Chapter 39

"PAPA!"

Russia fell to her knees as her stepfather's body was torn asunder right before her. Subaru, didn't know what to say; on one hand, she was taken aback, surprised even that this evil lich actually did something father-like… something heroic… something good... and protected the young necromancer. On the other, her heart went out to the poor girl. Her father died… again… right in front of her this time. If only she could move! Throughout the whole fight, she just couldn't move. Every time she looked at the dragon, it was as if she was struck with dread. It felt like… she was facing that scarecrow all over again. Her heart beat too fast. Her palms were sweaty, knees weak, and arms heavy. She just couldn't bear getting near that dragon. And then, this happened.

The lich's head landed right in front of the young necromancer, hanging on to the body by a sliver of flesh. "Rushia..." it muttered. The girl scrambled over and cradled the head in her arms.

The dragon burst out laughing, "What is this!? You would give your unlife away for a little human girl? Pathetic!"

"Young one… my student," it uttered, its voice getting weaker by the second, "Why do you cry?" True enough, small rivulets of water were making tracks down her cheeks.

"Papa..." she whimpered and she hugged the head close to her chest. Her eyes closed as the flow of water increased.

"There is no need for tears," it continued as the remnants of his power suddenly pooled around his head and went up her arms, "You have done much and have already made me proud."

"Dorgriaz!" shouted Coco as she opened her mouth wide to use her own breath attack, breathing acid over his body.

"Are you trying to tickle me, whelp?" he taunted, his arrogance renewed as he whipped his tail around, striking her in the face and rattling her skull.

"We can still do this!" shouted Subaru with encouragement. As frightened as she was, she needed to keep a brave face, not for herself but for the others. She cried out in pain as the tail continued to swing and slammed into her side.

"Weaklings and cowards! You lost the moment Arbus gave up his unlife!" Dorgriaz declared triumphantly.

"Now, take what I have left… and destroy that dragon," ended the lich, whatever power it had left was now swirling around her body and entering it, fueling and revitalizing her. It was then that her hair had gone fully pink. She blinked, looking at her now empty hands. Slowly, she got to her feet, her head bowed and her bangs casting a shadow over her eyes.

Her head tilted up and her red eyes glared at the ancient dragon. Then, she chanted as she motioned to grab at the dragon's head, "Maledictus oculus."

Dorgriaz took one look at her and promptly slumped over and fell asleep.

"...So, he hasn't been getting enough sleep," joked Coco as she looked incredulously at the sight while Choco healed Subaru.

"Will you be alright now?" asked the tiefling as the ancient dragon started to snore.

"I know he's sleeping. I can see he's sleeping," stated the fighter as her knees continued to shake, "I just keep feeling this fear when I see him, telling me to run."

"Ready spells," announced the young necromancer before starting to chant. The other two spellcasters agreed and started chanting too.

As if following a sign, they unleashed their magic at the same time. Fire, necrotic, and holy energies lit up his head, waking him up roaring in agony. It was the combined effort of these casters that finally brought the mighty dragon down. She saw it with her own eyes; his head evaporating like it was nothing. She then turned her back on him and fell to her knees, her breath and her beating heart finally calming down. The cleric, who was standing behind her, now in front of her, knelt down and chanted as she held her hand over her head. She could feel her spirits lift up.

"Well, I think it's time to inform the city that Dorgriaz is dead," said Choco with a smile.

Honestly, I felt useless. I couldn't do anything. I just stood there, scared out of my wits. I wanted so much to help, but I couldn't. Fear had a strong grip on my heart. I.. didn't feel worthy.

This heavy feeling in my heart persisted when we went to see the king together. He pretty much declared a week of celebration.

It still felt heavy when he gave us a large house as a reward. Well, to me. Choco said she wanted to continue traveling. Coco would be leaving after a few days to Draconerica. So, that left Rushia to share ownership of the house with me.

This feeling persisted when the celebrations began. I really didn't know what to think of it. Half the capital was in shambles, so they only had open-air celebrations at night while repairing the city during the day. Makes sense.

...

I think I want to go home now.

"Are you okay, Subaru?" asked Rushia.

