Episode 3

* Episode
* Ending Card

## Episode Guide

**Killing Magic** 「人を殺す魔法, *Hito o korosu mahō*?」 is the third episode of the *Frieren: Beyond Journey's End* anime series. It is the third part of the initial two-hour premier episode, released on September 29, 2023.

## Synopsis

While retracing the path she took on her adventure with her former traveling companions, Frieren confronts an old enemy.

## Plot

Twenty-seven years after Hero Himmel's passing, Frieren and Fern find themselves in the trade city of Warm in the Central Lands. As they stroll through the city, Frieren instructs Fern to split up and restock their travel supplies. Fern, realizing most responsibilities fall on her, asks about Frieren's shopping plans. Frieren pauses before responding that she plans on buying herbs and the likes. Reading Frieren's suspicious expression, Fern recalls instances when Frieren purchased a monster's skull, a cloth-dissolving potion that she was told to return, and a book on magical history. Fern hesitates to deem the last item unnecessary.

As Frieren takes a different path at a fork, Fern decides to tail her, mindful of their travel expenses. Observing Frieren at an accessory shop, Fern speculates that, despite her usual neglect of hair care, Frieren might have an interest in fashion. Fern looks at an incredibly perplexed Frieren from behind as she remarks that Frieren has never made such a face before. After a long time which Fern spent petting a cat, Frieren finally buys an accessory and Fern supposes that one accessory would not be too bad.

As Fern decides to start shopping, she overhears Frieren asking about good desserts in town, which Fern finds unfair, given her own sweets deprivation for months. Frieren is directed to a dubious tavern, where she inquires about desserts, garnering responses from intimidating, but passionate adventurers. As Frieren bids farewell, Fern realizes she's heading back to the inn rather than a dessert shop, and that Fern has not done any shopping yet.

Later at the inn, Frieren tells Fern she's late, and Fern apologizes. As Fern sets down her purchased items, Frieren suggests getting something sweet to eat and awkwardly exits the room.

Frieren and Fern arrive at the recommended place, and Frieren admires the view of the sun and the city, appreciating the adventurers' suggestion. Fern then apologizes to Frieren for doubting her, although Frieren has no idea what she is talking about. Frieren encourages Fern to choose whatever she likes and reveals her secret savings to cover the expenses. When Frieren wonders what she herself will have, Fern surprises her by correctly guessing that she feels like eating Merkur pudding.

In a flashback, the Hero Party dined together, and Himmel accurately guessed that Frieren desired Merkur pudding. Curious, Frieren questioned how he knew, and Himmel attributed it to years of traveling together. Frieren admitted knowing nothing about the rest of the party, prompting Himmel to promise to share more about himself. He revealed his favorite meal was a Ruf-omelette, while Eisen mentioned his preference for sour grapes. Before Heiter could share his choice, Frieren interjected, stating she already knew he liked alcohol. Eisen tells Heiter not to blush, and Himmel noted it was concerning that Frieren only remembered that detail.

The flashback ends, and Frieren apologizes to Fern for not knowing her preferences. Frieren then presents Fern with a box, and Fern realizes it's her birthday. Opening the box, she finds a beautifully crafted hair ornament. Grateful, Fern thanks Frieren, appreciating the thoughtful gift. Despite Frieren's apparent cluelessness, Fern affectionately remarks on Frieren's attempts to understand her, finding joy in the effort, even if Frieren doesn't fully grasp human emotions.

The following morning, Frieren and Fern resume their journey, with Fern proudly wearing her new hair ornament. As they walk along a road, Fern questions the purpose of their journey. Frieren responds that it's primarily to fulfill her desire to collect spells, although she also expresses a desire to retrace the adventure she had with Himmel and the Hero Party before the signs of their existence vanish. Fern acknowledges the importance of this to Frieren, but Frieren admits she's not entirely sure and intends to discover more about it as they progress.

As the two walk, Frieren observes that Fern has grown taller again. Fern mentions that she is now sixteen, old enough to be an older sister. Frieren glances at Fern’s chest and notes that it's strange Fern has developed more despite sharing the same diet.

Later, Frieren and Fern are training in Größe Forest. Frieren casts a spell at Fern, who promptly blocks it with a defensive spell. Frieren notes Fern's improvement but challenges her further with a spell that bends through her defenses and dissipates before hitting Fern, dropping Fern to her knees in surprise. Frieren emphasizes the importance of addressing defensive gaps in a real battle. The training intensifies as Frieren launches multiple spells, prompting Fern to correctly respond with an omnidirectional defensive spell as Frieren continues with more spells. Fern becomes fatigued, leading Frieren to conclude the training.

As they walk, Frieren explains to Fern that the defensive spell is powerful but depletes mana rapidly. Expanding it continuously would exhaust one's mana supply within seconds. Fern deduces that casting smaller spells at the moment of impact for each spell is a more efficient strategy, and Frieren confirms. Fern notes that they have only been training in defensive magic and Frieren replies it is because it is directly linked to their survival. Fern agrees, noting how strange it is how powerful the defensive spells are.

Frieren tugs Fern’s arm as she realizes that Fern has not read the magical history book that was given to her, asserting the importance of theory in magic in relation to practice. Frieren sighs and supposes that she may have to read it to Fern at bedtime as Fern responds that she will read it herself as she is not a child.

