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.
I've waited for two years, and we haven't had the chance to talk yet!
Episode 4 Torogai's Letter
Wait! Stay a little longer!
Damn, it was too far away!
I waited for nearly a month. Couldn't the Water Folk hang on a bit?
Perhaps proper communication isn't possible unless I'm at the Knot.
Looks like the second prince didn't die in that fire after all.
Still, I wonder what he meant by that?
An egg?
So, a being from Nayug laid an egg here in this world, eh?
I have to go to the Knot right away and talk to the Water Folk again.
I never dreamed a chance like this would present itself in my lifetime.
What I wouldn't give to see that egg with my own two eyes!
But first of all, I suppose I should get rid of those pesky pups!
But I guess I can't do that.
I couldn't live with myself if I didn't give...
...that cheeky brat of a master star reader a piece of my mind.
Hey! Come down here!
You're a dour-looking pair of pups, aren't you?
You'd do well to remember this.
The more beautiful the flower, the deadlier its fragrance.
They don't always send you off to a pleasant sleep.
You make sure that this message gets delivered, you stupid pups.
This is Shuga, who will be serving Your Majesty in secret.
He is rather young, is he not?
Indeed. He is the youngest star reader in history...
...and until recently, was tutor-governor of Ninomiya Palace.
He is that talented, then?
Shuga, in view of your talents, you may serve in my shadow.
I shall redouble all of my efforts, Sire.
And what of the Hunters' pursuit?
They have failed.
Failed, you say?
Yes, Sire.
This is unprecedented. Failing to carry out my command...
Was this female bodyguard truly that formidable?
Or perhaps they were under the water demon's protection.
I believe that may be the case, Sire.
However, while this woman may have driven the Hunters away.
I am told that she was gravely injured in the process.
That being the case, it is unlikely that she could have gone far.
Grant me leave to dispatch the remaining Hunters, and surely...
How many Hunters are still able to perform their duties?
Including myself, there are five, Sire.
In that case, let us try another method.
Sire?
As soon as Chagum's viewing ceremonies are completed...
...conduct a manhunt to appease his spirit.
We shall dispatch troops who know nothing.
Mobilize them under the pretext of searching for the arsonist.
Mon, that will be your cover to operate in secret.
Yes, Sire!
Preparations to place the body in the coffin seem to be proceeding.
I am told that Chagum's body was never found.
And yet, they are still preparing a coffin.
Is Chagum really dead?
Body or no body, the second prince has indeed passed away.
Then why has the second queen been moved to the Inner Palace?
If Chagum is indeed dead, surely that is cruel treatment!
One who will eventually rule this country...
...ought not concern himself with such trivial matters.
Is it trivial to show concern for the mother of my younger brother?
If so, then one must truly be cold of heart to be mikado.
It is for that reason that I wanted Chagum to live in a world...
...devoid of such callousness.
Simply watching Chagum running and playing happily...
...raised my spirits to no end.
Become empty vessels.
What is it this time?
We have received an unusual letter from the magic weaver.
Surely those who pursued the magic weaver did not fail me as well.
So what is this letter?
Here it is.
Ah, I see.
Mon, I don't intend to dwell on what is over and done with.
There is no shortage of matters that you and your men must attend to.
For now, heal your wounds and be ready for your next orders.
Sir!
Read it. It is addressed to you as well.
To my dear star readers...
...who, rather than gaze at the stars, instead fix their gaze on their feet.
Ignoring the nature of the being that resides in the second prince...
...will result in a terrible drought afflicting this land.
Your ancestors had the capacity to work for a common cause.
Though it pains me to say so, we Yakoo have also...
...misplaced something vital in the depths of time.
I shall now go forth to visit one who knows the truth of this matter.
Until I return, I suggest you refrain from taking any rash action.
How do you interpret this letter?
Torogai is already aware of the sign of the great drought...
...and is about to undertake an investigation to further study its cause.
That is how I interpret it.
Master, I believe we should work with the Yakoo magic weavers...
...and conduct an exchange of knowledge with them.
Exchange knowledge with them?
Reveal all to the magic weavers? The very thought is outrageous!
Star readers must never go to magic weavers in search of advice!
But they are more knowledgeable on...
Do not forget...
...that the honor of Shin-Yogo hangs in the balance.
Nevertheless, I do not suggest that we attempt to slay the prince...
...and the water demon that possesses him.
Here in the Star Palace...
...there is a storehouse which only the master star readers know of.
In that room lie epistles left behind by grand master star reader Nanai...
...who played such a pivotal role in the founding of the country.
However, being written in the ancient Yogo tongue...
