Chapter 120

## Chapter Guide

**False Image of a Hero** 「虚 (きよ) 像 (ぞう) の英 (えい) 雄 (ゆう) , *Kyozō no eiyū*?」 is the one hundred and twentieth chapter of Kanehito Yamada and Abe Tsukasa's *Frieren: Beyond Journey's End*.

## Summary

Thirty-one years after the Hero Himmel's passing, Frieren's Party are in Bohne Village. They have arrived at the village just in time for the Liberation Festival, which is celebrated in Imperial Territory on the anniversary of the Demon King's defeat every year. Frieren, Stark, and Fern decide to join in on the festivities. Frieren decides to go touch the statue of the Hero Himmel, as according to tradition doing so brings good luck, but the party discovers that the design of the statue of Himmel looks very different from all the others they have seen. While it doesn't sit right with Stark, Frieren tells him to leave it be as the villagers have faith in the false image of Himmel they have created and the statue wasn't created with malicious intent. Later, Frieren recalls how shortly after the Hero Party defeated the Demon King, embellished stories had already begun to spread, such as the story of a ten-meter serpent that the Hero Party killed becoming a one hundred meter serpent. Though Frieren was upset, Himmel reassures her that even if the exact story is forgotten, their feats will never change. In the present day, Frieren agrees with Himmel's previous words, as even though the story has changed people are still celebrating the world that Himmel saved. The next day, Frieren's Party depart and continue traveling north while Stark brings up the story of Himmel cutting a thousand-meter serpent in half that he heard in town.

## Plot Details

Thirty-one years after the Hero Himmel's passing, Frieren's Party are in Imperial Territory, specifically Bohne Village. As they arrive in town, they are welcomed by the mayor of the village who tells them that they have arrived just in time for the Liberation Festival which will be taking place that evening. He tells them to enjoy their stay and bids them to join the villagers in their celebrations in the evening.

Frieren, Fern, and Stark continue to walk through the village, where various townspeople are busy setting up the festival. Stark asks whether the village is celebrating something, and Fern comments that it is indeed bustling in the village. Frieren explains that the Liberation Festival is celebrated in Imperial Territory on the anniversary of the Demon King's defeat. She remarks that she's heard it is a big celebration, so it's possible they will have a feast. Fern and Stark both smile at this, with Stark commenting that it's been awhile since they've had a decent meal.

Soon, evening has arrived. Throughout the village, stalls have been set up and streamers have been hung. Fern asks Frieren where they should start, and Frieren begins to walk toward the square, as she wants to touch the statue of the Hero Himmel that is there. According to the mayor, touching the statue will bring good luck. Though Stark questions the veracity of this claim, Frieren states that she plans to touch it anyways just in case; since it doesn't cost anything to touch the statue, she feels it would be a waste if she didn't at least try. Stark states that he now understands why Frieren always falls for mimics, but he continues following her nonetheless.

They arrive at the square which is bustling with people and make their way to the statue of Himmel. However, the statue looks drastically different to all the other statues of Himmel that they have seen before, so much so that Stark initially does not recognize who the statue subject is. This statue of Himmel is muscular, has a brave face, and is wearing a nobleman's clothes. Stark calls out the fact that the clothes would likely be impractical to fight in. Frieren explains that this sort of interpretation isn't out of the norm in Imperial Territory; for instance, she had once encountered a statue of Flamme which had turned her into some random old man. She explains that heroes have been deified and worshipped in Imperial Territory for ages once they are deceased. Frieren then notes that the statue of Himmel is brand new and must have been built recently. The mayor, overhearing her, approaches the party and tells them the history of the statue. The previous statue of Himmel in the village had been getting old, so donations were collected from the villagers in order to build a new statue. The mayor then says that the Hero Himmel must be looking down on the new statue from Heaven in delight.

Stark attempts to ask about the statue's inaccuracy, but Frieren interrupts him and tells him that it's okay. They walk away from the square, with Frieren telling Stark that there's no need to rain on the villagers' parades, as saying that the statue is inaccurate wouldn't help anything anyways. Frieren tells them that the further north you go, the more people revere the Hero Himmel. They have faith in a false image of a hero that is far from who he actually was. Stark says that doesn't sit right with him, but Frieren tells him that it's fine, as no one is acting with malicious intent. Everyone in the village loves Himmel, which is why they have built him what they consider an impressive statue. Frieren also agrees, however, that a formal, noble look probably would not be Himmel's personal preference.

The three of them then proceed to enjoy themselves at the festival, patronizing the different stalls, eating a big meal, and strolling in the streets. Later, Frieren returns to the statue of Himmel on her own and touches it as she had planned. Standing in front of the statue, she recalls a conversation from after the defeat of the Demon King, when the Hero Party were returning to the Royal Capital and were passing through Bohne Village by carriage.

As their carriage travels through the village, an older man can be seen retelling a tale about the Hero Party to a group of young children. The old man proclaims that the Hero Himmel sliced a serpent, said to be one hundred meters long, right in half, and the gathered children all exclaim in awe. In the carriage, Heiter comments that he doesn't recall Himmel doing that. Eisen adds that while Himmel did slay a serpent in the village, it was only ten meters long. Himmel disagrees and pompously proclaims that it was actually two hundred meters long, causing Eisen and Heiter to immediately call him out on his lie.

Frieren, however, tells the rest of the party that she thinks they should be taking these stories more seriously. They have only just defeated the Demon King, and yet stories about them are already spreading. Soon enough, these stories will be blown out of proportion, and then they will over time become accepted as the truth. Himmel, serious again, tells Frieren she is right. While he thinks it's a shame that the tale of their adventure will eventually change, Himmel states that no matter what, what they actually achieved will always be the same—the Hero Party had a silly but exciting journey and saved the world, and in the end, isn't that enough?

In the present day, Frieren reminisces on Himmel's words and tells his statue that he was right. She observes the celebrating villagers—though they don't remember the Hero Party's actual story, they still celebrate the world that Himmel and his party saved.

The next morning, Frieren's Party depart from Bohne Village and continue traveling north. They idly talk about how fun the festival was. Stark then brings up a story he heard from an old man during the festival about how the Hero Himmel cut a thousand meter long serpent in half and asks Frieren if it's true. Frieren muses how the serpent has become a hundred times bigger than it actually was.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Frieren
* Fern
* Stark
* Town mayor
* Himmel
* Heiter
* Eisen
* Old man in Bohne Village

## Battles and Events

### Events

* The Liberation Festival is held, celebrating the anniversary of the Demon King's defeat.
	+ Frieren's Party join in on the festivities.

## Chapter Notes

* The chapter cover depicts Himmel slaying the ten-meter long serpent in Bohne village.