E7 - Seeds of Suspicion

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(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.)
[00:00] Main
    
[00:00] Ferdinand
    Main lived a new life as part of a poor
    soldier's family in a world without books.
[00:06] Ferdinand
    Wanting to read,
[00:07] Ferdinand
    she looked to make her own
    books through trial and error.
[00:12] Ferdinand
    But she had failed to account
    for one huge problem...
[00:16] Benno
    If it is the Devouring,
[00:18] Benno
    she'll die very soon.
SIGN    Ascendance of a Bookworm
SIGN    Ascendance of a Bookworm
SIGN    Chapter Seven Seeds of Suspicion
[02:03] Lutz
    Wow!
[02:04] Main
    Yeah. Hard to believe it's part
    of the same town, isn't it?
[02:07] Lutz
    I bet lunch will be amazing, too.
[02:12] Main
    Yeah... That invitation we received
[02:14] Main
    was one for lunch with Mister Benno.
(Flashback) [02:20] Main
    "See me at Gilberta Company
    by the fourth bell."
(Flashback) [02:23] Main
    Where's the Gilberta Company?
(Flashback) [02:26] Otto
    It's on the first floor where I live.
(Flashback) [02:28] Main
    Where you live?
(Flashback) [02:30] Main
    So Mister Benno was the one who didn't want
(Flashback) [02:33] Main
    to be separated from his dear sister?
(Flashback) [02:36] Main
    Which means you and him
    are... brothers-in-law?!
(Flashback) [02:43] Otto
    Correct.
[02:44] Main
    They got us.
[02:46] Main
    Lutz, we have to be careful
    not to be tricked today.
[02:50] Lutz
    Huh? Aren't we just gonna have lunch?
[02:54] Main
    This is the place.
[02:56] Lutz
    Okay, I'm starting to get nervous.
[02:59] Main
    Someone just went in.
[03:02] Lutz
    I don't see many customers.
[03:05] Lutz
    Not many goods, either.
[03:07] Lutz
    Do they really make money?
[03:09] Main
    I'm pretty sure they do.
[03:12] Main
    The shop is squeaky clean,
[03:14] Main
    the customer service is thorough,
    and the employees are all classy.
[03:18] Main
    Their clientele must be
    nobility and the wealthy.
[03:28] Benno
    I apologize for asking you to come on
    such short notice. Now, let's eat.
[03:33] Main
    Thank you.
[03:36] Main
    Ugh, they've thrown all the broth away.
[03:40] Main
    The soup at home is way better than this.
[03:46] Main
    Is Benno mad at something?
[03:48] Main
    What did I do?
[03:52] Benno
    All right. It's time to talk.
[03:58] Main
    He's gonna yell at me!
[03:59] Benno
    Why did you turn to Otto?
[04:02] Benno
    He told me that he provided nails for you.
[04:05] Benno
    He also mentioned that it was a trade
    for the liquid that makes hair shine.
[04:09] Main
    You mean the Simple All-In-One Shampoo?
[04:12] Main
    That's right. Is there a problem with that?
[04:15] Benno
    Of course there is!
[04:16] Benno
    You should've come to me first!
[04:19] Main
    But we've only been conditionally accepted.
[04:23] Main
    We're not your apprentices yet.
[04:25] Lutz
    Yeah.
[04:26] Benno
    That's not it!
[04:27] Benno
    Listen. If the plant-based
    paper you make has value,
[04:33] Benno
    you two will be hired as
    apprentices to this company.
[04:36] Benno
    The paper will be Gilberta
    Company's merchandise,
[04:41] Benno
    so you should be talking to
    me first about everything!
[04:47] Main
    I'm sorry.
[04:49] Main
    I failed to realize that it would
    make you look bad as our employer.
[04:54] Main
    It won't happen again.
[04:56] Benno
    What are you doing?
[04:59] Main
    Crap! They don't bow their
    heads in apology here!
[05:04] Main
    Nothing... I understand.
