The Tohoku Hunting Association's Secret

The mage Okyaku, a member of the Tohoku Hunting Association, had ridden on the back of the Dragon Witch all the way to the skies above the capital.

Shielding his face from the blasting wind with one hand, he looked down at the ground. Though the scars of destruction were painful to see, as if some giant monster had rampaged through the city, a vast urban landscape in far better condition than he had imagined stretched out below.

At the sight of a city that still bore traces of Tokyo, the glorious metropolis it had once been, Okyaku frowned.

He had heard that the population of the Tokyo Witches' Gathering's Tokyo Survival Community reached 2.2 million even after the mushroom pandemic.

It seemed to him that the reason the Tokyo Witches' Gathering had needed outside assistance this time was that they were trying to feed an excessive population.

Put simply, too many people had survived in Tokyo.

The Tohoku Hunting Association was a survivor community based in Sendai, run by four mages and one witch.

Its population was 200,000. Put simply, each hunter was protecting 40,000 people.

The other large survivor communities—the Hokkaido Monster Farm, the Lake Biwa Accord, and the Arataki Group—should have had roughly the same ratio.

By contrast, the Tokyo Witches' Gathering had 2.2 million people for sixteen members, or approximately 140,000 per person.

That meant they were shouldering more than three times the burden of the Tohoku Hunting Association.

It was only natural that they had run into difficulties managing the place. On the other hand, he had no idea how they had managed to keep the city running until now.

Immediately after the Gremlin Disaster, the Tohoku Hunting Association had ruthlessly sorted through the survivors and adopted a policy of not protecting anyone they could not adequately care for in the first place. It was meant to avoid the foolishness of everyone growing weaker while trying to protect everyone.

Those who could not walk on their own, as well as those with chronic illnesses or disabilities, were cast aside first, even if they were women or children.

There had been backlash, but after the Self-Defense Forces and police were wiped out, it was the unanimous decision of the overwhelmingly powerful people who alone possessed the strength to protect the citizens――――a bitter decision. Above all, the Tohoku Hunting Association had made no exceptions to the selection process, even for their own families.

In fact, because of that selection, Okyaku's older brother, who had suffered from a chronic illness, had quietly gone beyond the community's defensive line and died taking a monster with him. It was the worst memory he still saw in his dreams.

That uncompromising policy, harsh both within and without, had caused friction, but it had been accepted. From the citizens' perspective, perhaps they had simply had no choice but to accept it.

Even so, the Tohoku Hunting Association was not capable of completely protecting the 200,000 people left after the selection.

Some died of injuries or illnesses. Others were killed by monsters that had mutated and lurked in the city.

Most importantly, without Professor Hakuta, the Harvest Magic instructor sent over free of charge by the Tokyo Witches' Gathering, a catastrophic famine would have occurred last year, and the Tohoku Hunting Association would have collapsed.

Okyaku had come to Tokyo from Sendai as a reconstruction-aid envoy because he owed them a debt of gratitude for the Harvest Magic they had taught the Association.

The mushroom disease had come with that aid as well, but only around 2,000 people in the Tohoku Hunting Association community had died from it. Considering the catastrophic damage that would have resulted if Harvest Magic had not been introduced, it was a small price to pay.

The Tohoku Hunting Association community had been forced to make difficult choices ever since the early days of the Gremlin Disaster. Its people felt gratitude toward the Tokyo Witches' Gathering, not resentment. Even if anyone did resent them, there was no fool who would vent those feelings by causing a scene.

If Okyaku left Sendai even temporarily to support Tokyo, it would leave a gap in the community's hunting rotation and place a heavy burden on those who remained behind.

However, the citizens' calls that "Now is the time to repay our debt for Harvest Magic" had been loud.

The person who had petitioned the leadership most forcefully had been Professor Hakuta.

After receiving a letter from an esteemed teacher requesting assistance, Professor Hakuta had persuaded Itazu, the coordinator of the Tohoku Hunting Association, and gotten him to approve sending Okyaku, a valuable hunter, to aid Tokyo after the disaster.

