Chagum, second prince of New Yogo’s imperial family, is born to the Mikado and the Second Queen. At eleven, he becomes the *nyunga ro chaga*, a vessel for the water spirit Nyunga Ro Im’s egg, triggering his father’s assassination order to avert a prophesied drought. Secretly shielded by the warrior Balsa—hired by his mother—he flees the palace, unraveling the spirit’s true purpose. The egg’s survival hinges on defeating Rarunga, a predator of spirit eggs, a threat that bridges political divides to protect Chagum until its hatching.

Sheltered and naïve to life beyond royalty, Chagum adapts to commoner existence under Balsa’s mentorship, mastering bartering and detecting deceit through keen observation. Their bond deepens into a parent-child dynamic, her teachings nurturing his emotional resilience and accountability. This contrasts his fractured ties to the Mikado, depicted as ruthlessly pragmatic in novels yet inwardly tormented in the anime.

Post-egg incubation, Chagum reclaims his role as crown prince after half-brother Sagum’s death. He confronts court intrigues, diplomatic ventures, and leadership trials, later traveling to Sangal to mediate royal succession, thwart assassinations, and forge alliances. Though he advocates abdicating to his younger brother Tugum, the Mikado’s death during a cataclysmic flood—foretold through Chagum’s lingering connection to the spirit realm Nayugu—forces him to assume rulership.

His physical evolution mirrors his journey: royal garb traded for commoner wear during exile, later blending Yakoo warrior elements. By adolescence, he towers over the Mikado; adulthood leaves a non-impairing facial scar. He maintains closeness with the Second Queen, while his half-sister Mishuna becomes a political ally.

Chagum’s reign merges empathy with strategic pragmatism. He champions coalition-building and disaster readiness, diverging from his father’s inflexibility. Despite ascending the throne, he plans to cede power to Tugum, valuing collaborative governance over autocratic rule.