The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

The circus clown is back in the marquee.

He heard other people talking about something that seemed to be about a businessman, some men and women.But he turned a deaf ear.

There is a smirk on the corner of his mouth, bringing the behavior of performance to daily life.But everyone knows that this clown is usually a little crazy.It's not uncommon for people in the Neverland to be crazy.

The clown went a little farther into the big tent.He stopped suddenly, and saw what happened in the small tent next to him through the dim screen window of the tent.

He saw a hand, a woman's hand.A man's body is covered behind the woman.He saw the hand clenched convulsively and then relaxed.

The Joker licked his lips nervously, and then he murmured, "No... no. It's not good."

He shook his head, and suddenly, as if on a stage, he began to dance clumsily and comically.After a while, he stopped, and his eyes became cloudy and dull again.

He muttered: "There are many... many... people. People's ideas are gathered together. They want to get..." The clown thought for a while, "What they long for."

The clown giggled twice, and said, "Yes, yes. I want it."

He didn't know where he learned such a saying.

"...What are you doing?" The head of the circus, a thin and lean man, suddenly appeared behind him, frowning, staring at the clown, "Your work is over, go to your room Stay!"

The clown stretched out his hand, pointed to the scene opposite the screen window, and said, "I'm watching... this."

The head of the circus looked over, as if he saw something dirty, he suddenly looked back, he yelled angrily—but subconsciously lowered his voice.

He said, "They—they're working! What are you looking at!"

The clown laughed: "I often see... what is this?" He said, "I'm used to it."

The head of the circus frowned even more deeply.

"Anyway..." He wanted to say something, but finally gave up, "In short, this year is a special case. You stay in your room, and don't come out except when you have work."

The clown muttered, "I see."

He seemed not to understand, but also seemed to understand.So he looked again at the small tent next door, and left.

The ringleader stood there alone.After a while, someone came over and asked him: "Today is the first day, how is the business?"

He turned around and saw a businessman—it was the same businessman who recommended them to come to Ramifa City.The businessman was potbellied and well dressed, with a brooch pinned to the collar of his suit.

The head of the circus subconsciously squeezed out a flattering smile, and said, "It's not bad, sir, but I'm afraid that something might happen..."

"What could happen!" The businessman glanced at him, then glanced at the small tent next door through the screen window, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "It seems that they... have a good time 'playing'."

The head of the circus still had that wrinkled smile on his face, and he said, "We...you know, we have always been doing this kind of business. But doing this kind of thing in Lamifa City..."

"Why worry!" the businessman scolded, "With me here, don't be afraid."

The head of the circus was in a daze for a moment, then nodded vigorously, and said more flatteringly, "That's natural, that's natural."

The businessman is gone.

The head of the circus stood quietly on the spot when he heard some unpleasant sounds coming from the small tent next door.He was used to this kind of sound when he was in the Land of No Embers.

People in the Neverland always need this kind of enjoyment, this kind of outlet.People who are on the verge of life and death occasionally indulge in sex, and the circus will be an option for them.

After all, in a place like a circus, there are always people, there are always animals, and there is always a mysterious tent.Here, nothing is surprising.

But... But now, this place is not the crazy and desolate Land of Embers.This is the capital of the Principality of Const, and it is a prosperous place of civilization.

The head of the circus felt an inexplicable worry and uneasiness.

When the businessman first asked him to come to Lamifa City to do business in the name of a circus, he felt a little suspicious and at a loss.But now, they have come and the business has started.

He could already hear the voices of the men and women.

...even the clown knows...

The head of the circus trembled violently.He subconsciously turned his head and looked at the small tent through the screen window.This, he thought, was not a scene they were "used to".

"Ramifa City..." he muttered, thinking of what the businessman said—this can make you rich.

Afterwards, he coughed, folded his arms in front of him, and walked away with haughty steps.

Monday, October 10.

Siles woke up early, but he was awakened by the sound of rain beating on the window panes.He got up and went to the window, and saw the blurred rain scene and the gloomy sky outside the glass.

On the window sill, the puppet also quietly felt the chill attack.

Such weather also cast a hazy feeling of gloom on his heart.

