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

"Right, your friend, isn't she Lianfaya? She got married so early?" Durin asked while following Anta inside, holding Reed's hand.


"Uh, not her. Actually, she was the one who informed me about this through a Messenger. The person went missing in the eastern part of Strasbourg in Sidney."


Anta's reply made Durin pause, then he stepped through the door.


The organization of Grassland Elves isn't common in Farol, but when the eucalyptus tree, over twenty years old, in front of his house rose from the ground and lifted Reed and Anta with its branches, the chubby gentleman quickly pointed out the way to Durin: "The police station is on the north side of town, at 711 West Street, respected Sir."


"Thank you." Durin thanked him while handing over a copper cigarette case: "A small token of appreciation."


The chubby man tremblingly accepted the cigarette case.


Durin snapped his fingers, and the Treant, dragging his own daughter, followed him towards the north of the city.


Chapter 273: Someone Seeking Their Own Death