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

After eating to his heart's content, Durin followed Irene and Melinda to the Supernatural Market—they had said the market was open today, otherwise Durin had been ready to take another nap.


Irene had also asked Durin what kind of battle pet suited her and, in her words, she had been tested at the Adventurers' Guild before, and it turned out that four-legged pets were not a good match for her. Irene herself had a mage's Talent, so her battle pet would be better suited to be a bird like Hemo.


That was easy to discuss, Durin talked about all kinds of birds and exotic beasts, and, of course, rarities such as the Star Phase Dragon.


Listening to Durin's explanation, Irene was also full of curiosity. For her, the world was Copenhagen; she had never left the city, much less been to Lublin, Lübeck, or other places.


When the carriage stopped, Durin got out first, then extended his hand to help Irene down.


Chapter 55: The Market (Part 1)