[05:07] Benno
    As long as we're clear.
[05:09] Benno
    Now, let's get down to business.
[05:13] Benno
    I'll provide you with everything
    you need to make your paper.
[05:19] Main
    But isn't this our apprenticeship test?
[05:23] Main
    Are you sure you want to help us with it?
[05:25] Benno
    I can't assess your abilities fairly
    without the right environment.
[05:29] Benno
    Besides, you can't start a new
    business without capital investment.
[05:33] Main
    That's true, but still...
[05:36] Benno
    Of course, I'm not doing it out
    of the goodness of my heart.
[05:40] Benno
    In return, I want the recipe for the liquid
    that makes hair shine. How's that?
[05:45] Main
    I see.
[05:46] Main
    You want it instead of collateral, right?
[05:51] Benno
    Where did you learn that word?
[05:55] Lutz
    What's collateral?
[05:56] Main
    When you lend money to someone, you take
    something in exchange for security's sake.
[05:59] Main
    You'd want to ensure you got
    your money back, wouldn't you?
[06:03] Benno
    But a recipe can't serve as a
    collateral, so I'll buy it outright.
[06:09] Main
    That certainly doesn't
    sound like a bad deal.
[06:14] Main
    When you say "everything we need,"
    is that limited to tools and equipment?
[06:17] Main
    Or can we ask for materials as well?
[06:19] Benno
    That's fine by me.
[06:20] Benno
    I've already heard that Lutz
    has been talking to lumberers.
[06:26] Benno
    You're looking for a tree
    with soft wood, aren't you?
[06:28] Main
    So this is a merchant's
    connections at work.
[06:32] Main
    How long will your backing last?
SIGN    Apprentice Age 7 Age 6
SIGN    Baptism
SIGN    Salary 10%
SIGN    Paper Gilberta Company
SIGN    Gilberta Company Sale Money
[06:35] Benno
    Until your baptism.
[06:37] Benno
    We'll buy all the paper
    you've produced by then.
[06:40] Benno
    Once we deduct the material costs and
    commission, the rest of the money is yours.
[06:44] Main
    And after our baptism?
[06:46] Benno
    The paper will be sold through us.
[06:49] Benno
    Ten percent of the profits will be
    added to your pay as royalties.
[06:53] Main
    Instead of those royalties,
[06:55] Main
    I want to reserve the right
    to produce the paper.
[06:57] Main
    And Lutz will have exclusive
    rights to sell it.
[07:01] Benno
    What do you mean?
[07:02] Main
    Royalties added to our pay will
    mean nothing if we're fired.
[07:07] Main
    I'd rather not be cast aside as soon
    as you have the product in hand.
[07:12] Benno
    You want job security rather
    than short-term profits, huh?
[07:17] Main
    That's right. Is that a problem?
[07:20] Benno
    I'm impressed that you already have the
    wherewithal to protect your interests.
[07:26] Benno
    You've only mentioned the
    rights to the paper.
[07:29] Benno
    What about the liquid...
    Simple All-In-One Shampoo, was it?
[07:32] Benno
    Don't you want to reserve
    the rights to that as well?
[07:34] Main
    No, that's all right. I'm selling it to you.
[07:39] Benno
    Very well.
[07:41] Benno
    That's that, then.
[07:43] Benno
    Go ahead and make your order forms.
[07:45] Main
    Wait, how am I supposed to...
[07:48] Mark
    Pardon me.
[07:51] Mark
    I'm Mark.
[07:52] Mark
    Rest assured, Master has
    filled me in already.
[07:56] Main
    And so, I learned how to write
    order forms from Mark,
[08:00] Main
    while Lutz practiced how to write.
[08:04] Mark
    You can calculate without
    using a calculator?
[08:07] Mark
    How intriguing.
[08:10] Main
    I just don't know how to use one, actually.
[08:21] Main
    Lutz, are you okay?
[08:23] Lutz
    Yeah.
[08:28] Main
    I'm done writing out the order forms.
