Ascendance of a Bookworm (本好きの下剋上 司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません)

Alms... of the gods?

The state of the orphanage shocked Main to her very core.

I have a question.

You're usually indifferent to people, so why do you want to help the orphans?

You aren't one to take on trouble if there's nothing in it for you.

It's so I can read my books with a clear mind, obviously.

What... did you say?

Main, talk to me in a language I can understand.

As things stand, I'm too bothered by it all to focus on my books.

That's why I made up my mind to help the kids.

So, just to clear the way for your reading, you'll become orphanage director

and run a workshop there?

Exactly.

You're a far bigger fool than I anticipated.

I think the whole director thing is off the table now.

That's all I wanted to discuss. I officially appoint you as orphanage director.

What did you just say, Head Priest?

I said, "I officially appoint you as orphanage director."

As long as you're ready for it, I have no objections.

Thanks a lot!

With the head priest's blessing, she took the post of orphanage director.

And now, the orphanage is on the verge of undergoing a rebirth.

Ascendance of a Bookworm

Ascendance of a Bookworm

Chapter Nineteen Cleanups and Star Festivals

Under Fran's directions, the orphanage was given a total makeover.

It was performed under the pretext of cleaning it up for my first visit as director.

I decided to hand out rewards to kids who put in extra effort in the cleanup.

Are there any kids that seem ill or fatigued?

No, there are no health concerns.

It must be because Gil delivered food to them all this while.

Oh, I'm glad to hear it.

The children look up to Gil as their messiah.

And since he was going around saying he did it on your orders,

it's likely they see you the same way.

Lady Main, we're done cleaning up the boys' wing.

Good work, Gil.

Could you start preparing the meals, then?

Got it!

I'll come for you once everything's ready.

Okay.

So the kids are all right now.

Thanks to you overlooking the whole thing, yeah.

I was brought out of there on the day of my baptism,

washed from head to toe by a gray-robed priestess,

told I'd transform into a pretty lady,

and taken to the high priest.

Three of us were taken there that day,

but only I was chosen.

Delia...

Why?

Why weren't you there to help me?

Don't be absurd!

I know!

I know I'm being unreasonable...

Please don't cry, Delia.

I'm not crying!

Sorry.

Don't go apologizing to your retainer!

I'll make you a promise.

If you ever need help again, I will be there for you.

It's a pleasure, everyone.

On this auspicious day, bathed in the light of the God of Fire Leidenschaft,

I, Main, stand before you, appointed your director by the head priest.

You all graciously accepted my request and welcomed me with open arms,

and I couldn't be happier about it.

Hear me, rulers of the heavens.

Hear me, five eternal rulers of the earth.

To the Goddess of Water, Fruhtrane,

the Goddess of Wind, Schutzaria,

the Goddess of Earth, Geduldh,

and the God of Life, Ewigleben,

we give our prayers and thanks.

We offer the gods our prayers!

We offer the gods our prayers!

You've made the orphanage spotlessly clean for my visit,

and for that, I bring you rewards.

Whoever has their name called, please step forward with your plate.

Wilma.

Y-Yes?

I heard that you were the first to take the children and wash them up.

Thank you.

Why just Wilma? The alms of the gods should be bestowed equally upon all!

Yeah, yeah!

But these aren't alms of the gods.

They're rewards, and those aren't given out equally.

He who does not work, neither shall he eat.

You don't get rewarded if you don't work for it.

I hope you all keep that in mind.

Kai.

Y-Yes!

You're a very efficient cleaner, I hear?

Lutz had high praise for you.

Thank you, Lady Main!

And thus, the orphanage resumed normal operations.

Today, I had Dad and Turi take the kids to the forest.

It's amazing.

If we do as Lady Main says,

we can make soup for ourselves.

Only she would say something like that.

"If you want to have it, make it yourselves?" Are you kidding?

Right?

I'm really glad she became the director.

Gil, you sure changed your tune.

Just a few days ago, you were whining about having to serve a commoner runt.

It's 'cause she's not like all those other blue-robed priestesses.

She actually praises you, if you do your part.

Then do your part and make paper for her, okay?

You got it!

Find something to take back as a gift for Lady Main!

Hold it! I get to go first!

I'm Lady Main's retainer, after all.

You kids need to settle down.

You're not going to last until we get back.

The kids in the orphanage must really love Main, huh?

Lady Main!

We're back!

Welcome back.

Did you manage to gather lots?

Yeah!

I got the most out of everyone!

Really? That's impressive.

Praise me too, Lady Main!

I did my best, too!

These are for you.

Thank you... I truly appreciate it.

After that, I decided to reward the people who helped with the orphanage reforms

with gifts for their efforts.

Fran, this tablet is for you.

Wh-Who, me?

Yes, it's your reward.

You laid the groundwork for this entire orphanage thing with the head priest,

and have done so much for me. I'm really grateful to have your help.

You can write on this wax here.

It'll help you jot down notes even when you're outdoors.

Thank you.

This is an incredible item.

I'll do my best to learn to monitor your health better so I can be of more use to you.

I have something for you too, Gil, Delia.

Really?

Well, you'd better.

Use these to practice how to write.

Retainers also need to ghostwrite letters for their master, right?

Thank you so much, Lady Main!

I also decided to make flash cards to make learning the alphabet fun.

Wilma volunteered to draw the faces, since she was a good artist.