04x18 - Damiel no Môshide

[bunniefuu]

Rosemyne was left in charge of the castle
alongside Bonifatius and Wilfried.

Then, the Archduke and his wife returned
after the end of the Archduke Conference.

Welcome back.

We have returned.

Were the two of you able to
complete your duties properly?

Of course, Mother!

We replenished mana diligently every day.

Brother, you've gotten the
hang of it, haven't you?

Yes. He worked quite hard.

I'm proud of you, Wilfried.

What is it, Father?!

This is all your fault.

Ascendance of a Bookworm:
Adopted Daughter of an Archduke

Episode 18
Damuel's Proposal

I heard you informed my elder
sister about my uncle's passing.

I have absolutely no idea
what you're talking about...

Father's uncle would be the
former high bishop, right?

But, older sister?

My elder sister, the one who
married into Ahrensbach.

I've never even been told how
many siblings Father has...

My sister told me that the new high
bishop had kindly informed her.

You were definitely the one who told her.

I have no idea who among the letters
I've responded as the high bishop...

Oh!

That magic letter?!

That must be it!

I see. You didn't know.

What happened between
you and your sister?

My uncle was very fond
of my older sister.

It seems they kept in contact
after she married.

So, she berated me mercilessly
during the Archduke Conference,

saying it was terrible of me not
to inform her of his passing.

So that's what you look so exhausted...

That's why she is coming to visit
his grave at the end of summer.

She said she wished to come
thank you for letting her know.

She's going out of her
way to come and thank me?

How conscientious...

You don't get it at all.

Huh?

Knowing that older sister of mine,

if she finds out you're the
reason Uncle was captured,

she will cut you down with spiteful
remarks that dig at your heart.

Huh?!

The duchy of Ahrensbach
outranks Ehrenfest.

Offending her could easily turn
into a diplomatic incident.

So, she isn't conscientious,

but the type who holds grudges
and gives you a headache...

You best be careful.

Yes...

"That concludes this matter"...
is what I'd like to say,

but there's another important issue

I need to tell you about,
other than my older sister.

What could that be?

I was thinking of taking advantage
of this year's Star-Binding Ceremony

to have Ferdinand return
to the secular world.

You're going to have Lord Ferdinand
return to the ranks of nobility?!

Hold on a moment!

Do you plan to destroy the cathedral?!

This is no laughing matter!

Currently, the operation of the cathedral
heavily relies on Lord Ferdinand.

Right now, with no fully
trained successors,

everything would fall apart should
something like that happen!

Above all, if Lord Ferdinand leaves,

the burden on me would become
absolutely overwhelming.

I will most definitely collapse!

That would be a major problem.

I'm glad you understand.

However...

Do you know why Ferdinand
is in the cathedral?

Piecing together the various
bits of information,

it seems like he entered the cathedral to
escape the harassment of your mother...

The details, however...

She was a harsh woman
to begin with, but...

Shortly before the passing
of the previous Archduke,

Lady Veronica's malice grew to the
point of threatening Ferdinand's life.

My mother always believed

that Ferdinand wished for
the death of the previous Archduke

and was plotting to seize
the position for himself.

That's some extreme paranoia...

In order to draw them apart,

I was the one who told Ferdinand
to enter the cathedral.

Even after my father passed away

and I became the Archduke,
my mother didn't change...

I don't want to leave Ferdinand
in a situation like that.

He's still worried about that?
He's so troublesome.

What will you do?

Do?

I understand Father's regret.

However, considering your health,

I think it's better not to
change your environment.

If you don't wish to return, I will speak
to father according to your wishes.

No, that isn't necessary.

He will likely have me return
to the secular world,

then send me to work at the
cathedral under his orders.

If my position as high
priest doesn't change,

there won't be any disadvantages for you.

Above all, Eckhard and
Eustachius have been exposed

to petty acts of malice merely due
to their association with me.

It'd be good to return to the nobility
for the sake of their reputation as well.

High Priest.

What is it?

I don't care about the advantages
or disadvantages of others.

I am asking how you personally
feel about going back.

My own will?

What will you do?

