The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

Siles and the others learned the truth about Mr. Lampson's death in the afternoon of the second day.

At that time, he was acting as a croupier, dealing cards for his companions' games.Then a conductor knocked on the door of their compartment suddenly, and poked his head in... He was about to say something, but he was suddenly speechless because of the messy cards on their table.

"What happened?" Sirius asked.

"Uh..." The conductor hesitated for a moment, then said, "We have caught the murderer and are interrogating him. So I came here to tell you, lest you continue to worry."

His gaze swept across their game nonchalantly, as if to say, it looked like he was worrying for nothing.

Alva was about to lose, but when the conductor appeared, he immediately threw the cards in his hand on the table, and asked curiously, "What's going on?"

The conductor who came to look for them was the younger man they had been in contact with.He didn't seem as sophisticated and mature as the other conductors, so he told them the truth at the end.

According to the truth confessed by the murderer, he was one of the two suspects suspected of stealing on that train.He knew very well that he hadn't stolen, so he suspected that Mr. Lampson was the real thief.

He felt aggrieved by being framed, so even after leaving the train, he still followed Mr. Lampson, intending to find evidence of Lampson's theft.

Lampson didn't notice that someone was following him, so he let the stalker notice the star map in his pocket.

The latter excitedly rushed to Lampson to argue with him, but the star map accidentally fell to the ground and was seen by two people at the same time...

Hearing this, Siles whispered clearly: "So they are all fascinated by this star map."

Humans are fascinated by something.This statement sounds very strange, but it is indeed possible to happen in this world.

For example, when Siles saw the strange statue of a woman's head in the office, he met the woman's eyes, and unconsciously reached out to touch it.

This is an unconscious action, and I can't even react to it.

"Yes." The conductor said, "The murderer said that Mr. Lampson actually wanted to monopolize that star map and thought it was very valuable. But he threatened the other party to share this star map with him on the grounds that he knew that Lampson was a thief.

"So they began to study this star map together. The murderer is the revealer, he knows that it is the time track, and his own mental state is not so...normal. Therefore, after failing to find a suitable method of use, he Decided to paint the star map with blood.

"He told us that this star map will actively absorb blood...and make them dizzy, as if immersed in the void of dreams, and have no idea what's going on outside."

The audience looked at each other.

Chester was almost confused: "So... this is the reason why the deceased was 'poisoned'?"

"Isn't it a plant of the Hydrangea genus?" Alva touched his chin and said a little troubled.

Dr. Chester frowned, and finally said, "Maybe I made a mistake in my judgment."

The conductor said: "We don't know for the time being, and we may conduct a more detailed inspection after we get to the station."

Chester nodded slowly, looking a little surprised and unwilling to make a mistake in his judgment.However, he didn't show particularly intense emotions in the end, after all, it was just a chance meeting.

The conductor continued: "During their research, the deceased gradually felt fear. Because he himself did not know the existence of the time track and the enlightener, so he felt that this mysterious power was even more frightening.

"So, he said that he wanted to destroy this star map... It's a bit surprising, isn't it? The murderer told us that the deceased's attitude was very firm, and he even mentioned his family, wife and children...

"However, the murderer did not approve of his idea. He felt that this was a very precious time track, and it was worth them to continue to study and find the ritual attached to the time track.

"Anyway, Mr. Lampson thinks it's his - he stole it, but he can decide whether to destroy it. But the murderer, he's been blinded by greed."

Qin Duo sneered, and said: "It seems that he hasn't realized that it's a time track that has gotten out of control."

The conductor also sighed and said, "Yes."

They were all silent for a moment.

"And then he killed him?" Alva said almost troubled, "Just because... like this?"

"The murderer said that the night before yesterday, he studied the star map with the deceased again. He thought he had found some trick, that he could paint the entire star map with blood, and he could... understand the mystery of the star map?

"But the deceased said they couldn't go on like this. He said his wife was already suspicious. But the murderer had ignored his objections, cut himself again, and then smeared blood on the star map.

"This time they were in a trance again. The murderer was the first to wake up. He noticed that the man next to him was delirious - he said he was thinking, why can't he have this star map to himself? Why share it with this thief time track?

"So, in a fit of rage and interest, he strangled Mr. Lampson."