Professor Hakuta was deeply trusted by the citizens, had saved the community from a food crisis, and was usually a quiet person of integrity. Apparently, even that stubborn old man had been moved by the professor's prostration before him.

While Okyaku was thinking, the Dragon Witch began to dive, landing in an instant at the very center of the city on what was called a Dragonport rather than a heliport.

Accompanied by a gust of wind and a tremor that shook the ground, the Dragon Witch landed. Okyaku slung his luggage over his shoulder and lightly hopped down from her back, where a one-eyed woman was waiting to greet him.

Her springlike outfit of a long skirt and cardigan was feminine, but her large, wide-open single eye made his brain short-circuit. If she had not been wearing clothes, he would have mistaken her for a monster.

The one-eyed woman approached Okyaku and bowed politely.

"Welcome. I am the Eyeball Witch, and I coordinate the Tokyo Witches' Gathering. You are Okyaku-san of the Tohoku Hunting Association, correct?"

"I'm Okyaku. I look forward to working with you for the next seven days."

"Likewise. Let us make these seven days fruitful ones."

After shaking Okyaku's hand, the Eyeball Witch smiled gently and nodded, then turned toward the Dragon Witch, who was wagging her tail restlessly.

"I brought him. Now hand over my reward. You promised!"

"Thank you, really. You saved us. Here you are. Since you're still around, why don't you stay for tea? We still have some good tea leaves from that trading ship that washed ashore last year."

"I did it! Easy job! I don't need tea. Call me again if you have another tasty job!"

The Dragon Witch happily tucked the beautiful necklace set with marble stones that the Eyeball Witch handed her into her belly pouch, then took off in a great hurry and disappeared beyond the open sky.

The Eyeball Witch let out a quiet breath as she watched the Dragon Witch go, then ushered Okyaku into the building that would serve as the venue for this meeting, apparently some kind of civic hall.

The building's interior was spotlessly clean. A whiteboard bore brief notices written beside the names of various witches. Next to the door immediately on the right stood a sign reading Welcome, Okyaku-sama of the Tohoku Hunting Association.

A palm-sized fire fairy was sitting primly atop that sign.

Apart from her size, the fairy looked roughly the age of a middle-school girl. She had long hair made of blazing red flames and wore the wavering outline of fire like clothing. When she noticed Okyaku and the Eyeball Witch, the fire fairy sprang to her feet and bowed in a calm voice that contrasted with her lively appearance.

"Nice to meet you. I am the Flamekeeper Witch. I will be handling security during today's meeting."

"It's a pleasure. I'm Okyaku of the Tohoku Hunting Association."

When Okyaku held out his hand, the Flamekeeper Witch grasped the index finger he offered with both hands and shook it with all her might. The Flamekeeper Witch scattered sparks simply by standing there, but she was not as hot as she looked. Rather, she felt like a softly warm hand warmer.

Combined with her adorable appearance, it made him want to pet her, but doing that to the security officer would obviously be rude, so he restrained himself. Besides, witches were not necessarily the age they appeared to be.

While Okyaku was caught between the urge to pet her and his common sense, the Eyeball Witch crouched down to meet her gaze and spoke with concern.

"Oh. Hii-chan, haven't you gotten smaller again? Are you all right?"

"Um... About that, I would like some time to talk with Ao-chan-san later. There's something I need to discuss with her... Could you tell her that for me, Eyeball-san?"

"Hmm. I'll try bringing it up when she's in a good mood, but I don't know whether she'll make time for you."

"That will be enough. Thank you."

Watching the two witches interact left Okyaku feeling strange.

It was a perfectly sensible conversation.

Far too sensible.

Could it be that the Tokyo Witches' Gathering was a perfectly normal group...?

Until now, the only witch from the Tokyo Witches' Gathering whom Okyaku had known personally was the Dragon Witch, so he had assumed, more or less, that it was a gathering of that sort of crowd. Apparently, he had been wrong.

The Dragon Witch seemed to be the exception. That was a relief.

When he was shown into the conference room, two women were already seated side by side, waiting for him.

