Silivara, the northern neighbor of the Arctic Nation. The border between the two countries is bordered to the west and the sea to the east. The country is about one-third the size of the Arctic Continent, and it cannot be said to be small, but it is vast and sparsely populated. A small part of the country is in the northern cold zone, the climate is cold, and the mountainous highland terrain in the country is the majority, and there are many places with perennial snow.

Therefore, it is also known as "Snow Country".

Among the many famous and unknown peaks of Silivara, the Tenguan Mountain has the most special status. With an average altitude of more than 3,000 meters, the Celestial Crown Mountain, which used to be the place where all kinds of large-scale ceremonies were held, is considered to be the "best place to listen to the will of heaven", although it is not the highest peak in Silivara.

It's a mountain climb again, and it's a mountain of the plateau. It seems that this journey is an unprecedented test for himself. Looking at the flashing map on the display, Dimiit thought.

"Okay, climb the mountain, climb the mountain, but," he looked at the restored spirit finder again, "I didn't expect that the search range could really expand to the whole world." ”

"This is also the role of my family's holy land, after all, not everywhere can awaken the fragments, you should already know in Kogani City."

"So, there have been awakening rituals here before?"

"Well, in 288 B.C., my ancestors, together with Lady Haru, performed an awakening ceremony here, found Istis, and later worked together to smash a plan to absorb Istis. It was also at that time that our Will family settled here. ”

As he spoke, Dior puffed out his chest and his face was full of pride.

"It's to protect this holy place."

Dimmit shrugged his shoulders a little disdainfully: "That's the end of selling and boasting." To be serious, I want to change cars. ”

"Yes. The matter of Cullom is not over, and your car is still gone. ”

"Then, isn't it time to settle accounts?"

"That's right, along with the spirit detector and ritual, you have to settle it."

"Make a price."

"I don't want money."

Dimmit was ready to go bankrupt, but he heard Dior's words.

"And what do you want?"

"Let's go back to the castle first."

Dio told the maids to pack their things, and asked James to pick up the car, and he led Dimmit back to the house first.

In the living room, Taffy serves tea to the two. Dior drank slowly, not mentioning anything about the payment, which made Dimmit a little impatient.

"Do you want to say it?"

"I just want to ask one question."

Putting down the teacup, Dior whispered.

"Say it."

"Tell me, why did you destroy Istis?"

This question is not surprising to Dimmit. One only needs to look at the attitude of the Dynics towards the Fragment of Istis before the ceremony, and the exaggerated greetings.

However, this does not mean that he is willing to answer.

"How about asking something else?"

"No, I'll just ask that."

Dior insisted on his words, bent on finding out. It's a pity that Dimmit thought about it, and still didn't plan to tell the scenes he saw six years ago.

At least not all of it.

"Six years ago, I woke up to my power and passed out, and then I saw something, like a dream."

"Something? What is it? ”

"I don't remember exactly, it's just that when I woke up from a dream, I had the idea of destroying Istis, and I was very determined."

Dimmit, who covered up the truth with lies, also took a sip of tea, looked away, and came up with a more appropriate analogy.

"It's like when I made up my mind to do something and forgot why I did it, but I still wanted to keep it going."

"Could it be, correct the world?"

Dio asked this sentence calmly, but it made Dimmit's heart tremble. The eyes that had been wandering just now quickly stared at Dior.

"Did I guess right?" Dior still asked calmly.

"There's really the idea of 'correcting.'"

"Is it to correct the world?"

"I don't know, why correct the world?"

Outside the door, there was a knock on the door, it was James, telling Dior that the car was ready. Dio casually agreed, and then continued the conversation with Dimmit.

"Remember Haroff Marco Grion?"

"The shame of the nation, war criminals, how can you forget."

"During the War of the Shadows, Grian's slogan to rally like-minded people was 'Correct the world'. It's just that different people have different understandings of this sentence. Big countries want to change the world pattern, small countries want to take advantage of the opportunity to make war money, and there are many people who join him who simply want to take revenge on society.

