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

"Isn't this the young master of the Yutari family, what brings you to the Past World Tavern today?"


As Higgins entered, he was greeted with jests from the tavern's cynics. This filled Higgins with sorrow; these women were tavern stewards, yet they never tried to show a bit of respect to the manager's eldest son.


It was Ms. Ailish at the front desk who shooed them away, and Higgins followed her down the service corridor of the tavern. At a corner, she pushed a lamp on the wall and a secret door opened.


Ms. Ailish had served his father for many years, and she had been in charge of the Past World Tavern all this while.


"The lady is already there, remember your courtesies."


"Yeah, yeah, I know, she's that big shot's mistress."


Chapter 59.5: Higgins Yutari I