Wandering Witch: Penance of a thief

My name is Arche, and I am a wanderer. The purpose of my wandering? To atone for the sins of my past, when I was a criminal.

It was a witch who made me aware that almost everyone deserves a second chance.

Currently, I find myself in the first country I visited after embarking on this journey of redemption.

But let me tell you something: being a traveler doesn't always mean experiencing the beauty of the world. Sometimes, you encounter things you'd rather avoid.

And so begins the tale of my first day as a traveler, which didn't exactly go smoothly...

As I stroll through town, my mind is fixated on one thing: sweets.

"Parfaits~! I'll finish you off!"

Entering a nearby restaurant, I eagerly order a strawberry parfait.

"So delicious~~!!"

I devour the parfait with gusto, relishing in the sweet taste that I've missed for so long.

"Atone for sins, huh... What should I do?"

"Is doing good deeds enough?"

Lost in thought, I realize I don't fully comprehend what it means to atone for my sins.

Before I know it, I've polished off the parfait I ordered.

"Huh..?"

Even after finishing the parfait, I'm still grappling with the same question.

Strangely, eating sweets seems to help clear my mind.

"Excuse me, I'd like to order three more parfaits."

As I await my order, I continue to ponder my predicament.

I may have resolved to atone for my sins, but I'm unsure of where to begin.

Perhaps I should have consulted the witch, who always seemed to have the answers.

But then again, magic has always been a privilege I lacked, despite defeating witches in the past.

"This is your order, sir."

Interrupting my thoughts, the maid sets down my additional parfaits.

"Thank you, but I doubt these parfaits will be as sweet as you," I tease the maid.

"Ah... You never fail to surprise me... I wish my boyfriend teased me as much as you do," she blushes at my words.

"By the way, if someone were to seek penance for their sins, what should they do?"

"Um... Why the sudden change of topic?" The maid seems taken aback by my question.

"Because I am on a journey of redemption! My name is Arche, the sin reddemer!" I declare proudly, taking another bite of my parfait.

"Ah, I see. You're on a journey of penance, aren't you?" Adelaide, the maid, pondered for a moment. "Hmm... Perhaps you have to do something good?"

"But everyone can do that," I replied.

"You have to find out for yourself, Mr. Arche," she said.

"Don't call me sir, I'm still 20 years old!"

"I'm still 16 years old."

There was a brief silence as her words sank in. "I see... I have to find out for myself..."

"Eh, wait! Are you saying that because you're too lazy to explain, right?!"

"Ah, you caught me..."

But she had a point. "If you already know what you have to do, come here again, okay?" She smiled sweetly, much like the parfait.

"Got a name?" I asked her.

"The way you ask for names is very rude," she replied. It seemed like I still had some manners to learn. "If you're rude in asking for names, it will be impossible for you to atone for your sins."

"Ah, really?! Then what should I say?!" I felt like I was being tricked by her words.

"Try asking in a more polite way."

Confused, I thought for a moment, then came up with a suitable sentence.

"Hey, sorry, but it seems like I forgot to check the 'name' label on your beautiful and adorable face. Could you help me find it?" I winked at her.

It seemed like I was teasing her instead of asking for her name.

"Oh, you're something else, aren't you?" She gently hit my shoulder, her blush evident.

"My name is Adelaide! But you can call me Adel!" she answered with a sweet smile, just as expected of a maid.

"Then, come see me again when you've found out what you have to do to overcome your sins!"

Adel went to serve other customers, leaving me with the remaining parfait.

"It seems like I'm chatting with her while eating these two glasses of parfait..."

After indulging in sweets, I left the café and wandered around. "I'm bored..."

As I walked aimlessly, I stumbled upon a poster. Reading its contents, I discovered it was about a lost cat: a black cat with yellow eyes.

"Black cat? People say it's a sign of bad luck."

"But who cares?" Helping find something lost might be a way to atone for my sins.

I roamed around the city in search of the lost cat. It should have been a breeze for me, considering my past escapades evading the police.

But I forgot one crucial detail: the vast difference in body sizes between humans and cats.

Cats could slip into the tiniest crevice, whereas I... Well, let's just say I almost got caught by the police once because my legs stuck out like sore thumbs when I was hiding.

"If I were a cat, I'd be the master of stealth," I mused to myself as I sat in the city park, taking a much-needed break after hours of searching. "Huff..."

"If I were a cat, where would I go?" I pondered, scanning my surroundings.