The conductor's voice fell, and the rest sighed.

It seemed that the situation was destined to come to this point from the moment the two discovered the out-of-control timeline together.They cannot continue research without risk, nor can they willingly share it with each other.

Siles was silent for a moment, then asked, "So he's also on this train?"

The conductor nodded and said: "Actually, the reason why we found out about him is that after we checked the passenger list, we found that Mr. Lampson's so-called vacant upper berth has actually been sold." .

"We looked up the name of the guest who ordered that berth, and found that he had purchased two tickets at the same time. This is the murderer we are looking for.

"We asked the murderer why he ordered two tickets and he said Mr Lampson didn't actually want to study the star chart anymore, but he insisted on doing it.

"He bought a ticket first, and then after realizing Lampson's attitude, he bought another ticket for Lampson's upper berth. He threatened Lampson that if he didn't continue to study the star map, then he would Spread the word that Lampson is a thief.

"...that's how we found the murderer, without even using any rituals. Greed itself gave away the murderer's location."

The rest of the people suddenly realized.

"We've got it under control, and when we arrive in Biddle City, we'll hand it over to the police station. The out-of-control star map will also be dealt with by special personnel, and this matter will be over at this point." The conductor said, "Thank you Help offered, gentlemen."

With that said, he took out four cards and handed them to them.

"The Dexter Railway United Company provided you with a discount card." The conductor blinked, "If you still plan to take our company's trains in the future, you can get a [-]% discount by presenting this discount card at the ticket office .”

"Oh, this is really good!" Alva exclaimed, feeling the hard card happily.It seems that young people still need to pay attention to expenses when they go out to play.

The conductor smiled and nodded at them, and then prepared to leave.Before leaving, he couldn't help but look at their game curiously.

"Mr. train conductor, are you curious about our playing cards?" Alva greeted very enthusiastically, "You can also come and play, and I will be happy to explain the rules of playing cards to you."

The conductor was embarrassed for a while, and then said: "It's not good now, I have to be on duty. Maybe after the shift..."

Chester also laughed and said, "Remember our carriage number, we are waiting for you to change shifts. Of course, we don't gamble!"

The conductor smiled and said goodbye to them.

Although the conductor left, the four people in the box were not in the mood to continue playing cards.

The young Alva lamented what had happened to the Lampsons.

"There are indeed many dangers in this world." Sirius couldn't help sighing, "Perhaps we can't be too cautious."

Qin Duo smiled mercilessly, and said, "Professor Noel, I can't believe what you said."

Chester also laughed: "Mr. Qin Duo, Professor Noel is just coming back to Never Embers for the first time, and he is not so used to the atmosphere of Never Embers."

Alva blinked his eyes, and said with a sense of confusion, "It's also my first time to come back to Eternal Land."

Cendo laughed almost uncontrollably.

Siles looked at them, and finally shook his head expressionlessly, thinking, young Alva, can't he hear that these two guys are making fun of him?

... Doctor Chester was also taken badly!he thinks.

Because the death incident was resolved, Siles suddenly felt that the atmosphere on the train was much better.

Of course, as they got closer and closer to Biddle City, another atmosphere began to pervade the train, as well as Siles's heart.It was a deeper, more oppressive feeling.

After dinner, Siles stood at the junction of the carriages, looking out quietly through the window on the door.

At the end of the sky, he saw a looming gray-black mist.

Over the past period of time, such scenes have become more and more common, and he has also changed from being surprised when he saw this scene for the first time to being calm and thoughtful now.

That is the fog of Fisher's world.It looks overwhelming and oppressive.When he saw the mist in the sky for the first time, Sirius even held his breath slightly uncontrollably.

"You seem to be very interested in the mist, Sirius." Qin Duo's voice appeared behind him.

Siles didn't turn his head, just said: "Yes." He paused slightly, and then said, "I'm very curious...why the fog appears and why it dissipates."

"Many people are curious about this, but they can't come up with an answer." Qin Duo stepped forward and stood beside Siles side by side.

They watched the fog in silence.As the train moved, they saw the fog gradually move away, and finally dissipate completely.

Siles thought for a moment, then said, "Isn't the distance between the train and the fog a bit too close?" He suddenly realized this, "Are we in Gainesdale?"