He looked at it for a while, then went to wash, quickly changed his clothes, took the items he should bring, took the long-handled umbrella, and went out.He is going to the west city today.

He first went to the cafeteria to have breakfast.To save trouble, he took a taxi directly.The rain was getting heavier and it was early, and Sirius saw that there was no one on the street.

Because he is about to go to 13 Milford Street, because he is about to see what Alfonso Carlyle and Emanuel have left for him, because of this weather and this street, so on the way, Siles All felt very depressed.

He was silent, quietly watching the changing scenery outside the car window.

Crossing the huge and imposing bridge over the Canla River, passing through quiet and quiet neighborhoods, Siles soon arrived at Milford Street.

He paid the fare, then looked up at the apartment—the place where he first came to this world.

After a while, he shook his head, not allowing himself to immerse himself in such emotions.He took a deep breath and walked in.He knocked first on the door of the room on the first floor.

The door was answered by Mrs. Eric Collens.

"Oh, Professor Noel, good morning," said Mrs. Collens. "Eric is at Ernestine, and he's on shift today."

Siles nodded and said, "Good morning, I just wanted to say hello to you. I have a friend who lives upstairs, and he left for a while, so let me help pack things up."

"So it is," said Mrs. Colrance. "Then you go."

Siles nodded and said, "Have you been doing some handicraft work at home recently?"

"Yes," murmured Mrs. Collens, "knitting, knitting blankets, making pottery . Life keeps getting better."

Siles smiled and said, "You're right."

He said goodbye to Mrs. Colrance, and went up to the second floor.His former room was at the east end, while Alfonso Carlyle's room was at the west end.In the middle room lived a young couple who left early and returned late.

As for the tenants upstairs, Siles was not so clear.Neither Yuanshen nor he had any contact with the tenants upstairs.

He took the key from his wallet, opened the door and entered Alfonso's room.

The layout of this room is very similar to the room he once rented, except that the mirror is reversed.Alfonso seemed to have been away for several days, and the room was filled with a dull air, with a slightly damp breath.

Siles walked to the window, opened the window, let the cold and fresh air from outside pour in, and then turned to look at the room.He scanned roughly, and quickly confirmed that the things left by Alfonso and Emmanuel were all on Alfonso's desk.

The desk is full of things at the moment, roughly divided into three piles on the left, middle and right.There are thick books piled up on the left and right, and the one on the top of the pile on the left is the explorer's travelogue.In the middle is a small cardboard box.

Siles walked over, picked up the travel book and put it in his bag, and then looked at those books first.Unsurprisingly, they were old, heavy, and mostly unheard of books.

The books alone, he thought, were worth a fortune.Professor Calverley would be very excited if he saw these books.

He roughly counted them and found that there were twelve in total.The vast majority are related to the Silence Period.As Emmanuel said in his letter, they also took great care when choosing the "gift" for Siles.

Afterwards, Siles picked up the cardboard box.After he opened it, he found a business card and a strange-looking key inside.

A piece of paper was placed under the cardboard box with Alfonso's handwriting on it.

"The business card came from an underground black market in East Lamifah, and the key belonged to a shop we had bought on the black market.

"Back then we came to Lamifa City from the Land of Embers, intending to sell some products in the Land of Never Embers, but the tribal relics we found have always fascinated me, and we had no time to pay attention to the matter of that shop soon after. up.

"Therefore, that shop is still vacant and useless. I think you work at Ramifa University, and your salary may not be able to afford your life in the city, so I think this shop can be handed over to you.

"If you feel sorry, then you can treat it as us renting this shop to you for free.

"In any case, I hope your life in the city goes well. As for the matters of the Never Embers, I still hope that you stay as far away from these things as possible, even if you have the talent of a prophet."

A store in the black market.Siles couldn't help being taken aback.

This surprised and moved emotion even dispelled Alfonso's dumbfounding when he mentioned the "prophet" again.

Siles stood there, silent for a long time, and finally sighed softly.He whispered: "In this case, how can I stay as far away as possible."

He looked at the address on the card—32 Dawson Street.He didn't have much impression of this street, and he might have to check the map of Lamifa City after he went back.Anyway, he'll check it out later.

Siles put the business card and keys into the wallet, then looked at the two stacks of books on the desk, a little embarrassed.

