Dominate the Treacherous Realm

　　 Jenkins touched the cat a lot, seeing that he couldn't fight for a while, and the chocolate was wilting again.

　　 "No, it's not that I chose this place. The location is already here. I haven't changed this."

　　 The gear man replied, this is also the truth.

　　 "But why is it here? I have experienced a special treacherous realm, the initial location is also near the old antique shop, is this a coincidence?"

　　 Gear Man did not immediately answer, as if he was calculating:

"Probably this is the so-called destiny. Nolan on the west coast is the vortex of fate at the end of the eighteenth century, and in this city, there will always be some special locations. It is like a complete opera, even if there are more locations, There will always be a place that is the most important."

　　 Gear Man gave his own explanation, Jenkins thought for a while:

　　 "It's like this, a special place, a vortex of fate, the center of the stage... It's really interesting."

　　 He lowered his head to go to the Nolan map on the counter, only the last spot was left. That is the Nolan Clock Tower in front of the Civic Square, because the Nolan corresponding to the treacherous realm is the Nolan one year ago, so this clock tower still exists. In real time, it has been replaced by the nine-layer metal black tower of the differential engine.

　　 That is to say, the place where the last adventure took place is actually the place in the real world, which is also the result of Jenkins's deliberate choice.

　　 The brass statue next to the red dot of the clock tower is a short man with a keychain. Jenkins knew him, this was the watchman of the clock tower.

　　 In the blood therapy town not long ago, the town’s clock tower required a bell ringer, but the Nolan clock tower is a complete mechanical clock that rings the bell on time on the hour without human involvement. It is just that the mechanics need to be overhauled every three to five, and guards are hired to take care of the sanitation of the clock tower, prevent the good people from running in, and cooperate with the city hall during the holiday season.

Of course, the watchman of the Nolan Clock Tower was very inconscientious. For example, the night when Mr. Hood arranged the party at the Nolan Clock Tower, the reason why the watchman did not show up was not "solved" by Mr. Hood. , But he ran to the tavern for a drink.

　　Similarly, on the night when the clock tower was destroyed by the first floor of the metal tower of the differential engine, the guards were also not in the tower, so lucky to survive. Jenkins later saw his picture in the newspaper and knew the man.

At the end of the summer of 1866, he was not prosecuted for malfeasance. The newspaper said that after the destruction of the clock tower, the guard was assigned a new job, which seemed to represent the city hall and guard the tomb of the church of the dead. The people went to guard the city public cemetery together.

　　 At the end of the summer of 1865 in the treacherous world, he was still working as a watcher of the clock tower, which was a very hopeless job.

"Speaking of it, I'm very curious. You chose the location of the Nolan Clock Tower as the place to raise the nine-story metal tower because your body core is directly below the Nolan Clock Tower. Then the last one will seal your civilization. Is there any special meaning in choosing to seal you here? For example, Nolan’s location is conducive to the survival of the sealing ceremony."

　　 Jenkins asked again.

　　 "There is no special meaning, it just happens to be here. At the same time, the vortex of fate at the end of the eighteenth century also happens to appear here, which makes me feel that the beast of disaster is none other than me."

This sentence has some truth. After all, even the difference machine cannot accurately predict the form and position of the end of the epoch thousands of years in advance. Therefore, all this is really a coincidence. It can make this machine believe that destiny exists. It can only be done by such a coincidence.

　　 "Do you have anything else to say? In order to delay the time."

　　 Jenkins asked again, Gear Man thought for a while and shook his head:

　　 "No more."

　　 "That's good, let's go...wait a minute."

He picked up the cat who was in a low mood again because he realized that he would not do it now, and then turned back and glanced at the old father's antique shop. He was familiar with everything here. He had countless stories happening here, and he had washed almost every time. A corner:

　　 "The next time I see the old antique shop, I am afraid that my mood will be very different."

　　 If he fails, there will be no next time. If he succeeds, he will return to the world as a god. In any case, even if the old man and him have not discussed this matter, but Jenkins's career as an apprentice in an antique shop can be regarded as over.

　　 That's why he sighed at this moment, but he just watched it for a while. He put on his backpack, picked up the sword and the cat, and jumped into the map.

　　 Gear Man didn't feel so much. Seeing that Jenkins took a step first, he followed immediately.

