21st Century Necromancer

Tracking a ghoul who hasn't concealed their movements is a very easy task for three demigods.

Chen Yu, Artoria, and Joan quickly caught up with Empress Shoken's carriage, watching as she rode into the Meiji Shrine.

"The Meiji Shrine? So that's Empress Shoken?" Watching her carriage enter the Meiji Shrine, Chen Yu naturally deduced her identity.

However, this left Chen Yu puzzled. Why would Empress Shoken go to see Minami? And to deliberately say such things—her motives seemed suspicious to Chen Yu.

Although Chen Yu had already learned from the Inari God that the two ghouls at the Meiji Shrine sided with him, this did not explain Empress Shoken's interference in Minami's affairs. No matter how one looked at it, this was Chen Yu's responsibility. From a certain perspective, Shoken's meddling could even be seen as a provocation toward Chen Yu.

Harboring the intent to get to the bottom of things, Chen Yu turned to Artoria and Joan beside him and said, "I need to go down and take a look. Will you both join me?"

"We came here to investigate this matter with you, Chen Yu. Naturally, we should go together," Artoria nodded, showing no rejection. Joan, standing beside her, expressed the same sentiment.

Seeing this, Chen Yu nodded slightly without saying much, then led Artoria and Joan into the divine domain of the Meiji Shrine.

With the abilities of three demigods, they could have rushed straight to the core of the divine domain to meet Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken directly. However, they were not there to provoke a fight. Thus, Chen Yu tactfully stopped at the periphery, making their presence known without appearing confrontational.

As expected, shortly after the three entered the divine domain, a carriage emerged from the palace within the divine domain and approached them.

"We humbly welcome the arrival of the three demigods. His Majesty the Emperor has been expecting you. Please board the carriage." The attendant who alighted from the carriage bowed deeply to the three and invited them aboard.

After exchanging a glance, Chen Yu, Artoria, and Joan boarded the carriage together.

The carriage quickly passed through the outskirts of the divine domain and brought them to the gates of the core Imperial Palace.

Upon disembarking, they found Emperor Meiji and the recently returned Empress Shoken waiting there to greet them.

"So it's the three of you. To what do we owe the honor of this visit to the Meiji Shrine?" Empress Shoken immediately recognized the three demigods she had just encountered earlier, feeling an unease in her heart as she had no idea why they were here.

Though this was their divine domain, and Emperor Meiji held strength surpassing hers, neither of them excelled at combat. If it came to a fight, Shoken doubted they could prevail against the three demigods.

It was reminiscent of the time when the Americans occupied Tokyo—the two of them couldn't stop the Americans either.

"This is Artoria Pendragon, King Arthur of the United Kingdom, and Miss Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans of France. Our purpose here is to understand why Empress Shoken chose to visit that small shop." Introducing Artoria and Joan, Chen Yu wasted no time getting to the point. "I believe you must know that the girl in that shop is involved in the Inari God's plans. Therefore, I must confirm why you were in that shop."

As Chen Yu finished speaking, Empress Shoken immediately realized that Chen Yu was the demigod collaborating with the Inari God. Just as she was about to explain, Emperor Meiji spoke first: "So, you're the demigod working with the Inari God! And you dare to question me? If it weren't for your incessant delays, I wouldn't have had to send the Empress to handle it personally!"

As Emperor Meiji spoke, the expressions of the other four present immediately changed.

Chen Yu's originally amicable demeanor turned cold, his expression darkening as he stared icily at Emperor Meiji. "So, it's my fault now?" he asked, sarcasm lacing his words.

Hearing Chen Yu's tone, Empress Shoken knew things were taking a bad turn, especially as Artoria and Joan—standing next to Chen Yu—also had their expressions change. Clearly, Meiji's words had angered all three of them.

"Please, wait! My husband is not skilled with words. If he has offended you, I sincerely apologize!" Empress Shoken held Emperor Meiji back and immediately began bowing in apology to the three demigods. She explained, "Previously, His Grace the Inari God approached us, requesting our assistance in facilitating this matter. Hence, my husband and I were aware of this plan.

However, when matters were progressing smoothly, they suddenly came to a halt. Upon contacting His Grace the Inari God, we were told to temporarily cease advancing the plan. That's why I went to that shop today—to see if the matter could be moved forward. If I have offended in any way, I earnestly ask for your forgiveness."

As she sincerely apologized, Shoken repeatedly bowed toward the three demigods, even going so far as to restrain Emperor Meiji beside her, preventing him from making any further rash moves.

Though this was her own divine domain, Shoken was acutely aware that even by uniting the power of the two ghouls and the domain's military, defeating the three demigods might still be possible, but detaining them would be an impossible feat.

Should things escalate, if even one demigod managed to leave the domain, they would face the wrath of the Inari God backing Chen Yu.

No matter what, Shoken would never turn their ally, the Inari God, into an enemy over this misstep. This was why she had promptly apologized.

However, even Empress Shoken's considerations were limited to the Inari God behind Chen Yu. She failed to account for the fact that Chen Yu alone was not someone they could afford to provoke.

In the face of Shoken's apology, Chen Yu looked at her, then glanced at Emperor Meiji standing behind her. His expression shifted from cold to amused.

Shoken wore an expression of fear and humility as she apologized, her attitude earnest and deferential. Yet behind her, Emperor Meiji remained resentful and disdainful, even itching to act.

Feeling the divine domain's rules begin to stir, seemingly preparing to suppress him, Chen Yu chuckled coldly and addressed Shoken with a teasing tone: "To enjoy riches and honor in life, to bask in solemnity after death—this does not mean one can also claim the same glory in the realm of the deities."

As Chen Yu's voice trailed off, a white light flashed behind him. Seven fully armed ship-girls appeared by his side, their ship equipment radiating power. Among them, Warspite and Missouri were unmistakably deity-level, while the other five exuded auras no weaker than demigods.

In an instant, both Meiji and Shoken's faces paled. Seven ship-girls—this was a force capable of demolishing a nation.