# E1 - A World Without Books
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GY9V1N88R/a-world-without-books)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names. This is handled on a best-effort basis depending on how the subtitle file was created so they may be incomplete or inaccurate. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:22] Ferdinand**
Now, wear this.
**[00:26] Main**
What is this, Head Priest?
**[00:29] Ferdinand**
Can't you tell? It's a magical item.
**[00:36] Main**
I'm asking what we're using it for.
**[00:40] Main**
Please... tell... me...
**[00:50] Ferdinand**
* Main's the only one who uses*
* this to tie her hair.*
**[00:52] Ferdinand**
*And it's not just this hairpin.*
**[00:54] Ferdinand**
*She has brought us all sorts of creations.*
**[00:57] Ferdinand**
*But the most surprising thing of all*
**[01:00] Ferdinand**
*is her passion for books.*
**[01:04] Ferdinand**
* She treasures literature, and even wrote*
* some picture books for children.*
**[01:09] Ferdinand**
*Her obsession is clearly abnormal.*
**[01:12] Ferdinand**
*Just what goes through that head of yours?*
**[01:18] Ferdinand**
I shall take a look into your past, Main.
**[01:32] Main**
*Before I was Main,*
**[01:34] Main**
*I lived in a distant era as Motosu Urano.*
**[01:39] Main**
*Psychology.*
**[01:40] Main**
*Religion.*
**[01:41] Main**
*History.*
**[01:42] Main**
*Geography.*
**[01:43] Main**
*Education.*
**[01:44] Main**
*Folklore.*
**[01:45] Main**
*Mathematics.*
**[01:46] Main**
*Physics.*
**[01:47] Main**
*Geology.*
**[01:48] Main**
*Chemistry.*
**[01:49] Main**
*Biology.*
**[01:51] Main**
*Art.*
**[01:52] Main**
*Health.*
**[01:53] Main**
*Language.*
**[01:54] Main**
*Fiction...*
**[01:54] Main**
*Literature was my life.*
**[01:56] Main**
* I loved books—laden with mankind's knowledge*
* in all disciplines—with all my heart,*
**[02:01] Main**
* and felt unbridled joy at living*
* a life surrounded by them.*
**[02:05] Main**
*But then...*
**[02:10] Main**
* On the verge of death,*
* I uttered a silent prayer.*
**[02:14] Main**
* "O God, may I be able to read all kinds*
* of books in my next life, too."*
***SIGN*** Ascendance of a Bookworm
***SIGN*** Chapter One
A World Without Books
**[03:55] Main**
It's so hot... I can't breathe...
I can't take this anymore!
**[04:01] Motosu**
Yeah.
**[04:02] Main**
It's so hot... Help!
**[04:04] Motosu**
Yeah.
**[04:05] Main**
Someone help me!
**[04:07] Motosu**
Huh? The voice is fading.
**[04:09] Motosu**
Wait!
**[04:32] Main**
Where am I?
**[04:35] Main**
Are these really my hands?
**[04:40] Main**
Wait, I'm pretty sure I died.
**[04:43] Main**
Am I having some kind of weird, dying dream?
**[04:52] Main**
I'm not dreaming. What's going on?
**[04:55] Main**
What am I doing here?
**[05:00] Main**
*Who is that?*
**[05:02] Main**
*Her hair's green!*
**[05:06] Main**
*What? I don't understand what she's saying.*
**[05:12] Main**
* Someone's memories are*
* bursting into my mind!*
**[05:21] Eva**
Main?
**[05:23] Main**
*No! I'm not Main!*
**[05:25] Main**
*My name is Motosu Urano!*
**[05:28] Eva**
Main? Are you all right, Main?
**[05:32] Main**
*I can understand her now!*
**[05:35] Eva**
How are you feeling, Main?
**[05:38] Main**
Mom...
**[05:41] Narrator**
* In this moment, Motosu Urano*
* began her life as Main.*
**[05:45] Main**
*And that's when I realized...*
**[05:48] Main**
* My mother had been just as happy as me*
* when I landed my librarian job,*
**[05:53] Main**
*but now I would never see her again.*
**[05:58] Main**
Mom...
**[06:02] Main**
I'm so sorry.
**[06:07] Main**
If only I had a book to read...
**[06:09] Main**
Yeah, as long as I have books,
**[06:13] Main**
I can deal with things no matter where I am.
**[06:16] Main**
No. I *will* deal with it.
**[06:19] Main**
I just need my books.
**[06:22] Main**
I wonder where I can find one, though...
**[06:26] Tuuli**
Main? Are you okay to be up and about now?
**[06:30] Main**
*Tuuli, my older sister.*
**[06:32] Main**
*Oh, I know.*
**[06:33] Main**
Hey, Tuuli, bring me a book.