I'll be dragged to the castle to assist
in the administrative work either way.

In that case, I should choose the option
that offers the greatest advantages.

I wanted to hear you say
"want to" not "should" here.

I understand.

If that's your opinion, High Priest...

Apparently, he would like
to announce your return

when the nobles have all gathered
for the Star-Binding Ceremony.

I have been told that after you
return to the ranks of nobility,

you will officially become my guardian.

Your guardian?

Perhaps returning was a hasty decision.

What is that supposed to mean?!

Exactly as I said.

And then...

We made preparations

for the sales event at the castle
and the Star-Binding Ceremony.

I really hope everyone accepts
Brigitte's new outfit!

You've come, Ferdinand.

Come to think of it, why is
his cloak a different color?

You can marry if you return
to the nobility, right?

Shouldn't you be out
looking for a partner?

It'd be pointless.

No woman here matches my level of mana.

Not even one?

It seems having too much mana
can also be a real problem...

In that case, why don't you
simply marry Rosemyne?

As she grows up, her mana capacity
will likely complement yours.

You want me to look after this problem
child for the rest of my life?

What kind of cruel joke is that?!

Exactly!

If I had to listen to
this nagging forever,

it'd really be nothing but a cruel joke!

You two are perfectly in sync.

Yes, indeed.

Rosemyne, you will have the greatest
opportunity to find someone

that matches your mana level while
you are at the Royal Academy.

Hide your true nature and look
for a partner seriously.

I will make every effort to find a
partner that has a large library!

Don't decide on such a major matter that
affects the territory on your own!

Ferdinand doesn't have the authority
to grant you that kind of permission!

What are you talking about?

I will officially become
Rosemyne's guardian.

A guardian is like a parent, right?

Wow!

So beautiful...

It's hard to believe that's the
same knight from last year.

Isn't my guard knight beautiful?

We will now begin the
Star-Binding Ceremony.

New brides and grooms, gather!

May you bless them with
your divine protection.

My work is done!

Now, it's the time for adults.

Since my part is over, it's
time for me to make my exit...

This is no time to be a wimp, Damuel!

Princess.

I-I understand...

I want to know!

What will happen to Damuel and Brigitte?!

Ascendance of a Bookworm:
Adopted Daughter of an Archduke

Ascendance of a Bookworm:
Adopted Daughter of an Archduke

Please, Mother.

Mother?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Um, if you aren't feeling well,
we can have tea another day.

That's not it.

When I think about Brigitte last
night, my heart aches so...

What happened?!

Brigitte last night...

She was simply magnificent.

It all started right after the
announcement of Lord Ferdinand's return...

Lady Elvira.

Hassheit...

Brigitte's former fiancé
appeared before her.

Lady Elvira, it seems my thread,
spun by the Goddess of Time,

has intertwined with Lady Brigitte's.

May I have a bit of time with her?

I have no reason to stop you...

As long as you both stay within my sight.

What business do you have with me?

Such cold words.

Are you trying to freeze my heart
now, after hurting it so badly

by breaking off our engagement?

Brigitte was trembling with rage...

and rightly so. The reason
she broke off the engagement

was because Hassheit tried to seize the
position of her brother, Giebe Illgner.

No matter how you treated
me, I still think of you.

No one but the God of Life, Ewigleben,

would desire a withered
Goddess of Earth, Geduldh.

Brigitte, I hope you accept
my hand this time.

If it were me, I could restore
your wounded honor.

Oh, could it be that Lord Hassheit
wasn't good at his studies?

Even a withered Geduldh
would be desired by many.

Go on, Damuel!

Oh, um, well...

Brigitte is a middle-class noble.

A lesser noble like you
has no place here.

You should know your place.

My place...

What?

Knowing my place and backing down is
what caused me to receive punishment.

When a knight has someone
they must protect,

they cannot back down
just because of status.

That's why I cannot
back down this moment.

Through the guidance of the divine couple
residing at the highest level of heavens,

I was able to meet you.

I wish for you to become my
Goddess of Light, Brigitte.

But...

I understand you may feel uneasy
as I am a lesser noble.

