The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

Knight Commander Bunyan only had a half-knowledge of what happened in the theater district, and even less of the details, so under Siles' narration, he showed an expression of sudden realization from time to time.

He sincerely praised: "You have more information than the investigators of the church in the past."

"How is their investigation now?" Siles asked.

"There is no progress." Bunyan shook his head. "The past month...seemed to be calm. But, I don't think this group of followers of the old gods will stop here."

Siles agrees with this idea.

He turned to ask: "Is this year's God's Birthday celebration already under planning?"

"Of course." Bunyan showed a gentle smile, "I will send you an invitation soon."

Siles smiled too, and said, "I doubt they'll choose this day, though."

Bunyan frowned slightly, but he might have thought of this matter before, so he wasn't surprised.He looked sideways out the window, today is a rare fine weather.But good weather has always been a decision of nature and the world, and has nothing to do with humans.

How much can human beings change and decide in this world?

Bunyan was silent for a moment, then said, "We have to prepare in advance."

Siles nodded.

At this time, there were two soft knocks on the door.

Elizabeth Hosier entered.The woman is in her late fifties, but she looks more energetic and cheerful now than she did in Middleton, with bright eyes and a lively smile.

"Good morning, gentlemen." She greeted Siles and Bunyan happily, and asked Bunyan quite casually if he intended to start a family or fall in love recently—she could help introduce them.

The knight commander looked rather helpless.

The former bishop from Middleton, after coming to the city of Ramifa, seemed to be more enthusiastically involved in the matter of "matchmaking for young people".However, she was more like teasing than serious.

She looked at Siles again, and said very gently, "Long time no see, Professor Noel."

Siles also smiled slightly and said, "Long time no see, ma'am."

After Elizabeth came to Ramifa City, she met Sirius twice.

She now lives at 33 Lowell Street.When she met Siles for the first time in Ramifa City, she mentioned that there was a pregnant woman living in No. 32 next door.It was this news that made Siles suddenly aware of the problem at 32 Lowell Street and eventually rescued Kellan.

That time their meeting also ended in a hurry.Siles then found time to have another lunch with the woman and talk about her life now.

Elizabeth Hosier is still working in the system of the Church of the Past. After she came to Lamifa City, the Church of the Past will naturally arrange her life well.

She has reached the age of retirement, so she chose a very leisurely job.She is responsible for sorting out and summarizing the archives of the church in the past.In fact, some young priests were in charge of sorting out the materials, and Elizabeth was in charge of coordinating their tasks.

... Apart from this matter, Elizabeth naturally also hopes to investigate the experience of her sister Josephine Hosier.But she doesn't seem to be making any progress.

Of course, Elizabeth also knew that this matter was not easy to investigate, so she did not appear disappointed.She may spend the rest of her life doing this, counting on fate to give her a definite answer.

——It doesn't necessarily need to be so good, and it doesn't necessarily need to be so bad.Just counting on a truth that is certain enough and clear enough.

Siles was very curious about the reason why Elizabeth appeared here today.

Knight Commander Bunyan mentioned this uninvited guest in his letter. Obviously Elizabeth came to find Sirius on purpose.But what would she say to Sirius?

This foreign female bishop is also one of the eight characters in the running group plot.Her fate, though, was rewritten long before she decided to leave Middleton.

Middleton is too close to the "Shadow", and the residents there will inevitably be affected.

Soon, Elizabeth sat down.She didn't seem to be in a hurry to talk to Sirius, she just smiled and looked at them kindly.

So Bunyan first mentioned his own investigation.

"About those two crazy painters..." Bunyan pondered for a moment, then looked at Siles, "Do you know what happened to the former department of the Historical Society?"

Siles was slightly taken aback: "What about Mr. Xia?"

"It can be said like this." Bunyan seemed to be thinking about how to explain all this. "When Mr. Xia asked the Historical Society to investigate those departments, one department happened to become a suspicious object...an artist department. It is said that they even have members with Mr. Xia had a conflict."

Siles said thoughtfully: "Those two painters also belong to that department of artists?"

"At least that's what they said," Bunyan said. "They said it was within the artist department that they received this... 'assignment'? That's how it should be described.

"I don't think they're really Followers of the Old Gods, even though they've gone insane. They may have just been exposed to some pollution, intentionally or not, and some other Followers of the Old Gods in the process.

