Geography

The New Yogo Empire is cradled by the breathtaking Aogiri Mountains to the north. From the Aogiri flows the mighty Aoyumi river. Ougi is situated between two of the rivers’ branches and is thus named since it resembles a folding fan. The land has a humid subtropical climate and it experiences the four seasons. Winter is particularly colder in the north.

History

The land of Nayuro, which is now the New Yogo Empire, was originally inhabited by the Yakue, a shamanistic group of brown-skinned people. According to the Official Founding History, fair-skinned foreigners led by Torgal crossed the seas and reached Nayuro many years ago. The Yakue asked Torgal to defeat a water demon that appeared every century bringing drought to the land. Torgal, Nanai, the Holy Sage, and the eight warriors went deep into the Aogiri. There, they saw a child who transformed into a water fiend. Torgal and his warriors fought the water fiend for three days and three nights after which they managed to defeat it. Torgal then proclaimed himself Emperor over the land, renaming it the New Yogo Empire.

It wasn’t until after hundreds of years that it was discovered that the Official Founding History was a lie, fabricated for the sole purpose of ruling the land. The spirit said to be a fiend was actually a spirit who bestows the blessing of water upon the land.

Places of Interest

	Ougi no Kami The New Yogo Empire’s seat of government. It is where the Emperor and his family reside. Also within the court, is the Star Diviner’s Tower. Civilians however are denied entrance to the court except on special circumstances.
	Lower Ougi The bustling trade district. To get the best bargains when shopping, haggling would be a necessary skill. Tourists can also stay in one of the many inns in Lower Ougi.
	Touya’s Shop Have a hassle-free vacation and let Touya do your errands for you. Touya is said to be the best errand-boy in all of Kousenkyou.
	Tanda’s Hut Let Tanda fix your ailments and woes with medicinal herbs and his healing hands. This is definitely a place of rejuvenation.
	Toumi Village One of the Yakue settlements in the New Yogo Empire. Ancient traditions are still kept in this village.
	Hunter’s Cave A humble solace in the mountains. Perfect for the winters.
	Blue Lake A serene lake teeming with sig salua blossoms. The lake is said to overlap with the world of Nayug.

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Want to know more about the New Yogo Empire? Watch Seirei no Moribito.

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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.Similar Posts:

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Chagum, led by the egg, hurries to Sahnan, the Place of Celebration. As he continues to walk, he sees fishes swimming in the air. He realizes that he is between Nayug and Sagu.

Tanda tells Balsa that the sig salua flowers are their last hope in protecting Chagum. Mon asks Tanda if the flowers would work for them too. Tanda replies that it well. If he casts some spells on it, anyone who eats one should be able to see into Nayug. The warriors request for the flowers. Zen says that they will save Chagum even if it costs them their lives. Balsa picks a flower from Tanda’s bag. The warriors do too. Tanda instructs them that all they need to do is to eat the flower. Balsa tells the warriors that they should get moving, to Nayug. They eat the blossoms.

Meanwhile, Torogai and Shuga are on their way to the Place of Celebration.

Balsa and the the others continue to search for Chagum. Balsa says there’s no longer a sign of the Egg-eater that escaped earlier. One of the warriors says he can’t see anything into Nayug. Jin tells him that perhaps it takes a while for the flower to take effect. For the meantime, their priority is finding the Prince.

Balsa asks Mon what orders the master star diviner gave them. Mon replies that Shuga ordered them to give the Prince’s life higher priority, even if it meant forsaking the spirit’s egg. Balsa says that, in a sense, it is a logical course. She says they will gamble on that decision. Even if the egg hatches, if Chagum dies, it would be meaningless. They resume their search.

Tanda, due to the injury he got after fighting the La Lunga, is left behind. He examines the La Lunga’s corpse. Torogai and Shuga come. Tanda tells them Balsa and the other warriors went ahead to Sahnan. Shuga comments that Tanda did well. Torogai asks Tanda how he defeated the monster. He replies that he tried to eat the sig salua blossoms. He discovered that the nectar acts as a medium that enables them to affect Nayug. Torogai praises him.

The shaman asks if there are any blossoms left. Tanda answers that he gave everything to Balsa and the others. Torogai is somehow disappointed. She says because of Tanda’s age, he may be able to see the spirit’s rebirth again. She examines the corpse. Tanda tells her it’s his only chance too.

Shuga tells Torogai that they should hurry. Torogai tells him to take it easy as the Prince is in no danger from being eaten until dawn. The three see a bear. It seems the bear also has the water spirit’s egg. A La Lunga comes after the bear. The bear runs but the monster catches it and rips it apart. The La Lunga spits the egg. It falls to the ground and breaks.

Torogai says that it was probably an egg from the Nyunga Ro Im. She says she thought there might be others like Chagum but they get taken by the La Lunga. It must be the law of nature. Torogai then says maybe Chagum isn’t safe until dawn, after all. Tanda asks to come with them. Torogai tells him to go on horseback. They hurry to Sahnan.