[08:31] Benno
    Good.
[08:32] Benno
    Mark, prepare the contract magic.
[08:35] Mark
    At once.
[08:36] Main
    Huh? Contract magic?
[08:39] Main
    Did he just say "magic"?
[08:42] Main
    Is this a fantasy world?
[08:44] Main
    Will I get to use magic, too?!
[08:49] Benno
    As I'm sure you know,
    only nobles possess mana.
[08:54] Main
    First the books, and now mana?
    Darn those lucky nobles!
[08:58] Benno
    Contract magic was created as a way
    of curbing high-handed nobles.
[09:04] Benno
    When signed, the magic ensures
    that the terms are binding,
[09:07] Benno
    and it can't be canceled without
    the consent of all parties.
[09:11] Benno
    This is the paper and special
    ink used for contract magic:
[09:16] Benno
    magical items only granted to
    merchants that cater to nobles.
[09:22] Main
    That's a strange ink pot.
    The ink is blue, too.
[09:27] Mark
    It's highly expensive,
[09:28] Mark
    so it's only used for deals that
    are considered very profitable.
[09:32] Main
    So wait, the Simple All-In-One Shampoo?
[09:38] Main
    I let it go too easily!
[09:41] Main
    "Main reserves all rights to produce
    the paper or decide who makes it.
[09:46] Main
    Lutz retains exclusive
    rights to sell the paper.
[09:49] Main
    Neither shall retain any rights to
    decide its pricing or the profits."
[09:53] Benno
    Is that acceptable to you two?
[09:56] Main
    Yes, it looks fine to me.
[09:58] Lutz
    I'm okay with it, too.
[10:00] Mark
    Then please sign here.
[10:22] Benno
    Mark.
[10:35] Main
    The ink turned from blue to black!
[10:38] Benno
    It's your turn now.
[10:41] Main
    What? I can't!
[10:49] Lutz
    Main? Aren't you going to sign the contract?
[10:57] Lutz
    Hold out your hand. I'll do it for you.
[11:23] Benno
    With this, our contract is signed.
[11:29] Main
    I didn't expect to spend so much time there.
[11:32] Main
    I was surprised that you managed
    to write your name perfectly.
[11:36] Lutz
    I was taught how to write it before.
[11:38] Main
    You did well not to forget.
[11:43] Main
    Now all that's left is to make the paper.
[11:46] Lutz
    Yeah.
[11:48] Main
    What's the matter, Lutz?
[11:55] Main
    Lutz!
[11:56] Main
    Wait, Lutz!
[12:02] Lutz
    Hey, uh...
[12:07] Lutz
    You are Main, right?
SIGN    Ascendance of a
     Bookworm
SIGN    Ascendance of a
     Bookworm
[12:22] Lutz
    If you are, how were you able
    to have that conversation?
[12:26] Main
    What conversation?
[12:28] Lutz
    All that stuff you were talking about
    with the boss. I didn't get half of it.
[12:36] Lutz
    Main talking to an adult about stuff I don't
    know like an equal doesn't seem right.
[12:43] Lutz
    Are you really Main?
[12:48] Main
    Are you saying I seem
    like someone else to you?
[12:55] Lutz
    Uh, sorry. That was a weird thing to say.
[13:00] Lutz
    I'm just a bit surprised by all the
    complicated stuff you were saying.
[13:12] Main
    I messed up. I was too eager today.
[13:18] Main
    But once we start making the paper,
[13:21] Main
    Lutz will definitely
    realize that I'm not Main.
[13:25] Main
    What will he do when he finds out?
[13:35] Main
    Lutz...
[13:47] Main
    I'm home!
[13:49] Eva
    Welcome back. You were out late.
[13:52] Main
    Yeah. I had to write out order
    forms at Mister Benno's place.
[13:56] Tuuli
    I have to prepare for tomorrow.
[14:03] Gunther
    I know you only just got back,
[14:05] Gunther
    but could you get some water for us?