**[06:36] Tuuli**
A book?
**[06:38] Main**
Yeah. I wanna read.
**[06:41] Tuuli**
What's a book?
**[06:43] Main**
Huh?
**[06:44] Main**
*Does she not know what a book is?*
**[06:47] Main**
*Hang on a sec. How does that even happen?*
**[06:51] Main**
* Maybe there are no books*
* for kids in this house?*
**[06:55] Tuuli**
Are you okay, Main?
**[06:58] Eva**
Main, how's your fever?
**[07:01] Tuuli**
Mom, it looks like her head hurts.
**[07:06] Eva**
The fever is starting to go down, but
I guess you're still not feeling your best.
**[07:11] Eva**
Sleep tight until dinnertime, okay?
**[07:15] Eva**
Come help me, Tuuli.
**[07:16] Tuuli**
Sure!
**[07:22] Main**
Now's my chance to find some books.
**[07:30] Main**
Books are worth it.
**[07:39] Main**
Clothes, huh?
**[07:45] Main**
What even is this?
**[07:47] Main**
It would've been perfect if there
were books in this very room,
**[07:50] Main**
but I guess it's not gonna be that easy.
**[07:53] Main**
Time to check the next room over, then.
**[08:03] Main**
And we've already hit a snag.
**[08:20] Main**
Whatever. Books are worth it.
**[08:44] Main**
I made it!
**[08:52] Main**
Ow!
**[08:56] Main**
This pain will be my medal of honor!
**[09:00] Main**
It's open.
**[09:06] Main**
The kitchen, huh?
**[09:09] Main**
No books in here, I bet.
**[09:16] Main**
A storeroom, I think?
**[09:19] Main**
It's locked. I wonder if it leads outside.
**[09:24] Main**
I looked all over the house,
but I couldn't find any books.
**[09:28] Main**
Why?
**[09:31] Main**
Wait, are books really
expensive in this world?
**[09:36] Main**
*Even in the history of my world,*
**[09:38] Main**
* books were rare and pricey till the printing*
* press made them possible to mass-produce.*
**[09:44] Main**
* If you weren't upper class, you would*
* never get the chance to read one.*
**[09:49] Main**
Oh, well.
**[09:50] Main**
There must be *something* to read, though.
**[09:54] Main**
If not books, then newspapers or calendars.
**[09:58] Main**
Nothing.
**[10:00] Main**
Nothing.
**[10:02] Main**
Nothing.
**[10:03] Main**
Nothing.
**[10:05] Main**
Nothing! Why is there no writing
in any way, shape, or form?
**[10:09] Main**
How the heck am I supposed to live here?
**[10:18] Eva**
We're back.
**[10:20] Eva**
Main? Didn't I tell you to
stay in bed until dinnertime?
**[10:24] Eva**
And look at this mess you've made.
**[10:28] Main**
I can't find any books.
**[10:34] Eva**
What's wrong, Main?
**[10:36] Tuuli**
Does it hurt somewhere?
**[10:39] Main**
I can't find any books!
**[10:49] Main**
I want a book!
**[10:51] Main**
I want to read!
**[10:53] Main**
That's all I want!
**[10:56] Main**
Who can I talk to that'll understand me?
**[10:59] Main**
Someone please tell me!
**[11:13] Main**
*It's been three days since I woke up as Main.*
**[11:16] Main**
*These three days have been hell.*
**[11:20] Main**
Also, life here seriously sucks.
**[11:23] Main**
The "toilet" is a bedroom bedpan
which is then dumped outside,
**[11:27] Main**
and then "Dad," who I barely
even know, changes my clothes.
**[11:34] Main**
Good grief!
***SIGN*** Femininity
***SIGN*** Shame
**[11:38] Main**
I have to abandon these
things or I'll never last!
**[11:41] Main**
Now I've given up and even
get them to wipe me down.
**[11:45] Main**
Tuuli thought that was weird,
but it made me feel a lot better.
**[11:49] Main**
And then...
**(Flashback) [11:51] Tuuli**
What are you doing?
**(Flashback) [11:53] Main**
I'm trying to tie up my hair
'cause it's bothering me,
**(Flashback) [11:55] Main**
but it's not working out.
**(Flashback) [11:57] Tuuli**
Well, you do have really straight hair.
**(Flashback) [12:00] Main**
Yeah. If I use a ribbon, it falls right away.
**(Flashback) [12:03] Main**
Oh, right.
**(Flashback) [12:07] Main**
Can I break this?
**(Flashback) [12:09] Tuuli**
That's my doll!
**(Flashback) [12:11] Tuuli**
You know it's important to me! You meanie!
**(Flashback) [12:14] Main**
Uh, sorry.
**(Flashback) [12:16] Main**
I want a hairpin... I guess you
wouldn't know what I mean.