He felt that he would not have time to read for some time in the future, and besides, it was raining outside now.Books look bad if they get wet.

So Siles decided to put these books here for the time being.Alfonso had said that after he left, if there was anything inconvenient for Siles, it could be stored here.He could use it as a safe house.

The embarrassment is that it is a little far away from La Mifa University. If he always comes here to read, it may take a lot of time...

Thinking of this, Siles was suddenly taken aback.

safe house.Time consuming...books.

He thought of what Mrs. Longman once said, that Professor Kabell always returns books very late, and there will be some dirty places on the returned books.

What if...Professor Cabell also has a secret safe house?

This may have never been thought of by Sirius before, but it doesn't seem impossible now.

Neither the police nor the Church of the Past were able to find anything from Professor Kabell's office and residence as to why he disappeared.All along, they believed that Professor Kabell carefully took away all relevant materials.

However, the idea of ​​a "safe house" caught Sirius' eyes.

He thought, why can't it be that Professor Kabell put all the materials in a secret place?

Professor Kabell was not so cautious and thoughtful: he accidentally placed an extremely important manuscript in the pile of materials in the office; his office was messy; every time he returned the books in the library, they were a little dirty.

He even left the three items—the woman's head statue, the balance necklace, and the pen—in the office, two of which have proven to be out-of-control timelines.

Shouldn't this be something very important?Why did he just put it in the office so casually?

All these signs, as well as the impression Siles and other students once had of Professor Kabell—a crazy old man, are enough to prove that Professor Kabell couldn’t be so cautious that he didn’t even leave any clues behind.

They have been frowning and clueless because they have not found a real breakthrough.

Siles believed that the police must have investigated all of Professor Kabell's relationships and social activities.Under such circumstances, they still haven't found any possibility of a safe house... Where is this safe house?

Maybe something to do with Kabell's assistant, Mervyn Burrier?That is a descendant of a down-and-out nobleman, and there may be some hidden properties that are not known.

Or maybe it has something to do with Professor Kabell's life before he entered Ramifa University.A scholar like him who studies ancient books in the past must have some unknown relationships and contacts.

Siles thought so, and on this possibility, his thoughts diverged.

Conversely, will Professor Cabell look for a safe house?

Siles thought he would.He is researching topics related to the fall of the gods, and it is very likely that he has found and obtained some very important relevant information.

He valued this subject so much that he did not hesitate to go against his habit of living in seclusion for many years, and came to teach at La Mifa University; he even trained a noble descendant as his teaching assistant for the collection of books in his home.

However, even so, no one knew what Kabel was researching in such a long period of time.

All the behaviors of Professor Kabell show that he is working on an extremely important and secret subject.

Being so important and secretive, of course he needs a safe place to store all his research materials.

As for office and home?

The former may have students visiting after class, and after Professor Kabell leaves, the office will be used by other professors.When Professor Kabell left, he didn't even take away the papers from the office.

The latter, Siles recalled, he heard Dominique, the investigator of the former church, say that Professor Kabell's relatives would visit him occasionally, and it was precisely because of this that the police knew of Kabell's disappearance.

So neither place is safe enough to cover up what Cabell is doing.

Siles' thoughts gradually leaned towards Professor Cabell really having a safe house.

Maybe a reminder to Dominique.

However, Professor Cabell and his teaching assistant have been missing for so long.From July to now, three months have passed.It is very likely that these two people have more trouble than good luck.

Thinking of this, Siles could not help but sigh.

The land of no embers.He thought of this place.

Whether it's Alfonso, Emanuel, or Professor Cabell, Mervyn's assistant teaching assistant, or Bertram, Langmeer, Angela's stepmother who made a fortune through the Land of Never Embers, and even the upcoming development of the withered wasteland plan……

The fate of many, many people is entangled in that mystery.

No one knows what lurks behind the mists of the Neverlands.No one knows what lies hidden in the shadows of history in this world.

This world is hidden in secrets.

Siles took one last look at Alfonso Carlyle's room and left.

He locked the door of his room, turned around and planned to go to Ernestine's Tavern.Anthony's friends were waiting for him nearby.