"It can't be said that way." Qin Duo explained, "Sometimes, even though the fog seems very close, it may be not far away; moreover, the track that the train passes has basically been inspected and researched to ensure safety. will start working.

"Railways don't want their valuable property damaged - I'm talking tracks and locomotives, not passengers and conductors."

Siles smiled slightly at his mocking tone.

Qin Duo looked at his expression from the side, and there was a thoughtful look in those emerald green eyes.

After a while, he said: "I'm afraid the main purpose of your going to the Land of No Embers is not for that——the professor you mentioned, who has a relationship with Huddoka, right?"

Siles turned his head and looked at Qindo.

Qin Duo said affirmatively: "At least in the past so many days, I haven't heard you mention anything about Huddoka again."

Siles considered for a moment, then said, "We haven't found any new clues either."

"Maybe so," Cindo said, "but we'll be arriving in Biddle City tomorrow morning."

His implication seemed to be that he wanted Siles to be more frank.

Siles looked deeply at the emerald-eyed man, and then said, "But, Cindo, you want me to tell me everything I know, shouldn't you do the same?"

For example, why would Cindo get involved in anything related to Huddoka?

Qin Duo was taken aback for a moment, and then said, "You hope?"

His rhetorical tone made Siles look at him in a little surprise.

Cinder added: "I mean, what I'm involved in could be very dangerous. And I... don't think, and don't guarantee, that you can get away easily and safely."

Siles said slightly surprised: "Cendo, I think you can be called a 'good explorer'."

Cinder said slightly annoyed, "I didn't mean—"

"Anyway," said Siles, "we are companions now."

"——you are mine..." Qin Duo said at the same time with him, and then suddenly stopped, "What?"

Siles watched the mist disappear from the sky, then turned, glanced at Cinder, and said, "I'm not yours—but of course, for now, at least, I'm your companion, Cinder.

"We'll go to the Hales House together and then we'll try to find out the truth... that's our common goal. We should all exchange information more honestly, that's what I think. Danger, safety, threat, survival, that's something else One thing."

Qin Duo's expression looked very complicated.

Siles didn't know what he was thinking.Cindo Playa is also a man who hides countless secrets, but Siles hopes to make it clear to him at this time, after all, they are likely to be facing the same problem.

Sirius continued: "The reason why I went to Hales House was because of the rumor that always existed in the Land of Never Embers."

"...What rumor?"

"A city that doesn't exist." Siles said, "I have two friends who are pursuing this legend, trying to find their missing companions. As for me, I happen to have a winter vacation, and traveling is an option.

"So I came to the Land of No Embers."

Qin Duo seemed to have suddenly realized it, and he looked at Siles with great interest—as if the embarrassment caused by the companion's topic just now had completely gone away from him.

"Cities that don't exist ... are interesting," he said.

Siles looked at him troubled.

Dusk passed, night fell, and the cold wind hit.The train swayed on this desolate and lonely land.They stood side by side, talking in low voices, and watched the hours go by.

Qin Duo said: "Perhaps you knew a little bit about my reputation before you set off. Most explorers are afraid of my ability and hate my character, but they do admit that I am powerful."

He said these two words slowly, as if he didn't quite agree with some parts of them.That mocking tone was not only aimed at those explorers, but also at himself.

However, he quickly adjusted his tone: "In short, I also prefer to explore those unknown exotic lands. Therefore, many explorers will invite me to join them if they are lucky enough to go to dangerous places. team.

"In order for me to protect them, or to find a sense of security. To me, they might as well improve their strength and find some stronger but safer time frames.

"...At the beginning of the year, a small expedition found me, hoping that I could accompany them temporarily. They got a relatively rare map, which is said to be a Huddoka follower of the Silent Era.

"After the fall of Huddoka, this believer did not believe that the gods had fallen, so he searched for temples all over the world—remember the Temple of Belan I mentioned?"

Siles nodded.

So Qindo continued: "Many believers in Huddoka imitated the Belan Temple and built similar temple buildings. Of course, most of them collapsed, but anyway, the ruins are still there.

"Most of them think that they can communicate directly to Huddoka through such a replica of the Temple of Belan. If Huddoka is satisfied enough with the temple they built, then Huddoka will answer their prayers .”

"Sacrifice." Sirius whispered.