**(Flashback) [12:20] Main**
I need a thin wooden stick
like this doll's legs.
**(Flashback) [12:24] Tuuli**
In that case, I could make one for you.
**(Flashback) [12:31] Tuuli**
Will this do?
**(Flashback) [12:33] Main**
Yeah! Thanks, Tuuli!
**(Flashback) [12:38] Main**
How does that look?
**(Flashback) [12:40] Tuuli**
Main, no!
**(Flashback) [12:42] Tuuli**
Only grown-ups are allowed
to tie all their hair up.
**(Flashback) [12:45] Main**
Really?
**(Flashback) [12:49] Main**
Is this okay, then?
**(Flashback) [12:51] Tuuli**
Yeah, I think so.
**(Flashback) [12:53] Tuuli**
But from here it looks like you've
got a splinter stuck in your head.
**(Flashback) [12:57] Main**
Oh, that's fine.
**[12:59] Main**
Now what do I do about my hair?
It feels so sticky and gross.
**[13:04] Eva**
How are you feeling, Main?
**[13:07] Eva**
Your fever's gone. Do you feel tired?
**[13:11] Main**
Nope.
**[13:12] Eva**
Do you want to go shopping with Mom, then?
**[13:15] Main**
Shopping?
**[13:18] Main**
* I didn't find any books at home,*
* but there might be a bookstore out there.*
**[13:22] Main**
If there is one...
**[13:24] Main**
"I won't feel lonely if I have books.
**[13:26] Main**
I'll watch over the house all you want!"
**[13:29] Main**
That should get her to buy me some!
**[13:31] Main**
Yep! I wanna go!
**[13:34] Eva**
Oh? Where is all this energy coming from?
**[13:37] Main**
I know it'll be fun!
**[13:40] Eva**
Let's go shopping, then.
**[13:47] Main**
*Cold! Scary! Stinky!*
**[13:51] Eva**
Get on, Main.
**[13:55] Eva**
You can't walk all the way to
the market, right? Come on.
**[13:58] Main**
O-Okay...
**[14:03] Main**
*I see.*
**[14:04] Main**
* Main's body is pretty frail, so Mom's*
* always given her piggyback rides.*
**[14:08] Main**
* But I'm pretty sure I could*
* handle this easily.*
**[14:18] Main**
*Our building has five floors, huh?*
**[14:23] Main**
*Wow, this area's full of townhouses.*
**[14:29] Main**
*So that's where we get the water from.*
**[15:03] Main**
* Amazing! It's like a Medieval European town*
* straight out of all those photobooks!*
**[15:09] Main**
Mom, is that a castle?
**[15:11] Eva**
It's the cathedral.
**[15:12] Eva**
When you turn seven, you'll get
to go there for your baptism.
**[15:16] Main**
Huh...
**[15:21] Main**
That's an awfully big gate.
**[15:24] Eva**
That's the castle town gate.
**[15:25] Eva**
Beyond it lies the lord's castle
and the other nobility's mansions,
**[15:31] Eva**
but it's kind of a different world to us.
**[15:33] Main**
What about that wall?
**[15:35] Main**
The city wall. It keeps us safe inside.
**[15:38] Main**
Dad's a gatekeeper at
the south gate, remember?
**[15:46] Main**
*Oh, right.*
**[15:47] Main**
Gatekeeper, yeah...
**[15:50] Main**
* But if there's a lord's castle,*
* and it's surrounded by walls,*
**[15:55] Main**
* then that means this is*
* technically a big city.*
**[15:59] Main**
*And yet,*
**[16:00] Main**
* I don't see any writing*
* anywhere in town, either.*
**[16:05] Main**
*Do they not have a writing system at all?*
**[16:08] Main**
*The thought didn't even cross my mind!*
**[16:11] Eva**
We've reached the market, Main.
**[16:14] Woman**
Can I have three of these?
**[16:16] Man**
Sure thing!
**[16:17] Boy**
Hurry up!
**[16:17] Man**
Fresh seasonal vegetables.
Would you like to try any?
**[16:27] Main**
* I hadn't even considered that they*
* might not have a writing system.*
**[16:31] Main**
* If that's true, then they're*
* not gonna have any books!*
**[16:39] Main**
Mom! What's that on that plank?
**[16:42] Eva**
Oh, it shows the price, so you know
how much you can buy something for.
**[16:48] Main**
*Numbers! They do have a number system!*
**[16:51] Main**
What does it say, Mom?
**[16:53] Eva**
This is 20 lyon,
**[16:55] Eva**
and that's 23 lyon.
**[16:58] Main**
Is this 30 lyon, then?
**[17:00] Eva**
That's correct!
**[17:02] Eva**
I can't believe you picked it up so
quickly. You're very smart, Main.
