"How did you know... the name?"
Lan said calmly, "Even though I was born here, it doesn't mean I don't know anything about your world. I wonder if you've heard of the "Consciousness World"...or the "source of magic"? "
Roland immediately thought of the news revealed by Kabradabi. He ignored the pieces of the porcelain cup on the ground, rushed to the table and looked at Lan and asked in a deep voice, "She is in the realm of consciousness?"
"Of course not, but the world of consciousness remembers that anyone who has gained enough power will leave traces there." Lan paused, "I know what you are thinking, and you want to ask the specific method. , and then try to figure it out yourself. Not even the attitude to end the War of Divine Will. But I must tell you, time is running out."
"What's the meaning?"
"The world of consciousness is not a container suitable for long-term stay. The longer it drags on, the weaker her consciousness will become until it completely dissipates. This process is irreversible, so even if you know the method, it may be too late to realize it. And It's not the worst-case scenario."
"What's the worst?"
"The existence of the dream world has seriously hindered the will of the gods, and it will not allow this momentum to develop. In other words, when the gods believe that all measures cannot bring the status quo back on track, both worlds will also destroy this deadline. I'm afraid it's more urgent than you think, and that's why I'm determined to convince you." Lan said word by word, "Child, helping me is also helping yourself."
"It sounds like this is the case," Roland said noncommittally, "but you also said just now that only what I personally understand is the real answer. In other words, what you told me may be all It's a lie... including bringing the ashes back to life."
Lan let out a long breath and leaned back on the chair. "You're right, because I don't want you to think that I'm deceiving you to put it in the first place until the end. It's also proof of my sincerity."
Roland fell silent.
There is no doubt that this is a dilemma.
From the known information, he couldn't find too many loopholes in the other party's words, such as the threat of the dream world, which he had heard from magical creatures more than once. Although I don't know how to provoke them, the hostility shown by those monsters is real. If combined with Lan's news, it means that the magical creatures are the "subordinates" of the gods.
However, it is too rash to think that what the other party said is the truth. After all, what kind of information will endanger the gods is entirely up to Lan. If he infers from the wrong clues, the conclusion he gets will undoubtedly be wrong. Add wrong. The safest way is to prove it a little by yourself.
The problem is time.
In the absence of judging the condition of "not much time", choosing to be safe is also a risk.
As long as she closes her eyes, the image of Tilly crying in his arms will reappear in her mind. Even though she has now contained all her grief, those eyes have finally lost a little bit of energy compared to their initial appearance, as if Jewelry was covered with a light dust like. Some people often say that this is the proof of maturity. Only by experiencing loss can you know how to cherish it. Roland scoffed at this kind of chicken soup for the soul. Never losing is the choice of mature people. As for pain, who loves to experience it.
Now there is such a possibility, he can't be indifferent.
Roland tried his best to suppress the fluctuating emotions in his heart, pretended to be reluctant, and sat down opposite Lan again.
"But I can't promise you so easily. Let's talk about the method, what can I do to get her back to that world?"
"This matter does not conflict with the help I need, or the two are the same thing." Lan replied slowly, "First, you must find the world of consciousness, and then enter it, and this step must be done in the two worlds at the same time. proceed, otherwise there will be no chance of success.”
Roland said in surprise, "Two... worlds? Wait, you mean, the source of magic "real" exists? "
"That's right, it's not something ethereal, but a tangible entity that can be seen and touched, completely different from the void created by erosion." Lan nodded, "In fact, it's right next to the northern end of the Dawning Realm. , we call it the Bottomless Realm."
His heart skipped a beat, this word... seems to have been heard somewhere.
"But the north has been occupied by the devil, you know the devil? They are the enemies of this battle of divine will."
"Regarding that world, I can't help you. Interfering in the battle of divine will is an absolute forbidden area for the gods. You can only solve this by yourself." Lan said calmly, "Defeat them, kill a bloody path, and then reach the bottomless realm. If you do Without that, nothing can be said.”
That's why she said that even if she knew the method, she might not be able to realize it in time...
Roland thought for a moment, "Well, even if you didn't say anything, I'm going to drive the devil out of the Dawn Realm. How does the Dream World reach the Consciousness Realm... Since it's fictional, it shouldn't be so troublesome."
"Before answering you, I want to ask a question." Lan looked out the window, "Do you really think this world is fictional?"
Roland was stunned, and involuntarily followed her line of sight to see that the peak period for school and work had passed, and there were many fewer people hurrying up and down the street. The stall owners finally had time to rest. Some people counted their early harvests with joy on their faces; some lit a cigarette and sat at the gate reading the newspaper.
Replacing the students and office workers are the aunts and aunts who live here, carrying vegetable baskets and shuttling through this slightly narrow alley. When passing by the Rose Cafe, he would show contemptuous eyes, or whisper to his companions, as if mocking the owner's taste.
Roland knew that if he went out to fight with them for two sentences, he would not get lines that had been fixed for a long time, but a bunch of scolding that reflected the subtlety of the language, and it was the kind that you would say and he would reply ten. The rest of the stall owners won't show an air of indifference. Nine times out of ten, they'll stand in a row and happily appreciate the battle of kings... or pecking chickens at each other.
Faced with such a world, he suddenly found himself unable to say a simple "yes".
"How does a person define truth and fiction?" Lan whispered in a trance, "Does it have to have a body to be a real life? If a mind has emotions and self-awareness, it is only because it has no shape, or Existing in the form of an energy body, isn't it really alive?"
"Uh... I think, it should be."
She retracted her gaze, "Then you have to protect this place. Once it is destroyed, the trillions of lives living in this world will also disappear. The loss can be said to be more severe than the outside world. If you lose it, the world of consciousness will also disappear. will be closed to you forever."
"Could it be... the entrance to the world of consciousness is in this city?"
"To be precise, this is the world of consciousness." Lan corrected, "You are now in the world of consciousness."
Roland widened his eyes in surprise.
In other words, his body is still sleeping in Neverwinter City, but his soul has already crossed thousands of miles away, in the bottomless realm at the northern end of the continent