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

After completing an unspoken yet well-known trade with the Gnome before him, Durin took the trophy and stepped down from the stage, coming before Mentor Cherny with a smile, stopping in his tracks.


The old deer was smiling so much his eyes had disappeared; he hugged Durin and then took the trophy Durin handed him.


"It is all your guidance, your teaching, that has led to this day—for you to keep these trophies could not be more fitting," Durin said with a smile, embracing Cherny once more.


Amidst the applause, Durin returned to his seat and looked towards Reed, the girl who was quite happy, "Though I turned into a crybaby in the cinema, I did not shed a tear here."


Next were Best Costume and Best Art Direction; the usual, since the imaging device had no physical form, Durin received no nomination.


Chapter 122: Dancing in the Gallop