Russell's POV
Looking at this assassin girl named Jaria Crassus, I was quite concerned for her. I know she was trying to kill me, but for me, I was quite worried for her. So, I began to think of giving her another chance in life to change for the better and to use her skills for good. So, with that in mind, I approached her and bended my legs to take a closer look of her. "Hey, it's me, Jaria-chan."
She heard it and looked at me with a surprised look on her face. "It's you again. Are you Russell May, right? That Bus Driver Hero that everyone in this country was talking about?"
"Yes, it's me. Look, I forgave you for trying to kill me back there. I know the reason why. It's that Aren-san of Batela who ordered to do that, right?"
Jaria was hesitant to answer my question and avoided my gaze, but she eventually gave in and said, "Yes, Aren-san did it. I am sorry."
Stroking her sweaty forehead gently, I responded back, "It's okay, I don't condemn you at all."
Jaria seemed to be touched by my forgiveness and kindness and started to tear up.
"W-Woah! What's wrong?" I asked her immediately after seeing that.
"No, it's just…" Jaria sobbed, "…because of my job as Aren-san's assassin, I was never forgiven by my targets' loved ones, whom their lives had been ruined by my killing of their associates and loved ones! I don't deserve your forgiveness!"
Because of that, I quickly hugged her to try to comfort her. "It's okay, it's okay, I'm here for you, Jaria. I am right here for you."
Just hugging her and hearing her cries, my mind felt her past and traumatic memories in the form of her cries and negative emotions that intertwined and intermixed with each other.
Third person POV
The others were taken aback by this emotional scene. Jaria now expressed to Russell and others that she will redeem herself by defecting to their side and even work for them if they don't mind. And then, Nicholas and some of the barrack's soldiers came to the scene, only to be taken aback by how Russell was comforting Jaria now. Cassius and Adrian then said to him that Russell had forgiven Jaria, and that Jaria wanted to defect to their side, much to Nicholas' surprise. The crowned prince didn't inform the High Court about Jaria's case yet, but Jaria wanted to defect to his side for good. So, as Russell pulled back from hugging and getting up, Nicholas went to him and Jaria and said to Jaria briefly, "So, do you want to defect to us and work for us, too?"
Jaria then looked at him. "Yes, I'll do anything to redeem myself. Whatever job you'll give me, I'll do my best to perform them."
Because of this, Nicholas looked at Russell and asked him if he would like to pardon Jaria and release her.
"Yes, Your Highness," answered Russell back, "please. She was sorry for her crimes."
Eventually, Nicholas ordered the barrack's soldiers to release Jaria. The soldiers did so, and Jaria was released. Nicholas then declared her pardon for her crimes, before offering her a job of being his royal assassin and spy that came with housing and provisions provided by him and his father. Jaria then eventually accepted that offer fast as lightning. Russell and the others were happy for her. And now, Jaria had defected to the Southern Plains, destroying and disregarding her previous loyalty to Aren and Batela.