Ascendance of a Bookworm (2019) s01e07 Episode Script
Seeds of Suspicion
1
Main lived a new life as part of a poor
soldier's family in a world without books.
Wanting to read,
she looked to make her own
books through trial and error.
But she had failed to account
for one huge problem
If it is the Devouring,
she'll die very soon.
Ascendance of a Bookworm
Ascendance of a Bookworm
Chapter Seven
Seeds of Suspicion
Wow!
Yeah. Hard to believe it's part
of the same town, isn't it?
I bet lunch will be amazing, too.
Yeah That invitation we received
was one for lunch with Mister Benno.
"See me at Gilberta Company
by the fourth bell."
Where's the Gilberta Company?
It's on the first floor where I live.
Where you live?
So Mister Benno was the one who didn't want
to be separated from his dear sister?
Which means you and him
are brothers-in-law?!
Correct.
They got us.
Lutz, we have to be careful
not to be tricked today.
Huh? Aren't we just gonna have lunch?
This is the place.
Okay, I'm starting to get nervous.
Someone just went in.
I don't see many customers.
Not many goods, either.
Do they really make money?
I'm pretty sure they do.
The shop is squeaky clean,
the customer service is thorough,
and the employees are all classy.
Their clientele must be
nobility and the wealthy.
I apologize for asking you to come on
such short notice. Now, let's eat.
Thank you.
Ugh, they've thrown all the broth away.
The soup at home is way better than this.
Is Benno mad at something?
What did I do?
All right. It's time to talk.
He's gonna yell at me!
Why did you turn to Otto?
He told me that he provided nails for you.
He also mentioned that it was a trade
for the liquid that makes hair shine.
You mean the Simple All-In-One Shampoo?
That's right. Is there a problem with that?
Of course there is!
You should've come to me first!
But we've only been conditionally accepted.
We're not your apprentices yet.
Yeah.
That's not it!
Listen. If the plant-based
paper you make has value,
you two will be hired as
apprentices to this company.
The paper will be Gilberta
Company's merchandise,
so you should be talking to
me first about everything!
I'm sorry.
I failed to realize that it would
make you look bad as our employer.
It won't happen again.
What are you doing?
Crap! They don't bow their
heads in apology here!
Nothing I understand.
As long as we're clear.
Now, let's get down to business.
I'll provide you with everything
you need to make your paper.
But isn't this our apprenticeship test?
Are you sure you want to help us with it?
I can't assess your abilities fairly
without the right environment.
Besides, you can't start a new
business without capital investment.
That's true, but still
Of course, I'm not doing it out
of the goodness of my heart.
In return, I want the recipe for the liquid
that makes hair shine. How's that?
I see.
You want it instead of collateral, right?
Where did you learn that word?
What's collateral?
When you lend money to someone, you take
something in exchange for security's sake.
You'd want to ensure you got
your money back, wouldn't you?
But a recipe can't serve as a
collateral, so I'll buy it outright.
That certainly doesn't
sound like a bad deal.
When you say "everything we need,"
is that limited to tools and equipment?
Or can we ask for materials as well?
That's fine by me.
I've already heard that Lutz
has been talking to lumberers.
You're looking for a tree
with soft wood, aren't you?
So this is a merchant's
connections at work.
How long will your backing last?
Apprentice Age 7 Age 6
Baptism
Salary
10%
Paper
Gilberta Company
Gilberta Company
Sale Money
Until your baptism.
We'll buy all the paper
you've produced by then.
Once we deduct the material costs and
commission, the rest of the money is yours.
And after our baptism?
The paper will be sold through us.
Ten percent of the profits will be
added to your pay as royalties.
Instead of those royalties,
I want to reserve the right
to produce the paper.
And Lutz will have exclusive
rights to sell it.
What do you mean?
Royalties added to our pay will
mean nothing if we're fired.
I'd rather not be cast aside as soon
as you have the product in hand.
You want job security rather
than short-term profits, huh?
That's right. Is that a problem?
I'm impressed that you already have the
wherewithal to protect your interests.
You've only mentioned the
rights to the paper.
What about the liquid
Simple All-In-One Shampoo, was it?
Don't you want to reserve
the rights to that as well?
No, that's all right. I'm selling it to you.
Very well.
That's that, then.
Go ahead and make your order forms.
Wait, how am I supposed to
Pardon me.
I'm Mark.
Rest assured, Master has
filled me in already.
And so, I learned how to write
order forms from Mark,
while Lutz practiced how to write.
