English Dub Review: Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke “Holding the Fort During the Archduke Conference”

Overview

With the archduke and his wife away, Rozemyne must stay at the castle with Wilfried.

Our Take

Picking up from the previous episode, the show further settles into a much more relaxed, slice-of-life rhythm while continuing to develop Rozemyne’s world in subtle ways. Tuuli’s growing role alongside Benno is a wonderful callback to the series’ earlier days, while the introduction of Stenluke, an unusually intelligent talking sword, provides some of the episode’s funniest moments. The playful misunderstandings surrounding Rozemyne, Ferdinand, and Angelica also add plenty of charm without disrupting the episode’s laid-back atmosphere.

The rest of the proceedings also continue to showcase the series’ love for books, history, and its increasingly fascinating magical world. Rozemyne remains as adorable as ever, particularly during her quieter moments of excitement over books and devotion to the gods. Her awkward relationship with her grandfather is another highlight, creating a surprisingly wholesome dynamic as they struggle to properly connect. Even with several developments happening throughout the episode, the focus remains firmly on character interactions and the smaller moments of daily life.

Overall, this was a charming and humorous episode that works well as a breather, even if the pacing still feels somewhat scattered. The season’s more episodic structure can make the larger narrative feel less focused than previous installments, but the strong character moments, expanding magical elements, and consistently funny interactions keep things enjoyable. Hopefully, the story’s broader momentum picks up again as the season moves forward.