Let's extend it more

Whoosh, whoosh. A copper-brown dragon swooped in from the sky.

Not Kirigon. This was his girlfriend, Gyaldra-chan.

"Heyyy! Just like Karina said, there were humans at the cliff, so I brought 'em over!"

"Oh, Gyaldra-chan! Hey hey, good work out there."

I waved to welcome her down to the plaza, but the oni and the mercenaries we'd captured after they attacked the village were in absolute pandemonium.

I mean, fair enough. A new dragon had just shown up clutching two humans in her grip… They weren't moving, but were they alive? Oh, just unconscious? Good enough.

I'd lent Slimebae, a slime I'd tamed, to Gyaldra-chan beforehand so we could stay in contact, having it stick to her claw.

Through it, I'd sent her a message: "Suspicious people spotted. Capture them."

The reason I'd hardened the slime to look like a gemstone was because I figured Gyaldra would like it better that way. And she really did. She was totally hyped about it.

Come to think of it, I should decorate her with real gems next time as payment for this job. She's a dragon, so she's bound to have a treasure or two lying around.

Karina-chan, Dragon Nail Artist, at your service～

Huh? Payment for Kirigon? I'm letting you keep your life, aren't I? Be grateful.

… You're saying I treat the two of them way too differently?

Listen here: Karina-chan is kind to cute girls! You want the same treatment? Then show me some cuteness! C'mon! Learn from Dea-kun!

"Ooh, is that Karina's fave? So frilly and cute!"

"Oh, my honey's here too～! Right right, this here is Anego's woman, Dea-kun-chan-san!"

"Whoa! Dea-kun-chan-san!! That's, like, such a long name!"

"… Nice to meet you, um. Arthur, what's this dragon's name?"

"That's Gyaldra-san. She's Kirigon-san's mate. Uh, she says nice to meet you, Dea-kun-chan."

"I see. Nice to meet you, Gyaldra-san."

"Yeah! Nice to meetcha, Dea-kun-chan-san-chan!"

Since Dea-kun can only converse through Arthur and his word cards, he can't understand Gyaldra directly, but…

"Gyaldra-chan. Just so you know, Dea-kun's actual name is just 'Dea,' okay?"

"For real!? It got extended that much, lol! Then let's make it even longer～ How about Dea-kun-chan-san-chan-sama?"

Gyaldra cackled with delight, slapping her tail against the ground.

With a body that massive doing something like that, the oni, merchants, and mercenaries were all scared stiff. Well, that tail could easily kill a normal person on contact, so that was only natural.

If I didn't have Spatial Magic, I'd be the first one scrambling for distance.

Youki-chan timidly asked Dea-kun.

"U-Um, Miko-hime-sama… Who is this new dragon?"

"Ah, um… She's Kirigon-san's mate. As long as you don't act hostile, she won't attack… It seems she was keeping watch outside the village."

"That's right, that's right～! And these are the ones I found!"

"Eep! I-I see… Th-Thank you very much."

Gyaldra thrust the two merchants forward (still unconscious)… Since they attacked us, we'll naturally have to make them face the consequences… Wait, now I'm thinking like a dragon. Eh, whatever.

Hm? What's that, mercenary boy?

…"If we'd known there was a dragon here, we never would've attacked"?

Well, if you hadn't attacked in the first place, there wouldn't be any talk of consequences, so we're even. Now prepare to be squeezed dry!

(Financially speaking, of course.)