The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

Chapter 63: Good paper to write on

"I think so," said Siles in a low voice.

Jimmy let out a small exclamation, and there was a long silence.

After a while, he said, "Even if you say that... we still have to eat." His voice was soft, "We have no choice."

"You guys work for me, go try and buy some other food," said Siles.

"But we're on the West Side," Jimmy said. "There's only Grayson on the West Side."

Siles frowned slightly.He thought, Grayson directly monopolized the West City in such a short period of time?He shook his head and didn't delve into this matter. These children are the ones who really live in the West City, and they know the situation better than Sirius.

"So, what else did you find?" he asked.

Jimmy said: "There are some girls with us, but they don't usually hang out with us. I asked them... If they can provide useful information, then I will give them some of the money. "

Siles asked, "What do those girls really know?"

"They seem more harmless than us," Jimmy said, "so they occasionally go into the back of the dessert shop and sneak some leftovers. When we sneak in the back of the kitchen, we are quickly kicked out, But the girls can stay there for a while and watch carefully.

"One of the girls said she saw..."

Jimmy swallowed suddenly nervously.

"what?"

"She saw a portrait on the ceiling." Jimmy said in a low voice. "It was wearing a chef's hat... a strange man. She said that those eyes seemed to be watching the dessert chefs making desserts."

Siles frowned.

A portrait of a chef?Attached to the ceiling?

Is this some kind of... ritual?This was Celeste's first reaction.

But what exactly does this ritual symbolize?Is this where the wonderful allure of Grayson's food comes from?Or, overseer?Is it to monitor those chefs and let them work hard?

But Jimmy said that the chefs showed an unusual happiness when they made desserts.Do they still need to be watched?

Siles was puzzled.

Jimmy looked at Siles nervously and asked, "Sir...is this information enough?"

Siles came back to his senses, nodded, and took out five hundred-dollar bills from his wallet—this was the dividend that Grayson Foods had given him at the end of September.He took the time to withdraw the money, which happened to be handed over to Jimmy at the moment.

Of course, the dividend money is more than that much.At the end of October, he received another money order, this time for an even more astonishing amount, totaling two thousand duke coins.

You know, his current novels have sold a total of 1500 copies, which is already an "incredible" achievement in the mouth of the publisher Benton and other novelists.But that only earned [-] duke coins.

And he only has a small income right in Grayson Foods, and he can earn two thousand duke coins a month?

He really didn't know how exaggerated Grayson's expansion had become.This money is simply too hot to hold.

Siles hadn't figured out what to do with the money yet.If there was something really wrong with Grayson Corporation, then Siles didn't want to use the criminally tainted funds.

Perhaps, he can use it in that shop in the black market?He could hire these young waifs.

Siles thought so.He looked at the overjoyed Jimmy, thought for a moment, and said, "If I have other work for you in the future, where can I find you?"

Jimmy came back to his senses, and stared at Sirius blankly, feeling extremely pleasantly surprised for a moment.He said: "You are very kind! Sir, I don't know how to thank you. We usually hang around here.

"If you're not in a hurry, you can find Anthony in Dongcheng, and he will pass on the news to us."

Siles nodded, indicating that he understood.

In Jimmy's eyes there was what might be called a spark of hope for the future.It is rare and precious to the children of this world, this place.

Siles bid him farewell, and walked out of the abandoned house.

Outside, the rain has stopped.It was still overcast.

Siles opened his pocket watch and looked at it, and found that it was almost eleven o'clock.He went to Ernestine's Tavern, intending to have lunch before continuing the afternoon's activities.

Eric noticed him as soon as he walked into Ernestine.

"Good afternoon, Sirius." Eric came over and greeted him in a low voice, "What would you like to eat?"

"Would you recommend some?" Siles said. "Any time for a chat?"

Eric might know something about Dawson Street.

Eric was a little surprised. He first went to the kitchen to confirm the meal for Siles, then walked back and sat opposite to Siles: "Luckily, I have time to chat with you today."

Siles couldn't help but smile.

"What's the matter?" Eric said, "You actually came to the old city today."

"There's something. I'm looking into Grayson," said Siles.

"Because of the food town?"

"It's not just that," said Siles. "I feel that Grayson's rate of expansion is...unusual."

