prologue 2 (1/2)

Hey guys,

It’s been a long time but we’re finally ready to release the second chapter of Maou no Utsuwa. (Thank G.o.d for a new translator and editor on board or these would have been sitting on the shelve forever). If you’ve seen the name, it’s been changed to accommodate the official t.i.tle from Kadokawa.

To explain the name change, every singular kanji in j.a.panese have two readings – on and kun. Our previous translator, Ia and I, had determined that the author had likely wanted to use the word “Ki” for vessel. We did not think that it was actually meant to be read as “Utsuwa” for caliber until the official novel came out. (Oops! orz)

So we’ve changed it to reflect the official release. Awkward enough, Infinite Novel Translations who’s also just published their version of chapter 1 (psst, go read it !) called it Maou no Ki as well. I mean, I gotta admit Maou no Ki sounds wayyyy better than Maou no Utsuwa. The formal English t.i.tle is “Caliber of the Lord” which sounds epic but not the same as “Devil’s Vessel”. Ah well~

Since the new translator is picking up where Ia last left off, we’ll be publis.h.i.+ng the remainder of Chapter 2 and 3 from him before crediting the new guy. This will be an official collaboration between Cnine from Zmunjali and us. (Thank you for sending us the request to pick up the novel!)

Now before anyone flames Infinite Novel Translations for not talking to us:

We didn’t release anything for more than 3 months. They’re perfectly in the right to pick it up. (I would love for them to collab with us on this though)

They just happened to coincidentally post at the same day as us. (And after I waited a day for NU mods to change the name and link)

Enough of that, say h.e.l.lo to Chapter 2.

P.S. Cover for glory

Prologue 2: Start of a New Life

TL: Ia

TLC: Krrizis

Editors: Innocent, Nahct, Me3, Elhessen & Momielxai

Two days after I regained my consciousness, I was discharged from the hospital.

As for the wounds that I had received from my cla.s.smates, they were completely gone. By lying on the bed obediently, my fatigue was gone in a single day.

After thanking the doctor and nurse who looked after me, I headed home.

Somehow, I felt cheerful. It might be because while I was hospitalized, the doctor and nurse took good care of me; it had been a long time since I've received that kind of treatment. Even though it was natural because it was their job, it still made me happy.

After I arrived at my house, I circled around to the back gate because I wanted to avoid entering through the main gate. I could immediately leave through the back gate. It was also convenient because no one would notice me entering my room.

I chose to do this because I didn't want to spoil this hard-earned mood, but it seems that was totally pointless.

[So you were able to return, Sir. It seems the Master wishes to speak with you. Please head over to the main house immediately.]

A servant was waiting at the entrance to inform me of grandfather's summon.

[I just got home from the hospital though?]

[Those are Master's orders]

Even though the servant used polite words, I couldn't feel any respect from his att.i.tude.

[Do you know what would it be about?]

[No, I don't. If I knew, I certainly would have told you already, Sir]

After answering that, the servant quickly returned to the main house.

Helplessly, I entered my room to change my clothes. The clothes that I was wearing had been cleanly washed by the hospital but parts of it were torn.

Grandfather was strict even with clothes, especially those that were intentionally made to be provocative. Either way, it wouldn't be a decent talk.

It took two days for me to regain consciousness and another two days for when I was hospitalized. Even so, no one from my house visited me.

The feeling of elation totally cooled down. Somehow, my body felt languid when I was going to the main house.

I entered the nearest back door. Then, I proceeded to the drawing room where my grandfather might be waiting. On the way, I met some of the servants, but they wouldn't even greet me.

[It's Kamui. You called for me?]

I said while knocking lightly at the door.

[Enter]

From the inside, I could hear grandfather's usual displeased voice.

Walking through the opened door, it wasn't just my grandfather alone; my uncle, who should be the next head of the family, was also present.

When was the last time I met my uncle? As I thought, this wouldn't be a decent talk.