[14:08] Main
    Oh, sure.
[14:12] Ralph
    Hey!
[14:13] Ralph
    Who are you?
[14:16] Lutz
    Where's Main? Give her back!
[14:24] Main
    Help!
[14:27] All
    Who are you?
[14:28] All
    Who are you?
[14:28] All
    Who are you?
[14:29] All
    Who are you?
[14:30] All
    Who are you?
[14:30] All
    Who are you?
[14:30] All
    Who are you?
[14:31] All
    Who are you?
[14:32] All
    Who are you?
[14:33] All
    Who are you?
[14:34] Main
    No!
[14:37] Eva
    Main?
[14:39] Eva
    Did you have a bad dream?
[14:43] Main
    I'm fine now.
[14:45] Eva
    Then go back to sleep, okay?
[14:51] Main
    If they find out that I'm not Main...
[15:03] Main
    then I can just let the fever
    consume me and disappear.
[15:10] Main
    I don't wanna have any
    regrets when that happens,
[15:13] Main
    so I'll put my everything
    into making that paper.
[15:23] Main
    Facing Lutz is a little
    awkward now, though...
[15:27] Lutz
    Morning.
[15:28] Lutz
    I have to go to the forest today, so I can't
    come with you to see Mister Benno.
[15:34] Main
    Got it.
[15:36] Main
    I should finish all my dealings with
    adults while Lutz isn't around.
[15:40] Main
    That way, I'll avoid any more suspicion.
[15:43] Main
    That's it!
[15:49] Mark
    Shall we go place our orders, then?
[15:51] Main
    Yes, please.
[15:54] Main
    Mister Mark, could we have a
    workshop to put all our equipment?
[15:59] Mark
    A workshop, is it?
    I'll talk to Master about it.
[16:04] Mark
    Do you have any requirements?
[16:05] Main
    We'll be going to the forest a lot, so
    something near the south gate would be nice.
[16:10] Mark
    Understood. I'll take a
    look around that area.
[16:14] Mark
    Oh, we're nearly at the lumberer's.
[16:17] Main
    Oh, is that it...
[16:21] Mark
    Miss Main?!
[16:31] Main
    Huh? Where am I?
[16:33] Corinna
    You've come to, Main?
[16:36] Benno
    Oh, you're up, lass!
[16:38] Benno
    I lost years of my life when
    I heard you'd collapsed!
[16:42] Main
    I'm terribly sorry!
[16:45] Benno
    Wh-What are you doing?
[16:48] Main
    Kowtowing!
[16:51] Main
    W-Well, uh, it's my way of showing
    I mean it when I say I'm sorry.
[16:57] Benno
    Otto did tell me you were frail,
[17:00] Benno
    but I didn't expect it to be quite this bad.
[17:03] Main
    I'm fine now!
[17:07] Benno
    Your fever's gone down.
[17:09] Main
    Yes, it has! It's gone!
[17:12] Benno
    Go straight home today.
[17:13] Main
    But there's so much to do!
[17:16] Benno
    Why, you little!
    I said to go straight home!
[17:20] Main
    Ow!
[17:21] Benno
    You're hereby banned from coming here alone!
[17:24] Benno
    The lad should be with you every time!
[17:26] Benno
    If you have any memory at all,
    you'll never forget that!
[17:29] Main
    Okay, okay! I won't!
[17:31] Main
    Ouch!
[17:33] Main
    And so, I was forcibly brought home,
[17:38] Main
    where I was given a real earful by Mom
[17:42] Main
    and found myself bedridden again.
[17:46] Benno
    That lass...
[17:48] Benno
    She really may have the Devouring.
[17:51] Otto
    You brought that up last time.
     What exactly is it?
[17:55] Benno
    It manifests in commoners
    who are born with mana.
[17:58] Otto
    But don't only nobles possess mana?
[18:01] Otto
    Besides, I've never even heard of this.
[18:04] Benno
    It's not well known because most of these
    kids don't live to see their baptism.
