Farce

So there we were, leisurely having tea at the Ritual Hall, when things suddenly got noisy.

"M-M-M-Miko-hime-samaaa! A d-d-d-dragon has appeared!"

"Oh. It came? The black one?"

"Yes! Wait, how did you know that without even looking?!"

Youki-chan stared at me, baffled.

"Well, I spotted it during our reconnaissance."

"!! Wait, does that mean you were followed?!"

"Ahh… Maybe?"

"What have you dooooone?!!"

Youki-chan grabbed me by the collar and shook me back and forth. Urgh, I'm getting dizzy.

"Calm down. It'll be fine. We have the princess with us!"

"Ah, that's right! Please, Miko-hime-sama, calm the dragon!!"

"… Shall we go, Onee-san?"

"Okie dokie. Now then, your hand, please."

I took Dea-kun's hand and escorted him out. Might as well bring Arthur along too.

The dragon was dutifully hovering above the Ritual Hall, observing the situation.

"Anegoooo, I came to do the farce!! Is this the right place?! Anegooooo!!"

"Eeeek! The dragon's absolutely furious! This is definitely your fault!"

"Aww, you flatter me."

"That's not a compliment!?"

To Youki-chan, who doesn't understand Draconic, that must've sounded like nothing but ferocious roaring. There, there, it's okay.

"Whoa, it's a Black Dragon, Anego. Gotta be strong, right? But still one punch?"

"Yep."

"Ooh, Anego! Hm? Well now, there's a Thunder Dragon here too… I see, so you also got caught up with Anego…?"

Kirigon descended into the Ritual Hall's garden, wings flapping.

Arthur and Kirigon locked eyes. Something passed between them in that instant, a mutual look of "we've both got it rough." Both of them.

Meanwhile, Youki-chan's legs had buckled the instant Kirigon touched down. At least she managed not to wet herself.

"Now then, Dea-kun! It's a Black Dragon!"

"Oh! So that girl's your favorite, Anego! Aight! Kirigon's gonna show my belly and roll over! Here we gooooo!!"

THUD!! The Black Dragon's massive body flopped onto its side with earth-shaking impact.

GYAOOOON!! A thunderous cry rang out.

"Wow, even a Black Dragon bares its belly in submission to the princess! … Go on, give it a pet, Dea-kun."

"… What on earth did you do, Onee-san…"

Looking thoroughly exasperated, Dea-kun rubbed the Black Dragon's exposed belly—though "exposed" is relative when you're talking about armor that could easily deflect a dull sword or axe.

"Oogh! He's used to petting dragons…! A true technician…"

"Ah, I knew this spot would feel good."

"Ah, ah, ah, crap, ah, Anego, this girl's incredible! Ah, scratching my reverse scale like that! Sorry, honey…!"

Kirigon's massive body shuddered and twitched with pleasure.

Watching all of this unfold, Youki-chan and the other oni villagers were:

"… Ooh, she actually tamed a dragon…!"

"As expected of Miko-hime-sama!"

"The dragon descended on its own just to be petted! Truly a priestess beloved by dragons!"

Completely and utterly moved. Nice, just as planned.