"We used the ritual of 'self-reappearance' to slowly wake them up a bit... that is, to ask them to perform this ritual. In short, they have slowly regained some sanity.

"These two people can be said to be well-known painters in the city, so they received an invitation from Ramifa University... I heard that they plan to open a school of fine arts at Ramifa University? They seem to be planning to become professors there of.

"At the beginning of August, when they contacted some people from the Department of Artists, they casually mentioned this matter, so they got this 'task', that is, to draw a picture each. That's why they asked to pull Miffa University puts a blank canvas at the end of the corridor.

“They claimed that the men didn’t say what the assignment meant, but that they were asked to paint a painting when they were on the verge of insanity — or outright insanity.

"These two painters thought it was a novel attempt, and they even planned to take the initiative to accept and enter that crazy state. However, they originally planned to do it after the event, but they accidentally stepped into the state of madness. Castle went crazy before.

"...About this, they themselves can't explain why. They think that maybe they are too excited, so they can't control their emotions at that time... Maybe that's it."

Bunyan was also a little helpless about this.Facing two painters whose mental state was really not normal, he also felt helpless.

And Siles thought to himself, this comes from the judgment of the dice... The fate in the "soul" determines all of this.

He doesn't take it very seriously.Maybe this will be an unsolved mystery, but it's really not the point of the whole thing.

He asked: "In this way, they have nothing to do with the followers of the old gods, but are just being used?"

"I think so," Bunyan said. "These two painters were obviously terrified. They didn't expect to be taken away for such a long investigation. They knew almost everything, and they were very cooperative and candid.

"...I think that the Academy of Artists is probably an organization founded by those followers of the old gods. There must be suspicious people among its members, such as those who were taken away by the Historical Society for investigation. However, most of the members should be innocent of."

"I agree with this idea." Siles nodded and said so.

On the side, Elizabeth said with great interest: "So, can we get the list of members of this department?"

Bunyan shook his head regretfully: "The Historical Society's management of the department is too loose... If we can contact Mr. Xia, we may be able to get information about the department from Sharon. However, Mr. Xia And always elusive."

Siles listened quietly, but he was also thinking about the feasibility of this idea.

Elizabeth also showed a regretful expression. She said, "I thought the Historical Society would be very... rigorous?"

Both Sirius and Benyan looked at her.

"A document I'm sorting out recently is the list of pastors of the Church of the Past over the years." Elizabeth said, "It's really thick, complicated and ancient information."

Bunyan couldn't help showing a slightly surprised expression.

Siles hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Last year Hamlin...?"

"...Yes." Bunyan finally replied, with a slight sigh, "Last year, Hamlin stole one such document. In fact, this long list has not been documented for many years." Organized.

"It is precisely because of Hamlin's actions that the bishop intends to thoroughly sort out these materials within the church... To be honest, many things mentioned in it are even surprising."

Siles showed a slightly curious expression.

"Instead, this is a more relaxed topic." Elizabeth said in a slightly brisk tone, "For example, there are some nobles in Lamifa who have fallen into poverty, and they will choose to believe in my god. After all, we are always tolerant Accept them freely, and even give them a place to live."

Bunyan showed a hesitant expression, he didn't seem to think this was a "lighter" topic.

But in the end, he just smiled helplessly, and he said, "Yes, that's it. So, in the current list of priests, there may be a wonderful past story behind many names."

"Indeed." Elizabeth said with a smile, "As a native of Middleton, I don't know much about many stories, and I even inquired about many stories from those young priests."

... Knight Commander Bunyan looked even more helpless.

But it was at this moment that this Lady Elizabeth Hosier suddenly—or perhaps it might be said—was in utter distress.

In her still slightly smiling tone, she said, "I'm still thinking, among those priests three or forty years ago, which one would have been the father of my dear nephew."

Bunyan suddenly showed a surprised expression.Siles couldn't help but look at the lady.

Elizabeth shrugged, and she said: "First of all, Chester is indeed my sister's child. Secondly, I don't think my sister would fall in love with anyone and have children casually on the way to escape. Finally, Chester was born in La Miffa City, there is no doubt about it.

"Under the current hygienic conditions, traveling and being pregnant at the same time...it is very dangerous.

