E27 - The Beginning of Winter

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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.)
SIGN    Ascendance of a Bookworm
SIGN    Ascendance of a Bookworm
SIGN    Chapter Twenty-Seven The Beginning of Winter
[01:39] Main
    The end of autumn.
[01:43] Main
    Right around the time where the farmers
    come to sell their harvest...
[01:48] Main
    I was...
[01:52] Ferdinand
    Main, that's enough.
[01:59] Main
    Okay!
[02:01] Ferdinand
    The Dedication Ceremony is coming up soon.
[02:03] Ferdinand
    Reserve your mana for now.
[02:06] Main
    Understood, Head Priest.
[02:08] Ferdinand
    How are preparations for
    your winter stay here going?
[02:12] Main
    Th-They're going great.
[02:17] Ferdinand
    Judging from that look on your face, you
    appear to have a lot more work to do.
[02:21] Ferdinand
    It will start snowing soon.
[02:23] Ferdinand
    As I stated before,
[02:25] Ferdinand
    you not being able to come here because
    of a blizzard will be an issue.
[02:28] Ferdinand
    Hurry along with the preparations.
[02:29] Main
    Okay...
[02:39] Lutz
    I think 80 books is about all
    we can do with what we have.
[02:43] Main
    That's plenty.
[02:45] Lutz
    Don't worry. We'll get them made and
    sold by the time of your winter stay.
[02:51] Main
    I really wasn't planning to sell
    the scripture picture books.
[02:56] Main
    This is all Mister Benno's fault.
(Flashback) [02:59] Benno
    You're going to hole up at the cathedral?
(Flashback) [03:01] Benno
    Then you'll need a dressing gown,
    a visiting dress, a nightgown,
(Flashback) [03:05] Benno
    and street clothes, as well
    as some thicker socks.
(Flashback) [03:07] Benno
    As for your undergarments, make
    some that are high-quality.
(Flashback) [03:11] Benno
    Buy the fabric from my shop and have your
    mother or Tuuli sew them for you.
(Flashback) [03:16] Main
    I'm not exactly planning on having
    anyone see me in these undies,
(Flashback) [03:19] Main
    so they can probably be a bit worn out.
(Flashback) [03:22] Benno
    How stupid are you?!
    That's not the issue here!
(Flashback) [03:25] Benno
    You get sick easily enough as is!
(Flashback) [03:28] Benno
    Make sure you dress warmly!
(Flashback) [03:30] Main
    And I'm telling you I'm not going to
    be able to get all of those things.
(Flashback) [03:35] Benno
    Mmhm... In that case...
(Flashback) [03:38] Benno
    You should sell this book!
[03:45] Main
    So yeah, I sold my soul.
[03:52] Benno
    I'm Benno from the Gilberta Company.
[03:54] Benno
    I've come to fill out the necessary
    paperwork to sell this book.
[03:56] Freida
    Oh, Main? It is you, Main!
[03:59] Main
    Freida.
[04:00] Freida
    Hello.
[04:04] Main
    It's been a while.
[04:05] Freida
    I was worried when I heard that
    you went to the cathedral,
[04:08] Freida
    but I'm happy to see that you seem well.
[04:10] Main
    Thanks for worrying about me.
[04:13] Main
    How are the pound cakes selling?
[04:15] Freida
    Quite well, actually.
[04:17] Freida
    The nobles have taken quite
    a liking to them, as well.
[04:20] Freida
    I'd be happy to buy more recipes
    from you if you have any.
[04:24] Freida
    At a reasonable price, that is.
[04:28] Main
    Say, Freida...
[04:29] Main
    Look. I finally made my book.
[04:32] Freida
    What?
[04:34] Freida
    This is a book?
[04:38] Freida
    Indeed, it is a book.
[04:40] Freida
    But is it just the inside?
[04:42] Main
    That paper is the cover.
[04:44] Main
    We're going to have one of the studios
    we're working with create a cover
[04:47] Main
    made out of leather the
    way we want it, too.
[04:51] Freida
    Main, how much is this book?
[04:54] Main
    Huh? Um...
[04:57] Benno
    That'll be one small gold
    coin and eight large silvers.
[05:00] Benno
    Are you going to buy it?
[05:02] Freida
    Yes, I will, actually.
SIGN    Commercial Spirit
[05:06] Main
    Compared to these two, I'm definitely
    not cut out to be a merchant!
[05:13] Freida
    I must say, this is the best purchase
    I've made in quite a while.
[05:19] Freida
    Main, your next picture book should
    be about the seasonal gods and their kindred.
