Mystery Hunter: The Convenient Truths Taught by 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' (5,000 characters)

Mystery Hunter: The Convenient Truths Taught by 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End'

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My name is Toshiro Tokoshie. I am a 'Mystery Hunter.' The world is overflowing with mysteries, and I collect them. You ask why I collect mysteries? Because it seems to me that there is a solid reason behind the mysteries of the world, and I am searching for that reason. But perhaps the most mysterious thing of all is that everyone else doesn't think these mysteries are mysterious at all. That might be the biggest reason why I became a Mystery Hunter.

The mystery I am introducing to you today is a story of profound wisdom hidden within an anime that moved me to tears. What? You ask what era I live in? The setting is currently 2025, and I watch anime too. I especially love stories that feature gods.

This story does not depict blind worship. It is a story that acts as a compass for the heart, quietly yet powerfully teaching us about 'what salvation is' through a very mature form of faith where 'practical wisdom' for surviving harsh realities and deep 'devotion' to others coexist.

1. The 'Adult Faith' Presented by a Quiet Story

The anime 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' maintains a serene and gentle tone throughout. Beyond flashy magical battles, its greatest appeal lies in the careful depiction of the philosophies of those who live long lives and the subtle nuances of human hearts.

Among these, what resonates particularly with the hearts of modern people is the stance on 'faith' spoken of by the monks Heiter and Kraft. Their way of thinking is not blind worship. It can be said to be a very mature form of faith where 'practical wisdom' for surviving harsh realities and deep 'devotion' to others coexist.

The two dialogues introduced below clearly express their philosophy. As a Mystery Hunter, I found a profound message for us living in the modern age within these dialogues.

2. Two Dialogues Concerning Faith

The Significance of Heaven and 'Convenient' Interpretations

[From Anime 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' Episode 4: 'The Land Where Souls Rest']

Heiter
Is that your family?

Eisen
That's a story from long ago. My village was attacked by demons. What are you doing?

Heiter
I am praying.

Eisen
When people die, they return to nothingness.

Heiter
They go to heaven.

Frieren
Until a few thousand years ago, the idea of 'returning to nothingness' was mainstream. Dwarves value tradition. Well, I'm skeptical about heaven too. With current human magical technology, we cannot observe souls after death, so we cannot prove their existence.

Himmel
I think it doesn't matter which one it is.

Heiter
That is true. I also don't care whether it actually exists or not.

Himmel
Is it really okay for a priest to say that, you corrupt monk?

Heiter
But even if it doesn't exist, I think it's something that should.

Eisen
Why?

Heiter
Because it's more convenient that way. It shouldn't be that the final destination for someone who lived their life to the fullest is nothingness. If that's the case, isn't it better to think that they're living in luxury in heaven?

Himmel
(Laughing) That is certainly convenient. Shall we pray?

Eisen
Yeah.

Faith in the Goddess and being praised by someone

【From Anime 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' Episode 11 'Winter in the Northern Lands'】

Frieren
Kraft, why do you believe in the Goddess?

Kraft
You don't believe in her, do you, Frieren?

Frieren
Except for the age of myth, the Goddess of Creation has never actually appeared in the long history of this world.

Kraft
You're young. I was like that too, once. But now, I believe in the Goddess from the bottom of my heart. No, I'd be in trouble if she weren't there. Everyone who knew of my great achievements and my justice has died out. That's why, when I die, I'm going to have the Goddess praise me in heaven. She'll say, 'You did well, Kraft. Your life was a wonderful one.' You understand, don't you, Frieren? It's too cruel that the path one has walked in life is remembered by no one. We have walked long lives to get here, after all.

Frieren
Kraft, that is just our own wishful thinking.

Kraft
I suppose so, and heaven too, right? Frieren. Well, never mind, tell me about your life. I'll tell you about mine. If you say you don't believe, I'll praise you in place of the Goddess.

(Frieren's flashback)

Heiter
Frieren? Is there anyone who praises you? Since you don't seem to believe in the Goddess, if you tell me about your life, I will praise you instead.

Frieren
I've just been living aimlessly. There's nothing worth praising.

Heiter
Even though you are constantly suppressing your mana? That looks like the result of blood-sweating effort to me. It's something you've dedicated your life to.

Frieren
You noticed?

Heiter
How many years do you think we've been traveling together?

Frieren
It's not an interesting story.

Heiter
I don't mind. Besides, it will be for my own future learning.

Frieren
Why?

Heiter
Perhaps my child might become a mage.

Frieren
Priests are supposed to be celibate for life, aren't they?

Heiter
Hahaha.

3. Three reasons why I believe in God

To tell you the truth, I believe that God exists. No, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I 'cannot help but believe God exists.' There are three main reasons why I think so.

First, the precision of this world.

If you found a bicycle on a deserted island, anyone would think, 'Someone must be here.' That is because a bicycle is precisely made and could not possibly have assembled itself in nature. Sand and seawater might look 'primitive.' But in reality, they are also composed of precise mechanisms like electrons, atoms, and quanta. The same goes for insects and plants. Modern science has thoroughly overturned the impression of them being 'primitive' at first glance.

What about the universe? Something so massive, yet it maintains order like a clock forever without colliding. There is nothing more precise than that. Which do you think is more precise, a bicycle or the universe?

It is far too precise to think that this world was created by happenings or accidents. That is why I think someone must have designed it.