"Therefore, I think my sister met a certain man with a high probability after arriving in Ramifa City, and then fell in love with him and had children-I think my sister did it voluntarily, not forced, otherwise she would not be able to give birth to this child.

"So, after thinking about it, I think that the priests of the Church of the Past are the most likely. On the one hand, my sister is a member of the Church of the Past. On the other hand, she came to Lamifa City for the sake of Get in touch with the church of the past."

Elizabeth spoke her thoughts slowly.Obviously, in the past period of time, she has been unable to let go of Dr. Chester Fitzroy's life experience, and has been thinking secretly.

Her statement actually combined many of her personal views on Josephine Hosier, for example, she believed that Josephine must have fallen in love with someone, and that her dear nephew must have been born out of that passionate love .

. . . and Sirius hoped so too.

He asked: "If you say that, I think you should have discovered something?"

Elizabeth Hosier specially came to the Church of the Past today to participate in the conversation between Sirius and Bunyan, obviously for a certain purpose.

More importantly, the three people present, including Bunyan, knew something about Dr. Chester's life experience.They all knew of Josephine Hosier's existence.

They talked about it in faraway Middleton back in spring break earlier this year.And now, they faced the problem again, but the doctor was not here.

Apparently Elizabeth did it on purpose.She seemed to want to hear the opinions of other insiders first.

Elizabeth seemed to hesitate for a moment, and finally, she nodded.

She said: "I circled a circle. 34 years ago, single men between the ages of 40 and [-], who served in the church in the city of Ramifa... To be honest, I really experienced a lot of hard work. investigation.

"After all, 'single' is always difficult to explain. Fortunately, I have a well-known idiosyncrasy, so people have been tolerant of my probing.

"...And another important factor is... After that, he may disappear or leave or die. In short, something must have happened.

"I circled the names of three people. Their ages and identities are all in line, and they all left the Church of the Past more than 30 years ago."

Having said that, Elizabeth seemed to be slightly relieved.This lengthy investigation and arrangement obviously took a lot of hard work.

Bunyan couldn't help asking: "However, how can you be sure that it must be a priest of the Church of the Past? I mean... After all, the Church of the Past in the Principality of Constance has never heard of Bishop Josephine. arrival.

"If she did get in touch with a priest, why didn't she get in touch with the bishop higher up?"

"This is indeed where I am confused." Elizabeth said seriously, the gentle smile in her eyes disappeared, and her whole body was almost sharp, "I think my sister must have discovered some problems, or encountered some problems. What happened, that's why I got stuck."

Bunyan couldn't help being speechless, and he showed a helpless expression.

During Elizabeth's investigations, she always used words like "I think".She didn't use logical reasoning, but just used her knowledge of Josephine Hosier to force a conclusion.

...However, it cannot be said that the conclusion she drew is necessarily incorrect.

Siles said at this time: "Anyway, how about talking about the situation of these three people?"

Bunyan nodded too. He put aside his confusion and just looked at Elizabeth curiously.

Elizabeth introduced the three men she followed one by one.

No.1 is named Leo.Donovan is said to be a very devout believer. He used to serve as the bishop of a certain church in the west city. He left the former church due to illness more than 30 years ago. It seems that he went to the countryside to recuperate his body.

The second person was named Manfred.Colum, a young man who grew up in a town on the eastern outskirts of Lamifah City, came to work in Lamifah City, encountered many difficulties and bad luck, and finally believed in Antinam.

He is also the oldest of the three. Thirty years ago, he was nearly forty years old and was still a bachelor.He died suddenly because of a traffic accident.

The third person was named Kejichel Lancelot.This is exactly what Elizabeth mentioned just now, the priest who "dedicated" to the church of the past because of his family's decline.He was originally a nobleman, but he had already lost the honor and wealth brought by this surname.

He became a priest in the church in the past, because this profession was "respectable" enough for nobles.He had been a priest in a church in the East Side, but never became a bishop.He left the Church of the Past more than 30 years ago and has been missing since.

He was supposed to be around 30 at the time, always celibate because of family problems.

His family seems to want him to marry a well-to-do lady, and still has ambitions to revive the family.But Koggischer himself had no desire for this, so he never had any private contacts with any women.

...In fact, the moment he heard the third person's surname, Siles was already a little surprised.

