A conventional mage often has only one ultimate research objective. Their entire lifetime of study revolves around this objective, which is usually a method to reach the Root.
Of course, such a grand objective can rarely be accomplished by one person alone. Mages can only place their hopes on their descendants. Hence, the tradition within mage society of emphasizing family lineage emerged.
On the side of Mystery, the accumulation of history is equivalent to the accumulation of power.
Li Mo is not a conventional mage.
He has no ultimate objective of reaching the Root. All his research projects were born from short-term goals, such as the immediate aim of eliminating Surtr.
Over half a year ago, through a flash of insight, Li Mo decided to develop the "Deification·Odin" as his trump card. Thus, he began considering how to complete this spell. The method by which Othinus from another world regained her status as a Magic God showed him the way.
—Complete the **Spear of Deicide**, i.e., Gungnir.
Odin wields Gungnir. By inverting causality based on this, the one who holds Gungnir *is* Odin.
The problem then becomes how to complete the Spear of Deicide.
In that other world, completing the Spear of Deicide required numerous conditions. After careful recollection, Li Mo found corresponding elements one by one.
First, the blueprint for the Spear of Deicide. This was the easiest to solve; the 103,000 grimoires in his mind could fully handle it.
Second, the steps he is currently perfecting.
That is "energy." Othinus's method was to directly utilize the immense volcanic energy of the Hawaiian Islands. He had no such conditions. Quietly think about Scandinavia—where are the volcanoes here?
However, there is a substitute. That is Surtr's power.
Surtr's apocalyptic flames are also a powerful "energy." The only drawback is that they are difficult to utilize.
For over half a year, Li Mo hadn't found a proper method to harness this power. He had several plans, but their efficiency was too low. They couldn't escape the limitation of using his own body for purification.
This is also why Li Mo told Illyasviel he was abandoning the plan.
He gave up on his original line of thinking—the idea of utilizing Surtr's power without involving his own body. He intended to change his approach.
He extinguished the collected flames of Surtr in the workshop. After settling Illyasviel, he left the workshop and returned to the castle.
Ascending from the dungeon, passing through the long corridor, ice and snow swirled outside, but it didn't affect the interior.
The Scandinavian Lostbelt is lonely because it has no future.
Or rather, a future that is visible at a glance—what utter despair. Having walked step by step from an ordinary human to this point, he deeply understands that human hope lies in the anticipation of future possibilities.
If the future can be seen clearly from start to finish, hope ceases to exist. People live merely to live. As if existence itself is only for three meals a day.
He well understands why religions flourished in ancient times when technology was underdeveloped—because human spirits always need something to cling to.
Li Mo does not like the Scandinavian Lostbelt. It has remained unchanged for three thousand years. Since the death of the great god, it has always been "Wednesday" here.
For Ophelia, perhaps this is good. Because "Sunday" will never come.
But, that is *her*.
After interacting with Ophelia for a while, Li Mo was certain that he and she were fundamentally different people.
In his eyes, she seemed like a child who hadn't grown up.
"Little Ophelia, we meet again. Have you completed your task? Which Servant did you face? Where is she now?"
*She* is the pronoun for female.
Ophelia noticed this point. He shouldn't know which Servant she faced. Even she herself only knew after finding the other party at a key location, right?
How could he know?
But, considering his Mystic Eyes, Ophelia no longer found it strange. He always managed to dig up odd pieces of information.
She said, "Brynhildr. She sealed herself at Mount Gritt."
"Sealed herself? It seems you couldn't do anything about her. Thinking about it, it makes sense. Brynhildr, the lover of Sigurd, the First Valkyrie. Tsk tsk, the choices of Proper Human History are indeed useful."
Li Mo remarked.
Now thinking about it, the three Servants summoned by Proper Human History—two of them have deep connections to this land. Only Napoleon seems somewhat out of place.
"Li Mo, have you completed your task?"
"When I take action, of course it's resolved swiftly. With Her Majesty's help, if I couldn't solve it, I might as well commit seppuku." Li Mo raised his hand and made a V-sign.
"Oh. You may step aside now."
"Sure."
Li Mo stepped to the side, very gentlemanly allowing Ophelia to pass.
After Ophelia walked by, sensing the spiritualized "Saber" following her, he narrowed his eyes slightly, watching Ophelia's retreating back.
Ophelia Phamrsolone.
A genius of the Department of Spiritual Evocation, possessing a Jewel-ranked Mystic Eye. By all appearances, she is an outstanding mage.
Yet she is *not* an outstanding mage. A mage who retains their humanity, how can they be called outstanding?
Compared to a mage, she is more fundamentally *human*. And as a human, how could she not be moved by a character like Napoleon?
A Heroic Spirit full of possibility... I suppose I still need to go see for myself later.
His train of thought was interrupted. Li Mo entered the great hall.
The majestic Queen, the Goddess of the Snowy Mountains, the sole surviving god of Scandinavia. Scáthach-Skadi stood there as always.
"Have you settled your matters, Li Mo?" Scáthach-Skadi spoke.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Illyasviel knows your gaze extends across the entire world. She has no intention of escaping."
Before Scáthach-Skadi, the name was Illyasviel, not Illya.
The reason was probably that before Her Majesty, the human aspect was not important.
"That is good. Then, Li Mo, my dear child. Do you still choose to proceed that way? Your so-called research has made little progress, correct? Even so, will you still attempt it?" Scáthach-Skadi said.
Li Mo replied, "Your Majesty, precisely because of that, shouldn't I try even more? If one approach doesn't work, try another."
"Then proceed. I will be watching you. If you have needs, request my aid, child."
"I will, Your Majesty."
Li Mo then said, "However, before leaving, I wish to confirm the identity of the third Servant belonging to Proper Human History."
"The other bears no divine aura. Li Mo, do not kill him."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Li Mo respectfully departed. With Scáthach-Skadi's assistance, he could sense Napoleon's location.
Using the power of the Lostbelt King to find someone—that was far too convenient.