Heiter

Biodata

Background

Heiter joined Himmel’s party at the hero’s invitation and spent ten years traveling with Himmel, Frieren, and Eisen. The party defeated the Demon King, and Heiter later became an archbishop after others urged him to accept the position 42 54 55.

After retiring, Heiter lived in a forest outside the Holy City. He adopted Fern, an orphan of war, and raised her in his home 18 21 67.

Appearance

In old age, Heiter had changed so much from the robust priest Frieren remembered that she could barely recognize him 21.

• Hair and face: White hair and a deeply wrinkled face 24.
• Mobility: Before treatment, he relied heavily on a cane; afterward, walking became easier, though age still limited him 24 25.

Personality

Heiter was warm and hospitable, welcoming Frieren and Lorenzo into his home and arranging a guest room for them. His concern for Fern’s future shaped his request that Frieren teach her magic, so that she could survive after his death 21 22.

He loved wine and frequently made excuses to drink. During his travels, his drinking sometimes consumed the party’s savings. After adopting Fern, he moderated his drinking because he wanted to set an example for her 1 25.

Although Heiter initially claimed not to fear death, he later admitted that he was frightened and wished for more time. In his final letter, he wrote that death was not a disease to be cured and encouraged Fern to keep forming bonds despite the pain of parting 22 54.

Abilities & Skills

Goddess True Magic

Heiter used Goddess True Magic to examine Frieren after a tampered memory fragment inflicted a mental shock on her 45 46.

• He identified a disruption to her mana flow and advised her not to use mana for at least a week 46.
• After the battle with Breda, he examined Lorenzo and determined that he had exhausted his mana and needed sleep 52.
• In his old age, he was not suited to fighting head-on 48.

Relationships

• Fern — His adopted daughter. He brought her into his home after the war, remembered her birthday every year, and sought training that would let her protect herself after his death 21 33 67.
• Frieren — A former companion in the Hero’s party. He entrusted her with Sage Aiwish’s grimoire and asked her to teach Fern 21 22.
• Lorenzo — Frieren’s traveling companion, whose Ophiuchus magic relieved Heiter’s pain. Heiter later encouraged Fern to rely on Lorenzo as well as Frieren 24 54.
• Himmel — The hero who invited Heiter to travel with his party 54.
• Eisen — A former party companion with whom Heiter corresponded about Fern 55 67.

Story Role

Fern’s training and Heiter’s treatment

When Frieren and Lorenzo visited, Heiter asked Frieren to take Fern as a disciple. Frieren refused because she considered a mage’s journey too dangerous for the child. Heiter then gave her a grimoire recovered from Sage Aiwish’s tomb, reputed to contain resurrection and immortality magic, and asked her to decipher it. He later persuaded her to teach Fern while she worked 21 22.

Lorenzo established a connection to Ophiuchus and treated Heiter. The magic eased his pain and breathing but could not extend his life. Heiter regained enough strength to walk more easily and occasionally visit the Holy City 22 24 25.

Heiter encouraged Fern to attend the Saint Lomiu Festival and explore a dungeon with Frieren and Lorenzo. For Fern’s birthday, he commissioned a mage’s outfit from Übel’s family tailor shop and joined the others in preparing a surprise breakfast 25 29 33 36 37.

Breda’s attack

When Zanze asked about the Demon Breda, Heiter could not recall him, explaining that the Hero’s party had encountered too many Demons for him to remember them all 42.

Breda later threatened Heiter and sent a monster horde against his house. Heiter withdrew upstairs with the injured Frieren while Fern and Lorenzo defended it. He agreed to watch as Fern proved she could hold her own 48 50.

Death and legacy

Heiter died peacefully in his chair one evening, and Fern found him as the sun set. His final letter thanked Frieren and Lorenzo and urged Fern to travel, seek help when she needed it, and form new bonds 54.

His funeral at the Holy City Cathedral drew priests, representatives, and mourners from across the continent. Afterward, Frieren poured wine over his grave and set out with Fern and Lorenzo to tell Eisen of his death 54 55.

Notable Quotes

“Having someone by your side is a good thing.” 21

“When death is still a long way off, of course you can pretend you don’t care. But once you truly realize you don’t have much time left, you do get scared after all.” 22

“Being able to stand on your own does not mean you must bear everything by yourself from now on.” 54

“Do not be afraid of parting, and do not refuse to form new bonds with others because you fear losing them.” 54