Cogichel Lancelot ?

Lancelot?

...He just focused his attention on the Lancelot Theater last night, but today, relevant information about this theater came out?

Fate is indeed quite generous.he thought.

It was almost some intuition, instinct, that drew his attention to the name.He unexpectedly felt that Ms. Elizabeth's approach might have found Dr. Chester's father by mistake.

In fact, if Elizabeth had known about the existence of the Lancelot Theatre, then she would have paid attention to Kejichel, who had this surname, earlier.

However, Elizabeth was not deeply involved in the investigation of Kailan.She did know that the pregnant woman who used to rent next to her house seemed to be related to the conspiracy of the followers of the old gods, but she never knew about the existence of the Lancelot Theatre.

Besides, at that time, the Lancelot Theater did not look suspicious.

...It can only be said that this is an unexpected coincidence.

Also, Knight Commander Bunyan, who had just learned about the Lancelot Theater, couldn't help showing a look of surprise.

"What's the matter?" Elizabeth asked suspiciously, "Do you know any relevant clues?"

Siles thought for a while, and then slowly told Elizabeth about Kailan, the Lancelot Theater, and what happened in the recent period.As Elizabeth came to understand bit by bit, she couldn't help showing an expression of surprise and surprise.

"...So, it is very possible that the Lancelot Theater is related to the followers of the old gods who recently caused chaos in Lamifah?" Elizabeth immediately responded, "And these followers of the old gods come from the north?

"This Cogichel Lancelot is indeed very likely to be Chester's father?!"

Elizabeth became excited almost immediately, and there was a bit of unbelievable surprise in that excitement.When she found these three names from the piles of archives, she just had a glimmer of expectation.

Even today, she mentioned these three names with Siles and Bunyan, perhaps because the investigation was completely stuck, so she wanted to hear other people's opinions.

...But, is the final candidate among these three names?

Elizabeth even felt that her mind was blank and overwhelmed for a moment.

At this time, Siles still said calmly: "I can't confirm whether this person is the doctor's father, but he does look very suspicious."

The customary calm made Elizabeth stare at him suddenly for a moment.

Sirius looked back at her suspiciously.

Elizabeth suddenly laughed: "Professor Noel, I'm very curious, when will you be unable to maintain this calm... in front of your lover?"

Siles: "..."

He showed a slightly helpless expression.

After the brief teasing passed, Elizabeth also slowly recovered her composure.

Instead, she carefully mentioned the matter of Cogichel Lancelot: "Some elders still have a little impression of him. They say that this man is a decent person, but they don't care about the downfall of the family at that time." Very candid.

"Compared to the ambition of his parents and elders to hope for the revival of the family, he seems to accept the decline of the family more calmly. It cannot be said that he is really a devout believer of our God, but he is indeed more sincere and sincere than many people in the church.

"He's the kind of guy... who'll lend you an umbrella when it's raining, that's what someone said about him, as if he actually lent the guy an umbrella.

"...It is said that Cogichel likes the theater. There is such a saying. But this cannot be confirmed. It is just that some people say that they seem to have seen him in the theater district."

"Over 30 years ago?" Sirius asked.

"Yes." Elizabeth nodded, "more than 30 years ago."

She obviously understood what Sirius meant.

If someone had actually seen Cogichel in the theater district more than 30 years ago, then his relationship with the Lancelot Theater seemed even more suspicious.

...his family, indeed, may have once owned the Lancelot Theatre.

Elizabeth was also silent for a moment.

Bunyan couldn't help sighing, "This is really a coincidence."

Siles nodded, and he asked again: "So, what about Kojichel's whereabouts?"

"About his leaving..." Elizabeth thought for a while, "It is said that something happened to his family, so he had to go home to take care of the family affairs. It seems that he left in a hurry. It was said that he would only leave for a while, one or two months, but in the end he came back again. Did not come back either.

"As for his family, no one has heard about it since then."

"What's going to happen at home?" Bunyan was a little confused.

Elizabeth shook her head.She said: "I looked through some relevant information on personnel transfers, and indeed I found the application documents when Kogicher left. He originally took a three-month long leave, but he did not come back to cancel the leave.

"In addition, the reason for his leave was not written in detail in his document... He may have informed his bishop at the time verbally, so he did not state it in the document. And that bishop, as early as many years ago, died."

