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

The shooting report for the standing army came out, and there were three thousand four hundred and seventeen soldiers who averaged hitting the eighth ring. Those who didn't meet the mark were all soldiers in their forties and fifties. After consideration, Durin ultimately decided to discharge them.


Those with children at home could have their children enlisted in the new recruits' camp, but there were still more than twenty bachelors—these were all fugitive slaves whose families and children had died on the road. They were the type who if one ate well, the whole family wouldn't starve.


After much consideration, Durin decided to proceed with the discharge process and have them return home to farm—the old soldiers had almost no potential for retraining.


Chapter 136: The Achievement of the Dragon