[05:26] Freida
    I have such a hard time
    remembering the gods' kindred.
[05:30] Main
    Sure...
[05:32] Main
    I promised Freida I would make
    a book about the kindred,
[05:36] Main
    and left the Merchants' Guild behind.
[05:39] Benno
    Who knew we'd encounter a pest like that?
[05:41] Benno
    At least we'll be able
    to sell the book now.
[05:43] Main
    R-Right...
[05:45] Johann
    Please wait!
[05:46] Johann
    Young lady from the Gilberta Company!
[05:53] Main
    Oh, Johann.
[05:55] Benno
    Who's that?
[05:56] Main
    He's an apprentice blacksmith.
[06:00] Benno
    Ah... Did you need something?
[06:03] Johann
    Miss, please!
[06:05] Main
    Huh?
[06:06] Johann
    Please become my patron.
[06:09] Main
    Patron?!
[06:14] Johann
    I'm going to become an adult next year.
[06:17] Johann
    So I need to find a patron out of my
    customers who believes in my skills
[06:20] Johann
    and can financially back me.
[06:23] Johann
    And I need to make what this patron
    wants me to make within a year.
[06:29] Benno
    This is what blacksmithing apprentices must
    go through once they become an adult.
[06:33] Benno
    If they succeed, they will be
    considered a professional.
[06:36] Main
    You're pretty skilled, Johann, so I'm
    sure you'd find a patron pretty easily.
[06:41] Johann
    Most of the customers don't
    really seem to like my work.
[06:45] Johann
    Because... I'm so particular
    about the finer details.
[06:49] Main
    Come to think of it,
[06:51] Main
    when I asked Johann to make me
    tools to make my picture book...
(Flashback) [06:55] Johann
    I've never had anyone request such a
    fine, thin, and small blade before.
(Flashback) [07:00] Johann
    What are you going to use it for?
(Flashback) [07:02] Johann
    You won't be able to cut anything
    with a blade this small.
(Flashback) [07:05] Johann
    You're going to cut plant-based paper?
(Flashback) [07:07] Johann
    And this is that plant-based paper...
(Flashback) [07:10] Johann
    If the paper's this thin, the blade
    will have to be thinner, too.
(Flashback) [07:14] Johann
    And the shape of the blade will have to change
     depending on how you're going to cut these.
(Flashback) [07:18] Johann
    How am I going to make a
    blade so thin and small?
[07:21] Main
    I guess you have a point...
[07:23] Main
    But you've really helped me out
    because you're so particular.
[07:28] Johann
    You're the only one who says
    that about my work, Miss!
[07:31] Main
    Huh?
[07:32] Johann
    You're the only one who'd ever
    consider being my patron.
[07:35] Main
    Um...
[07:37] Johann
    Please, Main! No, Miss Main!
[07:40] Benno
    Hey.
[07:42] Benno
    If you truly want her as your patron,
    shouldn't you be calling her Lady Main?
[07:47] Benno
    Anyway, she's a minor.
[07:49] Benno
    She won't be able to be your patron without
     permission from her parents or guardians.
[07:54] Johann
    So that's a no?
[07:56] Benno
    You basically wasted your time.
[08:06] Main
    Please wait.
[08:09] Main
    So as long as I have cosigner,
    I can become his patron, right?
[08:12] Johann
    Huh?
[08:13] Benno
    What are you plotting?
[08:20] Main
    Mister Benno, I have something
    I want Johann to make for me.
[08:29] Benno
    Now what?
[08:32] Main
    The things I want him to make if
    I become his patron are...
[08:36] Main
    metal letter types!
[08:39] Johann
    Metal... letter types?
[08:42] Main
    Yes!
SIGN    Met
[08:44] Main
    Metal letter types!
SIGN    Metal
SIGN    Metal Letter
SIGN    Metal Letter Types
[08:47] Main
    Welp, I guess you twisted my arm!
[08:49] Main
    For my precious little metal letter types,
[08:51] Main
    I'll give you a long explanation
    without you even asking for it!
SIGN    Letter Type
[08:56] Main
    Letter types are basically letters
    carved backwards into blocks.
[09:00] Main
    Essentially, they're like stamps
    of individual letters.
[09:04] Main
    A long time ago, they were
    made by carving wood,
[09:06] Main
    but by molding them out of metal instead,
    mass production became possible.
[09:11] Main
    when you line these letters up on the page
    of a book, it's called a letterpress.
[09:15] Main
    Then you set the letterpress and print.
SIGN    Letter Type
[09:18] Main
    When you print using a
    letterpress, it's called...
