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

When Durin stepped onto the knoll once again, he discovered a small tombstone erected at the spot where Jack was buried years ago, which wasn't there before. It was probably set up in his honor when his body was relocated.


Professor Jason had mentioned that Jack's parents were buried here, but the time was long, and he never specified the exact location, leaving Eleven only the option to scan the area.


The first spot contained a family of five, adults and children alike, buried together in an orderly manner, likely having fled east to this location together and finding themselves unable to move any further—historically, escapades during winter were most desperate, as that was virtually a last resort, families fleeing east towards the Eastern Territory while the nobles were less likely to pursue during the cold.


Chapter 344: Lamp