Got it!

Youki-chan had recovered from her earlier shock and was now staring at the Black Dragon that Dea-kun had tamed like a dog.

"… Um, is it okay to touch him?"

"GRAAAAH!! Don't just touch me without permission, human!! Get Anego's okay and try again!!"

"Eep!?"

She reached out, got roared at point-blank, and crumpled to the ground again. Adorable little oni.

"Oh my, it seems the dragon only trusts Hime-sama."

"Huh? No, it's 'cause Anego said… Oh, we're going with that story? Roger that!"

Kirigon flashed a grin, fangs and all. The oni flinched back from his predatory smile.

Dea-kun, well-accustomed to Arthur by now, kept petting him without missing a beat.

"Yeah, we've both got it rough, bro. Oh, I'm Arthur. My original name is (untranslatable), though."

"… Tell me about it, bro. I'm (untranslatable), but I go by Kirigon now… So what exactly is Anego?"

"Claims to be human, but she's definitely a higher existence than us dragons. Also, the one petting you right now, Dea-kun-chan, is just a normal elf, but he's got Anego's favor. Put a scratch on him and you're dead."

"… I shall gratefully heed that warning."

For the record, this conversation wasn't using word cards, so nobody besides the dragons and me could follow it.

"Also, there's a cat beastkin traveling with us, but you can rough her up a bit. As for the oni, just don't kill them and you're fine. Depending on the situation, though, killing them might be okay."

"I can't really tell the subtle differences between you humans."

"For now, just remember Anego and Dea-kun-chan. Anyone else gives you lip, feel free to beat them up."

"Got it!"

The oni watched the dragons' exchange from a safe distance, eyes wide with awe.

"Hime-sama, perhaps it's time to ask the dragon about the sacrifices?"

"Huh? Oh, yes… Um, Dragon-san. What's the deal with the sacrifices?"

"Huh, was I supposed to just answer honestly? That we never asked for any?"

"Hm? Yes, Hime-sama. Hmm, hmm hmm. What!? The dragon has no memory of ever requesting sacrifices!?"

"Oh, so this was the kind where I could say whatever, Anego."

Well, obviously. Only Arthur and I can understand Kirigon's words.

I relayed what the dragon supposedly said, pretending I'd heard it from Dea-kun.

"I see, I see. So you haven't requested any sacrifices for over a decade. And you haven't eaten any humans either. What is the meaning of this?"

"What!? That can't be! Then where did my sister go!?"

One of the oni maids cried out. Her sister must have been among those offered up as sacrifices.

"What's going on here, Anego? I can't stand being blamed for stuff I didn't do. These lowly creatures…!"

"Oh my, Hime-sama, what did the dragon say… Oh, oh my! He says he's seen men taking women into the forest!"

"No way…!"

"He says we're heading to the village now, and everyone must show their faces, no exceptions! He says we'll talk after that! Well, if the dragon insists, can't be helped!"

"Oh, yes. Anego, use me however you like. I'll roar on cue. Yeah."

I mean, I explained the whole script for this farce beforehand, didn't I? Did it all fly out of your head while Dea-kun was petting you, you stupid dragon?

"Now then, Hime-sama will ride on that dragon. Hey, let her on."

"Ow. Yes ma'am."

A light kick to Kirigon's foot, and he obediently lowered his head for easy mounting.

"… Sorry about this, Dragon-san."

"It's fine. I'm absolutely obedient to Anego. Don't worry about it."

Dea-kun shouldn't be able to understand dragon speech, yet somehow he and Kirigon seemed to get each other just fine.