Frieren the Slayer ｢
Synopsis[]
As tensions in Graf Granat's domain reach a breaking point, Fern and Stark find their own resolve - and Frieren resumes an old duty.[1]
Plot[]
Draft hangs Frieren with his wire.
After Draht confronts Frieren in the mage's cell, he expresses doubt about Frieren's claim of being stronger than not only him but also Aura the Guillotine. Draht uses his mana-infused magic wire to hang Frieren by the neck, confident that he has already won. However, Frieren remains unphased, channeling mana around her neck to prevent decapitation. Draht, noting Frieren's calmness, claims that any other mage would have been decapitated before they could react. Believing that he can slice through Frieren's mana, Draht boasts that his wire is among the strongest in demon magic and is impervious to the magic of humankind.
Frieren disarms Draht before eliminating the demon.
Frieren agrees with Draht's assessment but notes the overconfidence and inexperience of the current generation of demons. She then immediately severs Draht's hand with a spell, breaking free from the wire. Astonished, Draht attempts another attack using his wires, but Frieren swiftly severs his remaining hand and grabs him by the neck. Draht desperately tries to plead, but Frieren kills him instantly, leaving his body to disintegrate. Frieren internally considers that with the first demon down, she may be granted amnesty by Graf Granat if she were to report Draht's attack and eliminate the remaining two demons. Frieren then exits her dungeon cell to find the jail cell guard decapitated.
Meanwhile, as Fern and Stark eat a meal, Stark mentions that his master had once said a town with good food must be peaceful, believing that such a statement applies in this situation. Fern finishes her food quickly and stands up, telling Stark that they should appeal to Graf Granat for Frieren's release. She stresses that it is only a matter of time before the town is attacked if Frieren does not take down the demons. Stark agrees that it is their only option since neither of them is strong enough to take on the demons. He asserts that the demon named Lügner is unbelievably powerful, and he begins to tremble as he recalls their first encounter, remarking that Lügner only had eyes for Frieren because, in his mind, he could kill anyone else whenever he wished.
After cleaning his pants, Stark attempts to give Fern's handkerchief back.
Stark attempts to take a sip of his drink, but he wets his pants due to his trembling hand. Fern hands Stark a handkerchief and urges him to depart soon. While cleaning himself, Stark comments that Lügner would be near the Graf, making it hard to avoid combat. Fern asserts that the Hero Party would have gone regardless of the risk. Stark, resolving himself, agrees knowing that he would not be able to face his master if he cowers in fear. As they prepare to leave, Fern notices Stark still hasn't moved and asks if he has a problem as the latter admits that his knees are already weak.
Meanwhile, in Graf Granat's mansion, Linie notes that she can no longer sense Draht's mana, and Lügner surmises that he must already be dead. Linie derides Draht for being careless, but Lügner reminds her that they are Aura's personal executioners and would not simply die from letting their guard down, leaving Linie to wonder who the imprisoned mage really is.
Graf Granat enters the room with his guards, letting the demons know that the imprisoned Frieren has escaped from prison. Lügner offers to help search for her, stating that Linie is particularly skilled at detecting mana, a proposal promptly rebuffed by the Graf. Graf Granat questions the whereabouts of the third demon. Lügner calmly explains that Draht had merely gone to the restroom, but Granat notes that Draht had not asked any servant for directions. As the guards begin to surround Linie and Lügner, Granat declares that even he can tell how skilled Frieren was. He believes that her lack of resistance towards her initial arrest indicates her awareness of the severe consequences of killing a guard. The guards draw their swords as Granat asks once again where the third demon is.
Lügner uses his signature blood spell, Balterie against Graf Granat
Lügner, expressing disdain of Draht for ruining the plan, bites into his own hand, creating a pool of blood. As the guards rush to attack him, they are all swiftly decapitated by Lügner's blood manipulation magic. Granat attempts to fight back, though he is easily overpowered. Lügner remarks that despite the failure of their original plan, he finds joy in resorting to violence. He questions the difference between words and weapons, asserting that the weak will inevitably die, just like Graf Granat's son. The Graf is outraged by Lügner's comment, but he is promptly pierced by Lügner's blood in the abdomen, causing him to drop to his knees. Lügner assures Graf Granat that he will not be killed, as he is necessary to remove the defensive barrier surrounding the town.
Fern recognizes Frieren when she tries to sneak out of town undercover.
As Fern and Stark move closer to the Graf's mansion, a hooded figure passes by them, which Fern immediately recognizes as Frieren. Frieren silently gestures toward an alley for the three of them to talk. She explains that she had no choice but to escape due to Draht's killing of the prison guard. The only evidence left of the encounter is Frieren herself, as demons disintegrate into mana upon death. Fern understands that Frieren will be executed if she is caught as the primary suspect for the guard's death, which is why Frieren intends to leave the town. Fern questions whether Frieren plans to abandon the town to the two remaining demons. In response, Frieren says that Fern and Stark are capable of taking them down themselves. The two, feeling discouraged, disagree, and Frieren questions whether they intend to not fight simply because their enemies are stronger. She reassures them that they are in no way weaker than the demons.
After the failed attempt to convince Frieren to fight against Lügner and Linie, Fern drags Stark away.
