Ascendance of a Bookworm Episode 29

Ascendance of a Bookworm Episode 29

Myne’s Bodyguard

Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 3 Episode 29 is the first episode in which Myne’s new bodyguard is on the job. In Episode 28, Lord Karstedt appointed the Lesser Noble Sir Damuel as Myne’s guard. This appointment is part of Damuel’s punishment for not protecting Myne from Schicocoza.

You may remember from the last episode that another part of his punishment was monetary. Damuel (and Karstedt) had to pay for Myne’s new ceremonial robes. But, that’s not all that happened to Damuel.

Damuel received a demotion due to the incident, as well. And, he’s no longer engaged. Based on this information, it seems like Damuel is now a Noble in name only. It’s unlikely that many other Nobles will want to associate with him from this point on.

But, I doubt that will be a big deal for Damuel in the long run. The title of this anime is Ascendance of a Bookworm. So if he sticks with Myne as she takes over the kingdom, he’ll be fine.

Myne's bodyguard, Sir Damuel from the anime series Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 3 Episode 29
Myne’s bodyguard, Sir Damuel

Toward the end of the episode, we get a scene of Damuel and Ferdinand talking over a meal. During this discussion, Damuel blames Schicocoza’s actions for his own misfortunes. That seems like a pretty natural reaction to me. But, Ferdinand explains that Damuel isn’t faultless.

Damuel’s punishment isn’t due to the actions of Schicocoza. His punishment is due to the fact that he didn’t act as he should have in that situation. Damuel knew what Schicocoza was doing was wrong. And yet, he let it happen.

Of course, he did so because Schicocoza outranked him. But, as Ferdinand points out, there are others who outrank Schicocoza. Damuel should have sought help from a higher-ranking noble, such as Lord Karstedt.

Assassination Plot

Before this episode, the main threat to Myne was the Ink Guild master. His name was Wolf, and he’s now dead. So, that’s good, right? The person who was attempting to kidnap, extort, and sell Myne is gone. Well, not so fast.

It’s not that Wolf somehow happened to die. An assassin got to both him and his assistant while they were out traveling for business. Still, that’s good, right? Someone assassinated the guy who was going after Myne. Again, it’s not as good as it at first seems.

Myne doesn’t know anyone who would have assassinated Wolf on her behalf. Her father would want to. But, he’s not going to follow through with that. And I don’t see Benno, Ferdinand, or Karstedt doing something like this either. So, that means someone else who’s powerful and yet unknown to Myne had this done.

Wolf and his assistant dead from the anime series Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 3 Episode 29
Wolf and his assistant dead

What’s bad about that is their motive. Whoever hired the assassins must have done so for their personal gain. Did they happen to have a grudge against the Ink Guild master? It’s possible. Or, it’s possible that they wanted him out of the way so that they could pursue Myne.

Myne is the single most important person in the entire kingdom right now. Her ideas can make anyone rich. And on the flip side, they can ruin the monopolies the wealthy currently have. She also has far more mana than most of the Nobles. And if you remember, having mana is something that sets Nobles apart from commoners.

Oh, and mana is very important for the church, as well. So, who are Myne’s potential enemies? Only the richest, most powerful, and most influential people in the kingdom. If one of them has their sights set on her, she needs to be careful.

The New Priest

At the end of Episode 29, we’re introduced to a new blue-robed priest. In case you forgot, blue-robed priests are those who come from the Noble class. Gray robes are for commoners who joined the church. And Myne was only granted blue robes because the church needs her vast amount of mana.

Let’s go over some information about the priests, in case you forgot. From what I remember, Ferdinand said that most blue-robed priests didn’t join by choice. They joined because there was something preventing them from performing their Noble duties. For example, if they dishonored their families.

That means we should assume that most of the blue-robed priests aren’t good people. Ferdinand is different, though. He joined the church because he wanted to change it from the inside. He saw how corrupt the church was and thought he could only make a difference from within.

A new blue-robed priest from the anime series Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 3 Episode 29
A new blue-robed priest

The gray-robed commoners are somewhat similar in that most didn’t join by choice. Most of the commoners who joined the church did so out of desperation. Either they were orphans taken in by the church or they were too poor to live anywhere else.

It’s kind of amazing how much power the church wields when you consider who runs it. It’s all failed Nobles and the poorest of the poor. But, I guess they have power because the job they do is vital for the running of the kingdom. For example, the church’s offerings to the gods dictate the year’s harvest.

So, why am I bringing all this up? Because of the new blue-robed priest. I’m thinking he’s going to be up to no good. And I’m also thinking that the High Priest assigned him to escort Myne. I don’t know what his goal is, but it can’t be good.

Conclusion

What do you think of Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 3 Episode 29? Is Damuel going to be a lifer in Myne’s harem? Who do you think had Wolf assassinated? And do you agree that the new blue-robed priest looks like Sinbad from Magi? Let me know in the comments.

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My review of Episode 30 is available now.

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