Seirei no Moribito – ep17

With all the build up from the last episode, it was inevitable that Shuga and Chagum finally meet. But I’m not so sure if it’s a lucky or unlucky thing.

Balsa arrives just as Shuga asks Chagum to return with him. Balsa refuses to let Chagum leave, saying that her promise to the second empress was to take care of him for life. There are concerns that she cannot reveal that makes it dangerous of Chagum to return, so she will not allow it. Chagum hesitates a little when Shuga reveals that the crown prince has passed away, but Balsa insists and manages to pull Chagum away after knocking Shuga out with a blow to the chest.

Meanwhile, Tohya had arrived at the water mill. By coincidence, he sneaks into the water mill without the hunters realizing. The hunters end up revealing themselves to Tohya when they go near the water mill to check things out, not realizing Tohya is still around.

Meanwhile Balsa understands that pursuit will come soon,  and ask Tanda to bring Chagum to the village they are visiting first. Balsa will return to the water mill to check things out and settle some stuff (including the map) Chagum is upset about being unable to go back to the palace since his brother had died, but Balsa can only say that she’ll tell him the reason later.

By now, one of the hunters had reported back to headquarters, and the chief sends them all to watch the water mill. Meanwhile, Jin gets the tasks of informing Shuga, since he is obviously too emotional. Jin succeeds in meeting Shuga, who tells them he had met Chagum and Balsa. Left with no choice, Jin leaves in pursuit in their direction on his own.

At the water mill, Tohya understands that hiding it out is not an option. To save Balsa and Chagum, Tohya sets fire to the map and the whole water mill, to serve as a warning to Balsa not to return. This he succeeds.

From afar, Balsa can only apologize without being able to approach, seeing Tohya’s agony of having led the hunters to Balsa.

 

Thoughts

Lots of very good build up. The plot is progressing very well. I still find it slow though. Not sure if it’s just a sign of my eagerness to know more of the story. I’m guessing Jin catches up with Balsa and Chagum first, and gets a 1 on 1 confrontation?