Chapter 71

## Chapter Guide

**Subjugation Request** 「 ()  ()  () , *ROMAJI*?」 is the seventy-first chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's *Frieren: Beyond Journey's End*.

## Summary

Thirty years after the Hero Himmel's passing, Genau is in the Rufen Region in the ruins of his hometown. Genau subjugates all the demons and finds the dying baker's son. He reassures him that the townspeople are safe, and when the man dies, he and carries his body back to Methode. Methode reassures him that the town's deaths are not his fault. Suddenly, the two first-class mages sense two mages. Frieren bursts in through the church window, with the rest of the party at the ready outside, as they had also received the subjugation request, and upon arriving, Genau's killing-intent filled mana made her believe he was a demon. Methode says that it is strange that the village was slaughtered even with the Chivalric Order of Norm stationed there, and Genau shares that he believes the demon who attacked the village is still alive. Frieren smiles and says they can help.

## Plot Details

Thirty years after the Hero Himmel's passing, Genau is in the ruins of a village in the Rufen Region. A demon kneels before him, pleading for mercy and mentioning his young son. Dismissing the demon's words, Genau silences him and swiftly eliminates him with a spell before the demon could attack. As Genau searches the desolate home, he questions the truth behind the demon's claim about having a son, deploring the lack of honesty among demons.

Reflecting to himself, Genau reveals that Serie personally requested him to undertake the subjugation quest. Wondering what it could possibly be, he is confronted with his hometown reduced to ruins by demons. Genau admits a lack of affection for the place, yet the sight causes him to feel lonely. While exploring, Genau encounters a heavily wounded man. Recognizing Genau, the man informs him of their village's destruction. Genau reassures him that he has already vanquished every demon. The man, fading into unconsciousness, inquires about the village inhabitants. Genau attempts to comfort him, promising that everyone is safe, with the aid of a new first-class mage who accompanies them, capable of healing the man’s wounds as she can make use of the Goddess’s Magic.

Genau enters a church where Methode awaits him. Methode asks him to bring the injured man to her, and Genau expresses ire at Methode’s reactions, revealing that the man has long been dead due to his festering stomach wound despite his clinging to Genau. Genau continues to divulge that the man was the son of a baker who used to play with him when he was young, adding that the man succeeded the bakery despite his breads not tasting good. Genau laments that he will never eat the bread ever again. Genau lays the dead man alongside the rest of the village inhabitants before a statue of the Goddess, stating that the man won’t feel lonely anymore. Genau contemplates why the village inhabitants had to suffer death, considering that they did not choose to engage in combat, unlike first-class mages like himself and Methode, who willingly put their lives on the line in battle. Methode tells Genau not to blame himself as the village had already been destroyed by the time the Northern Branch of the Continental Magic Association was notified by the Chivalric Order of Norm.

As Genau readies himself to explore the village once more, Methode suggests he take some rest. Genau questions her proposal, slightly bewildering Methode. Before the conversation can progress, Genau silences Methode, revealing that one of his birds has been taken down. Detecting two concealed mages, Methode begins to speculate about their identities, but the window overlooking them shatters. Frieren bursts through the broken window with the intent to attack, prompting Genau to brace for the same. However, he recognizes Frieren and immediately halts, deducing that the other hidden mage is Fern. Frieren identifies Methode and Genau, mentioning that Genau’s mana was so filled with killing intent that she initially thought it belonged to a demon, causing Methode to glare at him. Genau apologizes for the confusion as Methode berates him for making her feel very uneasy. Frieren informs Fern that there are no enemies and to inform Stark of the same.

Later, Frieren and Fern engage in a conversation with Methode. Frieren discloses to her that Fern had also received the same subjugation request since they were already in the Northern Plateau. Frieren asks about the current situation. Meanwhile, Stark is praying before the deceased inhabitants as Genau questions him about his action. Stark responds, asking if Genau has an issue with his praying, and Genau replies in the negative. Stark reveals that his village was also ravaged by demons and asks why demons tend to leave human corpses despite consuming them, citing a similar occurrence in his village. Genau admits he has no idea, even pondering why demons would still kill humans when they are already full. Methode updates Frieren and Fern on all that has transpired so far, with Frieren realizing that her party had been one step behind despite their efforts to reach the village quickly. However, Methode also reveals that there is currently a mysterious element that is concerning Genau.

Everyone assembles in front of the corpses of soldiers that Genau explains belong to the Chivalric Order of Norm stationed in the village. Frieren reminds Stark that they are the military branch of the Norm Company they recently encountered. Fern notes the small size of the group as Genau explains that it's not unusual. He further states that despite their small number, they were elite soldiers, too skilled for the village in fact, standing before the captain who had protected the village for many years. Frieren examines the captain’s body and expresses surprise as he was clearly stronger than Stark. Stark acknowledges that it was obvious since everyone is stronger than him. Frieren asks about the cause of the soldiers' deaths, and Methode answers that her autopsy spell reveals they all died instantly from blade slashes. Genau interjects that all the demons they found were weaklings, no match for the soldiers, suspecting that the demon responsible for their deaths is still alive. He adds that Frieren should be happy as her party’s arrival had not been in vain, and with a smile, Frieren understands that she and her party can help demonstrate humanity’s ferocity to the demon responsible.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Genau
* Baker's son
* Methode
* Frieren
* Fern
* Stark

## Locations

* Rufen Region
	+ Genau's hometown

## Battles and Events

#### Events

* Frieren's Party, Genau, and Methode team up to take down the demon that attacked the village

## Spells and New Tools Used

#### Spells

* Unnamed offense magic
* Spell to capture a bird
* Flight magic