Pardon

Last-day events were still fresh in the mind of Raven. After the bath, she walked back to the tavern, she had noticed some of those bastards in black robes moving in the shadows offering their dark gifts to some fools, but it was none of her business, so she just ignored them and moved fast to the place were they were staying, and when she arrived she found Fuwa had already started eating, she was like always eating some delicacies, the owner of the place must absolutely love her, he is making bank with her staying there. She ate some simple stew and went to her room, she was tired after all that fighting. Fuwa seemed disappointed, it seemed like she wanted to talk about something, but she didn't protest when she went right to bed. 

<<Your 2 bond with the Spirit has been raised to lvl>>

<<A new spell is available>>

<<The effect of your bonded spells have been increased>>

Raven eyes shot open, she was about to fall asleep, and her heart was beating in her chest. She wasn't expecting this, but it's true recently she had been abusing her newly gifted skills, she sat on her bed and felt a little troubled, she hadn't checked her status on a while. 

"『Status Open』"

Name: Raven

Race: Beastman (Cat Clan)

Level: 2

Class: Clown

Strength: 4

Endurance: 12

Agility: 7

Dexterity: 7

Intellect: 14

Luck: 17

Skills

*Masquerade lvl 5

*Emergency Illusion (Passive)

*Fire Butterfly Swarm lvl 2

*Stuppor lvl 1

*Footwork lvl 3

*Daggers lvl 4

Achievements

Act of Mercy

Survive the Impossible

Others

Ring of the pact: Undine bond lvl 2

*Aqua Heal lvl 2

*Aqua Shield lvl 2

*Misty Veil lvl 1

Her eyes went wide, not only she get another spell associated to that cursed water spirit, but she also got a class spell. She suddenly got nervous and felt as if her stomach was very agitated, even some of her stats went up. She had been through so much, but at least it was reflected in her personal growth. She felt a little proud, but still, none of them seemed like an offensive skill. She closed her eyes and dreamed of becoming strong, very strong, so none would ever get in her way and harm them... 

'Damn why do I keep thinking in us' As her mind drifted into deep slumber she thought once again 'Damn that airhead'

...

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...

Some time later Fuwa got inside the room. Raven was sleeping with a cheerful and peaceful expression on her face, she felt hypnotized by it, but then she tip-toed quietly to her own bed and sat. She wanted to tell Raven so many things, she wanted to talk with her and have a good time, she was her only friend in this world, and she felt closer to her than her friends back in her own world. 

'Well... I didn't have to place my life in their hands back then' She thought and suppressed a soft laugh. 

She had stayed downstair enjoying the music and stories from other adventurers, but none seemed as interesting as the sleeping cat. She seemed like a mysterious and enigmatic individual, she protected her, but didn't really talked much about her past. She just had lightly mentioned she used to do bad things and now was just focused on getting revenge on one man. 

'If I help her with her revenge will she tell me more about herself?' Fuwa thought 'Maybe she will want to hear more about me then?' 

Then she started to divagate, thinking about her favorite series back on earth, and her favorite bands. She missed her old life, but she was glad to be alive now. Quickly the sleepy world claimed her too, where she dreamed about going back to her old life and having that grumpy cat accompanying her for some reason. 

...

...

...

The next day.

It was the moment, both Raven and Fuwa were ready to finally meet the merchant they had rescued when they were coming back from Black Port. The old man, it seemed like other merchants recognized him, Maxwell or something was his name. Raven looked at his fancy card, the direction was clear, but she didn't liked it very much...

"Woaaah!" Exclaimed Fuwa happily "Raven those houses are huge!" She said pointing at the big manors in this part of the city. 

Both of them were catching the eye of the people around them. Raven was under the spell masquerade, taking the appearance of the bunny girl. Even so, private guards and mercenaries looked at them with caution. They didn't belong to this part of the city, this is the world of Eruru and Kyle, and fools alike them, where the mage tower rose in defiance of the dungeon, where the rich merchants resided, and where the biggest clans of adventurers had their bases. 

As they walked through the streets, Fuwa's eyes sparkled with excitement, taking in the grandeur around them "Look at those fountains! And the gardens...! " She twirled in place. Raven watched her with a mix of amusement and caution, her own expression hidden beneath the playful guise of the bunny girl.