Chagum swims towards an opening in a sheet of ice covering a lake. He finds himself in a cold, frozen place. A La Lunga appears from the ice. Just in time, Balsa and the warriors arrive. Balsa sees Chagum. She tells him to say where he is. Mon tells Balsa to go ahead, they will try to stop the Egg-eater.

Balsa goes and the warriors approach the monster, shooting it with fire. The monster falls back to the lake but re-emerges to attack two of the warriors from the ice.

Chagum tells Balsa that he knew she would come. He says he had faith in her. Balsa embraces Chagum.

The other warriors line the tip of the cliff with oil. If the monster climbs up, they will light the oil, making it difficult for the La Lunga to climb. Jin hurls a flask of oil to the La Lunga. Sun shoots at the flask with a flaming arrow. The flask explodes at the La Lunga. It falls.

Tanda notices fish floating in the air. He sees a La Lunga falling. He realizes that where they are is underwater in Nayug. He tells it to Torogai. He says they should go higher up, on top of the cliffs.

The warriors climb up but another Egg-eater comes out from the ice. It climbs up. The warriors attack it.

Tanda, Torogai and Shuga arrive at Sahnan. Tanda sees the Prince and the others but Torogai and Shuga couldn’t. Shuga comments that he is only able to observe and understand half of the existing world, perhaps even only a millionth of it. Tanda says they must hurry.

Chagum tells the warriors not to kill the La Lunga. He explains the egg cannot be born unless its bearer is torn apart by La Lunga. Balsa says she can’t help with that. More La Lunga come.

Tanda tells Torogai he’s going ahead.

The La Lunga shoot tendrils, binding the warriors, Balsa and the Prince. Mon cuts the tendrils with his sword. Still, more La Lunga come. Sun says he’s out of arrows. Another warrior says there isn’t much oil left either. Mon says that in the legend, the Eight Warriors managed to fight for three days and three nights. He says that even if they run out of oil, they can still fight beings from Nayug thanks to Tanda. He rallies his men to fight to death even if the only weapons they have are their swords.

Mon tells Balsa to take Chagum away. Helping him escape would be their priority. Balsa tells Chagum that they’re getting out of the place but he says they can’t. Chagum says the egg wants to stay. If it doesn’t get born that day, it will die inside of him.

Jin tells Balsa to go and hurry. The La Lunga are now climbing up the cliff. Chagum watches as the warriors fight the Egg-eaters. He tells Balsa that he wants to stay alive but he is going to entrust himself to fate. Chagum says he can’t live with everyone’s sacrifice, not if it means the lives of millions of Yogo’s people. Chagum then tells the warriors to stop fighting as he’s going to do what must be done. Mon tells Chagum not to concern himself with them.

Tanda arrives. He limps his way to Balsa and Chagum. He says that since his master has explained everything to him, he can extract the egg from Chagum. They have to move to a safe place first. Tanda then explains that according to the star diviner, there is a record of a similar attempt made 200 years ago that almost succeeded. Balsa entrusts Chagum to Tanda. She goes and joins the warriors in fighting the La Lunga.

Shuga asks Torogai if there is something they can do. The shaman says there is nothing except to pray the dawn will arrive.

There doesn’t seem to be an end to the horde of La Lunga that come for Chagum. Balsa finds a weakness and the warriors copy her.

The sun slowly rises and suddenly, the La Lunga are still, as if time has stopped. Balsa realizes that the day has dawned in Sagu. Slowly, everything gets brighter and the Egg-eaters fade.

Balsa rushes to Chagum. Torogai and Shuga arrive. Torogai says that if they don’t hurry, Nayug and Sagu will separate completely. Tanda asks Balsa to help him. He takes Balsa’s hand and they push it gently into Chagum’s chest. It sinks. Chagum says it hurts. Tanda, guiding Balsa’s hand, instructs her to gently touch the egg. They sink their hands deeper into Chagum’s chest. They find the egg and then slowly, carefully, lift it out, a small shining orb. Chagum feels exhausted yet relieved, like one who gave physical birth.

Chagum touches the egg. He says it’s warm. Torogai says that all that is left is the nahji. If no nahji comes, the exposed egg will die soon. They gaze at the sky, in search of the bird.

Torogai sees a flock of birds from a distance. Shuga says it really is the nahji. Jin comments that the birds might fly away without noticing. Chagum says it’s alright, the nahji will notice. One of the birds separate from the flock and heads towards them. Balsa asks Chagum what they should do. Chagum tells her that if she throws the egg up high, the nahji will catch it with its beak. Balsa hurls the egg to the sky. The nahji picks it up and rejoins its flock.

The army arrives. The future Emperor can now be welcomed back to the court with proper flair. Chagum says it’s all over. His struggle with fate is all over.

Anyway, what can I say, this was an overwhelming and cathartic episode. The episode “Flower Wine For Tanda”, wherein Saya found her soul escaping to Nayug after drinking flower wine, served as a foreshadowing of the sig salua’s use in seeing into Nayug. The wine that Saya drank was made from sig salua blossoms.