SIGN    Letterpress
[09:21] Main
    You guessed it. Letterpress printing.
SIGN    Letterpress Printing
[09:25] Main
    So historically, books could be mass produced
[09:28] Main
    because of the introduction
    of letterpress printing,
[09:31] Main
    but letterpress printing became more
    widespread because of metal letter types.
[09:36] Main
    Which means that the production of metal
    letter types is the cornerstone of my ambitions!
[09:41] Main
    It's the super-ultra-miracle-important
    first step!
[09:45] Main
    Man... I haven't gotten to say
    something so worthwhile forever.
[09:50] Main
    If the letter types differ in height, the
    letters will be uneven during printing,
[09:53] Main
    so I'd like the size and the height
    of all the letter types to be exact.
[09:57] Main
    I think if we have 50 each of the vowels and
    20 each of the consonants that'll be enough.
[10:02] Main
    Also...
[10:03] Johann
    U-Um...
[10:05] Benno
    Well, she's basically always like this...
[10:08] Benno
    But she'd be a great patron
    when it comes to getting paid.
[10:12] Lutz
    If you don't think you can keep
    up with Main's crazy ideas,
[10:15] Lutz
    you should hurry up and
     find another patron.
[10:18] Main
    It's going to require very delicate
    work, and there'll be a lot to make...
[10:22] Main
    What do you think?
[10:30] Johann
    My request stands.
[10:32] Johann
    Please become my patron.
[10:37] Main
    Mister Benno, I'm counting
    on you to be my cosigner.
[10:41] Johann
    Yes, please!
[10:46] Benno
    Oh, all right. I give you
    permission as her guardian.
[10:53] Johann
    Thank goodness you're such
    an understanding father!
[10:56] Main
    Huh?
[10:56] Benno
    What?!
[10:58] Main
    He's not my father!
[10:58] Benno
    There's no way that she's my daughter!
[11:00] Johann
    Huh?
[11:02] Lutz
    The master is single.
[11:04] Johann
    Huh?
[11:05] Benno
    If I was her father, I would
    never raise her as an air-headed,
[11:08] Benno
    unguarded girl who doesn't
    think about her actions!
[11:10] Main
    What are you talking about?
[11:12] Main
    If you were my father, I would've
    run away from home already!
[11:16] Benno
    As if you're that delicate!
[11:19] Main
    I wouldn't even last here a day
    because you're so obnoxious!
[11:22] Benno
    Who are you calling obnoxious, huh?
[11:25] Main
    I'm home.
[11:27] Main
    Oh, how cute!
[11:29] Tuuli
    I know, right?
[11:30] Eva
    That's what a noble's
    undergarment looks like.
[11:33] Main
    Hm... I guess I wouldn't mind
    anyone seeing me in these.
[11:37] Tuuli
    Huh? What did you just say, Main?
[11:40] Main
    Oh, uh... I just mean they're lovely.
[11:44] Eva
    We just have to prepare a few more of these
    by the time of your winter stay, right?
[11:49] Main
    Yup. Thanks, Mom.
[11:50] Tuuli
    I'll help, too.
[11:52] Main
    Thank you, too, Tuuli.
[11:55] Gunther
    I'm home.
[11:56] Main
    Welcome home, Dad.
[11:58] Gunther
    Here's a gift for you, Main.
[12:00] Tuuli
    You bought them again?
[12:02] Main
    Hey, they're tanie!
[12:05] Main
    I love you, Dad!
[12:06] Gunther
    I love you, too, Main!
[12:10] Tuuli
    And he bought raffle fruits yesterday, too.
[12:13] Tuuli
    Dad's spoiling Main way too much.
[12:15] Eva
    I can't really blame him.
[12:16] Eva
    Soon, she'll be away on her winter
    stay, and we won't be able to see each other.
[12:21] Tuuli
    At this rate, I think Dad is going
    to have a harder time than Main is.
SIGN    Ascendance of a
     Bookworm
SIGN    Ascendance of a
     Bookworm
[12:36] Main
    The scriptures picture book
    sold by the Gilberta Company
[12:41] Main
    started selling among the rich who
    had connections with nobles.
[12:50] Young Employee
    Er, excuse me, sir... Would
    you like to purchase that?
[12:55] Man A
    Yeah.
[12:58] Man A
    Here it is.
[13:03] Wolf
    There's no doubt about it...
[13:05] Wolf
    It's ink.
[13:07] Man A
    According to the foreman,
[13:08] Man A
    the child from the Gilberta
    Company knows how to make ink.