One of them wore a mask. From her build, he could not tell whether she was an adult. Her entire body was concealed by the mask and her tattered black clothes, making her age difficult to determine. However, the stylish snowflake pendant around her neck had been designed for women, and the shape of her body was visible enough through her clothes to reveal that she was female.

What drew the eye was the beautiful staff in her hand, set with a gorgeous blue gemstone. The moment Okyaku entered, he sensed that she had casually aimed it at him.

They were on guard against him. He had heard that the important person would have a personal guard, so she must be that guard.

The girl sitting beside the guard looked about old enough to be in elementary school, or barely into middle school.

She had adorable ears like an ermine, and the white tail behind her chair swayed gently, its protruding tip the only black part. Her short white hair gave her a lively air, while her friendly smile and cheerful conversation with the guard suggested a sociable personality.

Okyaku tilted his head for a moment.

Judging by their physical characteristics, the ermine girl looked more like the witch.

However, it was the guard who was controlling magical power, so the guard was the witch.

He had heard that the important person attending this meeting was not a witch but a civilian expert. So why did this civilian have animal ears...?

Okyaku took his seat, and the Eyeball Witch sat down as well. She personally poured tea, passed cups around to everyone with snacks, and then introduced the two women after taking a sip.

"Allow me to introduce them. On the right, the adorable white-haired girl, is Kei Ohinata. At the tender age of fourteen, she serves as president of Tokyo Magic University and also teaches as a professor in the Department of Magical Linguistics. I am responsible for this meeting, but I would like you to direct your remarks primarily to her as the representative on the ground."

"Thank you for the introduction. I am Kei Ohinata. I have heard plenty about the Tohoku Hunting Association. In addition to your skill as mages, I understand that you are all splendid Hunters. I may be young and inexperienced, but I would be delighted if you would instruct and guide me during my stay!"

Impressed by the polished, cheerful greeting so unlike that of a child, Okyaku bowed his head.

"I'm Okyaku. Professor Hakuta has told me of Professor Ohinata's renowned accomplishments. I hear that you are an excellent teacher as well as a researcher. I may have come as a reconstruction-aid worker, but I hope to return having learned something new from you, Professor. I look forward to working with you."

"Yes! Let's be friends, okay?"

Professor Ohinata tilted her head adorably as she asked him, and she was so cute that it made him want to claw his chest open. It was almost enough to make him wonder whether she had been sent as a seduction specialist. She would surely grow up to be a great beauty.

Okyaku was grateful that his tastes ran neither to lolicons nor to animal-ear fetishists.

"Is Okyaku a mountain term used by matagi hunters?"

"!? You are well informed. As one would expect of a linguist. Yes, that's right. My grandfather, Itazu, gave me the name. Our coordinator is an old-fashioned man, and he says, 'When dealing with things that do not belong to this world, you mustn't use everyday words.' So we are made to use names like these. You may call me Okyaku-san or Okami-san, whichever you prefer."

"Then I'll call you Okami-san. We're fellow animals!"

Even in that brief exchange, the ermine professor's character had come through. Okyaku felt warm and fuzzy inside. Seeing her bright smile made him smile too.

But as soon as the conversation paused, the dangerous guard cut in with her own introduction as if throwing cold water over him.

"Blue Witch. I'm her guard. If you try to touch even one of her fingers, I'll ki... I won't allow it."

The guard beside Professor Ohinata introduced herself curtly and issued her warning before the Eyeball Witch could introduce her, then fell silent again.

Okyaku looked at the Eyeball Witch in confusion, but her smile seemed slightly strained. Apparently, he had not imagined that the guard had been about to say 'kill.'

Okyaku no longer knew what expression to make.

The Tokyo Witches' Gathering was complex and bizarre. Wedged between a perfectly normal woman and a weirdo, he felt like he was going to catch a cold from the difference in temperature.

"Ahem. She's a little difficult, but extremely capable. She may also offer the perspective of a skilled combatant."

"As for the schedule, we'll exchange information here today, then show you to your lodging once we're finished."

"Starting tomorrow, we'll visit each department of the university for an exchange of views, and spend the final two days touring Tokyo as a whole. If there are any places that interest you, we can show them to you then."