"But ......"

Dior drank the teacup down, a little more worried in his eyes.

"Grian didn't say anything about correcting the world until he died. No one knows what the world should be like for him. This makes people somewhat uneasy. ”

Dimmit said disapprerovingly: "It's just revenge on society like everyone else, why do you care about this?" ”

"Because, in some of Dynick's ancient books, there is also a saying of 'correcting the world'."

"Dynick's ancient books? When? ”

"Of course, it's the time of Astarrot."

*****

It may not be incomprehensible to outsiders, but after Astarrot was summoned, Dynik was the only nation that voluntarily swore allegiance to the demons, and unlike the other three tribes, he was forced to swear allegiance.

Because in the eyes of the Dniks, it was not Astaroth, but their High Priest of the Night, Aled himself. Quedren chose Arlid as Astaroth's vessel, not only because of his prestige, but also because he was the best soul hunter among the Dniks.

The Shadow EXP, manipulated by the Dynick, is highly corrosive and sticky to living matter. With the deepening of the study of their own power, some Dynickers have mastered the ability to use EXP to invade the human brain and replace the brain's conscious brain function to restrain human consciousness.

When a person dies, the short-lived consciousness generated before death is bound by the Shadow EXP, stripped away, and turned into a floating fire of various colors, which can then be used by the Dynicks. This kind of EXP, which binds consciousness, is also called "soul", and the Dynic people who have the ability to strip away souls are called "soul hunters".

The firelight wandering in Dior's courtyard was his stripped soul. There are humans, there are animals, and as long as the supply of EXP is continuous, the soul can be preserved forever. However, it is not an easy task, and depending on the characteristics of each soul, the structure and strength of the EXP that needs to be supplied will also vary.

The more skilled the soul hunter, the more souls can be controlled. For them, the soul has a variety of uses. These EXPs, which absorb the consciousness of life, have a more powerful and pure power than ordinary EXP. During the awakening ceremony, Dio absorbed the souls and sacrificed them to the Istis shards, so as to increase the power of the shards, which is a great use of the souls.

More than 1,000 years ago, Arled did the same.

In the ceremony to summon Astaroth, Aled sacrificed more than 100,000 souls, plus the strength of 50,000 people in the field, to connect with Astaroth. There was no one else who could do this back then but Aried.

Therefore, the people of Dynik firmly believe that Astarrot is Aried himself, and his will is Aried's will. Almost every Dynik is ready to dedicate himself to Astarrot at any time. There are also books dedicated to the words and deeds of Astaroth, the vast majority of which have survived to this day.

"The most subordinate around Astarott are the Dyniks. He also has two Dynick's henchmen, and the three of them often discuss things together, or make small talk. During the conversation, Astarott mentioned to the two men more than once that his purpose was to correct the world. ”

Listening to Dior's words, Dimiit now knows who the two people sitting by the fire in that dream six years ago were.

"Now I understand."

"If you are the inheritor of the curse, if your thoughts are also to correct the world, then I guess the dream you saw six years ago is actually ......"

"Astarot's memory, right?"

Unexpectedly, this was the conclusion that was finally reached, and Dimiit collapsed on the couch and looked at the ceiling.

"In that case......"

"Destroying Istis was actually Astaroth's idea, right?"

"Who knows."

"If so, are you going to stay the course?"

Dimmit was silent.

What was Astaroth's thoughts, he was not interested, and what would happen after the destruction of Istis, he did not seriously think about it. Perhaps, unconsciously, he is acting as an accomplice of Astaroth.

But one thing can't be wrong. All of Dimmit's efforts so far have been aimed at one goal. And this is known only to him.

"I'm for myself, for finding a way out of the curse."

Dio was a little surprised, not believing Dimmit's words.

"You want to get rid of the thousand-year curse?"

