Chapter 28

The Priest and His Regret (と) is the twenty-eighth chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's Sousou no Frieren.

Summary
Right after the events of the previous chapter, Frieren’s Party decides to stay in the village and attempts to recruit Sein nearly every day. After many attempts, Sein discloses the reason he doesn't intend to become an adventurer and track his best friend is that his friend told Sein that he would return in three years but ten years have passed since then, so he believes that his friend is already dead. However, after being confronted by Frieren, Sein eventually admits that the real reason why he cannot leave is that he cannot abandon his older brother, who also stayed in the village for Sein’s sake when he was a child. This admission angers Sein's older brother, who slaps Sein and points out that he has not once regretted the decision he made, but Sein has. Sein apologizes to his older brother and decides to join the Frieren’s Party after all in pursuit of his best friend.

Plot Details
Right after the events of the previous chapter, Fern goes to the market and manages to buy back Stark's and Sein's clothes for cheap. She returns their clothes to them, throwing Sein's in front of him, expressing her anger with Sein for stripping away everything Stark had.

Back at the inn, Frieren says that whether or not they should make Sein an ally, she still wants to support him to become an adventurer, because Hero Himmel would also support people.

Frieren's Party stays in the village and tries to recruit Sein every day. Sein remarks that Frieren's eyes seem similar to his old friend's, which were filled with hopes and dreams, as she aggressively pushes him to go on an adventure with her party. He remembers a scene from the past whenever the party comes to him, where his friend tells him he will go explore the Northern Lands a little, and that he will be back for the harvest festival three years from now, so Sein can decide then if he wants to go on an adventure with him.

After many failed attempts, Frieren's Party goes to the church and consults Sein’s older brother about what Sein likes. He tells them alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, and older ladies. After hearing the last interest, Stark and Fern have an idea. When Sein enters the church, Stark talks to him and asks if he does not want to travel with an older lady, and Sein answers that he aspired to become an adventurer when he was a kid just for that. He asks where the older lady is, and Frieren reveals herself, saying she is an elf, a far older lady than him. However, Sein is incredibly disappointed. Frieren then tries to seduce him by blowing him a kiss, but Sein thinks it is childish. However, the technique seems to be effective with Fern and Stark, as Stark states it is too lewd for him, and Fern states if she were to take a direct hit it would have been dangerous for her. Frieren is also disappointed because she was able to make Himmel faint when she tried it on him.

Sein tells Frieren that it is enough, and that he has no intention of becoming an adventurer. Frieren asks if he doesn't want to track down his best friend, and Sein replies that he said he would return in three years but it has been ten years since then, so he thinks he is already dead. Frieren points out to Sein that he is giving up before he has even gone to pursue him. She tells him that it has only been a mere ten years, and if Sein doesn't go now he would regret it in the near future. As Sein wonders “why now, after all this time”, Frieren understand his thoughts and tells him that she is talking about the story that unfolds him now. That statement seems to move Sein, but he still refuses, saying the reason his the same as ten years ago - he cannot abandon his older brother and leave the village. When his brother asks what he is talking about, Sein shares that he overhead the conversation between his brother and Heiter when Heiter came from the Holy City for an inspection, and recalls a scene from the past. Sein was outside the room listening to his elder brother's conversation with Heiter. Heiter was saying that with his talent, he could serve at the priest at the Holy City, and Sein could come with him. However, Sein's elder brother declined, and stated that he had no concerns about living in the village, and he cannot take Sein's hometown away from him, since he has already lost his parents at a very young age. Heiter smiles and says that he has come in vain then, and that while he is here in vain anyway, he will share plenty of his adventures with Sein. Sein concludes that his older brother stayed behind in the village for his sake. Sein's brother, upon hearing that, becomes angry and slaps Sein. He tells him that they are not the same, as he has not once regretted the decision he made. He asks Sein how long he is planning to drown himself in regret.

Later that day, Sein returns to Frieren's Party after apologizing to his older brother. He tells Frieren that it is the first time he ever raised his hand on him and it was the first time he saw such an expression from him. Sein tells Frieren that he has decided to become an adventurer to pursue his friend. He will only stay with Frieren's Party until he finds him.

Frieren's Party leaves the village, now with Sein. Sein asks what the purpose of their journey is, and Frieren replies Heaven. Sein says anyone could go there by dying, to which Fern asks him if he could go there as well.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Fern
 * Stark
 * Frieren
 * Sein
 * Sein's childhood friend
 * Sein's elder brother
 * Heiter

Locations

 * Alt Woods

Events

 * Frieren's Party gains a new member (Sein)

Chapter Notes

 * Fern thinks gamblers are scum of the earth, rebuking Sein as he is also a priest. However, she thinks a drinking priest is fine, saying alcohol cures everything, thanks to Heiter's education.
 * After hearing about Sein's likes from his elder brother, Fern thinks Heiter was truly a genuine priest.
 * Frieren learned her blown kiss (which she calls a seduction technique) from her master Flamme.
 * Sein thinks that Fern seems incredibly impolite.