That's a dumb question

I had Kirigon give the village chief some gentle nibbles to get him to spill everything. The first time, Kirigon misjudged his strength and accidentally bit off the chief's arm, so I quietly healed him before anyone noticed.

Deduction? Conspiracy? Who needs 'em! Violence solves everything!!

And honestly, this is the fastest way!!

"Hey Arthur, isn't Anego the most dragon-like one here?"

"That's a dumb question, Kirigon-san. There's no way someone who punches dragons barehanded wouldn't be dragon-like."

"True that."

The two dragons were having a friendly chat. I can hear you, you know.

But what does "dragon-like" even mean? They're using their own species as the insult instead of something like "tyrannical" or "muscle-brained," so I can't exactly call them out on it.

And since I'm the only human who understands Draconic, no one else can call them out either.

Wait!? Don't tell me they factored that in when they said it!?

You two aren't very dragon-like at all! Got a problem with me? Then come say it to my face!!

Anyway. After all that chomping on the village chief, we finally got some information out of him.

Turns out, empire merchants had stumbled upon this hidden village. To keep its existence a secret, the village had been handing over one young woman every few years under the guise of "sacrifices to the dragon."

"… It was… to protect… the village… I'm sorry…"

"Just as I thought. I always knew something was off about you, Brother. That's why I said we should get sacrifices from outside."

Tenshiki, Youki-chan's uncle, was smugly condemning the village chief as if he'd taken the head of an oni. Which, being an oni himself, was rather fitting.

"But that doesn't change the fact that you drugged us, so Kirigon-san, please give this one some gentle nibbles too."

"Yes ma'am! Roger that, Dea-kun-chan-san! Ahhhn～"

"Gyaaaah, help meee!? I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I thought you were with the enemy!!"

A grown man screaming and crying while being playfully pawed at by a dragon. Hmm, a heartwarming sight?

So basically, the ones who'd been pinning all the blame on the dragon were the village chief and that merchant. Yup, yup.

"By the way, Kirigon's just straight up listening to Dea-kun, huh, Arthur?"

"Well, Dea-kun-chan's words are basically the same as Anego's orders. Kirigon listens to those… no wait, I think he just genuinely likes him?"

"Maybe Dea-kun really is a Priestess Princess. Well, if anyone messes with Dea-kun, I'll rip their tail off though."

"That's exactly it, Anego. That's what makes Dea-kun-chan look like an angel by comparison."

I see, the contrast with me, huh.

"Yaaawn… oh? What's going on, what's going on? What's everyone doing gathered here, nya?"

"Oh, you're awake, Misha?"

"I woke up alone in some place I didn't recognize, nya… I followed the scent here, nyan."

The pink-haired cat beastkin, Misha, wandered over while scratching her head. The drug must have worn off.

Then she glanced at Kirigon, the Black Dragon. Misha blinked a few times.

"Whoa, there's really a dragon here, nya!?"

"Yep, there sure is. He was in those mountains over there and took a liking to Dea-kun."

"For real, that's our princess for you, nya!"

Yep, sure is.

"Wait, you're taking this pretty casually. Even though there's a dragon right there."

"… It's just Karina's new underling, right, nyan? Hey! You, the black one! Newbies should show some respect to their seniors, nya!"

"Grrrrr! The heck are you, that Misha the cat beastkin!? I didn't give you permission to touch me!"

"Eep… Karina!? This guy's being insubordinate, nya! Teach him a lesson, nyaa!!"

Misha got roared at and hid behind me. Come on now, you pets should get along… wait, did I tell Kirigon he could do whatever he wanted with Misha?

"Why don't you establish the hierarchy through strength? Do your best, Misha, you can do it!"

"Are you insane!? That's a dragon, nya! Protect me properly, nya! That's your duty as my owner, nya!? I'll pee myself, you hear me!!"

Glad to see she's aware she's a pet? Right, Misha.