Second, those who say God exists and those who say God does not exist are doing the same thing.

Among those who believe in God, there are healthy, good people, and there are unreasonable people. Among those who do not believe in God, there are healthy, good people, and there are unreasonable people. In other words, I feel there is something much bigger than God at play here.

Before we ask whether God exists, we hardly ever ask, 'What is a human being?' No, we hardly know. I think this is the greatest mystery of life. Why do people deceive others? Why do people hurt others? Those who say God exists and those who say God does not exist both cause trouble for others in the same way.

Before God, shouldn't we first need to sort out our understanding of human beings?

Third, if it's the same either way, you might as well choose the convenient one.

It is honest to say 'I don't know' to things you don't understand. But if it makes you positive and energetic, why not use the convenient option? That is what I think.

And when I heard the words of Heiter and Kraft in this anime, I thought: Ah, there are people who think the same way I do.

4. A 'pragmatic' faith for oneself

What Heiter and Kraft have in common is that they have abandoned the pursuit of the truth regarding whether or not a god exists. Instead, they prioritize a pragmatic perspective: 'It is more convenient for me to believe that a god exists.' This might sound insincere at first glance. But as a Wonder Hunter, I find deep wisdom in this.

Heiter's Logic

The idea that the end of a person who lived desperately is 'nothingness' is too sad and unacceptable. That is why he chooses to think that they are 'living in luxury in heaven.' This is not only for the sake of the deceased, but also a functional way of thinking for the survivor to maintain peace of mind.

Kraft's Logic

The loneliness of having outlived all the friends who knew of his great deeds. To avoid being crushed by that sense of emptiness, he needed the premise that 'only the Goddess is watching over me.' Without thinking that way, it would have been difficult for him to continue affirming his own life.

They consciously use faith as a 'safety net for the heart.' This almost dry rationality is a form of 'salvation' that makes a lot of sense to us living in modern society.

5. Resonance with Himmel: The Kindness of 'It Doesn't Matter'

This 'pragmatic kindness' is also shared by the hero Himmel.

Regarding the existence of heaven, Himmel says, 'I think it doesn't really matter.' This is not indifference, but an affirmation of Heiter. It is a stance that says, rather than whether heaven exists as a fact, 'if my companions are saved by praying, then that is fine.'

The characters in Frieren are charming because, rather than refuting each other with 'correctness,' they allow each other this 'convenient kindness.' As a Wonder Hunter, I see the true form of compassion in this relationship.

6. Heiter's Practice of What He Preaches: The Hope of a 'Child'

Heiter's pragmatic thinking and devotion culminate in his actions toward Fern.

When he once told Frieren, 'My child might become a mage,' and she replied, 'Priests are supposed to be celibate for life,' he just laughed. However, in his later years, he took in Fern, a war orphan, and truly raised her into a 'mage.'

Creating a family through adoption, regardless of blood ties. This is the embodiment of his life philosophy—just like his thinking that 'it is better to believe heaven exists'—that 'it is better to have a child who will carry on your thoughts after you are gone.'

To the very end, he created a 'convenient, happy ending' for both himself and others with his own hands. This, too, is a beautiful story of the consistency between words and actions that I cannot overlook as a Wonder Hunter.

7. 'Devoted' Proxy for Others

What is even more wonderful about them is that they do not force this 'convenient system' onto others. If the other person does not have faith, they quickly take the next step.

Acting as a substitute for God

A stance that says, 'If you don't believe in the Goddess, then I, who am right here in front of you, will acknowledge your efforts. I will praise you.'

This is the greatest consideration for someone who does not possess the 'tool of faith.' Instead of a conceptual salvation like God, they try to save the other person through words and relationships as a living human being. Here lies a warm, human devotion that transcends the duties of a priest.

Protect your own heart efficiently through 'faith'.
Protect the hearts of others generously with 'your own words'.

This sense of balance is the common charm possessed by the monks in 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End,' and it is the reason we feel a sense of security from them. As a Mystery Hunter, I am deeply moved by this dual kindness.

8. A 'convenient' setting for those of us living in the modern age

In this story, the object of faith is set as the 'Goddess,' but whether the object in our real world is a god, a Buddha, or some great something without a specific name, its function remains the same. Precisely because we live in an age with many skeptics, the thoughts of Heiter and Kraft resonate.

As Himmel said, we should be able to accept that 'it doesn't really matter' what the truth is.

God loves us. We should just accept that love. Wouldn't it be fine to live with that kind of setting?

For those of us living so desperately, it shouldn't be that the destination is 'nothingness.' If that's the case, it's fine to enjoy luxury in heaven. Or, like Socrates, it's fine to look forward to philosophical dialogues with senior sages in heaven. Isn't it much better to believe that there is a place where you can do exactly what you truly love to your heart's content? That is what I think.

This is not escapism. This is wisdom for surviving a harsh reality. And at the same time, it is a deep compassion for those who do not hold faith. As a Mystery Hunter, I am convinced that this 'convenient kindness' is the most sincere form of salvation in the modern era.

The words of the monks who appear in 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' will surely become a gentle light, illuminating the path you should take when you stand at the crossroads of life.

I do not know what kind of ending this story will have. Perhaps, like Himmel, I might think 'it doesn't really matter.' But with that neutral attitude, I am looking forward to the conclusion of this story.

▼Amazon Prime Video: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

#I love SF novels #Creative writing