"What is it, girl?" He snapped.
"I-I just wanted to ask a question..."
The Arcosian sighed. "Make it quick."
"Where did you come from?" She asked.
Cooler stopped and let out a sigh. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."
"What do you mean?" Alesia blinked.
He turned to face her with a piercing gaze. "I am from another world, different from this one."
"Oh! L-Like the Four Heroes?!" The sheep-girl blurted out.
"...Four heroes?" Cooler asked, frowning at her. "Explain."
"The Four Heroes are powerful warriors that saved the world from darkness, but the kingdom only worships the other three, while the Shield Hero isn't well liked..."
"I see." The Arcosian placed a hand under his chin as he walked fowards, as if he was in thought. If he could find one of these heroes, this Shield Hero, he could find a way back to his world somehow. He then turned to Alesia. "Are we there yet, girl?"
"We should be coming up at the gates now..." The demi-human nodded, then pointed at said gates in view. "There they are!"
Soon, the duo entered the town, gathering suspicious looks from the citizens. A few men dared to glare at Alesia, only for Cooler to glare right back, scaring the hell out of them.
"Disgusting place I've ever seen." He spat.
"W-Well, demi-humans aren't really welcomed here..." Alesia mumbled.
"Those fools are nothing but backward barbarians." The alien sneered as he strode down the streets with his companion in tow.
Cooler arrived at a big tent where people were looking at strange creatures, some of them similar-looking to Alesia, others were frightening in appearance. "What the devil is this?"
"T-This is the auction, where people go to get demi-human slaves..." Alesia gulped. "I-I-I really don't like it here, Mr. Cooler. Can we please go?"
"Feel free, girl. I am not your master." He huffed, then winced as he heard the sheep girl whimper. "...What now?"
"I don't want to be alone, someone might mistake me for a slave and take me away. Please, don't send me away!" Alesia ran towards him and hugged his leg. Cooler resisted the urge to slap her away and sighed. "Fine. Just stop crying."
Suddenly, a commotion came from the big tent and the duo turned to the source of the noise.
"Let's go." Cooler strode forwards with Alesia, the Arcosian wondering what the hell was going on. As he walked on, he spotted a young man in armor, with another animal-like girl following him.
Alesia suddenly perked up as she recognized the other girl. "Raphie? R-Raphie, is that you?"
The girl called Raphie looked at the sheep girl and gasped. "Alesie?! Alesie! Oh, goodness, it's been so long! I'd never thought i'd see you again!" She made to run to her, but stopped at the sight of Cooler. "W-Who are you?!"
The young man turned his gaze at Cooler at well. "Get behind me, Raphtaila." He ushered the girl back and brandished his shield. "Who are you?"
"My name is Cooler." The Arcosian spoke in calmness.
"Cooler?" The other two repeated.
"Yes," He sighed. "Are you the Shield Hero?"
The young man glared. "And what if I am?"
"Then I have come here to help you." Cooler crossed his arms. "I am willing to aid you in the best way that I can."
Raphtaila moved towards the young man. "I don't trust him, master. He doesn't seem like the noble type. Plus, I'm worried about Alesie..."
The sheep girl in question was nervously standing next to Cooler, looking at the ground.
"Only time will tell..." Raphtaila's friend whispered back, then turned to Cooler. "Well, Cooler, you can call me Naofumi."
"Well met, Naofumi." Cooler nodded. He only hoped that this hero would help him get back home, no matter what.