01x07 - Seeds of Suspicion

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M: {ED}

F: Main lived a new life as part of a poor soldier's family in a world without books.

F: Wanting to read,

F: she looked to make her own books through trial and error.

F: But she had failed to account for one huge problem...

B: If it is the Devouring,

B: she'll die very soon.

Title Card: Ascendance of a Bookworm

Title ,Title Card: Ascendance of a Bookworm

Ep Ep Title: Chapter Seven Seeds of Suspicion

L: Wow!

M: Yeah. Hard to believe it's part of the same town, isn't it?

L: I bet lunch will be amazing, too.

M: Yeah... That invitation we received

M: was one for lunch with Mister Benno.

Flashback,M: "See me at Gilberta Company by the fourth bell."

Flashback,M: Where's the Gilberta Company?

Flashback,O: It's on the first floor where I live.

Flashback,M: Where you live?

Flashback,M: So Mister Benno was the one who didn't want

Flashback,M: to be separated from his dear sister?

Flashback,M: Which means you and him are... brothers-in-law?!

Flashback,O: Correct.

M: They got us.

M: Lutz, we have to be careful not to be tricked today.

L: Huh? Aren't we just gonna have lunch?

M: This is the place.

L: Okay, I'm starting to get nervous.

M: Someone just went in.

L: I don't see many customers.

L: Not many goods, either.

L: Do they really make money?

M: I'm pretty sure they do.

M: The shop is squeaky clean,

M: the customer service is thorough, and the employees are all classy.

M: Their clientele must be nobility and the wealthy.

B: I apologize for asking you to come on such short notice. Now, let's eat.

M: Thank you.

M: Ugh, they've thrown all the broth away.

M: The soup at home is way better than this.

M: Is Benno mad at something?

M: What did I do?

B: All right. It's time to talk.

M: He's gonna yell at me!

B: Why did you turn to Otto?

B: He told me that he provided nails for you.

B: He also mentioned that it was a trade for the liquid that makes hair shine.

M: You mean the Simple All-In-One Shampoo?

M: That's right. Is there a problem with that?

B: Of course there is!

B: You should've come to me first!

M: But we've only been conditionally accepted.

M: We're not your apprentices yet.

L: Yeah.

B: That's not it!

B: Listen. If the plant-based paper you make has value,

B: you two will be hired as apprentices to this company.

B: The paper will be Gilberta Company's merchandise,

B: so you should be talking to me first about everything!

M: I'm sorry.

M: I failed to realize that it would make you look bad as our employer.

M: It won't happen again.

B: What are you doing?

M: Crap! They don't bow their heads in apology here!

M: Nothing... I understand.

B: As long as we're clear.

B: Now, let's get down to business.

B: I'll provide you with everything you need to make your paper.

M: But isn't this our apprenticeship test?

M: Are you sure you want to help us with it?

B: I can't assess your abilities fairly without the right environment.

B: Besides, you can't start a new business without capital investment.

M: That's true, but still...

B: Of course, I'm not doing it out of the goodness of my heart.

B: In return, I want the recipe for the liquid that makes hair shine. How's that?

M: I see.

M: You want it instead of collateral, right?

B: Where did you learn that word?

L: What's collateral?

M: When you lend money to someone, you take something in exchange for security's sake.

M: You'd want to ensure you got your money back, wouldn't you?

B: But a recipe can't serve as a collateral, so I'll buy it outright.

M: That certainly doesn't sound like a bad deal.

M: When you say "everything we need," is that limited to tools and equipment?

M: Or can we ask for materials as well?

B: That's fine by me.

B: I've already heard that Lutz has been talking to lumberers.

B: You're looking for a tree with soft wood, aren't you?

M: So this is a merchant's connections at work.

M: How long will your backing last?

Diagram ,Sign: Apprentice Age Age

Diagram ,Sign: Baptism

Diagram ,Sign: Salary %

Diagram ,Sign: Paper Gilberta Company

Diagram ,Sign: Gilberta Company Sale Money

B: Until your baptism.

B: We'll buy all the paper you've produced by then.

B: Once we deduct the material costs and commission, the rest of the money is yours.

M: And after our baptism?

B: The paper will be sold through us.

B: Ten percent of the profits will be added to your pay as royalties.

M: Instead of those royalties,

M: I want to reserve the right to produce the paper.

M: And Lutz will have exclusive rights to sell it.

