Half-step Purgatory

Durin stroked the black cat on the armrest of his chair, sitting on the black leather sofa. Through the glasses perched on his nose, his gaze passed over the long table in front of him and settled on the man kneeling on the carpet:
"I understand, you've made money in Naples, your business has been very successful, and you've led a happy life. You've had those secret police, friends in both the law and the underground, and even the Royal Family speaking on your behalf."
"You don't need a friend like me, I know that. You're afraid of owing me a favor, and you don't want to get involved in troubles."
"But now you come to me and say, 'I beg you, Mr. Durin of the Corleon family, please help me seek justice, so that my life and my family will not suffer and sink into despair.'
Yet, in your eyes, I was nothing more than a second-rate artist involved in movies and music. Even at the brink of death, you still show me such disrespect, not even willing to call me by my title... Keeper of Secrets."

Durin's Diary

The old man was gone, but Durin hadn't left, holding onto Kelsey while observing the scene—a pitiful sight, with the lord struck by seven bullets, one of which hit his neck, which was why he now cradled his own head, appearing utterly helpless.


As for his wife and children, each had their own anguish. A murderer must have a motive, especially for such a deliberate assassination ... Sir, what exactly had you done to deserve this deadly fate? With this thought, Durin turned his head, sweeping his gaze over the crowd—Lublin was an unfamiliar city, the people unknown lives, yet unlike him, which is why Durin sought to detect any clue from the onlookers' eyes.


Amid the crowd, ladies whispered secretly, gentlemen passed judgments, and a stern-looking young man stood out—he wore patched overalls and a shirt, and in the harsh winter, he only added an overcoat made from a commonly known, durable fabric favored by the working class of the Human World, sturdy, long-lasting, and cheap.


Chapter 11: Unquenchable Desire