I thought before that there is only one egg, in the same way that I thought there is only one Egg-eater. It seems though that the water spirit lays many eggs on different “hosts”. Having many eggs would ensure that at least one of them would survive and hatch. It’s the law of nature, as Torogai said.Similar Posts:

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Seirei no Moribito is already finished so I was thinking of blogging from the raws. Though I could understand the conversations a bit, I thought it wouldn’t be too detailed compared to what I have done before so I decided to wait for the subs.

Anyway, Chagum runs off into the forest. The warriors follow him. Balsa follows too and Tanda tells her that he will go with her.

Shuga orders the army to calm down. He also orders them to assemble into their respective teams. He tells them that the first and second team will go with him to look for the Prince.

Torogai tells Shuga to wait and not panic. If where they are is, indeed, the Place of Celebration, the Prince will eventually return. The egg is supposed to hatch the following day at dawn, after all. Shuga objects but Torogai tells him to leave the pursuit to Balsa, Tanda and the warriors. She tells Shuga that they should be sharing their knowledge instead. Shuga agrees.

Shuga orders the soldiers to light a bonfire around the lake. He tells them that they cannot permit the La Lunga to attack again when the Prince returns.

After the preperations were complete, Shuga tells Torogai that the tomes contained the same information she relayed to them at Toumi: the Guardian of the Sacred Spirit is destined to be ripped apart by the Egg-eater. He says that, fortunately, the La Lunga can be repelled by fire. Torogai asks him if he can describe what was written in the tomes in greater detail.

Shuga tells the shaman that two hundred years ago, the Holy Founding Father used fire to save a Yakue child named Sigul. However, the water spirit’s egg lay not within the child’s body but it is trapped between Nayug and Sagu. It seems the egg of the Nyunga Ro Chaga is unable to hatch on its own. Torogai says that, as they feared, the egg is unable to hatch unless a La Lunga eats it. Shuga says that the Great Holy Sage, Nanai, monitored the events closely. With the help of a Yakue shaman, he did everything in his power to try and extract the egg but at the exact moment when it appeared that their spell would work, the La Lunga returned from Nayug and tore the child apart.

Torogai asks what happened to the egg afterwards. Shuga tells her that after the La Lunga tore and swallowed the child, a shining blue orb of light was expelled from its mouth. A being called “Nahjil” carried the egg away. Shuga says that the word “Nahjil” does not exist in their language. He asks Torogai if she knows what it is. Torogai says it must be the bird nahji. People sing about it in the Yakue rice planting song. Torogai then tells Shuga that she was hoping the answers he was going to bring would solve everything but it raised more problems instead. Shuga asks if the shaman knows of a spell to extract the egg. She says she doesn’t. She also does not have the slightest idea what to do until she sees it actually happen. Even if they manage to get the egg out, they wouldn’t know if the nahji will actually come.

Balsa and Tanda are looking for Chagum in the forest but not a single footprint could be found. Tanda says that maybe Chagum went through the trees. Chagum did run across the lake’s surface. Tanda says that perhaps the egg’s intent is to act as a bait for the La Lunga while protecting itself until dawn and that perhaps that was the reason why Chagum ate a sig salua blossom. Its scent attracts denizens of Nayug.

The warriors come and surround them. Mon asks Balsa if she also lost sight of the Prince. Jin tells her they pursued the La Lunga but it disappeared and as Tanda said, the Prince leapt through the trees. He moved so quickly that they could not keep up with him. Yun asks if Balsa knows where the Prince is headed. Tanda tells him that he isn’t sure but if the Blue Lake is the Place of Celebration, the Prince will return by dawn and that in any case, the egg is controlling Chagum, so continuing to wander through the forest wouldn’t do them any good.

A warrior asks Mon if they should return to the Blue Lake. Jin says they shouldn’t. Even if the egg is controlling the Prince, he might be attacked by the La Lunga. Balsa says she thinks they shouldn’t return to the Blue Lake either. If the lake is the Place of Celebration and that the Prince will evade the La Lunga until morning, there still must be a reason why Chagum fled into the forest. Mon says he agrees with Balsa. He says that according to Shuga’s findings, the La Lunga weren’t supposed to appear until dawn. There must have been some misinterpretation. They continue to look for the Prince.

Meanwhile Chagum is hiding atop a tree branch. He looks at his reflection in the dagger Balsa gave him. He asks the egg where it is trying to go. The egg speaks to him. It wants to travel farther up a distant river. Chagum goes down the tree and runs towards the river, knowing that the La Lunga will come again.

Balsa and the others still hasn’t found a trace of Chagum. Tanda tells Balsa he’s glad they don’t have to fight the warriors. Jin reports something to Mon and Mon approaches Balsa. He says that there is something he wants to ask her. Mon tells her that when they fought the first time, four of them could not kill her. He asks why Balsa did not kill them then when she could have done so if she wanted to. Yun and Zen come. They hold the hilt of their swords. Balsa replies that there is no special reason why. She says that saving another’s life would be meaningless if she has to take other lives to do it. The warriors let go of their swords. Mon says that they would have been compelled to uphold their honor if Balsa had been looking down on them but it seems that they were bound to be defeated right from the start. Mon then tells Balsa that they will follow her without hesitation should there be a fierce fight. The warriors bow. Balsa tells them to stop it since it’s awkward.