"That makes six nights and seven days in all. Does this schedule work for you?"

"Yes. I'll leave it in your hands."

"Thank you. I apologize for asking this when you have only just arrived after coming such a long way, but our time is limited, so let us begin with Professor Ohinata..."

Prompted by the Eyeball Witch, Professor Ohinata took the materials and began to stand. Okyaku stopped her with one hand.

"Actually, if you don't mind, could I speak first? Among the things I have brought for you, there is something perishable... Perishable? In any case, something that needs to be preserved. I would like to explain how to use it and hand it over as soon as possible."

"Oh? In that case, please do."

The Eyeball Witch agreed cheerfully, so Okyaku took a large jar of secret sauce from his luggage and set it down on the conference table with a heavy thud.

Watching Professor Ohinata lean forward with sparkling eyes, Okyaku began explaining at once.

"This time, the Tohoku Hunting Association decided to give the Tokyo Witches' Gathering two major items as reconstruction aid. One of them is this. We call it 'secret sauce.'"

Okyaku opened the lid and showed everyone the black, soy-sauce-like liquid inside. A slightly sour but appetizing scent spread through the conference room.

"This secret sauce detoxifies monster meat. If you soak monster meat, which only witches and mages can eat, in this sauce for at least three days, ordinary humans will be able to eat it too. For thick cuts of meat, you should allow four or five days."

"The sauce is made from monster stomach acid. Apparently, it was originally a mixture of stomach acids from several types of monsters with highly developed digestive systems. Even the person who made the original sauce does not know why it detoxifies anything. At the Association, we simply make use of it according to the principle that anything usable should be used."

"When you want to increase the amount of secret sauce, or restore the volume lost through use, add stomach acid from any monster. If you add too much fresh stomach acid at once, the balance of the sauce will collapse and it will lose its detoxifying effect, so add it only once a day, up to one-tenth of the total volume. Remember it as 1-1-1. You can dilute it with water as well, but if you dilute it too much, it will lose its detoxifying effect..."

Okyaku slowly lectured her on the precautions for using and managing the sauce, matching Professor Ohinata's note-taking speed.

In the Tohoku Hunting Association's territory, secret sauce had spread to every household, becoming the source of a true "home-cooked flavor," with the taste varying slightly from one family to another.

The Association's hunters delivered the monsters they hunted to butcher shops, which butchered them and distributed the stomach acid and meat to each household. This distribution network had supported Sendai's food situation since shortly after the Gremlin Disaster.

Although the principle behind the secret sauce was unknown, there had been no cases of food poisoning caused by it so far. It would surely be very useful in Tokyo as well.

After receiving the full lecture and finishing her notes, Professor Ohinata asked Okyaku's permission, roasted the monster meat he had put in the jar as a sample, and tasted it on the spot.

She chewed slowly, gave a firm thumbs-up, and took turns feeding meat to and being fed by her close guard, the Blue Witch.

Okyaku was impressed by her nerve in trying it so suddenly, but he was even more surprised that she had used fire magic.

She had casually manipulated her staff and cast fire magic, but Okyaku's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

As expected of Tokyo, the home of Wizards. Even an ordinary person could wield fire magic with ease.

Sendai was on an entirely different level. Such a thing would have been unthinkable in Sendai, where nothing besides Harvest Magic had yet become widespread. Then again, Professor Ohinata was a renowned scholar of magical linguistics, so perhaps she was exceptionally skilled at handling magic even among ordinary people.

Okyaku's secret sauce was handed over to the Eyeball Witch amid profuse thanks, then set in a corner of the room for the time being. At a room temperature around that of early spring, it would be fine stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, so there was no immediate problem.

Next, Okyaku took out a Monster Trap and placed it on the table.

This time, the Blue Witch leaned forward and stared intently at the Monster Trap.

"Wait. Don't tell me this bear trap is made with crushed magic stones?"

"Excellent guess."

"Why crush them? What a waste... Ah, sorry for interrupting."

