Beyond Journey's End
Episode 30: The Hero of the South
Will you polish the statue of the hero?
What's the reward?
A spell to scratch the itchy parts on your back.
29 years after the death of Himmel the Hero, in Fabel Village, located in the northern lands
We're doing this kind of job again?
There are statues of Mr. Himmel everywhere, it seems.
Well, odd jobs like these are fun, too.
Let's get polishing.
It's a bronze statue, so we can use magic.
You won't have anything to do, Stark.
Huh?
Wait, who's this guy?!
Is this your first time seeing him?
That's the Hero of the South.
Himmel was the one who defeated the Demon King, but he wasn't the only hero.
All kinds of heroes made the attempt.
Among them, the Hero of the South was said to be humanity's strongest.
That seems a bit extreme.
I wouldn't say that.
He was worthy of that title.
At the time, the greatest threat to humanity
was the Seven Sages of Destruction
who controlled the major regions around the northern lands.
We actually only defeated two of them.
Of the remaining five, two either fled or went missing.
Like Aura the Guillotine.
The Hero of the South defeated the remaining three.
His rapid advance was incredible.
In just a year, he annihilated the Demon King's front-line troops
and reached the northernmost end of the Northern Plateau—
the heart of the Demon King's supply route back then.
That was where he was defeated by Schlacht the Omniscient—
the Demon King's confidant who could see 1,000 years into the future with magic—
and the combined forces of all Seven Sages.
All Seven Sages...
That's insane.
The Hero of the South still managed to defeat three of them,
and he and Schlacht the Omniscient slew each other.
That battle liberated many people in this region from the Seven Sages.
The people here are devoted to the Hero of the South.
Since his body was never found,
legends claim he's still fighting Schlacht the Omniscient to this day.
Though, given that the demons he fought had a taste for human flesh,
I think he was actually just eaten.
Shall we get this cleaned up?
I refuse.
I can't defeat the Demon King.
So you refused after all.
As I thought, I don't know the right words to convince you.
You speak like you already knew this would happen.
That's because I did.
But I suppose I can tell you why.
Even if you learn my secret, you'll never tell anyone.
So I shall tell you, and only you...
the reason I am humanity's strongest hero.
I can see the future.
Huh. That's impressive.
You don't seem to believe me.
It's not that. I just don't care.
Then perhaps this will pique your interest.
You know of the Seven Sages of Destruction, do you not?
One year from now in the Northern Plateau, I will be defeated and slain
by Schlacht the Omniscient and the Seven Sages.
I will die without achieving my goal.
Don't feel sorry for me.
Even if you accompanied me, my fate would not change.
But soon,
a young hero will visit you.
I hate to admit it, but he is the one who will save the world, not me.
You will travel with that young man's party and defeat the Demon King.
I really can't see that happening.
You'll understand once you meet him.
He'll change your life.
Well, I should go.
May I ask you for one thing?
What is it?
When you meet that young man, tell him this.
I swear...
I will clear a path for you.
I, humanity's strongest hero: the Hero of the South.
Even if my accomplishments should be buried in the shadows of history.
Wait!
You won't get away!
Some future sight you had.
The people here remember you.
History hasn't forgotten.
29 years after the death of Himmel the Hero, in Graf Dach's domain, located in the northern lands
It's been a while since we were last in a big city.
We're leaving as soon as we're done resupplying.
Seriously?
We're not gonna take our time?
Hey, they've got magic shops.
Don't you know, Stark? Time is finite.
Yeah, I know.
That's everything.
Hey, why don't we at least get something nice to eat?
You know we don't have the money to spare for that, Stark.
Yeah, but...
Let's hurry.
She's been acting strange this whole time.
Normally she thinks nothing of staying in a big city for a few months.
We're too late.
You must be Ms. Frieren.
My lord would like to invite you to dinner.
We're in a hurry.
Ms. Frieren was a member of the party of heroes that saved this land.
My lord wishes to thank you all.
This is good.
Thank you for the invitation, Graf Dach.
She looks really unhappy.
Ms. Frieren, thank you for helping my great-grandfather.
What do you want?
Straight to the point. I appreciate that.
My family's treasured heirloom sword was stolen by a demon.
It was stolen again?
"Again"?
It was stolen from his great-grandfather, too.
