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

Wealth Goddess Church, Paris Archdiocese.


Una walked into the hall with her husband and immediately noticed the somber expressions on everyone's faces.


Although she did not understand the economy and could not grasp why recently the newspapers and salons always seemed filled with trepidation,


her husband Kakanif had once explained it to her simply—they were like tens of thousands of paupers, each in deep gambling debt, all hoping to borrow money from his grandfather.


From this, Una had quickly realized it was best to avoid the salons for the time being.


But today, Kakanif decided to bring her to the church—since the family worshipped the Goddess of Wealth, even Una had chosen to convert.


"Mr. Kakanif, has the Finance Minister not yet obtained His Majesty's approval?" an earl asked in a humble whisper.


Chapter 222: End of the Map