Chapter Summaries

Twenty years after Himmel's death, Dugu Qing lived alone in a forest castle, using his inherited magic and swordsmanship to care for wildlife and defend his home. Frieren followed the smell of his cooking into the castle, where the two elves met.

• Dugu Qing repaired a bluebirds' nest and healed an injured chick with healing magic.
• Dugu Qing killed a giant green bird that attacked him at his castle entrance, then used Cleansing Magic to erase its remains.
• Dugu Qing caught a two-colored fish and cooked it in his castle as evening approached.
• Frieren searched the forest for shelter, smelled Dugu Qing's grilled fish, and followed the aroma to his open castle.
• Frieren entered Dugu Qing's kitchen, and Dugu Qing noticed her presence.

Frieren arrived at Dugu Qing’s home, shared a meal with him, and learned that his parents were dead and that he practiced both swordsmanship and magic. Dugu Qing later reflected on his training and the White Ice Mist Bed, whose power had greatly increased his mana but was gradually fading away.

• Frieren met Dugu Qing and asked to stay at his home, offering to pay.
• Dugu Qing cooked fried fish for Frieren, and they introduced themselves over dinner.
• Frieren learned that Dugu Qing’s parents had died and worried when he said he had learned both their magic and sword techniques.
• Dugu Qing showed Frieren a room for the night and used cleaning magic to clear it.
• Dugu Qing recalled discovering the White Ice Mist Bed in a drying lake and taking it home with his mother, Dorothea.
• Dugu Qing reflected that seven years of daily cultivation on the bed had greatly increased his mana, though the bed was shrinking and would eventually disappear.

Dugu Qing spent the day cultivating, eating eggs, and practicing swordsmanship while Frieren learned that he was poor and lived simply. After battling a venomous Black Python, he hurried back toward Dugu Castle when foul black smoke rose from it.

• Dugu Qing cultivated through the night and morning, then ate eggs for breakfast and lunch.
• Frieren woke at noon, found Dugu Qing cultivating, and questioned his egg-based meals; he explained that he had little money, so she accepted an egg and ate with him.
• Dugu Qing went into the forest to practice swordsmanship and struck a venomous Black Python with his scabbard.
• The Black Python fled into the river, but Dugu Qing chased it and sent it flying into the sky.
• After catching a fish and heading home in the evening, Dugu Qing saw foul black smoke rising from Dugu Castle and rushed toward it, fearing a monster was there.

Dugu Qing tried to earn money by helping people and later developed Transformation Magic after three years of experimentation. He successfully transformed into a bald eagle for three seconds, then returned to his human form and continued flying.

• Frieren accidentally set the kitchen ablaze, and Dugu Qing used Cleansing Magic to extinguish the fire before making grilled fish.
• Frieren discovered she had no money when she left, but Dugu Qing let her go without charging her.
• Dugu Qing killed an eight-legged spider attacking a caravan and accepted five silver coins from the grateful merchant.
• Dugu Qing conceived the idea of Transformation Magic and spent three years developing it.
• Dugu Qing transformed into a bald eagle for three seconds before reverting to his original form.

Frieren visited Dugu Qing with Fern, introduced them, and invited him to study magic alongside Fern. Dugu Qing welcomed them with a lavish meal, and Frieren and Fern eagerly enjoyed his cooking.

• Frieren returned twenty copper coins to Dugu Qing and introduced him to Fern, her thirteen-year-old student.
• Frieren noticed Dugu Qing's immense mana, and he explained that he was descended from elves and humans without revealing his secret.
• Dugu Qing and Fern met, and Frieren invited Dugu Qing to practice magic with Fern; he accepted and declared them friends.
• Dugu Qing prepared a feast while Fern admired his carefree life and cooking.
• Frieren and Fern praised Dugu Qing's food as they ate.

Dugu Qing shared a meal with Frieren and Fern, then visited Heiter and healed an injured kitten. He took Fern on his flying sword to the Holy Capital, where they arrived together.

