Welcome back to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and the second episode of the highly awaited second season. When we last saw Frieren, Fern and Stark, they had just met up with Wirbel, and Stark had been invited to the battle lines in the far north. However, Stark turned him down, as he’s dedicated to helping Frieren reach Ende. 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 2 follow. Seriously, spoilers ahead! History Lesson Jeez, what an amazing opening theme. Save some quality for the rest of us, Frieren. Anyway, when we meet up with Frieren, Fern and Stark, they’re in Fabel Village. In order to earn a spell that allows them to scratch the itchy part of your back (SUPREMELY valuable!), they agree to polish the statue of Himmel the Hero. It isn’t a bad job, and Frieren will be able to wash the whole thing with magic. However, to Stark’s surprise, it isn’t a bronze statue of Himmel at all. It’s a statue of the Hero of the South, who was said to be the “strongest” among all heroes. Frieren says that the reputation was warranted, especially during a time when they were menaced by the Seven Sages of Destruction. They only stopped two of them, and of the remaining five, the Hero of the South defeated three. After taking down the front line of the Demon King’s army, he headed to the far north. However, he was defeated by the Demon King’s confidant, Schlacht the Omniscient, who was able to see 1,000 years into the future. Schlacht and the Hero of the South (after he took down three of the Sages) defeated one another and fell together, and many of those under the rule of the Seven Sages were able to escape. However, because nobody was found, a myth formed that the Hero is still out there, continuing to fight Schlacht. Frieren thinks the demons just ate him, though. Hero of the South Years earlier, we see the Hero of the South attempt to recruit Frieren, but she turns him down. However, he knew that she would, and he decided to tell Frieren the secret to his strength: he can see into the future. Frieren still doesn’t care… until the Hero tells her that he knows he will be defeated in a year by Schlacht and the Sages. He envisions fighting them to the death on a mountain above a snowswept town, and not even Frieren joining him can prevent that fate. But she will soon be visited by a young hero that WILL save the world. Eh, Frieren still doesn’t buy it. He asks Frieren to tell the hero one thing: He, the strongest hero, will clear a path for him, even if it means one day being lost to history. But from the way the people in the village act, Frieren sees that the Hero of the South hasn’t been forgotten at all. Little Mage, Big City Frieren, Fern and Stark head to Graf Dach’s domain, and it’s been a while since any of them have been in a large city like that. But they’re just there to resupply and leave, so most of the first part of their visit is spent watching Frieren and Fern buy food and stuff. Fern remarks that Frieren has been acting very strange while they’ve been in town, and it’s because she doesn’t want to run into the lord of the city, Graf Dach. However, a servant of the lord finds them and invites them to dinner. Luckily, Graf Dach’s chefs make a good spread. Graf Dach’s family heirloom sword has once again been stolen by a demon, and in return for finding it, Frieren asks for a Grimoire. As they leave the castle, Frieren is peeved. Royals are pushy, but Graf Dach’s family is especially so. However, this time, at least they know which way the demon is headed. Frieren tells her party that the reason demons keep stealing the sword is because it originally belonged to demons. But she had to say yes because Himmel rescued it once, and if she’d declined, it would be as if Himmel’s efforts had been for nothing. Sword Finding and Sword Fighting After a long trek that leads them through a village destroyed by the demon, Frieren’s party finally comes across the demon. Though she’s disguised as a travelling priest, Frieren sees through the facade and learns that the sword demon has eaten the bodies of the villagers. The sword demon draws her sword and prepares to fight. Frieren shoots a magical blast at her, but she jumps and dodges it. She attempts to attack the party from above, but Stark engages her in brief melee combat, while Frieren shoots more magical blasts at her. Fern manages to block the sword demon’s attack and Stark knocks her back. More magical blasts come at the sword demon, including a giant one that disintegrates her. Frieren remembers when Himmel first found the sword, and his explanation of why jobs like that could potentially help many, many people (even if they are uncomfortable and dangerous). Back in the present, Fern asks Frieren why she so quickly rushed to violence. It was because Fern was about to pray with the fake priest and perhaps be taken advantage of by her. The group then prays for the townsfolk who were killed by the demon. Back in town, Frieren returns Graf Dach’s sword and then goes to the marketplace again. The party talks about the difficulties of wanting to keep an heirloom sword that demons are constantly trying to take back. Frieren says it’s the nature of demons to want to show off their power and destroy things once they get items like that sword. Though the town has prepared itself to fight the demons, “as long as humans know desire, demons will take advantage of that.” But also, as long as there’s a good reward involved, Frieren will help. Especially if it’s a spell like the one the new Grimoire imparts: how to turn a red apple into a green apple. 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.