Siles couldn't help feeling a little regretful, and he asked again: "So, exactly how many years ago did he leave?"

"At the beginning of August in the year 367 of the Mist Age." Elizabeth said precisely, "that is... the year Chester was born."

They looked at each other.

I don't know why, this seems to make this Cogichel Lancelot even more suspicious.

Bunyan thought for a moment, then tentatively proposed a possibility: "Perhaps it is because their child is about to be born that he will take a long vacation to accompany the child's mother?"

Elizabeth seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she just nodded vigorously.

"...But, because of certain things, they had to let Chester live alone." Siles said in a low voice, "Another question is why Bishop Josephine didn't contact the Church of the Past."

Elizabeth and Bunyan also nodded.

Elizabeth thought for a moment, as if she suddenly understood something.She said: "So, Professor, you want to investigate the Lancelot Theatre?"

Siles nodded.

"Then can I entrust this matter to you?" Elizabeth said in a relaxed tone, "Since you can investigate the Lancelot Theater, let's investigate this Cogichel Lancelot by the way."

Siles: "..."

Although it is indeed possible to investigate "by the way", but...

... He finally nodded and agreed to this matter, feeling that there seemed to be another item added to his heavy schedule.

But, of course, this issue was originally something he wanted to pay attention to.

34 years ago.This vintage is always haunting.

Combined with the information provided by Qindo just now, the Lancelot Theater is also far and away connected with the birth of Dr. Chester in a deeper way.

Many things happened in 367 Mist.

The stage accident that caused "Rules in the Theater District," the birth of the victim of the trade fair murder attempt, and, of course, the birth of Chester Fitzroy.

He learned of the specific year "34 years ago" from Dorothea, and on the same day, he learned that Dr. Chester was born 34 years ago.

When they realized the coincidence of this vintage, they felt that this coincidence had the potential to lead their thinking in a new direction.

At that time, Siles had a guess. He suspected that the accident in the theater district directly caused Josephine Hosier to have to give birth to this child.

…At that time, they thought that this child might be a surprise to Josephine.It is only possible that under certain unexpected circumstances, Josephine could be forced to give birth to this child.

However, from Elizabeth's attitude, she seemed to think that if this child was not agreed to or even expected by Josephine herself, then it would be impossible for Josephine to give birth to this child.This Bishop Josephine may have a character that would rather be broken than whole.

...However, in this way, Siles had more doubts.

If the child was really the result of Josephine's love affair with Kirgichel, why was Chester's existence never known?

He felt that the whole matter was full of doubts, and the most fundamental reason was, why was Josephine Hosier's coming to Lamifa City not known by anyone?Not even the church of yesteryear?

Why didn't Kogichel inform the Church of the Past?Could it be that Josephine didn't let him do it?

Josephine Hosier must have appeared in Ramifa City with that clay bowl, but her presence seemed insignificant.

...And was the accident that happened at the Lancelot Theater 34 years ago really related to Chester's birth?

When Siles arrived at the Lancelot Theatre, Carlos Langmire was having a fit of temper.

Heidi and Qin Duo stood beside each other, their expressions were a little unpredictable.

"...You are here." Qin Duo was the first to notice Sires' arrival.He came over and took Sirius' hand affectionately, and he seemed to be relaxed.

Siles nodded, looked at Carlos again, and was a little confused for a while: "What's wrong with him?"

"It's because of what happened 34 years ago." Qin Duo's tone was playful, "He was very upset because he never thought that this would happen in the Lancelot Theater."

They are not in the performance hall, but in a corridor on the side.In the slightly dimly lit corridor, standing in front of Carlos was a man who looked to be around 50 years old. The latter was frowning, showing a very irritable expression.

"Who is that man?" Sirius asked again.

Heidi came over and said casually, "It's the businessman who sold the Lancelot Theater to Carlos. Carlos wants to ask clearly what happened 34 years ago."

Siles was a little surprised, but the appearance of this person was a good thing. Siles also wanted to know what happened 34 years ago.

They waited patiently for a moment.Cindo said that the actors were rehearsing in a small room next to them. They were originally planning to rehearse on the stage, but Carlos obviously felt that this was a bit unlucky, so he let the actors go to another place.

Suddenly, as if the businessman couldn't stand Carlos' endless accusations and complaints, he broke out violently.

