A Fatal Vulnerability ｢
Synopsis[]
A perfect imitation of Frieren stands between the test-takers and victory, but Fern believes she knows how to win. Is it time for the student to surpass the master?[1]
Plot[]
In the Ruins of the King's Tomb, Fern suggests that she can kill Frieren's clone, and Frieren smiles and recalls Serie saying something in the past. She then prompts them to come up with a strategy. A while later, Frieren summarizes that if the clone has a mind, they will use Edel's hynopsis magic to penetrate her clone's mental defenses and give Fern an opening to kill it. Right as she finishes, a wounded Dünste arrives. Methode rushes to him and asks about Edel and Blei's whereabouts. Dünste reveals that Edel dropped out of the exam after they were attacked by Sense's clone, and Blei stayed behind to fight the clone, giving Dünste the opportunity to escape. He requests for them to cooperate with him, as he has information. Denken tells him that cooperating was his intention in the first place and asks the group if there is anyone that can heal Dünste. Methode has a Holy Scripture that enables her to cast simple recovery magic, which she uses to heal Dünste.
Methode treats Dünste's wounds with her Holy Scripture.
After Methode heals him, Dünste reveals that the clones are mindless and adds that according to Edel, they simply imitate the workings of the original mind, but they lack a mind of their own. Frieren determines that with this reveal, they no longer have the easy option to defeat the clone, so they have to formulate a strategy with that in mind. Denken tells Frieren that there are still too many unknown factors, including the true identity of the clones and their summoner, and they cannot take action until they understand the nature of the clones. Richter adds that they need to figure out whether the clones have any unique weaknesses, and a clone as strong as Frieren will likely lead to casualties. Richter looks at Sense, but as the proctor, she refuses to provide any information.
Lawine reveals her older brother was part of the advance party that entered the dungeon.
Suddenly, Lawine and Kanne arrive at the entrance of the chamber. Lawine tells them that the clones do not have any weaknesses and that the identity of the controller of the clones is a monster referred to as the Spiegel, which has been around since the mythical era. Denken asks her how she knows this, and Lawine replies that her oldest brother was a member of the advance party the Continental Magic Association sent to raid the Ruins of the King's Tomb.
Richter remarks that it makes sense she and Kanne managed to get this far with the information they had. He also adds that she should have shared her information and cooperated with them from the start. She tells him that it did not seem like they could work together, and Kanne adds that Frieren and Fern were gone by the time they realized that working together would be ideal. Lawine also tells Richter that a middle-aged man like him would not hesitate to abandon his allies, adding to their unwillingness to cooperate. Richter concedes that he is indeed middle-aged, but he laments that her statement still hurts when said to his face. Kanne tells Lawine that she should apologize, which she does, but she addresses him once more as a middle-aged man.
Frieren reveals that the clone is using a sealing spell to protect the treasury room.
Drawing upon the observations of the advance party, Lawine reveals that the Spiegel itself is a harmless and frail monster that is lying in the treasury room behind the door that Frieren's clone is guarding, which Denken's mana detection confirms. Denken and Frieren reveal another problem in the form of a sealing spell, which was placed by the clone on the door to the treasury room. Frieren explains that the spell is a top-class sealing spell and only the clone's defeat will remove the spell. She then deduces that the walls around the door are also similarly protected, which leaves them the sole option of fighting Frieren's clone to defeat the Spiegel.
Fern reveals Frieren's fatal vulnerability.
Lawine urges the group to act swiftly, as the Spiegel's clones habitually gather at their current location, which is where the previous advance party, save for her brother's unit, met their demise. Fern confirms with Dünste that the clones imitate the exact actions of their hosts and that their behavioral weaknesses would remain the same. With this knowledge, Fern reveals that the group may have a chance. Frieren asks what vulnerability she has in mind, and Fern asks her master to stand next to a wall. Fern proceeds to quickly fire an offensive spell, which Frieren defends against with defense magic.
Frieren expresses her embarrassment over her weakness.
Kanne and Lawine are unable to notice anything, but Denken and Methode are astonished to find a fatal vulnerability in that Frieren's mana detection is interrupted for a fraction of a second the instant a spell is cast. Laufen says that this is a common error for apprentice mages, and Frieren admits that it has been a weak point of hers and she did not mention it as it was embarrassing, much to Fern's annoyance. Richter believes that almost no mage in existence would be able to exploit this vulnerability due to Frieren's extraordinary abilities, but the group decides to continue their strategy meeting nevertheless. As Frieren contributes to the meeting, Fern points out that she seems to be particularly enjoying the discussion.
Frieren reminisces about the Hero Party defeating a dungeon boss.
After hearing Fern's comment, Frieren thinks back to the Hero Party's journey where the party ventured into a dungeon and strategized while hiding behind a pillar in the presence of a large monster. The party reached a verdict as Himmel instructed Eisen to grab the monster's attention while he would flank it, with Frieren providing support. Frieren asked about Heiter's role and Himmel revealed that the priest was currently hungover. The party moved to attack the monster, with Eisen luring the monster to follow him and Frieren attacking it from the side, which caused it to tumble. Himmel then proceeded to strike the monster, thrusting his sword into the monster's back and killing it.
