Chapter 65

The Secret Hot Spring of the Etwas Mountains is the sixty-fifth chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

Summary
Twenty-nine years after the Hero Himmel's passing, Frieren's Party are in the Etwas Mountains. The temperature is warmer because they have reached a volcanic belt, and Fern is excited at the prospect of a hot spring. However, the village and hot springs that Frieren expects to find have been abandoned for 30 years, and the hot springs have dried up. The family in the cabin that tells them of this mentions there is a secret hot spring in the Etwas Mountains. Stark wants to check out the secret hot spring despite Frieren's insistence it's not worth the time and effort. They journey to the secret hot spring, defeating a three-headed dragon along the way, and find a shallow hot spring only suitable for a footbath. However, Stark points out it isn't bad, as it means they can all get in together and look at the view - the same one Eisen and the Hero Party had saw. Afterwards, they trek back to the main road from the hot spring.

Plot Details
Twenty-nine years after the Hero Himmel's passing, Frieren's Party finds themselves in the Etwas Mountains. Stark remarks that the temperature has gotten warmer, prompting Frieren to explain that they are in a volcanic belt, and warm areas do exist in the Northern Countries. Fern enthusiastically infers that the party will finally have access to a hot spring. Frieren confirms and mentions that they will reach the next village soon, where they can enjoy a hot spring.

After an extended period of walking, Stark asks if the village is nearby. Frieren, with uncertainty, mentions that she was sure the village was around somewhere. Eventually, the party arrives at a single cabin, which gives Frieren a bad feeling. While Stark plays with the kids in the cabin, a nostalgic elder reveals to Frieren that the village the party is looking for has been deserted for three decades, and the hot springs have all dried up.

Stark asks how long it will take to reach the next village, to which Frieren responds that it will take about a week. When Stark inquires about other hot springs, the elder shares a story he heard from his grandfather 30 years ago about a secret hot spring in the rear mountains, which Frieren identifies as the secret hot spring of the Etwas Mountains. Frieren is uncertain about whether the hot spring still exists since it is deep in the mountains. She states that heading into the next town will bring the party to a hot spring sooner. After taking some time to think, Stark reveals that he has heard about the secret hot spring and requests that the party go check it out. Frieren initially refutes this, stating that it's not worth the effort. However, Stark insists, emphasizing that they are already there. Eventually, Frieren, smiling, accepts Stark’s insistence and departs from the cabin to find the secret hot spring.

A montage of scenes followed, showing Frieren’s party traveling, camping, and fighting a boar. During these activities, Fern observed that Frieren didn't seem enthusiastic about finding the secret hot spring. Frieren revealed that the Hero Party had wandered all over the Etwas Mountains to find the secret hot spring because Himmel wouldn't be satisfied until he had explored everything about an unusual area. Just as Frieren mentioned that the path to the hot spring was laden with monsters, the party encounters a three-headed dragon and begin to battle. After the intense battle, Fern noted that it was taxing, but the party finally arrived at the secret hot spring. Frieren pointed out that it would have been better to head to the next town. Stark and Fern found that the hot spring was shallow, only enough for a footbath, as Frieren continued to justify her stance.

With a smile, Stark said that it was fine, as they could all get into the hot spring together, to which Frieren’s agreement. As the party soaked their feet in the hot spring, Fern commented on the beauty of the landscape and asked Stark why he wanted to come to this hot spring. Stark revealed that he had heard about the place from Eisen. A flashback showed Eisen telling a young Stark during a meal about his reaction to the secret hot spring being a footbath — a pointless adventure that wasn't worth the effort. Eisen added that it had been an interesting and unforgettable experience, as the pointless adventures with comrades were the ones that left timeless memories.

In the present, Stark concurs with what Eisen had said. When the party eventually head their way back, all three were beaten up and dirty, and Fern and Stark agree that it was not worth the effort.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Frieren
 * Fern
 * Stark
 * Family in the cabin
 * Hero Party

Locations

 * Etwas Mountains
 * Secret hot spring of the Etwas Mountains

Battles

 * Frieren's Party vs. three headed dragon

Events

 * Frieren's Party treks to the secret hot spring of the Etwas Mountains

Spells

 * Zoltraak
 * Defense magic
 * Flight magic