Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu web novel

The fallen corpse disappears, and Pandora steps forward in front of Fortuna as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Fortuna cuts it in half with a chopping blow, then flies back at it, blowing off its head with a counterattack.

　Fortuna then immediately turned around and killed the revived Pandora with a stab. She pushed her backwards in one go and sewed her into the trunk of a tree.

"Elhuma!!"

　The resulting icy mist engulfs Pandora, who is sewn to the tree, turning her into an ice sculpture.

　A human-shaped ice sculpture was born, and Pandora, whose beauty was originally what could be called divine sculpting, was sealed away forever in the forest as a natural thing.

"You'll only get tired if you keep using magic like that. Why don't you calm down for a moment and start over from the point where you have a chance to talk?"

"--! I'm telling you, you're annoying!"

　The ice sculpture still remains there, with only Pandora inside roaming outside.

　Turning to face Pandora who was standing behind her, Fortuna raised her fist and slammed it down. It was a blow that came from a desperate struggle, without any magic being put into it.

　It hit Pandora's face as if it was being sucked in,

"--Agh."

"Eh, Emilia?!"

　Emilia was sent tumbling across the ground after being punched by her mother, unable to even defend herself. Fortuna, who had unintentionally hit her daughter, turned pale and hurriedly ran over to her fallen daughter.

"No! Emilia, I'm sorry! That's not what I meant..."

"This is how it hurts when you get hit. I'm sure it must have hurt your heart just as much as it did when you hit me. Do you realize how ruthless you are being?"

　Pandora asked, but Fortuna choked and pushed her away in response. She stood up and looked around, only to find Emilia still there, beside the seal. There was no sign of a blow on her pale cheek.

"You've been saying incomprehensible things over and over again for a while now...!"

"But what happened now was different. You felt relieved, right? Can't you direct just a little of that feeling towards the people you hate? I'm not saying you have to love everyone the same way you love your daughter. However, even a little consideration can make a difference. If I could, I wouldn't want to repeatedly force people to see such painful scenes."

"Who's telling me to be nice to who?! Emilia's parents...!"

　As Fortuna was about to blurt something out, she noticed Emilia's gaze and stopped speaking.

　Emilia stares at her mother's profile with a stiff expression. No matter how much hatred you feel towards someone, there are some things that should never be spoken in front of that daughter.

"Well, let's do this. Could you please persuade your daughter? I've confirmed that she has the key, but she won't open the door. I need to keep my promise to you."

"..."

"If you cancel your promise, there will be no chains binding your stubborn hearts. I promise that once the seal is broken, we will leave the forest without any further action. Yes, I promise. I will keep my promise... Good words."

　These were probably genuine words, without any intention of mocking him.

　There are some words and actions in this world that can only come across as intensely sarcastic, precisely because they are made without any ill intent.

　Pandora's words were enough to make Fortuna understand.

　Fortuna looks at Emilia.

　Emilia simply clasps her hands together, waiting for her mother to speak. Her hands bulge as if she is holding something, because that is where the key to the door is.

　Emilia has become aware of the key, and believes that if Fortuna can say just one word, announcing the invalidity of their promise, the door will open, and the forest will be saved.

"--Don't say stupid things."

"Is that a stupid thing to do?"

Subaru: "Are you going to keep back like this? Nothing more? So, what will you give us in return? After all this rampage, ruining everything, trampling on the things we should be protecting, even distorting our pride…what will be left?"

"You can create something out of nothing. Isn't that the wonder of life?"

"I'm saying that it's just empty talk coming from those who would take it away!"

　Fortuna yelled, pointing her finger at Pandora in front of her.

　Pandora, the one being yelled at, tilted her head, unable to comprehend what Fortuna had said.

"The way they struggle is beautiful. The way they try to live is more noble than anything. --Don't just say it with your lips. Don't talk down to us, those who would steal the peace that we have worked so hard to create. All of our comfort and happiness was here. It is you who have ruined it!"

