Grasping at straws, perhaps?

"I-If you lay a hand on us, the Empire won't stay silent!"

"That's right! Release us now and we'll forgive you, so let us go!"

Oh? The merchants started spouting something.

Pretty bold for guys dangling in Gyaldra's grip… Actually, from a merchant's perspective, this was probably more like grasping at straws, thinking negotiations would work since we're "humans."

Well then. Let me disabuse them of that notion.

"Yeah, you seem to be misunderstanding something, so let me spell it out. These dragons aren't following our orders."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Eh? But Karina, you told us to do this, didn't you?"

"Shh! Honey, play along with Anego here. That's how this works!"

"Ahh… Got it. Roger! That's right, as if we proud dragons would ever take orders from humans!"

With the dragon couple finally reading the room, I pressed on with the merchants.

"Of all things, you lot impersonated dragons to kidnap the oni folk, didn't you? So we cooperated with the dragons to capture you. Your timing was convenient, I'll give you that."

"… What… you…"

"So that means…"

"Yep. The dragons are the ones calling the shots. We're just helping out. So, remind me, who was it that snatched you two up?"

When the merchants glanced at Gyaldra, she flashed them a grin full of very, very sharp fangs.

"So you're the ones who impersonated us? Ha! That's rich. Can I, like, actually crush them?"

Gyaldra growled, mixing in a touch of real anger.

Nice! Keep it up! But hold off on actually crushing them, okay? That'd spoil all the fun.

"Hiiiii!! W-We're sorry, we're so sorry!!"

"I-It was just a momentary lapse in judgment!! We heard tales of someone obtaining a dragon egg around here long ago, and…"

"Hold up. Doesn't that mean this all started 'cause someone stole Darling's egg?"

"Wait, this is my fault!?"

"Ohh! The great dragons are furious about that incident as well! Isn't that right, Princess!?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. Furious."

Miko-hime Dea nodded along.

Since nobody besides me and the dragons can understand Draconic, we can say whatever we want!

"Now then, the great dragons demand proper atonement. Do you understand, merchant sirs?"

"A-Atonement, you say?"

"You mean… o-offer up our l-lives… Y-You can eat as many of those mercenaries as you want! Just please spare me!"

"Th-Those are the men I hired! Please spare my life!"

The two merchants instantly threw the mercenaries under the carriage. How unseemly! The mercenaries' expressions were absolutely pitiful to behold!

"No, no, that won't do. These days, the great dragons don't ask for sacrifices… Instead, they demand treasure. Isn't that right, Princess!?"

"Yes, they're saying to hand over the treasure."

"Yeahhh, hand over the treasure! Ahahaha!"

"Hiiiieeee!!"

"E-Even if you shake me upside down… ahhh, my secret stash!"

Gyaldra flipped them both upside down and shook. Necklaces and coins scattered across the ground.

"Oh, this could work for decorating Gyaldra's claws."

"For real!? Hey! Cough up more! Come on, come on!!"

"Gyaaaahhh!!"

"Th-There's nothing left to givvveeee!!"

Well, that's about all they'd have on their persons. What I'm really after is everything they've got squirreled away back home.

For that, we'd have to release the merchants temporarily, but…

"What's that? The great dragons are saying you must be hoarding things in your nests? Is that so, Princess! Then you'll need to bring every last bit of it!"

"Hmm? Sense-sharing… Ahh, got it. Kirigon, Anego says to sniff the merchants' scent."

"Ugh… seriously, Arthur? Ah, no, I'll do it. I'll do it, Anego."

Kirigon reluctantly sniffed the merchants.

"Blegh. That good enough?"

"Oh my, the dragon has memorized your scent. He says to surrender all your assets, and if you try to hold back any treasure, try to hide, or try to run, he'll hunt you to the ends of the earth and squash you flat this time. My, how terrifying, wouldn't you agree, Princess!?"

"Wha…"

"Hiii…"

The merchants were trembling so violently they couldn't even form words.

"Hey, where's your answer? Want the dragon to chomp you right now?"

"U-Un-derstood…"

"We'll do as you say…"

Threaten them until they agree, and contract established!

"Damn, that's ruthless, Anego. But will they actually bring it? I can't track scents that far, y'know?"

"Hey, mercenaries. I'll hire you. Keep an eye on these two and make sure they don't flee—and that they actually deliver the goods. Do that, and your lives will be spared—so decrees the great dragon! Isn't that right, Princess!?"

"Yes, that's what they're saying, that's what they're saying."

Dea-kun's gotten pretty halfhearted about this. Well, both the mercenaries and the merchants are too terrified to sweat the details, so we should be fine.

"A-Alright. We'll do as you say… Those bastards threw us under the carriage first, so helping with the shakedown suits us just fine."

"Good. I'll untie you then, but don't forget: the great dragons are always watching."

And so, we temporarily released the merchants and mercenaries.

Though the mercenaries promptly tied the merchants right back up so they couldn't escape.