Welcome back to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and the fifth episode of the highly awaited second season. When we last saw Frieren, Fern and Stark, the latter two had gone on their first date together! It went pretty well! But then, after entering the Northern Plateau, the group finds themselves under attack by monsters that are stronger than they could’ve ever imagined. Luckily, their teamwork has allowed them to prevail so far. 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 5 follow. Seriously, spoilers ahead! Finding the Emperor’s Liquor The group stops to have lunch in the Bier region of the Northern Plateau, where Stark is surprised to find that they still have towns. Seeing as it’s the only place that will produce grain, there’s also a lot of bars there. Stark overhears some guys talking about Boshaft, and Fern explains that, long ago, when all the land was ruled by one emperor, there was a great liquor offered to him. It was called Boshaft. When they leave the restaurant, they run into Fass, a dwarf who knew Frieren almost a century ago. Fass wonders where Frieren’s old party is, including Heiter, who loved to drink. Frieren informs Fass that Heiter passed away peacefully. Fass then tells Frieren that he’s found Boshaft and needs her magic to help retrieve it. He takes the group to a mine that he’s built during his 200 (plus) year quest to find Boshaft. He heard legends that it was down there and found a stone monument that affirmed those legends. Then he asked Himmel’s party to help him find it years ago, but they were too busy trying to stop the Demon King. They had to literally pull Heiter away from that quest, though. The monument was written in ancient Elvish, apparently by someone named “Milliarde.” Frieren recognizes the name. They then arrive at massive doors that Fass says are blocking the way to the liquor. However, Frieren tells him that it will take a long time to get through them. Fass tries to offer Frieren money to open the doors, but she refuses. He then tells her that it’s his dream to drink Boshaft, but she still denies him. Fern and Stark feel bad for him, but also… they should take the money! It would be nice to have more for their adventure. Even Frieren telling them it will take three months to open the gates doesn’t stop Stark and Fern from accepting the task for her. Ew! The Emperor’s Liquor Needs a Chaser Months later, after time spent planning and working to remove the barrier, Frieren says it will finally come down the next day. But Frieren doesn’t believe it’s been a worthwhile use of their time — after all, Boshaft tastes terrible. She remarks that Elves often find unbelievable ways to spend their time. Frieren remembers Milliarde asking her why many elves spend all their lives looking for something. Milliarde answers herself, saying it’s because they don’t want to end up like her. See, Milliarde wrote that inscription, calling Boshaft the greatest liquor ever, even though both she and Frieren knew it was actually awful and cheap. And she did it for no reason, just something to pass the time. Back in the mines, Frieren finally opens the big doors. Behind it are shelves filled with liquor bottles. Fass is very, very excited and he offers a drink to Frieren, Stark and Fern. Frieren remembers speaking to Heiter about the liquor and asking him what he’d do if the drink he’d spent his whole life looking for turned out to be terrible. Heiter says that he’d laugh it off. After all, a bad drink is best enjoyed with friends. Frieren tastes it and tells Stark and Fern to try it as well. Everyone laughs about it, including Fass, who wants to share this awful liquor with the whole city. Later, Fass tells Frieren that though the discovery was disappointing, he had a great time. Frieren Heads to the Mines Later, in Norm Company Territory, the trio stops to eat. However, their bread is so hard that it literally makes a “clunk” sound when it hits the plate. Frieren says to just accept it for now, and if they keep walking, they’ll make it to a place that serves some decent food. They make it to the Norm Company’s estate, an important supply point in the Northern Plateau, especially when it comes to grain. However, when they’re getting registered and ready to pass through, a guy behind the front desk recognizes Frieren from a picture he has stapled under the desk. As it turns out, Frieren owes a debt there that she hasn’t paid off in 80 years. Frieren assumed that she could just pay it back whenever she wanted, but that isn’t the case. Frieren offers Norm a large amount of money, but it is far from enough. She apparently has to work in the mines for 300 years to pay it off, so she tells Stark and Fern that her journey ends here. Norm’s men took all of her things as collateral, and soon after, two muscular men take Frieren herself to the mines. Mine Raid? Stark and Fern try to get Frieren back, but Norm tells them that it’s hopeless. Frieren owes 500 Strahl gold coins, plus interest. Stark and Fern can’t pay it off, but they also can’t wait 300 years. In the mines, Frieren uses her amazing magic powers to locate a spot in the mine where the men need to dig. She’s then approached by Norm, and she tells him that two generations ago, the Norm Company president got his start as an exiled noble who eventually created an entire industrial and economic network in the Northern Plateau. And he’d never asked Himmel’s party to repay him when he helped them out. Norm tells her that they’ve lost many men and resources while they fought demons recently. It is no longer as rich a place. However, he’s confident that they’ll be able to rebuild the trading company and that it was destined by the Goddess that Frieren came there. If they find silver ore, they’ll definitely be able to repay Himmel’s party’s debt. But the keyword there is “find,” and if Frieren isn’t able to, many people in the region will die. Also, if she finds it, Norm will give her soft bread to eat. Frieren agrees to the deal. They eventually strike silver and Frieren is free to go. Just in time, too. Fern and Stark were planning to raid the mine and save her. 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. Frieren Season 2 Recaps Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 4 Recap, “Other People’s Homes” Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 3 Recap, “Somewhere She’d Like” Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 2 Recap, “The Hero of the South” Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 1 Recap, “Shall We Go, Then?”
