Re:War (Discontinued)

Chapter 22: Brief

Citra, as Scarlet used to talk to me about, was a child who was blinded by slave traders, due to her struggling.

The guy who tried to restrain her was holding a knife, and accidentally slashed her eyes when she bit him in an attempt to escape.

She was later given basic treatment and left for dead in the snow, wandering about unable to see. That is, until she met Scarlet.

Fiore was a decent kid who took to taking care of Citra. Stealing things for her and usually getting into trouble because of it. He was a thief, but it wasn't anything I could blame him for.

Oppress people long enough, and they'll soon do what they can to survive. That's how humans worked as a species.

The day was still young. I had work to do... but these two... Maybe I could help. With what I had on hand...

"Fiore, Citra. How about you two come with me? I'm gonna be staying around here for two weeks, might as well have you two around."

"I-I don't need your concern!"

"Fiore, you were just complaining about it being cold a while ago, weren't you?"

"Don't tell them that!"

"Mister... Light, was it?"

"Raito. Just Raito is fine."

"I see... Raito, I appreciate the offer, but are you actually willing to provide for us? We aren't able to pay you in any way even if you do."

Something about really doesn't feel right... the way mana is moving about in her body... I can't tell what, but you should keep an eye on her.

You mean she's dangerous?

I don't know. I don't want to guess either. But if you're going to help her, you should take precautions.

"Sure," I answered both at once. "It shouldn't be an issue. I'll just look for an inn. It's getting cold here."

"What are you planning on doing to us?! No way a stranger would be this nice!"

"You really are a thickheaded!! Alice will assure you that Master is a kind person and has no ulterior motives!"

"I can say the same thing, though I don't have as much experience myself. But Master does treat us well."

Fiore was oddly cautious of me. It was certainly a first, for one. He probably just wanted to protect Citra in any case.

"Fiore, I'm not gonna do anything to anyone. I'm just trying to help. Having somewhere warm is better than sleeping out here in the cold, right?"

"I-I guess."

"I too doubt he has any ulterior motives," Citra smiled. "After all, he is Scarlet's Master, and she does speak highly of him."

Some time passed before he finally trusted us, and it then became the task of finding a small inn to spend the night. The plan was to leave them there for now and continue on my work before calling it a day.

However...

Citra certainly struck me as odd. Not in the way Kuro considered her someone to worry about, but instead it was her personality. She was blinded and left for dead, yet she bore a sense of optimism stronger than anyone I've seen, even Hina. She was calm, and she smiled a lot.

From personal assumption, she must've been discriminated against. Yet... she still had such a positive outlook on life. It was... almost unnatural. Especially in times of war and unrest.