Sinister Ploy

"What is your full name?" asked the woman seated by the counter, responsible for registering 'very-important' individuals.

"Amael," said the young man standing before her.

But as she began to input his name, she paused, glancing back up at him. "I said... *full* name," she reiterated.

Amael remained silent for a moment. "I apologize if this might be an inconvenience to you," the woman began, "but providing your full name is required to complete the registration," she added, watching him intently.

Finally, he replied, "Arenford."

The woman's eyes widened slightly. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" she asked, raising a brow, seeking confirmation.

At that moment, Ellie and the other two, waited nearby as he completed his registration. They were being registered for the upcoming raid, but Amael alone had yet to acquire an adventurer's license. Ellie had instructed Leo to secure accommodations for the night since the raid would start early the next morning, explaining the overwhelming crowd.

"Amael Kyren Arenford," he said fully.

"What…? *You're* an Arenford?" she blurted out in shock. It wasn't every day one encountered someone from a family as prominent as the Arenfords. The Arenfords weren't just wealthy; they wielded immense power and influence, with close ties to the royal family that made them nearly untouchable.

This reaction didn't go unnoticed by Ellie, who frowned slightly. She began to realize that Amael might not be as simple as he appeared, and the name Amael Arenford struck a familiar chord. Yet, she couldn't quite place where she had heard it before.

"Yes," Amael replied matter-of-factly.

"Um… hold on a minute, let me confirm that," she said, turning back to her registration device. A brief lapse in her expression, which didn't escape Amael's notice, confirmed his suspicions.

"All right, the card will be ready before sundown. Please come to pick it up," she said before turning to Ellie, the only one seated in the room, her expression unreadable.

"The process is a bit delayed due to the large number of applicants for the raid, so it may take some time to process your tickets," she added. Ellie waved her hand dismissively and stood up. "I'll send someone to retrieve it with his Adventurer's ID," she said, but the woman frowned slightly.

"It would be preferable for him to pick it up personally, as that's standard procedure." Ellie, however, left without responding.

Just then, a realization dawned on her. She remembered where she had heard the name Amael Arenford.

Amael Arenford—the fallen genius of the Arenford family and a name known only among a select few influential individuals as one who possessed the blessing of the fallen angel and demon, Azareth.

"How do you really know about *it*?" she asked cryptically, certain they were being observed.

"Pardon?" Amael feigned ignorance, though he understood her implication. His mind raced, trying to find a way out of the complicated situation he found himself in. From the Registrar's reaction, he was sure his family had already been informed of his location and would be on their way to retrieve him.

Remaining with Ellie was dangerous, as he knew precisely what she would do if she learned the location of the Chronos Lock. With suspicions about his status, she would undoubtedly use him as leverage—a situation he didn't even want to imagine. This left him with only one option, and a wicked smirk crept across his face as he concocted a sinister plan.

Upon leaving the guild, they were met by Leo, who led them to the accommodation he had arranged—a high-end inn extravagantly designed to catch the eyes of nobles. The group received several stares, most likely due to the elven features that distinguished them.

Once inside, Leo turned to Ellie, "I paid for five rooms. Is that okay?" he asked softly, a tone that always grated on Amael.

"No… We'll use three rooms. I want you two to stay with him," she said, making her reasoning clear.

Her intent was unmistakable—she wanted to ensure he couldn't escape.

Amael had anticipated this, closing his eyes to go over his plan once more. If he did this, there would be no turning back. He would become a murderer, a killer. Yet, strangely, it no longer mattered. In fact… the thought thrilled him.