You can calculate without
using a calculator?
How intriguing.
I just don't know how to use one, actually.
Lutz, are you okay?
Yeah.
I'm done writing out the order forms.
Good.
Mark, prepare the contract magic.
At once.
Huh? Contract magic?
Did he just say "magic"?
Is this a fantasy world?
Will I get to use magic, too?!
As I'm sure you know,
only nobles possess mana.
First the books, and now mana?
Darn those lucky nobles!
Contract magic was created as a way
of curbing high-handed nobles.
When signed, the magic ensures
that the terms are binding,
and it can't be canceled without
the consent of all parties.
This is the paper and special
ink used for contract magic:
magical items only granted to
merchants that cater to nobles.
That's a strange ink pot.
The ink is blue, too.
It's highly expensive,
so it's only used for deals that
are considered very profitable.
So wait, the Simple All-In-One Shampoo?
I let it go too easily!
"Main reserves all rights to produce
the paper or decide who makes it.
Lutz retains exclusive
rights to sell the paper.
Neither shall retain any rights to
decide its pricing or the profits."
Is that acceptable to you two?
Yes, it looks fine to me.
I'm okay with it, too.
Then please sign here.
Mark.
The ink turned from blue to black!
It's your turn now.
What? I can't!
Main? Aren't you going to sign the contract?
Hold out your hand. I'll do it for you.
With this, our contract is signed.
I didn't expect to spend so much time there.
I was surprised that you managed
to write your name perfectly.
I was taught how to write it before.
You did well not to forget.
Now all that's left is to make the paper.
Yeah.
What's the matter, Lutz?
Lutz!
Wait, Lutz!
Hey, uh
You are Main, right?
Ascendance of a
Bookworm
Ascendance of a
Bookworm
If you are, how were you able
to have that conversation?
What conversation?
All that stuff you were talking about
with the boss. I didn't get half of it.
Main talking to an adult about stuff I don't
know like an equal doesn't seem right.
Are you really Main?
Are you saying I seem
like someone else to you?
Uh, sorry. That was a weird thing to say.
I'm just a bit surprised by all the
complicated stuff you were saying.
I messed up. I was too eager today.
But once we start making the paper,
Lutz will definitely
realize that I'm not Main.
What will he do when he finds out?
Lutz
I'm home!
Welcome back. You were out late.
Yeah. I had to write out order
forms at Mister Benno's place.
I have to prepare for tomorrow.
I know you only just got back,
but could you get some water for us?
Oh, sure.
Hey!
Who are you?
Where's Main? Give her back!
Help!
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
No!
Main?
Did you have a bad dream?
I'm fine now.
Then go back to sleep, okay?
If they find out that I'm not Main
then I can just let the fever
consume me and disappear.
I don't wanna have any
regrets when that happens,
so I'll put my everything
into making that paper.
Facing Lutz is a little
awkward now, though
Morning.
I have to go to the forest today, so I can't
come with you to see Mister Benno.
Got it.
I should finish all my dealings with
adults while Lutz isn't around.
That way, I'll avoid any more suspicion.
That's it!
Shall we go place our orders, then?
Yes, please.
Mister Mark, could we have a
workshop to put all our equipment?
A workshop, is it?
I'll talk to Master about it.
Do you have any requirements?
We'll be going to the forest a lot, so
something near the south gate would be nice.
Understood. I'll take a
look around that area.
Oh, we're nearly at the lumberer's.
Oh, is that it
Miss Main?!
Huh? Where am I?
You've come to, Main?
Oh, you're up, lass!
I lost years of my life when
I heard you'd collapsed!
I'm terribly sorry!
Wh-What are you doing?
Kowtowing!
W-Well, uh, it's my way of showing
I mean it when I say I'm sorry.
Otto did tell me you were frail,
but I didn't expect it to be quite this bad.
I'm fine now!
Your fever's gone down.
Yes, it has! It's gone!
Go straight home today.
But there's so much to do!
Why, you little!
I said to go straight home!
Ow!
You're hereby banned from coming here alone!
The lad should be with you every time!
If you have any memory at all,
you'll never forget that!
Okay, okay! I won't!
Ouch!
And so, I was forcibly brought home,
where I was given a real earful by Mom
and found myself bedridden again.
That lass
She really may have the Devouring.
You brought that up last time.
What exactly is it?
It manifests in commoners
who are born with mana.
But don't only nobles possess mana?
Besides, I've never even heard of this.
It's not well known because most of these
kids don't live to see their baptism.
