Chagum fights for what he believes in, even though he does not necessary have the strength to do so.

Chagum chops firewood, every bit the village boy now. Spotting a bunch of cheerful villagers, Balsa explains that the Summer Solstice Festival is getting nearer, and that the torches they are carrying are for it. Chagum recalls having celebrating the Spring Solstice in the palace, but reflects that the farmers are probably too busy during the spring. (such a insightful prince)

 Chagum’s friends soon arrive to ask him to go and practice rucha, which is a form of martial arts. At the festival site, the friends soon start covering their eyes in front of the statues of the warriors who helped the emperor defeat the water fiend, saying that  you would go blind. Chagum corrects them that the myth applies only to looking at royalty, and even then, it’s not true. Chagum is put in quite a spot when asked whether he has looked at royalty before though.

 They are interrupted and challenged by a boy from Rota. Chagum’s big friend accepts the fight, but soon loses very easily. He ends up hurling insults at the country, and as well as the royalty.

Chagum is of course upset at this, and asks him to take back his words. Chagum ends up challenging him to a fight, which shall take place at the festival itself.

Back home, Chagum asks Balsa about the boy, who practises porak. Balsa says to fight him will be tough, as porak was developed from the war zones, while Rucha is just simple playing between farmers. However, if the challenge is just to get the person out of the ring, then Chagum still has a chance. However, Balsa says that Chagum cannot go to the festival, as someone might spot them and recognize them in the crowd.

Chagum further asks Balsa about it the next day. Balsa doesn’t really answer. Instead, she tells Chagum about the water mill, and about inertia, and asks Chagum to think about it.

On the night of the festival, Balsa leaves Chagum alone to chop more wood. Chopping wood inspires CHagum with regards to inertia, and he runs off to the festival, and just in time to challenge the boy.

Chagum wins the fight by first taunting the boy. This causes the boy to rush forward towards chagum, and with a simple push, chagum pushes him out of the ring because of inertia. However, the boy refuses to accept the loss. Until the father comes along and scolds him, but still the boy does not follow up on his promise to take back what he said about the emperor.

At this point, Balsa steps out from the shadows, and challenges the father. Of course, Balsa wins, even though the father is much bigger in size, and had won the festival tournament. Recognizing his lost, he tells his son to follow up on his promise.

Walking home, Balsa scolds him gently about how going to the festival could possibly cause someone to spot him. But Balsa also admits that she’s the one who ended up catching more attention. Chagum insists that it is his fault as he first broke the agreement about not going to the festival. But in the end, Balsa says she is very happy that Chagum is so willing to fight for what he believes in.

Ending sees a snake sneaking up on a frog. Foreboding doom.

Thoughts

Each episode still continues to amaze me. I quite like Balsa’s gentle style as a parent, guiding Chagum. Of course I believe there are various hints that indicates that no matter what happens, Chagum totally has all the qualities of being an emperor.