Chapter 29

Twenty-nine years after Himmel's death, the party reaches the Raad Region, where Stark storms out of the inn in tears, declaring he will return to Eisen after Fern's constant scolding. Frieren follows and meets Sein, who guesses the two are having a lover's quarrel. The trouble, Frieren explains, is that Stark forgot a present for Fern's birthday, and Fern overreacted by refusing to hear him out.

Sein admits he too brought no gift, earning a kick to the shins, then heads off to buy one while advising Fern to chase after Stark. At a leatherware stall he picks out a pouch with a butterfly motif to match her hair ornament. As they shop, Sein reasons that Fern was too harsh, since the careless Stark likely forgot his own birthday as well, and he gently teases out that she truly values the sentiment of exchanging gifts. He sends her back to reconcile, urging her to put her feelings into words.

Fern finds Stark brooding beneath a statue of Himmel, and he apologizes first, explaining he wanted to choose something together but feared her reaction. They make up and walk off. Watching from a rooftop, Sein remarks that such squabbles belong to the young, and the talk turns to Heiter, whom Sein reveres as the model adult. Frieren recalls Heiter confessing he only pretended to be grown up to set an example for Fern, and how she praised him with a pat on the head. She does the same to Sein now, assuring him he makes a fine adult.

The party marks Fern's eighteenth birthday in the Raad Region. Fern and Stark quarrel over his forgotten gift. Sein counsels both and buys Fern a butterfly-motif pouch. Fern and Stark reconcile beneath Himmel's statue and shop together. Frieren, reminded of Heiter, pats Sein's head and affirms he is a fine adult.

Fern sought Sein's advice because he reminds her of Heiter, who raised her, though Sein cannot see the resemblance and considers Heiter the ideal adult. A flashback shows Heiter admitting his heart had barely changed since childhood and that he merely played the grown-up to support Fern. Frieren once promised to praise him herself rather than wait for the Goddess. The chapter takes place in the Raad Region.