I can't believe people live here...
Yeah, at first glance, it just looks like a mountain.
I think Ik-su mentioned a story about a group who hid in the mountains
to escape the war.
Are you sure, Gija?
Yes. The Blue Dragon is here.
Do we have guests?
Episode 12: Blindfolded Dragon
The villagers... What should we do?
Bring the Blue Dragon here!
That's too direct.
Blue Dragon?
No one by that name lives here.
It's not a name. He is a man who possesses a dragon's blood.
There is no need to hide him.
Tell him this person is waiting for him.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Perhaps you came to the wrong place.
This is a small, simple settlement.
We don't want a lot of commotion.
But...
I'm sorry.
We were traveling in search of someone, but it seems he isn't here.
But we're exhausted from our long journey, and some of us are injured.
A little fan service for you today
Do you think we could...
...rest for a while?
Your journey must have been difficult.
As you can see, we are poor.
We cannot offer you anything.
That's fine. Thank you.
This way, please.
What are those masks?
They're traditional.
We discourage unmarried villagers from showing their faces to others.
That's an interesting tradition.
As guests, I'm sure you must find it shocking.
You can rest here.
Thank you.
Ah, miss...
This place is like a maze.
Do not wander too much.
We will not be held responsible for anything that happens to you.
Is this really the Blue Dragon's village?
Why do you ask that?
The White Dragon's village was in awe of your red hair,
but these people didn't respond.
Princess... I can feel it. The Blue Dragon is here.
Don't be silly.
I don't doubt you, Gija.
Y-Yes, Princess.
Idiot.
Did you call me an idiot?!
Either way, we know the Blue Dragon is nearby.
Until we meet him, we won't get anywhere.
Let's go while there's no one around.
That man said this place is a maze.
Will we be all right?
Princess, I am a handsome genius.
I'll make a map as we go so we can conquer the maze.
Find the treasure!
Search every pot and drawer you find!
Let's search!
Let's search.
Their target is the Blue Dragon
Conquering the Maze
It's a dead end...
Why isn't the Blue Dragon here?
This is unthinkable.
Why won't he come out?
He must know I am here.
You're probably smothering him.
Dodge
Dodge.
Oh, right... The Blue Dragon can sense the White Dragon, too, right?
Maybe he doesn't want to come out...
In that case, maybe we should give up on—
We cannot!
Don't give up.
Like me, the Blue Dragon comes from a long line of dragons.
He must be waiting for you.
For you, a master who needs him.
That's why the four dragons were born.
We desire nothing else.
My father, the previous White Dragon, longed to meet his master.
However, no one ever sought him.
If the Blue Dragon meets you, I'm sure he will also...
Gija?
I am not King Hiryuu.
Yes.
But I thought it was you.
I am not King Hiryuu,
but I want you.
Sorry I'm so selfish.
Ba-dum
I-I'm not worthy.
Thunder Beast, you're scowling.
I have a bad feeling about this place...
What?
Someone's watching.
Someone's staring at us with giant eyes.
I do detect a strange presence.
Maybe the residents found us.
Let's go back.
Yes.
Was that a cry?
A passage?
A squirrel.
Wait!
There he is.
He's so cute!
Hak, there's an animal—
The candles...
Hak!
Gija!
Yun!
What should I do?
Are you lost?
Were you separated from your friends?
Y-Yes.
Do you live here?
Yes.
Give me your hand.
I shall take you to them.
Thank you.
Did you not hear this place is a maze?
I'm sorry. There's someone I must find.
The Blue Dragon?
Huh? Yes.
He is not here.
Does someone live in the room at the end of that passage?
No one lives there.
No one.
Um, Hak and the others aren't that way.
Why are we going deeper?
Let go! No!
Hak! Hak!
Who is he?
The sound of bells. He's wearing a mask.
Does he live here?
But I wonder why...
I'm not afraid.
Where are you, Princess?
Any luck?
Where did she go?
This presence...
He's close!
Princess!
Where have you been?
You idiot! You were supposed to follow us, you idiot!
Sorry.
I'm glad you're safe.
Yes, this man saved...
You...
W-Wait!
What is it?
That's him.
He is the Blue Dragon!
Eighteen Years Ago
Has a new monster been born?
Yes, the child possesses the Blue Dragon's eyes.
This child will become the next Blue Dragon.
