Synopsis: Balsa, Chagum, Tanda and Torogai head for Hunter’s Cave.

Torogai speaks to Shuga and the warriors. She asks Shuga if he is a star diviner. Shuga says he is. He then tells Torogai that he would have liked for them to have met earlier. Torogai realizes that it was Shuga who asked the Second Empress to write a letter to her.

Torogai then tells Shuga that she would like to hear his thoughts. She tells him that when the even day in springtime arrives, the Prince will depart for the Place of celebration. She also tells him about the Egg-eater. Torogai explains that it is like the brown bear that feeds on the tobrya that swim upstream to lay their eggs and that according to legend, the Guardian is destined to die at the hands of the Egg-eater at the appointed time.

Torogai asks Shuga how much knowledge regarding the Nyunga Ro Chaga he possesses. Shuga does not answer. Instead, he asks whether there are historical records of a Guardian evading his fate. Torogai answers that there is none, at least among the Yakue.

Mon then asks Torogai if it would be wiser if the Prince is returned to them. He says that the Yogo forces are ten thousand strong. Even if a demon like the one described in the Official Founding History were to appear, they would be able to protect the Prince without difficulty. Torogai asks him if they can defeat a Nayug monster that can neither be seen nor touched by humans. She tells him that no matter how they hide the Prince, the Egg-eater will easily reach over from Nayug with its invisible claws and tear the Guardian apart. She asks that if the Prince is handed over, can Shuga and the warriors still guarantee his safety?

Shuga says that there are secret tomes left by the first Holy Sage. If he can decipher it, then perhaps they can protect the Prince. Torogai tells him that they have something important and yet they haven’t deciphered it yet. Torogai stresses that she can’t hand over the precious Nyunga Ro Chaga. Mon asks if the Yakue can protect the Prince. Torogai replies they can and that’s why Balsa has already taken Chagum to a secret place. Torogai explains that it’s not that Balsa doesn’t want to return the Prince but rather she wants to protect both the Prince and the egg. She tells Shuga that if they truly wish to help save the Prince, they must go and decipher their tomes as quickly as possible and come to the Place of Celebration on the even day at springtime. She says that they will be waiting for them there.

Jin is mad. He unsheathes his sword and tells Torogai that they will protect the Prince without the Yakue’s help. Torogai then asks Jin if they will slaughter every one in the village. She reminds him that even if they take the Prince, the Egg-eater will follow. Shuga stops Jin. He tells the warriors to sheathe their swords. Shuga admits that his knowledge is too lacking compared to hers. He tells Torogai that he will take the warriors with him and leave but he will definitely return with a way to save the Prince by the time the even day in springtime arrives.

Jin complains but Shuga tells him to be silent. He says that no matter what the warriors did, they were unable to defeat the bodyguard. Shuga says that entrusting the Prince to the spear-wielder until spring is the surest way to protect him. Jin still would not accept it but Mon tells him that Shuga may be right. Mon commands Jin to sheathe his blade.

The warriors leave. Shuga asks Tanda if he is Torogai’s apprentice. Shuga thanks Tanda for his help. He says that it was Tanda’s story of the praying mantis’ egg that led him to them. Shuga follows the warriors. He tells Mon that they have no time to lose. As soon as they reach the court, he will begin deciphering the tomes.

Torogai asks Tanda if he met the star diviner before. He says they met once at the outskirts of Lower Ougi. Tanda tells his master that he is impressed how Torogai told a lie about Balsa leaving already. Torogai tells him that they’ll head for the Hunter’s Cave once Balsa returns.

Balsa arrives at the village with Chagum and Nimka. I like how they portrayed the scene of their return. The scene is “shot” from a distance and it looks as if they are still. Nimka’s father arrives and is about to punish Nimka but his wife stops him. Chagum goes back to the hut.

They leave the following day. Balsa thanks the village chief for their hospitality. He asks if they need to leave soon. Balsa replies that there are many preparations she’d like Chagum to make. Torogai then tells the village chief to leave the Nyunga Ro Chaga to them. Nimka approaches Chagum and gives him a jar of sikul nectar she collected. Chagum accepts it and gives his thanks. Nimka tells him to take care of himself.

Balsa, Chagum, Torogai and Tanda head off. Torogai looks back and sees that the villagers have all gathered to see them leave. The villagers bow their heads to Chagum. Torogai explains that it is a sign of respect for the one who bears the burden that must be borne.

Shuga and the warriors arrive at court. Shuga goes to see Gakai who seems to be despondent. Shuga pleads Gakai for help. Gakai tells him that after Sagum passed away, he lost his position as palace tutor. In comparison, he says that he has heard that Shuga possesses authority equal to the Holy Sage. Shuga tells Gakai that he has been to Toumi Village and he discovered that the knowledge star diviners possess pale in comparison to that of the Yakue. Gakai tells him that it has nothing to do with him. Shuga begs Gakai to help him by leading the initiative to decipher the secret tome. He says that Gakai is a scholar with an inquiring mind and is well-versed with many topics. The only one who can take on the task and not make mistakes is him.

The leaves are already changing their color and Balsa and the others continue to travel to Hunter’s Cave. Tanda comments that Chagum has been glum since they left Toumi. Balsa says that at least they will reach the cave soon. She’ll think of a way to deal with Chagum once they get there.

They finally arrive at the cave. Tanda and Torogai goes inside. Chagum and Balsa come in too. Tanda asks Chagum if he is surprised to see the cave. He explains that since that part of the cave is cold, they made rooms farther in. The right-hand cavity extends so deeply so Tanda tells Chagum not to go there. In the middle one there’s a spring. Tanda then leads Chagum to the part of the cave where they have made their dwelling. They have a living room, a room where they smoke meat, and a room where they store food and water.

Balsa comes in. She says that the place hasn’t changed and that it’s the first time she’s back since Jiguro died. Torogai says that once the snow begins, they’ll be stuck inside so they need to make preparations immediately.

Chagum helps Balsa to catch fish. She teaches him how to clean it. Chagum also helps Balsa set up some traps and he is taught how to cut meat. Soon, the room where the smoke food is kept is filled. Balsa also teaches Chagum how to tan leather.

Torogai tells Tanda that Chagum has gotten stronger. Tanda says he’s worried. Torogai says that Chagum must resolve it on his own, no matter what they say to him, he must accept the fate of the Nyunga Ro Chaga by himself.

Chagum’s hands have become sore. Balsa puts ointment on his palms and Chagum winces. Balsa says that he must bear with it. She also says that her hands got sore too when she was young and Jiguro would put medicine on her hands. Chagum asks if Jiguro was the person who raised Balsa. Balsa says she owes her life to him. She says that without him, she would’ve been killed when she was six. Chagum asks Balsa to tell him more about Jiguro. Balsa says that it would be a good time.

Anyway, there’s only one thing I’d like to say regarding this episode: Jin sure is annoying.