In the present, Frieren tells Fern that she is reminiscing about the Hero Party and how they would hold meetings similar to the current strategy meeting between the mages. The group continues to discuss their strategy and ultimately concludes the meeting. Before Frieren and Fern enter the hall to face the clone, Denken asks them if they can win. Frieren tells him that there does not exist a dungeon that cannot be conquered, and she backs up her claim by stating that she is the mage of the party that conquered the most dungeons in history. Denken follows up by asking if the duo will be alright fighting Frieren's replica on their own, and Frieren reassures him they will be fine, explaining that it is easier to predict the clone's movements with fewer people. She also points out that while victory would be guaranteed if the group of mages fought together, most would perish in the battle with no time to use the escape golems. Richter confirms that the rest of the mages should hinder the progress of the additional clones spawning in the dungeon, and Frieren agrees, as being cornered on both ends would lead to everyone's demise.
Frieren and Fern enter the hall, where Frieren's clone is waiting.
Kanne and Lawine then open the doors for Frieren and Fern to enter the hall, where Frieren's clone is waiting. As the hall's doors close, Denken and the rest of the mages begin to discuss which members of the group pose the biggest threat to themselves in order to give everyone the most advantageous matchups.
Meanwhile, inside the hall, Frieren and her clone mirror each other using flying magic and point their staffs at each other. They both attempt to use offensive magic, but they predict each others' attacks and guard with defensive magic. Frieren proceeds to cast Judradjim, a destructive lightning spell. At the same time, Fern takes cover behind a pillar and escapes just as the lightning strikes fill the hall, and she observes that the clone is behaving exactly as Frieren predicted. With much destruction caused by the exchange, both Frieren and her clone come to a standoff while pointing their staffs at each other.
Fern watches as Frieren casts Judradjim.
A column begins to collapse over them, and they simultaneously cast Vollzanbel, which summons a pillar of fire that melts through the column and encompasses the area. Frieren thinks to herself that she stopped detecting mana and that the clone would be wary of Fern, who had used the opportunity to hide. Frieren deduces that the clone will now be on the lookout for Fern but will struggle to do so, as it is occupied with an equally matched opponent. As the clone closes in on Frieren, Frieren reflects that she knows all too well how frightening she can be.
Frieren reassures Fern that her Zoltraak can kill the clone.
Prior to the battle, Frieren reassured Fern that she will be alright, as even she struggles to detect her apprentice once she conceals herself completely. Fern asked if Zoltraak would be enough to kill the clone, and Frieren responded that it will, given it is the quickest spell to cast. Frieren explained that Zoltraak was a relatively new spell among elves, so she lacked the ingrained reflexes to defend against it. Therefore, the slightest of movements would have to be spared for her to initiate a counter. Frieren recalled Fern's training during her youth and told her that Zoltraak has existed since her birth. As a fundamental mage spell, it was engraved into her from the very beginning, which is precisely why Fern's Zoltraak posed a mortal danger to Frieren. In the present, Fern runs out from behind the pillar and prepares to ambush the clone.
Frieren delivers her master's will.
Approximately a millenium ago, Frieren approached Serie in her throne hall. Serie believed that she would never meet Frieren again due to Frieren's apparent disdain for her. Frieren unveiled her true purpose for the visit: delivering the will of the deceased Flamme. Serie noted that it had been fifty years since Serie had last met with Flamme. Frieren asked Serie if the news saddened her, and Serie, without displaying any particular emotional reaction, simply claimed that Flamme had been a pupil she had raised on a whim. Serie proceeded to read the will and noted that it resembled more of a report than a will. When Frieren inquired about the contents, Serie shared that The Emperor gave official approval for widespread research and exploration of magic within human societies, which once viewed all forms of magic as demonic. Flamme had played a pivotal role in influencing the Emperor's decision, even taking on the task of educating the newly established Imperial Mages.
Serie described the primary purpose of the will, which was to implore Serie to assume the responsibilities left behind by Flamme. Serie expressed disdain at Flamme's greediness, as approving the research of magic had already been a major achievement. When Frieren asked Serie about the significance of this, Serie explained that it meant that the largest empire on the continent had now begun to research magic and used it for military affairs, which would encourage surrounding countries to follow suit, and in just a few decades, magic would spread all over the continent. This signified an era in which mankind would be able to use magic and, in the foreseeable future, oppose the Demon King and his army. Frieren smiled as she commented that Flamme's achievements are truly incredible.
Serie destroys Flamme's will.
Serie raised Flamme's will and cut it into pieces, revealing that this was not what she wanted. She told Frieren to leave and declared that she was displeased and would not comply with the request, as magic was meant to be special, and she did not intend to teach anyone without talent. With disappointment, Serie claimed that she and Flamme could never truly understand each other in the end. Frieren then mentioned that Flamme had already predicted Serie's exact reactions, however, Flamme still wanted to tell Serie that her dream had come true regardless.
