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

Twenty-four hours remained until the moon exam.


With the deadline fast approaching, Durin was of course indifferent, as he had already secured nine points, the top score for the month, and his victory was all but assured.


After entrusting the letter for Anta to Hemo for her to bring to the ambassador for transmission, Durin fell into a state of having nothing to do. Irene hadn't come looking for Durin today; she was probably struggling against the deadline herself—she said she needed to revise her 'facial paralysis.'


Warming himself by the fire, Durin waited until the wind died down before he got up, donned his coat, and left the house.


Through the door window, Melinda saw Durin coming and stepped aside to point behind her, where Durin saw Irene—the bird was lying on the sofa with the imaging device on her head, struggling bitterly just as Durin had imagined.


"Then I'll head to the academy myself."


"Haven't you already scored nine points?"


Chapter 66: Destiny (Part 1)