Chapter 62

Reason for the Journey (ちの) is the sixty-second chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

Summary
Twenty-nine years after the death of the Hero Himmel, Frieren's Party is in the Great Sanft Forest. Stark accidentally walks to the river when Fern and Frieren are bathing, and the mood becomes tense. They arrive at a fork in the road between the Northern Plateau and Neutral Harbor. Inside the inn at the fork they encounter Wirbel, Ehre, and Scharf. Wirbel asks Frieren to let him convince Stark to help him in the war in the Northern Frontier for two or three years to stabilize the front. Frieren agrees, and states that perhaps Stark felt uncomfortable in their party. Later that evening, Fern approaches Stark who tells her that he turned Wirbel down and that he genuinely wanted to join Fern and Frieren, in large part because of Fern's encouragement. The next day, Wirbel's Party and Frieren's Party go their separate ways, with Wirbel stating they will meet again at the Northern Frontier sooner or later.

Plot Details
Twenty-nine years after Hero Himmel's passing, Frieren's Party is in the Great Sanft Forest. Stark, returning to the party's camping spot with a basket of lunch ingredients, wonders if the items will be good enough. A glance around reveals Fern and Frieren are missing; he assumes he's back earlier than expected. Stark decides to head off to catch some fish, expecting a significant haul.

Meanwhile, Frieren and Fern sit beside a river, the latter gently washing Frieren's hair. Frieren remarks on the coldness of the river water, and Fern advises her to endure it until they reach the next hot spring. Fern meticulously cleans a bracelet, identified by Frieren as the mirrored lotus bracelet gifted by Stark. With a smile, Fern mentions that the hair ornament Frieren had given her has also been cleaned. Frieren observes that Fern seems genuinely content when taking care of her belongings, noting the smile on her face. Fern expresses that she finds joy in acquiring and cherishing gifts, especially since she lost everything, including her hometown, due to a war. Frieren suggests that her efforts in selecting the ornament were not in vain, and Fern comments that it must have been perplexing for her. Frieren wonders how Fern came to know this. Stark walks in on Fern and Frieren, prompting the latter to label him a pervert.

After the two dress up, Fern ties Frieren’s hair while Stark, kneeling, apologizes and states that he did not know that the two were bathing. As she finishes Frieren’s hair, Fern insists that she was not particularly angry at Stark. As the party continues on their journey, Stark remains dispirited with Fern staying silent. Frieren remarks to Stark that the atmosphere has turned quite gloomy, with Stark slightly moved that Frieren was able to figure it out. Frieren assumes that Fern and Stark are a bad match for each other since the atmosphere seems tense at times, but Stark disagrees. Frieren asserts that she was the one who forced Stark into the party and urges him to tell her if his situation with the party is uncomfortable. Before Stark could respond, the party arrives at a fork in the road that leads to the Northern Plateau and the Neutral Harbour.

Stark notices an inn right in front of the fork, and the party decides to enter. As the three of them step into the bustling inn, they immediately spot Wirbel, Scharf, and Ehre sitting at a table. Wirbel remarks on the surprisingly quick reunion with Frieren before warmly greeting Stark, expressing gratitude once again for his assistance against the Fresser lion boar. Wirbel mentions that he is hastily returning through the sea due to demons in the Northern Frontier going berserk again. He adds that he will be traveling with Scharf and Ehre until they reach the port town of the Royal Capital. Ehre chimes in, noting Wirbel's complaints about seasickness, to which Stark remarks that Wirbel is a middle-aged man. Wirbel argues that he had only recently been in his twenties and, therefore, is not middle-aged. Stark notes that Sein would often say the same.

Wirbel reminds Stark of his proposal and inquires about his thoughts on it. Frieren, curious about the proposal, asks Wirbel to explain, and he reveals that the war in the north is not going well. Due to the undermanned vanguard, Wirbel suggests that Stark join him for two to three years until the front is stabilized, emphasizing that the decision is entirely up to Stark. Stark reiterates his role as the vanguard of Frieren’s party. Wirbel, determined, expresses that he won't back off, willing to do anything to protect the very north. He seeks Frieren's permission to attempt to convince Stark further, and Frieren approves before Fern could interject. Stark engages in conversation with Wirbel's party, and Frieren observes that Stark appears to be enjoying himself, pondering if their party has been too strict for him.

Later in the night, Stark is seen on the inn's veranda as Fern approaches him. Stark reassures Fern that he declined Wirbel's proposal. Fern questions Stark's certainty with his decision, and Stark reaffirms his commitment to Frieren’s party. He recounts how he was on the brink of despair before meeting Frieren and Fern, throwing everything away in an attempt to escape. Stark believes that joining the party was not a forceful act by Frieren but rather a result of gaining the desire to journey after Fern's encouragement. He implies that although Fern has not noticed, Frieren was not the only one to have led him this far in the journey and declares that he won't go anywhere. Stark implores Fern to be more gentle with him, and Fern complies, urging Stark to come to her for some caressing. Startled, Stark asks Fern what she is planning as Fern thinks to herself that Stark is being a pain.

The next day, Wirbel, Ehre and Scharf exchange farewells with Frieren’s party as they head off in different directions. Wirbel expresses disappointment at his failure to persuade Stark, but brushes this off as he is sure that Frieren’s party will eventually visit the Northern Frontier. Frieren, with a smile, tells Stark and Fern that it is time to depart.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Stark
 * Frieren
 * Fern
 * Wirbel
 * Ehre
 * Scharf

Locations

 * Great Sanft Forest

Events

 * Wirbel tries to convince Stark to join his party

Spells and New Tools Used

 * Unnamed spell to dry hair