Phantoms of the Dead ｢
Synopsis[]
Frieren and Fern investigate ghost sightings at a village where people have started going missing.[1]
Plot[]
Frieren and Fern bid farewell to Eisen.
At Eisen's home, Eisen mentions that the mere 10-year journey will be one one-hundredth of Frieren's life as he reminds her of the interaction they had when the party first observed the Era Meteors together. Eisen smiles, finding it funny how a mere one one-hundredth of Frieren's life has changed her as memories of the past to the present begin to flash in Frieren's mind. Frieren and Eisen bid farewell to each other as Frieren and Fern leave. As the two walk, Fern tells Frieren that her time with Frieren so far has taken up half her life. Frieren smiles and tells her that it will be greater than that from now on.
Fern has a dream of a memory where Heiter tells her to be a good girl and to abide by Frieren's words, adding that he will haunt her after he is dead if she doesn't. The young Fern smiles and asks if Heiter will visit her if she becomes a bad girl. Heiter pats Fern's head, remarking on how cunning she has grown before supposing that he may visit her sometime if she is a good girl. Fern is then awoken from her dream as Frieren tells her that they are about to reach a village.
Heiter tells Fern that he will visit her.
28 years after the death of Himmel the Hero, Frieren and Fern are in the Wille region of the Central Lands. After buying supplies at a small town, Frieren and Fern are approached by a marketeer lady who warns the two not to head to the mountain pass as many people have gone missing due to a supposed ghost. When Frieren inquires for more information, she prompts to ask those who have seen the ghost. The two begin to ask various villagers about their encounters.
Frieren and Fern restock their supplies at the local market and learn of the missing residents.
Later in the evening, Fern summarizes that people saw ghosts of their dead family and acquaintances just as they appeared in life, with some even reporting that the ghosts spoke to them. Frieren deduces this isn't the work of the undead but of a different monster, as the undead are reanimated corpses and would not resemble the living. Understanding the danger, Frieren suggests avoiding the village and leaving early the next morning. Fern insists on helping the villagers, prompting Frieren to liken her to Himmel and the others. Fern jokes that she is a "good girl" unlike Frieren. Frieren smiles, agreeing to help if Fern is determined, noting they'll pass through the mountain regardless.
The next day, Fern and Frieren reach the area where the villagers are reported to have gone missing. The two look around and find various clues and traces of magic, which Fern correctly deduces as illusion magic. Fern notes that she read about a monster that uses illusions to lure prey in a magical ecology book, which Frieren identifies as the Einsam, a monster that exclusively consumes humans by luring them with phantoms of the dead dear to them. Frieren adds that Einsam's illusions aren't a threat to mages, as they can be dispersed with high-density mana like basic offensive magic. Frieren asks Fern if she is capable of shooting the phantoms, to which Fern confirms, aware of their true nature. Frieren shares her own experience of having to dispel her master's phantom, admitting she has become accustomed to it despite the discomfort it brings.
As they venture deeper into the woods, Fern notices the mist thickening. Frieren warns her they're nearing the source and urges her not to hesitate in dispelling any phantoms. Suddenly, Fern hears Heiter's voice and turns to see his phantom, momentarily startled. Despite preparing to fire, Fern hesitates when the phantom compliments her for being good. As the phantom speaks, Fern realizes the cruelty of manipulating her cherished memories.
Himmel's phantom appears behind Frieren.
Frieren realizes that Fern is unable to hear her and summons her staff before a phantom of Himmel appears behind Frieren, despite Frieren assuming it would be Flamme again. Frieren wonders if she has changed as the phantom of Himmel smiles and tells her to shoot him. Frieren remarks that Himmel would say exactly that as she fires Zoltraak at the phantom. The blast clears the mist, revealing Einsam looming above Heiter's phantom. Fern swiftly destroys the monster, now visible in the clearing.
Fern remarks that the Heiter that appeared was a fake. As the two continue walking, Frieren tells Fern that they will go to see the real Heiter as they are headed to Aureole.
Frieren and Fern observe the sleeping dragon.
Later, Frieren and Fern are in the Riegel Canyon. The two hide in a bush, observing a sleeping Solar Dragon. Fern notes she has never seen a dragon before. Frieren points to a grimoire in the dragon's nest, identifying it as the one she seeks. Fern asks about the grimoire. Frieren explains dragons use magic-infused items to build their nests, adding the solar dragon has consumed many adventurers, so they must defeat it. Fern fires Zoltraak at the dragon, but the mana disperses against its scales. She tells Frieren the spell failed. As the dragon wakes, Frieren instructs Fern to run and leaves her. Fern narrowly escapes, and Frieren suggests repeating the attempt until they defeat the dragon. A shaken Fern grabs Frieren, who realizes mages don't play tag with dragons, patting Fern's head. Frieren decides they need a companion.
A flashback reveals Eisen talking with Frieren at night while Fern is asleep. Eisen tells Frieren to recruit a warrior named Stark near Riegel Canyon if they are looking for a vanguard. Eisen tells her to pick him up along the way and that Stark is his apprentice. Frieren asks if he is a good warrior to which Eisen responds with a serious face as the flashback ends.