Back to Torogai and Shuga, the shaman tells the star diviner that her spells would allow her to see the egg within the kid but she’s never been able to touch it. Still, if there was a way to make a compromise with Nayug then perhaps, it would be possible.

The keeper whom Gakai sent arrives. He tells Shuga that he has a message from Gakai: the Blue Lake is not the Place of Celebration. It is Sahnan, a completely different location. The keeper explains to Shuga that a detailed description of Sahnan’s location is in the stone tablets he brought with him. Torogai says that if the lake isn’t the Place of Celebratiom, they would be in trouble. They only have until three bells before dawn. Shuga says that he never thought they could overlook something so crucial.

Shuga reads the tablets. She tells Torogai that the same events they just witnessed were chronicled in the tablets. Two hundred years ago, a child who ate flowers disappeared into the forest, taking the La Lunga with him. In Nayug, the Blue Lake would be the La Lunga’s lair. Shuga says that according to the tablets, Sahnan is 20 nans away from where they are. Torogai says that with that distance, they will barely make it there before dawn. Shuga suggests that they should depart immediately. Torogai tells him that she’d like to inform those who went ahead of them first. Shuga objects but Torogai tells him to calm down. She says they’re lucky Tanda went with Balsa. She also says that if the Blue Lake overlaps with Nayug, then what she is about to do should work.

The warriors have found a track of Chagum. Balsa says that since Chagum descended to the ground, perhaps he intended to lure the Egg-eater to him once more. Mon suggests they try going upstream.

Torogai communicates with the water people the same way she did before. She says hopefully Tanda will notice. She says it would be great if Balsa and the others will reach Sahnan before they do. She asks Shuga if he can ride on horseback. She tells him that they will ride ahead. She also tells him to tell the soldiers to follow. She says they can’t afford to let the egg hatch without her and Shuga.

As Balsa and the warriors follow Chagum’s trail, Tanda notices someone is calling him. He tells Balsa to come for a second. Tanda tells Balsa about it. He submerges his head into the river and sees one of the water people. It asks him if he is Tanda. It then delivers a message from Torogai.

Tanda tells Balsa and the others that Torogai sent them a message: Chagum is heading towards a place called Sahnan, one of the Aoyumi’s headwaters. That is the true Place of Celebration. Tanda says they only have less than three bells before dawn.

Shuga and Torogai head towards Sahnan on horseback. Torogai worries that they would be the only ones there. Shuga tells her that he does not even want to consider that possibility but if it comes to it, he will protect Chagum no matter what.

Balsa, Tanda and the warriors arrive at a clearing in the forest. They find Chagum’s footprints. Balsa says the tracks are still fresh.

Suddenly, the birds in the forest make a noise. The La Lunga has come. Mon says it’s the same two from before. Balsa says that they seem to be looking for Chagum. The La Lunga, however, were more visible than they were previously. The La Lunga, with the rest of its body burried in the ground, is like an upside-down crab with tentacles used for sensing their prey. The warriors shoot the monsters with fiery darts but it passes through. The warriors continue to attack but Tanda tells them it’s useless unless the La Lunga are trying to affect Sagu. The warriors shoot the it with fire and manage to slow down one but the other escapes.

Tanda drinks the nectar from the sig salua and attacks the La Lunga. His weapon pierces it. The monster struggles. It tries to bite Tanda. Balsa attacks. She stabs the La Lunga’s underside with her spear. The La Langa thrashes about and Tanda is thrown. Balsa comes to him as the warriors attack the La Lunga with fire. They were able to kill it in the end.

Balsa asks Tanda what he did. Tanda shows her the sig salua blossom he gathered. He says that when the La Lunga appeared in the Blue Lake, they only affected the sig salua so he brought blossoms with him on a hunch, but it seems he is correct. He tells Balsa that if they eat the blossoms like Chagum did, they can touch the La Lunga but they would risk getting killed by it as well.

Tanda is wounded by the La Lunga. He tells Balsa that the blossoms is their last hope.

This was, once again, an amazing episode. It’s great to see past enemies uniting in order to save Chagum: Balsa and the warriors, Torogai and Shuga.

The tablets that Gakai sent Shuga were similar to the ones Shuga read at the chamber but this time, Shuga read it in the same way a blind person would read Braille. The writings on the tablet can be read with the eyes but perhaps reading with the fingers would be faster.

I was somehow disappointed with how the La Lunga looked. I thought it would be something like a dragon, or reptilian at least but the La Lunga is an invertebrate resembling a cross between an octopus, an anemone and a crab.

Anyway, this was a Tanda episode. It’s nice how they provided an opportunity for Tanda to shine in the story. I also like how Balsa was so concerned about him when he fought the La Lunga.

