Synopsis: Chagum returns to the palace.

A messenger arrives at the palace. Hibi Tonan, the Holy Mage, relays the report to the Emperor: the Prince has defeated the evil demon and aided in the birh of the water spirit. The Prince is journeying back to the palace. The Holy Mage tells the Emperor he will have the order of silence lifted and have the court prepare for a ceremony. The Emperor orders the Holy Mage to let it be known throughout the land that Chagum is the reincarnation of the Holy Founding Father, Torgal.

Chagum, Tanda and Balsa are having their dinner. Chagum asks Balsa if the nahji carried the egg out to sea already. Balsa says that if the water spirit doesn’t start expelling clouds soon, the fall harvest will be devastated.

Looking at his food, Tanda asks Torogai what does the La Lunga eat. He doubts they’d go for a hundred years without consuming anything. Torogai replies that even the La Lunga are living things. They must eat something. The Nyunga Ro Chaga is a special treat that comes once every hundred years. Tanda comments that though the are called Egg-eaters, they don’t really eat the egg.

Chagum asks if there were eggs placed inside others. Tanda tells him there was a bear cub but it got eaten by the La Lunga.

Shuga is talking with some soldiers who are waiting for his command. The soldiers say the odds the Prince will leave the spear-wielder’s side again are extremely low. It seems Shuga, by order of the Emperor, is planning to have Balsa ambushed. Mon and Jin come. They tell Shuga that even if it were an order from the Emperor, it would no longer be necessary. No one wishes to cause the Prince grief. Shuga says he was about to make a wrong choice. He will speak with the Emperor.

Chagum is being led into the palace. However, instead of riding the palanquin, he helps Balsa support Tanda walk.

They finally arrive. Everyone in the palace bows down. Balsa tells Chagum to go to his mother. The boy rushes off. Shuga tells Balsa, Tanda and Torogai that he has arranged accommodations for them in the palace. He tells them to rest. Torogai says she’ll look forward to it and that she will take full advantage.

Chagum goes to his mother, the Second Empress. His mother tells him she never doubted he’s alive. She notices that his son has grown. Chagum says it’s all thanks to Balsa. The Second Empress asks where she is. Chagum tells her that she returned with him. She should be somewhere in the court.

Chagum goes to Sagum’s room which is now empty. Gakai follows him.

Balsa and Torogai take a bath. Balsa seems down. Torogai asks her why. Balsa replies it’s finally sinking that it’s all over. Torogai asks her what she will do after. Balsa says she doesn’t know yet. Torogai asks if she’s going on another journey. Balsa answers that she hasn’t thought about it yet.

Torogai then tells her that there’s talk of Tanda receiving an offer of marriage from someone. At the public bath were Torogai went during the winter, an old acquaintance nagged her about it. Her daughter saw Tanda preparing some medicine for her grandfather and fell in love with him. Torogai says the girl looks like her when she was younger. She’s good-natured too. Balsa says it looks like a good match. Torogai sighs.

Tanda is at a hall where food is prepared for them. He thinks there’s too much food. Balsa and Torogai come. Tanda comments that his master is drinking too much. Torogai says she intends to drink the entire Palade dry. Balsa looks at Tanda. Tanda tells her not to worry, they would see Chagum again. He says he’s sure Chagum wants to see her too.

Chagum meets the Emperor. The veil covering the Emperor is lifted. He tells Chagum to come closer. The Emperor says that he has heard of Chagum’s journey from Shuga. The Emperor praises Chagum. Chagum says it was only possible with the help of many, especially Balsa. The Emperor tells him to forget about her. To the commoners, Chagum is the hero who saved the empire from great hardship. The Emperor says that from what he heard, the Kanbal woman selflessly protected Chagum with utter disregard for her own safety and with no though of reward. What objection could she possibly have to Chagum being a hero and leading the New Yogo Empire into the future? The Emperor stands up and gives Chagum a crown. With Sagum gone, it is now Chagum’s duty to live as a hero.

Chagum and Shuga talk afterwards. Chagum wonders how Balsa is doing. Shuga tells him she is resting in the guest chamber. Shuga then tells him that the moment Chagum set his foot upon the palace, he has become the Crown Prince. Shuga says that they have arranged for Balsa and the others to receive a generous reward as compensation. Chagum comments that Balsa must have known things would happen as they are, that’s why she told him Jiguro’s story.

The following day, a small ceremony is held for Balsa and the others to receive their reward. Shuga, the Emperor and his wives, and Chagum come. Veils cover their faces. Shuga hands the reward first to Tanda. From behind his veil, Chagum looks at Balsa. Her reward is given next. Chagum clenches his fist. His mother, the Second Empress, glances at him. She understands how Chagum feels. Silently, she thanks Balsa. Torogai’s reward is then given. She asks Balsa to get hers.

Balsa, Torogai and Tanda prepare to leave the palace. Tanda says that he would have preferred to have gotten a chance to speak with Chagum one last time instead of receiving a reward. Torogai comments that if that’s the case, she’ll take his share.

Mon and Jin block their passage through a gate. Jin says that commoners are not allowed to pass through that gate. Mon tells them to take the path to the left as they are worthy of it. Balsa says they should do as Mon and Jin say.

They take the left path and there, Chagum is waiting for them, carrying Balsa’s spear. He runs to Balsa and embraces her. His crown falls off. He cries and says he doesn’t want to be the Crown Prince. He just wants to travel with her. Balsa whispers to Chagum if he wants to run away with her. She could stir up something. Chagum pauses. Torogai and Tanda nod at him. Chagum sighs and says she doesn’t have to. She tells Balsa to save it for another child. He says perhaps it would be her child with Tanda. Torogai laughs. Chagum laughs too. Balsa and the others leave. Balsa says goodbye to the Prince. Tears fall from Chagum’s eyes. He gives his thanks to Balsa, Tanda and Torogai and says goodbye.

Tanda visits Touya and Saya. He says his master will be staying at his hut in the mountains for a while. Touya says he wishes he could’ve talked to Chagum one last time. Saya tells him it’s not like they won’t see him again. Saya then asks Tanda why Balsa suddenly decided to go back to Kanbal. Touya says that Chagum was supposed to be her eighth so she should be able to settle down. Tanda says there’s still one person only Balsa can put to rest. Touya tells him that he might have to wait another two years again. Tanda tells him he’ll cross the bridge when he gets there. Touya comments that Tanda is really patient.

Clouds cover the sky and soon rain begins to fall. Balsa is on her way to Kanbal. She takes a look at the Second Empress’ earrings which Chagum gave her. She continues her journey.

Anyway, it’s nice how they provided a fitting conclusion to the series, giving an opportunity for the loose ends to be tied. Oh well, I will reserve my final thoughts regarding Seirei no Moribito on another post.

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