Kays Translations

Chapter 30: Secrets of the Tohoku Hunting Guild

The Great Wolf, a wizard of the Tohoku Hunting Guild arrived in the capital, riding on the back of the Dragon Witch.

As the wind whipped past, he shielded his face with one hand and gazed down at the sprawling city below. Though the scars of destruction—like those left by a rampaging kaiju—were heartbreaking, the vast metropolis appeared far better preserved than he had imagined.

The sight of the city, still bearing traces of the grandeur of the old Tokyo, made him frown.

According to what he’d heard, the Tokyo Survival Community, led by the Tokyo Witch Assembly, still had a population of 2.2 million even after the Mushroom Pandemic.

In his opinion, the reason the Tokyo Witch Assembly had called for external aid this time was its attempt to support an excessively large population.

To put it bluntly, Tokyo had too many survivors.

The Tohoku Hunting Guild, based in Sendai, is a survivor community managed by four wizards and one witch.

Its population is approximately 200,000. By simple math, this means each hunter protects around 40,000 people.

Other large survivor communities—such as the “Hokkaido Monster Farm,” the “Lake Biwa Accord,” and the “Arataki Group”—likely maintain a similar ratio.

In contrast, the Tokyo Witch Assembly, with 16 members, supports 2.2 million people. This equates to roughly 140,000 people per member—a burden over three times greater than that of the Tohoku Hunting Guild.

It’s no wonder they’re struggling to manage. Frankly, it’s a mystery how they’ve kept the city running until now.

The Tohoku Hunting Guild had made ruthless choices immediately after the Gremlin Disaster, sorting survivors with no hesitation. Those they couldn’t protect were excluded from the start.

This policy was meant to avoid the folly of weakening everyone by trying to protect everyone.

Even those who couldn’t walk on their own, or those with chronic illnesses or disabilities, were the first to be left behind, regardless of whether they were women or children.

There was backlash, of course, but after the collapse of the Self-Defense Forces and the police, the Guild—comprising the only individuals capable of protecting the citizens—had no choice but to make this bitter decision. They didn’t even spare their own kin from the selection.

In fact, the Great Wolf’s older brother, who had a chronic illness, quietly left the community’s defenses and perished fighting monsters. That harrowing memory still haunted him in his dreams.

Though the Guild’s strict, uncompromising stance caused friction, it was ultimately accepted. The citizens likely had no other choice but to accept it.

Even with a reduced population of 200,000, the Tohoku Hunting Guild couldn’t completely protect everyone.

Some died from injuries or illnesses. Others were killed by monsters that had mutated and lurked in urban areas.

Most critically, without Professor Hirota—a Fertility magic instructor sent free of charge by the Tokyo Witch Assembly—the community would have faced a catastrophic famine last year that would have destroyed the Guild entirely.

The Great Wolf’s current mission to Tokyo as a recovery envoy was driven by gratitude for the bountiful magic the Guild had received.

Although the Mushroom Disease had also been introduced alongside the magic, the disease caused only about 2,000 deaths in the Guild’s community. Considering the devastating consequences that would have occurred without the bountiful magic, it was a small price to pay.

The Guild, accustomed to harsh decisions since the early days of the Gremlin Disaster, held no grudges against the Tokyo Witch Assembly. Even if anyone did, there was no one foolish enough to act on such feelings.

The Great Wolf’s departure from Sendai left a gap in the hunting rotation, putting extra strain on those remaining.

However, the citizens strongly voiced their support: 

“Now is the time to repay our debt for the bountiful magic.”

Among them, Professor Hirota himself fervently petitioned the Guild’s leadership to send the Great Wolf.

Receiving a letter of request for aid from his mentor, Hirota convinced the Guild’s leader, Big Bear, to allow the valuable hunter Great Wolf to go to Tokyo.

The usually reserved and highly trusted Hirota, who had saved the community from its food crisis, reportedly got down on his knees to make his plea. It was said that even the stubborn old leader was moved by the sight.