...deciphering them all will take considerable time and effort.
Shuga, you are hereby relieved of your duties as star reader.
To prevent the drought likely to befall our country in the near future...
...I charge you with the task of deciphering the epistles.
Decipher the epistles and find a means...
...of vanquishing the water demon before the magic weaver does.
A way to vanquish the water demon...
I am honored to accept this task of deciphering the epistles.
Report to me everything that you uncover.
I have every faith in you.
Moribito Guardian of the Spirit
Well, I've managed to patch you up...
What in the world happened to you, Balsa?
Tanda!
Now I understand.
I'm sorry. I can't do anything right.
Don't be so hard on yourself. It isn't your fault.
It's her own fault for being so reckless.
Still, going by what you've told me...
...I suppose that would make this boy the prince of Ninomiya Palace.
Jiguro?
You?
What are you doing here?
How long have I been unconscious?
It hasn't even been a full day yet.
A day?
Tanda, did you sense anyone around where you found me?
All I saw there were your footprints and drops of your blood.
Oh...
I've heard about your situation. You should really thank these two.
Toya...thanks.
Tanda, did anything happen to the boy?
Not really.
More importantly, is he really...
I didn't want to get you involved in all this.
As you've probably guessed, he's Shin-Yogo's second prince.
His name is Chagum.
Because he's been possessed by a spirit...
...the Mikado considers him tainted and has ordered him to be killed.
And that's why the second queen hired me as his bodyguard.
And this is the outcome.
You're really hopeless!
Look, I want to help him as much as the next person, but...
Tanda, I want you to find out what that spirit is.
If possible, I'd like you to remove it from him.
A spirit, you say? I don't know...
Your master's the only one who can handle it, then?
I didn't say that I couldn't do it!
Here, let me take a quick look.
What is it?
I have a feeling that I'm in over my head here.
I see.
But it seems to be something that came from Nayug.
Meaning we'll need to have Torogai take a look, after all.
Yes, but she's out drifting wherever the wind takes her again.
You're right...
Tanda.
Do you have any food that will help me recover?
There's no time to spare.
How long will it take this wound to heal?
Don't be ridiculous. It'll take even you ten days.
Seven if we're being optimistic...
I can't wait that long.
They might be at our throats any minute.
Please do something!
I can't bear to cause you any more trouble.
When did we say anything about you troubling us?
I'll feed you properly. And I'll protect you from your pursuers.
So stop worrying and focus on getting better.
Thank you...
You don't have to worry. Go ahead and sleep too.
This time of year, there are plenty of herbs that are good for wounds.
This old lady and I have known each other for twenty years.
She gets herself torn up like she is now and ends up at my door.
Ever since we were children, it's been one fight after another...
...and I'd tend to her injuries every time.
She's a woman, but her body's covered in a patchwork of scars.
And thanks to that, I must say I'm adept at stitching up wounds now...
...and I've picked up quite a bit about medicinal herbs too.
Has Balsa been a bodyguard ever since she was a child?
Oh, no. When we were small, she trained from sunup to sundown.
It was about six years ago that she started working as a bodyguard.
Has it already been that long?
The truth is, Balsa saved my life and Saya's too.
We're both orphans, so there aren't any adults who look out for us.
I've raised Saya as my sister, but then slave traders tried to take her.
And that's when Balsa showed up and saved the day.
Without even taking off the sheath of her spear...
...she dispatched all six of them in the blink of an eye.
Really... She's a powerful lady, this one...
She's put that strength to good use, saving countless people.
And in the process, I've also taken lots of lives.
You're awake, then?
Balsa! Are you all right?
No, not really. I'm aching all over.
But I'll be better soon.
It's time to change your bandages and salves.
Really, you heal amazingly quickly for a middle-aged lady.
Will I be up and around sooner than you thought?
Not a chance.
Even if the wound is closed...
...the cut flesh and muscle won't be good as new right away.
I remember this scar!
This is the very first cut that I ever stitched.
As I recall, you were crying your eyes out at the time.
Fool!
Stop it. That tickles!
What's the matter?
Something strange is happening to my stomach.
What?
I've never seen such a prince! You couldn't even tell you were hungry?
This is what hunger feels like?
How odd.
This tastes far better than anything I ate at the palace.
You think so?
Who's there!
An egg... An egg...
Mistress Torogai!
An egg...
An egg... An egg...
An egg...
The egg!
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.
That which resides within Chagum is the egg of a spirit.
To unravel its mysteries, the door to the Chamber of the Epistles opens.
Next time, "Secret Plan, The Blue Hand."
Balsa, can you break the net that encircles you?