Two more episodes to go. I hope the subs catch up fasSimilar Posts:

• Seirei no Moribito - 25 “Celebration”
• Seirei no Moribito - 23 “In Pursuit of the Sig Salua”
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• Seirei no Moribito - 17 “The Water Wheel in Flames”
• Seirei no Moribito - 26 “Departure” (finale)

The snow is starting to melt and Torogai is returning to the cave. She notices that there wasn’t much snow that year. She realizes that the Nyunga Ro Im has passed away.

In the court, Gakai apologizes to Shuga for not being able to decipher all of the tomes in time for his departure. Shuga tells him that just finding a way to protect the Prince is enough. Shuga thanks Gakai and Gakai tells him that he will send a messenger on horseback if they find anything more.

Shuga visits the Second Empress. He tells her that he will save the Prince even if it kills him. The Second Empress tells him that she will pray for his success but he must return alive since Shuga has become indispensable to the Emperor.

An army has now gathered. The Emperor has sent them to assist Shuga.

Balsa, Tanda and Chagum are making preparations. Chagum stands up and goes outside without saying a word. Balsa and Tanda follow him. Torogai arrives on a donkey. She says that Chagum now has the face of a man. Balsa tells her that Chagum is twelve already. Torogai hands Chagum a fresh set of clothes since he has outgrown his. Balsa comments that Tanda had the same growth spurt when he was Chagum’s age. She says that up until then, he had been her cute little brother.

Torogai gives Balsa a dagger as she requested. Chagum comes out wearing his new clothes. Balsa gives him the dagger as a gift. She says that the weight of the sword is the weight of life. It can either mean one’s life, or it can mean one’s death. She tells Chagum that when he draws the blade, he must be prepared to entrust his life to it. Balsa says that it’s a Kanbal saying. It is spoken during a coming-of-age ritual where a father gives his son a sword. Chagum thanks Balsa then puts the dagger in his belt.

Chagum looks around and tells Balsa that he is called, as if he is being pulled by invisible threads. Torogai says that the egg is calling him. Balsa asks where he wants to go. Chagum points to a mountain. Torogai says that the Place of Celebration is one of the springs that feed the Aoyumi River as mentioned in the Official Founding History. Torogai then tells Chagum to lead them to that place.

They journey towards it and follow a river. They rest at some point. Torogai tells Balsa that she looks like a mother. She asks Balsa what she is going to do afterwards. She says staying in one place isn’t so bad and that having and raising a kid is fun. Balsa comments that Torogai talks as if she had one. Torogai tells her that she had three.

Chagum goes to Tanda and asks him if Balsa gave him an answer. Chagum tells him about what Tanda told Balsa at the Hunter’s Cave about the three of them living together. Tanda asks if Chagum was listening. Chagum nods. Chagum tells Tanda that he should just sleep with her. Tanda tells him not to say it as if it’d be that easy. He says that they both have a lot of baggages. Chagum asks if he’s talking about Balsa’s vow. Tanda says that they probably spent too much time together that it eventually led to something like drifting apart. He says that there was a time when love burned in his heart like a summer sun but over time it mellowed like an autumn breeze. Tanda tells Chagum that no matter how much time he spends dwelling over it, it isn’t something he can solve himself. Chagum asks if Tanda wants him to ask Balsa. Tanda then asks him when did he become so decisive.

Chagum says that he realized that even if he died, it would be alright since he would be leaving something behind. Ever since Balsa told him about Jiguro, he has been able to see it that way.

Shuga, the warriors and the Emperor’s army head to the Place of Celebration. Shuga tells the warriors that they can’t fight the spear-wielder because their interests are aligned. There is no longer a reason for them to fight and besides they should consider Chagum’s feelings. The warriors leave and a keeper comes to report to Shuga that the best archers have hidden themselves along the return path. He asks if it is what Shuga truly wished. Shuga replies that it’s the Emperor’s orders.

Balsa, Chagum, Tanda and Torogai continue to travel to the Place of Celebration. Like a son, he holds Balsa and Tanda’s hands. They arrive at a lake filled with sig salua blossoms. It is the Blue Lake. Chagum is asked if it is the Place of Celebration. He says he doesn’t know.

The Emperor’s army arrive and they surround Balsa and the others. Shuga and the warriors come forward. He tells Torogai that he has come as promised. Torogai tells him that it is reassuring he didn’t come empty-handed.

Shuga kneels to the Prince and the warriors follow. Shuga tells Chagum that they have come to assist him with the delivery of the water spirit and to welcome him back to the capital as the hero who saved the New Yogo Empire. Chagum asks Shuga if his brother has truly passed away. Shuga confirms it.

Balsa tells Shuga that they’ve had quite a turn, calling Chagum as the hero that will save Yogo. Shuga tells her that their interest is aligned with hers. He says that though they had disagreements in the past, the warriors no longer intend to bring any harm.

