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

**"Lady Saiguu... You must have heard this name many times by now."**

"Yes."

From the village chief of Konda Village, from the shrine maidens of the Grand Narukami Shrine, and from the tanuki spirits of Chinju Forest—Li Mo had heard this name repeatedly.

Li Mo didn't know much about what kind of person this "Lady Saiguu" was. But he imagined that someone who could be a friend of the Raiden Shogun must have been an extraordinary individual.

"Lady Saiguu was a remarkable figure. She was a close friend of both Raiden Shoguns. By the way, Sir Li Mo, you might not know this, but our Raiden Shogun is not one person—there are two. One is named Makoto, who focused on governance, and the other is named Ei, who focused on warfare."

Hana Saruri carried the memories of Lady Saiguu. Even though these memories were fragmented, she could still extract a lot of useful information from them. For example, the details she was now sharing with Li Mo.

However, she didn't see any expression of surprise or realization on Li Mo's face. Instead, the man walking beside her seemed to take it all in stride, as if he had already known the secret that there were two Raiden Shoguns.

"You already knew?"

"Yes. I also know that the elder sister, Raiden Makoto, has already passed away. The only one left in Tenshukaku now is Raiden Ei."

"Is that so...? No wonder the filth manifests as fallen warriors," Hana Saruri murmured softly.

She understood why it was like this. It seemed... that on the path to pursuing "Eternity," the Raiden Shogun must have been deeply troubled.

After a pause, Hana Saruri continued, "But let's get back on track. Lady Saiguu was a highly capable individual. However, during the calamity hundreds of years ago, she took the place of the Raiden Shogun and led the people of Inazuma to fight against the darkness. She fought until the very end, until she was exhausted and ultimately consumed by the dark filth.

Because Lady Saiguu's memories and will were so strong, they were able to persist through the power of the filth. That's how I came into existence... In essence, I'm not much different from those fallen warriors. That's why I cannot complete the purification."

This was the reason Hana Saruri couldn't enter the barriers. When the barrier was activated, it marked the beginning of purification. If she entered, she would also be affected.

The memories of Lady Saiguu, given life through the filth—that was Hana Saruri.

"Do you resemble Lady Saiguu?"

"Actually, not really. Lady Saiguu had white hair and liked to keep her fox ears exposed. The only similarity between us might be our preference for wearing masks."

Hana Saruri explained.

Li Mo said, "A mask? I actually have a fox mask too. It was a gift from my teacher."

He took out the mask from his inventory. The fox masks made by Urokodaki-sensei were all unique. For example, Li Mo's mask was different from those of Giyu Tomioka and Makomo.

If he had to say, Li Mo's fox mask bore some resemblance to the one Hana Saruri wore.

Hana Saruri also noticed this: "In terms of appearance, they are quite similar. Also... I can sense a blessing on this mask."

"He was my swordsmanship teacher. I'm from another world, did you know that, Hana Saruri?"

"I had a vague feeling, but I wasn't sure," Hana Saruri replied. "In Lady Saiguu's memories, she once met a traveler from another world named 'Alice.' So the concept of other worlds isn't unfamiliar to me."

Alice.

Li Mo frowned, feeling that the name was familiar.

"That lady, according to her own words, was an elf. She had pointed ears, but otherwise looked entirely human."

"An elf, huh? I wonder what that's like."

Then Li Mo remembered.

Alice—wasn't that Klee's mother? The dangerous individual who went to Liyue and had Zhongli personally act as her tour guide (and escort).

Had she come to Inazuma many years ago?

"We've arrived at the Heavenly Fox statue. Sir Li Mo, would you like to rest for a while?"

"Let's wait until after lunch. Hana Saruri, can't you eat?" Li Mo took out rice balls and a water bottle from his inventory.

It was now noon, time for lunch. Learning from yesterday's experience, he had brought some rice balls from the Kamai household this morning.

He remembered that he had once offered to share rice balls with Hana Saruri, but she had declined.

"I can eat, but it's not necessary," Hana Saruri said.

"Speaking of which, it seems that Hilichurls need to eat," Li Mo remarked.

Hana Saruri chuckled softly—at least, Li Mo thought he heard a hint of laughter. "I share some similarities with Hilichurls in essence, but there are still differences. I'm not an expert on Hilichurls, though. There might be scholars in Sumeru who specialize in this field. If you have the chance, you could visit Sumeru someday."

"Maybe I'll go there in the future. Here, Miss Hana Saruri, would you like to try one?" Li Mo handed her a rice ball.

"Then I'll give it a try. But could you please turn your head for a moment?"

"Huh? I'd really like to see what's under your mask," Li Mo said with his mouth full.

Hana Saruri shook her head. "I'm sorry."

"Alright, then. I'll go get the ward."

Li Mo headed to the Heavenly Fox statue to retrieve the ward. To do so, he needed the power of Electro—and the talisman left by Kano Natsuzoro came in handy now.

He successfully obtained the ward.

When he returned, Hana Saruri was as composed as ever, though the rice ball in her hand had disappeared.

Li Mo asked, "How was it? The rice balls were made by Aunt Kamai. I think they're quite tasty."

"Yes."

The topic of rice balls came to an end. Under Hana Saruri's guidance, the two of them headed toward the ocean. Li Mo could swim, and Hana Saruri used her magic to float above the water. But after some consideration, Li Mo found a Cryo Slime nearby and drove it to create a path of ice across the sea, leading to a small island.

The fourth barrier was located underground on this small island. To descend, they needed to use the Memory Mirror to summon an Earth Fox statue and break the spell.

The filth still manifested as Rifthounds. These monsters were no match for Li Mo, their health bars disappearing in an instant. The fallen warriors were reduced to mere numbers on his experience bar.

Looking at the torii gate before him, Li Mo murmured, "Only one barrier left."

In truth, both he and Hana Saruri had silently avoided mentioning one topic all day.

That was... when the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual was completed, it would also mark the beginning of the countdown to Hana Saruri's end.

Li Mo knew this. In the game, the mask Hana Saruri left behind was still in his inventory.

And Hana Saruri probably knew that he knew.

With Hana Saruri's help, Li Mo climbed out of the vertical cave.

The fourth barrier was officially complete.