Welcome back to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and the fourth episode of the highly awaited second season. When we last saw Frieren, Fern and Stark, the group had made their way to the fortress city of HeiB. But while HeiB is guarded, the hearts within it are not. As a joke, Stark asked Fern on a date. And she agreed! It all sounds delightful. But their path is a long one, and though good vibes are plentiful, there’s also danger and excitement at every turn. So let’s get going! WARNING: Full details for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 4 follow. Seriously, spoilers ahead! Awkward First Date In the morning, Fern has to undertake a challenge the likes of which she’s never faced before: picking out dresses for her date. Frieren doesn’t understand why it’s such an issue, and Fern, annoyed by Frieren’s indifference, braids her hair particularly roughly. Eventually, Fern picks out a nice purple dress, does her hair, and heads out to meet Stark. Stark wonders why Fern isn’t wearing her normal adventuring outfit, but Fern reminds him that he said it was a date. Stark wonders if Fern has always been this cute. Stark tries to walk in a macho fashion, but Fern calls him out on it and asks where they’re going. They head to a market, one they remember because Frieren bought a pile of magical items from it. They wonder if Frieren is bored of visiting the hot springs yet (she isn’t!) and also why they always seem to talk about Frieren. Stark says there isn’t anything else to talk about, which concerns Fern. They look around the market, where Fern notices a piece of jewelry. Stark tells her it looks ordinary and they continue on, but Fern looks back and sees another happy couple buying the same piece of jewelry. Again, she is concerned. The two order giant pork buns for dinner, and on the way to their table, Fern trips. Stark grabs her to prevent her from falling and tells her that her shoes aren’t great for walking around. Come on, man. Pick up on some social cues. Nice Conversations That night, after they eat, the two watch the sunset and talk about… Himmel’s hero poses. Fern says they have a pretty view, but Stark finally realizes that Fern might not have had a good time because she hasn’t smiled once. Fern says that it wasn’t a bad day, but that Stark wasn’t acting like himself. Stark apologizes and reveals that it was Frieren who picked out their activities for the day because Stark really wanted her to have a fun time. He wanted it to be “special.” And it was special! Fern is happy because Stark really went the extra mile to put things together for her. As the sky darkens, they begin to point out the shape of the clouds. One looks like the pork buns they had for lunch! Fern reveals that when she was a young orphan, she never believed she’d be able to find moments of peace like this. Stark remembers when he asked Eisen why he took Stark in, and Eisen told him it was because that’s what Himmel would’ve done. Later at the hot springs, Frieren says Fern seems like she’s in a good mood. Fern says that nothing really good happened that day, but she smiles. Frieren remembers the day she and Himmel chased after the shopkeeper’s lost cat, and he was smiling because it had been a good day. He enjoyed spending the day with Frieren, as even when things don’t go as planned, one can still “enjoy the process.” And then they find the cat! As Frieren, Stark and Fern travel on the road the next day, Stark makes a remark about Frieren’s braids. Frieren says that these are the braids that Fern makes when she’s in a good mood. Stark can’t tell the difference. Random Encounters in the Forest In the cold Nachricht Region, the trio has finally moved out of hot springs territory as they arrive at the Northern Plateau checkpoint. In town, realizing that they won’t have access to fresh supplies for a while, the group stocks up. At the massive gate at the front, Fern shows the guards a document saying that she’s a First-class Mage and they’re all allowed to pass through. They enter the Northern Plateau, but Stark thinks it’s pretty normal considering all the stuff they’ve been told about it. The three are immediately surrounded by dinosaur-esque monsters, which they have to fight off. Then a large man-shaped thing appears from the earth and Stark is hypnotized by a huge purple snake. Later that night, as they try to start a fire, a bat-shaped demon frightens them out of their cave. When they finally make it to a village after three days of running and fighting, Stark is exhausted. The innkeeper has a cabin open for them, but in exchange, they need to defeat a monster that’s been stalking around the main road. Frieren agrees to slay it on their way out. Stark asks why the innkeeper remains here, and the innkeeper says that his family is from here and lives here. They feel like they’re a part of this land. It’s their home. Boss Fight When the trio leaves, they see signs of the monster’s destruction. They eventually find the beast, a huge grey ogre with a sword. The ogre and Stark engage in weapon-to-weapon combat while Fern tries to find an opening. Frieren flies up to deliver a blast, but the ogre jumps up at her and breaks the magic shield she makes. Fern shoots blasts at it, but the ogre dodges, breaks through her shield, and knocks her back. Stark moves behind her and takes the brunt of the blow as they slam against a tree. The creature breaks another of Fern’s shields, but is distracted when the shield’s shattered pieces turn into butterflies. Frieren blasts one of its arms off from above, but the ogre uproots a tree to throw at her. Stark destroys the tree and grabs onto the monster’s back. Frieren is then able to disintegrate the beast with one final magic blast. Stark is stunned that the monster was so strong, but Frieren informs them that there will be many strong foes in the Northern Plateau ahead. Stark says that maybe they should’ve just paid to travel by sea. Frieren remembers back when she asked Himmel why they didn’t travel by sea, and Himmel said that he became a hero to defend his homeland. Going this way meant he could protect the homes of others, too. Frieren echoes this to Stark, who agrees when he thinks back on his deceased brother, Stoltz. Freiren tells Fern that they need to focus even more on teamwork going forward. However, Stark cannot go with them yet… because his legs give out. What will Frieren, Stark and Fern encounter next? Be sure to find out in the next episode of Frieren: Beyond Journey ’s End right here on Crunchyroll.