As Great Wolf reflected on this, the Dragon Witch began a rapid descent, landing in no time on a “dragon port” in the heart of the city, accompanied by a burst of wind and tremors.

Leaping lightly off the dragon’s back with his luggage in hand, he was greeted by a one-eyed woman.

Her spring-like outfit—a long skirt paired with a cardigan—seemed feminine, but the single, wide eye on her face was disorienting. Without clothes, she could easily be mistaken for a monster.

The one-eyed woman approached him and bowed politely.

“Welcome. I’m the Eyeball Witch, coordinator of the Tokyo Witch Assembly. You must be the Great Wolf of the Tohoku Hunting Guild, correct?”

“Yes, I’m Great Wolf. I look forward to working with you for the next seven days.”

“Likewise. Let’s make it a fruitful seven days.”

After shaking hands with him, the Eyeball Witch turned to the Dragon Witch, who was wagging her tail impatiently.

“I brought him. Now, give me my reward. It’s part of the deal!”

“Thank you so much. You’ve been a great help. Here you go. If you’re still around, why not stop for some tea? We’ve got some fine leaves left from a trade ship that washed ashore last year.”

“Done! Easy job! No tea, though—I’ll come back if there’s another fun gig!”

The Dragon Witch gleefully stashed the intricate necklace with a marble stone she’d been handed into her belly pouch and flew off into the sky.

Exhaling softly as she watched the Dragon Witch leave, the Eyeball Witch gestured for Great Wolf to follow her into the meeting venue—a building that appeared to be some sort of hall.

The interior was clean and well-maintained, with a whiteboard displaying various notices written in the names of different witches. By the door on the right, there was a sign that read, “Welcome, Tohoku Hunting Guild Wolf-sama.”

Perched on top of the sign was a small fire fairy, about the size of a hand.

Apart from her size, the fairy looked like a middle-school girl. She had long, fiery hair that flickered like flames and wore clothes that appeared to be made of shimmering fire.

Noticing Wolf and the Eyeball Witch, the fire fairy stood and gave a respectful bow, her calm voice contrasting with her energetic appearance.

“Nice to meet you, I’m the Witch of Rekindling. Today, I’m in charge of security during the meeting.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Great Wolf from the Tōhoku Hunting Guild.”

When he extended a hand, the Witch of Rekindling clasped her forefinger with both hands, giving a firm handshake. Despite sparks scattering from her body just by standing there, the witch wasn’t as hot as she looked—more like the cozy warmth of a hand warmer.

Her adorable appearance only increased the urge to pat her, but Wolf refrained; it would’ve been disrespectful to a security guard. Plus, a witch’s actual age rarely matched their appearance.

While he wrestled between his urge to pat and common sense, the Eyeball Witch crouched down to meet the Rekindling Witch’s gaze, speaking with concern.

“Oh dear. Hii-chan, have you shrunk again? Are you okay?”

“Ah, um. Regarding that, I’d like to request some time to discuss it with Blue-san later. I have a small matter to consult on… Could you let her know for me?”

“Hmmm, I’ll bring it up when she seems in a good mood, but no guarantees she’ll make time for you.”

“That’s more than enough. Thank you very much.”

Watching the two witches’ exchange, Great Wolf felt… strange.

It was such a normal conversation.

Too normal.

Could it be that the Tokyo Witches’ Gathering is actually a sensible organization…?

So far, the only Tokyo witch Wolf had met in person was the Dragon Witch, so he’d assumed the gatherings were full of people like that. But apparently, he was wrong.

The Dragon Witch seemed to be an exception. What a relief.

When he was shown into the meeting room, two women were already seated, waiting.

One wore a mask. Judging by her build, it was unclear if she was even an adult yet. Her entire body was concealed by a tattered black outfit and the mask, making her age difficult to guess. She wore an elegant snowflake-shaped pendant designed for women, and her body line could be faintly discerned beneath her clothes, indicating she was indeed female.

What stood out was the beautiful staff she held, adorned with a brilliant blue gemstone. Wolf immediately noticed how the staff subtly pointed toward him when he entered.

