WCBD CH133

Chapter 133: Biedel City

This prosperous city in the desert, just as when Siles left, still maintained a vibrant vitality amidst the desolation. Even more surprisingly, they actually saw snow in the desert.

Chendo said, “I still remember, when we came here, I mentioned the snow in the desert to you.” He paused, then added, “And at that time, I already very much hoped you wouldn’t leave.”

They followed the other passengers out of the train station. Siles said, “At that time, we hadn’t realized that we would experience so many things together afterward.”

“Indeed,” Chendo said. “However, I am very glad to have met you, and I am also very glad that I directly expressed my feelings back then.”

Siles pondered for a moment and finally smiled. He didn’t directly express his thoughts but merely said, “It’s been almost half a year, Chendo.”

Chendo turned his head to gaze at him, then murmured, “Yes.”

Only the time spent with you always seems beautiful and fleeting, he said in his heart.

The world always seemed gloomy, but it wasn’t like that when he was beside Siles. That was why he was so reluctant to part.

The inn they checked into was also very familiar; it was Old John’s Inn, where they had stayed during their first visit. However, this time, the merchant Jerome Lanmere did not appear, and the familiar guide Mary was nowhere to be seen, likely performing guide duties for other caravans.

They were still going to rest here for a day. But the tickets Professor Bella had purchased were for a departure tomorrow evening; in other words, they had almost two full days to stroll around here.

Lorenzo couldn’t wait and pulled Chester along, planning to go out. However, Biedel City ultimately belonged to the Ashless Lands and was more dangerous, so the knights and investigators from the Church of the Past also followed.

The group put their luggage away in the hotel and then decided to head out.

Siles and Chendo also planned to stroll around. But they didn’t follow the main group. In fact, their group quickly scattered, each going their own way.

Coming here this time, Siles’s mindset was much more relaxed. He could take his time and carefully appreciate the scenery of Biedel City.

They stopped at a square in the southwest of Biedel City. This square was named Biedel Square.

“I have an impression of this place,” Siles said. “The last time I came to Biedel City, the set of bookmarks I bought at the flea market depicted some important landmarks of Biedel City, including this square and that fountain.”

The fountain was located in the center of the square; it wasn’t very ornate, but plain and simple, yet it was indeed a fountain. This was a city in the desert; even if water wasn’t scarce, it always needed to be cherished.

But there was a fountain here.

Chendo knew a bit about this and explained, “This seems to have been a decision made by the lord of Biedel City. When Biedel City was first established, everyone thought it was an act of madness.”

“In the hinterland of the desert, an area that was once shrouded in fog. At that time, even though Antinam had appeared and the fog was slowly dissipating, people still felt the future was bleak.”

Siles nodded in understanding. “So, people even felt that exploring the Ashless Lands was unnecessary.”

“There was a time when that was true,” Chendo shrugged. “It’s inevitable. Regardless, people back then still had to worry about their own livelihoods, rather than having the spare time to focus on future development.”

“But at least now, the existence of Biedel City has been worthwhile,” Siles said.

Chendo nodded and said, “Therefore, this fountain exists. Because the existence of Biedel City is just like this water source in the desert.”

The fountain wasn’t running now, just quietly embedded in the soil of Biedel City. Clear water was perhaps coursing through the bottom of this city, just as people were exploring and moving about all over this world.

They stood there silently, watching the people in the square. Some children were playing and roughhousing there.

Seeing those children, Siles suddenly thought of something. He said, “I once heard a legend… about the witch in the desert.”

“Witch?” Chendo asked with some interest. “Is it related to the children?”

“Yes. Why do you say that?” Siles was a bit surprised.

Chendo shouldn’t know this story from The World of Little Cynthia, yet he still said this story might be related to children. Where did he learn this from?

Chendo said, “Because adults always use these kinds of legends to scare little children.”

Siles then understood. He watched the children playing in the square and frowned slightly for a moment. It was hard to describe the thoughts in his heart; he just felt…

After a moment, he said, “This isn’t the first time I’ve remembered this story. That story originally involved a city in the desert, and now we really have come to a city in the desert. This is a very marvelous feeling.”

“…Because of the power you possess?” Chendo asked hesitantly.

