01x12 - A Real Hero

[bunniefuu]

Like a fairy tale

It's a sign the story has reached its end

Like a single passage taken from

A journey that was too long

Of the evil that once cast a shadow

Across this land

And the memories of the short journey

With the hero who defeated it

FRIEREN: BEYOND JOURNEY'S END

The story ends

And the hero goes to sleep

Leaving this land with

Days of peace and quiet

The passage of time heartlessly

Makes people forget

Even the tracks left behind by his life

Begin to rust

Just the same

Your words and wishes and courage

Are still inside of me

And they live on

We chose the same path

That's all it was supposed to be

Why is it that at some point

I wanted to understand the reason for

The tears that fall down my cheeks

Even now

If I retrace the journey we walked together

Even though you're not there

I know I'll be able to find it

EPISODE : A REAL HERO

YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF HIMMEL THE HERO,IN THE SCHWER MOUNTAINS,LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN LANDS

Ms. Frieren is falling asleep.

What?

She's asleep.

Oh, well. I'll carry her.

But Mr. Stark, your axe...

Oh, right.

My hands are free, though.

I'll carry her.

What? Why?

No reason.

In the end, the king onlygave us ten copper coins.

What a cheapskate.

I'm not surprised.

Many heroes have tried and failedto defeat the Demon King until now.

There's nothing wrong withearning money to cover expenses

while working towarddefeating the Demon King.

It'll feel like an adventure.

I suppose you're right.

That's the Hero's Sword.

It's a replica.

Back in the day, a merchant whovisited my town gave it to me

for saving him from a monster.

"For the future hero," he said.

Just something you'd say to a kid.

Is that why you became a hero?

No.

There was this annoying brat namedHeiter at the village orphanage.

He said I'd only ever become a fake herobecause all I had was a fake sword.

So I decided I'd prove him wrongby becoming a real hero.

Someday, I'll acquire the real Hero's Swordand defeat the Demon King.

But the passage of time is cruel.

The brat who said that to me is nowa fake priest who just drinks all the time.

I'm a real priest.

A dream...

Ms. Frieren, you're finally awake.

I feel like I've seen this sight before.

I must still be dreaming.

If only you were.

I underestimated the mountain weather.

Keep going north. The villagewe're heading to is up ahead.

Very well.

Ms. Frieren, can you walk?

No.

I see.

You smell nice.

Sheesh.

You must be tired from carryingher this whole time, Fern.

I'll take her now.

Perv.

How am I a perv?

The blizzard has mostly settled down.

I thought we'd freeze to death.

There really is a village thisdeep in the mountains, huh?

We've been waiting for you, Ms. Frieren.

You're the current village chief?You're so young.

Yes. I'm the th in a long line of chiefs.

Welcome to the Village of the Sword.

There was a destroyed cabinoutside the village.

It's an old hunting cabin.

The lord of the mountains destroyed it.

The lord of the mountains?Has there always been one of those?

So this is the Village of the Sword.

You know of this place, Mr. Stark?

This village used to protect the Hero's Sword.

The Hero's Sword was said to have beenplaced in a sanctuary near this village.

Throughout history, many heroes tried topull it from the stone, but it wouldn't budge.

Not until eighty years ago, anyway.

According to the legend, uh...

"The Hero's Sword can onlybe pulled from the stone

by the hero who will drive off the greatcalamity bent on destroying this world."

Yeah, that's it.

And it was Mr. Himmel whodrew the sword from the stone?

That's right. I thought it wasa pretty famous story.

You hadn't heard it before?

No. Mr. Heiter never mentioned it.

This is it.

So warm.

Anyway, I'm disappointed, Ms. Frieren.

You were supposed to returnhalf a century later.

I'm a mild-mannered person,but even I'm pissed off.

At least, that's what my grandmother said.

I told her eighty years would be fine.

The people of this village, who've protectedthe Hero's Sword for generations,

can easily defend themselves.

That's true, but we stillneed you to fulfill your duty.

