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

Enrique looked at the Circle of Truth before him, feeling as if he had returned to his childhood.


Back then, his father was still alive, holding the young Enrique's hand at the entrance of the market.


The clamor of the market at that time seemed to confirm the current commotion around the Circle—look, regardless of rank or status, whether right or wrong, life can struggle for the future or fight over trivial gains.


At the platform, the Great Elder struck the wooden bell made from the World Tree twice with a small hammer, "Everyone, please quiet down."


"What nonsense! Have you Elders been kicked in the head by a donkey? Durin isn't coming back! We from the Engineering Academy will move the academy to Eternal Forge Fortress right now!" An old man from the ranks of the Engineering Academy stood up and cursed loudly.


"This is the Circle! What gibberish are you spouting in Sidney Lowlands dialect!" An Elder stood up and scolded angrily.


Chapter 156: Disguise