.It is difficult to say how much the name "Antinam" reminded Horatio of.

...has he been tortured in the church of yesteryear?

This is not impossible, after all, he participated in the conspiracy of the followers of the old gods.Even if he didn't realize it himself, and he was powerless to change the elders' ideas, but, after all, he appeared in the kitchen after the dinner that night.

In fact, Horatio was able to appear again, which already surprised Sirius a bit.He had thought that the young man would disappear without a trace...or even die.It's all possible.

Not to mention the Church of the Past, just in the Principality of Constance, people will not have a good attitude towards this young man.

Because of this, Sirius was always wary of Horatio's appearance.

...It's a pity that he used the body of a puppet today, otherwise the main body could directly make a judgment on Horatio to confirm the young man's position.

but……

Siles looked at Horatio thoughtfully.

This pale, moody face.Judging from Horatio's appearance, he seemed to have changed completely.A year earlier, that young student of apparently distinguished background had become a prisoner just out of prison.

Soon, however, Horatio's words surprised Sirius too.

He said: "I don't know...I'm not sure...but, I once heard...from Grandpa...he mentioned some...some things." He murmured softly, as if his memory was very confused , "He mentioned... 'Shadow'."

Siles was taken aback suddenly, he quietly concealed his surprise, and just asked, "'Shadow'?"

"Yes... yes." Horatio scratched at his hair, as if using the pain to help himself remember, "I don't remember very well... I just had the impression... 'What if...'"

"if?"

"What if..." Horatio recalled, "what if, 'Shadows' corrupted Ramifa... yes, Grandpa said so...'corrupted Ramifa'...'If they came Ramifa City'..."

Horatio drew a sharp breath, and he gazed at Sirius anxiously.

"...Calm down, Horatio." Siles said still calmly, "Did you tell the Church of the Past about this matter?"

"I've told them...anything about Grandpa," Horatio whispered, "but they don't seem to care.

"It was a long time ago... Last year, I told them. After that, they just... used various methods to confirm my own position."

...That is to say, the church of the past probably didn't understand what Horatio was talking about, and they probably thought it was just the ravings of a crazy young man.And, today, they are unlikely to go through the file of a case that was solved last year.

Sirius breathed a sigh of relief.He pinched the bridge of his nose with a headache.

"shadow"?

When the word came out of Horatio's mouth, he was completely surprised.Why did Horatio hear about "Shadows" from Clarence Dwight?

How did Clarence Dwight know about "Shadow"?

He pondered, especially the information related to the Grayson incident.

To this day, the information seemed very distant and fuzzy, and he had to dig deep into his memory to sort out this matter from the beginning.

The two culprits in the Grayson incident, Boleyn Elgar and Clarence Dwight.

The former is the internal affairs officer of the palace, once a chef, and also a believer in Temia method.Later, for various reasons, he met Clarence Dwight, a follower of Brown Carney.

The two of them hit it off immediately, and reconstructed the concept of power of Temiafa and Brancani with their own ideas, believing that these two gods are essentially one with two sides, ascetic and violent.

Based on this idea, they started the action to awaken these two (one?) gods.

Fourteen years ago, there was great chaos within the Principality of Constance.

On the Principality's side, Ebenezer Const's belief issues were exposed, and the Principality had to temporarily replace the heir, as well as a large number of officials in the palace; Bolin Elgar took the opportunity to enter and took charge of the palace's internal affairs .

On the side of the Historical Society, there is a daring revelator who intends to reproduce the power of the old gods. The senior officials of the Historical Society took the opportunity to attack and fell out with Mr. Xia; the conservative Clarence Dwight also took this opportunity to become the elder of the Historical Society .

Thinking of this, Siles suddenly had a doubt.

Fortunately for the Historical Society, the Dwight family was originally a well-known aristocratic family, and it is not surprising that Clarence can become an elder.

...But why did Boleyn Elgar become the Housekeeper of the Palace so easily?

For such a mediocre ex-chef, this is almost a step up.

Of course, there were indeed some followers of the old gods helping them at that time, including some officials in the Principality and so on.The power of the Temia method may be easily infiltrated.

...But what if this matter has something to do with shadow believers?

The exposure of Ebenezer Const's faith and the subsequent replacement of heirs really caught the whole thing off guard.However, if the shadow believers do something deliberately, and then install a follower of the old god inside the palace, it seems to be very easy.

