Synopsis: The first prince, by the emperor’s permission, is gathering Chagum’s belongings to burn them and purge the curse. Shuga investigates the drought sign.

This was a Shuga episode. It started out with him visiting Chagum’s mother, the second empress. She seems to have transferred to another house. She said that since she moved, she has learned to do housework for the first time. She is proud that her hands are becoming what one would call “mother’s hands”. I think Shuga felt a little awkward during the visit. He felt responsible for triggering the chain of events that would lead to Chagum’s “eventual death” (he consulted the Holy Mage afterall). The second empress asked Shuga to confirm that Chagum is still alive, that is if Shuga really wanted to repay her. I don’t know if it is known within the court that the second empress hired a bodyguard to protect Chagum. If so, the emperor would have dealt with her.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Synopsis: Balsa goes to a swordsmith to have her spear fixed but the swordsmith has clients from the court as well.

I thought this would be a boring episode. Indeed, this contained one lengthy conversation. However, this episode provided insights on Balsa’s past.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Synopsis: Chagum gets a taste of a commoner’s life.

Thought to be dead, Balsa and Chagum can now rest from the pursuit. Nothing has stirred since then and they can even freely walk around the city. Tanda, however, worries that people would find out but Balsa assures him that everyone thought they [...]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Synopsis: Balsa’s plan to confound her pursuers work but her pursuers have a plan as well.

This episode showed what happened during the manhunt and how Balsa’s quick thinking, at least, bought her some time. Her pursuers admit she’s one formidable foe. What puzzled them though is why Balsa didn’t kill them [...]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Synopsis: The king issues a manhunt for Balsa but Balsa has a plan.

An egg of the Nyunga Ro Im, or what the Yogo people call a water fiend, is inside Chagum. According to Torogai, it is a creature capable of draining Sagu dry of water thus the predictions of drought [...]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Synopsis: Torogai speaks with one of the water people then sends a letter to the star diviners.

So the Torogai that Balsa mentioned before was a Yakue shaman. Her meeting with the axolotl-like being was a foreshadowing of the deeper supernatural occurences in the new Yogo kingdom, which is also evidenced [...]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Synopsis: Balsa defends Chagum from the emperor’s men but sustains mortal wounds. She asks the young prince to seek Tanda for help.

The fight scenes did not disappoint me. The movements were swift and not a detail was missed. Balsa’s good. The men she fought admitted she was formidable. Had her spear [...]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Synopsis: The emperor’s reasons for wanting Chagum dead is revealed. Balsa makes preparations to flee with Chagum. Enemies follow them.

We see more of Chagum in this episode. I think Chagum is a great character. He’s not the usual spoiled, bratty, whiny royalty. There is that certain depth to him that makes [...]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Synopsis: Balsa, a spear-wielding warrior, saves a young prince’s life. Invited to the place for her reward, she meets the prince’s mother who pleads her to take Chagum, the prince, with her and protect him from the one who plots against his life, the emperor himself.

I didn’t know what to [...]

Popularity: 3% [?]