Torogai steps forward and comments that the star diviner speaks with confidence. She asks how the La Lunga can be destroyed. Shuga replies that the La Lunga’s weakness is fire. It was written on the secret tome that the Eight Warriors who served the Holy Founding Father repelled the La Lunga with it. Torogai says that it’s the opposing relationship between the spirits: Water is weaker than Earth, Earth is weaker than Fire. The La Lunga, which eats the water spirit’s egg, is an earth spirit. Torogai says she can’t believe she didn’t figure out something that simple. Tanda comments that the giant torches lit during the summer solstice festival must be a reminder of it.

Chagum suddenly runs to the lake and walks in the water. Balsa follows him. Shuga says that according to the tome, the water spirit will be born when the double moon rises on the night of the spring equinox. It is still far from nightfall however. He asks Torogai what is going on but she says she doesn’t know either.

Chagum stands in the middle of the lake. He picks up a blossom of the sig salua and drinks its nectar.

Meanwhile, in the court, Gakai realizes that he got something wrong. He asks his assistants how many more tablets are left. His assistants say there are eight. Gakai orders him to have it retrieved right away.

Balsa calls out to Chagum but he doesn’t respond. The birds from the surrounding forest fly away as if disturbed by something. Balsa notices the sig salua leaves moving in the water. She thinks it must be the La Lunga. Quickly, she goes towards Chagum.

Shuga orders the army to light the torches they have brought. The army surround the lake and the warriors rush around Chagum. Night has now fallen and they could see a nearly-invisible claw moving in the water. Shuga orders the army to attack. They shoot it with fire but nothing happens. The claw moves towards Chagum. Mon shoots the claw with fire and it falls but Balsa says that the La Lunga is still there. A claw reaches out to Chagum and Balsa knocks him away. The claw, however, goes after them. Chagum and Balsa are suddenly enveloped in a blue light. The claw tries to strike but it cannot penetrate the barrier. The blue ligght takes Chagum and Balsa away from the claw. Chagum runs away to the forest. Balsa follows him. Tanda gathers sig salua blossoms and follow too.

Back to the court, Gakai has retrieved all of the tablets. He finds out that the Blue Lake isn’t the Place of Celebration. He asks his assistant to have the tablet delivered to Shuga.

Anyway, I was awestruck upon seeing this episode. It was amazing how the Emperor’s army were animated in detail. Same as when they animated the scene during Chagum’s funeral.

Chagum telling Tanda to just sleep with Balsa was somehow weird. I mean Chagum’s always the little kid and now he’s talking about things like that. I wonder where he got it. As Tanda told him, when did he become so decisive.

I wonder why the Emperor assigned archers to hide in the return path. Are they going to shoot Balsa? The Emperor seems to be someone who makes rash descisions as is the case when he ordered Chagum to be assassinated.

Also, I realized that the episode about the summer solstice festival wasn’t a waste. Apart from setting some things to motion (as I wrote), the lighting of the giant torches foreshadow how the La Lunga can be repelled.

Lastly, the La Lunga finally arrives. The scene was so intense. I can’t wait to see how Balsa and the others will be able to protect Chagum. Unfortunately, subs are slow. I might have to watch the raws. Similar Posts:

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When the remaining Spears found Jiguro and Balsa, Jiguro told them to sheathe their spears and return to Kanbal but they wouldn’t listen. Jiguro had no choice but to fight and kill them. One by one the assassins fell but Jiguro was wounded by one of them. Balsa would have helped but she was told by Jiguro to stay back. Eventually, Jiguro killed all the Spears.

Though he killed all of the assassins, it was as if Jiguro’s soul was lost along with their souls. These eight souls where the ones Balsa spoke of when the Second Empress asked her to protect Chagum. Though she and Jiguro lived a harsh life because of Rogsam, the eight warriors didn’t deserve to die either so Balsa vowed to save the same number of lives that Jiguro took in protecting her. Jiguro, however, advised her against it.

Chagum tells Balsa that if she hadn’t taken the vow, he would have been dead. Balsa tells him that at least she had that reason to save his life. Jiguro, on the other hand, had no reason to save her life other than the fact that her father was his close friend. Chagum asks why Jiguro killed his friends to save Balsa. Balsa says she doesn’t know. Jiguro had nothing to gain but had everything to lose. Chagum tells Balsa that he wants to know why. If he understood how Jiguro felt, he says he might be able to accept his situation a little more.

Tanda comes to Balsa and Chagum telling them it’s dinnertime. As they were dining, Chagum asks Balsa what she did after the fight with the Spears ended. Balsa says that she completed Jiguro’s training and was now skilled enough to be a match for any warrior. She was sixteen years old already then. She told Jiguro that they part ways. She told him that she can protect herself on her own. Jiguro saved her many times already so she told him to find happiness for himself. Jiguro told Balsa that she must feel indebted to him but she must not think of the past in such terms since it will only make her feel empty inside. Jiguro then told her that he liked her and the life they have together.

Balsa thinks that though Jiguro said he liked her, that wasn’t the case in the first place. Women tend to have maternal instincts but men don’t start off with something like that. Balsa says that she never found out what Jiguro was thinking when he took her.