Eric thought for a while and said, "That's true. However, it's really delicious and cheap."

Siles suddenly thought of something: "Are you also using Grayson's ingredients here?"

"No, not all of them." Eric said, "For desserts, it's more convenient to buy the finished products directly. As for the others..." He lowered his voice, "The underground gang itself controls the source of some ingredients.

"Because of Grayson's competition, Ernestine and other taverns under the control of underground gangs have become the buyers of these ingredients. Otherwise, this matter would be difficult to explain."

Siles was a little surprised to hear the news.

Eric said: "I think it is very likely that this has something to do with the big man behind the underground gang."

Ever since he learned that there was a big man in the East City standing behind the gang in the West City, Eric couldn't help but think a little deeper.In the past, I only noticed that the underground gangs were rampant, but now I realized these chains of interests.

Siles couldn't help asking: "Since this is the case, isn't there any conflict between Grayson and the underground gang?"

Grayson Foods seems to have grabbed a lot of business from the underground gangs, but the underground gangs are the local snakes in West City.Are the underground gangs unresponsive to the loss of interests?

Eric shook his head: "I'm not sure. I don't know the details. Maybe... Grayson also has a big shot behind him?"

Speaking, Eric himself laughed because of this conjecture.

The underground gang has big names behind it, and so does Grayson.Are there so many big figures in Lamifa City to give them points?

Siles didn't delve too far into the issue either, saying: "I got a lead from a homeless guy claiming there was something wrong with Grayson's food. I'm looking for him. The last place he was seen was Dawson Street, you know Is this place?"

"Dawson Street?" Eric subconsciously repeated the noun, "I do know, but..."

In the next second, he showed a subtle expression.

An hour later, Siles followed Eric's directions and came to the entrance of Dawson Street.Only then did he understand why Eric showed that strange expression.

Because Dawson Street is exactly the "flower street and willow lane" in the traditional sense.

If Siles hadn't known the true identity of the homeless Bourne, and if he hadn't learned from Alfonso that there was a black market here, it would have been impossible for Siles to set foot here anyway.

He frowned and walked in with a cold expression.In the afternoon, the street didn't seem to wake up, only a few women stood sleepily at the door, stretched their waists, and looked at Celes curiously.

Siles ignored the gazes.He came to No. 32 Dawson Street according to the business card given by Alfonso.

The door of No. 32 Dawson Street is very small, it is a black door, hidden in the rest of the colorful passages, it looks very low-key and not eye-catching.Open the door and go in, and there is a strong man standing inside.

Siles handed the business card to the strong man.

After looking at it for a while, the strong man returned the business card to Siles, then turned sideways, and made way for the passage behind the hall without saying a word.

Behind the hall is a dark room.Siles smelled an indescribable aroma in the air, faintly floating in his nose.He entered the room and saw that instead of a fire burning in the fireplace, there was a dark staircase.

Only then did he realize that the so-called black market was in an underground passage.

And since it is an underground passage, it is probably related to the gangs in the west city.

underground gang.underground tunnel.The underground black market.Everything is "underground".Siles thought.Has the entire underground of the West City been hollowed out?

He thought of the dense underground passages covering the entire Lamifaxi city like a spider web.That feeling is a bit uncomfortable.

He descended the dark stairs.After about a minute or two, the eyes suddenly brightened.Siles saw the same scene as the previous underground fair in early August, except that the passage was wider.

A middle-aged man dressed as a housekeeper greeted him: "Sir, is this your first time here?"

Siles nodded.

The middle-aged man didn't intend to ask Siles' identity, he just said: "Then let me introduce you. Our place is divided into three areas, namely the private trading area, the public auction area, and the public shop area.

"It's the first time you come, you can go to the two public areas at the back first, there may be some things you need - not just those things that ordinary people can buy."

Siles Revelator Noel turned his head to look at the middle-aged man, feeling that he seemed to be implying the extraordinary power of this world.

But Siles came here this time not to buy anything.He took the key out of his pocket, and said, "Here is the key to the store."

As he spoke, he observed the expression of the middle-aged man.

The man's face changed: "So you are the owner of the store." He didn't ask where Siles got the key at all, "Please follow me."

There are a total of four large passages in front of Siles, which probably correspond to the three areas mentioned by the man and the position of the manager.They walked in along the rightmost passage for about 100 meters, and then the man turned right and turned into a small alley.