• Dugu Qing ate with Frieren and Fern, then washed the dishes while Fern explored the castle with Frieren.
• Frieren carried Fern away by her belt, and Dugu Qing went for a walk before bathing in a clear pool.
• The next morning, Dugu Qing flew to Heiter's home, where he healed an injured kitten with goddess magic.
• Fern met Dugu Qing outside and agreed to go to the city with him while Frieren slept.
• Dugu Qing demonstrated his Sword Flight magic, and Fern climbed onto the sword behind him.
• Dugu Qing flew with Fern to the Holy Capital, and they arrived outside the city.

Dugu Qing entered the Holy Capital with Fern and earned one hundred gold coins by inventing wheels for a boy’s suitcase. He then spent freely on clothes and chose a purple dress for Fern.

• Fern warned Dugu Qing about the barrier protecting the Holy Capital, and they descended to the city gate.
• Dugu Qing helped a struggling boy by attaching wheels to his suitcase, impressing the crowd with his invention.
• An old man from the Continental Luggage Merchants' Association paid Dugu Qing one hundred gold coins for the suitcase-wheel patent.
• Dugu Qing entered a fashion store and bought more than a dozen outfits despite Fern questioning whether he could wear them all.
• Dugu Qing took Fern to a women's clothing store, picked out a purple dress, and gave it to her.

Fern and Dugu Qing enjoyed a shopping trip in the Holy Capital before returning to Heiter's house, where Frieren asked Dugu Qing to show his combat skills. Dugu Qing demonstrated his powerful magic, leaving the forest below the cliff devastated.

• Dugu Qing bought Fern a purple dress, and the two strolled along Central Avenue and ate sweets together.
• Frieren met them at Heiter's house and asked whether they had brought her a present, so Dugu Qing gave her several outfits.
• Frieren explained that Fern was practicing Ordinary Attack Magic to reach the level of a Level Five Mage, then asked Dugu Qing to demonstrate his combat skills.
• Dugu Qing created a massive Energy Ball and hurled it below the cliff, causing a huge explosion that toppled trees and formed a mushroom cloud.
• Dugu Qing unleashed dozens and then hundreds of bolts of purple lightning, leaving the ground riddled with craters.

Dugu Qing demonstrated his powerful spells to Frieren and Fern, then learned magic to conceal his mana. Fern struggled with comparing herself to him but prepared carefully for his arrival the next morning, and the chapter ended with Dugu Qing entering the house as she waited.

• Dugu Qing cast Thousand-Mile Ice Seal, accidentally freezing birds before stopping, then transformed into an eagle with Transformation Magic.
• Frieren pointed out that Dugu Qing's mana remained unchanged while transformed and advised him to restrict it; he declined the long practice and learned a spell to conceal his mana instead.
• Fern admitted to Frieren that she felt inadequate beside Dugu Qing, and Frieren reassured her that she was talented but should not compare herself to a rare genius.
• The next morning, Fern wore a new purple dress and served Heiter boiled eggs after realizing she had forgotten to prepare breakfast.
• Fern waited eagerly at home, and Dugu Qing arrived in a red robe, lifting her loneliness.

Dugu Qing cooked an elaborate lunch with Fern, Frieren, and Heiter, then joined Heiter in his study for a private conversation. Heiter asked what Dugu Qing thought of the Goddess of Creation, and Dugu Qing explained that he sometimes believed in her when he needed guidance.

• Fern walked with Dugu Qing and learned that he had trained in magic and swordsmanship since his parents died, but had no desire to become a hero.
• Dugu Qing listed dishes he wanted to eat, and he and Fern returned to Heiter's house to prepare lunch.
• Frieren and Heiter came downstairs, drawn by the aroma of Dugu Qing's cooking, and everyone gathered for the meal.
• Dugu Qing praised Fern for helping him cook, and the group finished all the food before Heiter invited Dugu Qing to his study.
• Heiter revealed that alcohol and old age had weakened him, then asked Dugu Qing for his thoughts on the Goddess of Creation.
• Dugu Qing said that although many people called the goddess fake, he sometimes believed in her when he felt lost and needed guidance.

After Fern proved she could stand on her own, Heiter revealed his declining health and asked Frieren to take Fern adventuring. Frieren agreed, while Dugu Qing’s question about her interest in resurrection magic left her reflecting on Himmel and their unclear bond.

