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

Breakfast with Mr. Owen and his family was delightful, and to Durin's eyes, the Yutari Family now seemed like a household with three generations under one roof.


After breakfast, Durin arranged a guide for the family—they were preparing to thoroughly explore the Lower District, and navigating that labyrinth-like area without a reliable guide was out of the question. Therefore, Durin assigned them children from the small families of the Tri-Saint Society who lacked Talent.


They were young, some not even of age to attend school, but having grown up in the Eternal Forge Fortress, they knew all the twists and turns of the Lower District like the back of their hand. And everyone in the Eternal Forge Fortress knew they were Durin's darlings. For them to lead a family around the fortress was a clear indication of the family's status.


Chapter 244: The Godfather