Siles nodded and said, “Perhaps I would have once thought this was a coincidence… I read that story, and then in Biedel City I heard children mention the witch in the desert; a coincidence, isn’t it?”

“But now I can’t simply believe this is just a coincidence occurring in the long river of fate. Unintentional, valueless, and not needing careful consideration.”

“…The power of fate surrounds me. I have to admit this.”

His voice was low. Personally, he didn’t like this state. But this was indeed the situation.

So, after a moment, he closed his eyes slightly, then made up his mind: “Perhaps tonight, Mr. Ghost should take a stroll in those children’s dreams.”

Since he thought of this issue again, he didn’t want to delay. Taking advantage of being in Biedel City right now, he could also spend some effort researching this matter that he cared about.

Chendo then said, “But I remember, for you to enter their dreams, you need their exact names?”

“Yes…”

Before Siles finished speaking, suddenly, a woman in the square called out loudly, “Hal Goss! Time for lunch!”

And so, one of the boys stopped running, reluctantly said goodbye to his playmates, and then left with his mother. Siles felt his face was somewhat familiar; perhaps they had crossed paths during his previous visit to Biedel City.

Siles and Chendo exchanged a glance.

Chendo said, “Could this be considered… your power?”

Siles had to remain silent for a moment. He thought, having one’s wishes come true?

But it was an uncontrollable power, which made him feel it was dangerous.

Ultimately, even if this power helped him now, who knew when this power might backfire? The convenience of this power instead made Siles feel more vigilant.

Finally, he merely said, “Anyway, this counts as good news.” He watched the boy’s retreating back, “An exact name.”

Chendo nodded in agreement, while also saying, “It’s also time for us to go eat lunch.”

They went to a nearby restaurant. According to Chendo, this was one of the most popular restaurants in Biedel City. And this popularity was indeed evident, as they ran into other companions in the restaurant.

Lorenzo waved at them: “Over here! Hurry up, there are just two seats left.”

Lorenzo, Chester, Bunyan, and a Revelator from the Church of the Past occupied a table for six, leaving just enough room for Siles and Chendo to sit.

The dishes at this restaurant were very characteristic of the desert, heavily flavored, and the atmosphere in the restaurant was also very lively. This atmosphere was a bit like the lively atmosphere typical of explorers that Siles had once experienced at the House of Hales, very characteristic of the Ashless Lands.

Different from the peaceful and leisurely liveliness in the city. The liveliness here always carried a suppressed vigilance and stuffiness. People would indeed converse enthusiastically with each other, but would also inadvertently look up to observe their surroundings, as if ready to flee for their lives at the slightest incident.

The layout of the restaurant featured a bar counter along with tables and chairs. Now the tables and chairs were basically full, while only a scattering of people sat at the bar.

Chester and Lorenzo studied what dishes to order, and Chendo casually recommended one or two to them. However, whether people from Konst could get used to the cuisine of Biedel City was also a question worth considering. Of course, since they were traveling out, they probably also wanted to try new flavors.

Bunyan was chatting with the Revelator about something, seemingly regarding the safety of their group. They were currently in the Ashless Lands; this place always hid many secrets and dangers.

And since Lamifa University had specifically hired people from the Church of the Past to protect this group of defenseless—probably excluding Siles and Chendo—university professors, Bunyan naturally hoped they would perform their duties responsibly.

Siles then noticed the topic being discussed at the table next to them.

Obviously, in such a restaurant, explorers couldn’t possibly discuss overly secretive or important topics, so the few men at the next table were just talking about some recent events in the Ashless Lands.

They mentioned a name that surprised Siles—Angus Keys.

Over the past period, this explorer had caused quite a bit of trouble in the Ashless Lands. He killed the leader of an adventure group in the western part of the Ashless Lands and also successfully took over that adventure group.

It was said that he had once been a member of that adventure group, then had a falling out with some higher-ups, disappeared for many years, and had now successfully taken his revenge, appearing high-spirited. At least from the words of these few explorers, Siles could clearly hear that envious sentiment.

He subconsciously cast a glance over, then calmly withdrew it.

Angus Keys had chosen to embark on his journey of revenge precisely after reading Siles’s book, The Revenge of the Rose. Regardless, a successful revenge was still a matter worth celebrating, even if it had a backdrop of blood and tragedy.