He was about to step away when suddenly the door to the middle room on the second floor opened.A young man stepped out of it.He walked out with a blank face, but when he saw Sirius, his eyes widened in surprise.

Siles noticed the young man.

He had always known that the middle room on the second floor of 13 Milford Street was occupied by a young couple who left early and returned late.This piece of information was introduced by the landlord, Mrs. Fein, when the original body first moved here.

Of course, he could meet them occasionally, but only by chance.He did not know their names or occupations.

The couple's appearance is very good, and they are well-dressed on weekdays, and they don't look like residents of the old city.However, rental rates in the Old City are cheaper.If it wasn't for the free dormitory provided by Ramifa University, then Siles would probably choose to rent in the old city.

Another situation of living in the old city is like that of Alfonso.The Old City obviously accommodated more clandestine activities and backdoor dealings, facilitating revelators and a few other... less visible professions.

The young man's surprised expression was too obvious, so Sirius stopped and greeted him: "Good morning."

"Good morning." The young man responded quickly, and immediately put away the surprised expression on his face, and said in a gentle tone, "Are you a former tenant here?"

"Yes." Siles nodded, but he didn't explain much.

The young man seemed to be hesitating about what to say, but he looked back and forth, not daring to act rashly.He seemed to be very concerned about why Sirius came back here.

Siles narrowed his eyes slightly and said calmly, "Then, goodbye."

The young man hesitated, and finally just said, "Goodbye."

The encounter with this young man gave Sirius a subtle premonition.He felt that there seemed to be some secret hidden in that man's heart... He thought, is this the secret keeper's intuition?

The hesitant and hesitant look made Sirius feel a little curious.

But he forgot about it as he walked towards the Ernestine's Tavern under an umbrella in the drizzle.About half an hour later, he came to Ernestine's Tavern.

Ernestine's is still open, but with only a few customers here and there.

Siles waited for a moment around the corner next to the tavern, then heard a whistle.He raised his head, looked around, and saw the head of a young boy emerging from the window of an abandoned house not far away.

So he walked over.

"Good morning." Siles looked at these young children.

There are six of them, fifteen or sixteen years old.As winter is approaching, they put on thicker, new-looking clothes.

One of the boys who seemed to be in the lead, with a more mature expression, said, "Good morning, sir. Thank you for your deposit. That will allow us to buy some second-hand clothes for the winter."

second hand.Siles thought.really.

Even if that money is enough for them to buy new clothes, new clothes are not a good choice.They are the children of beggars and bums, born to know how to live in such a chaotic, barren place.

New clothes make one wonder where they got their money from, while second-hand clothes make others wonder how lucky these kids are to get fit clothes from the dump or a charity.

It is the luck of these children that adults cannot wear the clothes of fifteen or sixteen-year-old boys.

Siles nodded, not asking too much about the daily life of these children.He knew that boys of fifteen or sixteen always had a lot of self-respect.He hired them and gave them money so they could live.This is enough.

More sympathy and pity will only make these boys angry.

Siles walked into the abandoned house, and was surprised to find that there was a dark hole in the corner.

The boy in the lead noticed Sirius' gaze and whispered, "That's an entrance to the underground gang." He paused, then added, "We're not going to join the underground gang anymore, but... because of the previous things, so we still have some relationship with them."

This relationship is inevitable.

Siles nodded, indicating that he understood."What should I call you?" he asked.

"Jimmy," he said simply, "I don't have a last name. My parents are dead and I don't know their first names."

Siles said, "Jimmy. I see. So, what did you all find out?"

Jimmy looked relieved.

The other boys consciously went nearby to observe the situation.

Jimmy said, "Sir, you paid a lot of money to hire us. We will not live up to the money." He said seriously, "We have investigated many aspects of Grayson Foods, and I will take it to you."

Siles looked at the rain outside, and then said: "Of course, I have enough time."

Jimmy nodded: "Grayson Foods, we checked carefully, this company has many stores in the west city, but there are only three most popular stores: butcher shop, seasoning shop, and dessert shop.

"Grayson's meat is the cheapest in the entire Lamifa City, not just the West City. We asked Anthony and asked him to go to the East City to investigate, and found that Grayson's meat was at least cheaper than other butcher shops in Lamifa City. One-third cheaper.

