F: Main put in real effort to improve the orphans' living conditions.
F: However, after the Star Festival,
F: she was put in detention
F: and developed a fever.
F: Meanwhile...
D: You fool!
L: Why won't you just accept it?!
L: I've had enough of this! I'm leaving!
D: Do whatever you want!
C: Lutz!
F: Another storm was brewing.
Title Card: Ascendance of a Bookworm
Title Card: Ascendance of a Bookworm
Ep Ep Title: Chapter Twenty The Path Ahead of Lutz
T: Big trouble, Main!
M: What's wrong, Tuuli?
T: Lutz ran away from home and hasn't come back!
M: Huh?
M: What happened?
T: Tell her, Ralph.
R: Last night, Lutz and Dad got into a fight,
R: and he said he was leaving.
R: We looked all over, but didn't find him.
R: Do you know where he could be, Main?
M: Wasn't he at the Gilberta Company?
R: The Gilberta Company? Where's that?
T: Hey, Ralph! You don't even know where your brother works?!
T: I can't believe you!
M: Can you take Ralph there, Tuuli?
T: Sure.
T: This is the place.
R: He works for such a fancy place?
T: Wait, Ralph!
R: Lutz!
R: What is wrong with you?!
W: Huh? What's going on?
G: What's this about?
L: I'm working. Don't bother me.
R: Why, you...
R: Enough of your nonsense!
R: We're going home!
L: Knock it off! Let me go!
R: Hurry up!
G: Hey, kid! Stop that!
R: What's the big deal?
R: Hey!
R: Give it a rest, Lutz!
R: You think you can just do whatever you want?
R: You're causing everyone trouble with your crap!
T: Let's go, Ralph.
T: We know that Lutz is fine now.
T: Come on.
R: Lutz! Lutz!
M: So he was at the shop.
T: Yeah, he was working.
T: He and Ralph got into a fight, though.
T: Main.
T: I know you're worried, but you need to focus on getting better first.
M: Yeah, you're right.
M: But my fever just refused to go away...
Sa: Give Lutz back!
S: Lutz!
C: What are you people trying to do with Lutz?
C: Give Lutz back to me!
C: Lutz! Lutz!
C: Come on out, Lutz!
M: And several days passed before I could see Lutz.
Ma: Good morning, Main.
Ma: Are you feeling better now?
M: My fever finally went away.
M: So, uh, where's Lutz?
Ma: Let's take this discussion to the back.
Ma: The other employees have been on edge these past few days.
M: How did things turn out this way, Mister Benno?
B: I was planning to take Lutz along on a trip to another town,
B: but he couldn't get his parents' permission.
M: That's what Lutz has always wanted to do!
M: But his family was against his becoming a merchant, and that caused tensions.
L: Master, you called for me?
M: Lutz!
M: Where are you living now?
M: Lutz?
L: Where, you ask?
L: I'm living up in the attic storage.
M: The attic? Why?!
L: What am I supposed to do? I have nowhere else to go.
M: But that's no different than being a live-in apprentice!
M: Can't you do something to help, Mister Benno?
B: I'm considering adopting Lutz.
M: You'll adopt him?
B: I need to talk to his parents about it.
M: Oh...
M: But are you okay with that?
M: Your brothers and everyone else are all worried about you.
L: You're telling me I should go back home?
L: That I'm in the wrong here, just like Mom and my brothers say?
L: That I'm causing everyone I know trouble?
M: Lutz...
M: I'm not saying anything of the sort! How could I?
M: I know how hard you've worked! I know how much you've sacrificed!
M: I'm on your side, no matter what.
M: Lean on me whenever you need, okay?
L: I'm sorry, Main.
L: But if I leaned on you, you'd collapse under my weight.
M: What can I do for Lutz?
M: Even the adoption will require his parents' permission.
M: But as things stand, he's suffering as a live-in apprentice.
F: Main.
M: Y-Yes, Head Priest?
F: You're not making any progress.
M: Oh, I'm terribly sorry.
F: Main, you stopped again.
M: Sorry...
F: Come to the hidden room, Main.
M: But shouldn't we get this done, Head Priest?
F: I need to repair the calculator first.
M: "Calculator"?