Chendo noticed Siles’s distraction and asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong?”

“…I just feel the duality of fate,” Siles said.

Chendo didn’t quite understand why he would mention this. He hadn’t paid attention to the topic of those explorers just now, and in just this brief moment, those people had already changed the subject.

Chendo looked at Siles in confusion and finally said, “You always worry about these kinds of things. However, perhaps our most important task right now…”

Siles looked at him.

“It’s just finishing this lunch,” Chendo said matter-of-factly.

Siles froze slightly, then couldn’t help but laugh. He said, “Yes, Chendo, you are right.” He paused, then added, “I shouldn’t always be thinking about these things either.”

Grenfield had once reminded him of this, and now, Siles realized it again. He didn’t want to be swallowed up by those grand, complicated, and profound things. Even if it was time, even if it was fate.

He stopped thinking about those things and just had lunch with his companions, then chatted about the experiences along the journey. Lorenzo sighed over the accident right when they departed, as well as the smoothness afterward.

He said sincerely, “I hope the rest of the journey goes very smoothly.”

Siles glanced at Chendo and said, “Perhaps we can make that happen.” After all, there was an Old God’s Scion of Ligadia here.

Chendo maintained a reserved smile on his face. He felt he had been subtly praised, but he couldn’t show this emotion, so he could only be complacent in his heart.

He had once utterly detested this power, but now the situation was completely the opposite.

After finishing their meal, they paid and planned to leave. However, on their way out, they happened to run into a woman who was just entering.

Siles subconsciously looked up at the woman, then said with some surprise, “Heidi?”

The person who appeared before them was precisely the astrologer Heidi.

Back when Siles and Chendo had a chance encounter on the train, traveling from Lamifa City to Maltz together, they had met Heidi on the train.

Heidi’s star map handkerchief was stolen by a greedy Mr. Lampson, and was noticed by another Revelator, leading to the bloody case that occurred on the “Light of First Snow” train later on.

However, Heidi herself was not involved in the subsequent murder case. Siles learned about the power of the “circus” from Heidi, and never encountered Heidi again after that.

When this astrologer lady parted ways with them, she had said dishearteningly that she wanted to find a suitable place to be buried. Meeting again now, Heidi looked fairly healthy and calm, which brought Siles some comfort.

They had actually only met twice, but due to various reasons, the topics they discussed were very complex.

Heidi also looked at him with some surprise; she said softly, “Mr. Noel, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Chester didn’t know Heidi, but he was also used to this—it seemed an acquaintance of Siles could pop up anywhere, anytime.

So he said, “Old friends reuniting? This is a good thing. Then you chat here, we’ll go stroll elsewhere.”

Siles and Chendo then stayed at this restaurant and chatted with the astrologer Heidi, whom they hadn’t seen for a long time, for a while.

“So, madam, how has your life been since leaving that train?” Siles asked.

“I stayed in Maltz for a while, then returned to the Ashless Lands,” Heidi said softly. “I heard about what happened at the House of Hales, so I went there after that.”

“I talked with the Clown, the Beast Tamer, and the Magician—you probably don’t know their names, so I’ll just use their aliases. I talked with all of them. To be honest with you, because the circus fell apart, we actually felt relieved; at least I did.”

“The Beast Tamer and the Magician both said they plan to return to their hometowns and try to live ordinary lives. The Clown has always been that silly way. He said he was homeless and would probably wander around the Ashless Lands.”

“At that time, The Clown and I had nothing to do, so we participated in the reconstruction of the House of Hales. A new outpost has gradually been built there now, but it’s no longer called the House of Hales… Of course, some explorers are still used to the old name.”

“However, the new name—Firebird Outpost—has slowly become popular. The reason it’s called Firebird seems to be because the pavilion once burned fiercely, and birdmen soared into the sky from the top of the pavilion… It seems it’s because of that scene that people call it that.”

“After the reconstruction of the outpost was nearly complete, I parted ways with The Clown and returned to Biedel City… In fact, it was also because of another matter.”

“What matter?” Siles asked.

Heidi fell silent for a while, even revealing a bitter expression.

After a moment, she said, “That star map.”

Siles froze slightly.