Suddenly, a cat appeared and sat next to me. I decided to ask it directly, "Do you have any ideas, cat?"

The black cat meowed in response.

"You think so?" I chuckled, even though I couldn't understand a word the yellow-eyed feline was saying.

Then it hit me: the black cat with yellow eyes staring right at me was the very cat I'd been searching for. "Ah! Found you!"

I lunged to catch the cat, but it darted away with nimble agility. Undeterred, I chased after it, determined to fulfill my mission.

I tread cautiously through the narrow alley between two old stone buildings, my eyes fixed on the shadow of the cat darting ahead.

"Hey, cat! Hold up! Can't we talk this out?" I shouted, half hoping the cat would respond, but of course, it just leaped onto the stone wall.

With a slightly gasping breath, I kicked off the wall to give an extra push as I leaped onto the ledge. The cat was agile, but I was more agile.

At least, that's what I thought until my foot slipped on the slippery roof tiles, and I had to lunge forward in a less-than-graceful manner.

"Ah, of course! Wet tiles! Why wouldn't they be?" I muttered as I jumped from one rooftop to another, nearly losing my balance again.

We traversed through the bustling market. People yelled in surprise as we crossed above their heads. I spotted a large barrel rolling nearby.

"Okay, this might be a bad idea,"

I said to myself, then leaped onto the barrel. Naturally, it started rolling, and I had to struggle to keep my balance.

"Hey, look at me! I'm a traveling circus!" I exclaimed, laughing, albeit with gasping breath.

The cat descended to the wider main street, and I followed, still standing on the rolling barrel.

I ran along the walls, using every crevice and handhold to stay atop. When it turned into another narrow alley, I slid down, landing gracefully—or rather, slipping again.

"Seriously, cat! Do I look like a bad guy? Okay, maybe a little," I grumbled, trying to regain my balance while catching up to the increasingly distant cat.

We finally arrived at an open courtyard surrounded by tall walls. The cat seemed cornered, with no way out.

I slowed my pace, approaching it slowly, hoping there wouldn't be any more awkward moments.

"Alright, cat," I said with a gasping breath.

"This is the end of your journey. You know, if this were a parkour competition, I'd definitely win. Even with a bit of slapstick."

Carefully, I reached for the exhausted cat. It squirmed a bit, but ultimately surrendered in my hands. With a satisfied smile, I lifted it up and petted its head.

"Don't worry, I'll get you home safely," I whispered.

"And please, don't run away again. I need a break from all this chasing. You might think this is a theater performance, but I prefer comedy over action drama."

As I strolled towards the cat owner's house, I couldn't help but pass by a nearby circus tent. "Looks like I won't be joining the traveling circus anytime soon," I mused to myself.

Suddenly, a woman's scream pierced the air from within the tent. "Has the circus started yet?" I wondered aloud.

But instead of the joyous screams one would expect from a circus, this sounded more like cries of agony.

The pesky cat that had been accompanying me darted away and slipped into the circus tent. Although I was tempted to follow, the entrance was guarded by burly individuals.

Not one to back down, I approached one of the guards. "Hey, big guy, when's this circus starting?"

"Tonight!" came the curt reply. With that, my curiosity was piqued, and I resolved to attend the circus later that evening.

Under the moonlit sky, I entered the circus grounds and was greeted by an array of peculiar attractions.

I spotted a lion with peculiar markings on its feet, and a clown who, despite making mistakes, cleverly improvised to save face. However, through my trusty binoculars, I discerned fear and panic in the clown's eyes, along with scars adorning some of the performers.

During the final act, a woman took the stage to sing. Though her performance wasn't opera, her voice was undeniably impressive.

Yet, to my astonishment, the woman was suddenly choked mid-song, eliciting laughter from the audience. As insults were hurled at her, I realized she was the same woman who had screamed earlier.

With each revelation, I began to piece together the puzzle of what was truly happening at this circus.

In the middle of a cold night

While most people were fast asleep, I lingered near the circus tent, determined to investigate further.

Silently, I subdued the two guards, ensuring no one would interfere with my exploration.

Upon entering the circus, I was met with an eerie silence that replaced the once vibrant laughter.

Ascending the stage, where performers showcased their acrobatic feats, I ventured downwards, drawing back the curtain concealing the stage's underbelly.

Beneath the stage lay an iron door, imposing and foreboding. Knocking yielded no response, prompting me to affix a sticky bomb to the door.