However, I will raise my mana to suit you
within a year and formally propose to you.

Until then, will you wait for me without
accepting any other proposals?

Are you satisfied now?

If so, you should immediately
take your leave!

Lord Hassheit.

I'm very sorry.

It seems there are others who
desire such a withered Geduldh.

Wha?!

I am very happy with
your proposal, Damuel.

I will look forward to a year from now.

Last night, those two were just like
characters from a knight's tale.

So, requesting to be his Goddess of Light

is the same as asking her
to marry him, right?

She isn't listening at all!

However, it's not only Hassheit.

Nobles will begin to gather
around those close to you.

What do you mean?

Now that Lord Ferdinand has returned to

the secular world and
become your guardian,

it is certain that the nobles of the
Veronica Faction will lose their power.

So, are you saying that
the Veronica Faction,

having lost their pillar of support,
will attempt to curry favor with me?

Not just the Veronica
Faction. All the nobles.

From now on, you must
be even more vigilant.

Yes!

Thank you kindly for making
time to meet with my brother.

I have also been wanting
to meet Giebe Illgner.

I'm looking forward to next year!

Looks like the story has spread
throughout the castle.

Even though Damuel only did
it to protect my honor.

Huh?!

She didn't take it seriously?!

Even so, I was very happy.

Y-Yeah...

A year from now, huh?

I hope he can increase his
level of mana in time.

I cannot thank you enough for the new
outfit you bestowed upon Brigitte.

I don't know if it'll be enough to express
my gratitude, but please come to Illgner.

Absolutely!

I've always wanted to visit Illgner!

Weren't you just told to be more careful?

Rosemyne.

Giebe Illgner wants to show
Hassheit that he has the support

of the Archduke's adopted daughter
to prevent future trouble.

Answer while keeping that in mind.

I don't mind.

Lady Rosemyne?

Conducting research
on plant paper in Illgner

is something that brings me benefits.

Plant paper research...

Printing requires paper.

To expand the printing industry, we
must create plant paper workshops.

And you're entrusting that to Illgner?

Yes.

I'm honored!

Then, I will call the Plantin Company,
my exclusive printing workshop.

Please allow me to introduce them to
you again as well, Lord Ferdinand.

And then...

We will now begin the Plantin
Company sales event.

Lady Rosemyne,

we have prepared what you asked for.

Understood. Then, let's get started...

This is the sheet music for the pieces
Lord Ferdinand played at the concert...

Please take good care of it.

Lady Rosemyne, um, do you happen to have

any of the portraits that
were sold at the concert?

No.

I see.

If you don't mind, in exchange...

What is this?!

It is a special collection of
illustrations from the knight's tales.

By the way, these knight's
tales are a work of fiction.

All characters and organizations that
appear in it are entirely imaginary.

Even if they may look similar,
they are different people.

Then,

I'd like a copy of the tale of the knight
that offers a feystone to a princess.

Even so, it's regrettable that there
aren't any illustrations for sale.

Lord Ferdinand forbade it...

Is there nothing we can do?

Even if you say that, some
things are impossible,

Mother... for me.

Oh, that's right.

Quite right!

It's impossible for you, isn't it?

Yes. Unfortunately, I've been
forbidden from doing it.

Rosemyne, the Aub wishes to expand
the printing industry, right?

Yes.

In that case, I will ask my
older brother, Giebe Haldenzel,

to help me spread my lovely
daughter's business.

I'm looking forward to it, Mother.

Yes, Rosemyne.

Translation Angela Tamae Liu

Timing Edgar Cruz

Editing Tara Campbell

QC Alicia Ashby

FQC Michelle Tymon

Next Episode
Inspection of Illgner and Gathering of Summer

Lord Ferdinand, how wonderful!

Lord Ferdinand, how elegant!

Lord Ferdinand, so beautiful!

Mother. Mother.

What is it, Rosemyne?

This story is a work of fiction. All organizations and
characters appearing herein are entirely imaginary.

No matter how you look
at it, it's Lord Ferdi—

It's not!

Illustration by: Manmaru Ino