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

The trip to the Grand Narukami Shrine wasn't entirely successful because Li Mo didn't get to meet Yae Miko, the mysterious head shrine maiden. She seemed to have her own reasons for not wanting to meet him, hiding her thoughts behind her usual demeanor.

But it didn't matter. At least he had gotten some answers, even if it came at the cost of more questions. For instance, how did Yae Miko know about the questions he had brought?

As he passed by the Kamisato Estate again, he could see the samurai standing at the entrance. These samurai had a completely different aura compared to the wandering ronin. Generally, samurai recruited by the commissions could easily defeat an equal number of bandits, unless there were Rifthounds among them.

The combat strength of a Rifthound was at least on par with that of a squad leader among the commission samurai.

However, Li Mo was just passing through. He had stored his Amenoma Kageuchi Blade in his inventory, so to anyone looking at him, he appeared to be just an ordinary civilian.

When he returned to the abandoned shrine, Hana Saruri was still there, waiting for the answers he had brought back.

"A similar flower?"

Hana Saruri quickly received the answer she had been seeking, her tone tinged with surprise, as if she found it hard to believe.

"My apologies, I was momentarily flustered," Hana Saruri said, quickly regaining her composure.

"It's alright, Miss Hana Saruri," Li Mo replied. "I actually have a question of my own. How did the head shrine maiden know the purpose of my visit?"

It couldn't have been foresight, could it?

Li Mo didn't think the fox had that kind of ability. Among the divine familiars that had appeared so far, Yae Miko seemed to be the weakest in terms of displayed power. Of course, she was also the most mysterious. Who knew what thoughts lay behind that smile?

After all, she was a fox.

"She is a fox. Even though the heavenly and earthly foxes no longer appear, and the spiritual nature of the foxes in Byakko Plain has diminished, ordinary foxes can still carry messages."

Hana Saruri raised her hand, pointing to a fox sitting nearby.

Foxes had frequently appeared during Li Mo's journey, like invisible companions. This was normal in areas like Mt. Yougou and Byakko Plain, where foxes were common. Even bandits usually didn't harm foxes.

The reason was unclear... but it was passed down through word of mouth. Perhaps it was because, long ago, the head shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine had intervened in such matters. Over the centuries, the only one who could speak on equal terms with the Raiden Shogun seemed to be that young fox.

Returning to the topic, the common fox had become a spy?

Li Mo's gaze focused on the fox.

The fox tilted its head, simply looking at Li Mo without any movement, completely unafraid.

Its adorable expression made it impossible to stay angry.

"Hmm? Someone's coming. I'll take my leave for now," Hana Saruri said.

In an instant, Hana Saruri disappeared from Li Mo's sight. If he hadn't known about her unique circumstances, he might have said, "Teach me that spell!"

The person who arrived was Inazuma Yae, the shrine maiden Li Mo had met earlier. This time, she introduced herself properly, sensing that she would be seeing him often in the future.

"I came because I forgot to give you something," Inazuma Yae said, pulling out a mirror from her sleeve.

"This is called the 'Memory Mirror,'" Inazuma Yae explained as she handed it over. "Hundreds of years ago, when Ritou was first established, the head of the Hiiragi Clan, Hirotsugu, introduced many new ideas and products to prove the benefits of building a commercial port. For example, he brought in blast furnaces from Snezhnaya and converted the old Hiiragi estate near Tenshukaku into a 'hot spring' dedicated to the Shogun.

Later, using a 'lens' from a mirror gifted by Lady Saiguu to the Hiiragi Clan, he commissioned a special camera from Fontaine that could record memories and thoughts, which was then gifted to the Grand Narukami Shrine. Over time, the camera lost its function, but the lens remained, still imbued with the blessings of Lady Saiguu. This is the 'Memory Mirror.'"

Inazuma Yae explained gently, but to Li Mo, it felt like she was reciting from memory.

"I see."

"Oh, and the Memory Mirror can be used to see phenomena that ordinary people can't perceive through the Earth Fox statues..."

Li Mo felt that he probably knew more about the Memory Mirror's uses than the shrine maiden, given how often he had used it in the game.

After completing her explanation, Inazuma Yae couldn't help but add, "Actually, regarding the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, Lady Yae had previously instructed us to prepare for it. But just yesterday, she suddenly told us to pause the preparations. At the time, I didn't understand, but now I realize it was because of you, Traveler."

She was conducting the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual. Although it was unusual for an outsider to handle such a ritual, since Lady Yae was overseeing it, there shouldn't be any issues.

"It's nothing. I was just fulfilling a request."

"Then I'll take my leave."

Inazuma Yae left, and Hana Saruri reappeared by Li Mo's side.

The masked shrine maiden looked at the Memory Mirror in Li Mo's hand and murmured, "So that's how Hirotsugu treated the mirror? I really..."

Her voice carried a hint of anger.

Hana Saruri carried the memories of Lady Saiguu. Her actions and demeanor were undoubtedly influenced by her.

"Here, this is for you, Miss Hana Saruri."

"Huh?" Her anger turned to confusion as she watched Li Mo place the Memory Mirror in front of her.

Li Mo said, "This is important to you, isn't it, Miss Hana Saruri? I rarely see you so emotionally affected. Even when I asked you questions earlier, you weren't this shaken."

Hana Saruri asked, "Do you know something, sir?"

Li Mo paused. Of course, he knew who Hana Saruri was. This gentle woman represented the continuation of Lady Saiguu.

He said, "I'm waiting for you to tell me yourself, Miss Hana Saruri."

"I see. Next, we need to go to Chinju Forest to meet an old friend of hers. But since that friend is currently sealed, we'll need to make some preparations to communicate with them."

"What kind of preparations?"

"Let me treat you to a meal," Hana Saruri said, summoning some food with a wave of her hand. "This is a dish created using the tanuki's magic. It will allow you to communicate with that old friend."

Li Mo quickly ate the food in front of him.

"Let's go to Chinju Forest tomorrow. It's getting late now. You should rest for the day."

Li Mo looked up at the position of the sun, which was already in the west.

It was indeed getting late.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Hana Saruri. Also, I don't mind if you call me by my name."

"Then, see you tomorrow, Sir Li Mo."

Li Mo couldn't see the expression beneath Hana Saruri's mask, but he knew she wasn't smiling.