"Seems like no one's home," I quipped before retreating to a safe distance. Moments later, the explosion reverberated through the air, leaving behind a gaping hole in the door.

Peering through the breach, I observed a darkened passage leading below.

"A basement in a circus tent?" I marveled, realizing the structure must have stood for years.

Steeling myself, I descended into the dimly lit depths, offering a tentative apology for my intrusion.

The corridor stretched endlessly before me, illuminated only by the faint glow of the torch I carried.

"Certainly, they could use better lighting down here," I muttered as I navigated the dank passageway.

Gradually, it dawned on me that this wasn't part of the circus's original construction. This was a drainage system, reeking of sewage and neglect.

Pressing on, I encountered a door amidst the filth. "Who would fashion a room in such a foul-smelling place?" I wondered aloud.

Gingerly, I pushed open the door, stepping into pitch darkness.

"Do they have no concept of proper lighting?" I grumbled, straining to discern my surroundings.

I stumbled upon a lamp affixed to the wall, its flickering flame casting eerie shadows across the room. With a flick of my lighter, I ignited the lamp, expecting a solitary glow.

To my bewilderment, the entire chamber was bathed in light as if responding to my command.

"I'll have to learn how to do that," I mused, feeling a mix of awe and trepidation.

Turning around, I was met with a sight that chilled me to the bone. Human bodies hung from chains, their mutilated forms swaying ominously.

Limbs were missing, heads severed, and grotesque wounds marred their flesh.

"What kind of place is this?" I whispered, my voice barely audible amid the silence.

Beneath the macabre display, placards bore the names of their roles—forgotten talents discarded by the circus.

My gaze settled on 14 lion heads, a grim reminder of the performers who met a grisly fate.

Among the victims, I recognized the woman whose voice had been silenced by tragedy. Naked and suspended by iron chains, her body bore the scars of unspeakable torment.

Horror seized me as I noticed her broken tongue, a cruel testament to the cruelty within these walls.

Retreating from the chamber of horrors, I ventured onward, the stench of decay clinging to the air.

"This place is terrible," I muttered, my senses heightened by the looming dread.

As I traversed the foul-smelling corridors, I noted the absence of insects—a chilling detail in this den of despair.

Opening a door, I found myself back in the previous room, a disorienting loop that defied logic.

My confusion turned to terror when the woman from before emerged, her movements twisted and unnatural.

Ignoring her pleas for help, I recoiled, knowing instinctively that she spelled danger.

"You'll only slow me down," I snapped, evading her grasp as she lunged forward.

But my escape was short-lived as she and the other corpses pursued me relentlessly. Their anguished cries echoed through the labyrinthine halls, a haunting chorus of desperation.

"WE WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE TOO!" they wailed, their voices merging into a cacophony of despair.

I ran with all my might, my breaths gasping in the stifling, foul air. The sewer was dark and damp, with the sound of filthy water trickling along the slippery floor.

Behind me, heavy, dragging footsteps echoed, accompanied by terrifying low growls. The undead corpse chased me, its decaying body emitting a putrid stench that nearly made me gag.

Each time I glanced back, I could see bits of flesh dangling from its skeleton, its empty eyes, and teeth clearly visible through torn skin. I quickened my pace, trying not to slip on the slimy floor.

"Seriously, why did I have to enter this sewer? It's not like there's nowhere else for a zombie to chase me," I muttered, trying to stay calm despite my pounding heart.

Ahead of me, I saw rows of large iron doors lining the walls. Each door looked menacing, with strange and eerie sounds emanating from behind them.

I approached one of the doors, trying to open it frantically, hoping to find a way out.

However, the door was heavy and rusty, barely budging. From behind it, screams and howls could be heard, sending shivers down my spine.

"Okay, maybe not this door," I muttered, stepping back and running again.

I kept running, passing door after door, each seeming more ominous than the last. One door was slightly ajar, with a pale, bony hand reaching out, its fingers trying to grasp me. I ran faster, not daring to look for too long.

"Why are all the doors here like portals to hell?" I asked myself, trying to maintain sarcasm despite the terrifying situation.

The zombie was getting closer, its growls growing louder and more menacing. I heard its heavy, dragging footsteps getting closer, making me panic.

I turned sharply to the right, entering a narrower and darker corridor. There, the foul stench grew stronger, almost making me vomit.

I ran past more doors with horrifying sounds coming from behind them. There was no other choice, I had to keep running. The zombie wouldn't stop, and neither could I.