There is not enough light source in the underground passage, only the oil lamp on the wall emits a faint yellow light.The stale air made Siles feel a subtle uneasiness, as if everything that happened here was unknown.

They stopped somewhere in the alley.There was a door in front of him. After Siles opened the door with a key, there was an open space of about twenty square meters inside. The ground was full of dust, pitch black, and there were no lights.

The man said, "This is your business." He said, "It's never been in business. It seems to have been vacant for many years."

Siles nodded without expressing any opinion.He turned to ask: "I intend to use this shop. What can be sold here?"

"Anything is fine." The man looked at him, his tone seemed to suggest something, "You know, this is Dawson Street. You can find anything here. Of course, if you are caught doing something illegal, We can't keep you, you have to understand this."

Siles thought about it.He thought, in other words, as long as he is not discovered, there is no taboo.

...This is exaggerated enough.

If the underground black market is related to underground gangs, does the big man also protect the black market here?Even something illegal?

Siles asked some precautions.

After the man confirmed that Siles really planned to open for business, his expression became more kind and respectful.

He said: "We will clean up here and install lights. If you have any other needs, you can also tell us. In the passage on the far left, there is a transaction center and a temporary storage area for goods.

"Next time you come over, you can come to me directly there."

He graciously handed over a business card.

Siles nodded, and suddenly asked casually: "Only those who get your business card can enter here, right?"

"Yes." said the man.

"You also won't disclose the identity of the client?"

"Of course not," the man said. "We have a black market work ethic."

Siles nodded, not knowing whether it was regret or joy in his heart.Unfortunately, he probably won't be able to learn the whereabouts of the homeless Bourne from here, although he guesses that Bourne must have come here... perhaps changed his identity here?

Fortunately, he can indeed try to open a shop here.

He hasn't figured out what to sell yet.There is no need to rush this matter.

For Jimmy, 500 Duke coins are enough for them to live a good winter.Siles hoped that he could settle the matter of this shop this winter.

He thought about it, and then wandered around the black market.

He found that there really were things related to the Revelator here, such as potions of different degrees of purity, precious star dust, time tracks of unknown origin, rituals of unknown authenticity... everything.

Prices are a bit cheaper than the space behind the doors of the Historical Society.But in general, compared with the prices in the earlier period, the prices of the current commodities may have increased.

Because of the winter vacation, because of the development plan of the withered wasteland, and because of the coming of the rainy season and cold winter.

But Siles didn't find what he needed, and didn't plan to buy anything.He walked around for a while and then left.

Walking out of the dark underground space and returning to the rainy but bright street, Sirius felt like a dream.He left Dawson Street, got his bearings, and headed for Logan's Market.

In the southeast direction of Logan's Bazaar, he suddenly saw the map store he had been to - Mapa.

Thinking of his future plans, he hesitated for a moment, then walked directly to the map store.

Ms. Mapa, the owner of the store, is still sitting lazily behind the counter, seemingly reading a newspaper.When Siles came in, she looked up, and said, "Oh, sir, you've been here before, I'm afraid."

"I once bought a map of Ramifa City from you." Siles said politely.

Ms. Mapa thought for a moment, then murmured, "I guess so." Then she asked, "What are you here for?"

"I want to buy a map of the Land of No Embers." Siles said, "It doesn't need to be too detailed, but it needs to be complete enough."

"Are you also interested in the Land of Eternity?" Ms. Mapa stood up and went to a shelf to help find the kind of map that Siles needed.

Siles hesitated for a moment, and simply acquiesced to Ms. Mapa's thoughts.

Ms. Mapa said: "Everyone is interested in Everland now, as if they can really make a fortune in Neverember like those businessmen. The world is not that simple."

"You're right," said Siles.

Ms. Mapa handed a stack of maps to Siles: "Here, take it, I'm afraid this is what you need. This is the most complete map of the Everland. A man in 100 years named Bonet.

"So, this map is also called the Bonet version. To me, this is also the oldest map version of the Everlands on the market. Of course, you don't have to worry, the content on it has been perfected .”

Siles looked at the map in his hand, as well as the piles of similar maps on the shelves, and couldn't help hesitating for a while.

