Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Episode 23: Conquering the Labyrinth

The formidable mage Serie sits on her throne, a picture of elegant boredom, as Method and Denken are presented before her. Method expresses eagerness to work with Denken, but he offers a grim warning about the High Plateau. Serie, ever the pragmatist, instructs Denken to be polite, a sharp reminder of the power dynamics at play. This brief exchange sets the stage for a dangerous mission and introduces the complicated relationship between mages and authority.

On a balcony overlooking a city, Denken breaks bread, pigeons at his feet, as he recounts his former partner, Gennao. He describes Gennao as a relentlessly cheerful and good man, always willing to help strangers. Flashbacks show Gennao captivating crowds with simple magic and radiating warmth by a campfire. He was a force of pure, uncomplicated joy in the world, the complete opposite of Denken himself.

Denken abruptly calls Gennao an 'imbecile' for his fatal sacrifice to save a child, leading to a formidable demon's escape. He claims he would never make such a stupid mistake and admits to abandoning many people to their fates. Method then questions why Serie chose her, and Denken explains Serie’s preference for mages who enjoy a good fight over a good meal, even though he believes a fighting mage cannot be truly good. He advises Method not to follow his example.

The team gathers, Method having analyzed the battlefield, concluding four demons were involved, one a general who wields four swords. Stark expresses surprise at the existence of demon generals. Frieren explains their mastery of martial arts and physical magic, mentioning some were even stronger than Eisen. She warns that this general might be non-humanoid, a concept Stark struggles to grasp, highlighting the unfamiliar nature of their foe.

The demon Laufen excitedly reports the arrival of five targets to Revolte, including three first-class mages. Revolte, sensing trouble, advises patience, explaining his strategy: he massacred innocent humans specifically to force the mages to split up. Laufen questions the human's predictable behavior, a curiosity Revolte finds peculiar. He promises Laufen information about another human-obsessed demon if she proves useful in the coming fight, manipulating her eagerness.

As the team prepares to explore, Denken volunteers to stay behind with the fallen soldiers' bodies, a silent vigil. Surprisingly, Stark elects to stay with him, despite Denken's protestations that the women need a vanguard more. Denken questions Stark's intelligence, asserting he doesn't need a warrior's protection, but Stark insists, subtly challenging Denken's self-perception. Frieren and Fern depart, leaving the two men behind.

By a small fire, Denken continues his grim discourse, telling Stark that those like him, the 'good guys,' never live long. Stark, however, sees Denken as the good one. Denken vehemently denies this, confessing he sacrificed many to bring peace to the north, believing this constant exposure to death is his penance. He admits it's late to realize this, but he owes it to the dead to stay, guarding their memory.

Frieren, Fern, and Method trek through a dense forest, opting to forgo detection spells to avoid revealing their location. The atmosphere lightens as Method engages in playful banter, offering to caress Frieren's head, much to Fern's annoyance. Frieren, bribed by a grimoire containing a useful cooking spell, happily accepts, despite Fern's protests that Frieren is an adult. Method eventually embraces Fern too, calling her 'cute' and flustering the young mage.

A dark sphere explodes, shattering the momentary peace, as Bock and Tornado, two formidable demons, launch a surprise attack. Method quickly erects an ice barrier, but Tornado's powerful projectile blasts through, separating her from Frieren and Fern. Frieren notes their enemies' strength and the success of their separation tactic. Tornado chooses to engage Method, leaving Bock to face Frieren and Fern, a challenge Frieren immediately delegates to her apprentice.

Frieren announces it is Fern's fight, citing her status as a first-class mage, much to Fern's shocked dismay. Tornado unleashes a powerful lightning spell, which Fern narrowly deflects with a hexagonal shield. Despite the close call, Bock remains composed, observing Fern's struggle. Fern confesses her fear, admitting the demon feels stronger, but Frieren encourages her, stating few mages have mastered fundamentals as deeply as Fern.

Stark returns to Denken with freshly caught fish, though Denken initially refuses. Stark then asks about the identity of the demons who attacked the village. Denken confirms it is Revolte the Divine, the very demon who killed his former partner, Gennao. He explains Revolte's 'divine' title comes from the four swords he forged from his mana, which can shift weight and are always impossibly sharp, creations of pure murderous impulse.

Revolte appears suddenly, a hulking figure of swords and menace, confirming Stark's fears. Denken advises Stark against direct parrying, but Stark attempts it anyway, just as Denken intercepts another strike, protecting him. Denken then unleashes a powerful spell, summoning blades of light that send Revolte flying. Denken reveals his own ability to defy natural laws, transforming with metallic wings and declaring his excitement for a challenging fight as he flies to engage Revolte in the air, bringing him down with a decisive blow.