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

The second son of the Kriegern family made a decision on his own, which pleased Durin greatly. Though his kindness might cause public dissatisfaction, there were still members of the populace who understood the reasons behind it—during these times, 'a big family with a successful business' was the norm, and it was common for a family to have several children. What could a thirteen-year-old second son and an eight-year-old third son do? In times of upheaval, to not lose the 'anchor' of a family was a blessing from the Goddess of Luck.


Regardless, in the end, Marquis Jaden Hogan and his eldest son were hanged, and the two children were sent to the Church of Suffering—they would suffer until they reached adulthood before leaving the Church.


A lot of people were leaving the recently reopened Lille City, some having lost everything and deciding to seek opportunities in Sir Durin's territory.


A young man in a black shirt entered a small tavern.


Chapter 303: Gathering