The conversation between Ford and Arias continued for about 30 minutes in a nearby park. Of course, everything Ford was saying was making no sense to Arias.
"I'm from somewhere far, far away... I came to save this world!"
He said as he looked at Arias with a prideful smile. Arias let out a sigh as soon as she heard Ford's arrogant remark, and would say-
Arias: "That doesn't tell me where you're from, Fordy"
Ford looked up at Arias with an expression that could only be described as confusion, as he heard his nickname given by Arias--
"Did you just say... Fordy?"
Arias didn't respond, if anything she looked at Ford like she didn't know what he was talking about. He wasn't misremembering though, she had called him "Fordy".
All he could chalk it up to was that just being Arias' way of speaking. He didn't press her on it further, as he wouldn't have gotten an answer. Instead, he would try his best to answer her previous question.
"Well, you see, it's kinda hard to describe where I'm from... I guess you could say it's sort of somewhere unknown to you..."
He said as he laughed nervously. Arias' eyes widened when she heard that. It seems when he said "somewhere unknown", something clicked in her head.
Arias: "Could you possibly be from... Beyond the wall?"
Ford looked at her with confusion as he heard that... What did she mean by "wall"?
"Huh?"
Arias: "I don't know about it myself, but reeaaalllyyy far away from here... There's a giant wall that divides this side of the continent from the ruins on the other side... The 'ruins' referring to a burnt wasteland caused by the Calamitous Witch... I heard all this from Rae"
Suddenly, Ford heard of another name that he didn't know about... Rae.
"Who's Rae?"
Arias then revealed a golden ring on her finger, and said--
Arias: "He's my contracted spirit... He keeps me safe from any danger..."
Suddenly, a glowing white orb appeared out of the ring, and seemed to be able to speak--
Rae: "Heya! Fordy, was it? I'm Rae!"
Ford rolled his eyes when he heard that--
"It's just Ford..."
Rae chuckled, and responded with--
"My bad, Fordy! Nice to meet ya!"
*There's no stopping you, is there?* Ford thought to himself. He was right, there was no stopping them, he would always continue to be called "Fordy" by Arias and Rae.
There is not much known about this "wall" that Arias and Rae speak of. One thing is for sure, Ford knew it would be important in the future. How far in the future, is unknown.
"Is there anything else you can tell me about this wall?"
Rae: "No, sorry! That's all we know about it..."
Ford had now gained a bit more knowledge of the new world around him.. there's a wall, blocking one half of the world, which is apparently a burnt wasteland, caused by someone who the people call the Calamitous Witch.
Apart from that, this world seems to have witches. He can only assume that religion exists here as well... As for what is worshipped, that is unknown. There are still so many unanswered questions surrounding his summoning though.
Ford's main objective is to find out who summoned him, while Arias' main objective is find out who he is. The thought of Arias being the summoner had crossed his mind, but there have been some instances to disprove that...
One such instance being Arias doesn't seem to know who Ford is. She could be lying, but it seems a bit too honest to be a lie. So that leaves Arias out of the question for who summoned him.
At this point, it would probably be safe to assume that he will never find out who summoned him. It could still be too early to say that though, as it hasn't even been a day yet.
Anyway, out of everyone Ford met during his short time in this world so far, there was one individual who he didn't know — the guard standing at the front gate of Arias' castle.
Normally, he wouldn't be important, but since he was guarding the castle of the main heroine whom Ford assumed he's supposed to save, he had to know his identity.
So Ford would swiftly end the conversation with Arias, and make his way over to the castle. What he didn't know though, was that Arias followed him in secrecy, just to make sure he didn't get himself into any trouble.
"Hey man... How are ya?"
??: "I don't have time for small talk. Please be on your way"
The man noticably straightened his posture after Ford had asked that question as if trying to intimidate him. Ford saw that as the man being an asshole, when he was really just trying to do his job and protect the castle from anyone, no matter how innocent they may seem on the outside.
Ford wasn't intimidating by any means, which made him an easy target for thieves such as the two from earlier in the alley. The man was still in the right for keeping his guard up though, even for someone who seemed weak and flimsy like Ford.
"No need to be an asshole, man... I'm just trying to get to know you.. after all, I'm here to save that young woman who you seem to do a terrible job at protecting..."
Ford always let occasionally disrespectful things slip out of his mouth, but this was probably the worst occasion to be saying something like that, as when the man heard that, he immediately pushed him to the ground with such force that he slid across the dirt causing him to scrape his elbow.
??: "I will not allow such disrespect! If you don't leave, I'll have to make you!"
The man said that with a bit too much energy, it almost seemed like he was faking it, and secretly saying in his head "don't make me fight you, dude...".
Ford didn't seem to get the hint though, as just as he was about to snap, Arias had stepped in at the right time.
Arias: "Fordy!! I'm sorry for the trouble he's caused you..."
??: "No worries milady, it's my job to keep you safe!"
Arias smiled and dragged Ford away with a surprisingly strong force. When they arrived at a quiet area, She would proceed to scold him as if she's known him for a long time, and they're not complete strangers.
"What were you thinking?! Were you trying to get killed? I can't have a death on my conscience, even if you're a stranger!"
Arias then slapped Ford across the face, which would cause a red spot to appear from the force.
"Ow! What the hell, lady! It's not my fault he was being an asshole!"
Arias: "What do you mean? You're the one who instigated it!"
"How would you know?"
Arias: "I followed you because I didn't want you to get yourself into any trouble!"
"Oh so you're stalking me now, huh?!"
Ford said that as if he wasn't totally stalking Arias earlier. Anyway, this back and forth banter would continue for about 2 minutes, until Arias noticed it was getting dark.
Arias: "It's getting late... Do you have a place to sleep tonight?"
Ford's face turned red from embarrassment--
"N--no..."
Arias sighed then pulled out some change. It looked like 5 silver coins. Ford assumed they were quarters and thought stuff must be really cheap in this world, until Arias said--
Arias: "Here... This is enough to rent a room at the inn... Don't lose these as I don't have anymore to give you... And they're worth quite a bit.. not as much as gold coins but way more than bronze coins."
Ford had now learned that this world uses a different currency as well, which meant he was flat broke. He laughed nervously as he took the change and thanked Arias.
Arias sighed again as she led Ford to the Inn, then started making her way back to the castle. Ford stood outside for a bit, before nervously walking into the Inn.
"H--Hey... I'm here to rent a room.."
??: "that'll be five silver coins!"
Ford handed the innkeeper the money, and made his way up to his room. It was small and rickety, but anywhere would be nicer than outside to sleep.
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