What duty?

Monster extermination.

Monsters regularly appear around this village.

The lord of the mountain has been especiallyunruly lately. It's been a real problem.

Then I'll start tomorrow.

Better to deal with thissooner rather than later.

This area is full of monsters,even though the village is nearby.

Why didn't you hire otheradventurers to exterminate them?

I wish we could, but...

It's because Himmel is the hero.

You weren't kidding.There sure are a lot of monsters.

They're gathered in front of that cave.

Frieren, is this—

It's the lord.

I see.

No wonder I didn't know who she meant.It's a new face.

Only eighty years, and youconsider yourself a lord?

Stark, I know you can keep moving.

Can't you treat people better?!

Nice work.

Now I've fulfilled my duty.

Frieren, what's the meaning of this?

That's the Hero's Sword.

It's what attracts all the monsters.

A powerful barrier prevents themfrom entering the sanctuary,

but even so, they can't suppresstheir impulse to destroy it.

The Hero's Sword must truly terrify them.

That's not what I meant.

Right.

Himmel failed to pullthe sword from the stone.

So this hero wasn't the real one either.

Himmel...

There's nothing wrongwith being a fake hero.

I'll defeat the Demon Kingand bring peace to the world.

Then it won't matter if I'm fake or not.

Himmel lived up to those words.

Even without that sword, he saved the world.

He was a real hero.

Then why was the truth covered up?

It was probably done by people whowanted to make Himmel a hero.

No hero needs embarrassingstories told about them,

like the time they failed to pullthe Hero's Sword from its stone.

Future generations alwaysromanticize heroes,

to the point that their originalnature eventually disappears.

I always believed youcould do it, Ms. Frieren.

I'm hella grateful.

My grandmother said that as well.

What's up with the wordsyour grandma left you?

Well, see you in another fifty years.

Don't be late next time.

YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF HIMMEL THE HERO,IN THE APPETIT REGION,LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN LANDS

Once we leave our belongings at the inn,

everyone's free to do whatthey want for the evening.

We haven't been to a town in a while.

We can finally cut loose.

Ms. Frieren, what will you do?

Shall we look around the shops together?

I'll pass.

I'd like to relax here at the innand read some grimoires.

I see. In that case, I'll go alone.

Oh, right.

Today is Stark's eighteenth birthday.

Why didn't you tell me that beforehand?

I didn't get him anything.

You can buy something for him in town.

I don't know what Mr. Stark wants.

You don't think things through, do you, Fern?

This is your fault, Ms. Frieren.

By the way, what are you giving him?

I've got something special planned.

A potion that only dissolves clothing.

My master told me men enjoyreceiving this kind of gift.

What? Are you curious, Fern?

I told you to return this vulgarpotion when you bought it.

I can't believe you, Ms. Frieren.

That potion was pretty valuable, you know.

What am I going to give him now?

Oh, right.

I have this.

I'll have to look into it myself.

He's bound to notice, though.

Mr. Stark.

Is he out?

A warrior carrying an axe?

He helped me push my cart.

I think he was headed toward the plaza.

He was playing with us until a moment ago.

He helped us out of that tree.

He stopped my rampaging cow.

He's been helping lots of people.

How could Ms. Frieren be so rude?

There's no way Mr. Stark wouldappreciate that dirty potion.

- Mr. Stark.- Whoa!

That cloud looks like boobs.

He's a perv after all.

For real? That one looks like a turd.

No, he's just a child.

I'll have to tell Fern about them later.

How am I supposed to respond to that?

Mr. Stark.

Fern, good timing. Those clouds...

Actually, sorry. It's nothing.

Uh, so...

Would you like to go for a walk?

Yes.

Hey, why are you mad? Did I do something?

How do I broach the subject?

Come on. I'll apologize, okay?

No matter how I ask,he'll know something's up.

Then I'll just come out and say it.

Mr. Stark, is there anything you want?

What for?

It's your birthday today.

Is that right?