The sewer seemed endless, each corridor leading to another narrower and darker one.

I felt exhaustion creeping into my body, but fear forced me to keep moving. I couldn't stop, not now.

I turned again, entering another corridor that looked even more terrifying. The dim light from above added to the gloom, the shadow of the undead getting closer.

Every dragging step, every low growl, made my heart beat faster.

"I will keep running," I whispered into the darkness, the sound of the zombie's dragging steps getting closer, as if this darkness would swallow me whole.

And I knew, as long as there was strength in my legs, I wouldn't stop running. There's no end, just darkness and eternal pursuit.

However, I began to feel my limits. My breath grew heavier, my legs started to tremble.

I knew I couldn't keep going like this. Desperation started to creep into my mind. Running was no longer an option.

With labored breaths, I stopped and turned around. The zombie approached with heavy, dragging steps.

I reached into my pocket, feeling the dagger I always carried. It was time to fight.

"Alright, if you want to play rough," I muttered, grabbing the dagger with trembling but steady hands.

"Let's see who wins."

The undead drew closer, its outstretched hand and terrifying low growls. I leaped to the side, avoiding its grasp, and quickly thrust my dagger into its decaying arm. The rotten flesh split, but the creature was hardly affected.

I spun around, kicking the zombie's leg until it fell. Quickly, I stabbed the dagger into its skull, crushing its skull.

However, from the shadows, two more zombies emerged, approaching with slow but steady steps.

"This is not over yet," I muttered, pulling my dagger from the first zombie's head and preparing to face the other two.

One of the zombies lunged at me, but I agilely dodged, twisting my body and kicking its back, making it stumble.

I used the fallen zombie's body as a shield, deflecting attacks from the others. My dagger danced in the air, piercing and slashing through the rotten flesh.

I moved with speed and precision, using my self-defense skills to incapacitate them one by one. I knocked down one zombie, then shifted my focus to the other, using their own body momentum to strike back.

I leaped, twisted, and dodged, every move feeling like a deadly dance. The zombies, though strong, couldn't match my speed and agility.

Finally, with a series of quick attacks, I managed to disable them all.

I stood in the middle of the dark sewer, panting, my body wet with sweat and blood. The undead lay motionless around me.

"I can't keep running," I said with labored breaths, staring at the broken bodies.

"If they want to chase me, they'll have to face my retaliation."

Exhausted, I slumped against the wall, my breaths ragged as I assessed the situation.

"I've got a clear goal now," I muttered through gritted teeth. "I need to hunt down the mastermind behind all this and tear this circus apart."

With determination coursing through my veins, I straightened up and muttered, "Time to kick some damn ass."

Each step forward felt like a battle against the unknown as I navigated the labyrinthine corridors. I pushed open a door, only to recoil in horror as I realized I had stepped on something soft. With trembling hands, I flicked on the light switch, revealing a sight I wished I could unsee.

The room was teeming with repulsive insects, their writhing bodies a nauseating sight.

"Don't screw this up!" I growled, my frustration boiling over as I surveyed the grotesque scene before me.

I tiptoed cautiously in the dark, damp corridor, trying to push aside the thought that I was being chased by creepy crawlies.

But before I could even catch a sigh of relief, the sound of jingling and strange hissing began to fill the air.

"Come on, bugs, don't you ever know when to quit?" I quipped, trying to sarcastically jab at the bugs chasing me. "Do you think I'm some tasty snack?"

The jingling grew closer, and I could see a bunch of giant spiders swiftly moving towards me. Without hesitation, I leaped to the side, avoiding their sticky webs.

"Haha, nice try, you lousy chasers!" I yelled, trying to keep my spirits up despite the increasingly chaotic situation.

Suddenly, a giant bat swooped down from the ceiling, attempting to claw at me with its sharp talons. I rolled on the floor, narrowly avoiding being hit by its large wings.

"Well, you certainly woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, didn't you?" I muttered, huddling close as the bat flew past down the corridor with its clattering claws.

But mercilessly, the bug attacks continued. A giant centipede slid out from a wall crevice, trying to crawl over my shoe.

"Hey, rude! Don't think you can crash the party without an invite!" I shouted while kicking the centipede far to the side.

However, without warning, a swarm of giant cockroaches emerged from dark corners, bringing with them an unpleasant odor. I jumped onto a chair lying in the corridor, trying to evade their advances.

