In the end, Frieren accepted Aurelion's offer, what was the offer you ask? Maybe one day you'll find out~
—Frieren
Step Step Step
He called himself Aurelion Vireth, a young boy
"So, where is this place?"
"Well, it's a place called Aokihagara, in Japan"
Note : Aokihagara is more famously known as the Suicide forest in Japan.
Twitch
"Japan?"
Step Step Step
"Hmmm well it's a country, a part of Asia"
"Asia?"
"Oh right, uhm—Well it's a small country, one known for mixing ancient traditions with modern innovation"
"Heeeeh? Interesting." A country that mixed ancient traditions with modern innovation. How fascinating.
Step Step Step
"Ah—I guess one of the more famous food in here would be it's Sushi and Ramen"
"And those are?"
"Uhhh, noddles with broth and rice wrapped in seaweed."
:3???
—Aurelion Vireth
:3???
Ah right, there's no way she knows anything about that, in the anime all I saw them only eat things like hamburgers, steaks, bread, crackers and the kind, a more European diet, there's almost absolutely no way she'd know a single thing.
Step Step Step
"I am curious"
"Yeah?"
"Why is this place, full of sorrow?"
Step Step Stops.
"Well, maybe what you're feelings the spirit of the deceased?" She is an elf that has probably lived more then 1000 years, probably has a spell that could see the spirits
Frieren did not answer, her eyes looking at me as if expecting me to answer her question.
"A lot of people took their lives in this forest. Whether it be out of social pressure, debt or many others." Ah, she probably doesn't understand what I meant, for an elf, a couple of decades is nothing after all
"Think of it this way, sometimes people just Stop walking… because they got tired… … Really tired."
"Is that so." As expected, that was what she said, before she stopped and aimed her staff, and then***—***
WHOOOSHHHH BLOOOMMM
Flowers of different color bloomed at the forest floor as they covered the entire place, a contrast to the many strings on the tree trunks, a statement of the choices they've made, but that wasn't the main point.
I thought she hated using that spell because it reminded her of her mentor Flamme?
"C'mon now, lead the way, Vireth"
"Why don't we just fly?"
"Because we're exploring are we not?"
"That's not an answer?"
"It's a part of the journey"
"is that so."
This Frieren. Is she really the Frieren I know?
A few hours had gone by as we walked through the forest, it's trunks covered in strings—Yet the ground, it was covered in flowers.
Step Step Step
"Hey Frieren."
"Hm?"
"What made you knew this place was one full or sorrow?"
Step Step Step
"The trees are healthy, the mana's rather normal, it just felt—Lonely."
Lonely. Not an answer I was expecting coming from her, I thought it would've been some sort of ancient spell she picked up during her journey, maybe even some sort of ancient elven technique, yet she only said they felt Lonely?
Whooooshhhhh
Strong wind blew through the forest, rustling the branches, the countless ribbons fluttered slowly. Some were faded, others looked relatively new, I saw it in google once. Each one represents a person entering this forest looking to make a choice.
Those who couldn't go on with it would use the strings as guides, to return safely to the city, meanwhile those that've made their choice—The strings were used to find their bodies by rescuers and those who knew them.
"You can tell just from looking?"
Step Step Step
"No."
Step Step Step
…
"I thought you hated using that spell?"
Stops
"Have I ever told you that?" Her voice laced with a bit of whimsy.
Ah Crap. Right, what if she thought of me as a mind reading demon… Like the one in the first season was it?
"Well, I used to. But it's fine now."
… What?
But in the anime and manga—She always avoided that spell.
"Well then? lead the way young boy"
Step Step Step
And again we walked in Silence as I lead the way out of this forest thick with sorrow and unfulfilled wishes. For several minutes neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the rustling leaves and the occasional crunch beneath their feet. Then—
"Vireth."
"Hm?"
"How many humans live in this Japan?" The question came so suddenly that I almost stumbled.
"Around a hundred million."
Stops.
"...A hundred million?"
"Yeah."
"...In one country?"
"Uh huh."
The elf stared at him. then at the trees. Then back at him.
"...How do you feed that many people?"
I blinked. not the question I expected.
"We grow food?"
"That's not an answer."
"It's literally the answer."
Frieren frowned.
"A hundred million humans would require an enormous amount of farmland."
"Well..." I thought to myself while scratching my back
"That's where modern technology comes in."
"Technology?"
"Tools."
"Humans have always had tools." her tone slightly confused
"No, I mean really advanced tools."
Frieren tilted her head, I could've swore I saw a '?' pop on top of her head
"Show me."
"How?"
"You seem knowledgeable."
"I am not."
"You are."
"I'm really not." Yet remained unconvinced.
Eventually I picked up a small stick I found and carved something on the ground***.***
Scribble Scribble
"Imagine this is a cart."
"Mhm."
"Now imagine it can move without horses."
"..."
"And can travel a long time without stopping."