His voice was so loud that it covered Carlos's voice: "Okay, boy! I admit that you are right! I did deliberately hide this matter, but when I bought this theater, I didn't Know exactly what's going on!"

Carlos froze suddenly, as if startled by the man's loud voice.

He stared at the businessman for a while, then his lips moved, and he lowered his voice as if threatening: "Well, now, make it clear to me!"

Undeterred, the businessman, who seemed to have an aura of broken cans, said: "I don't know anything! I just took over a theater. 25 years ago I was young and ambitious. , intending to make a mark in the theater district.

"...Yes! That's right! Just like you now. I don't know anything about what happened 34 years ago. I know that the location of this theater is good, and I might make money if I buy it, so I started from That damned Kailan bought the theater!

"Then I found out that this theater is not as glamorous as it appears on the surface. Many people seem to stay away from it, and other people in the theater district are not optimistic about my business at all.

"I've tried hard enough! But this theater can't get any better—I know what you say about me, businessman on the decline, ha! If you can get this theater right, I'd admire you too!

"The truth is, there is a problem with this theater! I sold you this faulty theater, and I'm sorry. But I'm penniless now, and I still owe a lot of money, if you hadn't been kind enough to buy this theater , then this theater may be directly taken away by the creditor!"

The businessman obviously had a long-standing grievance, and he also complained a lot, and his tone was even more agitated than Carlos.

After all, Carlos only took over the Lancelot Theater for two years, but the businessman has been running the theater for 25 years.He has put in a lot of effort, money, time, and energy, but he can only watch the theater go downhill.

Carlos was stunned for a moment, he was at a loss for a moment, not knowing what to say.He came from a wealthy family and was young and energetic. He never thought that he would face such a down-and-out businessman.

In his eyes, businessmen are probably all glamorous and wealthy.

At this time, Siles walked over.

"Calm down, gentlemen," said Siles. "It looks like you're both being hoodwinked."

This is not so fair, after all, the businessman took the initiative to deceive Carlos after he was deceived.But they were very emotional at this time, so they didn't pay much attention to what Sirius said.

It's just that Siles' calm tone slowly eased their emotions.

Qin Duo and Heidi also walked over.

Carlos and the businessman were silent for a moment.

After a while, Siles asked the businessman, "When did you find out about this?"

What he said was not very clear, but the businessman also understood what he meant.He hesitated for a moment, then said vaguely, "Ten years ago."

A dozen years ago.It's all too familiar.

Qin Duo sneered lowly and said, "14 years ago?"

The businessman's eyes widened suddenly, he stared at Qindo for a moment, and then his whole body sank.He seemed to suddenly understand that the people he faced were not ignorant, and he could not deceive them.

He even shivered a little, as if feeling a cold.Or maybe it was the whole thing, the subject, that made him uneasy.

Finally, he nodded slowly, and whispered, "Yes... 14 years ago."

"Let's say it more clearly." Qin Duo said bluntly.

The businessman seemed a little nervous, and he quickly glanced at Qindo.Among the people present, he seemed to be particularly afraid of Qindo... Maybe it was because he had heard of Qindo's reputation as an explorer?

A flash of inspiration flashed quickly in Siles' brain, but he didn't think about it carefully for the time being.

The businessman said: "Okay, okay... That's it. I bought this theater 25 years ago. At that time, I had a little property, and I planned to do some business in the city, but I bought this theater." Damn theater.

"...You may be wondering why I didn't know about the stage accident 34 years ago, because I... I was in Land of No Ashes."

After saying this, he breathed a sigh of relief, and continued: "I used to be an explorer in the Land of No Embers. I just... made a lot of money in the Land of No Embers."

He observed the expressions of the people present and confirmed that no one showed any special expressions.

Carlos even urged impatiently: "Keep talking."

The businessman continued: "No one reminded me at that time that there was a problem with this theater, and I didn't think of it myself. After I bought this theater, I worked hard to operate it.

"...I realized the problem, probably when I suddenly discovered that the Kermit family has never sponsored the Lancelot Theater. Many theaters and theater companies in the Theater District will get this kind of sponsorship, but mine damn The theater does not.

"So I asked around, but no one would tell me. Before I knew it, time was passing... Occasionally, one or two plays did not work.