Frieren 64

Title: The Hero’s Final Journey

As the three walked side by side, leaving the capital.

Just as they exited the city gate, they saw two figures, one tall and one short, already waiting by the wall.

Though Heiter was a priest fond of drinking, he was still very tall. Even after 50 years, his appearance hadn’t changed much.

His face was full of wrinkles, giving an aged impression. Surprisingly, his clothes hadn’t changed at all… Perhaps he deliberately wore them for today’s meeting. But Ash couldn’t resist teasing: “You finally look like a priest. Not at all like the drunken priest from before. Have you become more serious or what?”

“Because I’m now a bishop in the Holy Capital.” Heiter smiled, shrugging. He looked at the two and said with feeling: “You two really haven’t changed at all.”

“A drunken priest becoming a bishop?”

“Haha~ I’m blessed by the Goddess, unlike someone who seems to have offended her.”

Heiter laughed arrogantly, not at all like someone who should be revered.

“…Offended?”

“What? Do you know something? Did you do something disrespectful to the Goddess?”

“When I was a kid, I got drunk in a village and accidentally vomited on a goddess statue. Does that count?”

“What do you mean ‘count’… You’ll definitely be punished by the heavens.” Even Heiter, always drunk, was shocked to hear this.

Even the usually silent Eisen couldn’t help but sigh: “The mystery unsolved for years is finally answered.”

Compared to the two humans, Eisen hadn’t changed much either.

But Ash, besides looking at him curiously, couldn’t help but say: “You… got old?”

“…Really? Doesn’t Eisen look the same?” Frieren, who hadn’t spoken yet, couldn’t resist turning to look curiously.

Eisen closed his eyes and sighed with some emotion: “…My appearance hasn’t changed much, but my body’s functions have aged. I really can’t compare to before.”

“Is that so? But…” Frieren then looked at Ash, asking in confusion: “Why did he get so much stronger? No, I mean… you all got weaker, so why did Ash get stronger?”

“Well…” Ash was racking his brain for an excuse, but Himmel suddenly took over, smiling: “That’s because human physical conditions vary greatly.”

“Is that so?” Frieren tilted her head in confusion.

“Like Eisen. He was once the greatest warrior among humans. Didn’t a dragon bite his head, and he was fine?” As the team’s mood-lifter, Heiter also smiled and explained: “That’s normally impossible… Human physical differences are just that vast. So, Ash might still live another 20 years or so.”

“Indeed. Eisen was even bitten by a venomous snake that could kill demons, but he survived with sheer will. He was hit by a poisoned arrow that could knock out a dragon, yet he stayed spirited. Other dwarves probably couldn’t do that.”

“That’s him, right? Honestly, Eisen’s body is disgustingly tough.” Heiter smiled, patting Eisen’s helmet, then looked at Ash and teased: “Is your body… now as disgustingly tough as Eisen’s?”

“Well… decent enough?”

Ash lowered his head with vague words. He didn’t know what to say now.

Because… compared to the slow-witted Frieren, they had clearly noticed something.

But why did they seem unwilling to ask, even helping to cover for him? Were they worried that if they, now old, teamed up, they couldn’t beat him?

No… that definitely wasn’t it. Though the reason wasn’t entirely clear, Ash was certain of that.

With Himmel and Heiter’s explanation, though Frieren was still a bit confused, she believed her understanding of humans was far below these two old men’s. So, she didn’t think further.

She never even considered that they’d lie to her… After all, what was the point of lying?

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After this brief interlude, the group, carrying only simple belongings, began—their final adventure.

They casually stepped into the morning light, crossing winding rivers, traversing rolling mountains, camping in quiet forests. The next day, urged by sunlight piercing through dense tree canopies, accompanied by a gentle breeze, they continued their unfinished journey.

Just like that, the group leisurely spent about a week and arrived at a lake atop a mountain.

Under the setting sun, the group of old friends, long separated, sat on the grass chatting, waiting for night to fall.