What happened to the mother?
She killed herself.
Who will care for the Blue Dragon?
The previous generation.
That is the rule.
Now, quickly, the mask...
Before the Blue Dragon's power awakens.
My first memory is of darkness.
Four Years Later
Okay, spin! Go!
Go, go!
All right!
Aww...
Sorry. U-Um...
Can I watch?
Blue Dragon!
Ao...
Come!
I told you not to go outside!
Why didn't you listen to me?!
I'm sorry, Ao.
But...
I want friends.
So...
Do you think you'll make any friends?!
You can't!
If you understand, stay at home!
I swear, you're nothing but a pest!
Ao... You're the previous Blue Dragon, right?
Why does everyone in the village run from us?
Is my power cursed?
Those who see the Blue Dragon's eyes turn to stone.
Huh?
It's a made-up rumor the villagers believe.
You will not turn to stone.
But the Blue Dragon's eyes paralyze the nerves of those who see them.
It can even paralyze their hearts.
Either way, it's a creepy power.
Don't cry! It's annoying!
But I'm really cursed...
Yeah, that's right!
You're cursed by the monster known as the Blue Dragon!
Damn it... I don't know what makes this power so legendary,
but why does it cling to this village?
Even if the Blue Dragon dies, the village produces a new one!
And the villagers do nothing but spread stupid rumors!
Ao, bad people are here.
Are they close?
They're standing around a campfire, looking this way.
Damn it!
Ao!
Don't touch me.
Ao grew blinder every day.
But my eyes could see farther and farther,
as though they were absorbing power from Ao's eyes.
That's the village?
They say someone with a strange power lives there.
It's the power of the dragons.
Yeah, right.
But it sounds like something nobles would like.
If we catch him, they might pay a good price for him.
Oh?
I'm expensive, huh?
Too bad for you, though.
I'm an ordinary swordsman. I don't use strange powers.
Threats to my village...
Your lives were short.
Hope for more in your next lives.
Ao...
Ao was strong, even though he was blind.
Were you watching my swordsmanship?
Yes.
Learn to use a sword as quickly as possible.
Ao, why do you use a sword?
Don't you use your eyes against bad people?
Listen to me, Blue Dragon!
Those eyes carry a curse!
I'll teach you to control them, but you must never use them!
If you use them, the curse will return to you.
Paralyzing your enemies will paralyze yourself!
It's a double-edged sword!
Even if not, people won't stop hating or coming after you for your power.
Then, if I protect the village with a sword instead of my eyes,
can I make friends?
Of course not.
Ao!
Wait!
Don't leave me!
Ao taught me to use a sword.
Ao taught me about the power of my eyes.
Ao was stern.
Ao grew weaker and weaker.
Ao!
Damn it...
Get out of here.
Ao!
Are you okay?
They ran... They ran away, Ao.
Ao?
I can't see.
I can't see anything anymore...
Yes! I can finally die!
I have no power now!
My body is becoming paralyzed!
I've been released!
I am human!
Oh?
Did you always have bells?
I found them.
They make a pretty sound...
Oh.
That's good.
Even though I can't see you, I know where you are.
I'm sorry...
Huh?
I'm sorry...
for leaving you alone...
I'm sorry!
Don't, Ao.
Let's talk about something else.
But I'm stupid. I can't think of anything to say.
You have to talk, Ao.
Hey, Ao...
Let me hear your voice.
The previous Blue Dragon is...
Yes. He's finally dead.
He lasted longer than the others.
Then the full curse has passed to the current Blue Dragon.
That's good.
Even though I can't see you, I know where you are.
I'm here!
Something's coming.
Lots of them. Like soldiers.
The people who ran must have told the soldiers.
What should I do? I'm not strong enough to beat them with my sword yet.
I'm wearing a mask. They'll find me soon.
If the village's secret gets out...
If they find out, what will happen?
You must never use the power of your eyes.
That's right.
Everyone fears us and attacks the village because of this power.
It's a curse. A curse.
But...
Ao protected this village!
What... What happened?
I'm sorry, Ao...
This power was never supposed be used.
He is the Blue Dragon.
It was so gentle and warm.
Next Time
Why do I so strongly feel as though I've wanted to meet this girl?
Next time, Yona of the Dawn episode 13:
Episode 13: Echoing Fear
Echoing Fear.