The season has shifted to summer, and the day of Turi's baptism has arrived. Turi attracts attention with a hair ornament made by Main. Main, who has more opportunities to go to the forest, starts making wooden tablets with the help of Lutz. Meanwhile, Lutz asks Main Lutz to let him meet Otto. Lutz had a dream of becoming a traveling merchant. However, Main, shocked by her repeated failures at making paper, collapses from a high fever before the meeting with Otto.

Lutz and Main prepare for the meeting with Otto. But Otto brings someone with him, turning a casual meeting into an interview that will decide both Lutz and Main's futures.

Benno looks to have Main and Lutz registered with the Merchant Guild, but the guild master proves to be an obstacle. This results in them making plans to meet Frieda, his granddaughter.

Main learns from Frieda that the illness she has is called the Devouring, and that it will flare up if she ever feels anxiety or loses hope. Almost on cue, her fever starts acting up...

With Main collapses, everyone she knows comes together in a bid to save her life. But soon, she is faced with a life-or-death decision, one that she must discuss with her family.

The day of Main and Lutz's baptism has arrived. Wearing a fancy dress and a new hair ornament, Main appears a clear standout from the rest of the kids, but soon she loses her way and finds herself in what she sees as heaven on earth.