Chapter 35

A Reason to Begin the Journey (ちのきっかけ) is the thirty-fifth chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's Sousou no Frieren.

Summary
Right after the events of the previous chapter, Frieren's Party is on the Rohr Road. They are discussing Warrior Gorilla's whereabouts, which are likely in the opposite direction from Äußerst. Finding Warrior Gorilla was Sein's reason for going on a journey, so this complicates things. They decide to put off the decision of what Sein will do until tomorrow, and they then go to a cabin Stark rented. While getting supplies, Fern notes that her hands are chilly, to which Frieren says it's because it's gotten colder lately. They attempt to continue their journey the next day, but a cold wave that is estimated to last for about a month stops them, meaning the party must stay in the village for a bit longer. Around the end of the cold wave, Frieren calls on Sein to mediate between Fern and Stark again, which leads to Stark apologizing to Fern. Afterward, Frieren and Sein are having a drink in a tavern, which leads to Sein asking Frieren why she was so concerned about him to the point where she told him to go on a journey with them. Frieren replies that it's because he reminded her of her old self before she joined the Hero Party and subjugated the Demon King. She adds that it is what Himmel would have done, and that the Hero Party gave her the courage to travel and taught her to understand how fun it is to travel with comrades. Sein agrees that the journey has been fun. Afterwards, when the cold wave is over, Frieren's Party departs for Äußerst, although without Sein, who has chosen to pursue Warrior Gorilla in order to not bear anymore regrets. The now separate parties continue their journeys.

Plot Details
Right after the events of last chapter, Frieren's Party is in the Northern Lands, specifically the Rohr Road. They are discussing Warrior Gorilla's whereabouts, which are currently believed to be in the opposite of Äußerst, which is the party's current destination. While deciding on what to do, Sein tells Frieren that finding Warrior Gorilla was the reason he went on this journey. Fern tells them that the sun is setting, so they should just make the decision on what to do tomorrow. Afterwards, Stark comes back from the village adjacent to the Rohr Road that the party was previously at and tells them that he has rented a cabin for them to use, so they go there for the night.

It is now dark, and Fern and Sein have just come back from getting the party's needed supplies. Fern comments on how cold her hands are, and Frieren comments that it is because it has gotten quite cold now. She holds Fern's hands, and notes that they are indeed very chilly. This prompts Stark to also hold Fern's hands to check, but Fern places her hand on his face in return, leaving him yelling about the cold. While having dinner, Fern and Frieren look outside the window to see that it is snowing quite heavily. Fern asks Frieren if they will have to pass the winter in the cabin again, but Frieren tells her that as long as there isn't a blizzard, they can go.

The next day, there is a blizzard. A villager informs them that the cold wave that is currently causing the blizzard will last for about a month. Frieren asks Sein if they should depart, and Sein asks if that is a rhetorical question. They decide to stay until the cold wave passes, but Frieren comments that it isn't that bad since there are amenities here, unlike the time they got stuck in the mountain cabin. Frieren also adds that there is a magic shop in the village which is run by a shady old man, meaning there is likely to be legendary magic there, and so she is happy to be able to carefully look through the shop. Stark asks what legendary magic she has found up until now, and Frieren cites magic such as stubborn oil stain removal magic and mold eliminating magic. Frieren then repeats that they will have to wait out the cold wave, because they can't underestimate the winters of the Northern Lands. Sein tells her that he knows, since he was born in the North, and that he will be sticking with them for a while longer.

They then spend a month in the village. Near the end of the cold wave, Sein is having a drink with one of the townsfolk. The townsfolk tells him that the cold wave is almost over, so their party can depart soon. This leads Sein to ruminate on the fact that the party was not together for much time at all. Suddenly, Frieren approaches Sein, asking him to spare a moment. Sein says it's unusual for Frieren to be seen at a bar. Frieren tells Sein that Stark and Fern are acting up again, so she is asking him to mediate between them. Sein asks why, and Frieren tells him it's because mediation is the job of a priest.

They go back to the cabin to see Stark sobbing and Fern pouting. Sein asks what happened, and Fern tells him that it is all Stark's fault. Stark agrees. Sein then drags them into a side room one by one starting with Stark. Sein asks Stark what happened, to which Stark responds that he touched Fern's cheek like she did to him when they first arrived at the cabin. Sein tells him that no girl would like her face patted like that, and asks him if he wants things to stay like this. Stark responds no, and that he wants to reconcile, which Sein is happy with. He tells Stark that he is a good kid, and that to properly reconcile with someone, he must express his true feelings, especially as in the future Frieren will not mediate his arguments. Stark decides to apologize to Fern. Next comes Fern, who tells Sein that it was her fault to begin with and that she too would like to apologize instead of being stubborn. She tells him that being touched was not the concern, but the arm Stark used to press down her shoulder was too strong, and she found it a little frightening. Sein asks Fern if she hates Stark. Fern asks why he says that, and if it seems like she hates Stark. Afterwards, he tells her to tell Stark that she was just startled and to reconcile. Stark and Fern then make up with each other.

Afterwards, Frieren and Sein are having a drink at the tavern. While having a drink, Sein angrily slams his tankard on the table, shouting exuberantly that he wishes Fern and Stark would just get together already. Frieren tells him that she does not understand what he is talking about, but can see that he has been working very hard. Sein smiles, and says that Frieren is the only one who would praise him like a kid. Frieren tells him that Sein practically is one. Sein says that isn't unpleasant to hear, then asks why Frieren was always so concerned with him, going as far as inviting him on this journey. Frieren tells him that it is because he reminds her of her older self before she went to subjugate the Demon King. Just like she did, Sein refused to go adventuring, and that angered her. Sein counters that what she is saying is not a reason to be concerned with him, and Frieren tells him that she felt that she wanted to give him a chance, saying that it’s what Hero Himmel would have done. While talking, Frieren remembers a memory where Himmel asks her to join the Hero Party, telling her that they are her chance at travelling. She says to Sein that they gave her the confidence to travel and taught her how fun it was to spend time with comrades. Frieren then asks Sein if it was fun, and Sein replies that yes, it was really fun. The next day, while at the bridge over the gorge that leads to Äußerst, Sein tells them that he will be pursuing Warrior Gorilla after all, saying that he does not want to bear anymore regrets. They then say their goodbyes. While walking alone, Sein notes how quiet it is when he travels alone. Stark notes that they are bidding farewell much easier than expected. Frieren tells him that since Sein is an adult, he will be fine. Now separate, the parties now continue their respective journeys.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Frieren
 * Fern
 * Stark
 * Sein
 * Himmel
 * Heiter
 * Eisen

Locations

 * The Rohr Road and surrounding village

Events

 * Sein leaves Frieren's Party and heads towards Tür.
 * Frieren's Party proceeds towards Äußerst.

Spells

 * Stubborn oil stain removal magic (mentioned)
 * Mold eliminating magic (mentioned)