Chapter 80

Holy Snow Crystals is the eightieth chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's Sousou no Frieren.

Summary
Thirty years after the hero Himmel's passing, Frieren, Fern, and Stark are in the Schmal Snowfield, of the Northern Plateau. Frieren remarks their lack of travelling funds, and takes a detour in an attempt to earn money upon noticing something. The trio walk into an adventurers camp, one built by those who gathered in a search of valuable Holy Snow Crystals. Stark suggests mining these minerals as a way of making money, but Frieren shoots him down. They head towards a marketplace within the camp, and Fern remarks on the high prices of goods. With an explanation from Frieren on why Holy Snow Crystals are valuable, Fern realizes that subjugation rewards would also be greater. The trio are then tasked by a local man to eliminate the monsters nested in a massive vein, and to erect an anti-personnel barrier to prevent trespassing. Frieren accepts the request, and heads to their destination. They eliminate the monsters there, and camp for the night. The next morning, they marvel at the sight, and erect the barrier. At their return, the man gives them their promised rewards.

Plot Details
Thirty years after the hero Himmel's passing, Frieren, Fern, and Stark are in the Schmal Snowfield, of the Northern Plateau. Frieren remarks their lack of travelling funds, and Fern wonders if they could survive for another week using their remaining expenses. She also comments that their lack of funds is due to Frieren's lavish. Upon noticing something, Frieren takes a detour in an attempt to earn money.

The trio walk into an adventurers camp, one built by those who gathered in a search of valuable Holy Snow Crystals. These Holy Snow Crystals are minerals that form in the snowfields of the region, and are used as raw materials for magical potions. It is a precious mineral that can only be mined in this region. At that, Stark suggests mining the minerals for money, but Frieren shoots him down. She states that the value of the Holy Snow Crystals are in their rarity, and Stark asks how they are going to make money. Frieren suggests visiting the marketplace, where adventurers trade, in an attempt to discover 'neat items' there.

Once they reach, Stark finds that the marketplace is no different from a typical marketplace, to which Frieren tells him to take a look at their prices. Fern heads towards a stall, and reads out their prices. She comments that the prices here are at least ten times higher than the average. As the trio leaves the stall, Frieren explains why the prices are so high. The stalls deal with adventurers who prosper from the mining of the Holy Snow Crystals, and thus the prices are higher than those of other places. She continues on by explaining why Holy Snow Crystals are valuable in the first place. The first is their scarcity, and the second is because monsters often prowl where the minerals are found. Fern realizes what Frieren is trying to say, that the greater prices also mean greater rewards for monster subjugation quests. Frieren gives Fern a compliment.

The trio take on a quest given, to eliminate the monsters nested at a massive vein only the locals know about. And, once that's done, to erect an anti-personnel barrier to prevent trespassing. Frieren accepts the quest, and they head out to accomplish their task. Fern remarks that erecting an anti-personnel barrier is a peculiar request, and Frieren gives her an explanation. The barrier is there to prevent unauthorized theft as mining operations require time to gather workers and funding. They go through snowfields and blizzards before reaching their destination.

Once there, they encounter a huge wolf-like monster. Frieren instructs the group to not let their guards down, as a subjugation request means that the adventurers at the camp could not stand a chance against it, and that letting their guards down would spell their demise. Stark comments that the foe is powerful enough to warrant the reward, and they begin fighting.

Upon the monster's defeat, night has come. They camp out there for the night. The next morning, Fern wakes Frieren, but she asks for an additional five hours of sleep, to which Fern declines on the basis that Frieren would freeze to death. Fern implores Frieren to take a look outside, where Stark is already awake and mesmerized. The Holy Snow Crystal vein shines beautifully under the morning sun. At the sight, Frieren recalls her adventure with the Hero Party.

Himmel, Eisen, Heiter, and Frieren admires the vein. The Hero Party's goal was only to earn some travel expenses, and Himmel never expected to witness a spectacle such as this. Eisen makes a comment on the majesty of the vein, and the hero says that these sorts of things makes defeating the Demon King all the more worthwhile. He wants to defeat the Demon King, so that an era of peace will dawn where everyone can marvel at the spectacle they are currently seeing.

Frieren says that it is impossible for everyone to do so, but an era has dawned where many can marvel at the spectacle, and that it is an enigmatic feeling. She laments the fact that the vein will be cut down, and that times have changed. With her reminiscing over, they erect the anti-personnel barrier, and return.

The questgiver hands them their promised rewards, and says that he can protect that vein. Frieren clarifies, and thought that the barrier was intended for mining. The adventurer explains that he was born in this region, and the sight of such a beautiful spectacle spurred him to being an adventurer. He expresses his gratitude for being able to help him protect the landscape of his hometown. Before the trio leaves, Frieren buys a magic item despite the expensive prices, much to Fern's dismay. The elf tries to defend herself by stating its preciousness, and Stark comments that they will have troubles with their travelling expenses.