Chapter 10: Diary

  "May 12th, 5th Century, Year 48 — At last, I've obtained my attorney's license. Today marks the first day of Nicholas Parlay's career as a lawyer!"

  That was the entry on the very first page of the diary, written roughly two years ago. It seemed the original Nicholas had begun his journal on the momentous day he received his legal license. Nicholas didn't know what had inspired the previous Nicholas to start such a record, but at the very least, it helped him better understand the man whose body he now inhabited.

  "June 28th, 5th Century, Year 48 — Today is the grand opening of Parlay Legal Attorney. I hope nothing but a bright future awaits me from here on."

  "July 16th, 5th Century, Year 48 — It’s been about half a month since the firm opened, yet not a single client has reached out for representation. My reserve funds dwindle with each passing day. Perhaps I need to change my approach."

  Reading this, Nicholas couldn't help but let out a sigh. The true hardship of being a lawyer didn't begin with passing the bar; it began with finding clients. For a newly licensed attorney, attracting someone to entrust them with a case was nearly impossible. Beyond mere experience, it required a network of connections and a solid reputation.

  Nicholas began to wonder: how did the previous Nicholas go from a struggling novice to representing a high-profile criminal like Antonio?

  "July 21st, 5th Century, Year 48 — Today, Hugh introduced me to a customer at the bakery. Her name is Mary. It seems she's worked for several major law firms in the city. Perhaps this could be my opportunity."

  If his memory served him right, Hugh was the owner of the bakery on Road No. 8. So, it was Hugh who had introduced Nicholas to Mary.

  "July 23rd, 5th Century, Year 48 — I met with Mary at a café to discuss employment. She mentioned she knows a broker she used to work with. Perhaps he could help secure some clients for us.”

  "July 27th, 5th Century, Year 48 — I’ve reached an agreement with the broker. We’ve signed a contract. I’ve invested every last bit of my remaining funds into this arrangement."

  "August 5th, 5th Century, Year 48 — It worked! It worked! The first client for Parlay Legal Attorney—Madam Porter—is looking for a lawyer to help close a deal between her and a shipping company. The money spent on that broker wasn't wasted!"

  The details that followed mostly concerned the various clients and cases he encountered. There were times when Nicholas stumbled, but for the most part, he managed to resolve the issues. As Nicholas read on, it became clear that his predecessor’s financial status and career had been steadily improving, and his reputation within legal circles was growing.

  "January 19th, 5th Century, Year 49 — Mary agreed to join me as a secretary. It seems she’s just resigned from her position at a major firm. This is fantastic news, as I've been getting an increasing number of clients lately. I can no longer manage everything on my own."

  This meant Mary had officially started working for him early last year. From what he had read so far, the business seemed to be progressing well. According to the diary, everything appeared to proceed normally. He found no signs of anything out of the ordinary—except for one thing that struck him as odd about these records.

  Typically, the previous Nicholas was meticulous in his record about the people he encountered, detailing their full names, addresses, and the specific circumstances of their meetings. Yet the broker introduced by Mary was the sole exception. The previous Nicholas had recorded no details about this person whatsoever, simply referring to him only as 'the broker.' Perhaps, this was due to some form of trade secret or a nondisclosure agreement.

  Beyond professional matters, the trivial details scattered throughout the diary allowed Nicholas to piece together the life of his predecessor. He learned that the original Nicholas had lost both parents at the age of thirteen. His only inheritance was the very house he now occupied. Having no other living relatives, the house was kept under the custody of a legal guardian appointed by the city until ownership was transferred to him when he turned eighteen—along with the obligation to settle the accumulated maintenance interest owed to the city.

  Nicholas had worked to put himself through basic education at a commoner’s boarding school until he finally earned his legal license at the age of twenty-five.

  While his life had been far from luxurious, he considered himself far more fortunate than many others. It seemed his relentless efforts had finally borne fruit, allowing him to elevate his standing through his own sheer willpower.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  ...However, it started from about six months ago that Nicholas noticed abnormalities in the diary's entries.

  "May 11th, 5th Century, Year 50 — The broker introduced me to members of the Le Purgatoire gang. My first instinct was to refuse, but the Broker insisted this is a crucial step toward elevating my status, an opportunity to finally break into high-society circles. I’m conflicted. Everything has been going well so far, and I owe it all to the broker. Perhaps I should trust his judgment once more, just as I have always done...”

  "May 31st, 5th Century, Year 50 — member of Le Purgatoire reached out to me. They said Antonio Marcelo wants to hire me for a case. If it's truly the case I'm thinking of, this might just be the most significant trial of my entire career."

  "June 4th, 5th Century, Year 50 — Today was the first conference between Antonio and me. This is worse than I imagined. Antonio admitted he's truly guilty. He recounted what he did in every detail without the slightest hesitation. When I advised him to plead guilty to reduce his sentence, they simply burst into laughter as if it were merely a joke. Antonio told me that my only job is to stand as his attorney and follow his lead; he would 'handle' the rest of the case himself. My heart screamed for me to refuse, but looking into their eyes, I couldn't utter a word. The Le Purgatoire gang wields immense power in this city. Now that I know the truth, if I were to decline... I fear what would happen to me"

  'So that's how it was.'

  'So, that’s how it happened,' Nicholas sighed softly. The previous Nicholas hadn't intended to become Antonio’s accomplice. To put it plainly, he'd been swept up and dragged into this filthy whirlpool against his will. But a question arose in Nicholas's mind.