What? Don't live to see their baptism?
Yeah. As one grows, so does their mana.
But if it grows too much,
it'll devour and kill them.
And the more mana they
have, the sooner they die.
Is there any way to survive it?
Yes, but it needs magical items that can
extract the excess mana from their body.
Then without them, Main will
We don't know that for sure yet.
But if it really is the Devouring,
she will die very soon.
The captain will be inconsolable.
Listen up, Main!
Push yourself one more time, and I'm
not letting you out of the house!
I-I get it, Dad.
Lutz, take care of her.
Sure, Mister Gunther.
Also, you are to accompany her every
time she has to go to Gilberta.
They said I'm banned from
entering if you're not with me.
Banned?
I'm counting on you, Lutz.
I was just really upset, you know?
When I saw you doing calculations and
talking about all that complicated stuff,
I felt like you didn't need me at all.
Lutz
That's why I lashed out.
Sorry.
Oh, that was you lashing out?
Thank goodness. I thought
you'd come to hate me.
I-I don't hate you!
Come on, let's go.
Lad! Looking after the lass
is your number one priority!
Know that it's a vital mission
that only you can handle, okay?
Only I can handle it?
That's right.
Do you think anyone other than you and her
family could babysit this reckless lass?
Nope.
Do you think anyone here could do it?
Nope.
Then let me ask you:
do you think she can walk
to the south gate today?
Should be fine as long as
she doesn't walk too fast.
Excellent.
I'm letting you have a workshop
close to the south gate.
Have Mark show you there.
Thank you!
We should move everything as soon as
Don't do anything stupid!
Just behave yourself!
I'll do the heavy lifting, so don't
do anything that'd leave you in bed.
Please, just take care of your health.
From that look on your face, I bet all
that went in one ear and out the other.
Huh? How'd you know?!
Sheesh!
At the time, I hadn't yet realized
that Lutz had completely stopped
calling me "Main" since that day.
Next Chapter
Lutz's Main
From this day onward, Lutz came to be
highly valued as the Main Supervisor.
Well, I can certainly see why.
What's that supposed to mean?
Can you imagine how shocking it
is to see you suddenly collapse?
I truly empathize with Benno and the others.
Oh, Head Priest! I'll actually
make plant-based paper next time,
so look forward to it!
Illustration by Chima
Main lived a new life as part of a poor
soldier's family in a world without books.
Wanting to read,
she looked to make her own
books through trial and error.
But she had failed to account
for one huge problem
If it is the Devouring,
she'll die very soon.
Ascendance of a Bookworm
Ascendance of a Bookworm
Chapter Seven
Seeds of Suspicion
Wow!
Yeah. Hard to believe it's part
of the same town, isn't it?
I bet lunch will be amazing, too.
Yeah That invitation we received
was one for lunch with Mister Benno.
"See me at Gilberta Company
by the fourth bell."
Where's the Gilberta Company?
It's on the first floor where I live.
Where you live?
So Mister Benno was the one who didn't want
to be separated from his dear sister?
Which means you and him
are brothers-in-law?!
Correct.
They got us.
Lutz, we have to be careful
not to be tricked today.
Huh? Aren't we just gonna have lunch?
This is the place.
Okay, I'm starting to get nervous.
Someone just went in.
I don't see many customers.
Not many goods, either.
Do they really make money?
I'm pretty sure they do.
The shop is squeaky clean,
the customer service is thorough,
and the employees are all classy.
Their clientele must be
nobility and the wealthy.
I apologize for asking you to come on
such short notice. Now, let's eat.
Thank you.
Ugh, they've thrown all the broth away.
The soup at home is way better than this.
Is Benno mad at something?
What did I do?
All right. It's time to talk.
He's gonna yell at me!
Why did you turn to Otto?
He told me that he provided nails for you.
He also mentioned that it was a trade
for the liquid that makes hair shine.
You mean the Simple All-In-One Shampoo?
That's right. Is there a problem with that?
Of course there is!
You should've come to me first!
But we've only been conditionally accepted.
We're not your apprentices yet.
Yeah.
That's not it!
Listen. If the plant-based
paper you make has value,
you two will be hired as
apprentices to this company.
The paper will be Gilberta
Company's merchandise,
so you should be talking to
me first about everything!
I'm sorry.
I failed to realize that it would
make you look bad as our employer.
It won't happen again.
What are you doing?
Crap! They don't bow their
heads in apology here!
Nothing I understand.
As long as we're clear.
Now, let's get down to business.