Heidi murmured, “I thought I had gotten rid of that star map. But when the train station here in Biedel City contacted me, saying the star map handkerchief had been found and asked me to claim it, I really felt…”

“…Felt the cruel fate inescapably striking. I thought that thing was lost, but in the end, it came back. Covered in blood, with an inescapable inevitability.”

“Even though the circus has been destroyed, I ‘became’ an astrologer, so I will forever be an astrologer.”

Siles paused slightly, then frowned. He knew about the handkerchief being recovered. Back on the “Light of First Snow” train, that handkerchief was still on the deceased Mr. Lampson…

Wait, speaking of which, why was this handkerchief on Mr. Lampson? Wasn’t the murderer determined to kill Mr. Lampson precisely for this handkerchief?

Siles fell deep in thought.

Moreover, the attitude of the Biedel City train station seemed a bit too attentive. Even if this was an out-of-control Time Trace, did they really have the energy to go to such great lengths to find out where Heidi went and even actively write a letter to notify Heidi to come pick it up?

It was as if this thing had caused some unexpected consequences, so the train station avoided it like the plague, hoping the owner would come deal with it as soon as possible.

Siles then asked, “So, did you go claim that star map?”

Heidi shook her head slowly. She sighed and said, “I’m not afraid of you laughing… Back on the train, I swore I was going to seek death.”

“But when I left the train… how should I say it, just like now, sitting in a bustling restaurant, listening to other explorers chatting, and then waiting for the boss to serve me a plate of hot fried rice…”

“I felt, how could I possibly go die? I can’t do it. Besides, I had already gotten rid of that star map and the circus. I’m no longer that former astrologer; I no longer need to look at those damn, messy stars.”

“I’m still greedy for life and afraid of death; I still want to live, live to be old enough, aged enough, enjoy a sufficiently long life, and then willingly die. That’s what I want.”

“…But, but, sir, can you imagine? That thing actually reappeared!”

Heidi shook her head in frustration and sighed.

Siles maintained his silence.

To some extent, he could understand Heidi’s distress, very well in fact.

For normal Revelators, they might be very grateful for such a “recovery of what was lost.” But it seemed like some kind of trap hidden within fate.

Was that really a “treasure”? Wasn’t it truly the cheese in a mousetrap used to attract mice, harboring danger and malice?

In such a treacherous world, a person’s life was truly as cheap and fragile as a mouse’s.

Siles thought for a moment, then said, “I think, madam, you should at least go ask about the related news.” After that, he roughly informed Heidi about what had happened on the “Light of First Snow” train.

Heidi’s eyes gradually widened, and she listened to the story in a daze.

Siles didn’t tell Heidi about the Lamifa West District underground gang matters involved behind the Lampson family. But even so, Heidi was already surprised enough.

Chendo added from the side, “After leaving you, that thing might become even more uncontrollable and dangerous.” He looked at the astrologer and said meaningfully, “You got rid of this thing, but others might not be so lucky.”

Heidi’s face slowly turned pale. After a moment, she took a deep breath. “I… I understand. This is ultimately my trouble.” She muttered to herself, “I can’t be so naive.”

It seemed Heidi had made up her mind, realizing she eventually had to face the existence of this problem.

Siles then said, “I will be heading to Middleton later. Madam, if you have any progress on your end, you can contact…” He looked at Chendo.

So Chendo gave a Kansas address and added, “You can write letters to here.”

Heidi nodded, then smiled bitterly. “Thank you for showing up… I suppose I should say that. I’ve always been someone who needs external force to push myself into making a decision. Regardless, I will try to solve this matter.”

She said slowly and firmly, “Yes. It shouldn’t cause any more misfortune.”

Siles looked at the lady thoughtfully.

From the resolve of falling out with the circus in Lamifa City and choosing to leave alone, to the confusion and helplessness of suddenly losing the star map upon returning to the Ashless Lands, and gradually shaking off the shadow brought by the star map, only to feel resistance upon unexpectedly hearing it had reappeared…

Regardless, this Madam Heidi had experienced enough ups and downs in her life over the past half year.

He said, “I hope everything goes smoothly for you, Madam.”

Heidi nodded, revealing a pale smile, and said, “Thank you.”

Subsequently, she asked about Siles heading to Middleton.

“That’s a coastal country further north,” Siles said. “I’ll be going there for some work needs.”