M: Is he calling me a calculator?!
F: What is going through your mind?
M: I'm sorry. It's really none of your concern.
M: I'll switch gears and work hard!
F: If work's not getting done, then it's very much my concern.
F: And who wouldn't be bothered by a child moping about?
M: Ed Iest! Ad urz!
M: Wait, are you worried about me?
F: Of course not.
M: The thing is, I don't know what to do about the whole Lutz and Benno thing.
F: Ah, they are both important to you.
F: Tell me about it.
M: Okay.
F: I see.
F: What you want is to improve Lutz's living conditions.
F: Reconciling with his family would be best,
F: but Benno adopting him is also a solution in your eyes.
F: Did I get anything wrong so far?
M: Nope.
F: If Lutz does want to be adopted by Benno, there's a way.
M: Huh? How?
F: Lutz can be deemed abandoned by his parents, and taken in by the orphanage.
F: That way, its director becomes his guardian, and can sign his adoption papers.
M: So I can sign for him?
F: You're still a minor.
F: Your boss's signature will also be required, and that's me.
M: If that can help Lutz right away, can we please do that?
M: But...
M: I don't want to tear apart his family.
F: I can't say anything after hearing only your perspective.
F: I'll need to hear from his parents, too.
M: But how will you?
F: I simply have to summon them.
M: S-Summon?!
F: I'll have them lay it all out for me,
F: and if I deem adoption necessary, I'll help make it happen.
M: U-Uh, isn't this kinda becoming a big deal?
Eyecatch: Ascendance of a Bookworm
Eyecatch: Ascendance of a Bookworm
M: And so, the cathedral became
M: the venue of a meeting between everyone involved with Lutz.
Flashback_F: Hold on to this during the meeting.
Flashback,M: What is that, Head Priest?
Flashback,F: A magical item that prevents eavesdropping.
Flashback,F: While you're holding on to this,
Flashback,F: your voice will only be heard by someone who has another: me.
Flashback,M: Huh... That's one quaint item.
Flashback,M: Wait, are you telling me to shut up and watch?!
Flashback,F: Precisely.
Flashback,M: But I want to help Lutz in any way I can in this meeting!
Flashback,F: I want to make the intentions of all participants perfectly clear.
Flashback,F: You'll only make it harder if you meddle.
M: I can't take part in this discussion,
M: but I'm rooting for you in my heart, Lutz!
F: I would like to discuss Lutz's complaint now.
F: Lutz, state your case.
L: They refuse to recognize my efforts, no matter how hard I try.
L: They always push me away, telling me to do what I want.
L: But I want...
D: Don't be a baby!
M: Would you hear Lutz out?!
M: Please! He truly wants to be a merchant!
F: Settle down, Main.
F: Also, cover your mouth whenever you use that item to communicate.
F: Deid, what do you mean by, "Don't be a baby"?
F: I am not familiar with the ways of people downtown. Please explain so I can understand.
L: How is wanting you to accept this being a baby?
C: My husband's not good with words, so please allow me.
C: You want us to accept what you do, but can you really make it in that business?
L: What does that have to do with not letting me to visit another town?
F: State your reasons for withholding permission.
D: It's too dangerous.
C: Yeah! There are animals and bandits outside the city walls!
C: Who would take a child out there?
B: If I may...
B: We would go by carriage, and the town is only half a day away.
F: Wouldn't traveling by carriage ease most of your concerns?
D: There's no need.
L: I told you it was for work!
F: Calm down, Lutz.
F: What do you mean, it's not necessary?
B: We want to take Lutz because we're planning on building a new workshop there.
C: Why would you need a mere apprentice for that?
B: Considering the future of my business and Lutz's abilities,
B: I want to raise him to be my successor.
B: To that end, I would like to adopt him.
C: What are you talking about?
D: Oh?
D: That's hardly worth discussing.
F: Deid, could you state your reasons why?
B: I would like to know as well.
B: The adoption would benefit not only my business, but also Lutz himself.
D: You don't have any kids, do you?
B: No, but that's why I'm considering Lutz to be my successor.
D: That's not it.
B: How so?
D: You may be an excellent merchant,
D: but you can't be his father.