Jiguro died when Balsa was twenty-one. It wasn’t an assassin that defeated him. He fell ill. Rogsam died by that time and they had nothing to fear anymore. Fifteen years had passed since they left Kanbal. As Jiguro lay dying, Balsa promised him that she will save eight lives to atone for those he had taken. Jiguro told her that it is more difficult to save lives than to take them. He asked Balsa if she is trying to become a hero. He said that people often want heroes who will make sacrifices for them and that trying to save a life is not a task one takes on lightly.

Balsa tells Chagum that she thinks Jiguro believed it’s wrong for one not to put their capabilities to use, even if there is nothing to be gained. To Jiguro, being a national hero and saving a nameless person were of equal merit. Balsa tells the Prince that she understood all of it when she saved him.

Torogai leaves the cave so she can go to a public bath. The next two months are the harshest winter months so if she doesn’t go, she’ll get snowed in. She says she doesn’t want to spend winter at the cave. She tells Tanda and Balsa that she’ll be back by the time the snow melts.

Chagum comes. Balsa notices that he is holding a rod. She asks him what it is for. Chagum asks Balsa to teach him martial arts. He says he will do what he can to protect the egg and himself. He says that if he is more fit, he might be able to escape even if the La Lunga attacks. Even if he dies, he might be able to make sure the egg hatches safely. Balsa agrees but she says she won’t let him die.

Tanda looks at his master and finds it unusual that she could show an affectionate expression. Anyway, Torogai agrees that Balsa train Chagum but she tells him not to be too hard on him. She says that Chagum, unlike Balsa, seems to lack talent.

While Chagum is sleeping, Tanda tells Balsa that he finds himself wishing that the winter would never end. Afterall, he could spend time with her and Chagum. Balsa tells him that they will have to say goodbye to the peaceful days. Tanda then tells Balsa that when everything is over, he’d like to live together with her and Chagum. Tanda says that he hesitated on saying it. He thought he should wait until she fulfills her vow but he tells Balsa that if he waited, she’d never notice. He says that life-or-death situations must be her lifeblood. Balsa is speechless for a moment. She says she doesn’t know what to do about it. She asks Tanda if he has a good cure for it. Tanda looks disappointed and tells Balsa that if she can’t think of him as the “cure”, then perhaps there’s no point in waiting. Tanda leaves the room. Chagum, who is actually awake, hears everything.

One night, while Chagum is washing his face, he feels something strange. He screams and Balsa rushes to him. Chagum looks scared. He says that he can’t see the ground. He tells Balsa that he is in a deep valley and that he is falling. Tanda comes and tells Balsa not to let Chagum drag her into it. He says that Chagum is being pulled to Nayug. Tanda tells Balsa that she must be his pillar to the ground. Tanda speaks to Chagum and tells him to calm down. He tells him that he is looking at a Nayug landscape and that his body is in Sagu. He tells Chagum to slowly feel Balsa’s arm around him. Tanda instructs Chagum to slowly bring back his spirit to where he actually is, in the Hunter’s Cave. Chagum returns. He faints. Balsa asks Tanda if it’s because of the egg. Tanda says that it’s nearly spring.

Meanwhile, at the court, Gakai continues to decipher the tomes. Shuga tells him that he found out the approximate location of the Place of Celebration. Gakai says that on their end, they are having a difficulty bringing up the remaining tablets because the deeper parts of the chamber is flooded. Unfortunately, many of those tablets contain crucial information. Shuga tells Gakai to get some rest. Gakai advises Shuga the same.

This was once again a great episode. I like the part when Tanda somehow confessed to Balsa, especially when he said about him being a cure. It’s nice how the series provided development between the two characters. Similar Posts:

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Kanbal is a small country that lies on the other side of the Aogiri. According to Balsa, even in such a place, people constantly want to create conflict. Unlike Yogo, Kanbal has no rice fields nor fertile farmlands. The land is extremely mountainous with rocky pastures and the people make their living by tilling the poor soil, growing a small amount of grains and tubers, and by grazing goats.

Balsa’s father, Kalna Yonsa, was the royal physician. Her mother died when she was five but because of her father, she led a happy, carefree life. His father became caught in a dangerous position and since she was so young at that time, had no way of knowing.

Rogsam, the King’s brother had blackmailed his father into using poison to assassinate the King. He threatened to kill her if he refused so his father had no choice but to agree.

Balsa’s father had one friend that he trusted. That friend was Jiguro. He was a King’s Spear, one of the nine warriors who served only the King. They were composed of elite spear-wielders who were also the leaders of Kanbal’s nine tribes. Jiguro was said to be Kanbal’s best warrior and the youngest ever to be chosen.

Although his father didn’t want his best friend to be involved in a horrifying plot, he decided nevertheless to tell him about Rogsam’s scheme. He asked Jiguro to take care of Balsa and escape. Jiguro first refused her father’s request because accepting it would mean losing his status and honor. It would mean his destruction as well.

One day, soldiers from the court came to Balsa’s house. It seemed Rogsam discerned her father’s intentions. But Jiguro came and took Balsa with him. He told Balsa that he refused her father’s request at first but he took her had and they left their homeland.

