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

Tony Stark swore he would never get on a boat again.


The young Dwarf who had clung to a bucket and vomited all the way felt his face had been completely lost, especially in front of such a cute little Grassland Elf girl.


"Tony, you don't look so good, what's wrong?" The call from his friend made Tony lift his head and see Rabin Gisx standing in the corridor, his tall Elf friend.


The days when Elves and Dwarves didn't get along were in the past; in this era, it wasn't heretical for a Dwarf and an Elf to be friends, especially since everyone was trying to make a living in human territories. Would it not be laughable if different species didn't get along?


"Don't mention it, it was my first time on a boat yesterday, and it nearly killed me." As Tony spoke, he noticed that Rabin was dressed quite flamboyantly today, "Rabin, dressed like that, you look like a peacock straight out of the zoo. Are there many new girls for the new school year?"


Chapter 15: Reporting