Durin's Diary

Chapter 1060 Praising Lead Red

Dulin disseminated the news of his mentor Czerny's passing through newspapers in various regions.

As a musician, his students and followers came from all over the world—the stronger among them could still vaguely recognize Dulin's presence.

Mason had traveled all the way from the north—he had resigned from the art academy and was now working as a private tutor for the nobility, and when Dulin saw him, he was already all white-haired.

Squirrels have short lifespans, so someone like Mr. Mason is actually considered long-lived.

Fate is truly cruel.

He also noticed the bandages on Dulin's hands: "You really... became a god?"

By this time, rumors about Dulin were spreading all over the world. Not only had the old butler seen them, but various organizations and the Krighen family were also fueling the flames.

The rumors that Dulin is about to become a god are no longer a secret.

So Dulin nodded: "I personally guided you to your mentorship. I don't need this old house for the time being. Why don't you come and stay here, Senior Brother Mason?"

“No way, this is what your teacher left for you.” Mason shook his head. He was clearly tempted, but he still declined Dulin’s invitation.

However, Dulin still gave him an invitation that was hard to refuse: "After I become a god, my family will move to Changtang to live. Rather than leaving this old house empty, why don't you live in it for now?"

"Well, then I won't stand on ceremony. But as you know, I'm not a legend, and squirrels like me actually have very short lifespans, so this house will eventually be empty."

“Tanya Arkin and my child will take over then.” At this point, Dulin looked at the old butler: “My teacher entrusted this house to me, and I’m letting my senior brother stay here temporarily. Please help him out. As for your salary, I will have Tanya from the Arkin family pay it for you.”

“No problem, Mr. Dulin. I am already very satisfied that you can personally guide the master. I am happy to see the master being guided by you to the endless wilderness in the last moment of his life…” The old man’s eyes reddened.

Dulin smiled and handed over a gold cigarette case: "A small gift. I hope that you and your family will continue to serve my descendants. Of course, please also tell your descendants that if one day the descendants of the Alkin family become enemies of this land, please make sure they do not become their accomplices, but always stand on the side of the people."

"Mr. Dulin, what nonsense are you talking about?" The old butler took the cigarette case with a look of fear on his face.

“I became a god to erase the sorrow on this earth. If my descendants become the creators of the sorrow of all living beings, then they are not worthy of being my descendants.” At this point, Dulin looked at his senior brother Mason, whose eyes were wide open: “I am going to take over the responsibilities of the Nameless One. You should forget my existence. This is something that mortals cannot change.”

"What...what can you gain from such a sacrifice, silly child?" Mason sighed, somewhat speechless.

"If such a sacrifice can break the vicious cycle of human civilization's spiraling ascent, the three-word, six-character cycle, that's enough," Dulin replied with a smile.

Although such a possibility is almost nonexistent, Dulin felt that such complaints would be meaningless if they were not given a chance.

Mason eventually accepted Dulin's invitation. He planned to bring his wife to stay with him after returning north—his three children were already adults and had their own families and jobs.

Dulin leaned back in his recliner, unaware that Huck would appear outside the gate.

The king, representing the Krigan family, paid his respects to Sidney in conjunction with Czerny, the greatest musician of all, and then sat down before Dulin.

He looked a little better today, and his hair was combed back to normal.

“I’ve forgotten everything from our last meeting, and I’m so sorry. Even though I remember who you are, I feel an indescribable sense of estrangement when I look at you.” The king said, a hint of doubt and confusion in his voice, “I shouldn’t be like this, Mr. Dulin.”

"It's nothing. It's normal for you to forget me. We're not on the same path after all. But let bygones be bygones. As for the time before I leave, the military orphanage and you should be able to maintain a fragile peace."

In Dulin's view, King Hark had truly forgotten why Dulin had appeared there in the first place. But that was fine; the Krighen family could enjoy their fragile peace for now. Hark thought for a moment, then smiled somewhat awkwardly: "I'm really sorry, Mr. Dulin, I'll be going now."

Dulin saw him off.

Then he saw a strange girl standing across the street.

She wore a sky-blue dress made of lightweight cotton, the skirt cascading to her ankles. Her long, silky black hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and she wore a large straw sun hat in the sunlight.

What Dulin noticed most were her large, slightly upturned eyes.

Dulin seemed to know her, yet instinctively felt she was a stranger.

Ultimately, he concluded that she was likely a student of one of Czerny's mentors, so he gave her a slight bow and then entered the house.

………………

As Dulin walked through the gate, the girl reached out and grabbed the brim of her sun hat to prevent it from being blown away by the wind.

The winds in Paris are strong in the summer, just as the sun is always the most intense in the western continent at the same latitude.

The streets were bustling with people, but no one noticed her walking toward the opened portal.

Old Philo stood by the portal, looking across the street at the door—Cherny's mother was someone he knew well, but who could have imagined that he would only be able to watch her child reach the end of his life, while he could only watch in order to serve Nuwa.

Everyone says that the difference in lifespan is the most tragic thing in the world, and Philo deeply agrees.

“If you want to go in and take a look, then go ahead,” she said, stopping beside him.

He shook his head: "No need. Going in would only add to the sorrow. I watched his mother die on her sickbed a long time ago, but I never thought that many years later, I would have to personally send her child to reunite with her in the endless wilderness. Your Majesty, you say, we are all living beings, so why do our lifespans vary?"

Philo's eyes were filled with regret and sadness.

"Because I made you all," she replied softly, without a trace of joy on her face.

“I know, but Your Majesty, why did the gods of the old era create so many different lives?”

“Because they create tools, while what I sculpt… are my most beloved children.” As the girl said this, she reached out and ruffled Philo’s hair.

“Are we your children? We are truly flattered, Your Majesty.” Philo’s face showed surprise.

"Yes, you are my children, and I try my best to create you as perfectly as possible..." The girl said, then turned her head again.

This time, she saw a portal open, and a silver-haired grassland elf girl walked out of it.

“That’s Anta, a child of the Aye family, and Dulin’s wife,” Philo introduced.

Then he noticed the tears in the corners of the girl's eyes.

His keen sixth sense told his owner that some problems were better left unresolved.

(End of this chapter)