She was cautious. Likely a personal bodyguard for the important person he’d heard about.

Sitting beside her was a girl who seemed barely older than an elementary or middle school student.

With adorable stoat-like ears and a black-tipped white tail swaying beyond her chair, she exuded charm. Her short white hair gave a lively impression, and her warm smile, paired with her animated conversation with the bodyguard, revealed a sociable personality.

Great Wolf tilted his head slightly in confusion.

Based on physical traits, the stoat-eared girl looked more like a witch.

However, the one controlling magic was clearly the bodyguard.

He’d been told the important person attending this meeting was a knowledgeable non-magic user, yet this non-magic person had animal features…?

He took his seat as the Eyeball Witch also sat down. She poured tea herself and served cups to everyone along with some snacks, introducing the two women afterward.

“Allow me to introduce them. On the right, this charming white-haired young lady is Ohinata Kei. At just 14 years old, she serves as the head of the Tokyo Magic University and also teaches as a professor in the Department of Magic Linguistics. While I’m in charge of this meeting, I’d like you to direct most of your conversation to her as the on-site representative.”

“Thank you for the introduction. I’m Ohinata Kei. I’ve heard many wonderful things about the Tōhoku Hunting Guild. Your skills as magic users and hunters alike are remarkable, I’m told. Though young and inexperienced, I hope to learn much from this opportunity. Please guide me!”

Impressed by her polite yet bright introduction, Wolf bowed his head.

“I’m Great Wolf. I’ve heard of your extraordinary talents from Professor Hirota. I’m here as a reconstruction support representative, but I also hope to learn new things from you, Professor. I look forward to working together.”

“Yes! Let’s get along!”

Tilting her head adorably as she made her request, Professor Hinata was so cute that it almost made him want to claw at his chest in helpless adoration. He even briefly suspected she’d been sent as a charm offensive. Surely, she would grow into an extraordinary beauty in the future.

Wolf felt grateful that he wasn’t a lolicon or a kemonomimi enthusiast.

“Ōkami Okyaku(Great Wolf)… That’s a mountain language term hunters use, isn’t it?”

“!? You’re well-informed. As expected of a linguistics expert. That’s correct—my grandfather, Ōkuma Itazu, gave me the name. Our leader is an old-fashioned man. He believes, ‘You mustn’t use ordinary words when dealing with the supernatural,’ so he gave me this name. You can call me Okyaku or Ōkami, whichever you prefer.”

“Then I’ll call you Ōkami-san. We’re animal buddies!”

Even in this short exchange, Professor Hinata’s personality came through, leaving Great Wolf feeling warm and fuzzy. Her bright smile was contagious, making him smile as well.

But just as the conversation paused, the ominous bodyguard interjected with an abrupt self-introduction, like a cold splash of water.

“Blue Witch. Bodyguard. If you so much as lay a finger on her, I’ll ki—… I won’t forgive you.”

Without waiting for the Eyeball Witch’s introduction, the Blue Witch curtly introduced herself and issued a warning before falling silent again.

Confused, Great Wolf glanced at the Eyeball Witch, whose smile seemed a little strained. Clearly, he hadn’t misheard; the Blue Witch almost said “kill.”

The Great Wolf no longer knew what kind of expression to wear.

The Tokyo Witches’ Assembly was a maze of contradictions—caught between a seemingly normal woman and an eccentric, he felt the temperature difference could give him a cold.

“Ahem. She may be a bit difficult at times, but she is incredibly capable. You might even receive some practical advice from her perspective as an experienced combatant.

“Now, regarding the schedule: today, we’ll start with an exchange of information here. Once that’s concluded, we’ll escort you to your accommodations.

“Tomorrow, we’ll tour the university’s departments for discussions, and during the final two days, we’ll explore Tokyo as a whole. If there are any particular places you’re interested in, we’ll make arrangements to guide you.

“Altogether, it’s a six-night, seven-day plan. Does that sound acceptable?”