It was the second day and the two were waiting for the other two. They were sitting at a table and a few blocks away, a stage had been set up. This was along the main road that led up to the palace, which meant the common folk, the nobility, and the Crown were able to watch the performances freely. The whole street was lined with torches, making it well lit even if it was night.

"Not really… I just feel like I don't deserve all those rewards," she admitted as she ran her hand through her hair.

"Don't say that. You do deserve it," admonished the girl lightly.

"But I froze up when we fought Dorgriaz. How-"

"Even if you froze up when facing him, you protected us. You protected me," she interrupted, "Thanks to you and Choco, we survived long enough to put an end to the cult. So, don't say that. You did as much as Choco and me."

Subaru stared at her for a moment. Then, she sighed with relief and gave her a wry grin, "I guess… I think I needed that. I still feel that way but… now it doesn't bother me that much. Thanks, Rushia. Funny though, that's the longest amount of time you spent talking so far."

This caused the young girl to blush in silence. Inwardly, she exclaimed at how cute she looked right now.

"Here we are!" exclaimed Choco joyfully as she and Coco brought food and drink to the table, "Enough talking. Let's eat."

"...I want to go home after this," Subaru suddenly told them after a few minutes of eating, getting confused gazes.

"You mean your house?" asked the tiefling, "You're not feeling well?"

"No, I mean go back home, in Isshoudai," explained the fighter, "I just… well, I think I have had enough of exploring the world and just want to go back to a normal life."

"...Well, if that's what you want," the dragonborn replied understandingly, "Not everyone is cut out for this in the long run."

The tiefling nodded in agreement, "Sooner or later, adventurers eventually have to settle down. Some more than others. If you feel like you had your fill, that's a good enough reason to stop."

"Ah, thanks I guess," she muttered bashfully. She was glad though, that they understood. They must have seen a lot of people come and go in the adventuring life.

"The show is starting," reminded the young necromancer.

One by one, five bards took the stage, all girls. The first one had pink tribal markings on her face which was framed with lovely long bangs.

"Eh? They are performing?" questioned Coco aloud, sounding off in disbelief.

The second had back length hair decorated with a gold hair clip with two red feathers sticking out upwards.

"Do you know them?" asked Subaru as she pointed to the stage.

The third had a blue ribbon with white stripes tied to her side-tail.

"I helped them out when their caravan crashed into a house..." the dragonborn replied as she trailed off.

The fourth was an angel. She had a four-sided star on tilt on the right side and a blue lock of hair on the left side of her head.

"...What?" the fighter muttered incredulously.

The fifth was sheep girl. She had two small pink ornaments and two ribbons in her hair. A small cowlick peeked out from the top of her head. Over her shoulders, she wore a white cape with yellow highlights.

"Shh, they're starting," hushed the tiefling.

They wore white costumes with color highlights except for the one with the tribal markings, who was in a black and red costume. She started it off, surprising them by how far the sound could reach, "Hello, everyone! Is everyone doing alright this fine evening?" This was replied with applause and cheers.

"I am Azki!"

"Sora!"

"Suisei!"

"Kanata!"

"Watame!"

"And we are Siren Song!" the five of them declared in unison to more cheers and applause of the audience. They waved at everyone and basked in the adoration for a moment. At the same time, a female djinni wearing a black silk shirt floated in behind them. Subaru looked at her in confusion, wondering what she was doing there.

"Today, we are here to celebrate victory! We are here to thank the valiant defenders of the city as well as the hard-working people that are currently rebuilding it. It is time to sit back and make merry. Please enjoy our performance!" declared Azki as the five bards bowed to the audience, getting loud cheers from everyone.

Sora then turned around and nodded to the djinni, who started gesturing with her hands. Suddenly, musical instruments flew out from below the stage and positioned behind the bards. The djinni motioned and started to act as a conductor. The wonderful, harmonious music that magically reached the ears of everyone present. The fighter was astounded. And then, they sang.

"Forever I will love you, take my hand and kiss me,
You will always be in my mind, oh, my precious memory..."

She was very glad to have watched this with her friends.

It had been an interesting three days. Choco had said her goodbyes and left yesterday. Coco got in touch with a conjuration master at that 'Might and Magic' school about a teleportation circle. I had no problem helping to pay for it a.k.a. Making a generous donation to the school. I may be a thousand gold poorer… but I didn't want to walk all the way to Huan Tuo and suddenly get attacked by bandits or monsters or whatever remnants of the cult that may be still out there.

