The Boundless Journey, Starting From Bofuri

With Puck's dispersion, the sealed memories continuously flooded Emilia's mind. Under multiple blows, the already emotionally fragile Emilia fell unconscious once more.

Takeru, who had been at the door, immediately entered. He helped Emilia lie down properly.

Looking at her tightly furrowed brows, Takeru could only use purification on her again, trying to reduce the pain in her heart as much as possible.

By evening, Emilia finally awoke. Her eyes were filled with exhaustion upon waking, and she recalled much of her memories. Seeing Takeru silently waiting by her side, Emilia couldn't help but throw herself into his arms and cry.

"Emilia, it's okay. Everything is in the past now. No matter what, we should cherish the present and look forward to the future! If it's still too hard to bear, I'll be right here waiting for you." Looking at Emilia, Takeru spoke softly.

"Takeru, can you hold me and stay with me until dawn? By then, I'll surely... I'm sorry... sorry... please!" With a hint of a sob, Emilia tightened her grip on Takeru's arm unconsciously.

"If that's enough, then I understand. By tomorrow, everything will be better. I believe in you." Seeing the pleading look in her eyes, Takeru gently kissed her forehead.

"Mhm." With Takeru's promise, Emilia finally closed her eyes peacefully, and Takeru held her tightly.

In the middle of the night, as more and more memories surfaced, Emilia abruptly opened her eyes. Noticing Takeru beside her, she sighed in relief but then grew worried again.

"What's wrong? A nightmare?" Sensing Emilia's movement, Takeru opened his eyes. Looking at her uneasy expression, he asked gently.

"After Puck disappeared, my memories came back bit by bit. Unfamiliar scenes and conversations I have no recollection of keep surfacing in my mind. I should remember everything up until now, shouldn't I? But I forgot them on my own, acting like they never happened."

"When all these memories return, what will become of me? Is the current me the real me? I forgot so many important things, even my mother!" Hearing Takeru's reassurance, Emilia couldn't hold back her tears.

"No matter what you remember, Lia is Lia. We will always believe Lia is that kind, pure, lovely girl and are willing to help everyone." Hearing the unease and pain in the girl's voice, Takeru held her tightly in his arms, comforting her softly.

"But... but if 'I' disappear, will you still say that?" Hearing Takeru's words, the tears in Emilia's eyes could no longer be held back.

"No matter what happens, Lia will not disappear." Hearing the girl's words, Takeru's tone was firm.

"But..." Hearing Takeru, Emilia still felt extremely uneasy.

"I understand." Hearing her, Takeru took a deep breath. He gently lifted her chin with his hand and, under Emilia's shocked gaze, kissed her.

Feeling the warmth of Takeru's lips, Emilia closed her eyes nervously but offered no resistance.

After a long moment, their lips parted. Looking at the girl before him, Takeru spoke again.

"Lia, no matter how great the mistakes you've made or the setbacks you've suffered, I hope you always remember that someone is silently supporting you and is willing to help you."

"As for the memories surfacing in your mind, it's natural to be afraid. But the path you've walked won't vanish. The past cannot be redone. And I believe Lia will be absolutely fine." Looking at the beauty before him, Takeru spoke gently.

"Why can you say that so confidently?" Sensing Takeru's trust, Emilia instinctively asked.

"Because what matters most isn't the beginning, but the result. Lia, if you still feel afraid, then make up your mind and strengthen your conviction!"

"Like me, to protect the most important people, I don't retreat from difficulties. Instead, I work to clear obstacles and make myself stronger. And I believe Lia will be absolutely fine too, because we will also be by your side."

"Make up my mind... strengthen... conviction?" Hearing Takeru's words and noticing the resolute look in his eyes, Lia softly repeated his words. The fear in her eyes gradually faded.

Noticing Emilia's change, Takeru showed a relieved smile. His two days of comfort hadn't been in vain.

Soon, night fell again. After being comforted by everyone, Emilia returned to the trial site. This time, she was no longer lost. Though unsure if she could pass the trial, she was fully prepared this time, and her sealed memories had completely recovered.

"Takeru, about this morning's..." Before entering, Emilia blushed shyly.

"Hmm?" Hearing her, Takeru looked curious, not sure what she meant.

"That... was very important... After we solve all the other various problems, let's have a proper talk, okay?" Emilia said with a blush.

"Of course." Hearing her, Takeru patted her head reassuringly.

"Then, I'm going in!" Looking at Takeru's smile, Emilia spoke softly.

"Go for it! Lia will be absolutely fine!" Hearing her, Takeru encouraged again.

Watching her step by step walk inside, Takeru saw her off.

"Takeru-sama, could you tell us what happened early this morning?" After Emilia entered, Ram approached Takeru with a smile and asked.

"Beatrice wants to know too!" Beatrice also looked at Takeru with a mischievous expression.

Hearing them and noticing the serious looks in Rem and Felt's eyes, it was clear their attitude was the same as Ram and Beatrice's.

"You really want to know what happened?" Looking at them, Takeru asked again.

"Of course!" Beatrice answered without hesitation.

"I see. Since you want to know, I'll let you experience it properly later!" Speaking softly, the corners of Takeru's mouth lifted slightly.

Seeing Takeru's aggressive gaze and hearing his words, the four couldn't help but swallow nervously, their hearts pounding.

"Then it's settled!" At the critical moment, Ram spoke up, unwilling to back down.

"Of course!" Hearing Ram, Takeru nodded without hesitation.

…

While Takeru and the others waited outside, Emilia undertook the trial. When she regained her senses, she found herself in an unfamiliar yet familiar forest.

"Well, after making so many mistakes, you still have the nerve to show up? You startled me. Crying and sniveling over a little setback, then fawning over a man to comfort yourself and gain forgiveness… what a harlot. Constantly defiling my world, truly shameless!"

"And you still love the self that was forgiven by him? What an utterly self-indulgent transgressor. Say something, daughter of the witch!" Looking at Emilia, Echidna spoke expressionlessly, mocking her.

"My name is Emilia, born in the Elior Forest, the Ice Witch. We're both witches. I won't yield to your malice. Who told you I'm a troublesome woman?" Faced with Echidna's mockery, Emilia no longer denied herself this time. Instead, she addressed Echidna seriously.

Seeing Emilia's change in attitude, Echidna was taken aback. Though displeased, she couldn't refuse Emilia, who was qualified for the trial. Then, under Echidna's guidance, Emilia began her journey through memories...

Within, Emilia completely recalled her memories before the freezing: Mother Fortuna, Geuse, and the intruders… the Witch of Vainglory, Pandora, and the Archbishop of Greed, Regulus Corneas.

Then Geuse, affected by Pandora's ability, accidentally killed Fortuna and fell completely into madness. Seduced by Pandora, he became crazed, his handsome features and gentle nature thoroughly twisted… becoming the terrifying monster Takeru later killed.

With Fortuna's death, Emilia completely fell into a frenzy, easily killing Pandora over ten times in succession. However, against Pandora's reality-altering ability, it had little effect.

Then, Emilia's mana went completely out of control, permanently freezing the entire Elior Forest.

Only when Emilia's mana was completely depleted, or a being with matching Emilia's mana emerged to eliminate her mana, would it end.

Pandora also used her ability on Emilia: "Your memories up to this point will end with you forgetting me. The blank parts will be filled in on your own."

Thus, with Pandora's departure, Emilia's memories were completely frozen, until Puck later rescued her.

Having watched everything, Emilia this time resisted the pressure and pain, which left Echidna feeling displeased.