Chapter 2: A Contract, A New Name, and a Shadow’s Pursuit

“You’re a Dragon, aren’t you? What brings a Dragon to this place?”

The Dragon Princess lunged forward, but Yao Yueli remained exceptionally vigilant.

Dragons were, without question, the most fearsome beings, having once held dominion over this entire continent.

Even a mere hatchling possessed the power to effortlessly end her life.

“Waaah~~ So hungry, Big Sister, please give me something to eat! Just give me food, and I’ll agree to anything you ask~~”

The Dragon Princess, heedless of anything else, cared only for sustenance.

‘Could this truly be a newly hatched Dragon?’

Yao Yueli pondered, noting the almost complete absence of news regarding Dragon births in the current era, though historical records affirmed their existence.

Observing the diminutive Dragon before her, it indeed seemed to be a newborn.

In that case, she could…

“You may have food, but first, you must enter into a contract with me. You shall become my contracted familiar.”

“Mhm, mhm, mhm!”

The Dragon Princess nodded frantically, convinced that such a beautiful Big Sister must surely be a kind soul.

Moments later, the Dragon Princess found herself enveloped in a soft embrace.

“Don’t resist; it will only take a moment.”

Having reached this point, a faint blush now graced Yao Yueli’s cheeks.

This familiar contract was an exclusive ability of the Yaomei tribe!

Upon its successful completion, she would thereafter be able to absorb bodily fluids from the contractor, thereby gaining significantly more magical power.

This type of contract was typically reserved for one’s future partner, but having finally encountered a Dragon, she decided it was worth bending the rules for.

Then, as the Dragon Princess watched with wide-eyed anticipation, Yao Yueli’s soft lips gently met the Dragon Princess’s tiny mouth.

The Dragon Princess’s entire body stiffened, and the ahoge on her head shot upright. The sensation was utterly marvelous!

This was precisely the feeling she craved… ‘Ehehehehe.’

Unbeknownst to the Dragon Princess, faint purple lines emanated from Yao Yueli, weaving their way into her own form.

These lines culminated in a luminous, purple, heart-shaped pattern that materialized upon her small belly.

It was indelibly etched upon her skin.

“Mmm…”

As Yao Yueli lifted her head, the two parted.

The Dragon Princess’s eyes were hazy, and she swallowed, her mouth half-open as she mumbled indistinctly:

“M-More… I want more…”

****

“Mmm… What is this? *Nom! Nom!* Mmm, mmm, mmm… So delicious… Thank you, Big Sister!”

However, what entered her mouth was no longer a sweet, tender tongue, but a large, golden pineapple bun!

The already famished Dragon Princess instantly perked up, devouring the bun with gusto!

Beside her, Yao Yueli stretched out a hand, assessing the magical energy within her, which had indeed surged significantly.

Truly, a Dragon’s power was unparalleled! This venture had proven incredibly profitable!

“What is your name?”

Yao Yueli produced another pineapple bun, gazing at the Dragon Princess as if she were a priceless treasure.

“Wow~~ another pineapple bun!”

The Dragon Princess, utterly absorbed in her meal, clutched the large pineapple bun and beamed with profound delight.

“You’ve just been born, so you likely don’t have a name yet, do you? In that case…”

Yao Yueli observed the Dragon Princess’s swaying ahoge, and a sudden thought sparked in her mind:

“I’ll call you Ahoge! It’s quite a cute name, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Mhm, mhm, mhm!” ‘Who cares what she calls me?’ Ahoge Dragon’s mind was solely focused on food.

“Still hungry~~”

After devouring two pineapple buns, Ahoge Dragon extended a hand, pleading pitifully for more.

Indeed, two sizable pineapple buns would typically suffice for two meals for a loli of her diminutive stature!

But then again, Ahoge Dragon was, in fact, a Dragon!

Despite consuming so much, she felt only the slightest hint of fullness.

“I haven’t brought much food with me. How about I take you to the Imperial Capital?”

“The Imperial Capital! Is that a human city? There must be so, so much delicious food there! Waku-waku! I’m so excited!”

(☆▽☆)! Ahoge Dragon’s eyes transformed into two sparkling stars!

“You truly are obsessed with food, aren’t you! Ahoge, come here and put this on.”

Yao Yueli approached a nearby tree, beneath which lay a collection of various items.

She then offered Ahoge Dragon a black cloak.

“So many weapons! Big Sister, are all these for chopping people? Huh? Wait, who is Ahoge?”

Ahoge Dragon, observing the myriad weapons scattered across the ground, was filled with intense curiosity.

Yet, who was this ‘Ahoge’ that Big Sister spoke of? She was utterly bewildered, and even the ahoge on her head curled into a questioning mark.

?

