Chapter 110: Qiao Qiao’s Path to Exorcism

Based on what he had learned from Kyoha, among the three types of supernatural entities, yokai were generally much stronger in average spiritual power than vengeful spirits. Some yokai even possessed the ability to control or create vengeful spirits, much like the tsukumogami formed from the old gym storage at Nagoya Women’s University High School.

Typically, if a yokai discovered a vengeful spirit, the spirit’s fate would be to be completely devoured, leaving not a trace behind. This made Kappa’s case quite perplexing to Kyoha.

“To be honest,” the kappa seemed to understand Kyoha’s confusion and explained further, “we yokai here are second or third-generation assimilated. We grew up in the human world. What true yokai are like, we don’t really know.”

In other words, they were more like humans who just looked a little different rather than actual yokai. Having long been accustomed to human life, these yokai naturally had little power over vengeful spirits.

“I see,” Kyoha murmured, stroking his chin. Though he was not a member of the Kyoto Exorcists’ Association, the shrine maidens from Shimogamo Shrine, including Maki Araki, had the authority to handle spiritual incidents in the area.

Thinking this was the perfect opportunity, Kyoha called the shrine maidens over and briefly explained the situation. When the four maidens first saw the kappa, they trembled slightly, but it was far less than the first time.

“So... I will assist this kappa gentleman with the exorcism work. You all can watch from the sidelines to learn,” Kyoha said. Nothing teaches better than firsthand observation.

Once the plan was settled, the kappa led the seven of them to the vicinity of Samurai Street in the movie village.

“This area often hosts samurai performances—shows about Sakamoto Ouma, the Shin O group, or Honjo Temple,” he said.

“So, the warehouse here holds many props and costumes.”

“However, recently, staff discovered a piece of armor missing from the warehouse.”

“At night, visitors frequently report seeing a fully armored samurai roaming the streets, ignoring calls from passersby.”

“Lately, that set of armor has even been spotted during the day.”

“Just now, after the exorcists left the haunted house nearby, the armor appeared again.”

“We tried to take it back, but it suddenly drew its sword and nearly injured a staff member.”

“That’s why I thought of asking for your help to resolve this.”

As the kappa finished, they arrived at the entrance to Samurai Street, which had been closed off under the pretense of facility maintenance, with no other visitors around.

The desolate street looked as if it had truly reverted to the Edo period.

“To exorcise a vengeful spirit, the first step is to determine its nature—whether it is a spirit possessing a physical object or a wandering, disembodied spirit,” Kyoha explained to the shrine maidens.

“If it is possessing something corporeal, the simplest solution is to destroy that object. From the kappa’s description, I suspect the spirit is attached to the armor.”

“Wait, you mean destroy the armor?” Ryoko Kitagawa’s mind raced as she asked.

“Isn’t exorcism usually just about guiding the spirit to the afterlife?” This seemed different from what she understood about exorcisms.

“Guiding spirits to the afterlife is one method, but it can leave remnants behind,” Kyoha sighed as he gazed down the street.

“I once had a friend, also an exorcist, who was careless during such a ritual. He failed to fully cleanse the object’s lingering malice, causing the spirit to return and create a major incident.”

“Therefore, for less experienced exorcists, I recommend directly destroying the object the spirit possesses. It’s a straightforward method that leaves no residue.”

“But what if... the spirit possesses something like a building or a statue that cannot be destroyed?” Kotone Hashimoto listened attentively and thought further.

“No, there’s nothing in this world that can’t be destroyed,” Kyoha replied. “If a hammer won’t do, use explosives. If those aren’t enough, use bigger explosives. Humanity’s thousands of years of evolution is essentially a history of how to destroy things faster and better.”

“?”

That was a bit unsettling. Even Maki Araki felt a twinge of unease.

“Of course,” Kyoha added, “sometimes outright destruction bothers the client, so you can’t just go around exorcising without care.”

That sounded more reasonable. Sasaki Haruka, listening, let out a breath of relief—only for Kyoha to continue.

“So, it’s best to ask the client if the item is insured. If so, the insurance company can compensate for the loss, easing the pain of losing the item.”

Sasaki Haruka withdrew her earlier judgment—this man was very dangerous indeed.

“Kappa-san, that set of armor should be insured, right?” Kyoha turned to the kappa, who still looked somewhat bewildered.

“Yes, it is...” the kappa hesitated. “But our performances are very intense. The props are made from high-strength materials. That armor can’t be damaged by ordinary means; destroying it is quite difficult.”

He tried to persuade Kyoha to consider other methods.

“No worries. We can give it a try first,” Kyoha said confidently.

Passing the barricade, Kyoha stepped onto the street.

“Yes, yes, the teacher has many powerful exorcism tools. Not just the armor, even high-grade materials can be destroyed,” Ariko Asano chimed in enthusiastically.

“?” Maki Araki glanced at the excited shrine maiden beside her, suddenly feeling a bit unfamiliar.

The five shrine maidens from Shimogamo Shrine followed Kyoha down the street. The kappa stayed outside, waiting.

Click—

Soon, they heard the sound of footsteps—boots striking the ground with a hard, solid thud.

Across the street, a suit of armor slowly appeared.

“?”

Kyoha froze upon seeing it.

Wait a moment—wasn’t this the Edo-period-style movie village? The armor here should be samurai-style with a Japanese aesthetic.

So what was this medieval European-style armor carrying a Scottish claymore doing here?

Watching the armor wielding the claymore in one hand, slowly approaching, Kyoha was overwhelmed with so many points to question that he didn’t know where to start.

“Ah, that’s from that!” Kotone Hashimoto suddenly exclaimed as if she’d made a discovery.

“That? Haven’t you all seen it? ‘Fierce Battle: The Seven European Samurai!’ It’s Director Shirano’s latest work!”

She spoke as if this was common knowledge.

“No, I’ve never seen it,” Ariko Asano shook her head.

“‘Fierce Battle: The Seven European Samurai!’ is a film about Oda Nobunaga from the Warring States period traveling with his retainers to King Arthur’s era, forging friendships with the Knights of the Round Table, and together fighting monsters attacking from beyond the Great Wall. It’s hugely popular! You’ve never seen it!?”

Kotone seemed like a different person, utterly passionate.

“That plot sounds like a B-movie... Most people probably wouldn’t bother watching it,” Ryoko Kitagawa twitched the corner of her mouth.

Before she could say more, the armor raised its claymore and swung it.