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

Durin and Anta brought back a little rascal that was quite a terror.


After showing off half a box of candies, Ulyula, being a vampire, became the child's first interrogation target—she asked if vampires would suck the blood of an innocent, adorable, and kind child like her.


Durin felt that if this had been a few years ago, the old vampire might indeed have sucked her blood.


After all, back then, the Tri-Saint Society hadn't been reestablished, and the vampire clans were indeed a bunch of blood-thirsty half-madmen.


But if he dared to suck now, he would only end up being beaten senseless by Durin and Anta's combined assault.


So he couldn't answer the question and eventually had to turn into a bat on the balcony and flee.


Before leaving, he left behind the classic quote, "Are all the children in the Eastern Territory so fearless now? You've left me starving with all your questions!"


All you could say was that it was utterly hilarious.


Chapter 88: Fire and Ashes