(Flashback) [13:13] Main
    I'm looking for oil-based ink.
(Flashback) [13:16] Main
    Do you have any that aren't for parchment?
(Flashback) [13:19] Bierce
    Ink is ink. There's only one kind.
(Flashback) [13:22] Main
    Wait, please!
(Flashback) [13:23] Main
    The ink that everyone makes...
(Flashback) [13:25] Main
    is it made from the extracting
    the dye from plants...
(Flashback) [13:27] Bierce
    Hey, where did you hear that from?
(Flashback) [13:30] Main
    Um... Do you really not make
    any other kind of ink?
(Flashback) [13:35] Bierce
    Other kind of ink?
(Flashback) [13:36] Main
    I-If you don't, that's totally fine! Sorry!
[13:42] Wolf
    Other kinds of ink?
[13:45] Main
    What did you want to talk
    about, Mister Benno?
[13:48] Benno
    The Ink Guild's gotten involved.
[13:50] Main
    Here we go. Vested interests.
[13:53] Benno
    I figured they would, but...
    It's going to be a hassle.
[13:56] Benno
    What do you want to do?
[13:57] Main
    I think we can sell our method of ink production
     and also abandon making any more ink.
[14:03] Main
    You don't want any more enemies,
    do you, Mister Benno?
[14:06] Benno
    Hm... And it has nothing to
    do with my main business.
[14:10] Benno
    If you'd consider that, it'd be helpful.
[14:12] Main
    Then I guess we're set.
[14:15] Lutz
    I've brought some tea.
[14:28] Benno
    You've still got a ways to go.
[14:30] Main
    But he's improving little by little.
[14:33] Main
    It's good, Lutz.
[14:36] Mark
    Sir, you have a guest from the Ink Guild.
[14:40] Benno
    All right. Main, go see Corinna.
[14:44] Main
    Huh?
[14:45] Benno
    The head of the Ink Guild
    has connections with nobles,
[14:49] Benno
    and there are plenty of
    terrible rumors about him.
[14:51] Benno
    You should avoid him at all costs.
[14:55] Main
    While negotiations with the
    Ink Guild were going on,
[14:58] Main
    I was getting fitted for
    some new ceremonial robes,
[15:01] Main
    since my other ones were ruined
    trying to subjugate the trombe.
[15:04] Otto
    Corinna, you need to get some rest.
[15:08] Otto
    Seriously... Corinna, you're pregnant,
[15:11] Otto
    but you're getting upper-class noble work.
[15:14] Main
    S-Sorry...
[15:16] Corinna
    Otto.
[15:17] Corinna
    How many times must I tell you that I don't
    appreciate you nagging me about work?
[15:22] Otto
    I'm just worried about you, Corinna.
[15:24] Corinna
    That's no excuse to complain
    in front of a customer!
[15:27] Otto
    Now, calm down...
[15:28] Corinna
    You're always the one upsetting me.
[15:30] Otto
    It's not good for the little one
    in your belly if you get upset.
[15:33] Main
    I see they're as close as ever.
[15:41] Wolf
    I signed it.
[15:42] Benno
    Lutz, take this contract
    upstairs and get a signature.
[15:53] Lutz
    It's good that you stayed up here, Main.
[15:56] Main
    What do you mean?
[15:57] Lutz
    The head of the Ink Guild's
    been looking for you.
[16:00] Main
    Huh?
[16:02] Lutz
    He said, "The one who mentioned a different
    way to prepare ink was a child.
[16:06] Lutz
    If they're here, bring them out."
[16:08] Lutz
    I don't like the look in his eyes.
[16:10] Lutz
    Way worse than the guild master.
[16:15] Lutz
    More importantly, let me see your hand.
[16:18] Main
    Okay...
[16:44] Lutz
    What do you think you're doing?!
    Let go of me, you jerk!
[16:48] Main
    Ooh, they kicked!
[16:50] Corinna
    They're full of energy, aren't they?
[16:53] Benno
    Main, Lutz had a run-in with a strange man.
[16:56] Main
    What?
[16:57] Benno
    They're probably from the Ink Guild.
[16:59] Main
    Is Lutz okay?
[17:01] Benno
    Yes. Mark is seeing him home now.
[17:05] Benno
    You need to stay here until
    someone comes for you.
[17:09] Main
    Okay.
[17:14] Tuuli
    Main!
[17:15] Main
    Tuuli!
[17:17] Benno
    Trying to find out more information and
    seeking out Lutz are both unnatural things to do.
