Chapter 167: Planning

Shortly after, Li Mo left with Koyanskaya. Along the way, Koyanskaya couldn't help but tease her Master. "Master, you did a lot of unnecessary things today."

"What unnecessary things?"

"That so-called goal of dismantling the Greater Grail. It was just a spur-of-the-moment idea, wasn't it? Neither I nor Medea-san knew anything about this plan."

"I just suddenly thought of it. The foundation of the Greater Grail is the Third Magic. If I could learn, or even master this magic, then magecraft would become an endless resource, allowing you all to live in this world. Moreover, my own difficulties would be resolved."

The Third Magic deals with the soul. Through research into the Third Magic, it might be possible to influence Miss Hana Sarashi.

"Then, what about the second thing? Why did you guide Matou Shinji? Do you want him to become a good person?"

"A pitiful yet hateful person. Guiding him onto the right path isn't a bad thing, is it? Of course, that's only if his sister, Matou Sakura, forgives him."

Matou Shinji's crimes are primarily against Matou Sakura. If she is willing to forgive him, then Li Mo has nothing more to say. As for whether Sakura can keep Shinji in check, he isn't worried.

Koyanskaya, the rabbit who isn't a fox, has been feeding Sakura some kind of "potion" that has caused the girl to change quite a bit. It's likely that Emiya Shirou will soon find himself in a "happy dilemma." Of course, if Tohsaka Rin wakes up a bit too slowly, she might just lose outright.

Let's hope Tohsaka Rin doesn't drop the ball at a critical moment in love.

"Such a strange high jump..."

"Master, are you finally starting to ramble?"

"No, I was just thinking of something interesting. Koyanskaya-san, would you develop feelings for a boy just because you saw him repeatedly fail and try again during high jump practice after school?"

Li Mo pondered why Tohsaka Rin and Matou Sakura had noticed Emiya Shirou. What impact did that high jump scene have on the sisters? And... didn't some other girls see it too?

Perhaps it was from another timeline?

When information becomes too complex and accumulates in one's mind, it's inevitable to get confused. The human brain isn't a computer; it can't accurately remember everything.

"If it were Master, then yes, I would," Koyanskaya said.

"Sometimes I really don't understand why Koyanskaya-san is so interested in me."

"Eh, isn't it normal for a Servant to care about their Master? Why does Master need to overthink this? It's so boring. Wouldn't it be better to just submit to my charm?"

"I do like mature women, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to be a submissive puppy," Li Mo retorted.

Pinning down a mature woman and being pinned down by one are two completely different things.

...

...

"Dismantling the Greater Grail?"

Mount Enzou, inside the cavern.

Medea stood there, murmuring to herself.

Her Master, Li Mo, stood before her, though he looked a bit embarrassed.

Li Mo knew he had once again caused trouble for Medea. It seemed like every idea he had ended up adding to her workload, as she was the one who had to implement them.

"So, Medea-san, is it too difficult? Am I causing you trouble again?"

Asking Caster to dismantle the "Greater Grail" was probably an idea only Li Mo could come up with. Most people would rely on Caster to fight in the Holy Grail War, as Medea's previous Master had done.

But in Li Mo's view, asking a scholar to fight? It's not that it can't be done, but it's a waste of talent. Why should I play to my weaknesses and fight you head-on? Instead, I'll play to my strengths and take a different approach, starting with the rules.

"It is somewhat challenging. The 'Greater Grail' is ultimately related to the level of magic, which was considered extremely advanced even in my era. Even for me, it will take some time to analyze."

Medea's proficiency in magecraft is exceptionally high.

So, when she says she can dismantle the "Greater Grail," it's entirely believable.

"However... if that's the case, then I won't have time to assist you with other matters, Master. I will need to devote all my remaining time and energy to researching the Greater Grail. I also have some ideas on how to use the fragments of the Lesser Grail to summon the Greater Grail.

But, Master, there is one prerequisite. The original Lesser Grail must not be activated. Otherwise, it will cause unavoidable complications."

Medea spoke earnestly.

Facing the researcher's request, Li Mo nodded and said, "I understand. I will handle the Lesser Grail."

It seems the original plan of having Emiya Shirou and the others negotiate with Illya needs to be revised. To be safe, I need to meet Illya myself.

Heracles...

A hero prominently featured in Greek mythology. Even as a Berserker, his formidable physical attributes and overpowered Noble Phantasm make him nearly invincible.

He is indeed a tough opponent and requires careful planning.

With Medea's assistance, I can handle Servants with ease. Even without her help, using the "Beast's Authority" gives me a fighting chance. But Heracles has twelve lives, and an attack that kills him once won't work on his next life.

Gilgamesh was able to defeat Heracles largely because of the power of Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven. Against that Noble Phantasm, divinity is nothing but a debuff.

It's practically a scripted death.

Should I still bring Emiya Shirou and the others into this?

As a large alliance, working together would make things easier. But there's also the issue of the conflict between Archer (EMIYA) and Emiya Shirou, which is like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment.

—Earlier, I stirred the pot and watched the drama because I was detached, sitting safely on Mount Enzou, slowly researching the Greater Grail. But now, I have to worry about someone using the Lesser Grail to summon the Greater Grail prematurely.

According to Medea, when the Lesser Grail contains one or two Servants, it can forcibly summon the Greater Grail, provided the summoner is a magus.

From the current situation... the only one with the motive and ability to do this, Matou Zouken, has already been killed by Medea's curse.

No... I still need to be wary of Gilgamesh. Although he was summoned as an Archer, his true self has the potential to be a Grand Caster.

"In the end, it all comes down to dealing with the Golden King, doesn't it?"

The wise king of Uruk is worthy of respect. But the "tyrant" of this Holy Grail War is not.

Has Gilgamesh, rolling around in the "All the World's Evils," really remained unaffected?

"I need to plan this carefully..."

Li Mo murmured to himself.