The following contains spoilers for Episode 9 of Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 3, “The Black Protective Charm,” now streaming onCrunchyroll.
AsAscendance of a Bookwormnears its season finale, the high priest and his nefarious allies finally make a move as they reveal their cruel intentions. Myne has strong allies on her side, but will they make it in time to keep her from falling into the enemy’s clutches?
The penultimate episode ofAscendance of a Bookworm’s third season isaction-packed like never before seenin this normally soothing isekai anime. Myne is forced to make a life-changing decision in order to protect that which she loves the most.
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“The Black Protective Charm”
Myne and Tuuli are grabbed by two kidnappers and stuffed into bags. Their father Gunther acts fast and runs after the kidnappers, quickly rescuing Myne. The other kidnapper tries to threaten Tuuli, but Myne’s mana goes berserk, paralyzing the kidnapper long enough for Gunther to save Tuuli. Gunther and Damuel decide that they need to tell Ferdinand about the noble that entered the city, and Myne activatesthe protective charm that Sylvester gave her. After leaving Tuuli at Benno’s place, Myne’s group quickly head to the cathedral.
Having seen Damuel’s Rot signal from a distance, Fran tries to meet with Ferdinand, but also told by the head priest’s other attendant Arno that he is away. He asks Arno to tell Ferdinand about the noble that entered town when Delia approaches him asking about Myne. She explains that Dirk’s new father has arrived, and he wanted to meet with Myne. When Myne comes to the cathedral with Gunther and Damuel, Fran reports that Ferdinand is not here, believing that he was called on by the knights. However, Damuel claims that he also has not been able to contact him, so the group decides to speak to Arno again. Before leaving, Damuel gives Myne a magic ring that was used by the kidnapper as evidence.
While walking through the halls, Fran notices the high priest Bezewanst walking with Count Bindewald along with Delia and Dirk, having finally settled the adoption contract with Dirk. He attempts to avoid them, but they end up bumping into them. Delia tells Myne that Bindewald has decided to adopt her along with Dirk, but Bindewald suddenly clarifies that Dirk’s contract is one of servitude. Myne reveals what the contract entails, and Delia demands an explanation from Bezewanst, who explains that in exchange for Dirk being adopted, Myne will be expelled from the cathedral. Bindewald reveals himself as the one behind the Spring Prayer attacks, and summons his men to take Myne.
Damuel and Gunther leap to defend Myne, and Bezewanst is surprised to see that Myne has a knight as a bodyguard. Not wanting the knights to learn of his plans, Bindewald attempts to kill Damuel, but Myne leaps in to defend him. The two have a short magic battle, with Myne using the ring taken from the kidnappers to utilize her magic power. Bindewald notices the ring and reveals that it is a ring of servitude, which prevents its wearer from hurting their master, though it is not active since the contract has not been sealed. Bezewanst tries to use Dirk’s mana against Myne, but doing so drains Dirk of his vitality. As Bezewanst is using Dirk as a shield, Myne is unable to fight him. She is suddenly grabbed by Bezewanst’s attendant, who brings Myne to Bindewald. Bindewald cuts Myne’s finger and has her place her blood seal on the contract.
Before that happens, Gunther knocks away the attendant and Bindewald, saving Myne. A furious Bindewald injures Gunther with a magic attack, infuriating Myne and causing her to attack Bindewald with her mana. When Myne turns her wrath towards Bezewanst, he quickly unveils the item he received from Viscount Gerlach, a black gem which drains mana. However, the gem is destroyed by Myne’s immense mana capacity, and Bezewanst falls prey to Myne’s mana attack. As the fight goes on, Ferdinand suddenly arrives on the scene.
Bezewanst and Bindewald attempt to pin the blame on Myne and demand that Ferdinand arrest Myne. Myne asks if she will be charged with a crime, and Ferdinand confirms that she and her family are most likely in trouble. Myne takes out the charm Sylvester gave her, and Ferdinand takes interest in it. Myne explains that it is meant to be a protective charm, and Ferdinand agrees that it is quite a strong charm, but only if she is ready to become Sylvester’s adopted daughter right now. Though Gunther begs Myne not to do it, Myne accepts so that her family and friends will be protected. With her promise set in stone, Ferdinand turns to take care of Bezewanst and Bindewald, telling Myne to set up a barrier of wind to protect her loved ones.
Crisis And Catastrophe
Bezewanst finally shows his true colors, and Delia finally realizes too late that she has been tricked and used this entire time. Her cluelessness not only affects Dirk, but also Myne, who Bezewanst has been attempting to get rid of for quite a while now. Bezewanst’s final plan is truly heinous, as he uses Dirk for his own endswithout thinking for a second about his health or well-being. Bindewald reveals himself to be even worse, as he plans to use Myne’s mana to create even more of his Devouring soldiers.
In addition, the protective charm makes a return as Myne attempts to invoke it during this crisis. However, it also brings up a point of conflict that has been worrying Myne this entire season; her eventual adoption by a noble. Though she will be adopted by Sylvester instead of Karstedt, Myne will now have to leave her family sooner than expected. While Myne loves her family, she must make this sacrifice to protect her loved ones. All in all, this decision is sure to change not only Myne’s life but the entire series as we know it.
