Chapter 237: Festival

Although the Nine Major Factions show no open conflict on the surface, everything is done to drive the Sirens from the entire sea, and the jointly formed front line fights together.

But the covert struggles have never ceased; otherwise, this time there would not be another joint meeting competition of the Nine Major Factions held by the Sakura Empire.

Now, Donghuang has produced such an excellent commander; as senior members of the Sakura Empire, Xianghe and Zuikaku naturally feel concerned.

At this moment, although they are worried, they cannot show it, because this is an internal matter of the Sakura Empire and must not be spoken of outside.

"The resting place prepared for the Eight Major Factions is ready; please come with us, Mikasa and Commander Qin Ge." Xianghe said to the several people.

Mikasa waved her hand, saying, "It's fine; we'll talk after the other major factions arrive. I'll first bring Qin Ge and them to stay at my place, and I'll also host them so they can learn about our Sakura Empire's local customs."

"Yes, Mikasa." Seeing that Mikasa had decided, Xianghe could not interfere. After all, to Mikasa, she is the senior elder shared by all of the Sakura Empire, the flagship of the united Sakura Empire.

As for the junior 5th Carrier Division, their admiration goes without saying.

"Then Xianghe and Zuikaku, you go ahead and be busy; I'll bring them along next." Mikasa said with a smile, then immediately led Qin Ge and A Furore and their group toward the pier, heading for the harbor.

Zuikaku watched the passing shipgirls one by one, frowning, and when she saw Bisimai and Weineituo, she opened her mouth in surprise.

"I didn't see wrong, sister!" Zuikaku hurriedly grabbed Xianghe's arm, speaking anxiously.

Xianghe nodded, looking toward the direction where the few people had gone, saying, "I believe we didn't see wrong; why are Bisimai and Weineituo, as flagships of the two major factions, walking together with Donghuang people, or rather, they are not the current flagships of Iron Blood and the Sardinian Empire, but ……"

Xianghe stopped speaking here, and Zuikaku was even more shocked. She hurriedly said to Xianghe, "Sister, it seems we must report this upward; this is a matter of great importance, something that has never happened before!"

Xianghe pursed her lips, saying, "Do we have to go see those two seniors again? How annoying; I'd rather patrol here a bit longer."

Zuikaku stroked her forehead, saying, "Why does sister always get on the wrong side of those two seniors? Although they often act on their own initiative, they are at least our seniors."

"Hmph, as seniors you should act like seniors, really." Xianghe said in a sarcastic tone.

"All right, Xianghe sister, the important matters come first; we can talk about those later." Zuikaku tugged at Xianghe's sleeve, then pulled her away from the pier.

While Xianghe and Zuikaku went together to find the two seniors they mentioned, Mikasa brought Qin Ge but did not go directly to her home; instead, she headed to the center of the Sakura Empire Main Island.

"The time we came is exactly right; every month at this time a festival is held, and we can take this opportunity to have a look." Mikasa said to Qin Ge and the others.

"A festival? What is it for?" Qin Ge wondered.

"Naturally, it is to guard the eight million gods of the Sakura Empire." Mikasa said to Qin Ge, "And this festival is not hosted by anyone else, but is held by the current flagship of the Sakura Empire."

"The flagship of the Sakura Empire?" Qin Ge suddenly realized, "Is Mikasa senior referring to Zhang Men?"

"That's right." Mikasa smiled, "She is currently the Divine Child of the Sakura Empire; I believe you'll be able to see her soon."

"The Divine Child? I'm really looking forward to it." Qin Ge smiled, "But speaking of which, this cherry tree on the Sakura Empire Main Island is truly huge."

"This is no ordinary cherry tree; in the Sakura Empire it is called the Divine Tree cherry tree." Mikasa smiled, "This great Divine Tree has been here since we appeared, and now no one knows how many years it has lived."

Qin Ge exclaimed, "That's astonishing!"

"Therefore, the Sakura Empire established a perpetual-spring barrier for this Divine Tree, which is why the Sakura Empire Main Island looks as it does today." Mikasa smiled.

"The barrier is a very fantastical term, but Qin Ge has become basically accustomed to it after spending so much time here. Because this world is not the imagined gunboat duel world; rather, it is a world full of mystery and wonder, where the existence of shipgirls is like this."

So the group walked, talked, and chatted all the way, and finally at the end of the road they saw a tall building resembling a shrine, located at the roots of the Divine Tree, and already a crowd filled the area beneath that shrine.

"So many people." Banrenma looked at the crowded crowd before them and sighed to Qin Ge.

"Hmm, I noticed that inside there are not only commanders and shipgirls, but mostly civilians; are they all here to participate in the festival?" Qin Ge said to Mikasa beside him.

"Yes, because this festival is open to all believers, that's why there are so many people here." Mikasa nodded.

Just as the crowd wanted to continue speaking, a commotion erupted from within the crowd.

"Here they come!"

"She has appeared, the Divine Child has come!"

"She is the cherry blossom's Divine Child, Commander Zhang Men!"

Qin Ge and Mikasa and the others were naturally drawn by that sound, and hurriedly looked toward the direction of the shrine.

Only seen under the towering great Sakura Empire Divine Tree, the ancient shrine was surrounded by crowds coming from all directions, impermeable; amidst the people's cheers, an elegant and dignified girl slowly walked out from the shrine.

Her steps were steady, her expression resolute, her petite figure forming a stark contrast with the huge Divine Tree behind her.

Clad in light feathered robes, with black hair, everything signifying the imperial lineage emphasized her distinct identity. The girl slowly walked to the center of the prayer platform, then stopped and turned, proclaiming loudly.

"I am Zhang Men, guardian of the Sakura Empire, flagship of the United Fleet—Zhang Men; here, I will represent the Sakura Empire's imperial family… in offering your faith to the eight million gods!"

The girl exerted herself, using a solemn tone unbefitting her stature, and spoke to the crowd below the platform.

"Please everyone close your eyes and pray with me, wishing that the Sakura Empire Archipelago will next year enjoy favorable weather and abundant harvests—may the Divine Tree forever bloom."

Just as the girl finished speaking, the people before Qin Ge all closed their eyes in unison and shouted, "May the Divine Tree forever bloom!"

Even Mikasa beside Qin Ge solemnly closed her eyes and shouted, "May the Divine Tree forever bloom!"