It didn't even require Boleyn Elgar to do anything, or let him know the nature of the matter.

All that is needed is that there is a follower of the old god who is about to move around in the palace, and that is enough.Everyone knew that the followers of the old gods would definitely try to do something, and that would already be a danger to the Const royal family.

And another clue that reminded Siles of this possibility is... that painting.

The painting of a man in a chef's hat who can turn rotten things into delicious food from the Never Embers.

……A painting!

Think about what they're investigating right now.

Thirteen paintings, thirteen old gods.They thought that this group of shadow believers was starting from scratch, but...

What if they had actually done some of the work long before they came to Ramifa?

Siles collected his thoughts.And Horatio, watching him with wide eyes, did not disturb his contemplation.

Where did this painting of Boleyn Elgar and Clarence Dwight come from?Siles threw the question to his past self.

...the Huddoka (Menawaka?) followers from Hales House.

What happened at Hales House is another story.

In the 134th year of the Silent Era, Huddoka fell.His fall was because his believers were moved by the benefits brought by Menawaka's followers, so Huddoka met with Menawaka.After this side, Huddoka fell.

...Of course, this is the superficial story.Now Siles already knows that it was "Shadow" who disguised himself as Huddoka at that time, and Menawaka specially asked to meet Huddoka because he sensed something was wrong.

But this time the meeting allowed the "Shadow" to control Menawaka instead.That created the illusion of Huddoka's fall.

...In short, whether it is the fall of Huddoka or Menawaka, for its believers, it means that they are burdened with a heavy, terrible and crazy secret.

For a long time, this secret forced the two believers into an alliance.Their concepts and beliefs are gradually distorted, and they almost become a close group.

Anyway, fraud and business sound like a match made in heaven, don't they?

Therefore, this group intends to resurrect the gods they believe in.That seemed to allow them to cast off the heavy, terrible burdens they had carried over the years.

In the process of practice, they have tried many ways, but all failed.Therefore, they thought that they might use other followers of the old gods to help them rule out or experiment with some possible solutions.

As a result, this portrait, which seems to be the "relict" of Temiafa, but actually contains the deceitful power of Huddoka, went to the hands of Bolin Elgar and Clarence Dwight .

...quite complex.Siles thought.

The believers of "Shadow" may have played a part in it. After all, the believers of shadows have been monitoring the situation of the stations and villages in the Never Embered Land for a long time.

When this group of followers of Huddorka was planning a conspiracy at the House of Hales, the mysterious Mr. Dreyson might have disguised himself as a clown and observed them secretly.Perhaps, did give some hints?Like... using the power of portraits.

This is a possible conjecture.

However, many details of past events are not very helpful for their current investigation.

...The point is, why does Clarence Dwight mention "Shadows"?

Judging from all the signs, these two people didn't even know that the portrait they got was essentially using the power of Huddoka, let alone aware of the "shadow" hidden behind this group of followers of the old gods.

……and many more.

Siles was taken aback suddenly.

These two words appeared in a long sentence at the same time, which brought a long-lost feeling, as if it brought some hints to him-huddoka, and, "shadow".

...A long, long time ago, when he was not sure of the existence of the Outer God, before he knew the nature of this hidden god, when he first embarked on a journey to the Eternal Land...

"Shadow" did not point to the Outer God hiding in the fog of history.

That points to the Paradise of Huddorka.

The paradise of Huddoka is called the Temple of Belam.

From some of the information they collected—such as the diary of the temple builder Dua obtained by Cindo, such as the non-existent tribal ruins that Alfonso Carlyle and Emmanuel strayed into—judging from, The Temple of Belan is obviously related to "Shadow".

At that time, Siles also had a thought.He vaguely felt that the paradise of these old gods seemed to have something to do with their god positions.

For example, Akamala's divine position is a "beautiful rainbow bubble"; and in the deep-sea dream, people's dreams indeed fill the entire ocean like bubbles.

...well, of course, Akamala's Paradise is actually Kanyo Farm, but the farm is more like the seat of the power of the unreal, and the deep sea dream is the seat of the power of the dream.

For another example, Temiafa's god position is "the chef of the dinner", and in his paradise, Geqi Island, there are indeed banquets with rich food one after another.