"Are you wondering why this map can't be sold?" Ms. Mapa asked keenly, "Because those explorers are always greedy when they go to the Land of No Ashes.

"They wanted the most accurate, detailed maps, and they wanted to have the treasure locations clearly marked. Naturally, they were not willing to buy a complete but slightly sketchy version like Burnett's version.

"But you are different, that's what you want."

Ms. Mapa's tone had a not-so-polite, blunt, poignant demeanor.It didn't look like it was open for business, but she seemed confident.

Siles didn't care too much about it, so he nodded and said, "That's it."

A delighted smile appeared on Ms. Mapa's face: "The Bonet version of the map is not expensive, it only needs a duke coin. By the way, I will give you another message."

Siles paid and asked curiously, "What?"

"The winter fair has begun, you know," said Madam Mapa. ​​"I don't know when you plan to go to the Never Embers. But you might as well wait.

"Because some explorers will return to Lamifah City during the winter holiday market, and then sell some of their income in Land of Embers. Some of them will sell maps of Land of Eternity.

"That's what they have personally experienced in Land of No Embers, and there will be nothing wrong. If you are interested, you can go and have a look at their version. Although I don't think it may be as accurate as Bonet's version."

Siles was slightly taken aback.

He suddenly recalled that the last time he came here to buy a map of Lamifa City, he heard Ms. Mapa chatting with several explorers who wanted to go to the Land of Embers. Moon Bazaar.

Explorer's map?Siles silently took this message to heart.

"But it depends on luck, whether you can buy a suitable map." Ms. Mapa said, "Many people think that there are many secrets hidden in the map of the Everland, but I have never really researched any secrets.

"You know, I've been with these maps all day, and I'm tired of looking at them."

Sirius said, "Aren't you planning to go to the Never Embers then?"

"Me?" said Ms. Mapa. ​​"No, I don't intend to. I'm not the type to take risks. I don't think you are either, sir, either. A young gentleman like you ought to live in the city." ...In short..."

She thought for a moment.

"Anyway, let me give you an example." She pointed to the map that Siles was holding, "Bornett's version of the map. This mapmaker studied painting in his early years, and his family was well-off and he lived a happy life.

"However, when the fog dissipated at that time, he suddenly developed a strong interest in the Everland. After that, he ignored his wife's objection and went deep into the Everland—indeed, he made Burnett's version of the map. But he Also, his wife and children are separated, and his evening scene is bleak.

"Don't you think the Everlands are a curse?"

There was a very personal emotion in Ms. Mapa's tone, as if she herself had experienced some bad things because of the Never Embers.

"Eternal Land is just Eternal Land," Siles said. "How people choose is what matters."

Ms. Mapa stared blankly at Sirius, and after a while, she whispered, "Maybe you are right."

Siles didn't mean to interfere with other people's thoughts, so he quickly bid farewell to Ms. Mapa and left with Burnett's version of the map.

Ms. Mapa sat there quietly. After a while, she murmured in a low voice: "Is it people's own choice?" She lowered her eyes to her left hand, where a wedding ring should have been worn, but now Nothing at all.

She said softly, "So he chose the Neverembers instead of me."

She showed a very complicated expression.

Siles didn't know what effect his words had on Ms. Mapa.

The rain got heavier again.It took Siles some time to return to Ramifah University in a hired carriage.His hair was wet, and he was shivering with cold, and he had to take a hot bath at once, so as not to catch a cold and get sick.

After taking a shower, he walked to the window in a little trouble, and wiped his hair with a towel, thinking that he might have to buy something to keep warm—from his memory, the heating equipment in this era seems to be a stove?

open flame.Siles felt a slight resistance.Strangers from Earth find it too dangerous to keep warm with an open fire.

...a world without electricity, it would be a shame.Earthman sighed.

After a while, Sirius finally felt warmer.The rainy weather has left clothes dry - he misses Earth's washers and dryers all the more.

He sat down at the desk and pondered quietly.

Cities that don't exist.Although he intends to investigate this mystery clearly, he also has self-knowledge.He hadn't even been to the Everlands, and didn't even understand what the mystery was all about.

An error on the map, pointing to a city that doesn't exist.he thought so.

He suddenly became confused.From a certain point of view, he jumped out of the shackles of his previous thinking at this moment, just thinking about this mystery.