[17:22] Benno
    There's no doubt that this is the
    work of the Ink Guild,
[17:25] Benno
    but I'm not exactly sure
    what their motive is.
[17:28] Benno
    If we're going to prioritize safety,
[17:30] Benno
    we might want to have Main start
    staying at the cathedral now.
[17:33] Tuuli
    What?
[17:34] Benno
    They won't be able to get
    to her, if she's there.
[17:38] Tuuli
    But starting her winter
    stay right now is...
[17:44] Gunther
    Main, what do you want to do?
[17:48] Main
    I don't want to be away from all of you,
[17:51] Main
    but I'd regret it even more if something
    were to happen to any of you,
[17:53] Main
    so I'll go to the cathedral.
[17:55] Tuuli
    Main...
[17:57] Main
    It should start snowing soon, anyway.
[18:00] Gunther
    All right.
[18:10] Fran
    Understood.
[18:12] Fran
    I will inform the head priest as well.
[18:15] Main
    I'll tell everyone else.
[18:18] Fran
    Lady Main, perhaps you
    should not tell Delia.
[18:25] Fran
    Delia still has connections
    with the high priest.
[18:28] Main
    Wait, still?
[18:31] Fran
    Considering Delia's situation,
[18:33] Fran
    it would be rather difficult for her
    to completely cut ties with him.
[18:38] Main
    It's so that she can continue
    to survive here...
[18:42] Fran
    We will go ahead and take
    Lady Main into our care.
[18:45] Gunther
    Take good care of Main, Fran.
[18:47] Fran
    Of course.
[18:49] Gunther
    Main, make sure you don't cause
    too much trouble for everyone.
[18:53] Gunther
    And make sure you tell the
    head priest everything.
[18:57] Gunther
    No good comes out of not
    communicating with your boss.
[19:02] Main
    Boss?
[19:05] Main
    Okay.
[19:08] Tuuli
    We'll come visit you on breaks,
[19:10] Tuuli
    so make sure you behave until then, Main.
[19:16] Main
    Yeah... I'll be waiting.
[19:21] Ferdinand
    Make sure Main stays in her room
    until we can get more information.
[19:26] Fran
    As you wish.
[19:27] Fran
    Also, Main's family has mentioned
    that they would like to come see her.
[19:32] Fran
    I'm sure that Lady Main will be lonely,
[19:34] Fran
    so I would be grateful if
    you would allow this.
[19:36] Ferdinand
    That's fine.
[19:38] Ferdinand
    The bigger problem would be
    if her mana were to go berserk
[19:40] Ferdinand
    from her not being able
    to control her emotions.
[19:43] Ferdinand
    I'd like to avoid doing the Dedication
    Ceremony in that manner as much as possible,
[19:48] Ferdinand
    because she will have to face the
    high priest there, no matter what.
[19:52] Fran
    Right.
[19:55] Delia
    What?
[19:56] Main
    It's a long story, but I'm going to be
    staying at the cathedral starting today.
[20:00] Delia
    What exactly is this long story?
[20:02] Main
    I can't really talk about it right now.
[20:05] Main
    I hope you'll understand.
[20:15] Tuuli
    Do you think Main will be okay by herself?
[20:19] Tuuli
    We should have brought her these, too.
[20:23] Rosina & Delia
    Good night, Lady Main.
[20:26] Main
    Good night, Delia and Rosina.
[20:51] Main
    I immediately became homesick
    just after a day.
[21:00] Gunther
    The nobility can piss off.
    I'm going to protect Main.
[21:06] Wolf
    If this is an order, I will see it through,
    but this is quite the request...
[21:12] Wolf
    This will require a bit of preparation...
SIGN    Next Chapter The Story About Winter Stays and the Future
[22:58] Main
    It's finally about to start!
[23:00] Main
    We offer the gods our prayers!
[23:02] Ferdinand
    I hate to bring down your mood when you're
    so excited, but this is not a book.
[23:06] Ferdinand
    A proper book has words that are
    handwritten on pages of parchment.
[23:11] Ferdinand
    They include detailed illustrations,
[23:13] Ferdinand
    and the leather covers are
    decorated with gold or jewels.
[23:16] Ferdinand
    These magnificent pieces of art
    are what you call "books."
[23:20] Main
    But I want to make books more affordable
    and get them out to the masses!
[23:24] Ferdinand
    A proper merchant would want to raise prices
    and keep as much profit for themselves.
[23:29] Ferdinand
    You are not fit to be a merchant.
[23:31] Main
    I don't need to hear that from you.
SIGN    Illustration by Shiina You