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

"Welcome to the Savoy Fashion House of the Idar family." Rafael greeted and gestured for the girl Riedel to come over from not far away, "Come, Helen, my dear, take our guests to try on the clothes."


The blonde girl nodded cheerfully in response.


Seeing her granddaughter bring Mr. Durin to the shop, Rafael felt today's gains wouldn't be bad, even if she only glanced at the Spellcasting Medium and Dagger hanging from her granddaughter's waist to sense that her granddaughter was very happy—it must be outstanding work for Alice to hang them so conspicuously.


"Grandma, this is Mr. Durin," Alice's awkward reminder came from behind her.


"I know, child. Fit the young master for men's clothing, don't get it wrong," Rafael ordered the shop assistant and then smiled at Durin, "Mr. Durin, welcome to our shop; your expenses today are on us."


Chapter 23: Born to be Each Other's Guests