"That's right, and I know that death can't get rid of it, as countless dead Harif Adepts have proven it. There had to be other means. ”

"I see, since the destruction of Istis is a conclusion derived from Astaroth's memory, it must have something to do with the curse."

"Yes."

Listening to Dimmit's answer, Dio let out a sigh of relief and leaned back on the sofa.

"I'm relieved."

Dimmit laughed: "Otherwise? ”

"Otherwise, in order not to turn you into a second Grian, all of us will do our best to keep you in this castle."

"Hahahaha! I knew I was going to take this path. ”

"Don't laugh."

Changing into a serious expression, Dio got up and said.

"Your enlightenment, I understand. For this reward, I'll just accept the spirit detector. ”

"Thank you very much." Dimmit also stood up and said.

"But you must know that the open and secret battles surrounding Istis have always been brutal. This time the enemy is by no means comparable to the past. ”

"So what?"

"Now that we know the location of Istis, it's not a bad day. You might as well rest in town for the night, and I'll find some experts to come with you. ”

This was really beyond Dimit's expectations, and he could never have imagined that a person who could not afford to be unprofitable could say such a caring word.

"Yo, you still have this kindness?"

"Preventing the misuse of Istis is a family motto passed down from generation to generation by our ancestors, and it is also the responsibility of the Will family, who guards the Holy Land."

Dio said it very sincerely, but Dimmit just laughed it off.

"Thanks, no."

"But ......"

"It's my own business, and I don't want to pull too many people in. I'll take your car. ”

Dimmit stepped out and came to the entrance. The maids who had just participated in the ceremony finished changing their clothes and lined up on the left and right, the heavy door was open, and outside was Dior's favorite car, "Bolekidi". James opened the car door, respectfully, and waited for Dimmit to get into the car.

"Now that you've made up your mind, be careful. I guess if you leave Xavier, you'll be targeted. Dior then said.

"I can't ask for it."

"Also, there is an international airport in the capital city of Mosak, which is far from the Tianguan Mountain, and for the sake of safety, I recommend that you take a boat from Debia."

"Thank you."

"One last thing."

Dior patted Dimmit's shoulder and smiled in his usual business style.

"You also said that death doesn't solve the problem, so no matter what, don't die."

"Hmph, you don't look like you're worried."

"You and I don't have a shallow relationship, isn't it strange?"

"No surprise, I'll see you later."

After saying goodbye, Dimmit confidently walked past the maid, and everyone bowed in unison.

"I wish Lord Dimmit success!"

Dimiit waved his hand, got into the car, and closed the door. In the co-pilot's seat, James carefully prepared the mountaineering clothing, tools, and medicine to overcome altitude sickness, all in a mountaineering bag. Dimmit slapped the bulging package and started the car.

An epic battle that has never been experienced before awaits him.

*****

He said he was shopping with Luna, but Leo was actually working as a laborer. As the two strolled from after breakfast to just before lunch, the back seat was crammed into the back seat of the car that Leo had borrowed from Andora, and Luna didn't seem to have a good time.

It's no wonder that people who have just learned to cook are like this. I can't even figure out the kitchen utensils, but I'm more whimsical than the chef.

"Almost, huh?"

Leo, who came out of the third supermarket, threw two full plastic bags into the back seat and said helplessly.

"Well, that's it for now."

Luna looked at the back seat, not because it was full, but because it was full, she noticed a problem - the meat had to be put in the refrigerator quickly.

The two went to the Blackeye Restaurant to buy some lunch and went home. Cleaning up the lunch chop, Luna eagerly enters the kitchen.

"Okay, let's go!"

Looking at her rolling up her arms and sleeves, Leo couldn't leave if he wanted to, he couldn't let a girl do so much work by herself, right?

"Do you need me to do something?"

"Well, let's think about what to do first."

