[Shen Xia Fuhua] It's dawn

Chapter 4, DAY 2

Dawn had already broken, but the mist had not dissipated. Through the dense mist, Andrea Haas emerged from the forest alone.

"A lot of people have left," she said to Sherlock, passing John's surprised gaze, "I saw you chasing Remos out, I guess you will come here."

"So you've been here?" John asked.

"No, she didn't, John, her clothes were almost dry," said Sherlock.

Andrea smiled: "It's not wise to go out alone in a stormy weather. They plan to find an open space to bury their poor compatriots, so I volunteered to come to you."

"So Miss Haas, what do you think of these two deaths?" John asked.

"Please call me Andrea, John. Leaving aside those unsubstantiated speculations, just for facts, I think this boy is Cupid, a good man. He was killed by a werewolf on the first night, and before he died, in some way The method selects two people to become lovers, and those two people should have known each other's relationship through some way. The dead Rosalind was a werewolf, and the one who killed her may be the so-called villagers, or her wolf companion—— In order to cheat the witch's antidote, maybe it is the god who guides this game in the dark."

Seeing that Sherlock didn't express any objection, Andrea said: "Now, can you help move Cupid back to be buried?"

Sherlock and John found hard branches and vines to make a simple stretcher, and went back with Andrea.

"John, the way you were aggressive just now didn't look like you at all." Sherlock whispered to John as he walked.

"I… what? Okay—"

"I have to say I don't think Andrea is a werewolf, I actually think she's on our side."

"I don't think she is either," John murmured.

Mycroft chose an open field behind a clock tower, the tallest stone house nearby, at the edge of the forest, as the burial place.When Sherlock and his party arrived, everyone was standing there, and there were actually two corpses lying on the open space they surrounded.

Sherlock and John put down the stretcher and walked quickly forward.

"who is it!"

"Mr. Lyle Walker." Mycroft said in a deep voice.

On the open space, at an arm's length away from Rosalind, lay the tall and thin young man. His eyes were tightly closed, and there was still a trace of frightened expression on his face.

Putting the three corpses side by side, John murmured softly, "I haven't even spoken to him yet."

"Woo—" Nixie leaned against Lawrence, sobbing softly.

Remos held Little Thrush tightly in his arms, and Olos was also close to him, her eyes lowered.

Algernon stood alone, expressionless.Mycroft and Greg also looked stern and said nothing.

"Hi, good morning everyone, welcome to Dustwald, after the first round of the game, how are you all? Now maybe I should explain the rules of the game in detail again."

A voice suddenly sounded from the bell tower standing behind them. The mechanical male voice spoke lively and cheerful words in a cold tone, which seemed extremely strange in the quiet air.

"Every living person, you have one day to think, analyze and collect evidence. When evening comes and the clock in the clock tower strikes five, you must arrive at the small square under the clock tower, speak in order, and Submit your decision through the voting machine before the ringing of six. And I, will dispose of the person you elect according to your decision. Each of you has one chance to abstain, of course, at your own risk. Oh, I can't wait Wondering who your next pick is, but, now I have to say, see you this afternoon, love you guys, J."

Sherlock was the first to turn around and run towards the clock tower, and several people reacted one after another and followed him.The bell tower is more than 50 meters high and is divided into two floors. They climbed up a narrow and steep step, and found the central one in a small room on the second floor——

"What the hell is this?" Lawrence exclaimed.

In the dark room, a few sparse rays of light leaked from several cracks in the stone, and there was a strange machine at the focal point of the dim light. The lower half of the machine was a rectangular cabinet, and the upper half was a continuous There is a turntable with a large metal cylinder, and a disc is placed under the pointer on the turntable.

"It's a gramophone!" John's eyes widened.

"The gramophone?" Others looked at each other in blank dismay. Some of them probably understood its function, while others were still at a loss.

"It should be an ancient sound storage medium." Andrea said.

"So our survival is not an accident, someone prepared all this in advance?" Greg frowned.

"Oh, sometimes I really easily confuse him with Lestrade, they are just as stupid!" Sherlock whispered to John *biting* ear*.

"Hey, I really don't understand you, why are you still discussing whether this accident was a fluke or man-made! The point now is that there are wolves in our group! And the werewolves have already killed * people!" Lawrence said loudly.

"No, it's not just a gramophone," Mycroft said suddenly, "it's also a voting machine." As he spoke, he pressed an inconspicuous button on the left side of the rectangular cabinet, and the cabinet suddenly lit up. A screen with an equal area appeared. Mycroft squatted down and his eyes were just at the same level as the screen. After the face was scanned and successfully recognized, a voting window appeared on the screen, and the heads of everyone present were in it. The personal avatars have been grayed out, and there is a submit button below, but the button is currently grayed out, indicating that it cannot be submitted.