B: What do you mean?

M: Royalties added to our pay will mean nothing if we're fired.

M: I'd rather not be cast aside as soon as you have the product in hand.

B: You want job security rather than short-term profits, huh?

M: That's right. Is that a problem?

B: I'm impressed that you already have the wherewithal to protect your interests.

B: You've only mentioned the rights to the paper.

B: What about the liquid... Simple All-In-One Shampoo, was it?

B: Don't you want to reserve the rights to that as well?

M: No, that's all right. I'm selling it to you.

B: Very well.

B: That's that, then.

B: Go ahead and make your order forms.

M: Wait, how am I supposed to...

Mark: Pardon me.

Mark: I'm Mark.

Mark: Rest assured, Master has filled me in already.

M: And so, I learned how to write order forms from Mark,

M: while Lutz practiced how to write.

Ma: You can calculate without using a calculator?

Ma: How intriguing.

M: I just don't know how to use one, actually.

M: Lutz, are you okay?

L: Yeah.

M: I'm done writing out the order forms.

B: Good.

B: Mark, prepare the contract magic.

Ma: At once.

M: Huh? Contract magic?

M: Did he just say "magic"?

M: Is this a fantasy world?

M: Will I get to use magic, too?!

B: As I'm sure you know, only nobles possess mana.

M: First the books, and now mana? Darn those lucky nobles!

B: Contract magic was created as a way of curbing high-handed nobles.

B: When signed, the magic ensures that the terms are binding,

B: and it can't be canceled without the consent of all parties.

B: This is the paper and special ink used for contract magic:

B: magical items only granted to merchants that cater to nobles.

M: That's a strange ink pot. The ink is blue, too.

Ma: It's highly expensive,

Ma: so it's only used for deals that are considered very profitable.

M: So wait, the Simple All-In-One Shampoo?

M: I let it go too easily!

M: "Main reserves all rights to produce the paper or decide who makes it.

M: Lutz retains exclusive rights to sell the paper.

M: Neither shall retain any rights to decide its pricing or the profits."

B: Is that acceptable to you two?

M: Yes, it looks fine to me.

L: I'm okay with it, too.

Ma: Then please sign here.

B: Mark.

M: The ink turned from blue to black!

B: It's your turn now.

M: What? I can't!

L: Main? Aren't you going to sign the contract?

L: Hold out your hand. I'll do it for you.

B: With this, our contract is signed.

M: I didn't expect to spend so much time there.

M: I was surprised that you managed to write your name perfectly.

L: I was taught how to write it before.

M: You did well not to forget.

M: Now all that's left is to make the paper.

L: Yeah.

M: What's the matter, Lutz?

M: Lutz!

M: Wait, Lutz!

L: Hey, uh...

L: You are Main, right?

Eyecatch: Ascendance of a Bookworm

Eyecatch: Ascendance of a Bookworm

L: If you are, how were you able to have that conversation?

M: What conversation?

L: All that stuff you were talking about with the boss. I didn't get half of it.

L: Main talking to an adult about stuff I don't know like an equal doesn't seem right.

L: Are you really Main?

M: Are you saying I seem like someone else to you?

L: Uh, sorry. That was a weird thing to say.

L: I'm just a bit surprised by all the complicated stuff you were saying.

M: I messed up. I was too eager today.

M: But once we start making the paper,

M: Lutz will definitely realize that I'm not Main.

M: What will he do when he finds out?

M: Lutz...

M: I'm home!

E: Welcome back. You were out late.

M: Yeah. I had to write out order forms at Mister Benno's place.

T: I have to prepare for tomorrow.

G: I know you only just got back,

G: but could you get some water for us?

M: Oh, sure.

R: Hey!

R: Who are you?

L: Where's Main? Give her back!

M: Help!

All: Who are you?

All: Who are you?

All: Who are you?

All: Who are you?

All: Who are you?

All: Who are you?

All: Who are you?

All: Who are you?

All: Who are you?

All: Who are you?

M: No!

E: Main?

E: Did you have a bad dream?

M: I'm fine now.

E: Then go back to sleep, okay?

M: If they find out that I'm not Main...

M: then I can just let the fever consume me and disappear.

M: I don't wanna have any regrets when that happens,

M: so I'll put my everything into making that paper.

M: Facing Lutz is a little awkward now, though...

L: Morning.

L: I have to go to the forest today, so I can't come with you to see Mister Benno.