"Because of the low prices, people all like to buy meat there. Not just ordinary people, but also restaurant and tavern owners. They say Grayson's meat is very good and fresh."

Siles nodded.

Grayson Butchers.He first knew Grayson because he saw Grayson's butcher shop in Logan's Market.At that time, Grayson also aroused the hostility of other butcher shop owners because of the low price.

"Greyson's price is so low, are other butchers unable to resist?" Siles asked.

"Yes." Jimmy replied in a low voice, "Most of the butcher shops in the west city have closed down. We asked Anthony about the few butcher shops in the west city. They are all chain brands that also have stores in the east city."

Siles nodded: "Have they found their source?"

"It's said to come from outside the city of Ramifah. We haven't found out where it is outside." Jimmy said, "It has something to do with those spice shops. Grayson's spice shop only buys one thing, that is... flavor, MSG? People say that's liquid beef.

"We asked someone about it, and they said that the MSG does need beef to make it. Grayson's Seasoning Store's MSG is shipped in cans from outside the city. So we think their butcher's supply is also outside the city. .”

Siles nodded: "Not bad inference."

A thought appeared in his mind, but he didn't think about it carefully.

He said, "What about the dessert shop?"

"Desserts at the bakery are made that day," Jimmy said, "and we used the excuse that we were hungry and wanted to steal something—we never steal, you know, it's just an excuse—and sneaked into their back kitchen."

As he spoke, he suddenly shivered.

"what happened?"

Jimmy hesitated. "Sir...seriously, that scene was amazing. Those pastry chefs...I mean...those chefs. Their expressions when making desserts...like..."

He showed an indescribable expression, as if he was a little scared and yearning.

"It's like making the most beautiful thing in the world," he said.

Siles observed his expression, and then asked calmly, "Do you want to make desserts too?"

Jimmy shook his head immediately, and he said: "I'm just saying... I mean, I've never seen such a... happy expression. People in the old city, no matter men or women, old people or children, they all feel hopeless .

"But those people, the look on those people's faces...it's like they have hope...they're longing for something."

Jimmy murmured.

Siles listened in silence, and then he said, "You're pretty good at expressing yourself. Did you go to school, Jimmy?"

Jimmy looked at him in surprise, and after a moment he shook his head.

He said: "I just... surreptitiously listened to some classes. There is a small school near here. I don't have money to take classes, but occasionally I surreptitiously listen to some content. Those teachers...they won't drive me away."

Siles nodded.He didn't ask any more questions, because he knew that a child of Jimmy's age might feel frustrated by his doubts.

Jimmy is no Anthony.The latter was spoiled by Mrs. Finn and the family's money, and although he was a kind and reliable boy by nature, he was too naughty and headstrong.

But Jimmy is a more mature, calmer, even ambitious person.He is even willing to take the initiative to learn, even if he just listens to some lessons secretly.This means that he has the desire to get rid of the identity of the old city wanderer.

Siles thought that if Jimmy and these young boys were reliable, and if the shop that Alfonso gave him was in the West Side, then he could try to let these children run that shop.

He was in no hurry to spend the money, but since Alfonso had kept the store, Celes wanted to keep it running in some way.It's just that he may not have enough time to do it himself.

And Jimmy seems like an option.He's smart, sharp, and a native of Old Town.He also has a certain network of underground gangs, as well as people from the homeless and beggar side.

The only problem is, he may be too young, he may be deceived, and he may be underestimated.

However, this does not seem to be a big problem.The store is always there, and it is impossible for someone to snatch it from the black market.As for the business of the store... Siles now has a little savings, so he doesn't worry about money.

Of course, this is just a conception and guesswork.Now Siles doesn't have time to realize it, and he's not sure about the black market and that store, and he hasn't even figured out what store to open yet.

Then Siles said, "You are a clever boy. Go on, and do you find anything else?"

Jimmy nodded honestly, and then said: "Greyson's shop is almost sold out every day, but occasionally some are born, and at this time, they are basically thrown into the trash can.

"If there were beggars or homeless people begging for food, the clerks would have been more than happy to give us the leftovers... them. But that didn't happen very often."

Siles asked, "Is there anything wrong with the food?"

"No problem." Jimmy shook his head, "I've eaten it too...it's delicious."