Leo really didn't know how to complain about this sentence: "Why do you buy so much without thinking about what to do?" ”

"It's not that I'm afraid that if I miss it, I'll have to buy it again." Luna said with a smile, sorting the contents of the bag and putting the ones you didn't need in the fridge for the time being.

"I don't think the refrigerator can fit it." Leo said as he looked at the freezer that was almost full.

"Then I'll give it to everyone, and I'll live together anyway."

"Hehe, if they're willing to cook for themselves."

Luna tilted her head in thought, and her eyes lit up.

"Otherwise, let's have dinner every day in the future, and I'll make it for everyone!"

"This ......"

Leo wasn't embarrassed, he was a little afraid that Luna would make a dark dish. Luna is not stupid, she sees through Leo's mind at a glance, and knocks on his head in disbelief.

"Afraid of what? You can't learn it. When I was in elementary school, I started learning medical books full of words, and this kind of illustrated recipe was not a problem at all. ”

Looks like one can only hope for Luna's superior learning ability, Leo thought to himself.

"Speaking of which, isn't there anything you don't like to eat?"

Luna washes the cutting board and presses a round cabbage to the cutting board, pondering with a kitchen knife in one hand.

"Well, because I used to think that eating was for survival, and I had to delay time, so I had something to eat. It's just that I can't get used to eating sour things. ”

She pressed the kitchen knife on the cabbage, but the strength of one hand was a little small, so she pressed the hand holding the cabbage on the back of the knife, but the cabbage was so stiff that the kitchen knife could not cut it.

"It's a lot of work."

"I'll do it."

Leo took the kitchen knife and swiped it twice, without aligning it, and directly raised the knife and dropped it. With a click, the cabbage was split in half. He laid down half of them and expertly shredded them.

Luna watched Leo's movements closely, her hands so dexterous that they didn't look like a dead house that could only play games, and couldn't help but sigh.

"So you still have this craft, do you practice it by playing games?"

"What game is so versatile?" Leo said as he cut, "I used to work with Boss Smith for a while, after all, I practiced swordsmanship, and the feel is almost the same." ”

"Oh yes, I heard Andora say you've changed jobs several times before?"

"yes."

"And what did Leo do before he changed the knife?"

Leo put the shredded vegetables into a bowl, took the other half of the cabbage, moved his wrist, and continued to cut the knife.

"Nothing."

"Speaking of which, you've never told us about your past."

"It's not a good thing, work and work."

Seeing that Leo didn't say anything, Luna stopped asking, even though she was curious.

After a busy afternoon, the kitchen was filled with large and small plates of ingredients, and everything was ready to go.

The first to come back was Akeya. Because his body had not yet recovered, the team thoughtfully changed his duty schedule so that he could get home before six o'clock.

And Tarini will have to wait a little longer, and everyone who is engaged in research is like this, and as soon as there is a breakthrough or clue, they have to make a reason for it.

"Cut, old man, it's okay to find trouble."

Leo is used to hurting his grandfather, while Luna is worried about the ingredients in the kitchen.

"What to do? Do you want to get off the pot now? ”

"Kane just called and said he's going to be out of the lab soon," Akeya said, "and I'm expected to be back soon." ”

"Let's get to work, Leo!"

"It's fine."

The two walked into the kitchen. Luna opened the recipe and set it up in a corner where she could easily see it, copying it all in one step. Leo was on the side to help, and Akeya naturally didn't plan to watch.

"Captain, give me some work, too."

"Then I'll leave these vegetable salads to you." Leo said, pointing to a large pile of cut vegetables on the kitchen counter.

"No problem."

"Then again, the old man can do it. Tallini's lab used to be used by illegal EXP research groups, right? Just gave it to her directly, aren't you afraid that someone will come to find trouble again? ”

At the mention of looking for trouble, Akeya suddenly remembered that person.

"Well, maybe."

"What's wrong?"

"When I left school in the morning, I met a strange Yugoslav who came up and asked us where the biggest casino was, and I pointed him to Montecara."