“A coastal country!” Heidi said with some surprise. “I’ve never been to one. It sounds intriguing. However, I just got back from the House of Hales, and I probably don’t want to travel around for a while.”

Siles nodded unsurprisingly, but Heidi mentioning the House of Hales again reminded Siles of something.

He said, “Madam, you should have been staying at the House of Hales before.” After all, Heidi used to be a member of the circus, and that circus was a resident of the House of Hales. “Do you know a man with the surname Darrow? He might be getting on in years.”

Heidi thought for a while, then said apologetically, “I can’t remember very clearly. However, I’ll try to recall and then contact you. Is there something you need him for?”

“He has likely passed away,” Siles said. “However, there seems to be some issue with his identity, so I want to investigate.”

Heidi looked at him in surprise, then said softly, “I understand. Mr. Noel, I will help you ask around. If there is any progress, I will write about it in the letter as well.”

She nodded towards Chendo, meaning it would be sent to him.

Siles thanked her. Afterward, they didn’t continue to disturb Heidi’s lunchtime; instead, they quickly said goodbye to the astrologer lady and left the restaurant.

Siles noticed that Heidi quickly ordered quite a few dishes, likely intending to comfort herself with good food.

Chendo, on the other hand, sighed and said, “To think that star map popped up again.” He looked at Siles. “When you returned to the Ashless Lands, it seems the aftermaths of what happened back then also popped up one after another. You really are… the capable one who does more work?”

Siles: “…”

If he had a choice, he’d also prefer to make his life a bit more relaxed and pleasant. Unfortunately, his busyness seemed to have already spiraled out of control.

He was speechless for a moment and finally could only say, “Let’s go.”

“Where to?” Chendo said. “I’ll follow your lead.”

“You’re more familiar with Biedel City. We can stroll around,” Siles said.

Chendo fell deep in thought, and after a moment, he suddenly realized: “So does this count as a date?”

Siles said, “You can think of it that way.”

“…You are always so reserved,” Chendo muttered. “However, I like this reserved side of you.”

Siles was torn between crying and laughing—he just, well, sometimes he couldn’t express his feelings too straightforwardly. That could also count as the reserve Chendo spoke of.

He was noncommittal and just said, “Shall we go then?”

“Of course,” Chendo said. “I have already planned out a two-day itinerary for Biedel City in my head for you.”

“The power of Ligadia?”

“It’s the sentiment of Chendo Praia.”

“I appreciate it very much.”

“It’s what I should do,” Chendo said complacently.

Under Chendo’s arrangement, Siles indeed experienced the charm of Biedel City from another perspective—the perspective of a tourist. A rugged, bustling, mysterious, and magnificent city in the desert. This could almost be called a miracle.

However, when they returned to Old John’s Inn, they instead received an unexpected piece of bad news.

Several professors from Lamifa University were sitting together in Lorenzo’s room, their expressions somewhat heavy. Professor Bella stood to the side, seeming to be pondering something, her gaze exceptionally solemn.

When Siles and Chendo returned, they happened to pass by Lorenzo’s room and noticed their strange behavior.

“…You’re back, Professor Noel.” Professor Bella noticed Siles’s return and said so. However, as she spoke, she couldn’t help but sigh in relief, while simultaneously sighing again upon realizing this emotion.

Siles frowned slightly. He saw the two history professors—one being Lorenzo, the other being Professor Cyril—both looking very suppressed.

Lorenzo was usually outgoing and active, but right now he sat there looking a bit crestfallen. Clearly, something had happened.

Siles then asked, “What happened?”

Professor Bella hesitated, then said, “Professor Noel, you should know Professor Dunlop?”

Siles paused slightly.

Professor Dunlop from the archaeology department… after the first semester ended last year, he led a team to the Ashless Lands to excavate a newly discovered tomb of a noble from the Age of Shadows. The team accompanying him for the archaeological dig also included Herman Grove, one of the TTRPG player characters.

An ominous premonition arose in Siles’s heart. He merely paused, then said, “Yes, I know Professor Dunlop. He…”

“He disappeared,” Professor Bella said in a low voice. “Along with the entire archaeological team.”

As soon as her voice fell, the whole room plunged into an extremely terrifying silence.

After a while, Siles broke the silence, asking, “Can you speak specifically about this?”

