-"..!"
A surprised look formed on Artorias' face, as he saw the person coming.
The person that came in, Faraam, had Rimuru terrified.
But, Artorias focused on none of that, he was focused on one detail only.
Faraam struck him as a person from Lordran, a knight of sorts, much like him, which made Artorias lose focus for a second, which was unlike him.
-"Artorias, that person is..
Artorias? Are you listening?"
Rimuru's now calmed attitude reflected in his equally calmed voice, and eventually, Artorias returned to his senses.
But, deep down, he knew it, he felt it.
The person facing him, Faraam, also gave off the vibe of familiarity towards him.
Answering Rimuru's concern, Artorias urged Rimuru to continue the introductions, to see if he can indeed figure out if he knows that person or not.
-"Go on, I just lost my sight for a second, it's nothing to be concerned about."
Rimuru looked puzzled for a second, but continued nevertheless, his calmed attitude wavered a little looking at Faraam, but he composed himself to the best of his ability.
-"Alright, as I was saying, this is Faraam, he was the person you might have heard about from Souei and the others, he came all the way through a harsh travel just to join us, which makes me glad.
Although he seems.. ahem, quite strange, I am sure he harbors no ill intent.
As for you Faraam, this is Artorias, he is a person from another world, he came here through a cycle of reincarnation.. But I'm not going to bore you with all that detail..
How about we head somewhere more quaint and more suitable for conversations of this importance?"
Faraam spoke, his words still heavy, but not as heavy as they were a few minutes ago.
-"No.
You can go.
I will talk with Artorias."
Faraam was a man of clear ambition and purpose, if he wanted something and had to do it, he will do it no questions asked, he's lived his entire life like that.
His job now was to gather information, yes, but his ultimate goal was simple: Learn more about his curse and find a cure for it.
And to learn more about his curse he'd have to learn about his world, and he was sure, from the second he heard the name "Artorias" being spoken, that the person standing in front of him, was indeed the old legend his own right hand spoke of in times long ago.
The same Abysswalker that went head first into the ancient abyss of the time, the same abyss that came to be because of the "Dark Soul"...
Faraam's mind was filled with questions, but he was only going to ask three simple questions.
Giving his answer to Faraam's question that was practically an order, Rimuru took his leave after a slight glance at the both of them, and from that glance he could feel the extreme tension in the air.
Once he left, the two stared at each other with an even deeper intensity.
Artorias immediately took to stating the obvious.
-"You are from the world I am from, correct?"
Faraam replied with a simple nod.
"Who is your lord."
Artorias took the words of Faraam's own mouth, he was about to ask Artorias the same question, but, it seems that he gets an extra question to himself.
Faraam's aura compressed itself, signifying his ever-increasing seriousness.
-"I have no lord.
I fought and killed everything in my way.
I am the lord of the land where flame lies not."
Artorias' eyebrows rose, but, he knew exactly what Faraam meant.
What Faraam meant was that he in fact, did not support the flame.
That gave Faraam's identity as an accursed human to Artorias.
Having already cast his undying loyalty aside for now, Artorias contemplated what to do.
He knew that if he revealed his identity as Gwyn's closest subordinate to Faraam, a battle would definitely ensue.
What Artorias didn't know is that Faraam knew exactly who he was by then, and Faraam cared not.
Why? Because Faraam's journey now has no relation to Gwyn's subordinates.
And because he would gain more out of Artorias then if he killed him off.
Now, still quietly observing this situation were the six warriors that had sworn their loyalty to Artorias.
They weren't very fond of Faraam, yet, if their lord willed it not, they wouldn't even lift their hands.
Artorias decided to calm the tension down by offering Faraam a few pieces of information.
-"I hope that our futures shine brightly together, Faraam.
Now, if you'll pardon me, I have to leave."
Artorias turned to leave, but was stopped by Faraam's harsh stare.
-"Cease."
That word gave Artorias all he needed to know for what was about to happen:
A) An extremely brutal battle will occur if Artorias moves a step away.
B) Faraam is just curious and won't actually do anything if Artorias goes away regardless.
C) Artorias does what Faraam needs him to do and they'll both be on their way.
Artorias held still, preferring a fourth option; waiting until Faraam decides.
"...I have a question-"
Faraam ended that sentence with words that shocked Artorias.
Even if they had known each other for but a few moments, Artorias knew that such words would never come out of that mouth ever again.
"-if I may."
Faraam had decided to not ask three questions, only one, which he deemed the most important.
He knew that if he wanted to get a good eye on Rimuru and the rest of his land, he'll have to warm up at the very least to Rimuru's allies one way or another.
Artorias, taken aback as was stated, questioned what he heard, but decided not to dwell on it.
-"You may."
Taking no time for a pause, Faraam got to his question.
-"If you were to meet Manus now.
Would you fight?"