"It can be described like this." Qin Duo shrugged, "But I don't want to describe Huddoka's believers with such a pure belief."

Siles couldn't help saying: "I feel that you have...a bad impression of the followers of Huddoka."

"Maybe it's because many explorers in the land of no embers, although they are cheating and doing all kinds of evil, they consider themselves followers of Huddoka." Qin Duo said disgustedly, "I really don't know if Huddoka is willing to have it." Such believers."

What an astonishing tone, Siles thought, looking at him.It seems that Cindo knew Huddoka once, so he can definitely answer, no, of course Houddoka hates such hypocrites.

Such thoughts just flashed through Siles' mind.

Qin Duo turned and said: "In short, we followed the instructions on the map and finally found the ruins. That is, as I told you, the ruins of the temple that Professor McLeod is excavating.

"Some tomb robbers, or opportunistic explorers, followed us all the time, and also discovered the ruins, and excavated part of the ruins during that time."

Siles suddenly realized.Turns out it was Cendor himself who discovered the ruined temple, which explains why he was so deeply involved in it.

"You discovered the ruins, what happened next?" Siles asked with interest.

"It's close to the Principality of Kansas, as I said before." Qindo said, "So I contacted some archaeological experts in the Principality of Kansas, including Professor McLeod, and he decided to go to the Land of No Embers himself.

"Therefore, I temporarily left for a period of time in order to take over Professor McLeod and his team. But... while I was away, the expedition..."

"What happened to them?"

"Dead. All dead." Qin Duo said in a relatively flat tone. What really made him hesitate was not the death of the expedition members, but something else.

He was silent for a moment.

Then he finally said: "They all turned into statues, and their expressions were frozen in extreme horror and disbelief. When Professor McLeod arrived, he even marveled at the lifelikeness of those statues."

Sirius sighed softly.

"Don't sigh, Sirius." Qin Duo said, with an astonishing ruthlessness, "When they embark on the journey of the Everland, they should have the consciousness to be swallowed by the fog."

Siles said, "So do I."

Qin Duo was stunned, he seemed to want to say something, as if he wanted to refute Sirius, but in the end, he simply said: "You are different from them."

Siles was noncommittal on this topic, he just turned to ask: "Did they violate some... taboo?"

"It's hard to say, after all, I wasn't there when they died." Cindo said, "My suspicion is that they might have encountered something in the process of guarding against tomb robbers, and then fled in a hurry-some of the statues were fixed in the Run away from this action.

"They have always believed that their team got the map and discovered the ruins, so the proceeds of the ruins belong to them, so they hate tomb robbers.

"And...although many parts of the ruins were covered with tomb robbers when Professor McLeod arrived, we haven't encountered any grave robbers since then."

Siles nodded thoughtfully, and said, "Maybe some accident happened to them?"

"Perhaps. But we didn't find any new statues either. Only the members of the expedition team." Qindo said, "This incident made me feel a little strange and curious, so I waited for Professor McLeod's exploration and discovery , and learned that it was established by followers of Huddoka."

"Then you started to search for the lost objects in this ruin, and went to Lamifa City."

Qin Duo said: "That's true." He paused, "About what happened in Ramifa City...the reason why I appeared at the kitchen door of that dinner party was because I heard that some things were sold to An organization concerned with food and pleasure.

"And it just so happened that there was an extremely rare commotion in Lamifa City that night, especially the square in the center of the city. I noticed that the castle next to the square was brightly lit. I guessed that there might be a banquet going on, so I decided to investigate."

Siles suddenly realized.The thing that was sold, he thought—couldn't that be the portrait?

...so this portrait is really from Huddoka?Nothing to do with Temia Law?

Siles felt a little funny in his heart.He didn't pursue this matter for the time being, after all, the focus now is on what happened in the Land of No Embers.So he asked instead: "Why would you want to go to Hales House?"

"Because of that expedition, the map they got was from an explorer who left Hales House," Cinder said, "that seems to have happened late last year.

"After the explorer got the map, it seems that he didn't have time to explore because of other things, and then he was seriously injured because of the conflict of some adventure groups. The expedition team I mentioned treated him for a while.

"So the explorer handed them the map before he died. And because of the explorer's death, they didn't dare to easily find the direction indicated by the map.