Leo sneered: "Heh, it is estimated that he is a local tyrant who doesn't know life or death, and he runs here with a little spare money, and he can't find the tune when he turns around and cries." ”

"It's really not like a local tyrant, his clothes are quite old, and he has a peaked cap, toilet bag, and long red hair, so it's more appropriate to say that he is a ruffian."

Hearing these words, Leo nodded quietly, but his tone was not as hard as the previous sentence.

"That's weird."

"Oops, oh no, I forgot to buy the sauce for the barbecue! Alas, in the end something is still missing! ”

Luna, who was proofreading the materials, suddenly shouted, and Leo glanced at her, washed his hands and walked out of the kitchen.

"I'll go buy some."

"No, Captain," said Arkya, "Andora, they're coming back, just let them pick one up on the road." ”

"It's okay, the supermarket is nearby, I'll go back as soon as I go."

Leo said, he had already pushed the door open, half a body stepped out, and grabbed the sandalwood dragon leaning against the door again, and closed the door.

Although his movements were casual, he was still watched by Akeya.

Just go out and buy something, as for bringing weapons?

*****

Located in the bustling city of Montcala, it is not only the largest of the four casinos in Akiyama, but also has the largest number of visitors. Because it's very close to the people, anyone can come and play. According to the chips used, from low to high, they are divided into White Tiger Zone, Red Lion Zone and Purple Dragon Zone.

The players in the White Tiger District are ordinary citizens, and they have nothing to do to play here and have fun. Individual chips range from 10 to 100 karma, with very few wins and losses, and a variety of lottery tickets are sold and redeemed here.

The Red Lion area is relatively high, with chips ranging from 10 to 1000. It is suitable for those nouveau riche who stuff money in their pockets all day long, for fear that others will not know, come here with a long face. But no matter how much they toss, they win or lose, and they will win or lose.

The real masters and rich people are all in the Zilong District. The chips used here are as low as 1,000 karma and as high as millions, and the resulting win and loss margin can be imagined. Moreover, there is a threshold in the Zilong area, if you want to enter, whether you play or not, you must buy 50,000 chips first.

The three regions can be seen as a portrayal of the three groups in society. There is an insurmountable gap between groups, especially in Zilong District, if you want to enter here, unless you have a family background that will not feel distressed if you lose three or four hundred thousand yuan a night, or with a small and large fortune, there is no comparable luck.

And today, Montecara has such a strong player.

In the middle of the gaming table in the Zilong District, surrounded by four men and one woman, a final battle of stud is underway.

Three of them were dressed in decent suits, the woman was in her forties, also fancy and flamboyant, dressed in a blue low-cut dress, barely wrapped in the full twin peaks, and painted a face with light makeup, quite a bit of posture, but her expression was a little unsightly—she had lost the worst at this table.

It wasn't the three personable gentlemen who won most of her money, but the Yugoslav who sat in her upper house, a complete outlier.

Old clothes, dirty baseball caps, a face that is not very handsome is half-hidden by the brim, long red hair, and a rustic toilet bag next to the chair, still annoying gray.

At this moment, he crossed his legs, leaned back in his chair, and his eyes were empty, completely out of touch with the elegant surroundings and polite guests.

There are more and more guests watching the excitement, and many of them are coming for the red-haired man. They heard that this man went to the White Tiger District three hours ago to exchange 5,000 chips, and an hour later, he entered the Red Lion District with 20,000 chips, and after another hour, he won 50,000 chips, and then appeared here.

At this time, the chips in his hand were already more than 400,000.

He didn't win very much, but he won more and lost less, and he dared to bet big and made decisive moves. Someone reported him for being out of a thousand, and the waiters repeatedly confirmed it many times, but only came to one conclusion - he was lucky.

Back to the table.

Three of the five had already folded, leaving only the redhead and the man at the table. The men's cards are two kings with a jack, while the redhead men have two eights and a nine.