• Heiter entrusted Dugu Qing with his notebook and Holy Scripture, asking him to preserve his life's work.
• Two years later, Fern shattered a boulder with her magic and told Dugu Qing she could now stand on her own.
• Heiter collapsed, then woke and explained that age was catching up with him; Fern left in distress.
• Frieren reassured Heiter that Fern could care for herself, and Heiter agreed to let Fern stay with him until his death.
• Heiter admitted that the Grimoire contained no immortality or resurrection magic and that he had used it to keep Frieren near Fern; Frieren accepted Fern as an adventuring companion.
• Dugu Qing asked Frieren why she sought immortality and resurrection magic, and Frieren said she did not know as she thought of Himmel.

Dugu Qing, Frieren, and Fern replenished Heiter’s dwindling supplies in the Holy Capital, then bickered over whether to get ice cream or grilled meat. After a rock-paper-scissors tie, they shared ice cream before enjoying barbecue together and heading home.

• Dugu Qing, Fern, and Frieren walked to the Holy Capital to conserve mana and check for monsters along the way.
• The three split up in the market to buy staple foods, meat, vegetables, and snacks, then met again with their baskets full.
• On the way home, Fern wanted ice cream while Frieren wanted grilled meat, and both tried to pull Dugu Qing toward their preferred restaurant.
• Dugu Qing proposed rock, paper, scissors, but Frieren and Fern tied repeatedly, so he bought ice cream for all three.
• Fern ordered barbecue, and Dugu Qing, Frieren, and Fern ate together before walking back toward Heiter’s house at sunset.

Thirteen years of cultivation had made Dugu Qing overwhelmingly powerful, but he chose his quiet life at home over joining Frieren and Fern on an adventure. After Heiter’s funeral, Frieren and Fern set out without him, leaving Fern distressed by the prospect of parting from Dugu Qing.

• Dugu Qing’s White Ice Mist Bed vanished after thirteen years of use, and he reflected that his mana had grown beyond 130 years’ worth.
• Dugu Qing learned that Heiter had died and attended his funeral with Frieren and Fern.
• Three days after the funeral, Frieren and Fern prepared to leave Heiter’s house and invited Dugu Qing to travel with them.
• Dugu Qing refused because he preferred his stable life at home, disappointing Fern, who feared they might never meet again.
• Frieren accepted Dugu Qing’s refusal and left with Fern after he wished them a safe journey.

Fern and Frieren persuaded Dugu Qing to leave his secluded life and join their adventure after Fern returned to share his cooking. Dugu Qing packed his belongings, concealed Dugu Castle, and set out with them.

• Fern urged Dugu Qing to travel with her and Frieren, but he refused and flew home on the Battle Sword.
• Fern flew to Dugu Castle, where she and Dugu Qing shared a meal; Frieren soon arrived and joined them.
• Frieren and Fern made another appeal while the three relaxed together, and Dugu Qing agreed to travel with them.
• Dugu Qing packed his belongings into Frieren's enchanted suitcase and hid Dugu Castle behind Barrier Magic and Disguise Magic.
• The three set off together, and Frieren asked Dugu Qing about concealing his mana and his swordsmanship.

Dugu Qing and Frieren let Fern face a monster alone, and Fern defeated it with a Mana Bullet. Later, Dugu Qing helped Fern ease her worries by folding them into a paper boat, including her feelings for him, while he remained unaware of what she had written.

• At an abandoned manor, Fern encountered a resurrected conjoined monster while gathering branches, and Frieren stopped Dugu Qing from rescuing her so Fern could fight alone.
• Fern fled into the forest, then turned to face the monster and destroyed it with a Mana Bullet.
• Dugu Qing and Frieren congratulated Fern, and the three returned to the manor to eat grilled bird.
• Unable to sleep, Fern brought Dugu Qing a blanket and told him she was still thinking about the monster; he suggested they take a walk and write down their worries.
• Fern wrote about the monster, Frieren's test, and her love for Dugu Qing, folded the page into a boat, and let it drift away in the stream.

Dugu Qing, Frieren, and Fern visited Moongrass Village, where Frieren honored Himmel by restoring his statue and planting Azure Moon Grass nearby. After Fern collapsed with a fever, Frieren placed her in Dugu Qing’s arms, leaving him flustered as their journey paused for her recovery.