"...until they found me. Even so, they ended up as statues and died there."

Siles nodded slowly: "Becoming a statue... This image really keeps appearing."

"Do you have any relevant clues here?"

"My two friends, the reason why they decided to go to the Land of No Embers again after many years to find cities that don't exist is because I got a travel book before. The owner of the travel book listened to it at Hales House last year. Said some... rumors. A treasure map.

"Then, he was seriously injured while traveling with others to the location indicated by the treasure map. All his companions died. The person who rescued him said that the explorer also mentioned the statue before he died.

"...this is one of the messages I got."

Qin Duo nodded: "Hales House...is this place again."

Siles nodded and said, "Don't you think it's a coincidence? Perhaps, the map they got..."

"It's the same?" Qin Duo said thoughtfully, "Maybe we can go to verify it. Unfortunately, I didn't find the map that the expedition team got."

"There's no rush. We can wait until we get to the Hales House," said Sirius. "As for the other piece of information... the professor I'm talking about—his last name is Cabell.

"Professor Kabell borrowed a book before his disappearance. It mentioned some, er, traditions of Huddoka followers?"

"What is it?"

"The believers of Huddoka will voluntarily seal themselves into the statue, thinking that they can escape death and be saved by Huddoka." Siles simply repeated, and felt a little weird again at this moment .

He thought, these believers... do they really believe so?

Qin Duo couldn't help but sneered, and said, "It's really funny. Would anyone really believe in such an unreasonable act?"

Siles remained silent.

Qin Duo looked at Siles boredly, and couldn't help but sighed: "Professor Noel, sometimes I really hope that you can cater to my words, but sometimes I feel that it is true that you choose to remain silent at this moment. It's you."

Sirius frowned, looking at him gravely.

Qin Duo laughed.A very strong smile emerged from the emerald green pupils, which was the most obvious expression of happiness that Qindo has shown since Siles saw Qindo.

Siles shook his head, ignored Qin Duo's teasing, and just said: "As for the last piece of news... I'm afraid, I have to ask for the consent of the person concerned."

Qin Duo looked at him in surprise.

Siles opened his pocket watch and took a look, it was almost seven o'clock.In about twelve hours, they will arrive in Biddle City.

Siles said, "We should go back."

Qin Duo said dissatisfiedly: "Why are you so tempting me!"

Siles asked him to look at the pointer on the pocket watch, and said: "If we don't go back, our companions should worry."

Qin Duo muttered something, probably saying that Chester and Alva were not his companions.But he still followed in Sirius' footsteps.

After returning to the box, Siles said to Chester, "Doctor, just right, I have something to ask of you."

Chester was chatting with Alva, when he heard this, he looked at Celes in surprise, and said, "What happened?"

Qin Duo's eyes turned around on Dr. Chester.He probably could see that this was the person Siles mentioned, but the confusion revealed in his eyes seemed to say, what secrets could the doctor have?

Siles ignored Qin Duo's emotions.He took Doctor Chester out of the box for the time being, and told Chester that he and Qindo were investigating Huddoka, and considered some information that did not need to be concealed, especially related to the statue.

Chester's mood changed from confusion to surprise, then to heaviness and sigh.Finally, he said: "I didn't expect to meet relevant people here. Professor, do you trust Qindo?"

Siles thought about it for a while.

Obviously, Siles now trusts Chester more than Qindo.

But the situation they are facing now cannot be simply explained by trust or distrust.

Siles simply said, "I think he can help us figure it out."

Chester nodded slowly, and said, "Mr. Qin Duo is indeed a powerful enlightener."

It seems that Chester has also made a decision.

When they got back to the box, Siles noticed that Cindo was sitting there expressionless, his emerald green eyes were a little cold.Opposite him, Alva sat alone and stiff.

When Siles and the others entered, the young man gave them a look of help.

……What's going on here?Siles thought slightly puzzled, his eyes fell on Cendo.Qin Duo also stared at him fixedly.

After a while, Qin Duo suddenly laughed.The laugh was not pleasant or easy.But he didn't seem to explain the meaning of his emotions at the moment, just said: "Come on, tell me what you all talked about."

Siles faintly had a guess about Qindo's emotions at the moment, but that guess was somewhat inconceivable—seriously, Jindo Playa, this powerful and mysterious explorer, would be so childish. guy?