"Yeah, yeah, just don't get too distracted," Raven warned, her tone teasing but her eyes scanning the surroundings "We're here for a reason, remember?" Despite her words, a small part of her was glad to see Fuwa so happy. It reminded her of the innocence that still existed in the world, a stark contrast to the darker paths she had tread.

They reached a grand building adorned with intricate carvings and banners fluttering in the gentle breeze "This must be the place" Raven said, peering at the card in her hand, feeling a pang of anxiety twist in her stomach. She had hoped this merchant would have something useful for them, but the aura of wealth and power that radiated from the manor made her feel small and out of place, she felt unsure, the plan they had discussed in the morning now sounded foolish. As they did nothing the doors opened on their own, and three guards came out.

"Respected guests" One of them said "Our master has been waiting for you"

"Lead us in!" Said Fuwa cheerfully.

'This fool!!' Thought Raven, she was about to just go back but this girl spoiled her escape "Tsk... let's do this" She said to herself. 

The guards led them through a big hall. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of exotic spices and polished wood. Merchants and customers haggled animatedly over prices, their voices mingling into a chaotic symphony of commerce. Fuwa's eyes widened further, and she leaned in closer to Raven, whispering "This is amazing!"

The place was big and was full of resourceful merchants who had gathered all sorts of trinkets and items with graces from the dungeon, he had potions, he had weapons, armor, and even monster cards on display, and some ladies were talking about some beautiful jewelry on a corner, and over a desk, some high ranking adventurers were selling their spoils as it was being examined by the clerks. This was not a small commerce, this was a big fish, people who held power through massive amount of coins. 

'What was this fool old man doing on his way toward that dangerous port!?' Raven's mind raced.

Soon a butler came to pick them up. Fuwa was too busy eating snacks they had provided for she and Raven to think about the situation, but Raven felt like a small mouse walking into an eagle's nest. Well, for Fuwa this was like walking into a shopping mall back at her home. 

Once they reached the office of the big man, they found themselves in an awkward position, the old man owner of this commercial empire was bowing before them with tears streaming down his face. Back then he had lost his hope about surviving when two very beaten angels had saved him from his demise, now he was able to met his wife again only thank to the two girls in front of him. Even if the captain of the guard insisted that it was dangerous, he insisted that he wanted to talk alone with the girls. 

"How can I repay this debt?" The man asked raising his head. 

Fuwa looked at Raven, she looked nervous, even she was trembling but was doing her best to not show it. She was surprised back then when Raven revealed she had a red name, she was a looked criminal and would even be rewarded if turned dead or alive. She gently pushed her friend in the back. 

"I would like to obtain a pardon"

The man seemed confused. A pardon was an item, that could be created easily by people with a certain amount of power, but not granted easily, it allowed to remove the red etiquette on a person's stats. In essence, it was a meaning to not be tagged as a wanted criminal. Raven sighed and canceled her masquerade spell, revealing her true form to the very surprised merchant, her savior was a wanted criminal, but still, she had saved his life. 

"I... I see..." He said "I must admit, I hate with all my might those who just want to rob and take other people's work, but you saved my life, I'm not a saint myself, but I will grant you what you have asked, you deserve another chance in life after granting me one"

The man grabbed some documents and a flash of light made them glow, he seemed unsure, but he finally gave them to the cat. She saw those papers and felt strange, when she turned on her mercenary company and chose the life of crime, she was ready to die, but after being scolded by Fuwa this morning, she felt like she wanted to live, even if it was a little more. Her body began to glow and the paper turned to ashes. 

[Raven's name has been cleaned]

"How does it feel to be a decent person again?" Asked Maxwell looking at her with mixed emotions. 

"I feel like I need a drink?" She said confused.

"No way this drunkard!" Said Fuwa in disbelief. 

"I must say I'm surprised how a person who could heal ended up being a criminal, but I won't judge my savior" Maxwell himself felt like he needed a drink, this was different than what he had expected "I'm... glad? That you chose to leave that behind" He then looked at Fuwa "And you little miss, you should make sure that she remains at least decent"

"I try but she is too stubborn!" Said Fuwa in disbelief. 

"I don't know why but I believe you" Said Maxwell looking at Raven.

In his mind, the image of a selfless saintess was shattered, in its place it was replaced by a mocking cat who for some reason could heal. But even so, he felt somewhat relieved, now it felt real, not a person of legends, but a person who had committed mistakes and somehow ended up saving him, even if the pardon he granted her didn't really absolve her from the pain she brought upon others, at least she won't be pursued any longer.