Chapter 4

The Mage's Secret (いのし) is the fourth chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's Sousou no Frieren.

Summary
Twenty-seven years after the Hero Himmel’s passing, Frieren and Fern are in Warm. Frieren decides they should split up to replenish supplies for their journey. However, Fern feels Frieren is hiding something from her, so she starts tailing her. Fern sees Frieren spend a lot of time in front of an accessory shop before buying something. After that, she goes to a bar and asks where she can find some candy. She talks to some adventurers and then heads back to the inn. Fern quickly finishes her shopping before also returning. Frieren decides that they should go eat some tasty food as it has been a while. Frieren tells Fern to choose whatever she wants as she has some secret savings. Fern asks what Frieren will have, but answers before her as she could already tell. This causes Frieren to recall a memory with the hero party where Himmel also guessed correctly what Frieren wanted to have. She apologizes to Fern, as she does not know a thing about her, and she hands her a gift for Fern’s birthday, which is a hair ornament. Fern is delighted and she thanks Frieren. She tells Frieren that her attempts to get to know more about Fern give her overwhelming bliss. The next day, Frieren and Fern continue their voyage, with Fern now wearing her new hair ornament. She asks Frieren if there is some goal to their journey. She replies that it is just out of interest to gather magic, and also to retrace the steps she took with the Hero Party as much as possible before they fade away.

Plot Details
Twenty-seven years after the Hero Himmel’s passing, Frieren and Fern are in a trading town called Warm. Frieren decides they should split up to replenish supplies for their journey. However, Fern feels Frieren is hiding something from her, and in times like these she ends up buying unnecessary things, like a large skull or a drug that melts clothes, so Fern starts tailing her.

First, she sees Frieren spend a lot of time concerned in front of an accessory shop before buying something. After that, she asks around for a tasty “candy shop”, and ends up asking for it from wild-looking adventurers in a bar. She then leaves the bar, and to Fern’s surprise, heads back towards the inn. Fern quickly finishes her shopping before also returning. Frieren decides that they should go eat some tasty food as it has been a while.

They go to a place recommended to Frieren which has a nice view. Fern apologizes to Frieren for doubting her, but Frieren does not know what she is talking about. Frieren tells Fern to choose whatever she wants as she has some secret savings, surprising Fern. Fern asks Frieren what she will choose, but before Frieren can say anything, Fern already answers with merkur pudding.

This causes Frieren to recall a memory with the Hero Party where Himmel also guessed correctly that Frieren was in the mood for merkur pudding. She asks him how he knew, and he replies that he has a rough idea as they have been travelling for several years now. Frieren states that she does not know a thing about any of the hero's party, and Himmel says that they’ll have to put in some effort for her to learn. He states his favorite dish, and Eisen states his. Before Heiter can say his, Frieren already answers with alcohol, calling him a Corrupt Priest and making him feel embarrassed.

Frieren apologizes to Fern, as she does not know a thing about her, thus she does not know what kind of food she likes. She hands Fern a box, which reminds her that it is her birthday. She opens the box to find a beautiful hair ornament. Fern thanks Frieren and tells her that she is delighted. Fern tells Frieren that her attempts to get to know more about Fern give her overwhelming bliss, even though they are just attempts.

The next day, Frieren and Fern continue their voyage, with Fern now wearing her new hair ornament. She asks Frieren if there is some goal to their journey. She replies that it is just out of interest to gather magic, and also to retrace the steps she took with the Hero Party as much as possible before they fade away. Fern thinks that that must be important to Frieren, but she is not sure, and that is why she thinks she’ll find out. Frieren notes how Fern has surpassed her in height, and Fern replies that it is because she is 16 now, a young lady. Frieren looks at Fern’s developed chest, comparing it with her own, and wonders why it is so small, even though they practically eat the same things.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Frieren
 * Fern
 * Himmel
 * Eisen
 * Heiter

Locations

 * Warm

Events

 * Fern's 16th birthday

Chapter Notes

 * In this chapter, Frieren was having merkur pudding. Merkur in German means mercury
 * Himmel's favorite dish is l'oeuf omelette
 * Eisen loves sour grapes