And Huddoka's deity is "the shadow side of the world".His paradise, the Temple of Belan, seems to be related to "shadow".Once one steps into the shadow of something, one easily enters its temple.

In the temple, it seems that there are many traces of the past of the building.The tribal ruins that Alfonso and the others strayed into before are like such a preserved "shadow", a section of the long river of time.

... "If the 'Shadow' invades the city of Ramifa", "If they come to the city of Ramifa".These are the exact words of Clarence Dwight.

Siles couldn't be sure when he said such words, but perhaps, he just sensed the power of Huddoka carried in that portrait?

... No, probably not.At that time, these two people probably believed that this painting symbolized the power of Timiafa and Brown Carney-after all, it was related to food.

Therefore, they may be aware that the followers of the old gods who gave this painting to them may have something to do with Huddoka.After all, they are all enlighteners, and Clarence Dwight is an elder of the Historical Society, so they might be able to find something strange.

Although these two are followers of the old gods, from another perspective, they only believe in Temiafa and Brancani.

This kind of belief is exclusive. They think that Lamifa City is the territory of the gods they believe in, and of course they don't want other followers of the old gods to come and snatch it... Even if their actions themselves symbolize the conspiracy of the followers of other old gods .

A portrait from the Never Embers... to the inhabitants of the city, such things are inherently dangerous.

Elgar and Clarence also experimented for a while before actually using the portrait.Apart from the function of the portrait itself, they probably also investigated the origin of the portrait.

All in all, they felt a little wary about the painting's provenance.This kind of vigilance may be very shallow, and it may pass in a flash, but it is also possible that they have consulted relevant information and have some information.

Like... the temple of Huddorka.

The Dwights are ancient nobles and have always maintained their faith in the Brown Carneys.There may be some information about the old gods mentioned in the family's collections and family records, which may include the temple of Huddoka.

Therefore, Clarence Dwight will say such words, "If the 'Shadow' erodes the city of Ramifa", "If they come to the city of Ramifa".

... Siles once again reviewed his overall thinking, thinking that this should be very possible.

The shadow believers may have secretly arranged for Boleyn Elgar's position, or may have secretly promoted the actions of these two people.However, until now, shadow believers are still hidden in the shadows.They couldn't be easily spotted by these two.

Therefore, it is more likely that these two people just suspected the god Huddoka.They might think that the followers of Huddoka hid the portrait of Temiyafa?

While Siles was thinking, he slowly caught a subtle inspiration.

What did he just logically think of?

... Siles couldn't help being taken aback.

"Until now, shadow believers are still hidden in the shadows."

..."Shadow believers still hide in the 'shadow'"?

Siles felt a vague shock in his brain.He grasped that wisp of ethereal inspiration.

A rather subtle core is that the word "shadow" is actually quite common in real life.

His use of the phrase "shadow believers hide in the shadows" is just based on a novelist's instinct-to use a metaphor at will.He just wanted to express that this group of shadow believers is still gone.

But once actually confronted with this structure—"hidden in the shadows"—he couldn't help thinking of more.

In the "shadow".

Here, the "shadow" also does not point to the outer god, but to the shadow of the temple of Huddoka.

He just suddenly had a strange association.

Years ago, Alfonso Carlyle, Emanuel and their companions stumbled into a tribal ruin.They were able to leave at last because at that time they had no idea that they had entered the paradise of a god.

Ignorance kept them safe, though only those two left in the end.

...but here comes the question, "leave"?

Did they enter that Paradise in a practical sense?together with the body?

It's a rather ambiguous question, but Siles almost immediately finds an analogous scene—the salon space of the Historical Society.

Mr. Xia is able to manipulate the salon space.In the salon, people's life and death are even controlled by him.From this point of view, it can't be called reality at all, can it?

However, people did indeed enter this space.It's like the gap between reality and illusion.

If someone unfortunately entered the Sea of ​​Darkness, was lucky enough to escape, and was lucky enough to come to the salon space of the Historical Society... then he might be unlucky enough to enter the Sea of ​​Darkness again.

Because the existence of the salon space is actually quite similar to the dark sea.It was an independent "bubble", derived from Akamala's power, and Anti-Nam created it.

...So, what about the "Shadow" of Huddoka?

