Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

In combat, Li Mo had excellent control. Generally speaking, he could stop his attacks mid-swing. The combat experience he had gained in the **Demon Slayer** world was key.

In battles against demons, because human bodies were far more fragile compared to demons, he had to pay close attention to his own safety. That's how he developed this habit.

The fight was over.

When Li Mo heard the voice using a **Command Seal** to issue an order, he knew the battle had ended.

But… why had **Matou Sakura** willingly come forward? Moreover, had she reclaimed her rights as a Master from **Matou Shinji**?

Had **Koyanskaya** done something?

Given that Koyanskaya had spent the past few days building a relationship with Sakura, Li Mo couldn't help but speculate.

"Well… Miss Medusa, it seems we're going to become friends," Li Mo said to Medusa, who had stopped fighting. The restraint of the Command Seal had forced her to abandon the battle.

Medusa: "I don't know how Sakura ended up on your side. But I hope everything you said is true."

During the battle, her opponent had repeatedly brought up information about Sakura. She had initially thought it was an attempt to distract her, but now it seemed… everything he said was true?

Seeing Sakura reclaim her status as a Master, Medusa chose to obey her Master's orders.

The foundation for cooperation had been laid. Now, they needed to consider the details of their alliance.

Li Mo had originally planned to directly take over as Medusa's Master. That is, have Medea sever Medusa's contract with Shinji and have her form a new contract with him. But this required Medusa's willing cooperation.

Now that Sakura had reclaimed her contract with Medusa, the original plan was no longer necessary.

An alliance was undoubtedly the better option.

Could Sakura convince Medusa?

With this question in mind, Li Mo entered the cave as the last person.

---

The interior of the cave was much more comfortable than it had been a few days ago. The rabbit secretary, who wasn't actually a fox, had used the funds provided by her Master to go on a shopping spree, determined to make up for Li Mo's refusal to move.

In some areas, the rocky ground had been covered with carpets. Earlier, when Koyanskaya had brought Sakura back, she had simply dropped her onto one of these carpets.

Medusa surveyed her surroundings. The man-made cave had been transformed into something resembling a home. The items scattered around didn't feel messy but rather gave off a sense of neatness and aesthetic appeal.

Additionally, the entire cave was covered in bounded fields. Caster had put a lot of effort into this place. The construction of the **「Temple」** was extremely complex. If a fight broke out here, Medusa could still rely on her mobility to escape.

Soon, Medusa shifted her focus. What mattered now was… what was Sakura thinking? Was she planning to ally with this Master?

"Rider, I'm sorry for using a Command Seal on you," Sakura apologized pitifully. To stop the battle between Li Mo and Rider, she had taken back the **「False Command Seal」** from Shinji and used a Command Seal to order Rider to stand down.

She felt so hypocritical. Earlier, she had been unwilling to participate in the Holy Grail War and had handed over control of Rider to her brother. Now, she had taken it back without considering Rider's own feelings.

As for her brother's feelings… while they mattered too, given the urgency of the situation, the worst that could happen was a scolding or a beating. Besides, her brother wouldn't wake up anytime soon.

"It's fine, Sakura. What are you thinking?" Medusa asked.

As a Servant, she didn't particularly care about such orders. Even with a Master like Shinji, she would still obey commands.

Of course, she knew very well that she wanted to help Sakura. Not because Sakura was now her Master, but because she pitied this child.

Sakura's fate had been twisted by her family, reminding Medusa of her own tragic past, when the decisions of the gods had led her to a miserable fate.

In truth, Medusa's favorite memories were from her childhood, when she had lived happily with her sisters.

"Rider, I think I'm being selfish. But… Miss Koyanskaya is right. I can't accept a future where I'm separated from senpai," Sakura said.

A light appeared in her eyes.

This side of Sakura was rare… The last time she had seen it was when Sakura was walking home with **Emiya Shirou**, wasn't it?

Emiya Shirou—Medusa knew this person. He was Sakura's classmate and the only thing she cared about. When she wasn't with Shirou, Sakura was like a machine, going through the motions day after day.

"I understand. I'll help you!"

No matter what Sakura does, I'll help her.

"Thank you, Rider."

The purple-haired Servant and the purple-haired Master reached an agreement in the cave on Mount Enzou.

Li Mo didn't know what the two of them had discussed. They had chosen a corner to talk, and while he could have eavesdropped using Medea's **「Temple」**, he didn't have the patience for that.

"Miss Koyanskaya, what did you say to Sakura? It feels like she's a completely different person."

When Li Mo had spoken to Sakura earlier, he had approached the topic through Shirou, but even then, Sakura had been cold and indifferent, as if she had given up on everything.

But after just a few minutes outside, Sakura seemed like a different person. At the time, Medea had been outside keeping watch, so the only suspect was Koyanskaya.

"Nothing much. I just had a conversation with Sakura. You should know, Master, that girls have no resistance when it comes to matters of love."

Women were more emotional than men and more easily influenced by external factors.

Thus, using emotions as a starting point could change Sakura.

But…

The effect was too good.

Li Mo pressed further: "Did you use some kind of mind-control technique?"

Koyanskaya's original was **Tamamo-no-Mae**, a fox spirit known for bringing nations to ruin and bewitching people. As her imitator, Koyanskaya likely had similar abilities.

"Master, I merely guided Sakura's emotions. I didn't do anything excessive."

Nothing excessive? That meant she had done something.

Li Mo was half-convinced. There were no cameras or recording devices in the cave to document what had happened. The only witness, Shinji, was still lying unconscious. Medea's magecraft kept him in a sweet dream.

Moreover.

"Alright, I'm not doubting you, Miss Koyanskaya. I just wanted to ask. See, I didn't go to Medea for answers. I came to you. I just wanted to talk to you, that's all."

"Master's words mean a lot to me. Koyanskaya's affection level has increased by one percent. But Medea might get jealous."

Li Mo and Koyanskaya's attention shifted to Medea, who was standing nearby.

Medea pulled her hood lower and said, "I don't mind."

"That means you do mind."

"I won't get angry at Miss Koyanskaya."

"Really? I love you the most, Medea. Come here, let me hug you."

Watching Medea fluster under Koyanskaya's teasing, Li Mo knew Koyanskaya's mischievous side was showing. He didn't stop her. Instead, he wondered if he should try something similar next time.

The conversation and antics eventually came to an end.

Soon, Sakura, accompanied by Medusa, approached and asked, "Li-kun, before we form an alliance, I'd like to ask you a question. Why are you participating in the Holy Grail War?"