Serie discusses Flamme's genuine love for magic.
Frieren prepared to take her leave, but Serie invited her on a walk, claiming that they had all the time in the world. As the two strolled through a forest, Serie revealed that Flamme's dream was an era in which anyone could use magic and things like serving mankind and opposing the Demon King did not initially matter to Flamme. Serie recalled Flamme as a young girl, and she disclosed that Flamme's favorite spell was a spell to produce a field of flowers, which Serie found foolish. Flamme's deep love for magic was so profound that she wished for the entire world to embrace such magic, a dream that Serie initially dismissed as something befitting only for young girls. She believed that such an era would unfold only long after Flamme's own lifetime, given the transient nature of human existence compared to an elf's enduring life. Nevertheless, Flamme ultimately became the founder of humanity's magic. Frieren opened up about Flamme's characteristic hastiness in making decisions as if she was always in a hurry. Serie explained that the lifespans of humans meant that they existed in a place far closer to death than elves like them, and humans cannot afford to postpone crucial decisions. She added that this stood in stark contrast to elves, who can choose to defer the same decisions for a century or even a millennium.
Serie predicts the Era of Humans.
As the two elves exited the forest, they approached a cliff that overlooked a valley. Serie told Frieren that many years have passed and since then, humanity established what could be called a civilization. Serie explained that such progress would begin to accelerate and in only a mere one thousand years, the era of humans would arrive. In Serie's mind, humans would one day overtake the elves, and she advised Frieren to not neglect her training. Serie emphasized her point by saying that if Frieren were to lose her life, it would either be at the hands of the Demon King or a human mage. With a smile, Frieren responded that she is looking forward to that era, as she will have the opportunity to encounter various new mages and spells.
In the present battle, Frieren makes way for Fern so she can successfully envelop the clone in a concentrated Zoltraak blast. Frieren appears satisfied at Fern's ambush, but in contrast, Fern appears stoic.
Fern fires Zoltraak at Frieren's clone.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Locations in Order of Appearance[]
- Ruins of the King's Tomb
- The cliff near Heiter's house in the outskirts of the Holy city of Strahl (flashback)
- Graf Granat's Domain (flashback)
- Serie's ancient throne hall (flashback)
- Royal Capital (flashback)
- Demon King's Castle (flashback)
Episode Notes[]
- The anime includes a scene of Frieren recalling a memory of Serie, which is a lookahead to Frieren and Serie's discussion at the end of the episode, but this is not present in the manga.
- Frieren's statement that the group should form a plan and the subsequent discussion of the involvement of Edel to take down the clone before Dünste's arrival is original to the anime.
- Dünste's flashback to Blei buying him time to flee is depicted in the manga, but the anime extends it and adds dialogue.
- During the strategy meeting, while Fern tells Frieren that she seems to be having fun, original details, such as Richter asking questions in the background and Kanne with Lawine bickering are included in the anime.
- The flashback of the Hero Party strategizing is extended by the anime.
- In the anime, Himmel is depicted to be the one finishing off the monster, while the manga only shows part of the Hero Party's battle against it.
- In the anime, Heiter is passed out during the fight, but in the manga, he is shown standing and casting spells with his Holy Scripture.
- As the mages plan out their strategy, the anime shows them drawing diagrams of the tomb's layout on the ground. In the manga, they write text on the ground instead.
- The scenes that show Kanne, Lawine, and Methode's clones walking throughout the dungeon are anime original.
- Kanne and Lawine opening the doors to the hall for Frieren and Fern is unique to the anime, as in the manga, Frieren and Fern simply enter the hall while the other mages stand in the back.
- The anime extends the fight of Frieren and Fern against Frieren's clone.
- The collapse of a pillar and the subsequent casting of Vollzanbel is a notable difference, as in the manga, Frieren and her clone simply direct their Vollzanbel casts towards each other.
- The map of the empire that is shown during the flashback of Serie and Frieren talking about the will of Flamme was made by the anime's concept artist, Seiko Yoshioka, using ink on paper.[2]
- The manga depicts Serie tearing the will of Flamme apart with her hands, however, in the anime, she uses magic to cut it into pieces in midair.
- The flashback of Serie and Frieren walking in a forest is extended with additional original content in the anime, particularly of Serie imagining a young Flamme running past her and holding hands with her.
- The anime shows a growing city on a hill on the other side of the valley that both elves stand on, which is not included in the manga.
- The anime adds various scenes of the Hero Party when Serie brings up the era of humans, which includes both unique scenes and previously used scenes.
- The anime includes an original scene of Fern after she casts Zoltraak against the clone as the last scene of the episode.
References[]
- ↑ Crunchyroll: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Episode 25.
- ↑ Interview with Seiko Yoshioka: Part 2.
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