The office at UDI was just as busy as usual.

The smell brought about by autopsies always lingered here. Although the office wasn’t near the autopsy room, forensic pathologists inevitably carried the odor on their clothes when dissecting bodies.

This is one of the key reasons why the profession of a forensic pathologist is unpopular. After all, no one wants to smell like a corpse when dating a partner.

For those at UDI, having the smell of corpses in the office was something they were used to, and sometimes even human specimens could be seen.

After all, this is part of the job, and these things are unavoidable.

However, the UDI office seemed a bit different today. Kube Rokuro had deliberately brought an air freshener and was spraying it around the office, while Misumi Mikoto and Tokairin Yuko uncharacteristically put on makeup.

Forensic work did not allow for makeup, not even perfume or nail polish.

Because cosmetics are chemical products and have strong scents, they could interfere with autopsies and examinations.

But today was Valentine’s Day, and even the usually strict Director Kamikura didn’t say much about it.

“Tokairin, did Inomata-kun invite you out today?” Misumi Mikoto asked Tokairin Yuko, feigning ignorance, even though she already knew Inomata Naoki’s plans for the day.

Tokairin Yuko, unaware of everything, replied with a face full of happiness and anticipation, “Of course! Naoki-kun reserved a table at the Sky Tree Restaurant for tonight.”

“A table at the Sky Tree Restaurant? Wow! Enjoying the Tokyo night view while having a candlelight dinner, how romantic!” Misumi Mikoto responded with exaggerated surprise, her expression uncertain if it was genuine or feigned admiration.

Tokairin Yuko couldn’t help but blush with pride. After all, having a boyfriend who put so much thought into things was something to be happy about for her.

“Naoki likes to come up with these little surprises! He always puts a lot of thought into reserving restaurants for our dates,” Tokairin Yuko said, indulged in happiness.

She did not notice that Misumi Mikoto and Kube Rokuro were exchanging glances, and even Director Kamikura was part of this scheme.

————————————————————

Things were progressing smoothly on the UDI side, and the Divine Enthronement Ritual at Yomotsu Hirasaka prepared by Chen Yu was also fully ready.

The enormous Ritual Altar was even larger than the one Chen Yu had used by the Sanzu River last time, with more intricate magic runes carved upon it.

Most importantly, Chen Yu’s Dragon Lich Mage Corps was assisting at this Ritual Altar, unlike last time where Chen Yu maintained the ritual alone.

Around the altar, four Dragon Transformation Mage Corps were also prepared, with two of them ready to assist in maintaining the ritual when needed.

The other two Dragon Transformation Mage Corps, along with four Mechanical Mage Corps, were ready to provide spell support for the corps lined up in front.

The Eternal Guard and Death Refusal Knights were troops reclassified from Dragon-transformed Black Knights, with the Eternal Guard as heavy infantry and the Death Refusal Knights as super-heavy knights.

Due to their different roles, the Eternal Guard was used to construct the defense line while the Death Refusal Knights were placed near the Ritual Altar as a reserve force.

In the event that the front line was breached, these super-heavy knights would be used to hinder the enemy’s advance, break through their formations, and counterattack, with the hopes of turning the tide of battle.

After all, it was a defensive operation, so it made no sense to have heavy cavalry launch a charge on the front lines.

Inomata Naoki’s Blood River Legion served as the mobile force.

Though Jounouchi Hiromi herself wasn’t present yet, she had already spread her Blood Sea Domain across the entire position, forming a moat-like structure through dug channels and encircling the entire camp.

With these blood waters, her Blood River Legion could appear anywhere in the camp at any time, fill gaps in the battle lines, and even launch surprise attacks.

After Jounouchi Hiromi advanced to a demigod, her Blood River had evolved into a Blood Sea, greatly enhancing her Blood River Legion, turning it into a fully equipped and complete high-rank Undead Legion, no longer just skeleton soldiers like when battling Queen Mary.

With enough blood water, this Undead Legion in the Blood Sea was truly immortal and indestructible.

Moreover, the Blood Sea had another crucial function: enabling ship-girls to conduct operations on water surfaces.

Although ship-girls could fight on land, as warships, their strongest abilities and roles were only fully realized on water.

“It seems His Highness Chen Yu is ready,” said the Inari God, standing beside Chen Yu and marveling at the scene before them.

“Everything’s ready except for the east wind,” Chen Yu said with a serious expression on his face, acknowledging the Inari God’s remark with a nod before inquiring, “Is His Highness Miketsu ready as well?”

The mention by Chen Yu prompted Miketsu to nod and reassure, “Rest assured, everything is prepared. The invited gods to participate in the battle against the forces of Yomi are in position, and once the Senzui Stone opens, my Divine domain will envelop this area, blocking all exits from Yomi.”

The Inari God’s words brought a satisfied nod from Chen Yu, finally easing some of the sternness on his face: “Looks like everything’s waiting for Tokyo to begin.”

“Isn’t everything within your plan, Lord Chen Yu?” The Inari God smiled, even joking with Chen Yu, “After today, we should address you as ‘Your Highness’.”

“Perhaps I should also offer my congratulations on His Highness Miketsu’s further advancement?” Chen Yu replied with a slight smile.

If the Deification Ritual succeeded, Chen Yu could indeed be called ‘Your Highness,’ and the Inari God would also advance further, reaching a status comparable to the leader of a pantheon; certainly an event worth looking forward to and celebrating.

Chen Yu and the Inari God exchanged a few more words before Chen Yu focused his mind deeply, connecting with a puppet far over in Tokyo.

In the top-floor restaurant of the Sky Tree, Chen Yu’s puppet and Jounouchi Hiromi sat at a corner table, awaiting the arrival of Inomata Naoki and Tokairin Yuko.

“Honey? You’re here!” Naturally, Jounouchi Hiromi recognized that Chen Yu’s consciousness had been channeled over and greeted him.

Chen Yu nodded slightly at Jounouchi Hiromi and glanced around. Although there were some diners present, Chen Yu knew these were people invited by Inomata Naoki, all waiting to witness Inomata Naoki proposing to Tokairin Yuko.

“Looks like we’re just waiting for Naoki to propose,” thought Chen Yu, finally at ease as he noticed that everything in the restaurant was set, waiting for Inomata Naoki and Tokairin Yuko to arrive.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep