I want to shine on you, and always like that dazzling sun.
I will defend you from all the darkness.
This is the truth from my heart.
If only our hearts could connect, I could get you to believe me.
Even if you can't see it now, don't lose it.
Your kindness won't be in vain.
You'll be carried aloft by the wind to somewhere that isn't here.
You'll cross the sea and cross time, and I know you'll blossom one day.
Whatever the day, I'll be there for you.
I hope I can watch over you like the sun for all time.
This is the truth from my heart.
Moribito Guardian of the Spirit This is the truth from my heart.
There wasn't much snow this winter.
Ah, I see. Nyunga Ro lm died, did he?
Episode 23 In Search of the Shigu Salua
I'm sorry. We weren't able to decipher everything before your departure.
Not at all. It's enough that we found a way...
...to protect the prince from the egg-eater.
That is true. Even a demon from Nayug...
...can be defeated if struck at its weak point.
Thank you very much.
If we uncover anything new, I shall dispatch a rider to you.
You should go.
So, the time has finally come for you to set off.
Yes, Your Majesty. I shall save Prince Chagum's life...
...even if the price should be my own.
Good luck to you.
However, you must return safely to us as well.
You have already become indispensable to this country.
I will take my leave.
What's the matter, Chagum?
Torogai!
Torogai? You're riding that donkey again?
Well, it insisted on coming with me.
Boy?
You're starting to look like a man, I see.
Well, Chagum is 12 now, after all.
I had a feeling that this might happen.
Here.
What's this?
You can't walk around in children's clothes forever.
Change into those, and let's have a look at you!
Come to think of it, Tanda...
...also had a growth spurt around that age, didn't he?
I did?
You sure did. Till then, you were just my cute little brother.
That's when it occurred to me.
The passage of time changes all sorts of things.
Shoo.
Thanks for your help.
Here, catch. That's what you asked me to get for you.
You weren't a prince for nothing, I see.
Do I look strange?
It looks good on you. You look like a fine young man now.
This is from me.
A sword's weight is a life's weight.
The sword you hold represents your life as well as your death.
Whenever you draw it...
...do so in the knowledge that you have entrusted your life to its blade.
It's a saying we have in Kanbal.
It's recited during the coming-of-age ritual...
...when a son receives his first short sword.
Of course, the father is supposed to say it.
Thank you, Balsa.
Chagum, what's the matter?
I was summoned.
By whom?
It's not a voice.
It's a powerful sensation like I'm being pulled by a string that I can't see.
The egg was whispering to you, I see.
So, where do you want to go?
Well, well...
So, the land of feasting is one of the springs...
...that feed into the Aoyumi like it said in the official history?
All right, boy, show us the way there.
Let's move out.
Look at that motherly expression on your face.
Is that wrong?
Assuming that you survive all this...
...what do you plan to do afterwards?
There's something to be said for settling down in one place.
Having children and raising them is enjoyable enough.
You make it sound like you've had children of your own.
I've had three of them.
What, really?
Why would I lie about something like that?
Lately...
Lately, I've had this recurring dream.
A dream?
Yes.
What sort of dream?
Ah, I see...
Say, Tanda...
Did you ever get an answer from Balsa?
Answer to what?
You know, what you said to her back at Hunter's Hole.
About the three of us living together.
You were listening?
I don't know what to say...
You should just marry her as soon as you can.
Don't make it sound so easy.
Balsa and I both have complicated lives.
Are you talking about Balsa's oath?
Well, there's that, but we've probably spent too much time together.
It's like we've gradually grown farther apart or something.
In the old days, my feelings for her were hot like the summer sunshine.
Over the years, though...
...they've changed... turned warm like the autumn wind.
Anyway, that's why I'm fine with keeping things the way they are.
Are you sure?
Look, let's just forget about this, please.
No matter how much I mull over it, this is one thing I can't solve on my own.
Then why don't I go ask Balsa for you?
When did you get so decisive, Chagum?
And here I am, scared out of my wits over just about everything.
I realized something.
Even if I die, I know I'll be able to leave behind a legacy, so it's all right.
Ever since Balsa told me all about Jiguro...
...l've been able to look at life that way.
Moribito Guardian of the Spirit
We're not to engage the spear-wielder? I don't follow you, sir.
Our interests coincide with hers.
There is no longer any reason to fight her.
In addition, there are Prince Chagum's feelings to consider.
Understood.
Master Shuga.
As per your instructions, three of our best archers...
...have been concealed on the return trail.
I see.
But are you sure that's what you want to do?
We have no choice. It is what the mikado ordered.
There isn't much water.
Looks like the first signs of drought are starting to show themselves.
So, up ahead is the promised land, eh?
Look at all those shigu salua flowers.
Aoike? This is the land of feasting?
I don't know.
Mistress Torogai, we have come to fulfill our end of the bargain.
Well, I'm glad to see that you didn't come empty-handed!
Crown Prince Chagum.
We have come to assist in the birth of the water spirit...
...and to welcome you back as the hero who saved Shin-Yogo.
Shuga, so my brother is truly...
So, he's "the hero who saved Yogo" now, is he?
That's quite a change of heart you've had.
Female bodyguard, our interests now coincide.
I realize that we may not have always seen eye to eye...
...but these men no longer mean you any harm.
Star reader. Your words may sound noble, but if we now share a common goal...
...cut to the chase and tell us how to kill the Rarunga.
A Rarunga's weakness is fire.
It was written in the epitaphs that the Warriors Eight...
...who served the founding father drove off the Rarunga using fire.
Now I see! It's a question of relative strengths between spirits.
Water is beaten by earth, and earth is beaten by fire.
Rarunga, which devour the egg of the water spirit...are they earth spirits?
Damn, I can't believe I didn't make such a simple connection...
Then the torches used in the summer solstice festival are vestiges of that?
That's right.
And now, 200 years later, that duty has once again fallen to us.
So, you are the descendants of the Warriors Eight.
Chagum?
Chagum!
Incredible!
The power of the egg?
Wait! Don't do anything rash.
Torogai, it was written that the egg is to be born...
...on the night of the spring equinox when the double moon rises.
Nightfall is still far off. What, then, is causing...
No idea. I don't know what's going to happen either.
You'd best be on your guard, though.
Chagum...
What in the world is he doing?
We were wrong... We were mistaken, Shuga!
How can this be? Why did we learn this only now?
How many tablets are left!
There should be eight remaining.
Bring them all up in one go! Go summon the retrieval team!
But, master, we can't make them dive so many times in a single day.
Where does your duty lie?
Will you read the stars in a destroyed nation?
Prince Sagum, grant me your protection...
Chagum, are you all right?
This sense of malice... It's not natural.
Is it something from Nayug? But where is it?
That's ...
Is that a Rarunga? Is that the egg-eater?
Light your weapons!
Take position!
You people stay back!
My senses, they're...
Chagum!
Attack!
Is it dead?
It's still here!
Chagum?
Chagum!
Highness!
Where does that boy think he's going?
Master Gakai!
Shuga, Aoike isn't the land of feasting...
Master Gakai!
S-Send these tablets to Shuga at Aoike!
He should be able to decipher them on the spot...
If the messenger rides at top speed, he'll make it in time!
Master Gakai...
As I sat huddled and alone, holding back the tears on those nights...
When it felt like I was about to succumb to my doubts...
...there you were, at my side before I knew it.
It was none other than you who was there for me.
I keep wishing, "I want to be strong." I stumble and hurt myself again.
But because I have you to believe in, I can get back to my feet.
I simply want to tell my dear one, "Thank you."
At the top of my lungs, again and again.
I call out to my precious loved one.
Is my voice reaching you?
In this world that always changes, human warmth never does.
I'm certain I sensed the presence of the one that I hold dear.
They have finally made peace with each other.
However, the missing epitaphs turn everything on its head.
Next time, "The Last Hope."
Tanda's courage keeps their hopes alive.