Synopsis: Shuga finds a clue about Chagum.

Sagum has come of age and he receives a sword from the Emperor as he is now permitted to wear a sword in court. Sagum seems to have gotten thinner than before.

Shuga, locked inside the chamber of ancient texts, continues to research. He reads about the Great Drought Sign that arises every hundred years. It is said to be necessity that occurs when the Nyunga Ro Im is dying of old age. Shuga wonders why it would be a necessity. He also thinks that one cannot conclude whether Chagum is alive just through the Drought Sign.

Meanwhile Torogai asks Chagum to get some yamabime as she wants to eat some. It’s a purple fruit that’s split open. It can be found in the mountains.

After Chagum leaves, she tells Balsa and Tanda that Chagum is going to die. Balsa and Tanda are shocked since Torogai said earlier that the egg is harmless. Torogai tells them it’s not the egg. It’s the La Lunga, the Egg-eater. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know any detail about it. Balsa asks what are the chances that it would come and attack. Tanda also asks if perhaps they can hide Chagum until the egg hatches. Torogai explains that the egg will only hatch in the Place of Celebration. Torogai tells them she does not know where that place is but she knows that it will hatch on an even day in springtime which is probably the spring equinox, when night and day are of equal length. Supposedly, the Nyunga Ro Chaga will know of it when that day comes. Torogai says that the date of hatching is also the time when the Egg-eater will appear. Balsa suggests that they can try to find out about the La Lunga. Torogai says she can’t return to the Knot but maybe clues still exist somewhere.

Chagum returns with a lot of yamabime. Torogai eats one greedily. Tanda tells her that maybe the Yakue would know (in reference to the La Lunga). Torogai says that the Yakue are basically Yogo people now so stories might not be the same as the original. Tanda suggests going to the Toumi village. It’s where his grandfather moved to. Chagum asks if they are going somewhere. Balsa replies that it will be a trip to find out something. Chagum thinks it would be fun. He tries to eat the yamabime fruit.

As for Shuga, he is still reading the ancient tomes. He reads something about a mammatus cloud that appeared so that the water spirit mother could bestow her last blessing on her child, the egg. It appeared on the day that marked the end of summer and the cloud will appear at the center of the village where the Guardian of the Sacred Spirit lived. It is a breast-shaped cloud that covered most of the sky. Shuga thinks that he has found a clue regarding Chagum. If the cloud will appear again, it will be proof that Chagum is alive. Furthermore, it will show where he is. Shuga then realizes that it will appear that day.

Shuga knocks at the entrance. A keeper hears him but the Holy Sage has the key. Shuga tells the keeper that he has found something important and he wants to confirm it once he gets out.

The Holy Sage, however, has returned. The keepers hurry to open the door for him. One of them collapses but in fact, he stealthily takes the key from the Holy Sage as he fell. I thought that was rather skillful of him. The Holy Mage, however, observes that the door to the chamber is slightly ajar. He asks one of the keepers why he entered the room. He reminds the keeper of the consequences. The Holy Sage then tells him that he is disappointed he got careless after ten years of service. The Holy Sage leaves after getting some books and tells the keeper to come with him. He then tells all the keepers that there is no one else in the room. The keepers cover their faces with veils. I wonder what was that for. Is it to enforce to the keepers that the Holy Sage’s coming was to be kept secret? After the Holy Sage leaves, the other keeper who now has the key hurries to open the chamber so Shuga can get out. Shuga tells him that it’s his fault that a keeper will be punished. The keeper who let him out tells Shuga that Chagum’s return is their heartfelt wish. He also tells Shuga that he is sure the other keeper has no regrets. I wonder what kind of punishment he will receive. Will he be executed? Will he be relieved of service?

Sagum, meanwhile, is with Gakai who asks him if the sword is too flashy for his taste. Sagum tells him that what’s important is the mindset of both giver and receiver.

Back to Shuga, he hurries to a tower and searches the sky. He sees a huge cloud, such as the one told in the texts, and confirms that Chagum is indeed alive in Kousenkyou.

Shuga then goes to see Sagum. Even before seeing him, Sagum knew it was Shuga. Shuga asks how Sagum knew. Sagum tells him that the busier one is, the more acute one’s senses become. Shuga asks the prince how he is faring. The prince replies he is well. Shuga asks if he is worried of something. Sagum answers that his heart is somewhat weary. He is only able to accomplish his duties as crown prince through much effort but he has reached his limit. Shuga suggests that he delegate tasks so he could be relieved of some of the burden. Sagum replies that it would be possible if there were someone who could truly support him. Sagum then says that there is one quality he lacks: the Grace of Heaven to captivate the hearts of others. He says that Chagum had that quality. Shuga tries to tell him about Chagum but Shuga says that Chagum is no longer with them. Sagum then asks what Shuga wanted to tell him but Shuga now hesitates saying he hasn’t given it much consideration. He tells Sagum he will come again when he has done so.

Shuga then goes to the stables to borrow a horse for three days. One of the Emperor’s warriors, however, overhears.

Meanwhile, Balsa comments that Chagum is getting tanned. Tanda asks if he is getting stronger. Chagum tells them that he hasn’t had any strange dreams recently and that he is feeling light. Tanda asks if Chagum has a goal in life. Chagum replies that he wants to find a job where he can help others and learn about new things as well.

Balsa and Tanda leave and Tanda asks if she is going to tell Chagum of his fate. Balsa says that she will have to, eventually, but as of the moment, they don’t know anything for certain. Tanda then hands Balsa a map to Toumi village.

Shuga races to Kousenkyou. He thinks that if he can bring back proof that Chagum is alive and report it to the Emperor, everything would be alright.

Gakai goes to see Sagum bringing a pile of letters. Sagum tells him that he is a bit weary. He thanks Gakai for teaching him a lot of things. He asks him to work with Shuga as a colleague and strive to improve the court. Sagum also asks Gakai to release the bird because he can no longer take care of it. It was the bird he and Chagum nursed after they got it injured. Gakai then bids the bird to fly. The bird looks at Sagum then flies away to the sky. Gakai comments that it flies well and it must be due to Sagum’s excellent care. Sagum says goodbye. He closes his eyes as if one sleeping.

Anyway, it was unexpected that Sagum died. Then again, the title was “Young Death”. It could also refer to the fate that Chagum faces. Ah… this was a sad episode.

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