He subconsciously showed a nostalgic and yearning expression: "I think...it should be the best thing I've ever eaten. Those desserts."

Siles watched his expression.

He noticed that it seemed like anyone who had eaten Grayson's food would make that look.

Jimmy, Anthony, Mrs. Finn, Bertram, Eric... and even Lorenzo, who just went to the gourmet town to eat Grayson desserts, they all showed the same look, aftertaste and nostalgia .

"If a piece of Grayson's classic dessert is placed in front of you now," Siles said calmly, "your favorite flavor will be within your reach, and you will be able to eat it in the next second. Your tongue is already drooling...

"Suddenly, someone snatched your dessert..."

Siles stopped, and he didn't say any more, because he found that Jimmy's expression had clearly answered the question before he said "how will you react".

He showed a ferocious, hungry tiger-like expression.He said in disbelief: "Why...why would someone snatch it from me?" He said anxiously, "But...but that's what I like very, very much!"

Siles felt a little uneasy. He realized that this unanimous reaction from different people represented a very terrifying but certain possibility.

Siles was silent.

His silence made Jimmy realize something, he blinked, and said, “Sir, you’re just joking, aren’t you?”

Siles said, "Yes."

Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief.

Siles said, "You know anyone who hasn't eaten Grayson's food?"

"Haven't eaten it?" Jimmy thought for a while, "It seems that they have eaten it, at least among the people I know... Anthony's family, people from underground gangs, people from taverns, many people in West City... They should have eaten it. "

Siles nodded slowly.

Among the people he knows, maybe only himself and some people who have always lived in Dongcheng have never eaten.

However, because of the gourmet town, young people like Lorenzo and some other families may have already tasted it.Grayson even took up quite a few stalls at the October Fair.

Add to that the almost magical appeal of Grayson's Foods, and great value for money...

Siles thought that Grayson would soon occupy a large market in the East City.

Until now, even though Siles had determined that there must be something wrong with Grayson, he still didn't know what the food company was going to do.

Are they just trying to compete for business, so they add some special, addictive ingredients to the food (possibly with the revelators involved), or... is this a conspiracy from the followers of the old gods?

Siles was not sure, nor did he have any evidence to support his guess.

His guess only comes from the excessive, almost unbelievable greed and aftertaste of the people who have tasted Grayson's food - and the unbelievably low price.

Strangers from Earth instinctively suspect that something is wrong.

At this time, Jimmy suddenly said: "Ah, I remembered, there is one person who hasn't eaten... and he still doesn't let other people eat Grayson's food. He is isolated by others, and he doesn't know where he is now. "

Siles was slightly taken aback, and asked, "Who is he?"

"His name seems to be... Bourne." Jimmy thought for a while, and said uncertainly, "He is a homeless man in his thirties. No one knows when he appeared in the West Side. Anyway, he has Lived here for a long time.

"He disappeared some time ago. People say he died because he didn't want to eat Grayson's food... You know, people like us... have to live off food that other people throw away most of the time.

"And Byrne didn't want to eat it. He said the stuff—he meant the Grayson's food that was either thrown away after people couldn't eat it, or was left over from the store—he said it was dirty, Stinks."

Having said that, Jimmy lowered his voice subconsciously, and muttered in a low voice: "But I think it's delicious."

Siles was stunned at this moment.

Byrne!Tramp Bourne!

Siles suddenly took a breath and thought, it's incredible that he met another character in the running game.

Of course, he has encountered quite a few.

Merchant Ranmir, Knight Commander Bunyan, archaeology student Herman, doctor Chester, circus clown... and now, the vagabond Bourne.

Bourne the Tramp wasn't really a tramp.This identity is only used by him to cover up.

In the game, even the player who uses the character card of the tramp Bourne, it is impossible to know Bourne's true identity when no relevant clues are found at the beginning.

In this world, probably only Bourne himself, and now Sirius, know this secret.

The vagabond Bourne is the connector that the apostate Hamlin is looking for.He needs to hand over the list of priests stolen from the church in the past to Bourne.

However, due to the influence of Siles, the apostate was arrested in advance, and the list was also missing for a long time, so Siles guessed that the vagabond Bourne was unable to