"Actually, I also think it's more important to care about finding the real culprits who killed * people." Remos said softly, "This, uh, the gramophone and the voting machine show that everything in the game is real."

"I...agree too," Nixie said, sobbing.

"I agree too." Algernon echoed in a deep voice.

"But so what about finding the wolf? Executing *kill* him before he *kills* people? How are we any different from murdering wolves?" Greg whispered.

Mycroft straightened up, glanced at him, and pressed the space between his eyebrows.

"We can at least find those werewolves. Didn't the person on the gramophone say that he would take care of it?" Nixie muttered.

"But what if we find the wrong one, Miss Jill? You see, maybe we didn't do anything, just suspected in our hearts, and Rosalind was *killed* to death."

"But there is no doubt that Rosalind is indeed a wolf, Dr. Watson!"

"Okay, stop arguing! There won't be such a mistake, as long as you protect me!" Lawrence squeezed out of the crowd, stood next to the ancient phonograph, raised his head and said, "Because I am a prophet!"

"Oh!" Sherlock grumbled in pain, and the little thrush beside him also hummed softly.

"You don't believe me?" Lawrence jumped up. "Of course I have a way to prove it! On the first night, the person I tested was Sir Lygoni, and he is a good man. On the second night, the person I tested was Andrea Haas." , she is also a good person, although I once doubted the accuracy of the verification, but it is what it is.”

Sherlock finally couldn't help but sneered loudly: "If you are really a prophet, you shouldn't waste those two precious opportunities, Mycroft," he rolled his eyes, "at least I haven't found out that he killed anyone The motive is the same for Andrea. But what you said makes me think you are a werewolf in disguise!"

"Oh, really? Then who else in this room dares to call himself a prophet? I tell you Sherlock, I have always suspected that you are the next werewolf! The person I will test tonight is you!"

Sherlock curled his lips: "Evidence?"

"You denied the existence of the game from the beginning, you treated everyone except John as a *murder*, you and John always avoid us and go alone, your words and actions are weird from the beginning, this thing "He pointed to the gramophone, "We don't know each other, only you! You, went out with Rosalind yesterday, and Rosalind *died* last night. Remos said you were the first to find Rosalind* Dead body, how do we know that you didn't kill Rosalind! You said that Rosalind had a werewolf card on her, so I think you might have put it on it!"

"Ha! Of course that's probably the most logical statement you've made yet Lawrence. According to the game, the three *dead* people all left clues to their respective identities, the "Cupid" tattoo on the boy who *died on the first night* It proves that he is the chosen Cupid. There is a wound on his left waist that was obviously bitten by a wild animal*. He is left-handed. There are some red leather fibers in the nails of his left hand that match the leather of Rosalind's pair of red high-heeled shoes. , and the corresponding scratch marks on the shoes. Lyle Walker, if you have just examined his body carefully, you will find a wound on his right ankle that is exactly the same as Cupid , but not in Rosalind."

"It can be seen that Cupid met at least two of the other thirteen people including Rosalind on the first night and made two of them lovers. One possibility is that he met Rosalind and Lyle and set them up. For lovers, then Rosalind turned into a werewolf *killed* him, and the next night Lyle was *bitten* to death by other werewolves According to the rules of the game, Rosalind died right after him. But since Lyle had been with Alger before that Nong and others stayed together, he was no different from everyone else when he saw Rosalind in the stone house and I don't think he has great acting skills so the first possibility is not true."

"Another possibility is that what Cupid saw on the first night were two other people. He made them lovers and was chased and killed by a third person, Rosalind, in the forest. On the second night, Lyle was killed by a wolf. *Kill* die, and Rosalind died because of the decisions you made—of course, she may also want to cheat death to deceive the witch's antidote, but unfortunately she failed. As for who has voted secretly in your heart, you know for yourself I know."

"Speaking of this, John and I were also attacked by two wolves last night. It can be seen that their goal was to kill one of John and me, but they failed and killed Lyle instead. According to the footsteps of McCoff and his party yesterday It takes about six hours to go back and forth from the stone house to the small waterfalls. The time we were attacked was before dawn * midnight * morning * three * o'clock. Lyle's death time was around * early morning * four * o'clock. In addition to Rosalind there were two or three werewolves among us. Lyle is too timid. He would never venture out of the stone house on such a night without someone strong enough to protect him, so I Believe in your identity, Lawrence, even though it is a disaster for us, and the person I really doubt at the moment is Algernon."

"Of course I'm not a werewolf. If you don't believe me, you can choose me," Sherlock said impatiently, regardless of John's surprised expression. "See if you can throw me to death."