Frieren starts to leave as Stark continues to plead for her help even if they were to fight. Fern drags Stark by his jacket, telling him to stop whining and to start facing reality with her. Frieren departs with a smile, before proceeding to internally speculate that the immense amount of mana that she is sensing must be about ten kilometers from town. Outside the town, Aura the Guillotine, one of the Seven Sages of Destruction, awaits with her army. With a smile, Frieren remarks that even she dislikes fighting strong enemies, which makes it all the better to confront them first.
Lügner interrogates Graf Granat about lowering the barrier.
Past sunset, Stark and Fern infiltrate Graf Granat's mansion by scaling the walls. Stark questions whether they are doing the right thing, to which Fern replies that it is better than telling the gatekeeper they are there to kill the messengers of peace. Meanwhile, Lügner talks to a bound Graf Granat about his love for magic. He explains that demons dedicate their entire lives to mastering a specific type of magic, much like the Elder Sage of Corruption Qual had done with the human-killing Zoltraak. While demons continually improve upon their magic, Lügner finds it absurd that there are geniuses, just like the Great Mage Flamme, whose magic continues to surpass modern achievements. A flashback of a thousand years ago depicts Frieren observing Flamme as she casts her barrier magic over a sapling. Lügner surmises that the demons being allowed entry into the town must mean that there is a spell that controls the town's barrier, and he orders Graf Granat to tell him what it is. The Graf chooses not to respond, prompting Lügner to leave to give the Graf more time to reflect on his next actions as more torture awaits if he remains silent. Lügner supposes that there must be a barrier grimoire somewhere and begins searching for it with Linie.
Stark tries to release Graf Granat.
Stark enters the room where Graf Granat is held captive, and the Graf remarks that he had thought that his deceased son had come to take him to the afterlife. Stark, still trembling, moves to free the Graf, who, sensing Stark's fear, commends his show of courage just like his son had done before his death. Stark struggles to cut through the magical ropes binding the Graf as the latter orders him to instead focus on evacuating the townspeople. Graf Granat tells Stark the guards will listen to him if he takes his emblem depicting his family's crest, and he reminds Stark that it is a crime to speak so casually to him. He tells Stark to leave, having already accepted his fate. Stark, ignoring the Graf's orders, apologizes in advance as he prepares to break the Graf's chair with no intention of paying him back. Before he follows through, Lügner and Linie return. Lügner asks if Stark is an acquaintance, to which Graf Granat replies that Stark simply did not know that his acquaintance had already escaped from prison. Lügner dismisses Stark without looking at him, reminding Stark how little he matters to the demon.
Lügner pushes Stark down after the warrior's attack failed.
Stark lands a swift strike on Lügner, but the demon uses his blood magic to overpower him and pin him to the ground. Lügner chides Stark for attacking recklessly but commends his bravery for attacking alone. Stark realizes that the demons are unable to detect Fern, creating an opening for the mage who appears behind the window and immediately fires a spell at Lügner, disintegrating his arm. Lügner is surprised that a mere human mage could bypass Linie's mana detection. Linie prepares to fight but is ordered to stop by Lügner, who asks what spell Fern used. Fern responds that it is an ordinary attack spell known as Zoltraak to the demons. Lügner dismisses this and claims that Demonkind already conquered Zoltraak half a century ago. He asks Fern who taught her the spell, to which Fern realizes that he is simply buying time.
Lügner struck by Fern's Zoltraak in Graf Granat's mansion through the window.
Before the fight resumes, Stark tells Fern that Granat's injuries are serious and that they must retreat. Lügner orders Linie not to fight Stark, stating that they will follow the humans through his blood after he finishes recovering. Linie expresses confidence in facing the two of them without Lügner, but Lügner tells Linie that she would have died if hit with Fern's spell, which has been modified to specifically kill demons and can no longer be called Zoltraak. Lügner reflects on Fern's movements and spell, which is reminiscent of someone he faced. He quickly realizes that this someone was Frieren the Slayer, known for her contribution to humankind's development and understanding of Zoltraak and for having killed the most demons in history. Lügner classifies Frieren as yet another genius who he despises.
Around the same time, Frieren descends in front of Aura the Guillotine and her army of headless knights.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Locations in Order of Appearance[]
Episode Notes[]
The volume extra from Chapter 16 included in the episode.
- During the fight between Lügner and Graf Granat in the anime, Lügner deliberately cuts his finger on Graf Granat's sword to form a blood band that stabs the Graf's abdomen. This scene is unique to the anime, as the manga shows Lügner using his existing blood tendril to stab the Graf.
- The anime includes an additional scene based on a volume extra from Chapter 16 in the manga: When Fern drags Stark away after meeting with Frieren in the back alley, Stark laments their situation and Fern tells him not to be selfish.
- In the manga, Fern and Stark enter the mansion over a simple wall and then move right through the window, while in the anime, they pass a moat and have to climb/fly over a higher wall.
- Fern's spell used to unlock a window latch during this infiltration is also anime original.
- The anime includes three original scenes when Lügner talks about Flamme's protective barrier:
- The visual representation of a flying monster being blocked and killed by the protective barrier.
- Frieren noticing the monster dissipate as she ventures to the edge of the barrier on her way to face Aura.
- A flashback of Frieren watching Flamme setting up the barrier by placing a protective spell over a sapling peaking through snow.
- In the anime, just before Stark attacks Lügner, he has a brief flashback to when Frieren was apprehended by the guards when they first entered town, where Lügner only looked at Frieren. This does not exist as a panel in the manga.
References[]
- ↑ Crunchyroll: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Episode 8.
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