Chapter 73

## Chapter Guide

**Encounter Battle** 「遭遇戦 (そうぐうせん) , *Sōgūsen*?」 is the seventy-third chapter of Yamada Kanehito & Abe Tsukasa's *Frieren: Beyond Journey's End*.

## Summary

Right after the events of the previous chapter, the group of mages splits up. Stark stays with Genau to guard the corpses in town while Frieren, Fern, and Methode head off to search for demons. Genau tells Stark that he is a good man, but he won't survive long; Genau himself does not know what he's doing here after everything he has abandoned. Meanwhile, Methode, Fern, and Frieren trek through the forest. They are found by two unnamed demons who create a fog made of mana and split the mages up. Frieren decides to leave the fight to Fern, since she is the first-class mage.

## Plot Details

Right after the events of the previous chapter, the group of mages and Stark prepare to leave. Frieren suggests heading to the abandoned fortress first since demons tend to hide in such places. Genau says that he will catch up with the rest as soon as the Chivalric Order of Norm arrives, and Stark offers to stay in the village with Genau. Genau questions Stark for leaving his friends without a warrior, but Stark says the same applies to Genau. Genau states that it won’t be a problem as he can manage without a warrior, but Stark again says that the same applies to Frieren and Fern. Frieren says that it is only true to a certain extent, but agrees that they can just flee when things get tough. Stark remarks that Genau cannot abandon his own village as Genau reasons that there are only corpses around, and the former continues that despite this fact, he is still staying to protect the corpses, causing Genau to concede to Stark.

As Frieren, Fern, and Methode leave, Genau tells Stark that he is a good person but won’t survive for very long for that reason. Stark says that Genau seems like a good person for still trying to protect the village, calling upon the fact that he himself could not do the same. Genau disagrees, stating that he has killed and forsaken countless people for the sole purpose of peace in the Northern Lands. He remarks that though it may look like retribution, he has grown so used to death that he does not feel a thing despite seeing his own hometown destroyed. He admits that he is staying because it aligns with what he believes should be done, though is unsure of his purpose after all the things he has done.

Meanwhile, the three of Frieren, Fern and Methode walk through a forest. Frieren tells Fern to minimize the use of long-range detection as a skilled enemy could use it to detect the mages instead. Since the group is still a long way away from the fortress Frieren encourages casual conversation as they walk. Fern expresses doubt about the group being so carefree, but Frieren emphasizes the importance of balancing tension and relaxation. She adds that communication improves teamwork, something she believes Fern might not fully appreciate. As a result, Methode asks if she can caress Frieren’s head, revealing her fondness for patting the heads of tiny individuals. She mentions that Serie rarely allows such acts as she seems to dislike it. Frieren agrees with Serie, asserting that she won't permit head-patting as she is a considerably more mature woman than Methode. However, when Methode conjures a grimoire with a spell preventing eggshells from falling when cracking eggs, Frieren takes the grimoire happily, allowing Methode to pat her head to her heart's content. While Frieren reads through the grimoire, Methode happily pats her head and then requests permission to hug her, explaining that Serie does not allow her to do so. Frieren grants Methode permission to do as she pleases, and Methode promptly squeezes Frieren in a hug, to Fern’s annoyance. Fern begins to pull Frieren back, starting a tug of war of Frieren. The mages' comical moment is abruptly disrupted by the appearance of two demons floating in the air, instantly alerting Methode and Fern.

Methode realizes that the demons managed to detect the mages' mana. Frieren notes that despite being aware of the mages' prowess, the demons seem eager to engage in battle. The two demons are identified as a katana wielder and a ritual staff wielder. The latter promptly casts the Fog Control Magic Nebeladora, enveloping the surroundings in a thick fog, hindering both vision and mana detection. Facing an ensuing barrage of aerial attacks, Frieren grabs Fern, forcing the two to split away from Methode. Fern expresses confusion, noting that both demons are employing a flight spell. Frieren reminds Fern that demons once dominated the skies until 40 years ago, but Fern oints out that demons often specialize in a single spell. Flying, according to Frieren, comes naturally to demons, not even considered magic. Frieren anticipates that Fern will encounter more such abilities in upcoming battles and remarks that the demons' battle experience reminds her of the Demon King's army.

A loud sound signals that Methode has engaged in combat, prompting Frieren to leave the battle to Fern. Confused, Fern questions this decision, and Frieren emphasizes that Fern is a first-class mage, and the mission is tailored for mages of her caliber. Before Fern can voice further concerns, Frieren reassures her. Fern has to quickly react to block an attack from one of the demons after Frieren points it out, and Frieren justifies her decision. However, Fern insists that her successful block was due to luck and feels outclassed. Frieren reassures her once again, expressing confidence in her victory.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Methode
* Fern
* Frieren
* Stark
* Genau
* Unnamed fog control demon
* Unnamed demon fighting Frieren and Fern

## Battles and Events

#### Battles

* Frieren & Fern vs. Unnamed demon
* Methode vs. Fog control demon

## Spells and New Tools Used

#### Spells

* Spell that prevents egg-shells from falling in when cracking eggs
* Flight magic
* Fog control: Nebeladora
* Unnamed offense magic
* Defense magic