“…By the way, I suddenly remembered, Ash.” Frieren suddenly recalled something. She turned to the unchanged young man beside her and smiled: “You made a wish back then, didn’t you? You said you wanted to watch falling stars with a real girl. But now… it’s still us.”

“…Seems like it.”

“Fifty years, and you still haven’t found one?”

“I was just training… the people I could pick from are so weird. Compared to them, you guys are more normal.” Only then did Ash recall that 50 years ago, he had indeed made that wish.

But thinking back now, those 50 years passed dully. He felt a bit sad but didn’t know what to complain about.

His melancholic expression made Frieren reluctant to tease him further. She shook her head with a smile. Then, she and Himmel, in sync, placed their hands on his shoulders, comforting him silently.

Seeing this scene, Heiter showed a nostalgic expression. He smiled, adjusting his glasses: “Isn’t this nice too~ If it didn’t work out this time, there’s another 50 years to search. If you really can’t find someone, next time, if we’re still alive, we’ll keep you company.”

Himmel also stroked his beard, comforting: “It’s fine. Since we’re seeing the falling stars again, make another wish now.”

“…Forget it. It’s useless anyway. Making a wish now will only add to the emptiness.”

“Is that so? But… I think this is nice too.” Himmel smiled, looking at the sky: “…This really makes me nostalgic. Being with you all feels like going back to the days we traveled together.”

“Though among everyone, I’m the most reliable.” Frieren raised her face with a smile, shamelessly praising herself.

“…You? Haha.” Himmel only smiled kindly. He didn’t bring up Frieren’s past of always being bitten by mimic monsters. He just looked at the first falling star crossing the sky and let out a long sigh: “Now that I think about it, in the beautiful memories of the past, you guys were always there.”

“…Your words sound a bit sad. Isn’t this supposed to be a happy moment?” Ash heard him and shook his head. He patted the bald head.

“You’re really disrespectful to your elders.” Himmel smiled bitterly but didn’t brush his hand away. He looked up at the sky and whispered: “Frieren, thanks to you, I got to experience this wonderful adventure one last time.”

“Hmm?” Frieren didn’t speak, just looked at him curiously.

But Himmel suddenly turned to the young man beside him, lowering his voice again: “And Ash…”

“What?”

“…In the future, I entrust Frieren and humanity to you. Please take care of them.”

“That’s suddenly a huge scope.”

“I believe you can do it.”

“What? Why, though?”

“Just a hunch.” Himmel smiled and didn’t answer.

But everything seemed to have been said without words. At the same time, Himmel never looked away. He just gazed at the dark night sky.

Their conversation was heard only by the two of them and Heiter, sitting beside Himmel. Both were immersed in the majestic beauty of the sky, as if it cleansed their souls.

Were they reminiscing about the past, or thinking of something else?

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After fulfilling the half-century-old promise, everyone returned to the city with laughter and joy. But… even before they parted again, on the first night back.

Himmel passed away in his sleep—as if his wish had been fulfilled, and he had no regrets left. He fell into eternal slumber with a smile on his face.

For the fallen hero, the kingdom held a solemn funeral in the capital’s cathedral. Fully armed soldiers served as the honor guard, and Heiter personally led the ceremony.

The townspeople he had once helped came to bid farewell. Somber, reverent music echoed in the cathedral, filling it with a mix of sorrow and respect.

Among the crowd, occasional sobs and heavy breaths could be heard. Every face bore the weight of reluctance.

Even Frieren… perhaps because she had once felt sadness thinking Ash had died, this time she lowered her eyes, showing indescribable grief. She muttered to herself, barely audible: “Indeed, human lives are so short…”

(Even after all these years, have elves finally changed too?)

Ash glanced at Frieren but didn’t speak.

His gaze quickly returned to the coffin, to the old man who passed with a smile, and he sighed with feelings similar to Frieren’s: “Human lives… are indeed short.”

The state of old friends falling like autumn leaves made Ash understand Serie’s past actions of not interacting much with humans.

As Ash unconsciously looked at Heiter, he also felt that it might not be long before he’d attend his funeral too… Perhaps it’d be better to leave after this and not return?—He couldn’t help but think that.