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

Leaving Eleven on the rooftop to surveil the Vincent family mansion, Durin descended the stairs. 


But after just a few steps, a greeting came from the direction of the mansion. 


Durin pointed at himself, and the old butler standing outside the gate nodded, "You're a Messenger, right?" 


"Uh... Yes." Durin took a glance at his appearance. 


Ah, that's right, I am now Toby Rabbit, still dressed in the Messenger's uniform. 


"Where's your vehicle? My master would like to hire a Messenger to deliver an item, are you reliable?" The old man scrutinized Durin up and down. 


Without a second word, Durin pulled out his identity proof crafted through the Circle of Truth—a Messenger's Certificate framed with gold thread, with authentic steel stamping, genuine magic markings, and official signatures. 


It was only "Da Vinci Michelangelo" that was fabricated. 


Chapter 72: Reunion