Balsa says that if Jiguro had not come then, she would have been killed. They spent a day going through a long cave that began on the Kanbal border then eventually set foot on the New Yogo empire.

Five days after their escape, the first assassin came. He was a Spear. Balsa didn’t think he was an assassin because he and Jiguro were talking calmly. Jiguro asked the man if Rogsam sent him. Jiguro said that Rogsam is self-serving. The man agreed but he said that thanks to it, he had the oppurtunity to fulfill a dream that he had for a long time. He said that he was dissatisfied with the fact that he could no longer challenge Jiguro after he attained the highest rank among the Spears. The man attacked Jiguro but Jiguro turned around and hit him. Jiguro apologized to the man. Since he can no longer return to Kanbal, he cannot return his body to their homeland.

At that time, Balsa could tell that Jiguro wasn’t trying to avoid fighting. She thought that perhaps he was just testing his abilities but it could have also been her wishful thinking that the fight had nothing to do with her. She realized then that her situation was more dire than she previously imagined and that the only way to survive was to go with him.

Jiguro and Balsa then went to a Yogo city to have a new spear-blade forged. The swordsmith was also stubborn then and he initially refused. Jiguro told him that if possible, he would like to avoid killing anyone in the future but he has no idea how many must he kill. The swordsmith eventually agreed and told Jiguro to return in seven days.

Then, the second assassin came. His name was Tagul. Jiguro asked him what Rogsam ordered him but he did not reply. Jiguro realized that he had taken a vow of deafness and silence. Jiguro knew that Tagul disliked combat but he thought that his wife and child must be taken hostage. The two fought. This was the scene that Balsa remembered when she lay almost dying in the forest floor after fighting the Emperor’s warriors.

Jiguro defeated him. The man, with his last breath, told Jiguro that he now has something to protect too. Jiguro cried after that. Balsa realized later on that the second assassin Rogsam sent was Jiguro’s closest friend among the Spears.

During their brief stay in the Yogo city, they learned from a migrant worker from Kanbal that Balsa’s father has been killed. Balsa cried for the first time since she left Kanbal because she believed that she would still be able to see her father again. Jiguro told her why her father had been killed and why she must flee with him.

It was then that Balsa asked Jiguro to teach her martial arts but Jiguro said no because martial arts are for men and a woman’s muscle strength is inferior to men’s and besides, she was a child.

Balsa didn’t give up. From then on, she spied on Jiguro’s practice sessions whenever she could and tried to learn how to use the spear.

Jiguro began working as a guard for a caravan. It accomplished three things at once: first, they could make a living using Jiguro’s skills; the second was that Balsa was continuosly exposed to Jiguro’s skills in actual combat; and third, they were able to quickly obtain information about their pursuers.

One time, while Jiguro and the caravan workers were resting, Balsa demonstrated what she learned about spear-wielding. She copied exactly what Jiguro did. She was even able to let go of the spear, turn around and catch it, then thrust it forward. Jiguro approached Balsa and slapped her. He told Balsa never to do it again. Still, I think at a young age, Balsa’s good as she even managed to copy how Jiguro fights.

Balsa didn’t know why she did it though. Perhaps she wanted to help Jiguro. Perhaps she wanted to cause him some trouble too since he never told her anything. Shortly after that, Jiguro began teaching her martial arts. He must’ve been impressed by her “performance” but there must be a different reason.

Balsa now had a real spear for practice. Torogai came and told Jiguro that she thought Jiguro didn’t want the girl to live a life full of bloodshed. Jiguro told her that though it is true a martial artist attracts more and more opponents as their skill increases, for Balsa, unfortunately, that was the only path available to her.

By then, Jiguro must have heard that the remaining Spears had joined forces to hunt them. Jiguro began teaching Balsa martial arts so that in case he died, she could still survive. Still, Jiguro was careful. He hoped to avoid killing his former comrades if possible so he didn’t work openly as a bodyguard. They lived up in the Yogo mountains until he ran out of money.

They have managed to elude the Spears for ten years. They were able to have a fun but dangerous life. The remaining Spears, however, found them.

On their way back from finishing a big job, the six Spears came, Jiguro told Balsa to hide. She didn’t want to because she thought that she would be able to help Jiguro a little but when the six appeared, she couldn’t do anything.

Jiguro told the attackers to stop but they wouldn’t heed. Jiguro had to fight them. He had decided to avoid Balsa’s hands getting soiled by senseless killing.

Anyway, Balsa’s past is finally revealed. Balsa protecting Chagum parallels Jiguro protecting her. I love Chagum’s reactions when Balsa told him that that only way to survive was to go with Jiguro. In the same way, the only way for Chagum to survive is to go with Balsa. Also, when Balsa said that perhaps she wanted to cause Jiguro some trouble since he hasn’t told him anything, Chagum was affected by this. He was mad with Balsa, afterall, for not telling him anything about his fate.Similar Posts:

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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. Similar Posts:

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