His calm tone seemed to make everyone breathe a sigh of relief. Especially Lorenzo. He looked like he had suffered a massive blow. However, considering his friendship with Professor Dunlop, this emotion wasn’t hard to understand.

“…Sorry,” Lorenzo said in a low voice. “I lost my composure just now.”

It seemed they had engaged in a rather heated conversation before Siles returned to the hotel.

Chendo conveniently closed the door. The enclosed space provided a certain sense of security. Professor Bella took a deep breath and began to explain.

Siles then learned that in the afternoon, Lorenzo, Chester, Bunyan, and the others went to a nearby tavern together, chatting and playing cards there.

The Noel Cards had clearly attracted quite a few other explorers, so some people joined their game. During this process, they accidentally learned a piece of news.

An archaeological site whose excavation began in the latter half of last year—the archaeological team there suddenly disappeared bizarrely. They might have been missing for some time, but it wasn’t until an explorer accidentally passed by recently that people became aware of it.

In the Ashless Lands, this sort of thing was actually quite common—archaeology, exploration, and excavation. Once it involved the distant past, people always felt there was something dangerous about it.

The reason it became a topic of conversation was that the explorer participating in the card game was the one who discovered the archaeological team’s disappearance. He said he frequently traveled between a certain outpost further east and Biedel City year-round and would pass by that archaeological site.

Therefore, he was able to discover the disappearance of those people.

He just treated this matter as an interesting anecdote at the card table and casually shared it, but Lorenzo immediately realized something was wrong. He hurriedly asked for the relevant details, and the explorer, seeing his very abnormal expression, hesitated for a while before telling the truth.

Lorenzo then realized that it was the archaeological site Professor Dunlop had gone to. That meant… Professor Dunlop, and the team he led, had disappeared.

…What did they encounter?

It was hard to say. However, it was unquestionable that something had happened to Professor Dunlop.

Soon, Professor Bella also learned about this, the reason being that Lorenzo, upon learning of the matter, impulsively returned to the hotel, packed his things, and wanted to go to the archaeological site to investigate. He was stopped, but his complexion was still very unsightly.

This was the reason he had just apologized. He had indeed lost control of his emotions.

However, everyone present could also understand his anxiety and urgency.

Professor Bella spoke to Lorenzo in a relatively gentle tone: “Professor Grantham, I understand your concern for Professor Dunlop. However, for you to run over there alone is obviously not safe enough.”

“I will write a letter back to the School of Literature and History, informing them of the archaeological team’s disappearance, and have Lamifa City send investigators over. This matter will definitely be brought to light, trust me.”

Lorenzo was silent for a while, then nodded earnestly. He thanked the others in a low voice, especially Chester and Bunyan, who had been stopping him all along. He added, “I hope they are safe and sound.”

The originally tense atmosphere in the room gradually relaxed. However, everyone knew very well in their hearts that the disappearance of an archaeological team couldn’t possibly be a trivial matter. It was highly likely they had already… died without a burial place.

As the night deepened, they left Lorenzo’s room, and each returned to their own rooms. Siles chatted with Chester and Bunyan for a while, and only then learned that the explorer had spoken very carelessly at first.

He bluntly stated that the missing archaeologists were probably dead; after all, this was the Ashless Lands, and that was a dangerous archaeological site. Maybe they had dug up something unbelievable and then had no chance of survival.

If they were inside a safe city, then there might still be a turning point. But they were in the dangerous Ashless Lands. If they provoked the mist or walked into the mist themselves under the control of some out-of-control Time Trace, then the situation was even worse.

…Death might already be the best outcome; perhaps they were now trapped in endless madness.

These words naturally made Lorenzo flustered and very uncomfortable.

Chester’s expression was also a bit heavy; he said, “The Ashless Lands is ultimately not some safe cradle.”

Siles also shook his head and sighed. They each returned to their rooms.

Chendo asked, “Do you really think they are already dead?”

“Not necessarily,” Siles said. “Perhaps they might have a chance of survival.”

Herman Grove was a member of the TTRPG game. Just based on this identity alone, Siles also didn’t believe he would die so easily… at least he hoped so.

Chendo thought for a while, then said regretfully, “If I could enter Tauohetia Cemetery, then perhaps I could quickly confirm their safety. You reminded me before that the powers of these deities are all very miraculous.”