F: Why not? Explain yourself.
D: Parenting is all about what's in here.
D: What benefits who doesn't matter one bit.
B: Ah, yes. I do prioritize my shop's profits above everything else.
B: However, Lutz seriously wants to be a merchant.
L: Yeah. Why can't you at least accept my apprenticeship?
D: I told you to do what you want.
L: Do what I... huh?
M: What's that about?
C: You still don't get it?
C: It was his way of accepting your decision!
L: How am I supposed to get it if you don't spell it out?
D: You fool!
D: You ignored your parents' objections and chose this line of work!
D: So be a man and do whatever it takes, be it a live-in apprenticeship or whatever!
D: Don't be a whiny coward and run to the orphanage!
D: Let alone look for adoption...
D: Who would ever agree to that?!
C: Yeah!
C: You're my dear son, who I gave birth to and raised all these years!
C: I could never give you away to anyone!
D: Apologize, Lutz.
F: That isn't clear enough, Deid.
F: Who should he apologize to, and for what?
D: I have to explain myself again?
D: Lutz, you wasted so many people's time because you couldn't control yourself.
D: Apologize.
M: What?
L: I'm so sorry.
D: I can't hear you.
L: I'm so sorry!
M: But I did this by talking to the head priest!
M: Sorry, Lutz!
F: Well, I can't allow the adoption given what his parents are saying.
F: What will you do, Benno?
B: I truly do value Lutz's talents.
B: Instead of adoption,
B: I can offer him a dapla contract, making him responsible for the store's future.
B: Would you agree to that?
D: You're being awfully hasty.
B: Lutz is a hard worker, and he has the patience and perseverance.
B: I want to secure and start training him as soon as possible.
D: Very well.
D: As much as I want to help him,
D: I don't know anything about business, and I can't back his ventures.
Ma: Then let's file the paperwork with the Merchant Guild immediately.
D: This is why I can't stand merchants.
D: Come on.
D: As our youngest son, he's received a somewhat spoiled upbringing,
D: but he's got spirit.
D: Please take good care of him.
C: Please.
L: Dad... Mom...
L: I swear I'll become a merchant who needs no introduction!
D: Damn right you will!
D: You're a man. Quit whimpering.
B: Head Priest.
B: Thank you very much for today.
D: We're going home, you stupid boy.
L: Ow!
C: I'm so glad, Lutz.
L: Stop that, Mom! Not here!
C: Don't be shy, now.
D: Looks like I hadn't made myself clear.
D: So, uh, thanks.
F: No problem.
L: Mom, I'm feeling kinda hungry.
C: What? Don't you need to visit the Merchant Guild?
L: Well, yeah...
Sa: Lutz!
L: Bro!
Si: You made us all worry, you little punk.
L: Sorry.
R: Did you learn your lesson?
L: Stop that, Ralph!
C: Wait, why was Main at the cathedral, anyway?
B: Please keep what you saw today a secret.
B: Ignorance can be bliss at times.
D: Don't worry.
D: I'm not gonna meddle in the affairs of nobility.
D: Besides, I'm sure she has her own reasons.
F: Do you realize now? Getting one side of the story simply isn't enough.
M: Right...
F: Aren't you glad that family wasn't torn apart?
F: Things turned out exactly as you hoped.
M: I'm so glad.
M: I really am glad.
F: Stop crying, Main.
F: You're making it seem as though I made you cry.
M: These...
M: These are tears of joy, so it's okay.
F: You're such a handful.
M: Thank you kindly.
M: Ferdinand...
M: That was when I realized that the head priest was named Ferdinand.
Title: Next Chapter New Retainers
M: Head Priest, is a magical item that prevents eavesdropping really useful?
F: Of course. Nobles often use it.
F: It's the High Priest! We can't have any trouble!
F: Hide, Main!
M: Got it!
F: That's how it's usually used.
M: So, to discuss secrets?
M: You're the only one who uses it to shut a person up, right?
M: Head Priest!
02x06 - The Path Ahead of Lutz
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Anime series based on a light novel and manga series written by Miya Kazuki and illustrated by Yō Shiina.
Anime series based on a light novel and manga series written by Miya Kazuki and illustrated by Yō Shiina.