**[17:08] Main**
What is this stench?
**[17:18] Eva**
Main? What's wrong?
**[17:20] Main**
Dead chicken!
**[17:31] Eva**
Main? Hang in there, Main!
**[17:37] Main**
Mom...
**[17:39] Eva**
You fainted all of a sudden.
I didn't know what to do.
**[17:42] Eva**
Are you okay now?
**[17:44] Main**
I'm... not okay.
**[17:47] Eva**
Oh...
**[17:48] Eva**
Oh, dear. I can't get any
shopping done like this.
**[17:52] Main**
No, go ahead. I'll wait here.
**[17:55] Eva**
But...
**[18:00] Main**
Ma'am.
**[18:02] Main**
Do you mind if I wait here for a while,
please? I'm not feeling very well.
**[18:06] Main**
I promise I won't be any trouble.
**[18:08] Woman**
Oh, my. Aren't you a polite young lady?
**[18:13] Woman**
No problem. Go get your shopping done.
**[18:16] Woman**
You don't want her fainting again, do you?
**[18:18] Man**
If you're worried, she can
wait inside the shop.
**[18:21] Man**
Nobody's going to kidnap her
if she's in the back.
**[18:25] Main**
I'll be a good girl and wait.
**[18:27] Eva**
Thank you so much. I'll be right back.
**[18:30] Eva**
Stay right here, okay?
**[18:32] Main**
'Kay.
**[18:32] Eva**
Please take care of her.
**[18:34] Main**
*It's all too much for me to take in.*
**[18:40] Main**
Thanks for having me.
**[18:53] Main**
*Wait, could that be...*
**[18:58] Main**
Mister! What... What is that?!
**[19:02] Man**
Oh, it's a book.
**[19:06] Main**
Yahoo!
**[19:08] Main**
I finally found one!
**[19:10] Main**
There *are* books here!
**[19:12] Man**
Is this your first time seeing one?
**[19:15] Main**
Yeah.
**[19:16] Main**
Hey, do you know a shop that
sells books? Where is it?
**[19:20] Man**
A shop? There isn't one.
**[19:24] Main**
Huh? There are books, but no bookstores?
**[19:27] Man**
Books have to be copied by hand, you see.
**[19:31] Man**
They cost so much money that
very few people can buy any.
**[19:36] Man**
Even this one was pawned off by
a noble who couldn't repay his debt.
**[19:40] Man**
I haven't put it on sale.
**[19:42] Man**
Only other nobles would even think
about buying something so expensive.
**[19:48] Main**
*Damn those lucky nobles!*
**[19:51] Main**
*In that case...*
**[19:53] Main**
Please let me hold that book!
***SIGN*** Kowtow
In Japan, this is the most dramatic
show of requesting or apologizing
**[19:57] Main**
I know I can't buy it, so I'll
make do with just holding it!
**[20:01] Main**
I'd like to at least enjoy
the sweet scent of ink!
**[20:03] Main**
I beg you!
**[20:08] Man**
I don't know why, but I get the feeling
that it'd be risky to let you touch it.
**[20:14] Main**
Please wait.
**[20:16] Main**
I'll just flip through it, I promise.
**[20:19] Man**
No.
**[20:22] Main**
I understand.
**[20:27] Eva**
Thank you for looking after my daughter.
**[20:30] Eva**
Okay, Main. Let's go home.
**[20:32] Main**
*I didn't even get to hold it.*
**[20:43] Eva**
I got some raffle fruit, your favorite.
**[20:46] Main**
Yeah...
**[20:48] Eva**
Are you still not feeling well?
**[20:49] Main**
Yeah...
**[20:51] Main**
*There are no bookstores in this town.*
**[20:56] Main**
* In fact, there might be not be*
* any anywhere in this world.*
**[21:11] Main**
* I'm not gonna get any books*
* if there are no bookstores.*
**[21:15] Main**
*What can I do, then?*
**[21:17] Main**
I'll just have to make them myself!
**[21:21] Tuuli**
Make?
**[21:23] Eva**
Main?
**[21:24] Gunther**
What are you going to make?
**[21:25] Main**
Nothing. Never mind.
**[21:29] Main**
*Forget it. I don't care what it takes.*
**[21:32] Main**
* I'm gonna get my books if*
* it's the last thing I do!*
**[21:35] Main**
*I won't let this world beat me!*
***SIGN*** Next Chapter
Life Improvements and Slates
**[23:14] ---**
I see.
**[23:15] ---**
So your obsession for books
remained with you even after death.
**[23:21] ---**
This is making my head hurt.
**[23:23] ---**
Please don't say that with a straight face.
**[23:26] ---**
You don't even get to show up until—
**[23:29] ---**
No spoilers, fool!
***SIGN*** Illustration by Shiina You