I'll provide you with everything
you need to make your paper.
But isn't this our apprenticeship test?
Are you sure you want to help us with it?
I can't assess your abilities fairly
without the right environment.
Besides, you can't start a new
business without capital investment.
That's true, but still
Of course, I'm not doing it out
of the goodness of my heart.
In return, I want the recipe for the liquid
that makes hair shine. How's that?
I see.
You want it instead of collateral, right?
Where did you learn that word?
What's collateral?
When you lend money to someone, you take
something in exchange for security's sake.
You'd want to ensure you got
your money back, wouldn't you?
But a recipe can't serve as a
collateral, so I'll buy it outright.
That certainly doesn't
sound like a bad deal.
When you say "everything we need,"
is that limited to tools and equipment?
Or can we ask for materials as well?
That's fine by me.
I've already heard that Lutz
has been talking to lumberers.
You're looking for a tree
with soft wood, aren't you?
So this is a merchant's
connections at work.
How long will your backing last?
Apprentice Age 7 Age 6
Baptism
Salary
10%
Paper
Gilberta Company
Gilberta Company
Sale Money
Until your baptism.
We'll buy all the paper
you've produced by then.
Once we deduct the material costs and
commission, the rest of the money is yours.
And after our baptism?
The paper will be sold through us.
Ten percent of the profits will be
added to your pay as royalties.
Instead of those royalties,
I want to reserve the right
to produce the paper.
And Lutz will have exclusive
rights to sell it.
What do you mean?
Royalties added to our pay will
mean nothing if we're fired.
I'd rather not be cast aside as soon
as you have the product in hand.
You want job security rather
than short-term profits, huh?
That's right. Is that a problem?
I'm impressed that you already have the
wherewithal to protect your interests.
You've only mentioned the
rights to the paper.
What about the liquid
Simple All-In-One Shampoo, was it?
Don't you want to reserve
the rights to that as well?
No, that's all right. I'm selling it to you.
Very well.
That's that, then.
Go ahead and make your order forms.
Wait, how am I supposed to
Pardon me.
I'm Mark.
Rest assured, Master has
filled me in already.
And so, I learned how to write
order forms from Mark,
while Lutz practiced how to write.
You can calculate without
using a calculator?
How intriguing.
I just don't know how to use one, actually.
Lutz, are you okay?
Yeah.
I'm done writing out the order forms.
Good.
Mark, prepare the contract magic.
At once.
Huh? Contract magic?
Did he just say "magic"?
Is this a fantasy world?
Will I get to use magic, too?!
As I'm sure you know,
only nobles possess mana.
First the books, and now mana?
Darn those lucky nobles!
Contract magic was created as a way
of curbing high-handed nobles.
When signed, the magic ensures
that the terms are binding,
and it can't be canceled without
the consent of all parties.
This is the paper and special
ink used for contract magic:
magical items only granted to
merchants that cater to nobles.
That's a strange ink pot.
The ink is blue, too.
It's highly expensive,
so it's only used for deals that
are considered very profitable.
So wait, the Simple All-In-One Shampoo?
I let it go too easily!
"Main reserves all rights to produce
the paper or decide who makes it.
Lutz retains exclusive
rights to sell the paper.
Neither shall retain any rights to
decide its pricing or the profits."
Is that acceptable to you two?
Yes, it looks fine to me.
I'm okay with it, too.
Then please sign here.
Mark.
The ink turned from blue to black!
It's your turn now.
What? I can't!
Main? Aren't you going to sign the contract?
Hold out your hand. I'll do it for you.
With this, our contract is signed.
I didn't expect to spend so much time there.
I was surprised that you managed
to write your name perfectly.
I was taught how to write it before.
You did well not to forget.
Now all that's left is to make the paper.
Yeah.
What's the matter, Lutz?
Lutz!
Wait, Lutz!
Hey, uh
You are Main, right?
Ascendance of a
Bookworm
Ascendance of a
Bookworm
If you are, how were you able
to have that conversation?
What conversation?
All that stuff you were talking about
with the boss. I didn't get half of it.
Main talking to an adult about stuff I don't
know like an equal doesn't seem right.
Are you really Main?
Are you saying I seem
like someone else to you?
Uh, sorry. That was a weird thing to say.
I'm just a bit surprised by all the
complicated stuff you were saying.
I messed up. I was too eager today.
But once we start making the paper,
Lutz will definitely
realize that I'm not Main.
What will he do when he finds out?
Lutz
I'm home!
