Chapter 265: Going to the Shrine

Because when Mikasa returned at that time, she had already told Qin Ge that Zhang Men wanted to see him.

So Qin Ge also early on sought out Tiancheng and the others to discuss countermeasures; as for whether this time would be a blessing or a disaster, he could not guarantee it, but perhaps Zhang Men would bring him some surprises as before.

After saying goodbye to Guanghui, who had been by his side, Qin Ge followed Mikasa as they walked toward the shrine where Zhang Men was.

On the way, Qin Ge asked Mikasa, "Senior Mikasa, is Zhang Men's divination technique very powerful?"

Mikasa nodded, "Indeed very powerful, because she is our Sakura Empire's shrine maiden, equivalent to a deity's spokesperson, so her divination technique and soul power are both extremely strong."

"But I don't really understand that, so as to how strong it is, I can't say."

Qin Ge nodded, "Indeed, ordinary people already have the saying that different fields are like different mountains; let alone concerning fantastical power? Mikasa hasn't studied it, so she definitely wouldn't know."

"And since I come from a materialist world, it's also hard for me to imagine what that situation actually is."

"\"How did you suddenly think to ask this? \" Mikasa asked Qin Ge."

"\"I've just been staying here for a few days, hearing all sorts of legends, so I'm a bit curious about the flagship Zhang Men. \" Qin Ge explained with a smile."

After stopping, Mikasa nodded, "Curiosity is only natural; in fact, when I first saw her, I was also curious about her power."

"As I gradually got to know her, I found she wasn't someone who abused power; each time she used it was only during some festivals, so I gradually stopped caring."

"\"About festivals? \" Qin Ge said, nodding, then asked Mikasa, \"I've always had a question: why is the Sakura Empire's flagship Zhang Men, yet she never manages the internal affairs of the Sakura Empire? \""

"\"And to entrust such great power to Akagi and Kaga—does that mean Akagi and Kaga are the people she trusts most? \""

Mikasa shook her head, walking forward while saying to Qin Ge, \"Believe me, you also saw Zhang Men's appearance that day, and since you've been in the Sakura Empire for a few days, you must have learned something about the Sakura Empire Shrine. \"

\"Zhang Men's identity in the Sakura Empire is that of a shrine maiden, and a shrine maiden must keep herself pure and her heart toward the deity. Moreover, because Zhang Men is of imperial lineage, she cannot directly intervene in the management of the fleet. \"

\"To the Sakura Empire, Zhang Men is its symbol; although that symbol hasn't participated in many battles, she remains the heart's desire of the people who revere brightness. \"

\"Managing the Sakura Empire requires someone who, from within the fleet, has high prestige, possesses the corresponding management ability, and is also scheming. \"

\"Originally Zhang Men intended to hand over the flagship position to Tiancheng, but after Tiancheng encountered that incident, he never awakened in this world, and even if he did awaken now, he would have become your shipgirl. \"

\"So it could only be given to Akagi and Kaga, who are next after Tiancheng; as for the others, Hinata is very upright, Qinglong is overly rigid, and as for Feilong, no need to say—he is a rebellious person. \"

\"Xianghe and Zuikaku still have low seniority, not yet enough for the position overseeing the whole; as for Jingang, they have enough seniority, but they lack that interest. \"

\"Perhaps those with divine abilities have this capability, but their strength cannot convince the Sakura Empire fleet, so Akagi and Kaga were chosen. \"

\"They are not only the Sakura Empire's first carrier division, possessing strength that everyone in the Sakura Empire fleet must acknowledge; moreover, both possess deep foresight, and under their leadership the Sakura Empire can see hope. \"

\"Thus the current situation arose, which is also the Sakura Empire's most unstable point; as Akagi and Kaga manage, their prestige has consistently been higher than Zhang Men's within the Sakura Empire fleet. \"

\"If one day a change were to occur, then the entire Sakura Empire would fall apart. \"

\"Qin Ge nodded; these things Mikasa spoke of are indeed the current state of the Sakura Empire. However, no one can really change it—even if Zhang Men now wants to regain administrative authority, it would be very difficult. \"

\"Because the Sakura Empire's system has already been fixed, we can only continue forward like this. \"

\"Thus, as they chatted back and forth, they gradually walked toward the Divine Tree standing in the center of the Sakura Empire Main Island; beneath that towering Divine Tree lay the shrine where the Sakura Empire's flagship Zhang Men resides, which is also her home. \"

\"Upon arriving before the shrine, the first thing Qin Ge saw was the destroyer Jiang Feng, who had previously visited Mikasa's home; she stood there expressionlessly, faithfully performing her duty. \"

\"Upon seeing Mikasa and Qin Ge approach, Jiang Feng immediately stepped in front of them, saying, \"Senior Mikasa, and Commander Qin Ge from Donghuang? What business do you have? \""

\"Qin Ge glanced at Mikasa, and Mikasa nodded to him, then told Jiang Feng, \"I've come to see Zhang Men; last time she specifically instructed me to meet the Donghuang commander Qin Ge, so I brought him along this time. \"\"

\"Jiang Feng nodded, then immediately said to Mikasa, \"Mikasa, may I wait a moment while I go inside to inform Zhang Men? \"\"\"

\"Afterwards I will give you a definite reply, because Zhang Men has never told me that Mikasa would bring the East Emperor's Love Song Commander here. \"\"

\"Mikasa nodded, after all Jiang Feng is Zhang Men's guard; doing this is within her duties, so I could not refuse. \"\"

\"Seeing Mikasa nod and agree, Jiang Feng then nodded to the two of them and disappeared before the shrine gate. \"\"

\"Because Jiang Feng acted very quickly, when she reappeared before Qin Ge and Mikasa, she didn't make them wait long. \"\"

\"\"Mikasa, Qin Ge, Zhang Men invites you both to come in; she is waiting for you in her room. \" Jiang Feng said to the two facing her. \"\"

"\"Mm, thank you, Jiang Feng. \" Mikasa gave a slight smile and then led Qin Ge inside. \"\"

\"As soon as the two entered the shrine's gate, Qin Ge was captivated by the scene before him, \"How beautiful. \"\"

\"Mikasa nodded, smiling as she looked at this scene of falling petals, \"Indeed, anyone who comes here for the first time is attracted by this scenery. Beneath the Divine Tree, falling petals scattered like a scroll; this should be considered the most beautiful spot in the Sakura Empire Main Island. \"\"

\"Qin Ge, standing aside, laughed and shook his head, \"Not necessarily; I think the most beautiful place is where one can be together with the person they like. \"\"

"\"Even if this place is extremely beautiful, if no one knows about it and no one comes to praise it, then it is not the most beautiful place. \"\"

"\"It seems Qin Ge, you've indeed been making smooth progress with your shipgirl these past two days; quickly tell me, which one do you like most now? \" Mikasa smiled. \"\"

"\"Um, getting off topic, Senior Mikasa, let's first get down to business before talking about that. \" Qin Ge said helplessly. \"\"