Shadow believers, are they hiding in the "shadow" of the Belan Temple?

Since August 8th, one question they have been confused about is, where exactly are the shadow believers in the city of Ramifa?

Theoretically speaking, the number of this group of believers may be hundreds or thousands. Investigate, they should have found something.

But in fact, so many people disappeared completely like a drop of water into the sea.Except for the perpetrator of the attempted murder at the trade fair, everyone else seemed to disappear out of thin air.

...Perhaps, shadow believers are indeed in the "shadow"?

Siles was stunned for a moment, then slowly breathed a sigh of relief.Regardless, it's a possibility.Maybe he should ask Alfonso later to find out what happened when he entered the tribal ruins.

He turned his eyes to the silent Horatio in front of him again.

The long thought just now made Siles notice two important issues.

One is that the Shadow Believers may have completed a painting before coming to Lamifa City.

Of course, whether the painting refers to Huddoka or to Temiafa is another matter—maybe it refers to two gods at the same time, or even four gods? ——However, this also means that they cannot simply think that the Shadow Believers will definitely act thirteen times in Lamifa City.

They have to stay vigilant and treat every action of the Shadow Cultist as if it were the last.

The second is where the shadow believer might be now.

Shadow of the Temple of Huddorka?To be honest, this guess seems to have a definite direction, but with so many shadows of buildings in Ramifa City, who knows which shadow these people will hide in?

Regardless, it at least points in one direction.

These two pieces of information are quite valuable, and all this is because the appearance of Horatio Dwight and the two sentences he mentioned allowed Siles to reintegrate and sort out the information in the distant past .

He had to thank the young man in front of him for being right.

Siles came back to his senses and said, "Sorry, I was distracted. I'm sorting out the information I got in the past... Horatio, I have to thank you."

Horatio was taken aback, he quickly waved his hands, and shook his head a little frightened.

Siles smiled, telling him not to be so nervous.

He thought that this might also be a force of fate—fate arranged for Horatio to appear at this time, reminding him that it was time to recall those dusty clues.

In short, he really had to go to the Deep Sea Dreamland today.

Siles chatted with Horatio again.He didn't go into what he was thinking, but said that Horatio's information had indeed helped him.

Horatio seemed relieved by this - but he didn't seem too interested in knowing.

After the Dwight family's accident, all the family's assets were naturally confiscated or auctioned off.Horatio kept a small amount of cash while accumulating a large amount of debt.

He has to work hard and earn money.Of course, it is unlikely that he will return to the original rich aristocratic life.

"...but maybe it's a good thing too," Horatio murmured.

Siles thought for a while, then asked, "Are you still planning to continue studying at Ramifa University?"

Horatio shook his head and said, "I've dropped out."

Siles sighed slightly regretfully, he thought for a while, then opened the side drawer and rummaged for a while.He produced a letter and handed it to Horatio.

Horatio looked at him a little quizzically.

"This is a letter I once wanted to send you." Siles explained briefly, "for your paper."

Horatio froze suddenly.

"If... I mean, if you have time, I think you might be able to reorganize the content and materials of that paper." Siles said deliberately, "That's the work of you and your companions for a semester The result..."

"...I dare not see them," said Horatio dryly.

Siles also paused for a moment.For members of the society who remember suffering, their president became a prisoner after just one night... This is indeed a rather unimaginable thing.

"But, Horatio, that's over," said Siles. "You're back in this real world, and you're here to survive. Escape doesn't solve anything. Besides, it's your work." , but also the work of others.

"... I would be happy to recommend this paper to the journal, but only if you really decide to publish it. I look forward to your answer, Horatio."

Holding the letter, Horatio left in a state of dismay.

Siles sat alone in the office for a while.He felt an unspeakable taste, maybe because of Horatio Dwight, maybe because of more people living in this world.

Their lives, their lives, are closely related to many, many things.What is frustrating is that it is difficult for them to control and influence the factors that control their lives.

In a world with gods, gods have become the biggest problem; in a world without gods, the problems are also diverse.

Life is always a headache.

Just as he was meditating, there was a knock on the door.Siles subconsciously looked up and saw Herman Grove standing there.

Herman looked cautiously. He walked in and closed the office door.

Siles asked, "Are the club activities over?"

Herman froze for a moment.He didn't expect that when Sirius opened