"Mr. Holmes, you are bloody," said Algernon, who had been silent all this time. His thick hair and beard were tangled together, and the expression on his face was *ambiguous* in the dim light. Hearing his unhurried questioning voice, "You said that Lawrence lacked evidence, may I have any evidence for your accusation against me? I believe Lawrence is a prophet, so I also believe in his judgment. I *today* afternoon* I will choose you, and I want to see if I can cast you to death!" He turned around after speaking, and strode out.

"Algernon, wait for me! Lawrence is right! Algernon is a good man and you are a werewolf!" The little girl Olos screamed and yelled at Sherlock, breaking away from the crowd, shaking her messy flaxen hair Hair ran out after Algernon.

"Hey, the rest of you," Mycroft cleared his throat, "I suggest that you don't jump to conclusions too early. It's noon now, and we still have one afternoon to continue the analysis and evidence collection. Why don't we continue the discussion until then? .”

Seeing that there were no objections from the crowd, Mycroft nodded and walked out. When he was about to reach the door, he suddenly turned around and said, "By the way, my current personal opinion is that I agree with Mr. Holmes. But Mr. Holmes, If your analysis cannot be based on any solid evidence, it is only imagination, not deduction, which is not in line with the basic qualities of a consulting detective. Oh, yes and, please give me back the glasses."

Sherlock's face darkened completely, but Mycroft, who took the glasses he threw, didn't care about his expression, turned around and quickly disappeared.

The rest of the people numbly walked down the bell tower and returned to their respective residences. After the second night, they found that gathering together was not a good idea.

"Hey, you know what, Sherlock, I've changed my mind! I've decided to pick you first in the afternoon, and to pick your good partner John in the evening. To be honest, I don't believe a single word of the nonsense you just made up! When they were about to part ways, Lawrence suddenly stepped forward, said triumphantly to Sherlock and John, and then pulled Nixie away with a big head.

Greg and Remos looked at Sherlock silently, sighed and turned to leave.Little Thrush was a few steps behind, she raised her head and said to Sherlock with a smile, "I hate that rascal too, but I don't like you very much either, so today I will choose you."

"Little Thrush, don't be naughty!"

Remos, who was walking in front, turned back and shouted.

"Good dad!" Little Thrush yelled, throwing herself into Remos's arms quickly.

Andrea wanted to say something, but seeing Sherlock's cold expression, she finally bowed her head and left.

"You—Sherlock, what is your identity? Why don't you tell us!" Back in their stone house, John asked angrily in a low voice.

"I told you, I'm a good man." Sherlock's voice sounded a little aggrieved.

"He's a good guy, so why didn't you explain it to everyone just now!"

"I don't want it." Sherlock rolled his eyes, jumped onto the bed and curled up into a ball, "Whatever they want, anyway..." His voice dropped.

"Anyway what?"

"Anyway, all you have to do is trust me!"

It didn't take long for the sun to slowly sink towards the west. When the clock in the clock tower struck five times, the survivors all gathered in the small square under the clock tower.They kept silent and looked at each other cautiously. At this time, most of the people in their hearts probably doubted everyone in front of them except for believing in themselves.

Algernon was the first to speak, and he glanced at Sherlock: "Last night, as Mr. Holmes said, Lyle and I stayed in the stone house all the time, but besides us there was Andrea, Sir Lugoni , Mr. Pfeiffer, we all fell asleep and slept soundly afterwards, so, as I said before, I don’t know why Sherlock doubted me, and if that’s the case, then my decision will not change.”

"Algernon's decision is my decision." Olos immediately echoed.

Lawrence followed up and said loudly: "I am a prophet, I am a prophet, so you have to believe in me! Now, vote for Sherlock first, and I will verify John tonight. In short, it is right for you to follow me. Nixie, it's your turn .”

"I don't know, it's a mess," Nixie's eyes widened. "Lawrence and I went back to our own residences. I think it's safer there anyway, and I haven't gone out since then."

"I believe Sherlock." Andrea said, "Sir Lugoni suggested calling everyone back, at least giving these poor people a decent funeral, so he and Mr. Fivell followed Remos to find Rosalind , and I volunteered to find Sherlock and John. At that time, Olose was still sleeping in the back room, and in theory, Algernon had time to kill Lyall. But Sherlock did not, as he said, from It takes about six hours to go back and forth from the stone house to the Cascades, Lyle died at *am*[-]*am*, and I met him and John at the Cascades between [-]*:[-]* and *[-]* In a few minutes, if Lawrence, your arithmetic is good enough, you will know that it is unrealistic to go back and forth like this."

"I also think Sherlock is innocent. Last night, after I sent Olos back to rest, I first took Sir Lugoni and Greg to find Rosalind, and then went to Lawrence and the others. Of course, uh, I don't mean Algernon, you killed Lyle, but, uh, actually, I don’t think it’s too hasty to vote to decide a person’s life or death,” Lemos stammered, “Maybe we should find a way to get out of here and compare good."