As Fern and Frieren walk through the nearby village, Fern remarks that the village is remarkably peaceful and that it is hard to believe there is a dragon nearby. Fern asks what magic spell is contained in the grimoire that Frieren wants, and Frieren responds that it was a spell that lets one see through clothes. Fern notes that Frieren really does collect odd spells as Frieren justifies it as a hobby. Frieren attempts to explain the practicality of the spell before an elderly woman approaches the two, explaining that Stark would like to meet them.
Stark faces the dragon.
The elderly villager explains that three years ago, the dragon attacked the village before Stark stood before the dragon in a tense standoff which resulted in the dragon leaving the village. Since then, Stark has stayed in the village and the dragon has not attacked, contributing to the peace. Fern speculates that they may be able to defeat the dragon with Stark's help as Frieren hopes that that is true.
At the base of a cliff, a child asks Stark if he can become a powerful warrior like him, and Stark replies in the affirmative, though adding that a warrior's job isn't particularly noble. As Frieren, Fern, and the elderly villager arrive, Stark tells Frieren and Fern to not mess around with the dragon as it could put the village in danger again. To this end, Stark shows a scar on his forehead from fighting a Shadow Dragon, but Frieren cuts him off and says that such injury isn't serious at all. Stark realizes that his master may have put the two up for this and asks who they are. Frieren introduces herself, prompting Stark to tell the villagers to give him privacy, assuring them that Frieren and Fern are acquaintances of his master.
Stark assumes Eisen must be furious with him. Frieren questions why Stark hasn't defeated the dragon, given he has no reason to stay in the village. Stark dodges the question, instead asking what they want; if they are trying to convince him to return to his master, he refuses. Frieren explains they need a vanguard and seek his help in defeating the solar dragon to acquire a grimoire. Stark questions her motives, as fighting a solar dragon is no trivial matter.
A brief flashback occurs of Frieren casting a spell that manipulates stones as puppets and commands the golem to dance to the amazement of the Hero Party.
Stark cries about his lack of battle experience.
In response to Stark's argument, Frieren explains that there was once an idiot who would compliment the spells that she collected, which she assumes should be a good enough reason for Stark. Stark finds such reasoning ridiculous but he reluctantly agrees to accompany Frieren and Fern, suspecting Eisen instructed them to take him along. However, Stark admits he struggled against the solar dragon alone and questions Frieren's ability to defeat it. Frieren assures him, stating she can overcome it if Stark can immobilize the dragon for thirty seconds. Stark asks if he really has to, prompting Frieren to inquire about his combat experience. Stark humorously confesses to lacking any experience and admits freezing in fear when confronting the solar dragon. He believed the dragon spared him on a whim, but the villagers revered him as a hero, complicating his departure due to their kindness.
In response, Fern disdainfully looks down on Stark and suggests seeking another companion. However, Frieren insists she believes in Stark's ability to confront the dragon. Frieren examines a massive crack on the cliff's base, then she and Fern depart. Frieren grants Stark one night to decide whether he'll assist them, stating that he knows that he can't continue his current situation.
Fern pouts at Frieren for bringing up her first encounter with monsters.
Later, at a restaurant, the proprietors, a man and his wife, praise Stark to Frieren and Fern. Fern remarks on Stark's popularity, to which Frieren comments on his apparent kindness. Fern disagrees, finding him cowardly. Frieren doesn't contradict but recalls Fern's own initial encounter with monsters, to which Fern to pouts in frustration. As they leave, Fern wonders why the dragon hasn't attacked the village. A sudden noise interrupts, and Frieren attributes it to Stark, suggesting Fern to check on him if she is curious.
Stark laments over his conversation with Frieren.
Back in her room, Frieren remembers Eisen's remarks about Stark's power. Eisen, stern-faced, reveals Stark was a coward who fled when his hometown was attacked by monsters, likening the young boy to himself. Because of this, Eisen trained Stark everything he knew to fight for others. Frieren, with a smile, asserts he must be a capable warrior then.
Meanwhile, the crack in the base of the cliffside is revealed to be the work of Stark, who continuously uses his axe to strike the cliff with his Lightning Strike technique. Fern, realizing this, approaches Stark, who turns around.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Locations in Order of Appearance[]
- Voll Basin (flashback)
- Aureole (flashback)
- Royal Capital (flashback)
- Outskirts of the Holy city of Strahl (flashback)
- Turk Region (flashback)
- Warm (flashback)
- Größe Forest (flashback)
- Granz Channel (flashback)
- Wille Region
- Riegel Canyon
Episode Notes[]
- In the manga, Frieren imagines the Einsam when she describes the monster to Fern. The Einsam is only later visually depicted in the anime when Fern sees the one creating an illusion of Heiter.
- In the manga, the Solar Dragon is guarding its nest and does not appear to be asleep when Frieren and Fern discover the creature.
- When Fern runs away from the dragon after her failed attack, she is animated to appear as if she is riding on her staff, similar to a witch on a broomstick.
References[]
- ↑ Crunchyroll: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Episode 5.
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| Music | The Brave • Sunny • Anytime Anywhere • bliss • Original Soundtrack | |
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