"Come on, guys, can't we just make peace? I'm not a toaster you can freely attack!" I exclaimed with a hint of annoyance.

As I continued to fight anxiously, a cockroach fell from the ceiling, almost landing on my head. I jumped aside, swatting it away with a tissue I grabbed from my pocket.

"Do you think I'll be your buddy? Sorry, but I already have enough 'friends' here!" I retorted, rolling my eyes dramatically.

But the bug attacks showed no signs of stopping. I kept running, jumping, and dodging with all my might, but they continued to pursue relentlessly.

I stumbled upon a door and pushed it open without hesitation, stepping into the colorful room beyond. The stark contrast from the drabness I'd encountered before was like a breath of fresh air.

"As they say, Every cloud has a silver lining," I muttered to myself, finding a moment of solace amidst the vibrant surroundings.

But my brief respite was abruptly shattered by a voice that seemed to materialize out of thin air, employing some form of sound magic.

"It looks like this place has been invaded by dirty rats, don't you think?" The voice, gruff and seasoned, carried the weight of experience.

"Isn't it normal for there to be dirty rats in the drain, old man?" I retorted, refusing to cower in the face of his presence.

"So, what do you want?" His inquiry sliced through the air, demanding an answer.

"Are you the mastermind behind all this?" I shot back, my tone tinged with defiance.

"Ah, you've finally caught on! I must say, I quite enjoy watching you squirm. Joining our circus would certainly put us on the map!" His words dripped with a twisted sense of amusement.

"After witnessing the atrocities committed by your circus, I have no interest in becoming a part of it," I declared firmly, rising to my feet and meeting his gaze head-on.

"Are you certain you can defeat me?" His arrogance was palpable, but it only fueled my determination.

"A clown is a clown, destined to entertain. But I refuse to be a pawn in your sick game," I asserted, my resolve unwavering.

"I derive great pleasure from bringing joy to others, but you're an exception," I added, my voice laced with disdain.

With renewed purpose, I set out to locate the source of his voice, spurred on by his cryptic clue.

"Okay, I'll give you a hint: colorful doors!" he taunted, prompting me to sprint through the labyrinthine corridors in search of the elusive entryway.

My pursuit came to an abrupt halt when I stumbled upon a crimson door, a stark departure from the white and black ones I'd encountered previously.

I flung it open, revealing a chamber with three diverging pathways, one of which boasted a vibrant hue.

"It's easier than finding a cat," I remarked wryly, stepping through the colorful portal.

Inside, I was met with the sight of an elderly man clad in the garb of a ringmaster, his presence exuding an aura of authority and malevolence.

"I didn't expect you to find me so swiftly," he remarked, a sly grin playing upon his lips.

The ringmaster grinned, his eyes fixed on me with a sharp, piercing gaze.

"You dare come here and challenge me? You will regret this."

"Regret? I don't even regret eating five slices of pizza last night,"

I replied, reaching for the dagger in my pocket.

The room stretched out before me, vast and filled with cages, their contents unnoticed until now.

But in an unexpected turn, the cages sprang open, revealing something altogether astonishing.

"Fight him, my children!" the command echoed through the chamber, sending a chill down my spine.

Suddenly, I heard terrifying laughter, and I saw several clown figures crawling with wild and aggressive movements towards me.

"Seriously, crawling clowns? They were nightmares as kids!" I muttered as I slowly backed up, my eyes fixed on their unnervingly agile movements.

The first clown lunged at me with lightning speed, forcing me to jump aside to avoid it. I grabbed a chair nearby and swung it hard at the clown.

"Sorry, this show is canceled due to lack of audience," I quipped while swinging the chair again, this time hitting the clown squarely on its chaotic head.

But the other clowns were not deterred. They crawled with surprising speed, lunging at me from various angles.

I had to jump onto a table, hoping to gain a slight advantage from the height.

One of the clowns jumped onto the table, trying to grab me with its large, bizarre hands.

I dodged by jumping off the table, twisting in the air and landing deftly behind it.

"Oops, almost! You almost won the grand prize!" I said, twirling a dagger in my hand, ready for the next attack.

Their movements became even more frantic and erratic. The clowns leaped and crawled in unpredictable ways.

One of them tried to trip me, but I jumped into the air, spun around, and landed on its back, causing it to crash down hard.

"Hey, I've always wanted to try clown rodeo. Turns out it's not that fun," I muttered as I hopped off, leaving the clown rolling around.