"But Dad, is the person who *killed* someone going to leave with us?"

Greg shook his head: "Son, the problem now is that if we only rely on subjective one-sided words, we may draw wrong conclusions. Last night, Mycroft and I brought Rosalind's *body* back, who knows When we got back to the stone house, we saw Algernon and Olos unconscious, and, poor Lyle, who was dead. From these alone, I can't be sure who the murderer is, but I think Andrea Ya's right, Sherlock doesn't really have enough time to kill someone."

Mycroft: "I believe Lawrence is a prophet, but I also hope that everyone will be careful to make their own decisions based on his judgment."

John glanced at Sherlock and said, "I chased Sherlock out last night, and I've been with him since then. Sherlock didn't kill anyone, and I guarantee it with everything I have!"

Finally it was Sherlock's turn, he just shrugged: "I have nothing to say." A look of resignation.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, now that you've all finished speaking, let's start voting."

People looked at each other, finally, Algernon was the first to enter the clock tower, followed by Olos, one after another, they voted in turn, and after a while, the weird voice suddenly sounded in the silence: "Five for Sherlock, two for Algernon, and one for Lawrence."

All eyes were on Sherlock.

"So what should I do now!" Sherlock yelled sarcastically.

"You don't have to be Mr. Holmes. If you should be out, then no matter what you do after tonight, you are destined to be out." The mechanical male voice joked in a cold tone, but no one laughed.

"Okay then I'll go back to sleep in the house, don't forget to lock the door tonight." Sherlock sneered, looked around the crowd sarcastically, turned around and strode away.

"Sherlock!" John followed closely.

"Oh, John, don't look preoccupied. Of course I'm fine. I'm just extremely disappointed in those idiots!"

"Oh, so why don't you reveal your identity, even to me!" John closed the door and stood opposite him.

"It's useless to be a good person!" He didn't even intend to give Sherlock a chance to speak again, "Sherlock, don't you understand yet? You got the most votes! That means more people don't think you are Good man! If you are really out, know that the so-called out is—perhaps like Rosalind!"

"You think I don't trust you? Oh, of course I do, Sherlock! But what's your reward for trusting me! I trusted you at Reichenbach Falls and you sneaked off to talk to Moriarty without telling me Duel, when I finally got to the waterfall I was only told in time that you jumped *suicide* yourself! Sherlock you always do!"

"Well, maybe it's still too late for us to chop down a tree and build a boat, at least we can leave this terrible island first! I have to think about where there are tools in the house. I don't know if there are any..."

"No no, maybe I shouldn't blame you too much, it's my fault! I shouldn't abstain, I just think it's too cruel to judge a person's life and death in this way, damn it! I thought at least some people and my The idea is the same…”

Sherlock stared at John's chattering mouth, suddenly had an idea, and leaned forward to stop X, John opened *mouth slightly in surprise, as if it was a signal of release, their mouths *X from a slight touch* Sucking *X* gnawing *X that turned into *X, and after 1 minute, John's arm has unknowingly climbed onto Sherlock's shoulder, they are like two hungry *X beasts, embracing each other *hard* It's *difficult* to give up.

"So I could do that to him," Sherlock thought.

"Oh, that's what I've been meaning to do to him!" thought John.

The sky had completely darkened, and they were lying side by side on *X*, both a little lazy.

"Now let's guess how they all voted. I had 5 votes, Lawrence, Algernon, O'Loss voted for me, no doubt, Little Thrush also said he would vote for me, and 1 vote, it was Nixie .Algernon 2 votes, me, and that McCoff vote. Lawrence 1 vote—”

"Okay, then I think that Greg must agree with you, choose to abstain, indecisive good old man. It's strange, the two of them, aren't they really Mycroft and Greg!" Sherlock frowned, "Forget it That doesn't matter."

"So all that's left is Andrea and Remos, who do you think voted for who abstained?"

"Even though Andrea's choice won't affect the final result no matter who she votes for, I still regret her choice. It can only be said that she really hates Lawrence."

"You mean Remos abstained too?"

"Oh, his choice will not affect the final result. It is safer to abstain. Of course, it is what he thinks is safe."

"Safe?" John frowned. "Are you—do you still suspect Remos?"

"That's right, but it's just a suspicion right now, maybe we can try our luck tonight, maybe we'll have a chance to meet those wolves again!" Sherlock sat up and began to put on his clothes quickly.

"Tonight? Can't we leave tonight?"

"Oh, John, are you stupid?" Sherlock laughed, and there was a charming confidence in the clear light of the full moon rising outside the window again, "I'll be fine, trust me, John. Now, get up!"