[Sit]

My uncle, who sat opposite to my grandfather, stood up and moved beside my grandfather. I took the empty chair he vacated.

[I've heard the story]

Suddenly, my grandfather spoke. His words didn't even have any concern for the condition of my body.

I have no idea what this was going to be about, but I'm sure that what's coming isn't going to be anything pleasant.

[Yes]

[It seems that you were being bullied at the academy]

[Who might have informed you?]

[It was everywhere! Didn't the imperial guards question the academy?! That talk wasn't just limited to the academy, it even spread to the royal palace!]

In short, it was not to check if I was alright, but to reprimand me of the shame I had caused.

[I beg for your forgiveness]

[Would asking for forgiveness solve the problem?! Listen, our Honfrieth house is a prestigious n.o.ble family that was also related to the royal family if we traced our ancestry. Of all things, a member of this Honfrieth family — such as you — was bullied in the academy. I was so ashamed that I couldn't even show my face in the Imperial Court!]

Grandfather said it like that, but almost all of the prominent n.o.ble families were related to the royal family in some way. That was the reason they were bestowed with high peerage. It wasn't like they were especially boasting about it. However, no matter what, I couldn't voice that out, which left me no choice but to listen obediently.

[You, a n.o.ble that’s lacking in magic, have already brought shame to this house. With this matter, it has made it even worse……]

[I'm sorry]

[As I've said, the problem won't end with just asking for forgiveness! In the first place, we don't even know where your father had come from. Acknowledging you as a member of the Honfrieth family was a mistake! Why did this happen!? Even though you are the son of my daughter, who was known as the reincarnation of the Saint of Light, why is it that you're incompetent!? Surely, it is because of your father's blood! You are not blood-related to the Honfrieth, it was because you were born with just your incompetent father's blood!]

And again, the usual conversation started. Who my father was — even I didn't know about it.

This was because my mother never even mentioned this matter.

According to what I've heard from grandfather, my mother was excellent in using light magic, holy magic, and recovery magic to the extent where she was called the reincarnation of the Saint of Light.

With that kind of power, she went missing when she joined the heroes to subjugate the demon king.

And then, my mother suddenly showed up one day. When she got back home, she was already pregnant with me.

Hearing my grandfather talk about my unknown origin — at first — made me think that I might be a son of a hero, which would make me happy when I heard it.

However, as soon as he found out that I couldn't use magic, I started to count with my hands the number of times my father was being ridiculed. There was never any doubt that my mother was grandfather's daughter. I, myself, would never be recognized as an offspring of the Honfrieth lineage.

[Now now, Father. If you go on about that story, we won't make any progress]

My uncle spoke to my grandfather who was going on and on with his complaints about me and my father. I am sure that he didn't say it out of goodwill.

It seemed that they were finally getting straight to the point.

[You're right. In short, what we're saying is from this onwards, you will no longer be considered a member of the Honfrieth household]

[ …… In other words…]

[You're disowned! From now on, don't you ever call yourself a Honfrieth!] [ ……Because of what happened, you're kicking me out of this house?]

[Obviously. Why must I take care of a stranger]

I had not expected such a development, I was so amazed that I was far from being upset. Anyhow, it was alright to calmly accept it.

[Will you let me have my mother's belongings?]

[Those are the Honfrieth household's things. It won't be given to you]

Once again, this was as expected. That was the answer I expected.

[How about my father's belongings, are they mine?]

[Are there even such things?]

[Yes. I received it when mother was dying. They belonged to my father so it should be alright if I take those?]

[Aa, that I wouldn't mind]

[Father, please wait!]

In a hurry, my uncle stopped my grandfather's approval.

[What?]

[Let's just confirm them first, what those relics of his father's are. Just in case those things are there……]

Hmm, it was likely that the things that my uncle were thinking of objects the heroes might have owned. If these were owned by the heroes, they would no doubt be of considerable value. The eyes of my uncle — while talking to my grandfather about it — were unseemly and completely drowned in greed.