Apparently remembering that she was supposed to be acting as a guard, the Blue Witch leaned back into her chair and fell silent again, gesturing for him to continue.

Okyaku naturally knew about magic stones' ability to amplify magical power. He also knew that the larger the magic stone, the greater the amplification. So he understood why crushing them into smaller pieces might seem foolish, but of course there was a reason for it.

Okyaku explained while pointing out the parts of the Monster Trap.

"As you can see, this is a trap made by modifying a bear trap. We call it a Monster Trap."

"The two central toothed semicircles are the same as those on a conventional bear trap. When something steps on the plate in the center, the toothed semicircles bite down on it and capture it."

"The important part is the outer ring. Can you see these fragments of magic stone embedded along the ring? These here. They form a circle with two colors of magic stone arranged alternately. It doesn't have to be a circle. Any shape will do as long as each fragment touches the next, forming one continuous line from one end to the other. Now, if I pour mana into these stones like this..."

Okyaku used mana control to pour magical power into the trap, and the magic stones in the Monster Trap flashed for an instant.

"...There. It is now ready to activate. Eyeball Witch, can you bring out that familiar of yours? Please have it pass over the Monster Trap."

"Of course. Should it step on the plate?"

"We only need to demonstrate the magic stone's effect, so just have it pass over."

The Eyeball Witch nodded and chanted a spell, bringing out her eye familiar.

The floating eye passed over the Monster Trap, guided by the Eyeball Witch.

At once, the eye familiar's movements became sluggish. It moved even more slowly than a tortoise, as if it were making its way through an unbelievably viscous liquid.

The two witches and the ermine all cried out in admiration, and Okyaku's chest swelled with pride.

The Tokyo Witches' Gathering was constantly creating one impressive new technology after another, and it was remarkable even by hearsay. But the Tohoku Hunting Association's hunting gear was not to be dismissed either.

"As you can see, it drastically slows the movements of anything that enters the trap. Combined with the bear-trap mechanism, it can firmly restrain even a fairly powerful monster. Once you catch something, all you have to do is beat it senseless while it is unable to move, making it easy to hunt. I believe it could be useful as an aid to your Wizard unit when hunting monsters."

"Wow! Amazing! Is this a type of binding magic?"

To Professor Ohinata, who was intensely interested and observing the slowly moving eye familiar from every angle in midair, Okyaku explained everything he knew.

"According to our mages, it isn't binding the target so much as making time itself heavier. Simply put, time passes more slowly for prey inside it. Normally, a creature could break the trap and escape in an instant, but depending on the mana infused into it, the trap can hold something for hours or even days."

"I see... Hmm, hunting... stabilizing the condition of the severely injured... preserving food... experiments... It seems to have so many uses. Wonderful! I know many people who would be interested in it."

"The Tokyo Witches' Gathering has magic stones as well, correct? I believe that the Blue Witch's staff is made from a magic stone, too. The structure itself is relatively simple, so I think you could copy and produce it quickly. I brought the blueprints as well. Here you are."

"There are various precautions for using the Monster Trap, but the most important thing to remember is that it catches people, not just monsters. In fact, it catches every living creature that possesses magical power. There have been accidents in which a mage carelessly stepped on one and took several days to escape. Well, because the flow of time was slowed, they did not starve or soil themselves, but if a monster had attacked them while they were helpless, they would have died. Please be extremely careful."

"You can also rearrange the magic stones to change the activation threshold, making it activate only when someone with at least a certain amount of magical power passes over it――――"

In the middle of his explanation, Okyaku heard a door open behind him. He cut himself off and turned around to see what had happened.

There was no one beyond the door. He thought it might have opened on its own, but when he lowered his gaze, he saw the tiny fire fairy, the Flamekeeper Witch.

Even though the meeting was still in progress, the security officer had come inside. Had something happened outside?

As tension ran through Okyaku, the Flamekeeper Witch asked him in a pleading voice.

"I'm sorry, I overheard what you were saying. Could you use that Monster Trap on me?"

The words that came out were not what he had expected, and Okyaku blinked. The Flamekeeper Witch continued to plead with him.

"I want you to seal me away."