A prerequisite for thinking about this mystery is if the city is real.

...so why is it hidden from the map?If it was because the city was hiding too terrible secrets, and exploring those pasts would lead to terrible and dangerous consequences, why did the word "mistake on the map" get out?

Is this what you want people to look for, or not?

These two purposes are diametrically opposed, but this contradiction does exist in every rumor related to the "non-existent city".

In the final analysis, is the error on this map intentional or unintentional?

Siles just thought for a moment, and felt a strong sense of powerlessness.It is a legend that has been passed down orally in the long history.Three people become tigers, no one knows how much this story is different from the original version.

Therefore, when Siles faced this mystery, he also had a feeling of having nowhere to start.

He sighed and put the matter aside for now.Perhaps during the market in October, he could ask the explorers who came here from the Land of No Embers, and ask them how far the rumors about the "non-existent city" have developed.

Bertram once said that this rumor is some of the earliest reports of treasure in the Neverland.

And at this juncture, when the rumors about the development plan of the Blighted Wasteland have spread to the Principality of Const and other countries, there may be even bigger waves in the Land of Embers.

Siles pondered for a moment, then turned his attention to the translation sent by Emmanuel earlier.

It took him several hours to read the translation completely.

Siles had read the first third of the part, and had a basic understanding of the Endless Land, including the three regions of Galsworth, Gladstone, and Gainstead.

Now, he has access to more information about the explorers.

In this travel note, the owner of the travel note mentioned many daily life and adventure experiences. Among them, they mentioned that they stayed in Gladstone most of the time, and only went to Gowers occasionally when they relaxed. fertile.

As for Gainstead, that is an area that most ordinary explorers dare not set foot in.

Therefore, Gladstone, where many explorers gathered, often broke out some conflicts.

It's a messy place.Merchants, explorers, aborigines, workers, etc., some people even have a fixed life and family there.It has become their home.

Galsworth may still have the tentacles of these powers extending past, but Gladstone has none.That's where there's no law.Death is the least of the things there.

The travelogue mentions a large-scale battle over land.

Explorers who know each other often form teams and venture together.A team that is completely fixed is called an adventure group.Some large adventuring parties have a decent presence in Gladstone.

They will cooperate with different villages, post stations, and tribes, and then form a gang-like team.They will be responsible for the security of that area, but at the same time they will charge some of the fees from the people who come there, or other things to pay off the debt.

Latecomers may feel uncomfortable, which will lead to various conflicts.The most serious thing is fighting with weapons.

The struggle mentioned in the travel notes resulted in the death of nearly a hundred explorers and the injury of thousands of explorers.The owner of the travel notes couldn't help sighing that after that fight, the land of never-ember seemed to have become a lot safer and more peaceful.

Of course, from this travel note, Siles did not see whether there was any involvement of the enlightener in these matters.He thinks there must be, but Emanuel may have removed some less-publishable elements in the translation process.

As he put it, he removed all references to "non-existent cities."

On this point, Siles agreed with him.

He relaxed his mind and regarded this travel note as a real adventure novel.He thought that the writer of adventure novels, Arvid Norton, would definitely like this travelogue very much.

When he finished reading the translation and raised his head, he noticed that it was dark outside the window and it was already night.

It's Monday.The day after tomorrow he will return to the deep sea dream.

21 days have passed and I don't know how Noona is doing.Siles couldn't help thinking.

He stood up, moved his body, then changed his clothes and went out to the cafeteria for dinner.It was a little late, and there were no fresh dishes in the cafeteria.

However, this is not the first time that Siles has lost track of time because of reading, so he bought two loaves very preparedly.

Back in the dormitory, he finished his bread and sorted out the exam papers.

This week is the exam week for the first semester of Ramifah University.Of the three courses that Siles was in charge of, the two elective courses will end this semester, and the grades of the courses will be determined according to the final papers.

He asked two apprentices to help mark some of those papers, and he also corrected some of them himself.All the grades have been released, just wait for the announcement during class, and then talk about the content of these papers.

As for professional elective courses, it is a course of two consecutive semesters.But at the end of the semester, Siles didn't intend to let these students forget what they had learned.

So he simply produced a test paper and planned to bring it to class tomorrow for the students to do it.

According to Earth, this is probably a midterm exam.

