Chapter 35

The adults were at a loss.

It was because Nina's familiar's name showed no signs of being decided.

They had listed cute names, but they were rejected.

For being too weak.

They had also listed cool names, but they were rejected as well.

For being too pretentious.

It seemed that the name should convey a sense of being solid and robust.

"What is that?" everyone held their heads in confusion.

“I'm home—”

Will and Serena returned with Rosa.

Rosa couldn't help but smile when she saw the expressions of the adults who turned around.

“Rosa, get that for me—”

Will, who headed straight for the bookshelf, pleaded with Rosa.

“Here you go, is this it?”

When Rosa handed Will the book he had pointed out, Will sat down on the spot and opened it.

Will's familiar sat between his thighs and peered at the book together.

“What are you doing?”

Shiro asked Serena, who was also taking a book from the bookshelf.

“I heard from Edil that he named his familiar after a book he liked...”

“...I see.”

Shiro nodded in understanding.

“Nina, do you have a favorite story?”

Nina put her hand to her chin and thought about Shiro's question.

“Well, I like the story Father told me about a country boy named Kintaro who trains with animals and becomes a great warrior. I like how the animals, concerned for the boy, train him without holding back...”

Incidentally, the animal in question is a bear named Kumagoro.

It's not even a wolf anymore.

Could it be that my daughter is a musclehead?

Just as Shiro started to seriously worry, Morgan came to the rescue.

“Maybe a person she admires?”

Morgan's suggestion made Nina's face light up.

“Charlotte! Oh... why didn't I think of that?”

Charlotte was a real person from the ancient Filfar royal family.

During wartime, she led her troops and achieved numerous military exploits, known for charging across the battlefield with her beloved spear.

Her nickname was "The Fierce Gale."

Nina particularly liked the name of her beloved spear.

She proudly held up her familiar.

“Geborg! Your name is Geborg!”

“...Well, that should be fine, right?”

Shiro looked around. Everyone seemed to agree.

“Finally, one is decided...”

The adults let out a deep sigh at Shiro's words.

They still had to rack their brains two more times.

“I'll name mine Flow.”

When Serena announced this after closing her book, the adults exchanged glances.

It seemed that no one had any objections.

As expected of the older sister.

“Will, this one—”

Next, Will brought a book.

The adults peered at it. It was an illustration, not text.

“I'll name it Levi—”

“Levi, right?”

Shiro corrected the pronunciation, but Will repeated, “Levi.”

“Levi... huh. The prince also chose a niche name...”

John sighed, a mix of exasperation and admiration.

Levi is a character who often appears in the works of the Spirit King.

He is a companion on a journey, but the details of his story are not well-known, and it's unclear whether he was male or female, or even human.

He is often depicted in various forms, and in adult entertainment like plays, he is usually played by a popular actress, with a dedicated fan base.

Of course, Will probably doesn't know this.

“Levi, is that okay?”

Holding up his familiar, Will pleaded.

Cecilia smiled and patted his head.

“I think it's fine. It might also help with Will's pronunciation practice.”

Cecilia's words made Shiro exclaim, “Is that it?” but it did make sense.

Besides, Will loves the stories of the Spirit King, and if he named his familiar after one of them, he would likely take good care of it.

“Alright, Will. Take good care of Levi.”

“Yay! Levi, nice to meet you!”

With Shiro's approval, Will cheered and rubbed his cheek against his familiar.

Except for Nina, everything went smoothly, and the adults let out a sigh of relief.

Serena's [Flow].

Nina's [Geborg].

Will's [Levi].

Not bad, Shiro thought, stretching his back.

“I feel like I've worked all day...”

“It's not even noon yet.”

Cecilia smiled at the slightly worn-out Shiro.

“Let's prepare lunch a bit early. Rosa, help me.”

“Sure.”

Stella left the room with Rosa.

“Come on, Will, let's play in the yard! Levi, come on—”

“Wait, Will. I'll come too.”

“Me too—”

Will ran out to the yard, followed by Serena and Nina.

The young wolves also followed, their short legs pattering along.

“Can you keep an eye on the kids for a bit?”

“Understood.”

A piece of the wind, who had been lying down, stood up and followed the children.

“We'll finish our work and come back.”

Elis and the others bowed to leave.

“Ah, Ren, stay.”

Ren stopped at the call.

Left in the living room were Shiro and Cecilia, Tomason and Ren and John, and the members of [The Earth Giant].

Shiro, looking directly at the leader of [The Earth Giant], Morgan, began quietly.

“What I'm about to ask is a request from a father to an adventurer, regardless of country or status. Of course, whether you accept or decline is up to you, and we have no intention of forcing you. I hope you'll hear me out with that in mind.”

The members of [The Earth Giant] exchanged glances at Shiro's careful preamble.