Original subtitles

After making a book with block printing,

Main next set her sights on using a letterpress.

Meanwhile, the blue-robed priests departed for the Harvest Festival.

And then...

The Dedication Ceremony happens over the winter.

We must avoid a situation where a blizzard keeps you away.

As such, you will live here over the winter.

Ascendance of a Bookworm

Ascendance of a Bookworm

Chapter Twenty-Four Knight Orders and Requests

The entire winter?

You're afforded blue-robed priestess treatment

because your mana is needed in such ceremonies.

Did you forget that?

No, I understand where you're coming from.

But my family will be worried sick.

I get feverish much more often in the winter.

Your family will be allowed to come check on you.

That's the most I'm willing to compromise.

Lady Main? You don't look so well.

I'm fine, Rosina.

I'm simply a little unsettled at the moment.

Fran, I heard from the head priest earlier.

It seems I have to live in the cathedral over the winter.

If he's decided so, I don't think we can overturn it.

I'm aware of that, but...

Brr! So cold!

I wonder what's for dinner tonight.

I am the orphanage director, huh?

Fran, what would my winter preparations entail?

Are you gonna be okay?

Living in the cathedral all winter? Mister Gunther will be livid.

That's my biggest worry.

Well, not much you can do. Work is work.

Besides, I think you're better off in the cathedral.

How so?

This may sound rude,

but your chambers there will keep you much warmer than you'd be at home.

Less chance of getting sick.

Fran's starting to get pretty good at monitoring your condition, too.

I see. I can use that as a bargaining chip.

Your words carry more weight in my family than mine.

Good luck.

Thanks!

So, Main, what do you wanna discuss?

Well, uh, the thing is...

There's supposedly an important ceremony in the winter,

so I've been asked to start living in the cathedral once it begins to snow.

What's all this now?

The deal was that you could commute from home!

I mean, once it starts snowing for real, I won't be able to go.

But there's an important ceremony.

Your health is more important.

Lutz said Fran can be trusted with my health.

Besides, the head priest said you could come check on—

I can't let you live all by yourself!

You could drop dead anytime!

Forget it!

What do you want to do, Main?

Stay in the cathedral.

That's my job.

Main!

Dad, you do realize they only let me join because they need my mana, right?

That's why they gave me the blue robes and excused me from any physical labor.

The head priest accepted basically all of our conditions.

I can't not be there when they need me and my mana.

Yeah, but...

Also, the reason I've stopped falling ill to the Devouring

is because I've been dedicating my mana to objects at the cathedral.

If not for that, I never would've lived to see this day.

You know what else, Dad?

I have to look after everyone in the orphanage.

Those kids, huh?

Yeah. I'm their director.

We're allowed to come see how you're doing, right?

Yeah!

Thanks, Dad!

I know it's over when your mind's set on something.

Make sure you do your job well.

Yeah, I'll do my best.

What will you do if you get sick?

I have a bed and all, and my retainers will be there for me.

That bed looked so nice and soft.

Oh, right.

We should probably tell Fran what to do when I come down with a fever.

I'll come visit, then.

If they're going to be taking care of you all winter, I should thank them.

I can come check on you often.

Great. I'll miss you all, so come as much as you can, Turi.

Hey, I have to teach the kids how to sew, and I wanna learn how to read, too.

Why do you always turn to Turi?

You can lean on me too, you know.

Oh, in that case...

I need you to help with the orphanage's pork stocking.

Nobody there knows how to do it.

Sure.

You can count on me!

Mister Deed also helped with that, saying he wanted to repay the head priest.

We're back!

Welcome home.

Did you manage to process lots of meat?

Yes, Lady Main!

Main, here's the pig skin you asked for.

Thanks, Lutz!

Now we can make glue.

Maybe I should get working on a new picture book, too.

Pardon me, Lady Main.

But before you start working on a book,

you need to prepare for the knight order's request and memorize the prayers.

Knight order's request?

Does that have anything to do with the Dedication Ceremony?

No, it's unrelated.

Most years, the knight order makes a request before winter begins.

And when they do, we're required to perform a ritual.

But with all the political upheaval, the church is lacking blue robes for that?

Correct.

As an apprentice blue-robed priestess,

you'll be expected to perform the ritual for the knights.

Wait, isn't this a really important job?

It is, and that's why you'll need to have the prayers memorized.

It's like I'm talking to the head priest.

You're not the Fran I know!

Go back to your usual, gentle self!

I don't mind,

but you'll be the one the head priest yells at later.

Fine. I'll memorize the prayers.

But wait, if you only need a blue robe, the head priest is right there.

At times, he must prioritize his noble duties over the church's.

Noble... duties?

