Conversation with a dragon

When conversing with a dragon, first subdue them. This is common sense.

Arrogant dragons won't have a proper conversation with you unless you first shatter the pillar of pride built upon their strength. Or so Arthur had told me.

"… I'll give you my territory. Please, spare me."

"Ah, no, that's fine. I don't need territory. I just came to chat."

"Y-yes, ma'am."

The black dragon gave a polite bow. His cheek was swollen from my punch.

"Still, you're insanely strong, Anego. One punch and my will to fight evaporated."

"Well, it's the power of the Goddess. Being able to hold a conversation like this is also thanks to the Goddess, you know."

"Divine protection… how enviable! All hail the world's strongest human!"

"Ha ha ha, just stating facts."

"That it is! Ha ha ha."

We were really hitting it off, so I gave his shoulder a friendly slap. The dragon winced, squinting in pain.

… Casual intimidation is also an important part of communicating with dragons.

"So, did you demand sacrifices from the oni tribe?"

"Um, ages ago I told them to hand over the egg thief, but I never asked for sacrifices or anything like that."

"Did you make any demands like it having to be a pure maiden or whatever?"

"? Whether the egg thief is a pure maiden or not is irrelevant, right?"

"Right?"

Just as Arthur had said, this whole mess stemmed from a miscommunication about handing over the egg thief as retribution.

"So, did they steal eggs again recently? Apparently there's been talk of providing sacrifices."

"Huh? No eggs have been stolen in the past decade, so I haven't demanded any retribution either."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. Oh, want me to bring you an egg? It's unfertilized, but it was one I was practicing incubating."

"Is that your mother's?"

"You're well-informed. Nah, it's my girlfriend's."

What, you have a girlfriend? A normie dragon. Peh.

… Oh wait, I have five wives now! I forgive you!

"I'll bring you an egg then, please accept it!"

"Ah, sure. But if you're not demanding sacrifices, then why is the oni village claiming they're being demanded? What's going on here?"

"It wasn't me, Anego. I don't even eat humans… Oh, maybe it's my girlfriend? I don't think she would, but want me to ask her?"

"Oh, I see. If you have a girlfriend, there's that possibility too. Shall we head to your nest?"

"Sure. I'll guide you."

With that, the dragon hopped around to face the other direction and launched into the sky with a powerful wingbeat.

He casually tried to leave me behind, so I quietly teleported onto his head.

"Eek! Faster than a Thunder Dragon!? How did you move just now!?"

"Oh, and don't get any ideas about beating me two-on-one with your girlfriend."

"Y-yes ma'am! I'll make sure to tell her too!!"

And so, riding atop the dragon's head, I headed toward the nest.