Siles thinks he won't, but the reality doesn't seem to be determined by Siles' thoughts.

He didn't think too much, because the preoccupied Doctor Chester had already sat next to Alva, and then spoke slowly.

Alva wanted to leave, but was stopped by Chester.He thinks this matter can be shared with Alva.

He briefly recounted his previous experience, did not say what the specific purpose of that archaeological operation was, and did not mix too much past emotions and thoughts over the years.

Even so, Dr. Chester's tone gradually took on a very complicated emotion.That was probably less to himself than to the half-man, half-statue guy.

Qin Duo listened thoughtfully, and then said: "It seems that this kind of thing happened many times in the land of no embers, but it didn't really spread among explorers."

Siles nodded as well.He wondered if someone was hiding it, or that those who turned into statues would eventually disappear, just as Chester said, when he went to look for the half-human, half-statue the next day, only A touch of ashes.

... If it is the latter, then Qin Duo is really lucky.He may have just stumbled upon the explorers who had just been turned into statues.However, Qin Duo did not mention the matter of those statues being reduced to ashes.

There are always many kinds of situations.Siles thought.

Alva's face was dull, and he seemed completely unaware that he had come into contact with the legend of the Everland in this way.

At this moment, someone suddenly knocked on the door of their box.

The young conductor poked his head in, blinked, and said, "Gentlemen, may I come to your poker game?"

The original dignified atmosphere in the box was broken.

Alva was the first to react, and immediately said, "Of course!"

The conductor also brought a friend of his, who was also a passenger on the train.Originally, the passenger just heard that there was a new way to play cards, so he came to have a look, but it happened that Siles and Qin Duo were too preoccupied to play cards, so they let this passenger participate.

They just formed a round with Chester and Alva.

Alva happily explained the rules to them, and Chester seemed to let himself forget about those troubles and worries, and devoted himself to the game.

Siles and Qindo gave them the space of the box, and the two went outside together.

Siles was still thinking about Huddoka at the beginning, but as the silence continued, Siles suddenly thought of the subtle emotions of Qindo just now.

However, he hesitated for a moment, feeling that there was no need to ask an adult such a relatively private emotion.He remained silent.

Qin Duo seemed to have forgotten what happened just now, he just said: "Maybe we can sort out these things when we arrive in Biddle City tomorrow. This is really a complicated clue."

Sirius nodded in agreement, and he said, "I hope Hales House still retains traces of the past."

They walked for a moment in the corridor of the train.Before they knew it, they came to the junction of the carriages where they had chatted in the evening.Outside the car window, the world seemed dark, and the time had come to night.

Suddenly, Cinder said, "Do you think I'm very naive, Professor Noel?"

This tone gave Sirius a headache.He hesitated for a moment, then said, "That's not true."

Qin Duo smiled inexplicably, and then said: "As you can see, Professor, I have always been alone, but I accidentally ran into you during this journey. To be honest, I am indeed a little surprised."

Siles didn't quite understand what he was trying to say.

"However, I thought at the time that you were as lonely as me..." He seemed to want to add some action or other nouns after this adjective, but when he said this, he suddenly paused.

In the end, he just stopped here and was silent for a moment.Therefore, the word loneliness seems to be used to describe themselves.

"...I'm still too naive, aren't I?" Cindo looked at Sirius with emerald green eyes, "You said we were companions—well, I have to admit that in some ways it made me feel a little I am happy, but in other respects, I feel a kind of dissatisfaction."

"Don't you have any friends?" asked Siles.

"Friend?" Jindo considered the word thoughtfully, and finally, he said, "I once told you that the education I received...is similar to the family education you imagine.

"It was a very closed environment. When I was young, I didn't have much contact with other people, but when I became an adult, I came to the Everland. The people of the Neverember didn't seem to be very willing to deal with me.

"...Of course, I'm not that happy to deal with them."

Siles didn't know what to say for a while, and he was even a little embarrassed by Qin Duo's remarks.

Qindo seems to have developed a subtle possessive desire for Siles based on some very... childish and extreme ideas.That may come from friendship, or it may just be a little illusion of this long journey.

The unexpected appearance of Dr. Chester - especially before the