By the way, did you manage to arrange for ceremonial clothing?

Well, the fitting's done, so it should be finished soon.

Then please have it brought here so you can set out as soon as we get the request.

Fran, can you give me a hand?

Gilberta Company sent some carpets.

Coming.

In the few days after that...

This is beautiful, Missus Corinna!

My ceremonial dress was finished,

my chambers got a winter makeover,

preserved food was stocked up, candles were made,

and most of the orphanage's winter prep was complete.

Ah, it's the holy night of Schutzaria.

The knight order's request will come soon.

Ascendance of a Bookworm

Ascendance of a Bookworm

How did the Harvest Festival go, Head Priest?

Wha...

What is this?

Keep it down, Main.

Sir Ferdinand, this is Karstedt.

The knight order requests assistance with a raid, and a priest to perform a ritual.

Please make arrangements at once.

Sir Ferdinand, this is Karstedt.

The knight order requests assistance with a raid, and a priest to perform a ritual.

Please make arrangements at once.

Th-The bird turned into a stone!

Head Priest?

Ordonnanz.

Understood.

What's with all these fantasy tropes?!

What just happened, Head Priest?

Weren't you listening?

The knight order has called on us.

Change into your ceremonial garb at once and report to the Gate of Nobles.

Okay!

Uh... Where's the Gate of Nobles?

I can show you there.

Delia! Rosina!

Ready the ceremonial garb right away!

I've never seen Fran get so worked up.

Please put this on, Lady Main.

Lady Main is ready!

Lady Main, you're dealing with the knight order.

Even if something should displease you, please make sure not to show it on your face.

Lady Main, you remember the prayers, I hope?

Oh? Isn't this...

The Gate of Nobles lies in between the head priest and high priest's offices.

Is that so?

What?!

Is that really the head priest?!

Our apologies for the delay.

Head Priest, uh...

What's with the getup?

Oh, I'm participating not as the head priest, but as a knight.

Ah, your noble duties.

Is that your ceremonial garb?

That design is a tad unusual, but it's better than I expected.

What is that crest?

The Main Studio's insignia.

I see.

Arno.

Main, you were born in the summer, yes?

You can borrow that. Put it on your middle finger.

Don't act surprised over every little thing.

Easy for you to say!

The fact that he's lending me this ring

means we're entering a fantasy world where nothing I know means anything.

Your plebeian is showing.

Try to keep your mouth shut, at least.

Sorry about that.

Here we go.

This place is nothing like downtown.

This is the noble district.

Lady Main, please conduct yourself like a noble.

Sir Ferdinand.

I'm truly glad to see you well.

Thank you, Karstedt. Same to you.

Karstedt, this is Main, the apprentice priestess who will conduct the ritual.

Hello, Sir Karstedt, my name is Main.

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Likewise, Apprentice Priestess.

Let us depart, then.

Right!

Now we've got animal sculptures!

Karstedt,

have the retainers ride with some of the knights.

Main, you come with me.

Understood!

What is this, Head Priest?

Magic crystal transformed into a rideable beast.

So long as you supply it with mana, it can take you anywhere.

"Take you"?

Go.

Whoa! The magic lion started moving!

Whoa, clouds!

We're so high up!

Oh, that's downtown!

The forest we always go to!

Settle down, Main.

You're disgracing yourself with the way you're talking.

Sorry.

Where are we going, by the way?

There.

What is that?

A magical tree called trombe.

What? That's the sprouty thing?

I had no idea it could turn into this...

This is pretty dangerous.

It's the knight order's job to cut it down.

Your part comes after the knight order takes down the trombe.

You must heal the soil that has had all its mana drained.

Got it.

Stay here until then.

Karstedt, pick out two guards for her.

Schicicoza, Damuel.

You two guard the priestess.

Sir.

Hup.

I forgot.

Gotta be elegant.

You're such a handful.

Make sure the apprentice priestess receives nary a scratch.

Sir.

Let's go.

Head Priest, members of the knight order,

I pray for your safety and success.

May Angriff, Leidenschaft's disciple and god of war, offer you his divine protection.

My mana's being absorbed...

Huh? What?

What's this?

The apprentice priestess has given us her blessings.

What? Blessings?

Main... Please, please stay put until you're up.

Those blessings were utterly meaningless.

Next Chapter Trombe and Battles

Head Priest! Next Chapter Trombe and Battles

Head Priest!

My heart couldn't keep up with all those fantasy staples one after another!

Hmm... Was that too much to take at once?

No, it will help me with my next picture book!

You really do think about nothing but books, huh?

Yeah! Thanks for the compliment!

That... wasn't my intention.

Illustration by Namino Ryo