How does that keep happening?
Very well.
I'd like a grimoire as a reward.
I'll be counting on you, then.
Honestly, a lot of nobles in the northern lands are pushy,
but this family in particular makes unreasonable demands.
If you don't get my sword back, I'll throw you into the dungeon.
What?
Talk about tyrannical.
At least they know which way the demon fled this time.
That's better than before.
It was a real ordeal looking for it with no leads at all last time.
Ultimately, we found the sword at the top of the Schwer Mountains.
That's ridiculous.
But why would the demons keep stealing this sword?
The Dach family's heirloom sword originally belonged to a famous demon.
It must possess some appeal only demons understand.
Anyway, I'm surprised you accepted this job.
I thought you'd turn it down.
I didn't have a choice.
Himmel brought back that heirloom sword once already.
If I'd refused, his efforts would've been for nothing.
Besides, Himmel wouldn't abandon someone in need.
This village...
It's in ruins.
There's no one here.
No, there's one here.
Are you from this village?
No. I'm a traveling priest.
Who are you?
We're adventurers passing through.
This village was destroyed by the sword demon.
I was mourning the villagers.
The sword demon...
Probably the demon we're after.
Countless villages have been destroyed by the sword demon.
There have been no survivors.
How awful.
Adventurers,
will you offer a prayer?
Ms. Frieren?
I knew it. There are no bodies buried here.
But why?
Because that priest is the sword demon.
There are no corpses left, are there?
I killed them so I could eat them.
I had to in order to survive.
Even though you can eat things other than humans?
Why is that a reason not to eat humans?
Speaking to it is a waste of time.
Let's take it down.
It's quick.
Mr. Stark.
This is what front-liners are for.
So cold.
This was an awful job.
But we got to defeat a demon.
Sometimes difficult jobs like these ultimately help lots of people.
That's why I never abandon someone in need.
You just like taking on difficult jobs.
The challenge is what makes it exciting.
No kidding, huh?
Good job, you two.
Why did you get violent all of a sudden, anyway?
Because you were about to pray.
It was all I could do in the moment.
People close their eyes to pray.
That demon must have been taking advantage of that to kill travelers.
Thank you for returning my treasured heirloom sword, Ms. Frieren.
Now this city is safe again.
I want to go shopping. Could you drop us off at the marketplace?
Certainly.
The graf seemed quite happy.
I just hope it doesn't get stolen again.
If the demons find it so appealing, they'll probably keep trying.
I'm sure they will.
That was only the second time it was stolen,
but they've been attacked a number of times.
So the demons will keep coming as long as they have that sword?
It may be a treasured heirloom,
but shouldn't they get rid of something so dangerous?
It's not that simple.
I guess not.
Nobles can be stubborn about letting go of treasures like those.
There's that, but letting it fall into the hands of a demon would be worse.
Demons can't resist showing off the power they've acquired.
Is that the nature of demons?
A demon went on a rampage the last time it was stolen, too.
It destroyed a town and three villages.
Seriously?
Not only that, but they say the demon sweet-talked
one of the graf's servants into helping.
But ever since then,
Graf Dach's family has prioritized protecting the heirloom sword.
Perhaps now it's not just his family's mission,
Will I grow up to be strong, too?
but that of the whole city.
Sure you will.
Did the demon have help stealing the sword this time, too?
I'm not sure.
But as long as humans know desire, demons will take advantage of that.
Humans also fail to resist their impulses.
If that happens, I hope you'll help again, Ms. Frieren.
That depends on the reward.
You'd do it for a grimoire, wouldn't you?
Maybe.
I got a good one this time, too.
That's great, Ms. Frieren.
What kind of spell is it?
A spell to turn a red apple into a green apple.
Talk about useless.
Translation Sho Stifler Editing & Typesetting Geoff Mazzolini Subtitle Timing Edgar Cruz Quality Check Alicia Ashby Translation Check Elizabeth Ellis
This brings back memories.
I think I'd like to visit.
You just called me a grandma.
You're so inconsiderate, Mr. Stark.
You sure love hot springs for someone so young.
It was a truly ridiculous adventure.
You said it'd be quick!
I'm telling you, there's something here.
Episode 31 Somewhere She'd Like
Somewhere she'd like.