What's that got to do with what I want?

I'd like to get you a birthday present.

What? You're gonna give me something?

Actually, never mind.You're kind of irritating.

Wait. I wasn't joking.

I've never received a birthday present before.

I never got one from mydead family or my master,

so I just thought that was how it was.

Not even from your family?

Was it not the custom there?

No, they probably just didn'tcare about me that much.

I'm originally from a village of warriors.

There was no place there for the weak.

That was a pathetic displayin front of that monster.

Try to be more like Stoltz.

Not only is he uninjured, but he doesn'thave a speck of blood or dirt on him.

His pure white cape proves he'sthe strongest warrior in the village.

Stoltz, you're the pride of the village.

Of course, Dad.

But by contrast, Stark is a failure.

Despite training so hard every day,he still hasn't faced down a monster.

It's starting to rain. Let's head home.

I'm going to train myfoolish younger brother.

Don't be too mean to him.

I'm heading home. You're wasting your time.

Stark.

Brother.

Sorry.

Good focus.

I know you'll become stronger, but yourstance could use some improvement.

Come to think of it, my brothermight've been different.

But...

When my village was att*cked by monsters,I abandoned even my brother and fled.

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised my familynever celebrated my birthday.

I was a failure who ran from everything.

I bet Himmel wouldn't have run.

Mr. Stark, let's go pick out a present.

The past doesn't matter.

The warrior Stark I've known has never run.

But I might in the future.

We won't let you.

But I—

If you won't choose, then I'mchoosing something for you.

Fine.

- I'd like this, then.- No. That's expensive.

Okay.

Welcome back. You're late.

Ms. Frieren, what are thoseridiculously large hamburg steaks?

What are you talking about?

This is how you celebrate a birthday.

My master never gave me any gifts,

but he did make me birthday hamburg steaks.

What do you mean?

Stark, Eisen didn't tell you?

Tell me what?

Warriors are so awkward.

You're one to talk, aren't you, Ms. Frieren?

You're right. I understandbecause I'm awkward, too.

It's foolish, isn't it?

People won't know how you feelunless you tell them.

This is...

Come to think of it,

you always make ridiculously largehamburg steaks on our birthdays.

What's that about?

It's a custom in my region.

They're a gift to honor warriorswho have worked hard.

It's like a birthday present from me.

But Eisen, we're not warriors.

Everyone who works hard is a warrior.

Really?

Who can say?

Warriors who have worked hard...

Brother, what are you making?

Hamburg steak. It's your birthday, isn't it?

Don't tell the rest of the family.

Run, Stark.

You have to live.

Eisen gave me the recipe.

Is it good?

Yeah.

I have some of this left over, too.

I'll pour it over yourhead again, Ms. Frieren.

Huh? What's that?

None of your business.

A valuable potion.

What? What's it do?

Perv.

What? How am I a perv?

Perv.

Seriously, why?!

And you alright

Can you hear me

Trailing along deserted train tracks

Crying excessively

Wanting you to smile

I hold on to memories I'd like to keep fresh

There's something I'd like to tell you

With words more precious than a goodbye

Unremarkable yet special

See, things that couldn't have been

Seen if it weren't for these eyes

Why? They begin to overflow

So, if I were to be born again

I would surely choose this place once more

So, if we were to meet again

I'd never let you go, I'd choose the present

Even if no promises were made

Even if I'm lost in days of loneliness

Those tears will be alright,dawn will surely break

I'm whispering our lullaby

for you to come back home

- Himmel!- My nose is starting to bleed.- You're a wicked woman.

- Alcohol is the best medicine.- My nose is starting to bleed.- You're a wicked woman.

- Alcohol is the best medicine.- So what, Frieren?- You're a wicked woman.

- So what, Frieren?- Too much time has passed.

- Grown-ups are dirty.- He also likes older women.- Nothing that can be done now.

EPISODE AVERSION TO ONE'S OWN KIND- It's an aversion to my own kind, I guess.