The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - Chapter 104: The Crystal Cockatrice "Riko"

Chapter 104: The Crystal Cockatrice “Riko”

“Huh? No, I don’t?”

I answered without understanding why such a question was asked.

“Koku!!”

Suddenly, Koku became upset. The snake also turned around and opened its jaws threateningly.

It was showing more hostility than usual, and I didn’t know what to do.

“I see… so that’s how it is…”

“Did you figure something out?”

Charlotte seemed to have understood something and furrowed her eyebrows, showing me a serious expression for the first time.

“I believe the reason why Koku-chan doesn’t warm up to Lord Klaus is that you’re neglecting the snake.”

Her voice carried some criticism. It seemed she was sure about this.

“It’s not like that…”

I was about to deny it but stopped to think.

I always try to treat all my familiars equally… but have I really been doing that?

If that was the reason, then, just as Charlotte said, the snake must be angry at me.

“I pay attention to their food, and I haven’t treated them differently.”

I couldn’t interact with the snake much because it kept its distance, but I never intended to ignore it.

However, Charlotte, hearing my response, asked another question.

“Then why did you only give Koku-chan a name?”

“Huh?”

“Both of them have their own will. Haven’t you been treating the snake like an accessory?”

“Koku-koku!”

“……”

Both creatures nodded at Charlotte’s words. The snake didn’t make a sound, but it was clear they agreed.

“I’m sorry, I was wrong.”

Charlotte was right.

I thought I was treating them equally, but in reality, I saw them as a single being and wasn’t paying attention to the snake.

“I’m sorry for everything. Koku, you were speaking up for the snake, who couldn’t voice its feelings, weren’t you?”

“Kok!”

Koku nodded. I could feel it—we were finally understanding each other.

I apologized to both of them and faced the snake properly.

“I may be a lousy master, but would you form a familiar contract with me?”

Pride didn’t matter. I dropped to my knees and lowered my head.

Charlotte lifted Koku and the snake so I could look them in the eyes.

“Koku-koku?”

“……”

Koku and the snake looked at each other as if discussing something.

After a moment—

“Kook!”

For the first time in a while, Koku smiled at me.

The snake also looked at me, and I could feel a “guess I have no choice” kind of attitude from it.

“Thank you.”

As I expressed my gratitude, both creatures jumped from Charlotte’s hands into mine.

Koku’s crystal-blue eyes and the snake’s emerald-green eyes stared at me.

What kind of name would suit the snake?

I had made it wait for so long, so I wanted to give it a great name. As I thought about it—

“Lord Klaus, are you struggling to come up with a name?”

“Yeah… It’s harder than I expected.”

Their expectant eyes made me feel pressured. My mind went blank.

“If you don’t mind, may I name it?”

“Charlotte?”

I didn’t expect her to make such a suggestion.

“What do you two think?”

I decided to ask the ones involved.

“Koku-koku!”

“……”

I could feel their approval. They seemed curious about the name Charlotte would choose.

“They’re okay with it.”

Then, Charlotte leaned in and whispered the name in my ear.

When she moved away, she smiled.

I decided to use the name she had just given.

“From now on, your name is ‘Riko.'”

《A familiar contract has been formed with “Riko.” You have acquired “Mid-Level Defense Boost.”》

I heard a voice similar to the goddess Muse’s, confirming the contract was complete.

“Whoa! I did it! It’s all thanks to Charlotte! Thank you!”

Koku and Riko snuggled close to me.

As I stroked the cockatrice and the snake’s chin, they relaxed against me, looking pleased.

This was the closest I had ever felt to them, and my heart felt full. I wanted to bond with them even more.

“Koku-koku-koku-koku♪♪♪”

“……”

Koku played around, and Riko wrapped itself around me.

They both seemed happy, as if making up for lost time.

“Hehe, I’m glad for you.”

“Pi-pi-pii!”

“……♪”

“……(Good.)”

Charlotte spoke while being surrounded by Feni, Purple, and Rock.

All three of them looked happy.

“By the way, why did you choose the name Riko?”

I asked as I stroked Riko’s chin.

“There’s a story in my family’s library about a wise and kind snake named ‘Rikor’ who travels with the main character. When I looked at your snake, it reminded me of that story.”

“So you shortened it to Riko… I’ve never heard of that story before.”

“It’s not a widely known tale. If you’d like, I can lend it to you sometime.”

She told me that the Boyle family’s library contained many stories about humans and monsters bonding, and she grew up reading them.

I said, “Maybe I’ll borrow it someday,” then turned to her with a serious expression.

“You really helped me this time.”

I bowed my head, and Koku and Riko mimicked my actions.

“I only pointed out the issue between you, Koku-chan, and Riko-chan. In the end, it was you all respecting each other that made this happen.”

She smiled at us and waved her hand like it was no big deal.

“That’s not true! Please, let me thank you properly!”

If she hadn’t stepped in, I might have never understood Koku and Riko, and things could have stayed the same forever.

No matter what, I had to make sure she received my gratitude. Just as I made up my mind—

“……Seeing this moment—can that be my reward?”

She smiled awkwardly as she said that.

“That’s not enough for me.”

She had set aside her own plans to help me and resolved the issue between us. I wanted to return the favor.

“That being said, I don’t really have anything I want…”

Charlotte placed a hand on her lips, deep in thought.

Now that I thought about it, she was the daughter of the Boyle Count family. If she wanted something, she could probably get it herself.

“Then, if you ever need anything or want me to do something, just let me know.”

There was no point in rushing the decision now, so I made that offer.

She let out a small sigh of relief and said,

“Then, how about… if I ever need help, you’ll be there for me?”

She was thinking about me even now.

“If that’s what you want, Charlotte…”

I didn’t know if she would ever actually rely on me, but I promised to keep this vow in my heart.

“Then, it’s decided.”

With that, she happily returned to playing with the familiars.