Another clown came at me quickly, trying to grab my leg. I kicked its face with my boot, making it stagger backward.

I grabbed a balloon lying on the floor and tossed it at the clown.

"Did you know, water balloons are an underrated weapon?" I asked sarcastically, watching the clown look confused.

Yet they kept coming. One clown leaped from another table, trying to pounce on me with its big, colorful claws.

I dodged quickly, twisting my body and stabbing my dagger into the clown's side.

"Alright, this is getting boring. I have other places to be,"

I said as I dodged another attack with agile, swift movements.

With a series of kicks, punches, and acrobatic moves, I managed to take down the clowns one by one. I used my speed and agility to outmaneuver them, leaving them confused and ultimately sprawled on the floor.

"Thanks for the show, folks. You really made my day more... colorful," I quipped while catching my breath, looking around at the room full of defeated clowns.

"Your children have lost, old man"

I smiled cockily

"YOU BASTARD!

He struck first, swinging his golden cane at me with surprising force. I deftly dodged, jumping to the side and kicking one of the chairs towards him.

"Hey, take it easy. No need to hit people with a golden cane. Didn't they teach you manners in circus school?" I quipped, trying to stay calm.

The ringmaster grew angrier, swinging his cane more ferociously. But every time he attacked, I managed to dodge with nimble and quick movements.

"Seriously, you should try yoga or something. This isn't healthy for you," I said, jumping onto a table to avoid his cane, which slammed into the table and split it in two.

I jumped down and kicked him hard in the stomach, causing him to stumble backward. He tried to regain his balance, but I didn't give him a chance. Quickly, I punched him in the face, making him reel back.

"You know, I've faced your crawling clowns. They were scarier than you," I added with a small laugh.

The ringmaster tried to attack again, but his movements were slowing down. I easily dodged, spun around, and knocked him down with a kick to the knee.

"You should seriously consider retirement. This isn't the right arena for someone your age," I taunted, punching him in the gut again, causing him to collapse to the floor.

He tried to get up, but I kicked his golden cane far out of his reach. "Oops, sorry. You won't be needing that anymore."

With one final, powerful punch, I hit him in the jaw, sending him sprawling on the floor, unconscious.

"I guess this show ends here. Sorry, but you're not getting a standing ovation," I said, catching my breath and looking at his battered body.

"Well, at least I didn't have to buy a ticket for this lousy show," I muttered to myself.

I swiftly bound the unconscious ringmaster and, to my surprise, a black cat appeared—the same one I had chased earlier that morning.

"You're here, apparently," I remarked, as the cat leaped onto my shoulder, rendering me akin to a pirate.

Reflecting on the day's events since I first set off in pursuit of this feline, I couldn't help but acknowledge the truth in the superstition: "You really bring bad luck, don't you?"

"Let's go back," I muttered, dragging the tied-up ringmaster along as we retraced our steps.

Upon locating the iron door through which I had entered and exited the circus tent, I promptly handed the ringmaster over to the authorities and detailed the ordeal.

It didn't take long for the ringmaster to find himself behind bars, and the circus tent was promptly investigated.

"Thank you, sir. We had our suspicions about the circus under that person's leadership," one of the officers remarked, bowing gratefully. "You've resolved issues in this country."

"Not a problem," I replied, determined to make amends for my past transgressions.

"If I may ask, what is your name?" the officer inquired, prompting me to offer a smile as I introduced myself, eliciting a hint of surprise from the policeman.

The following day, I returned to the café from before, where Adel sat enjoying parfait alongside me—though I appeared to be the sole patron.

To my further surprise, the cat I had sought turned out to be Adel's own pet. "Thank you, Mr. Arche, for finding my cat. He's quite the troublemaker," she remarked, stroking the feline.

"Well... your cat is indeed quite troublesome," I quipped.

"In that case, your parfait is on the house," she offered, patting her cat. "By the way, have you found a way to atone for your sins?"

I proceeded to explain my plan for atonement, which seemed to catch her off guard. "That sounds challenging, doesn't it?"

"Yes, but it's how I intend to make amends," I replied, rising from the table once our parfait was finished.

"Thank you for the meal."

Exiting the café, I bid Adel farewell, and as I left, the cat mewed in seeming acknowledgment.

Returning to my hotel, I prepared for my journey to another country, ready to tackle challenges elsewhere as part of my ongoing quest for redemption.

And with that, I set out, reaffirming my belief in the wisdom that an early-morning walk is indeed a blessing for the entire day.