　　 The map on the counter gradually faded in color after both of them left and disappeared...

　　 Fini stretched out her hand and grabbed the map that was trying to disappear. Ovia unfolded it and laid it back on the counter. Behind her, the mythical witch wearing a black robe also walked to the counter.

　　 Ovia seemed to be enveloped in a layer of light, while the witch's body seemed to be absorbing light. After growing up, Fini's body is about the same height as the witch, but the temperament of the two is completely different:

　　 "Is this the end of the story?"

　　The witch's slender fingers crossed the edge of the map:

"Compared to the last wonderful battle in the last paradox, the last adventure is not thrilling at all. I still admire the savior, standing on the steel world tree, waving his sword against the enemy under the dim sky... .. Your vision is really good."

　　 They have been looking at Jenkins, but neither Jenkins nor the differential engine realized this. Of course, in the final battle that concerns the continuation of the entire material world civilization, it is of course not the only two of them who watched this scene.

　　 "It's not just wonderful battles that are magnificent stories. Isn't your favorite story with twists and turns? Or is it that you are actually the same as that aggressive cat?"

　　 Ovia teased, but the witch did not answer. She looked down at the map:

　　 "So, do you already know how Jenkins wants to win?"

　　 "Don't you know it too? We are here just to witness this moment."

　　 Ovia threw the map on the counter. This map is the control center of this world. It is preserved and can be used as a new paradox in the future. But neither she nor the witch cares about such small things, the vision of gods and humans is very different.

　　 Jenkins and Gearman on the other side have already landed above the Civic Square in Nolan City. They lost some time in the conversation in the old antique shop, so when they landed on the Civic Square, the sky was completely dark. At this time, Nolan has not installed public street lights, so the largest light source nearby should be regarded as the light spilled from the windows of the shops and buildings around the square.

　　 Besides, the patrol officers who patrol at night have already begun to work. The Civic Square is located in the heart of Nolan, so it is the focus of police patrols. It is usually safe here.

　　 Although it is late summer, there is still some coolness at night because of the rain in the afternoon. There are not many people in the square. Although walking after dinner is not popular in this era, it is still good to enjoy the coolness nearby at night.

　　 The fountain in the center of the square is in the style of a child holding a water bottle, and the sound of falling water is very pleasant. Because the temperature on the ground is not low, the moisture brought by the light rain has completely evaporated.

　　 This is the night when Jenkins arrived a year ago, the night that looked peaceful but let the original owner Jenkins die. Of course, even if the treacherous realm can perfectly restore the present one year ago, the route where Jenkins and Mr. Barnard escaped when the accident happened is far away, so there is no need to worry about the past interfering with the present.

　　 The people on the square have nothing to do with Jenkins and the Gear Man. They walked through the crowd towards the clock tower on the edge of the square. I haven't seen this clock tower for a long time, and Jenkins still misses it a bit.

　　 Nolan’s clock tower does not ring every hour, but at early morning, noon, eight in the morning, and six in the evening. Although the sound of the bell ringing is not audible in St. George Street, which is adjacent to the dock area, it is still very pleasant when working in the city center occasionally.

　　 It is already past seven o'clock in the evening, so the ringing of the bell has long passed. Coming to the bottom of the tower with the gear man, Jenkins made a request, so the gear man pushed slightly, and the lower door of the clock tower that should have been locked was immediately pushed open.

The 2208th chapter regrets the tower guard

　　 This clock tower of Nolan has participated in many major events since the summer of 1865 to the spring of 1866. For example, in the vampire event, the vampires used the bell tower as the center of the ceremony for the first time. Later, in the "Duke of Antak's Attack on Nolan" incident, the clock tower also served as the high point in the city center, causing fierce gun battles nearby. Even when fighting with the holder of the Skeleton Sword, one of the walls of the clock tower was collapsed, but that wall was quickly repaired, and at this point in time, there was no trace of repair.

Jenkins is not unfamiliar with the internal environment of the clock tower. Not only has he been here during Mr. Hood’s party, but the old man was also in the clock tower while dealing with the "Doomsday Nolan" that will overlap with Nolan some time ago. Top meeting with Jenkins.

