Chapter 68

## Chapter Guide

**Northern Plateau** 「 ()  ()  () , *ROMAJI*?」 is the sixty-eighth chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's *Frieren: Beyond Journey's End*.

## Summary

Twenty-nine years after the Hero Himmel's passing, Frieren's Party is in the Nachricht Region. They pass through the checkpoint to the Northern Plateau, and quickly encounter a variety of different monsters. They stop at a cabin, where a villager requests they subjugate a monster further up the road. Stark questions why the villagers don't leave for safer lands, but the villager says that this land is filled with his family's memories, and asks how one could abandon their hometown. After subjugating the monster, Stark wonders if going by sea would have been easier, but Frieren recalls Himmel saying he wants to protect other people's homes, not just his own, and she tells Stark that many people call the Northern Plateau home. Stark and Fern both agree, and the party then continues their travels.

## Plot Details

Twenty-nine years after the Hero Himmel's passing, Frieren's Party is in the Nachricht Region. Stark notes that the temperature has gotten colder, to which Frieren responds that they have left the volcanic region and are now approaching the border of the Northern Plateau. Before going through the border checkpoint, the party takes their time to resupply as Frieren showcases her suitcase that is capable of carrying more things than it looks.

The party swiftly passed through the border checkpoint, courtesy of Fern's first-class mage status. As they proceeded into the Northern Plateau, Stark commented on the place appearing quite normal despite the warnings about its danger. Fern questioned Stark's seriousness as Frieren realizes they are already surrounded by monsters before instructing the two to prepare themselves. A montage followed, depicting the party battling various monsters before Frieren spotted a village at nighttime. A relieved Fern stated that they had been on guard for three whole days and hoped to get some rest, while Stark was convinced he was going to die in battle.

A local villager offers the party a vacant cabin and seeks a favor in return. He explains that there is a formidable monster further up the road, which overwhelmed the Chivalric Order and deterred merchants from using the route. As adventurers rarely visit the village, the villager hopes the party can handle the monster. Frieren accepts the request as the party plans to head in the same direction before asking if both Fern and Stark are fine with it. The two accept the notion, but Stark asks why the villagers would willingly live in such a dangerous place if they could just head down south out of the Northern Plateau. The villager agrees that it is a place of utmost danger, but it doesn’t change the fact that it was where they were born and raised. As he stares at his family, the villager says that this land is filled with his family's memories, and asks how one could abandon their hometown.. Stark has a deep reaction to the villager’s conviction which causes Frieren to break out a slight smile.

The next morning, the party heads out on their way to confront the monster, which has stationed itself in the middle of the road. The creature brandishes its sword as Frieren orders Fern and Stark not to let their guards down, and the battle begins. The monster engages Stark, who holds it at bay until both Fern and Frieren are able to cast Zoltraak at the creature. As the monster's corpse fades into dust, Stark sits against a tree, reflecting on the monster's strength. Frieren explains that they have only just entered the Northern Plateau, and there will be many monsters just as formidable as that one. Fern remarks that the journey will not be easy. A demoralized Stark asks Frieren if they should not have just traveled by sea if they were going to face tough opposition, as he believes that the costs would have been worth it.

A short flashback begins as the Hero Party finishes slaying a monster. Eisen remarked that he did not expect a monster of such power to appear, while Heiter worried that he could have died. Frieren, mirroring Stark, commented that the party should have gone by sea if they knew the place was going to be dangerous. Himmel declared that that is the exact reason why they are there, as there are a lot of people in the Northern Plateau. Himmel continued, adding that he became a hero not only to protect his homeland but also to protect others'.

The flashback ends as Frieren, calling upon the memory, tells Stark that there are a lot of people who call the Northern Plateau their home. Stark concedes with a smile and Fern adds that they should do their best. Frieren and Fern begin to head on their way before Frieren asks Stark why he is still seated. Stark explains that his knees gave out as Fern calls him pathetic.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Frieren
* Fern
* Stark
* Northern Plateau border guard
* Nachricht region villager
* Eisen (Flashback)
* Heiter (Flashback)
* Himmel (Flashback)

## Locations

* Northern Plateau border
* Nachricht Region
	+ Village in the Nachricht Region

## Battles and Events

#### Battles

* Frieren's Party vs. Monster terrorizing Nachricht Region settlement

#### Events

* Frieren's Party pass through the border to the Northern Plateau

## Spells and New Tools Used

#### Spells

* Defense magic
* Zoltraak