[18:10] Otto
    What? Don't live to see their baptism?
[18:13] Benno
    Yeah. As one grows, so does their mana.
[18:16] Benno
    But if it grows too much,
    it'll devour and kill them.
[18:20] Benno
    And the more mana they
    have, the sooner they die.
[18:24] Otto
    Is there any way to survive it?
[18:26] Benno
    Yes, but it needs magical items that can
    extract the excess mana from their body.
[18:32] Otto
    Then without them, Main will...
[18:35] Benno
    We don't know that for sure yet.
[18:37] Benno
    But if it really is the Devouring,
[18:41] Benno
    she will die very soon.
[18:44] Otto
    The captain will be inconsolable.
[18:47] Gunther
    Listen up, Main!
[18:49] Gunther
    Push yourself one more time, and I'm
    not letting you out of the house!
[18:51] Main
    I-I get it, Dad.
[18:54] Gunther
    Lutz, take care of her.
[18:56] Lutz
    Sure, Mister Gunther.
[18:58] Gunther
    Also, you are to accompany her every
    time she has to go to Gilberta.
[19:04] Main
    They said I'm banned from
    entering if you're not with me.
[19:07] Lutz
    Banned?
[19:15] Gunther
    I'm counting on you, Lutz.
[19:23] Lutz
    I was just really upset, you know?
[19:26] Lutz
    When I saw you doing calculations and
    talking about all that complicated stuff,
[19:31] Lutz
    I felt like you didn't need me at all.
[19:35] Main
    Lutz...
[19:36] Lutz
    That's why I lashed out.
[19:39] Lutz
    Sorry.
[19:41] Main
    Oh, that was you lashing out?
[19:44] Main
    Thank goodness. I thought
    you'd come to hate me.
[19:53] Lutz
    I-I don't hate you!
[19:55] Lutz
    Come on, let's go.
[20:01] Benno
    Lad! Looking after the lass
    is your number one priority!
[20:06] Benno
    Know that it's a vital mission
    that only you can handle, okay?
[20:11] Lutz
    Only I can handle it?
[20:13] Benno
    That's right.
[20:14] Benno
    Do you think anyone other than you and her
    family could babysit this reckless lass?
[20:20] Lutz
    Nope.
[20:21] Benno
    Do you think anyone here could do it?
[20:25] Lutz
    Nope.
[20:26] Benno
    Then let me ask you:
[20:28] Benno
    do you think she can walk
    to the south gate today?
[20:34] Lutz
    Should be fine as long as
    she doesn't walk too fast.
[20:37] Benno
    Excellent.
[20:38] Benno
    I'm letting you have a workshop
    close to the south gate.
[20:42] Benno
    Have Mark show you there.
[20:45] Main
    Thank you!
[20:47] Main
    We should move everything as soon as...
[20:54] Benno
    Don't do anything stupid!
    Just behave yourself!
[20:57] Lutz
    I'll do the heavy lifting, so don't
    do anything that'd leave you in bed.
[21:01] Mark
    Please, just take care of your health.
[21:07] Lutz
    From that look on your face, I bet all
    that went in one ear and out the other.
[21:11] Main
    Huh? How'd you know?!
[21:21] Main
    Sheesh!
[21:23] Main
    At the time, I hadn't yet realized
[21:25] Main
    that Lutz had completely stopped
    calling me "Main" since that day.
SIGN    Next Chapter Lutz's Main
[23:08] Main
    From this day onward, Lutz came to be
    highly valued as the Main Supervisor.
[23:13] Ferdinand
    Well, I can certainly see why.
[23:16] Main
    What's that supposed to mean?
[23:18] Ferdinand
    Can you imagine how shocking it
    is to see you suddenly collapse?
[23:22] Ferdinand
    I truly empathize with Benno and the others.
[23:28] Main
    Oh, Head Priest! I'll actually
    make plant-based paper next time,
[23:33] Main
    so look forward to it!
SIGN    Illustration by Chima