　　 Although the tower guards are not very responsible for the guards' work, at least they do a good job of cleaning them. In the process of climbing up from the clock tower level, you can't see any dust if you don't look carefully. If you wipe the wall and stair railing with your hand, the dust touched by your fingers is also within an acceptable range.

　　 The keeper is not on the first floor, on the second floor, or on the third floor. After reaching the top floor of the tower, you have to go up the escalator to see the tower guard behind the huge dial and mechanical structure of the clock tower. It is full of the smell of oil, but at least it shows that the daily maintenance work is done well.

　　The age of the tower guard was about forty years old and approaching fifty years old. Jenkins had forgotten his name. He just remembered that this was a man who had never been married.

　　 When Jenkins was holding the cat and seeing him behind the Gear Man, he was standing on the platform behind the mechanical structure of the dial, leaning on the window and looking out. The window is very small, not the shape of an ordinary window.

　　 Because of frequent maintenance, this space has a very heavy smell of engine oil and lubricating oil. But because the windows are not closed, the cool evening breeze at the end of summer is really pleasant.

　　 This should have been a very ordinary late summer evening, but whether it was a real year ago or in the current treacherous world, it is destined to be non-ordinary.

　　 "What is the final goal?"

　　 After looking at the metal parts, various oils, and tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches on a front wall, Jenkins asked.

　　 "The heart of peace and indifference."

　　 "Plain and indifferent?"

　　 Jenkins turned his head and glanced at the Gearman. There was no light on this floor. Now the moon has just come out, and he cannot illuminate it through the small window. With dark vision, Jenkins was able to see the Gearman’s face clearly, the latter still looks like that:

　　 "Don't criticize human society this time?"

　　 he asked, but the latter did not answer.

　　 So Jenkins transferred the chocolate he was holding to his shoulder, then came to the small window and saw the tower guard looking out, and there was a dirty bottle of wine and a wine glass on the window sill beside him.

　　 This location is quite high, and the weather today is exceptionally good. Even though the sky was getting dark, Jenkins could still look through the distance and see the black smoke from the chimney of the freighter on the Westminster River in the distance. Rows of houses are hidden in the dark, and the streets and alleys are like a maze of Nolan citizens.

"looking at what?"

　　 Jenkins asked, and glanced at the label on the bottle. It was a 40-degree brandy. Fruit wine is a kind of wine with strong stamina, and people usually drink it with ice cubes or fruit juice. But the tower guard did not do this. Although he didn't seem to drink much, Jenkins thought that the tower guard might not be able to guard the tower conscientiously tonight.

　　 "There is no specific goal, just look around."

　　 The tower guard replied casually, Nolan accented, he probably never left the city in his life.

　　 Jenkins also looked out with his gaze, not seeing any interesting targets. The Nolan Clock Tower is very high. Seeing everything at this height is like looking at ants, so you can only look at the scenery.

　　 "Do you often look out like this?"

　　 Jenkins asked again.

　　 "Yes, this is one of the few pleasures of this job."

　　Some old tower guards pointed their fingers out the window:

　　 "Watching the sunset, and then the lights of the house come on, is the best way to relax after a day's work."

　　 sounds like a pretty comfortable life, but since what he asked for was "the peace of mind", Jenkins doubted what the other party was thinking.

　　 "Do you do this every day?"

"No, it's only two or three times a week. After all, if you eat too much of the delicious food, you will feel uncomfortable. When you are in a bad mood, watch the sunset and the burning clouds in the sky, holding on to the windowsill to listen. The hustle and bustle of the city is really great."

　　 Jenkins was also fascinated by the pictures he painted, imagining that he was holding chocolate, standing here blowing the wind and watching the sunset. At that time, the afterglow of the setting sun will surely dye the little cat's hair into golden yellow, and the fluffy cat's hair will be very beautiful.

　　The tower guard wears ordinary clothes. The lower body is black trousers, and the upper body is a long-sleeved shirt without any pattern decoration. He seemed to want to pick up the wine glass and take another sip, but he moved his palm and still didn't touch the wine glass and bottle.

　　 "This sounds really good. So, how long have you been here as the watchman of the clock tower?"

　　It is always useful to start from the life of the goal as a breakthrough.

　　 "I have been doing this job since I was 16 years old."

