Chapter 51

Dungeon Battle is the fifty-first chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

Summary
Right after the events of the previous chapter, the mages at the entrance of the circular hall discuss what to do with the clone of Frieren, which is inside. Meanwhile, Edel, Dünste, and Blei fight Sense's clone. Edel uses her escape golem and forfeits the exam after being injured. The mages at the entrance of the circular hall continue to discuss what to do.

Plot Details
Right after the events of the previous chapter, Frieren and Denken are continuing their conversation. Frieren has just learned that her clone is a perfect copy, noting that it seems to have equal strength to her. Denken tells her that they can't reach the depths without eliminating the clone and asks her for any ideas. Frieren discusses what the weaknesses of the clone may be, assuming that since it is a perfect replica, its weaknesses may be the same as those of a mage made of flesh and blood. Richter adds that in order to defeat a stronger mage, you must use restraint or hypnosis magic. Frieren tells him that she is resistant to both. Denken says that it might still create a small opening, which should be enough. Denken remembers that Methode is good at this kind of magic and asks her to perform it on Frieren. Methode attempts to restrain Frieren to no effect, adding that it should work as long as there isn't a big difference in mana. She then asks Frieren to look into her eyes in order for her to attempt a hypnosis spell. Methode is unable to cast the spell on Frieren, claiming that she can't break through her mental defense. Methode reveals that her mental defense is complex and strong, but it seems to be an older technique. She claims that an expert in mental magic might be able to find a vulnerability. Denken asks if there is any such person taking part in the exam. Methode thinks that the second-class mage, Edel, might be able to do it. She also shares the fact that Edel has almost no combat ability. Methode also states that hypnosis only works if the target has an intact mind, and one wonders if the clone has replicated that. Denken tells them that they still don't have enough information.

The chapter then switches to another group of mages consisting of Edel, Dünste, and Blei. They are currently hiding behind a pillar in the dungeon. Edel claims that it's been a miracle they've escaped everything until now, with Blei adding that they've done their best. A clone of Sense is patrolling the corridor they are hiding in. Blei asks the others what they think that thing is. Edel has no idea, but she is certain that it is as strong as Sense. Blei tells Edel that they have no choice but to fight it since they can only conceal their mana for so long. Edel asks Blei if he thinks he can defeat it, adding that, not even counting her, the two of them can't fight in this dungeon. Dünste adds that modern magic is not suitable for battling in dungeons, since almost every dungeon had been raided at the time of the Demon King's reign. Edel also adds that creating powerful defensive spells has taken too many resources, so offensive spells now mostly rely on natural elements. Edel continues, saying that manipulating elements is more efficient than creating something. She claims that Sense's clone is doing its job well, since its hair is infused with multiple layers of magic and it has many ways to fight in this dungeon. She then states that magic is all about imagination, and since the clone can manipulate and change countless strands of hair, it has superhuman imagination, making it the strongest mage in the room. Dünste adds that they are not fighters anyway, so it may be time to give up, with Edel saying that she is honestly scared and wants to go home. Blei asks Edel if her voice can reach Sense's clone, thus allowing her to use her magic. Edel exclaims that hypnosis magic has been the business of her family, but it is impossible to get that thing to meet the conditions of any high-level orders. She claims that at best she can make it kneel, and even then she has to make eye contact and call out to it. Blei says that it isn't impossible, then. Edel tells him it is only possible if that thing has a mind. Dünste asks how long they need to hold it off; Edel tells him fifteen seconds since that's all they can manage. Dünste asks what she means, and Edel tells him that they are about to find out.

Suddenly, the clone of Sense cuts through the pillars with her hair. Edel tells them to prepare the defensive spell in a sphere, which the two mages do. She reveals that in modern magic, there are two ways to break a defensive field: either smash it with mass or slip past it with techniques. They cast the defensive spell just in time. Edel is surprised by what the clone has done, since it has used both ways of overcoming a defensive spell. The clone breaks the barrier. Edel tells the clone that she thought the defensive barrier would last fifteen seconds, but it managed to break it even sooner. She tells the clone that they've made eye contact and that superior mages tend to make sure to keep enemies in sight. Edel then tells the clone to kneel. At the same time, the clone pierces through Edel. Edel says she gets it now—the clone does not have a mind and is just accurately imitating the original. She tells them that they are no match for it. Dünste casts an offensive spell but misses. Edel tells them that they have no choice but to rely on others and says that they should use all their might to flee and find someone who can fight it. Edel then says that she is done, so she is going home since she doesn't want to be hurt anymore. She breaks her golem in a bottle. The clone of Sense attempts to attack Edel, but the golem blocks it, which Edel comments is quite useful. Blei tells Dünste that they should also run away.

The chapter then switches back to the mages at the entrance of the circular hall. Frieren tells the group that they have very little information and that they should be ready for a scenario where the clone doesn't have a mind. Frieren continues, saying that they might have to take it down by brute force. Denken asks Frieren if she can do that, and she tells him that she is not sure. Fern joins the conversation, telling them that if that is the case, then she might have to kill Frieren's clone. Frieren smiles and says that they should now come up with a strategy.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Frieren
 * Fern
 * Denken
 * Methode
 * Richter
 * Sense
 * Edel
 * Dünste
 * Blei

Locations

 * Ruins of the King’s Tomb

Battles

 * Edel, Dünste, and Blei vs Sense’s clone

Events

 * Edel forfeits from the First Class Mage Examination
 * The mages at the gate of the circular hall discuss on what to do.

Spells

 * Defense magic
 * Offense magic
 * Unnamed hypnosis magic
 * Unnamed restraint magic