[Hmm, that's right]

[Isn't my father not a member of the Honfrieth family? Why do you need to inspect my father's belongings?]

To obediently accept what my uncle said was not wise. I won't allow myself to be thrown out penniless.

[Those were not necessarily all your father's things, right? As it's you who said it, there is a possibility that you robbed some of our Honfrieth's property]

[Then, how can I guarantee that you won't be telling a lie? If they're actually my father's things or the Honfrieth's, we can't really rule out the possibility that you're telling me a lie, right?]

[What did you say!? YOU, are you mocking me!?]

My grandfather raised his voice angrily while rapidly hitting the table with his fist.

[No, I am just talking about the possibilities. I am not mocking you, that would be pointless. Please tell me how I can prove it to you]

[Whaa!?]

Everytime that happened in the past, I would completely shrink from him but, it seems he was surprised that I was refuting him normally.

[Please give me a satisfactory explanation]

I absolutely can't pull back from here. I stared hard at him as I looked straight into his eyes.

[That is……, OI]

My grandfather couldn't come up with anything, so he urged my uncle for help.

[ …… No, hey–]

My uncle also couldn't come up with something immediately.

[Then, let's do this. The Honfrieth household's property has an inventory, right? Then how about we check it one by one? If it is included in the list, then it is Honfrieth's property; if not, then it is my father's belongings]

[Hmm, I see. No, but……]

There is no way that my father's mementos would be written in the inventory list. I lied, by pretending to defend against the possibility of removing the Honfrieth family's properties, they too won't be able to take father's things.

[ ……Then, let's do that. I will give you the confirmation when you leave]

My uncle thought for a while before agreeing to it. However, I could see from his eyes that he hadn't given up. It seems like his greed was insatiable.

[Please bring the inventory list here immediately then]

[Whaa?]

[No, since I was banished, shouldn't I leave as soon as possible? Let's start confirming it immediately]

[No, that doesn't have to be done in hurry]

As I expected, they were stalling. They thought they could investigate the mementos that I owned, and then, shamelessly include them in the list. I had already predicted that.

[No, there isn't any time]

[Time?]

[Yes. Confirming the list against all the household items would take a considerable amount of time, right?]

[What are you trying to infer?]

[Didn't I say it earlier? If they are in the list, then they are the Honfrieth's property; if they are not, they are my father's. We should identify those not written on the list in its entirety]

[Isn't that unreasonable!?]

There was no way that they would have kept an organized inventory list. At most, what would have been written there would be the real heirlooms and besides that, it would only be applied to high-valued objects. Having declared that unreasonably; I, myself was aware of it. I stated that simply as a bargaining chip, just to shake them up.

[But isn't that what you had promised just a while ago?]

[Are you a moron!? What is with those tricks like a thief! Nevertheless, you……]

My grandfather's angry voice stopped there.

[I am no longer a member of the Honfrieth. Nor a n.o.ble. It is not a matter that can be criticized]

[ …… Enough]

[Yes? Did you say something just now?]

[There is no need to confirm them against the list. If they are your father's things, then take them as you please!]

[No, let's confirm it]

[What!……]

[That's what you promised. Do n.o.bles go back on their words? What does that say about the n.o.bles? Come now, please quickly bring out the list]

[You b.a.s.t.a.r.d……]

While grinding his teeth, grandfather spoke as if he was squeezing his voice. This was my fight, one which concerned the rest of my life. If you think I would simply withdraw easily from such a fight, that's a huge mistake.

[ …… How much?]

[What are you referring to?]

[I'm asking you how much do you want!]

Indeed, there was nothing more ridiculous than talking about a n.o.ble's pride. In order to protect such a thing, my grandfather's act of trying to pay for reparations could be seen even by a fool.

[ …… Will that person be fine with it?]

Even if my grandfather approved, my uncle might try to overturn it. I thought that it would be better to get them to show their cards beforehand, so I asked while facing my uncle.

[ …… Depends on the amount]

[In short, you are fine with paying me?]