I just… well, I just want to get back to Isshoudai as soon as I can.

"I'll miss you, Subaru," said Rushia as she hugged the fighter and received a head pat in return.

"I'll miss you too," replied the latter, and then passed the iron flask to her, "Goodbye, Rushia. I never got to say sorry about your father. So, here. Take this with you."

A sniffle later, the former muttered, hugging the flask to her chest, "Thank you, Subaru."

"I'd hate to break this up but Master Conjurer Hirto is almost done," spoke up Coco as she motioned to the conjuration master that was busy drawing out the intricately-drawn out teleportation circle in the middle of the room.

"Alright… I'm ready," said the fighter. As the master finished drawing the circle and the final word uttered, a shimmering blue portal materialized. Waving goodbye to Rushia, she and Coco then stepped through the portal… and exited to an enclosed room.

"Ah, so you're the ones traveling here," muttered a wizened old man, balding with a grey beard, "Alright, now that you're here safely... if you're not here to buy anything, get out of my shop." He pointed to a door.

"Yeesh, grumpy guy isn't he," muttered the dragonborn with a frown as the two of them walked out of the shop. Apparently, it was the enchanter's shop.

"Well, I guess we part ways here," she continued, turning to face the fighter, "I need to walk down the beach to find my way off. Goodbye, Subaru, and thank you for your help in defeating Dorgriaz."

"I hardly did anything though..." the human protested.

"You helped protect your friend. That was more than enough," she refuted, "Now, goodbye."

Subaru watched her walk away, disappearing into the crowd. She took a deep breath and exhaled. Knowing what she needed to do, she sought out the harbormaster's office to book passage on a boat to the island. It seemed to be her lucky day as she got hold of a boat that was leaving for it in a few minutes. With a smile, she sought it out and boarded it. Seating herself on the railing, her mind flashed back to the first time she went on a boat. All those days ago, when Choco suddenly landed on the boat and frightened her.

Soon, the bot slowly sailed out of the harbor and moved on the high seas. She didn't know how long they had been sailing. It was peaceful so far and suddenly, she heard a loud roar… a dragon. Looking up in surprise and fear, she saw a gargantuan dragon in the sky. It seemed to be flying parallel to the direction of the sailing ship. It also looked to be coming nearer to the ship at the same time. As it drew near, she could see its gleaming copper scales. Her eyes strayed near its head and she gasped. One of its horns had a black and white ribbon.

"...Coco?" she muttered to herself in surprise.

The dragon winked at her and rose into the sky, disappearing behind the clouds. She shook her head, unable to believe what she just saw. Then, she giggled and shook her head. She figured that no matter what dragon, they probably want to flaunt themselves a little. She then focused ahead, looking out for the island. She was going home. She wouldn't have it any other way.

AN: Hello, readers. We have reached the finale. Dorgriaz has been slain. Rushia now has her second costume. And Korone has access to dragon fingers. Here is the rest of the battle. Also, and I only realized this after writing the aftermath, I totally forgot about Bardic Inspiration during the simulation. Since saving throws are d20, I could have totally had Coco give Bardic Inspiration to Subaru to help get over the Dorgriaz's DC19 Frightful Presence. But I forgot. And I really didn't want to redo the whole simulation again so it stays as it is. Not to mention that all the Wisdom rolls she had were very, very low, so I'm not really sure if it made a difference. However, I think it did give me a way to end her adventure.

The aftermath of the battle. Subaru and her party are rewarded with a house in the city. However, with everyone pretty much going their separate ways, the house will be given to Rushia. And we have a performance by Siren Song. Azki, Sora Tokino, Suisei Hoshimachi, Kanata Amane, and Watame Tsunomaki. As for the song they performed... type into your preferred search engine 'hololive ochame kinou'.

Subaru gets to Huan Tuo in record time. Booked passage. Saw dragon. Yes, that was Coco. In her true form. There was a reason why she had to go to the beach, ya know?

Alright, this is it for this chapter. Thank you for reading and have a good day, dear readers.