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

Meanwhile, Durin hopped off the tram that had just pulled into the station and strolled into the alley beside the Past World Tavern.


Whistling a jaunty tune, a thin iron wire wriggled out from Durin's pocket and slipped into the lock on the back door, which swung open automatically as he stood before it.


Looking at the empty lounge area, Durin smiled.


Everyone is busy, it seems that business is indeed booming for the Yutari family, just as the informant said.


I do hope I'm not interrupting your little hobby of smoking in the lounge, Higgins.


As Durin entered, a Life Detection Spell unfolded, confirming his guess that the majority of the staff were on the left—in the tavern's business area.


A smaller life form was moving in the corridor ahead of Durin; judging by its size, it seemed to be Higgins—Durin had confirmed his family members, and there was only one child, an adopted son. But to Durin's eyes, the boy and his father were undoubtedly biological father and son.


Chapter 60: There is No One Like Me in This World