Siles didn't tell the students about the test paper, and he didn't plan to include the test paper's score in the final grade.But... In any case, how well you learn can be tested by exams, can't you?

For this matter, Siles also specially asked Benton to ask the publisher to help print the test papers.

Printing is not troublesome, and Benton agreed very happily—of course, he is also very happy to hold the cash cow of Celes now, and hinted to Celes time and time again that it is time to strike while the iron is hot and write a new one. novel.

"Even if it's slowly serialized in a newspaper," Benton said.

However, Siles may only be able to temporarily reject his proposal.At least I have to wait until after the winter vacation to think about it.

He sorted out the test papers, sorted out the things to do later, and then fell asleep early.At six o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, he woke up and saw the rain outside the window as expected.

Siles sat there for a moment, then went to wash up.

When it was nearly seven o'clock, the rain lightened a little, and Siles went out, went to the cafeteria to have breakfast, and then went to the office.

There was a letter at the door of the office. Siles picked it up, opened the door, and walked into the office.He put the test paper aside, sat down, and opened the envelope.

Unsurprisingly, the letter came from Horatio Dwight.

In the past few weeks, the president of the Misery Chronicle Club has been unremittingly organizing the content of the activities after the club activities are over, and writing a letter to Siles for him to check.

Because of this incident, Siles has always had a good impression of Horatio.

Of course, he had some slight objections to this young student and what his companions were studying.The emotion had nothing to do with Horatio but something he had heard about the torture seminar.

However, since Dominic told him about the existence of this organization, Siles has never encountered anything related to it, nor has he heard any news about it.

He always felt that this matter was over... Maybe it was because of what happened at the underground trade fair that the torture seminar was restrained?

Siles hoped so.

He unfolded the letter and read it.In the letter, Horatio summarized the club activities throughout the semester.

They have collected many self-restraint and self-discipline behaviors of believers in the old gods, including daily food and clothing, body cleanliness, time arrangements, and so on.

Of course, judging from Horatio's letter, the behaviors of believers they studied are only "restraints" in the sense of body and mind, not "torture".This also greatly relieved Sirius.

Siles had also written to Horatio before, suggesting that they could have a more in-depth discussion on the moral meaning, spiritual value, defects, and historical evolution of "self-discipline".

These parts are essential if the ultimate goal of the Chronicle of Misery community is to form a thesis.

Siles knew that Horatio was a revelator himself.

And the overly respectful address and wording, overly polite and rigid expression in the young student's letter - Siles didn't know if this was his own illusion - all made Siles feel that the student himself seemed to be in a different situation. in a situation of severe self-discipline.

Of course, he cannot say that there is anything wrong with this kind of arrogance.

He just thought, is there really such a young boy who can do this?

What was Horatio's family really like?What kind of environment was he raised in?What are his parents and elders like?

Siles was somewhat curious about this.Perhaps it is based on a novelist's instinctive perception of a character, or perhaps it is based on a secret keeper's instinctive detection of secrets.

He read the letter and wrote a reply.In his reply, he wrote his consistent views, hoping that Horatio could find the essential "meaning" in these "behaviors".

In addition, he also suggested that Horatio could look for some behaviors of "self-restraint" in the modern sense from other channels, rather than just limiting the topic and scope to early history.

In his letter, he sincerely congratulated Horatio and his friends on their progress, and hoped that they would finish the paper and publish it in a good enough journal.

After writing this reply letter, Siles put it in an envelope and put it in the drawer of his desk for the time being, planning to mail it later.

He paid attention to the time, and there was still more than an hour before the ten o'clock class, so he took this opportunity to think carefully about his thesis.

It's early October.He may not be able to catch up with the publication of the journal at the end of October, so he can only wait until the end of November.

The good news is that from Benton, he already has access to some journal publications.In other words, he doesn't have to worry about his paper not being published in a journal.

"Wandering Poets Are Lygardian Disciples".As Professor Bright said, just this point he found is enough to make his thesis even more brilliant.

The progress of the Siles paper has now reached a slightly embarrassing point.He has gathered enough information about wandering poets and has also characterized their works in the field of literature.The content of the thesis is sufficient.

However, he has not been able to find a real, critical and straightforward piece of information—some documents or classics to prove that the wandering poet is indeed Li Jia

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like