“Didn’t I just tell you? Your name is Ahoge!”

Bending down, Yao Yueli gently stroked the ahoge on Ahoge Dragon’s head, a smile playing on her lips.

“Why that? ‘Ahoge’ sounds a bit… odd. Why not just call me ‘Pineapple Bun’ instead? Pineapple buns are so yummy… ehehehe…”

(¯﹃¯)~~

At the mere mention of pineapple buns, a silvery stream of drool escaped the corner of Ahoge Dragon’s mouth, and her expression glazed over with a dazed look.

‘Why do I feel like I’ve adopted a bottomless pit?’

Yao Yueli slapped her forehead in exasperation. ‘Is this truly a Dragon?’

‘More likely, it’s just a silly loli!’

“Alright then! Hurry up and put on that cloak! Otherwise, when we reach the Imperial Capital, I won’t buy you any pineapple buns!”

“Waaah! I’ll put on the cloak right away!”

Denied pineapple buns, she would surely starve to death! With this terrifying thought, Ahoge Dragon hastily donned the black cloak.

However, it was far too large, completely engulfing her small frame.

Nevertheless, Yao Yueli merely picked up a sword from the ground, gave it two swift swings, and the cloak magically adjusted to reach just her ankles.

“Under no circumstances should you ever reveal your true identity as a Dragon in front of others! Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in immense trouble!”

Once Ahoge Dragon was properly clothed, Yao Yueli gathered the substantial pile of weapons from the ground. As she began walking in a certain direction, leading the Dragon, she spoke.

“Big Sister, aren’t you a succubus? We’re both demonkind, so why must I hide?”

Dragons were so majestic! She had even been imagining arriving in the Imperial Capital and using her Dragon identity to compel those foolish humans to obediently hand over their pineapple buns!

“Eating Dragon meat can raise one’s ability limits. Dragon blood can transform ordinary magical artifacts into Dragon-infused ones that integrate with the body. Dragon scales can be fashioned into armor, and Dragon bones into weapons! Now, tell me, do you still wish to reveal your identity?”

Yao Yueli shot Ahoge Dragon a pointed look.

A shiver ran down Ahoge Dragon’s spine. ‘That’s truly terrifying!’ She nodded vigorously, affirming:

“Never! I will never let anyone know!”

“However, you needn’t worry too much about your appearance. Dragons are exceptionally rare in this world, and if you don’t intentionally draw attention, people will, at most, mistake you for some lizard-like demi-demon. Also, stop lifting my clothes!”

Yao Yueli was in the midst of explaining, yet Ahoge Dragon, as if she had never encountered a Yaomei before, was busy tugging at her small heart-shaped tail and even attempting to lift the clothes covering her stomach.

Yao Yueli’s brow immediately furrowed, and she delivered a sharp headbutt to Ahoge Dragon.

“Mmm… I just wanted to see the yin-pattern on Big Sister’s belly! I heard all succubi have them; I was just curious!”

“If you want to see one, look at your own! And I am not a succubus; I am a Yaomei, which is to say, a descendant of succubi and humans!”

“I have one too?”

Ahoge Dragon lifted her skirt, revealing a purple, heart-shaped magic pattern indeed etched upon her belly.

“W-What’s happening? It wasn’t there before!”

“That is proof of your familiar contract with me! Now quickly cover it up; you’re not even wearing any underwear, so hurry and conceal yourself!”

Yao Yueli glared, exasperated by the foolish loli Dragon.

“Hehehe! It’s so pretty! Do Yaomei also suck… *ahem*?”

“Sweat, saliva, and other bodily fluids!”

“Wow~~ Big Sister, hurry and absorb me! My whole body is covered in sweat~~ Do you have to lick it all over?”

“…I suppose so, but I can absorb plenty just from your mouth. Why would I bother licking you inch by inch?”

“Mmm… Just lick it… or I won’t give you a kiss-kiss! Humph!”

“Little Ahoge! Are you looking for a slap?!”

“Mmm…”

Beneath the lingering glow of the setting sun, the two newfound companions—a Dragon and a Yaomei—chatted back and forth with an utter lack of inhibition.

****

Yet, shortly after the pair departed, a shadowy figure arrived beneath the very tree where Ahoge Dragon had been.

His nose twitched. “Hehehe! Still a step too late. Taken away by a magic tool user who wields a Dragon-infused artifact, was it? How troublesome! Still, there can’t be many in this Brilliant Moon Empire who possess such items! I’ll find you soon enough, little Dragon! Hehehe! I wonder if sacrificing a Dragon would awaken the slumbering deities~~”

“Hehehehehe! Hehehehehe!”

The shadowy figure vanished on the spot, leaving behind only an echoing, chillingly evil laugh.