  ‘But why Nicholas?’

  Logically speaking, it made no sense. A powerhouse like the Le Purgatoire gang would undoubtedly have ties to the most prominent and influential lawyers in the city. Why would the most notorious mafia organization in York choose a novice attorney like Nicholas to represent a high-profile figure like Antonio?

  Nicholas filed this question away before continuing to read.

  "June 22nd, 5th Century, Year 50 — It's been nearly two weeks since I started attending etiquette classes. Antonio promised to introduce me to Barons and Viscounts. He suggested I take these courses to prepare for my debut into the upper circles. These lessons are extremely difficult for someone like me, but this could be my chance. Perhaps... I might even become a nobleman one day."

  Reading this, Nicholas could almost feel the raw ambition gnawing at his predecessor’s soul. Perhaps ascending to nobility was the ultimate dream for every commoner in this country... or at the very least, it was the dream that defined the original Nicholas.

  "July 20th, 5th Century, Year 50 — This is terrible. Every newspaper has picked up the story. The district prosecutor is personally leading the investigation, and an emergency hearing has been scheduled. The case is deteriorating by the hour. If... if we lose, or if anything goes wrong, the Le Purgatoire gang will never let me walk away alive..."

  "July 22nd, 5th Century, Year 50 — Yesterday, Antonio was arrested. But thanks to the gang's connections with the prosecutor's office, I was able to file for his bail release. Today I met with Antonio. His description of how he committed the murders made me want to vomit. Antonio insisted that there would be no issue with the case. He has orchestrated every piece of evidence and secured every witness needed to prove his 'innocence.' He gave his word that everything would be settled before the testimony date. As he left, he promised that once everything settled, he would introduce me to Baron Grehl."

  "August 24th, 5th Century, Year 50 — Antonio called me. He mentioned he’s acquainted with a renowned historian who has discovered ancient records dating back to the dawn of the 5th Era. Those records supposedly mention a significant noble lineage: the Parlay family. He wants me to dig through my own family records for any lead, promising a magnificent reward if I find anything. This is it! My chance has arrived. Who would have thought the Parlay name once belonged to an ancient noble lineage? I must find those family records. Perhaps I will finally be accepted. Perhaps... I could really become a noble!"

  'The Parlay family?'

  Nicholas’s brows furrowed. What did the Parlay family have to do with any of this? Was there a deeper truth hidden beneath the surface, or was this merely another calculated lure used by Antonio to manipulate a man already blinded by ambition?

  "September 26th, 5th Century, Year 50 — The final witness testimony concluded smoothly. The prosecution side has no witnesses to corroborate their facts. Even David John Paul, whom Prosecutor Romero had petitioned to delay the hearing for today, failed to appear in court. It seems Antonio... no, the Le Purgatoire gang truly handled everything as they promised. It makes me feel both relieved and suffocated at the same time. I don't want to think about what would happen to me if I lost this case. Yet I cannot help but feel a profound guilt over what happened to David's family."

  As Nicholas reached this part, the narrative felt increasingly surreal. Based on the entries, 'Nicholas' seemed like an ordinary man with no knowledge of anything supernatural. How did he end up becoming involved with the ritual that took place in the sewers?

  "September 28th, 5th Century, Year 50 — Antonio arranged for me to meet with the historian to discuss records and the history of my family. If this matter can be proven, my hope of becoming a noble isn't far off."

  The writing style of the previous 'Nicholas' expressed determination and anticipation. However, as Nicholas flipped through the diary, he discovered that several subsequent pages were entirely blank. He turned page after page until, finally, he found an entry dated October 3rd.

  "—That place isn't... heretics... the moon... the Parlay family’s fate...?"

  "Those eyes are watching me. They're everywhere. They're getting closer... I—I don't want to die..."

  Those words were scrawled haphazardly across the paper. The text indicated the abnormal mental state of 'Nicholas.' Something had happened to him since the day he went to meet Antonio and his associates.

  "October 5th, 5th Century, Year 50 — They’re... here..."

  Nicholas felt his hair stand on end the moment he read this sentence. He glanced around but found nothing out of the ordinary. That was the final entry written in the diary.

  He was now certain that the death of the previous 'Nicholas' was definitely connected to Antonio.

  Suddenly, a faint light from the mirror pierced through the fabric over his chest. Nicholas slowly drew it out, his heart pounding with dread at the anomaly. Then, as the light intensified, a message began to manifest right before his eyes.

  "Conditions fulfilled. You have discovered clues regarding

  the death of 'Nicholas Parlay.'

  Relevant missions will now be assigned to you, Judicial Representative..."

  "Main Mission: Investigate the cause of Nicholas Parlay's death

  Time Limit: 30 days"

  "Secondary Mission: Sever the karmic bond between you and Antonio Marcelo

  Time Limit: 30 days"

  * Note: Should the missions fail, the penalty shall be enforced. *

  It seemed that uncovering the truth within the diary had ignited something within the grey mirror. Although the mission details were crucial, Nicholas's eyes remained fixed on the note at the bottom. Last time, he had nearly died because of such a penalty. He didn't know what would happen to him if he failed this time.

  All he could do was let out a low, frustrated curse.

  "Damn it..."

  14.10.550

  Nicholas Parlay

  Judicial representative