"..."
"In a single day."
"..."
Frieren looked at the stick.
Then at Aurelion.
Then at the stick again.
"That sounds inefficient."
What?
"Why would someone build a horseless cart?"
I stared at her. She only stared back. The conversation somehow felt completely normal.
"Never mind."
"Hm."
"And then we have airplanes."
"And those are?"
I pointed by hand upwards
"giant metal birds that fly without magic"
"Metal?"
"Yes."
"Birds?"
"Not actual birds."
"Without magic?"
"Yeah?"
"..."
"..."
"...Humans are strange."
"I hear that a lot."
"No."
She shook her head.
"You don't understand." Her expression remained completely serious.
"In over a thousand years I've never heard of someone creating a metal bird that could fly. People used flight magic everywhere"
I couldn't help but chuckle slightly.
"You'll probably say the same thing about the internet."
"The what?"
"...Actually let's save that for later."
"Why?"
"Because i'll take three hours to explain."
"I have time."
"I don't."
That answer earned me another confused look from her and for some reason—I was beginning to enjoy those expressions. Perhaps because it reminded me that despite all the titles she carried—
The Last Great Mage.
Frieren the Slayer.
The Legendary Frieren.
At this moment she was simply a traveler seeing a new world for the first time.
"Vireth."
"Hm?"
"What did you do before becoming an adventurer?"
…
"...Nothing special."
"Everyone does something."
"I studied."
"What is studying?"
Sighhhh
"...You know what?"
"This is going to be a very long journey."
Frieren nodded.
"Hopefully."
For some reason—That answer made him smile.
Step Step Step
The forest slowly began to thin. Sunlight peeked through the branches overhead. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Looks like we're almost out."
"Mhm."
Frieren only nodded.
Then—
Rustle
Both of them stopped. The sound was faint. Small. Almost impossible for an ordinary person to hear. Frieren turned her head first. I followed shortly after.
"...Did you hear that?"
"Someone's crying."
The answer came immediately. I could only frown I didn't hear any crying. Only rustling. Yet Frieren was already walking toward it.
Naturally.
Without hesitation.
As if helping someone was the most obvious thing in the world. After a few minutes they arrived at a small clearing. A young girl sat beneath a tree. Perhaps twelve years old. Her school uniform was dirty. Her eyes red from crying. Her hand holding a string that snapped.
"...Ah."
Flinch
The girl flinched when she noticed them. For a moment neither side spoke.
—Frieren
Aurelion crouched down.
"Are you lost?" He asked in a gentle voice. The girl remained silent. I only observed from the distance
"...No."
A weak answer. Aurelion knew enough to realize what that meant.
People didn't come to Aokigahara by accident, even without that knowledge the words he said had already enlightened Frieren's mind.
Think of it this way, sometimes people just Stop walking… because they got tired… … Really tired.
Especially not alone. The silence stretched and eventually Aurelion stood.
"Are you hungry?"
The girl only blinked in response.
"What?"
"I asked if you're hungry."
Without waiting for a response he rummaged through his bag, and after a while, a small sandwich packed in a scrunched up seal
"Here."
The girl hesitated.
"...Why?"
Aurelion laughed awkwardly.
"Because I can't eat two lunches."
"That's obviously a lie."
"It is."
"..."
"..."
And eventually, after a while, the girl stretched her arms
Slowly.
Carefully.
As if expecting a trick, yet Aurelion just gave the sandwich right there
The girl began eating. as Aurelion pretended not to notice the tears running down her face.
Some things didn't need to be pointed out.
After several minutes he spoke.
"Want us to walk you back?"
"..."
"..."
"...Okay."
Aurelion smiled.
"Great."
The girl lowered her head.
Trying to hide her expression.
Failing miserably.
Behind him.
Sob Sob
The scene reminded Frieren of someone.
A foolish hero. A man who stopped for every stranger.
No matter how small the problem.
No matter how inconvenient.
No matter how ridiculous.
But Aurelion wasn't that someone
Their personalities were different.
Their experiences were different.
Even their smiles were different.
Yet there was something similar. Something difficult to explain.
The willingness to stop.
To help.
Even when there was nothing to gain.
Even when nobody would thank him.
Even when he himself clearly carried burdens.
Frieren looked toward the flowers she had created earlier.
Then toward the boy.
A strange thought crossed her mind.
Perhaps. Just perhaps.
Accepting his offer had been the correct choice.
—At some point in the future…
"Hey, why is it that you accepted my offer anyways?"
Twitch
"You remind me of someone."
???
"Himmel?" Out of shock I blurted the name without thinking,
"Perhaps, but not entirely true."
"What are you guys even blabbering about? we need to complete this commision." Gaby's voice was filled with confusion but also with acceptance.
"Alright alright."
"Let's go."
"Next stop—The Philiphines" The man named Aurelion Vireth said with a smile, as the same portal appeared infront of their eyes once more.