• Dugu Qing bathed, ate blueberries Fern had found, and practiced Meditation before setting out with Frieren and Fern.
• In Moongrass Village, Frieren cleaned Himmel’s statue and decided to search for Azure Moon Grass after hearing about the village’s past.
• Frieren found Azure Moon Grass blooming atop an abandoned watchtower, transplanted it beside Himmel’s statue, and continued traveling with the others.
• Fern fainted with a fever, and Dugu Qing used a healing spell to ease it while Frieren said Fern needed to rest.
• Frieren lifted Fern in a princess carry and then placed her in Dugu Qing’s arms, leaving him embarrassed and unsure how to hold her.

Dugu Qing, Frieren, and Fern reached the trading city of Waalm after a year on the road, where Dugu Qing secretly bought two lyres and played and danced in a bamboo grove while Fern followed him. The three reunited at their inn and shared desserts, ending the day together.

• Dugu Qing carried Fern into a forest, and the three rested before continuing their travels for another year.
• Dugu Qing and Fern grew closer as strangers repeatedly mistook them and Frieren for a family.
• In Waalm, Frieren suggested that they split up to buy supplies, and Dugu Qing eagerly went off on his own.
• Fern secretly followed Dugu Qing to an instrument shop, where he bought two lyres and played Scarborough Fair in a bamboo grove.
• Fern watched Dugu Qing sing and dance, then realized she had forgotten to buy supplies.
• Dugu Qing, Frieren, and Fern met at the inn, shared desserts, and Frieren complimented Fern's figure.

Fern wondered whether magic could preserve her youth and decided to seek out Serie, while Frieren gave her a birthday gift and Dugu Qing gave her his Cleansing Magic notes. Later, Fern apologized to Dugu Qing for following him and agreed to keep his private dancing a secret.

• Fern asked Frieren whether magic could keep someone young forever, and Frieren suggested that Serie might have created such a spell.
• Fern decided that she would visit Serie in hopes of finding magic that could preserve her youth.
• Frieren gave Fern a silver butterfly-shaped hair ornament for her seventeenth birthday, and Dugu Qing gave her a booklet recording his Cleansing Magic.
• Fern visited Dugu Qing and apologized for following him; she admitted that she had seen him dancing above the Bamboo Grove.
• Dugu Qing asked Fern not to tell Frieren about his awkward dancing, and Fern promised to keep it secret.

Fern received an Ancient Greek Lyre from Dugu Qing and learned that he had never known or celebrated his birthday, so she proposed taking the Continental Magic Association’s Level One Mage exam to seek a spell that could reveal it. After Frieren, Fern, and Dugu Qing set out along Frieren’s old adventure route, Frieren chased Dugu Qing for teasing her about being elderly.

• Dugu Qing gave Fern an Ancient Greek Lyre, and Fern practiced playing it the next morning.
• Fern asked Dugu Qing when his birthday was, and he admitted he had never known or celebrated it.
• Fern suggested Dugu Qing take the Continental Magic Association’s Level One Mage exam to ask Serie for a spell that could reveal his birthday, and he agreed.
• Dugu Qing helped Fern put on her hair clip, then teased Frieren after she kicked at him for insulting her.
• Frieren explained that the journey followed the route she had traveled with Himmel and the others, and she chased Dugu Qing after he called it a sightseeing tour for the elderly.

Dugu Qing, Frieren, and Fern camped in the forest, where Dugu Qing killed a giant wolf and bonded with Fern. They later unsealed and defeated Qual, whose weakened state left Fern and Dugu Qing with a diminished fear of demons.

• Dugu Qing called for a break so they could rest their feet, and the three set up camp in the forest.
• After dinner, Dugu Qing invited Fern to play a dragonfly-catching game, and they chased the insects into the woods.
• A giant gray wolf made of rock attacked, and Dugu Qing summoned the Battle Sword and beheaded it.
• The group reached the village where Qual was sealed, learned about his killing spell, and returned the next day to undo the seal.
• Qual attacked after learning he had been sealed for eighty years, but Fern defended Frieren while Frieren and Dugu Qing struck Qual with Mana Bullets and killed him.
• Fern reconsidered her fear of demons, while Frieren explained that Qual had been weakened by his long imprisonment.