The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - 22

“Klaus-san, what’s that on your head?”

Returning to the adventurer’s guild in the royal capital, a receptionist woman points at my head.

“Peep?”

Feni responds, thinking she’s the one being referred to.

“This is Feni, my tamed phoenix.”

I feel eyes on me from all around. Returning to the capital and coming here, I’ve grown used to being watched after the journey.

“Why… how did you tame a phoenix!?”

Even the usually composed receptionist is taken aback.

“I was out on a collection request outside town, and happened upon a newly hatched phoenix egg. It bonded with me when our eyes met.”

I explain, reaching out to stroke Feni’s neck with my right arm to show she means no harm.

“Chirp chirp.”

Feni coos contentedly.

“So cute… how lucky can you get, finding a phoenix egg like that?”

“It’s like the Dragon of the Boyle Marquisate. He’s set for life.”

Adventurers whisper behind me.

“Anyway, I’m here to deliver the Scarlet Diamond Rough Stones listed on the request.”

I decide to focus on my task, placing the backpack containing the stones on the counter.

The receptionist opens the backpack and is visibly surprised.

“W-wait a moment.”

She starts carefully taking out the stones. After a few minutes, she lines up half of them on a tray.

“This is all we can accept here. Please take the rest back with you.”

“Can’t you buy all of them?”

I ask, thinking they would take everything.

“These are rare items that rarely come by. They’re Scarlet Diamond Rough Stones.”

She sighs, explaining further.

“The client ordered a large amount this time, and the Decorators Guild begged us to accept it. We had given up on securing the necessary amount because these stones are so rare. We never expected someone to bring in this much.”

I realize my perception was off. Items of C-rank rarity are hard to come by precisely because of their rank.

“We might get another request soon, so hold onto them until then.”

Though returned, these rare items won’t go to waste.

“Here’s your reward.”

Another staff member brings it over.

Since I delivered a substantial amount of Scarlet Diamond Rough Stones this time, a few gold coins are mixed in. I’ve never seen gold coins before, so I nervously accept them.

“Well then, I’ll be…”

Trying to leave discreetly, I’m stopped.

“Oh, Klaus-san. Please wait!”

“Is there something else?”

The receptionist looks up at me and asks.

“I have a proposal for you. Would you hear me out?”

“What proposal?”

“You’re currently taking the national adventurer’s exam, correct?”

“Yes, and I went to collect those Scarlet Diamond Rough Stones for the exam task.”

I honestly reply, unsure where this is going.

“Parts of your phoenix, such as feathers, are rare materials like Scarlet Diamond Rough Stones, beyond B-rank in value. Phoenixes are mythical creatures rarely seen in the market. Could I possibly obtain just its feathers?”

Indeed, phoenixes are among the rarest, akin to dragons in rarity.

“If you accept this proposal, we’ll request to purchase from the adventurer’s guild. That way, Klaus-san might pass the second exam, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Well… that’s certainly… yeah.”

As it stands two weeks before, I’ve only fulfilled the task with the Scarlet Diamond Rough Stones I just delivered.

I now have to find the other two types of rare items.

The receptionist’s eyes are intense. She must really want to finalize this contract no matter what.

“But I’ll have to decline.”

“W-Why!?”

“I consider Feni a cherished family member, and I’m not willing to risk my family’s safety just to pass.”

Certainly, obtaining the national adventurer qualification was a promise to my father.

But I aimed for it for my father, mother, and Celia. I want my cherished family to smile.

That applies to Feni and Purple, who are currently entrusted to the Tamer Guild.

Although she appeals with her eyes, I remain serious without averting my gaze. I absolutely intend to protect this place.

“Hmm… it seems your decision is firm. It’s a shame, but I’ll give up—”

As the receptionist is saying this, Feni descends from my head and lands on the counter.

“Peep!”

Feni faces me and makes a noise, seemingly asserting something.

Then, she plucks a few feathers with her beak…

“Peep peep peep.”

She places them on the counter and extends them toward me.

“Feni, are you telling me to use these?”

“Peep!”

She spreads her wings in response. It seems she listened to our conversation and voluntarily provided feathers.

“Um… is this okay?”

I confirm with the receptionist again. She was looking closely at Feni standing nearby, but she perks up at my words.

“Oh, yes. No problem at all! I’ll process this right away, so please wait.”

Saying so, she takes Feni’s feathers and starts bustling around.

After a while, she finishes the procedure and returns.

“Here’s the additional reward. And congratulations on passing the second exam!”

Handing over the additional reward, she smiles.

“Also… this is a request, but…”

“What is it?”

She asks hesitantly.

“Could I pet Feni-chan?”

“Feni, is that okay?”

“Peep!”

Confirming, it seems there’s no problem.

Feni leans into the receptionist, staying still.

Trembling with nervousness, the receptionist reaches out and pets Feni’s head.

“Oh, warm and soft. It feels really nice.”

“Yes, cuddling her at night feels amazing.”

Remembering the times we slept together during our journey.

“Hehe, she’s so cute.”

“Chirp chirp chirp.”

Seeing Feni enjoying the petting, I decide that when we return to the apartment, I’ll fully enjoy Feni.