M: Got it.

M: I should finish all my dealings with adults while Lutz isn't around.

M: That way, I'll avoid any more suspicion.

M: That's it!

Ma: Shall we go place our orders, then?

M: Yes, please.

M: Mister Mark, could we have a workshop to put all our equipment?

Ma: A workshop, is it? I'll talk to Master about it.

Ma: Do you have any requirements?

M: We'll be going to the forest a lot, so something near the south gate would be nice.

Ma: Understood. I'll take a look around that area.

Ma: Oh, we're nearly at the lumberer's.

M: Oh, is that it...

Ma: Miss Main?!

M: Huh? Where am I?

C: You've come to, Main?

B: Oh, you're up, lass!

B: I lost years of my life when I heard you'd collapsed!

M: I'm terribly sorry!

B: Wh-What are you doing?

M: Kowtowing!

M: W-Well, uh, it's my way of showing I mean it when I say I'm sorry.

B: Otto did tell me you were frail,

B: but I didn't expect it to be quite this bad.

M: I'm fine now!

B: Your fever's gone down.

M: Yes, it has! It's gone!

B: Go straight home today.

M: But there's so much to do!

B: Why, you little! I said to go straight home!

M: Ow!

B: You're hereby banned from coming here alone!

B: The lad should be with you every time!

B: If you have any memory at all, you'll never forget that!

M: Okay, okay! I won't!

M: Ouch!

M: And so, I was forcibly brought home,

M: where I was given a real earful by Mom

M: and found myself bedridden again.

B: That lass...

B: She really may have the Devouring.

O: You brought that up last time. What exactly is it?

B: It manifests in commoners who are born with mana.

O: But don't only nobles possess mana?

O: Besides, I've never even heard of this.

B: It's not well known because most of these kids don't live to see their baptism.

O: What? Don't live to see their baptism?

B: Yeah. As one grows, so does their mana.

B: But if it grows too much, it'll devour and k*ll them.

B: And the more mana they have, the sooner they die.

O: Is there any way to survive it?

B: Yes, but it needs magical items that can extract the excess mana from their body.

O: Then without them, Main will...

B: We don't know that for sure yet.

B: But if it really is the Devouring,

B: she will die very soon.

O: The captain will be inconsolable.

G: Listen up, Main!

G: Push yourself one more time, and I'm not letting you out of the house!

M: I-I get it, Dad.

G: Lutz, take care of her.

L: Sure, Mister Gunther.

G: Also, you are to accompany her every time she has to go to Gilberta.

M: They said I'm banned from entering if you're not with me.

L: Banned?

G: I'm counting on you, Lutz.

L: I was just really upset, you know?

L: When I saw you doing calculations and talking about all that complicated stuff,

L: I felt like you didn't need me at all.

M: Lutz...

L: That's why I lashed out.

L: Sorry.

M: Oh, that was you lashing out?

M: Thank goodness. I thought you'd come to hate me.

L: I-I don't hate you!

L: Come on, let's go.

B: Lad! Looking after the lass is your number one priority!

B: Know that it's a vital mission that only you can handle, okay?

L: Only I can handle it?

B: That's right.

B: Do you think anyone other than you and her family could babysit this reckless lass?

L: Nope.

B: Do you think anyone here could do it?

L: Nope.

B: Then let me ask you:

B: do you think she can walk to the south gate today?

L: Should be fine as long as she doesn't walk too fast.

B: Excellent.

B: I'm letting you have a workshop close to the south gate.

B: Have Mark show you there.

M: Thank you!

M: We should move everything as soon as...

B: Don't do anything stupid! Just behave yourself!

L: I'll do the heavy lifting, so don't do anything that'd leave you in bed.

Ma: Please, just take care of your health.

L: From that look on your face, I bet all that went in one ear and out the other.

M: Huh? How'd you know?!

M: Sheesh!

M: At the time, I hadn't yet realized

M: that Lutz had completely stopped calling me "Main" since that day.

Next_Chapter,Title: Next Chapter Lutz's Main

M: From this day onward, Lutz came to be highly valued as the Main Supervisor.

F: Well, I can certainly see why.

M: What's that supposed to mean?

F: Can you imagine how shocking it is to see you suddenly collapse?

F: I truly empathize with Benno and the others.

M: Oh, Head Priest! I'll actually make plant-based paper next time,

M: so look forward to it!