　　 The tower keeper looked down at the bell tower through the window. Of course, the people on the square could not see the two people in the window. Looking from a high place, there are ants at a low place, and looking at a high place from a low place may be just two fuzzy black spots.

　　 "16 years old?"

　　 Jenkins imagined the scene when a teenager first stepped into this clock tower.

"Yes, that year my father said he wanted me to find some serious things to do. Although I was literate and knew some arithmetic, I didn't want to be an apprentice or work for others. I just wanted to live a stable life. Some of my friends want to go out to make a living and want to go outside while they are young; some go to be apprentices, thinking that after a few years of learning the craft, they will come out on their own. I don’t want to be so tired. It just happened that the last tower guard just died, Nolan The city hall is recruiting new people, so I am here."

　　 The young tower guard can get this job not because of luck, but because the job does not make much money and requires manual labor. Young people don't want to do it, middle-aged people look down on it, and old people can't do it, so the 16-year-old boy immediately got the position of tower guard.

　　 This work has been for more than 30 years. For 30 years, he has been watching Nolan at this window, but no one even knew that anyone would look at the clock tower.

　　 If you only listen to the story of the tower guard, then he is undoubtedly a "hermit" character. Moreover, the place of seclusion is still in the center of a big city like Nolan, which shows his "light and peaceful" mentality. But combined with the requirements of the task, things will certainly not be that simple.

　　 "So, do you like this job?"

　　 "I like it, why not? I have lived by this job for 30 years."

　　 The tower guard replied softly. He thought of the past, of the years he spent on this clock tower:

"When I first came here that year, the mechanization level of the clock tower was not so high. I had to ring the bell manually on the hour to tell the time. At that time, there were no gas pipes and steam pipes in the tower, or even water pipes. The first thing after getting up in the morning is to carry a bucket to fetch water in an alley away from the street..."

　　 "It's been thirty years in a blink of an eye. You are standing here, watching the development together in front of you."

　　 Jenkins leads the conversation.

　　 "Yes, for thirty years, I watched all this. The city, the citizens, everything is changing, and I watched these changes..."

　　 "Do you feel like you are isolated, watching like a stage audience, but unable to participate."

　　 The tower guard pursed his mouth, turned his head and glanced at Jenkins, then nodded. He picked up the glass full of alcohol and drank it, and then choked with a cough because he drank too quickly.

　　 I don’t know if it’s because of being choked or drinking. There is an abnormal red sauce on his face.

　　 Since the tower guard has admitted Jenkins's guess, it means that although he is still guarding the tower at this time, he actually had the idea of ​​leaving.

"My friends when I was young, no matter what choices I made, they all saw the world. No matter whether my young plan was correct or not, they all experienced their own stories. And I have been watching here since I was a teenager This tower has always been here...If someone is willing to write a memoir for me, it only takes one page—he has been guarding Nolan’s clock tower."

　　 His emotions became a little agitated, and Jenkins fully believed that this was because of the glass of wine just now.

　　 "Are you regretting your choice when you were young?"

　　 Jenkins asked again, he had put the cat in his arms and gently stroked the fur on the cat's back. Chocolate narrowed his eyes comfortably, but actually after imagining that he saved Jenkins for a while, Jenkins looked surprised.

　　 "Regret?"

　　 The old tower guard chuckled:

"For countless days and nights, I have been thinking about what my life would be like if I, like my friends, had gone out in my youth or learned a craft. Now I am free, but I feel By the time I was imprisoned by this tower, I looked at the outside world. Everything has changed in just thirty years. When I stood at this window and looked at Nolan for the first time, I never thought there would be such a scene as today.

　　 Look at the smoke plume in the distance, look at the steam pipes spreading on the wall, look at all this. All this is in front of me, but it has nothing to do with me. I watched the clock tower, but it seemed that my time had also been stopped. My whole life is here, completely still, completely useless. How can I not regret it? "

Chapter 2209 The Tower Keeper's Wishes

　　 The tower guard was emotionally out of control, as if he finally found a chance to speak his own heart. But he was not talking to Jenkins, but looking outside, wondering if he was talking to himself.

　　 "So, what do you think now?"

　　 "If you could go back thirty years ago, that would be great."

　　 His eyes were a little blurred, Jiujin seemed to be coming up.