# E27 - The Beginning of Winter
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GK9U353XP/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