Frieren and Fern reach a village, and Fern inquires about collecting unusual spells. Frieren dismisses the idea, revealing there's something different this time. Frieren approaches the villagers with a question, and one of them recognizes her features. Curious, Frieren asks how he knew, and the villager leads her to the location where Qual was sealed.

As they walk, Fern questions Qual's identity, and the villager recounts that he is the Elder Sage of Corruption, responsible for terrible atrocities eighty years ago before being sealed by Hero Himmel and his party. Frieren notes that the seal is about to break, expressing surprise at how the villager knows as she has not told anyone. The villager explains that Himmel visited the village annually until thirty years ago to check on the seal. Frieren notes Himmel's virtue, and the villager reveals that Himmel often criticized Frieren, calling her heartless and cold for neglecting to check on Qual. Frieren apologizes, but the villager continues, stating that Himmel knew Frieren wouldn't forsake the village and would return when the seal was about to break.

The three arrive at the sealing site that contains a towering Qual. Frieren observes the unstable seal and tells the villager that she will dispel the seal tomorrow and kill Qual.

Later that night, Fern questions Frieren about whether she was the one to seal Qual and the reasons behind it. Frieren discloses that Qual was sealed due to his exceptional power. She reminisces about a memory where the Hero Party faced near defeat against Qual, an outstanding mage credited with creating Zoltraak, the first piercing magic in history. Zoltraak had the unique ability to penetrate defensive spells and magic-infused armor, directly harming the body. Frieren elaborates that in this region, 40% of adventurers and 70% of mages fell victim to Zoltraak's deadly capabilities.

Fern comments on the overwhelming power of Zoltraak, and Frieren agrees, adding that it was also the reason for Qual's downfall. Intrigued, Fern asks for clarification, but Frieren notes once again that Fern has not read the magical history book. Frieren suggests reading it to Fern, but Fern expresses her willingness to start reading immediately. Frieren, however, advises her to get some rest, assuring her that she will understand more the next day.

The next day, Frieren directs Fern to stand guard as she initiates the process of undoing Qual's seal. Qual awakens and greets Frieren, inquiring about the elapsed time. Frieren casually mentions that it's been eighty years from their perspective. Qual then questions the fate of the Demon King, and Frieren promptly discloses that the Demon King has been killed. Qual decides to avenge the Demon King and begins casting Zoltraak. Frieren instructs Fern to cast a defensive spell, and to Qual's surprise, Fern successfully blocks his spell, prompting him to acknowledge the potency of the defensive magic.

Confused, Fern questions the nature of Qual's seemingly ordinary offensive spell. Frieren reveals it to be Zoltraak, a potent spell that mages across the lands studied, analyzed and integrated into human magic, alongside new defensive spells, within a few years. She explains that advancements in magic resistance of equipment have also transformed Zoltraak from a lethal force into a mere ordinary offensive spell, highlighting how long eighty years is for humans.

Frieren offers Qual a peaceful death if he cooperates, but undeterred, Qual instead casts defensive magic and observes how it attunes to and disperses offensive spells, realizing its significant mana consumption. He retaliates with a barrage of Zoltraak spells. Frieren instructs her to handle defense and steps back to cast her own spell. As Qual's spells breach Fern's defenses, he switches to a powerful frontal attack. Fern successfully responds with a frontal defensive spell. Qual notices Frieren above, curious about Frieren's ability to fly, and attempts to attack her. Frieren counters with Zoltraak, destroying most of Qual's torso. In his fading moments, Qual laments the use of his own spell against him. With the battle over, Frieren lands in front of an exhausted Fern.

Later in the village, Fern is seen reading the magical history book while waiting for Frieren, who is being thanked by the villagers. The villager who led them to Qual remarks that they can finally live in peace. Frieren recognizes the villager as the brat who once flipped her skirt up from his straw hat.

A short flashback reveals the young villager flipping Frieren’s skirt up. Himmel, held back by Heiter, was outraged, asserting that he wanted to see the same thing for the longest time. As the kid runs around, Eisen told Himmel not to harm the kid, and Heiter offered to show his underwear instead, which disgusted Frieren.

As the flashback ends, Frieren notes the villager's survival, and he credits her for extending his life, thanking her for believing in Himmel's words. As Frieren and Fern depart on a carriage, Fern mentions the villagers' gratitude. Frieren clarifies that it's not directed at her but rather their belief in Himmel. Though Fern doesn’t understand, she acknowledges Himmel's belief in Frieren. Frieren smiles, patting Fern's head, and when asked about it, she dismisses it as nothing. Together, they gaze at the sky as the carriage moves away.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Frieren
* Fern
* Himmel (Flashback)
* Heiter (Flashback)
* Eisen (Flashback)
* Villager
* Qual (Debut)

## Episode Notes

* In the manga, the book on magical history is not recalled by Fern when talking about Frieren's buying habits
* In the anime, Frieren's awkwardness is expanded upon when she invites Fern out to eat.
* The depiction of human mages examining and developing Zoltraak, along with defense magic, varies between the manga and the anime.
* In the anime, Qual casted defensive magic while analyzing it, whereas in the manga, he merely thinks about the concept.
* In the anime, Frieren flies upwards, piquing Qual's curiosity, before she kills him whereas in the manga, Frieren fires Zoltraak from the ground.

## References

1. ↑ Crunchyroll: *Frieren: Beyond Journey's End* Episode 3