“And they happened to disappear in a foreign land. Perhaps that falls within Ligadia’s power, and we can directly obtain the relevant information in Tauohetia Cemetery.”

Siles paused slightly, having to admit that Chendo’s statement was correct. He said, “Perhaps we can find Tauohetia Cemetery later.” He pondered for a moment, then said, “In that case, I should also try to search in the dream tonight.”

However, he didn’t know Professor Dunlop’s full name; a more secure measure might be to search for Herman Grove’s dream.

“Then, you have quite a lot of things to do in the dream tonight,” Chendo said softly.

Siles was somewhat helpless. He said, “I have to get these things done eventually.”

“I just feel that my admiration and respect for you keep growing,” Chendo said. “And you are worthy of all this. Even though you don’t really like the power of fate, I think that is also something you rightfully possess.”

Siles paused for a moment and finally said, “I’m not really used to this straightforward… praise. But thank you, Chendo.”

“You are always so polite,” Chendo muttered. “Of course, being able to offer you such praise every day is also my honor. I am your devout believer, very happy to offer you hymns every day.”

Siles smiled slightly and leaned over to kiss him. He stroked Chendo’s hair and whispered between kisses, “I feel like your hair has gotten longer again?”

“Perhaps it has, but…” Chendo lamented, “Please, don’t say these things at a time like this; it doesn’t matter. You can do whatever you want with my hair, as long as you’re willing to keep kissing me right now.”

So Siles continued to kiss him. However, this intimacy didn’t last very long, because Siles still had quite a few things to do later.

That night, Mr. Ghost first appeared in Hal Goss’s dream. He hoped to learn information related to the witch in the desert from this boy’s dream.

He was a boy of about ten years old. In the dream, he was playing with water by a fountain. Surrounded by a very beautiful green field, but that kind of field was very rough, not like the green grass in the real world.

Probably, this boy had just accidentally learned that the world wasn’t only deserts, but that other fields, woods, and mountains existed. Therefore, he fantasized about such a scene in his dream.

Mr. Ghost’s leather shoes stepped lightly on the square’s floor tiles.

Hal Goss looked over vigilantly. He said, “Who are you?”

That vigilant appearance made Mr. Ghost feel that this boy was indeed a resident of Biedel City. Even a young child still possessed that aura of the Ashless Lands.

“A ghost patrolling the dreams,” Mr. Ghost said, cleverly guiding the topic towards the question he wanted to know, “I believe, young Mr. Goss, you should understand this kind of existence; after all, ‘witches’ also exist in this world, don’t they?”

“Ghosts and witches?” Hal muttered. “They do sound like they’re in the same category.”

“So you do know about witches?”

“You don’t know?” Hal retorted. “My mom always uses this to scare me. Some boys my age actually believe that witches will snatch children away and lock them up deep in the desert. However, I don’t believe it.”

Mr. Ghost realized with some surprise that the children in Biedel City seemed to know these legends very well.

He then said, “Has this kind of thing never happened?”

“At least I don’t know of it,” Hal said with a very mature attitude. “Why would a witch snatch children? There are many bad people in the world, perhaps a witch is just one of them.”

Mr. Ghost looked at Hal thoughtfully, thinking, Is this the worldview of the children in the Ashless Lands?

Hal instead said, “So, ghost, you want to learn about witches?”

“I’m just very interested in these bizarre tales,” Mr. Ghost said. “You know, history always holds a very unique charm.”

Hal looked unconcerned, probably not thinking there was anything worth being curious about. However, he added, “I know quite a few legends, but, ghost, what can you offer in exchange?”

This boy’s behavior was truly astonishing. He didn’t seem like a ten-year-old child at all, but rather an adult. However, living in the Ashless Lands, it seemed such vigilance was necessary.

So Mr. Ghost said, “I can offer some compensation—monetary compensation, how about that?” He paused, then said, “When you wake up, it will be waiting for you in Biedel Square.”

Hal looked at Mr. Ghost with a bit of curiosity. He seemed very eager to know what form the compensation would take.

However, he ultimately reined in his curiosity, merely saying, “Money? That’s not bad either; our family needs money. Alright, ghost, let me tell you those stories.”

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