Welcome back. You were out late.
Yeah. I had to write out order
forms at Mister Benno's place.
I have to prepare for tomorrow.
I know you only just got back,
but could you get some water for us?
Oh, sure.
Hey!
Who are you?
Where's Main? Give her back!
Help!
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
No!
Main?
Did you have a bad dream?
I'm fine now.
Then go back to sleep, okay?
If they find out that I'm not Main
then I can just let the fever
consume me and disappear.
I don't wanna have any
regrets when that happens,
so I'll put my everything
into making that paper.
Facing Lutz is a little
awkward now, though
Morning.
I have to go to the forest today, so I can't
come with you to see Mister Benno.
Got it.
I should finish all my dealings with
adults while Lutz isn't around.
That way, I'll avoid any more suspicion.
That's it!
Shall we go place our orders, then?
Yes, please.
Mister Mark, could we have a
workshop to put all our equipment?
A workshop, is it?
I'll talk to Master about it.
Do you have any requirements?
We'll be going to the forest a lot, so
something near the south gate would be nice.
Understood. I'll take a
look around that area.
Oh, we're nearly at the lumberer's.
Oh, is that it
Miss Main?!
Huh? Where am I?
You've come to, Main?
Oh, you're up, lass!
I lost years of my life when
I heard you'd collapsed!
I'm terribly sorry!
Wh-What are you doing?
Kowtowing!
W-Well, uh, it's my way of showing
I mean it when I say I'm sorry.
Otto did tell me you were frail,
but I didn't expect it to be quite this bad.
I'm fine now!
Your fever's gone down.
Yes, it has! It's gone!
Go straight home today.
But there's so much to do!
Why, you little!
I said to go straight home!
Ow!
You're hereby banned from coming here alone!
The lad should be with you every time!
If you have any memory at all,
you'll never forget that!
Okay, okay! I won't!
Ouch!
And so, I was forcibly brought home,
where I was given a real earful by Mom
and found myself bedridden again.
That lass
She really may have the Devouring.
You brought that up last time.
What exactly is it?
It manifests in commoners
who are born with mana.
But don't only nobles possess mana?
Besides, I've never even heard of this.
It's not well known because most of these
kids don't live to see their baptism.
What? Don't live to see their baptism?
Yeah. As one grows, so does their mana.
But if it grows too much,
it'll devour and kill them.
And the more mana they
have, the sooner they die.
Is there any way to survive it?
Yes, but it needs magical items that can
extract the excess mana from their body.
Then without them, Main will
We don't know that for sure yet.
But if it really is the Devouring,
she will die very soon.
The captain will be inconsolable.
Listen up, Main!
Push yourself one more time, and I'm
not letting you out of the house!
I-I get it, Dad.
Lutz, take care of her.
Sure, Mister Gunther.
Also, you are to accompany her every
time she has to go to Gilberta.
They said I'm banned from
entering if you're not with me.
Banned?
I'm counting on you, Lutz.
I was just really upset, you know?
When I saw you doing calculations and
talking about all that complicated stuff,
I felt like you didn't need me at all.
Lutz
That's why I lashed out.
Sorry.
Oh, that was you lashing out?
Thank goodness. I thought
you'd come to hate me.
I-I don't hate you!
Come on, let's go.
Lad! Looking after the lass
is your number one priority!
Know that it's a vital mission
that only you can handle, okay?
Only I can handle it?
That's right.
Do you think anyone other than you and her
family could babysit this reckless lass?
Nope.
Do you think anyone here could do it?
Nope.
Then let me ask you:
do you think she can walk
to the south gate today?
Should be fine as long as
she doesn't walk too fast.
Excellent.
I'm letting you have a workshop
close to the south gate.
Have Mark show you there.
Thank you!
We should move everything as soon as
Don't do anything stupid!
Just behave yourself!
I'll do the heavy lifting, so don't
do anything that'd leave you in bed.
Please, just take care of your health.
From that look on your face, I bet all
that went in one ear and out the other.
Huh? How'd you know?!
Sheesh!
At the time, I hadn't yet realized
that Lutz had completely stopped
calling me "Main" since that day.
Next Chapter
Lutz's Main
From this day onward, Lutz came to be
highly valued as the Main Supervisor.
Well, I can certainly see why.
What's that supposed to mean?
Can you imagine how shocking it
is to see you suddenly collapse?
I truly empathize with Benno and the others.
Oh, Head Priest! I'll actually
make plant-based paper next time,
so look forward to it!
Illustration by Chima