Now, the last two cards are distributed from the dealer's hand to the two of them.

The man gets a 5, and the redhead man gets a 9.

The dealer looked at the red-haired man and motioned for him to place a bet.

He flipped up some of his cards, glanced at them, remained silent, and then held his chin and looked at the pot in the center of the table, which was already 380,000.

The guests watched with relish. Just look at the board, 8 against 9 to eat against king. In the other three's folds, there are two eights, no nines, and no kings.

This means that the odds of three kings are the same as the odds of a gourd. But the man still has a chance to make a pair, in which case, the redhead man still loses.

He seemed to be a little entangled, thought for a minute, and suddenly got up slightly and raised his hands.

Several guests raised their eyebrows, waiting for his stud action.

But as soon as the red-haired man touched the chips, he changed his mind again. Only 100,000 were launched, with the lowest bet.

This action inevitably made some viewers sigh and disappointed, and even one-third of the pot was not added, and it would be invalid if it was lower. The man at the table still had a poker face, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.

He looked at his hole card, K, and did not hesitate to put out 200,000 chips.

"Raise."

The red-haired man's movements, that look, the man has a full view. This is clearly a sign of weakness. The opponent didn't have enough confidence, he was afraid of his three.

Then, you have to be stronger, greedy, and squeeze the other side dry.

After pushing the chips, the man looked at his opponent with a slight smile. This Yugoslav had a good night, and it was time for him to bleed profusely.

But.

"I'll follow."

At the same time as the man's hand left the chip, the red-haired man immediately made up 100,000. The man's smile was fleeting, and the guests looked a little surprised. Everyone looked at the red-haired man.

His unchanged face couldn't hide his smile at this moment.

"Yes, no, stay."

A sentence of Ang that is not fluent makes the man's heart empty.

He knew that a moment of greed had fooled him, but it was too late.

"Please open the cards."

With the dealer's words, the man held down the hole card and slowly opened the king.

The red-haired man laughed, picked up his hole card, and gently threw it down.

9！

"Hulu."

"Wow!"

"Incredible! How could he be so lucky! ”

"It's a blessing! Oh no, I should say it's the scourge of Montecara! ”

In the exclamation of the guests, the dealer pushed the 780,000 chips on the table to the red-haired man. The other players shook their heads and left the arena with reluctance, except for the red-haired man, who was still cross-legged and drinking champagne from the waiter.

"The biggest casino in the largest city in the Arctic Continent is only at this level."

He was talking to himself in Tang, and the onlookers did not understand, but did not know it, and several young women came up to greet him, and he also replied in Angor as fluent as possible.

"Say that, sooner, right?"

Another Tang phrase broke the atmosphere, and people saw another person walking towards the table.

It was Leo, and he walked over to the place where the man had just lost and sat down. When the red-haired man saw Leo, he put down his leg and cup and smiled excitedly.

"It's coming pretty quickly, Dohori, I thought you'd avoid me."

"I can't hide anyway, so I'll come straight to you. Xiao Feng, is it still the same as before, good luck continues. ”

"Hahaha, being able to see you so soon is my real good luck today!"

Xiao Feng was sitting up, stretching out his fingers and provocatively.

"How about a reunion after a long absence? The old rules? ”

"The old rules. Deal, deal, deal. ”

The dealer nodded and told Leo to show his chips, but Leo waved his hand.

"Except for the dealer, ask everyone else to stand back, the farther away the better."

"Yes, if something happens, then, generally, no, responsible."

Xiao Feng also said with a smile, and pushed his chips to the dealer again.

"These, just, when, compensation."

Although the guests listened to Leo's words and retreated, they could not contain their curiosity at all, and after a while they gradually gathered around again.

The dealer couldn't figure out what the two were going to do, and he was a little uncertain, but he still accepted the chips, shuffled the cards, and pressed them on the table.

"So, start dealing the cards."