“Yes, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Thank you. Now, I know you’ve just arrived after a long journey, and I hate to impose, but since time is limited, I’d like to start by letting Ohinata-san speak—”

As the Eyeball Witch prompted her, Professor Hinata stood with documents in hand, ready to present, but Wolf raised a hand to stop her.

“Ah, pardon me, but would it be alright if I spoke first? Among the items we’ve brought for you, there are some perishable goods—well, perishables? In any case, they need proper storage. I’d like to explain their usage and hand them over promptly.”

“Oh, I see. In that case, please, go ahead.” 

The Eyeball Witch said with a cheerful nod.

With her agreement, Wolf retrieved a large jar of the secret marinade from his belongings and placed it with a thud on the conference table. Professor Ohinata leaned forward with sparkling eyes, her curiosity palpable. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight as he began his explanation.

“This time, the Tohoku Hunting Association has decided to contribute two key items as part of our support for Tokyo’s restoration efforts. This here is one of them, what we call the ‘Secret Marinade.’”

Opening the jar, he revealed a dark, soy sauce-like liquid and made sure everyone could see it. The room was soon filled with a slightly tangy aroma, whetting appetites.

“This marinade has the unique property of detoxifying monster meat. Normally, only witches and wizards can consume monster meat safely, but if you soak the meat in this marinade for at least three days, it becomes safe for ordinary humans to eat. For thicker cuts of meat, we recommend soaking for four to five days. The key ingredient in the marinade is monster stomach acid. It’s a blend of digestive fluids from various types of monsters with highly developed gastrointestinal systems. Interestingly, even the original creator didn’t fully understand why it works as a detoxifier. Still, at our association, we take a pragmatic approach: if it works, we use it. To replenish the marinade or increase its quantity, you can add more stomach acid from any type of monster. However, adding too much at once can upset the balance and nullify its detoxifying effects. A good rule of thumb is to add no more than 10% of the total amount once per day. Remember the ‘1-1-1’ rule: one day, one addition, up to 10%. You can dilute the marinade with water, but over-diluting it will also cause it to lose its detoxifying properties…”

Wolf carefully adjusted his pace to match Ohinata’s note-taking speed as he continued his detailed instructions on the marinade’s usage and maintenance.

In the Tohoku Hunting Association’s territory, the marinade was a staple found in every household, with subtle flavor variations between families. It had become the cornerstone of “home cooking,” supporting the local food supply in Sendai since the early days of the Gremlin disaster.

Although the marinade’s detoxifying mechanism remained a mystery, it had never caused food poisoning thus far. It was sure to be a valuable asset in Tokyo as well.

After taking thorough notes, Professor Ohinata asked Wolf’s permission to sample the monster meat that had been soaking in the jar. She seared it on the spot and tasted it.

Chewing thoughtfully, she gave a hearty thumbs-up and began sharing the meat with her bodyguard, the Blue Witch, in a surprisingly intimate manner.

Wolf was impressed not only by her courage to try it immediately but also by her casual use of fire magic.

With her staff, she effortlessly cast fire magic, stunning Wolf.

“Tokyo truly is the heartland of magic. Even a layperson can wield fire magic so adeptly.”

Sendai, on the other hand, was still struggling to disseminate anything beyond agricultural magic. While Professor Ohinata was a renowned scholar of magic linguistics, her mastery of magic must be exceptional even by Tokyo’s standards.

With heartfelt gratitude, the Eyeball Witch received the jar of marinade, setting it aside in the corner of the room. For now, keeping it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight would suffice.

Wolf then brought out a modified trap he called the “Monster Clamp” and placed it on the table.

This time, the Blue Witch leaned forward, scrutinizing it intently.

“Hey. Don’t tell me this bear trap uses crushed mana stones?”

“Exactly right.”

“Why crush them? That’s such a waste… Ah, sorry, I shouldn’t interrupt.”

The Blue Witch seemed to catch herself, remembering her role as a bodyguard. She returned to her seat and motioned for him to continue.

Wolf understood her skepticism. He was well aware of the mana stone’s ability to amplify magic power, with larger stones providing greater amplification. Crushing them seemed wasteful at first glance, but there was a reason for it.

