Chapter 159: Target

For humans, eating is a necessary act. It's an instinct ingrained in our genes from birth. But for Servants, eating isn't essential. Their bodies are constructed from magical energy, and all their actions consume magical energy. 

As such, Servants typically don't eat. 

However, when Medusa, with practiced ease, entered the "Temple" and arrived at the cavern, she "saw" the Master sitting there with his two Servants, eating cup noodles. Upon noticing her arrival, he even called out to her, "Rider, would you like some cup noodles?" 

"No, thank you," Medusa replied. 

Even though her eyes were sealed, her sense of touch, hearing, and magical perception combined to create a vivid, three-dimensional image of the scene in her mind. 

Li Mo said, "That's a shame. This brand of cup noodles is actually quite good." 

Medusa: "I'm here to pick something up. Ms. Koyanskaya, where are the ingredients my Master purchased earlier?" 

"Oh, over there. By the way, could you also take the ones I bought and put them in the fridge? We didn't use them today, so we shouldn't let them go to waste. I'll come by tomorrow to pick them up," Koyanskaya said, embodying frugality. 

Following the directions, Medusa successfully found the pile of ingredients. Looking around, there was no fridge in sight—or any large electrical appliances, for that matter. All the lighting was provided by magical means. 

The "Temple," huh? 

Medusa couldn't help but consider what it would be like to oppose Li Mo. If it came to that, it would be a tough situation. A Caster situated within a "Temple" was already a formidable opponent. Coupled with an Assassin whose true name was unknown, and a Master who was no weaker than a Servant... 

Medusa recalled her brief clash with Li Mo. When she had been preparing to unleash her Noble Phantasm, his movements had been equally bizarre. In that final moment, she had felt as though she would die. 

Although she didn't possess the skill "Instinct," as a Heroic Spirit and Servant, she had honed her intuition for life-threatening situations through countless battles. 

"Rider, are you sure you don't want to try a cup? It's the last one. Come on, give it a try... Here, eat it before you go." 

After repeated invitations from Li Mo, Medusa finally gave in and ate a cup of noodles before leaving. Due to the small portion, she finished it quickly, downing it in just a few bites. 

"How does it taste?" 

"Not bad." 

"Hmm... It's industrially produced cup noodles, after all. The flavor relies on the sensory impact of seasonings. Real deliciousness comes from a chef's cooking. Alright~. Ms. Koyanskaya, don't look so pitiful. Besides, a mature woman like you making such a pitiful expression is just too out of place." 

"Master, both demeanor and attire can be adjusted. If I change into a sailor uniform and make that expression, it'll be fine." 

"I'm into older women, not younger ones. I'm not interested in inexperienced girls." 

"So you're into mature women? You should've said so earlier, Master. Why do you enjoy eating my cooking, then?" 

A mischievous Servant and a Master who indulged her antics. Medusa glanced at Medea, who wore a somewhat resigned yet indulgent expression, seemingly content with the current situation. 

"I'll be leaving now. Farewell. My Master is waiting for me." 

"Medusa, wait a moment. I have a question for you." 

"What is it?" 

Medusa turned to face Li Mo. The man stood there with a subtle smile, exuding an air of mystery. 

He asked, "If I gave you the chance to remain in this world permanently, would you be willing to help me achieve that?" 

Instinct told Medusa that delving deeper into this question would touch upon the core motivation of this young magus. 

What was Li Mo planning? 

"We're already allies." 

"True, we are allies... Tomorrow is Saturday. Please inform the other two Masters that I will visit them. At that time, I will explain my goals." 

"Understood." 

Shortly after, Medusa's figure vanished from sight. 

After watching Medusa leave, Li Mo began cleaning up the trash he had generated. He was meticulous about this, ensuring that once the garbage accumulated to a certain point, it would be disposed of according to local regulations, along with the temple's waste. 

Meanwhile, Koyanskaya lay nearby, reading a light novel. After Medusa left, she revealed her ears and tail, the latter wagging vigorously, indicating her good mood. 

Was she the only one feeling confused? 

Since summoning Koyanskaya, Medea had felt increasingly out of sync with their thoughts. She couldn't shake the feeling that the two of them knew secrets she wasn't privy to. 

"Medea, are you puzzled?" 

"Yes, Master. What do you plan to tell them?" 

What was her Master's goal in participating in the Holy Grail War? Even as his Servant, Medea wasn't entirely sure. She only knew that he didn't seem particularly interested in the Greater Grail. 

But when he had first sought her out, he had mentioned coming for the Holy Grail War slot. Was it simply to learn magecraft from her? 

Medea felt it couldn't be that simple. 

Moreover, her Master seemed to know the true names of all the Servants in this Holy Grail War, and he didn't mind revealing them. 

"My goal? Let me tell you something. In the Fourth Holy Grail War ten years ago, three Masters survived. The youngest is now a Lord in the Clock Tower, the 'Hero of Justice' died years later from hidden injuries, and the 'Man of Pleasure' is still at the church. Of course, the Masters aren't the important part. In that war, one Servant obtained a physical body and has survived to this day." 

Li Mo began to explain. 

Medea immediately realized what her Master was referring to. This Holy Grail War didn't just have seven Servants—there was also the **Rider**! 

"Was that Servant the winner of the last Holy Grail War? Did he make a wish?" 

"Not quite, Medea. That Holy Grail War had no winner. At the end, when the Greater Grail appeared, the 'Hero of Justice' used a Command Spell to order his Servant, Saber, to destroy the Greater Grail. By the way, Medea, did you find anything else inside Sakura Matou's body?" 

"Yes. A very peculiar worm, one that seems connected to the Greater Grail." Medea waved her hand, and a box floated over. Inside was a living Crest Worm. 

Li Mo recalled the information he had researched and said, "This was created by Zouken Matou from a fragment of the Holy Grail he picked up ten years ago. This makes things much easier." 

"Master, is your goal to...?" Medea speculated. She had a vague feeling that her Master wanted to preserve all the Servants from this Holy Grail War. 

Li Mo said, "Yes, exactly as you've guessed. I can use the thing inside the Holy Grail to grant you all physical bodies. However, it requires some processing, as that thing has the ability to consume Servants." 

**"All the Evils of the World"** could grant Servants physical bodies. 

Then... 

Li Mo glanced at the fox mask hanging at his waist. 

Hanachirusato, when will you wake up? 

Perhaps, "All the Evils of the World" is your best option, isn't it? After all, you were born from "impurity." 

Li Mo looked up and said, "I'll explain everything to you, Medea. I'll need your help from here on." 

"Understood, Master," Medea replied earnestly. "But the Greater Grail's descent requires the death of Servants to activate." 

"Caster, that's where we magi come in. Besides, we don't need to make a wish upon the Greater Grail, so the conditions will be much looser. We can use this to create a Lesser Grail. Then... we'll use magecraft to deceive the Greater Grail." 

Li Mo pointed to the fragment of the Lesser Grail extracted from Sakura Matou's body. 

**"Deception"**—the essence of a magus.