Thud! Suspended midair, Elle crashed onto the floor. The sharp impact echoed through the entire room.

"Ow~ Ow, ow! What was that for, Elder Dragon Lord?" Rubbing her head with a pained wince, the startled Elle looked utterly pitiful.

"Weren't *you* the one who told me to *do* you? I was just following orders."

"…You heard my sleep-talking?! But the 'do' I meant isn't *that* 'do'!" Elle retorted, flustered.

*Predictable. The Elder Dragon Lord still hasn't grasped human nuance. Then again… is this even nuance?*

"Oh~~? So what *did* you mean by 'do'?"

"It means… you know… put your *beep* into my *beep*… and then do whatever you like to mess me up."

"Got it. Then let's go. Get dressed, Elle. We're heading to the Adventurers' Guild," I said calmly.

"The Adventurers' Guild? So, Elder Dragon Lord, you're planning to…?"

"Yes. I'll become an adventurer. Earn coin. Redeem someone."

"Though I don't know who you wish to redeem… surely your retinue's funds would suffice? Frankly, few in this nation are wealthier than I am," Elle said, a trace of confusion in her voice.

"Though I, the Abyssal Tyrant, am no paragon of virtue, I won't spend my followers' coin. Keep your wealth. Besides—I find this monster-slaying, level-up system… intriguing."

"Actually… why *have* you been so cautious since arriving here, Elder Dragon Lord? Is there something you fear?"

"You could say that. But mostly? I can't be bothered. Ruling is dreadfully boring."

…Speechless.

"Then let's go, Elder Dragon Lord." Dressed via disguise magic, Elle looped her arm through mine. Her soft, ample curves pressed tightly against my arm—a strangely comforting warmth.

"Lord Ling Xie! You've arrived!"

The waiting beastmen hurried over as we entered.

"So *this* is the lady you brought? Truly stunning!" one exclaimed. Though not of their kind, Elle's beauty left them captivated.

"Stare any longer, and I'll gouge your eyes out," Elle said coldly. To any being besides the Elder Dragon Lord, she held not a shred of interest.

…Huh? The beastmen froze, utterly bewildered. *We weren't even staring that hard!*

"I wish to register as an adventurer. What's the procedure?" Ignoring them, I approached the counter.

"Are you a local resident? Do you have identification?"

"No."

"Then sign here, drip blood on the form, and proceed there for your portrait," the clerk explained.

"Must I use blood?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.

*My golden holy blood bears no resemblance to humans'. A single drop would unleash crushing divine pressure—this guild would crumble.*

"No exceptions. It's mandatory. Blood samples aid transfusions for injured adventurers," she stated firmly.

"Mm. Understood."

*No choice.*

Time Magic — Momentary Stasis.

I silently chanted the saint-tier incantation. A golden magic circle flared above the guild, weaving threads of mana that sealed the space. Color drained to monochrome gray. Every living thing froze.

Whoosh! I swept Elle to the counter.

"Sorry, little Elle. Borrowing your blood… but I promise—tonight, I'll *do* you properly. Guaranteed satisfaction." As I spoke, a sliver of mana blade pricked her finger. A healing spell sealed the wound the instant blood welled—no pain, no trace.

Thud. I set her back. The magic circle vanished. Color and motion flooded back.

"Done. Blood's provided." I pointed calmly at the fresh stain on the form.

"Wha—?! But you didn't just now—!" The clerk gaped, utterly baffled. *I saw nothing!*

"Proceed. For 'Adventurer Name,' use any alias you choose."

"Understood." I filled the form. Under the name field: *Platinum God of Heresy*.

*Still a nice name… if a little embarrassing.*

For 'Country of Birth,' I wrote *Aran Empire*—Elle had mentioned it was the strongest human nation, her birthplace.