Ascendance of a Bookworm

I am Gunther.

I’m a winner with a beautiful wife named Eva and two adorable daughters, Tulli and Myne.

Among the two girls, Myne resembles Eva but has an even more beautiful face. That’s why she must be dearly loved by the gods.

Myne’s frail health is also because she’s favored by the gods. It’s as if the gods are always beckoning her.

Myne used to get a fever whenever she pushed herself even a little, but at some point, she gradually started getting stronger.

Her behavior also became strange, but she’s been trying to build up her strength. Myne, who once needed to rest just from stepping outside the building, was able to walk to the gate without resting after only three months.

Amazing, right?

My daughter is so hardworking, isn’t she?

And by the way, Myne is apparently very smart... or so I hear. I don’t really understand what kind of intelligence she has.

But Otto, who usually insists on having an assistant and bluntly refused by saying, “Having a burden like that as an assistant is a waste of time,” got excited and begged, “Please make Myne my assistant.” So she must be pretty remarkable.

The ability to spot calculation errors just by looking at financial reports, learning basic characters in no time with a little instruction, and now she’s learning document formats and template sentences.

Most importantly, she’s very observant, noticing even the smallest changes, and has sharp logic to achieve her goals. Everything about her seems excellent.

What is all that?

I only understood about half of what Otto said, but the conclusion is that my daughter is so smart she surprises even Otto.

Of course, that’s Myne, my daughter.

She’s truly loved by the gods.

Today, Myne went to the forest for the first time.

Since I’m on the afternoon shift, I plan to welcome Myne back at the gate, but I can’t help but worry.

“Boss, calm down.”

“Hm? Ah.”

She can walk to the gate now, but can she really manage to walk all the way into the forest? Even if she somehow makes it, unlike at the gate, she’d have to rest outside all the time.

What if she gets sick from too much sun exposure or collapses from fever in the forest?

“Boss, stop spacing out and get to work.”

“Ah.”

“Myne will be disappointed in you.”

“Otto, you... you shouldn’t say things like that!”

“Then hurry up and work. They’ll be back around evening, right?”

I’m annoyed, but Myne calls this cheeky Otto “teacher” and looks up to him.

Well, I’m still the one she respects most. Hmph.

When I made a crochet hook and Tulli’s hair ornament hairpin, she said, “Dad is the best!” That’s not a lie.

I worked while everyone warned me and nervously waited for Tulli and the others to return.

Responsible Tulli promised to finish early. Considering frail Myne’s slow pace, leaving the forest by early afternoon was possible.

Early afternoon. Of course, they weren’t back yet. I knew that.

The sun was starting to tilt. Still no sign of them. Could it be soon?

More and more people began leaving the town. Still no sign.

“If you promised to come back early, shouldn’t they be back soon? Please stop glaring at the passersby. It looks rude.”

More people entered the town seeking lodging or returning home than farmers leaving after selling crops.

Still, neither Tulli nor Myne had come back. It was almost their usual time.

Too late! Weren’t they supposed to come back early, Tulli? Could Myne have collapsed somewhere!?

The image of Myne collapsed midway and Tulli helplessly standing by flashed in my mind, and I couldn’t sit still.

“Otto, I’m going to check on them...”

“You’re going to ditch work!? ...Huh, isn’t that Tulli!?”

“Where!?”

Otto, taller than me, stretched his neck and looked toward the back of the line.

“They just joined the end of the line at the gate. Let’s hurry and process the crowd.”

“Alright!”

To let Tulli and the others into town, I energetically moved, managing the crowd. Unlike before, people flowed quickly, and I saw them.