Pointing to various parts of the trap, he began his explanation.

“As you can see, this is a modified bear trap. We call it the Monster Clamp. The two toothed half-circles in the center function just like a traditional bear trap, snapping shut when the central plate is stepped on. What’s crucial, however, is the outer ring. Do you see the shards of mana stones embedded along its circumference? We’ve alternated two types of mana stones in a circular pattern. The shape doesn’t have to be a perfect circle, but the fragments must touch one another, forming a continuous circuit from start to finish. By doing this…”

Great Wolf infused the trap with magic, causing the magic stones embedded in the snare to emit a brief flash of light.

“…Alright, it’s now in a standby state. Miss Eyeball Witch, can you summon your familiar? Have it pass over the Monster snare.”

“Sure. Should I make it step on the plate?”

“No need, just passing over it will suffice to demonstrate the magic effect.”

The Eyeball Witch nodded and chanted a spell, summoning her floating eyeball familiar. Guided by her command, the floating eyeball drifted over the snare.

The moment it did, the familiar’s movements slowed dramatically, as though it were wading through an impossibly viscous liquid. Its pace became slower than that of a turtle.

Expressions of amazement and curiosity escaped simultaneously from the two witches and the stoat-like creature in the room. The Great Wolf swelled with pride.

The Great Wolf thought to himself that, while the Tokyo Witch Assembly consistently developed impressive new technologies, the hunting tools and traps of the Tohoku Hunting Association weren’t something to be underestimated either.

“As you can see, anything caught in the trap will have its movements slowed significantly. When combined with the snapping jaws of the trap mechanism, it can restrain even the strongest monsters. Once trapped, the rest is easy—just pummel it into submission. I believe this could be a useful companion tool for your wizard corps during magical beast hunts.”

“Wow! That’s incredible! Is this considered a type of binding magic?”

Fascinated, Professor Ohinata leaned in closer, observing the floating familiar’s sluggish movements from all angles. The Great Wolf shared what knowledge he had.

“According to our magicians, it doesn’t exactly ‘bind’ the target. Rather, it slows the passage of time for anything caught in it. Essentially, time flows more slowly for the target. Normally, it would take only a moment to break free from a trap, but with sufficient magic power infused, you can keep something trapped for hours, even days.”

“I see… Hmm, this could have applications in hunting, stabilizing critically injured patients, food preservation… even experiments… The potential uses are vast. Amazing! I know many people who would be interested in this.”

“The Tokyo Witch Assembly has magic stones as well, doesn’t it? For example, Blue Witch-san’s staff appears to be made from magic stone. The construction of the monster snare is relatively straightforward, so I believe you could replicate it quickly. I’ve brought along the design schematics as well—please, take them. However, one critical point to be aware of: this trap works not only on monsters but on humans as well—or, more accurately, on any living creature that possesses magic energy. We’ve had accidents where careless magicians stepped into the trap and were unable to escape for days. Thankfully, because time slows within the trap, they didn’t suffer from hunger or… other bodily inconveniences. But if a monster had attacked them during that vulnerable state, they wouldn’t have survived. So please, use it with caution.”

“If needed, the magic stones can be rearranged to adjust the activation threshold, ensuring the trap only triggers when a being with a certain level of magical energy passes over it, but—”

A sudden sound of a door opening behind him interrupted his explanation. He stopped mid-sentence and turned to see what was happening.

The door was ajar, but no one appeared to be there. Thinking it had opened on its own, he lowered his gaze—and there, standing small, was a fire sprite. It was the Witch of the Rekindling Flame.

For a security guard to enter mid-meeting, it must mean something urgent had happened outside.

Tension swept over him as the Ember Flame Witch looked up at him pleadingly and asked, “Excuse me, I couldn’t help but overhear. Could that monster snare… be used on me?”

Her words were so unexpected that Wolf blinked in surprise. Seeing his confusion, she continued her request.

“Please… I want you to seal me away.”

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