[Shadow5YA]

It's not the focus of the chapter, but I like how Stark and Fern have grown close enough that they can share a blanket together without getting self-conscious about it.

Originally Posted by Kanon

Spoiler for 129:

Mostly a set up chapter, with a bit of exposition on how widespread magic is in the Empire thanks to Flamme. I've said it multiple times in the anime thread, but I still think Serie created the Continental Magic Association as a way to gatekeep magic, and it might just be why she's at odds with the Empire who would want to spread it all over the world if they're still trying to honor Flamme's legacy. That would put Frieren in an interesting position. That said, I very much doubt this is where this is going, given the picture of the Empire that has been painted thus far, which is that of a totalitarian state (they literally have SSs).

I know why the author had her say that line, but Frieren dramatically stating someone out there might be able to visualize killing Serie does not make much sense since Shadow Warriors will be the ones coming after her head, and they are not mages. That's even the entire reason her mana detection isn't going off.

They've been able to sense monsters and demons that weren't mages up to this point. It's not like she's gauging their strength, just whether she can sense their presence or not.

I think it's reasonable for the Empire to be suspicious of an outsider powerful mage that's not under their control, but I don't see them being interested in spreading magic outside their borders either.
From everything that we've seen and heard of them, they appear to be fairly secretive.