"It's a difference of opinion."

"The view is different depending on where you stand. For you, who are always looking down from high ground, the sky probably looks different to us."

　Fortuna spat at Pandora's suggestion.

　Pandora has a sad expression on her face, but Fortuna doesn't bother to fight her. Fortuna, while remaining wary of Pandora, runs over to Emilia, who is standing beside the seal.

　After confirming that the person standing there was definitely her daughter, Fortuna knelt down and embraced Emilia's small body.

"Ah, Emilia… Emilia, I'm sorry. Why are you here… the arch?"

"The arch... told me to run to the white flowers... so I ran..."

"--!"

　As Emilia relayed Arch's message, Fortuna realized the young elf's end was upon them.

　Holding Emilia close to her chest, Fortuna did not want her daughter to see her own tears. How many lives had been lost in this forest, exposed to the tyranny of the evil Witch Cult?

　Just as he had threatened Pandora, life would never be the same again.

"Emilia, Emilia… You kept your promise well. You were great, you were great."

"Mother... Mother, I, I."

"Emilia... you are my pride. My treasure...!"

　The daughter clings to her, and her mother embraces her.

　Pandora looked fascinated as she gazed upon the sight, as if she had the most beautiful view in the world all to herself.

"I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful mother-son love. It's really wonderful to see how much they care for each other."

"What you say gives me the shivers. --I won't let the seal be broken. I won't hand over this child. Hurry up and turn into an ice statue here and there and rot."

"Based on the wording you've used so far, doesn't this suggest that you should go home?"

"My wish now is to throw your remains, now shards of ice, into a great waterfall."

　As Emilia utters a curse she has never heard before, Fortuna once again increases her magical power.

　Pandora pursed her lips sadly as her mana rose.

　Right after that.

"I finally caught up with you--Death!"

　A voice that sounded somewhat insane uttered and a man appeared, leaping through the trees.

　Juice appeared on the scene, leaping over the top of a tall tree and looking as if he had been thrown by someone, wearing blood-stained monk's robes.

"juice!"

"Lord Fortuna!"

　Fortuna and Juice call each other's names, and with that their cooperation is complete.

　With Pandora sandwiched in the center of the forest space, Fortuna and the others launched an attack from both the front and back.

　Fortuna's left hand tightly gripped Emilia's right hand, which was shaking unsteadily.

　Emilia looks up at her mother's profile.

　--Her profile as she pierced the enemy straight ahead was so beautiful it made me tremble.

"Alhuma!!"

"The invisible hand!!"

　The most powerful magic Fortuna could weave, and Juice's external magic, which unleashed the full power of his Witch Factor at the last minute.

　The tremendous destructive force spurted out straight, and then...

"--Mother?"

　Pierced through the chest by the "invisible hand," Emilia's whole body was showered in her mother's blood.

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　The strength left his hands, and Fortuna's body collapsed before Emilia's eyes.

「This is it――it's over!」

　Juice landed roughly on the ground and cried out, swinging his tattered arms to the side with all his might. As if drawn by his movement, Fortuna's body also took to the air in the same trajectory.

　Fortuna rolled on the ground, her limbs limp like a doll, as if she had been abandoned. Blood spurted out from her convulsing body like a geyser, and the grassland was dyed bright red in an instant.

"I felt like I had some success... If I just do this much, this time it will definitely work..."

　Juice let out a rough breath and dropped to his knees.

　Emilia didn't see him, as he continued to keep a wary eye on the fallen Fortuna.

"――――"

　He simply walked with unsteady steps towards Fortuna, who was lying face down.

　Her mother's body had holes in both her chest and back, and was so badly damaged that her insides could be seen through the torn pieces. The flow of blood rapidly weakened, and Emilia sat down in the pool of blood.

　Holding her mother's pale head, Emilia somehow manages to place her on her lap. Fortuna's beautiful silver hair is now speckled with red and wet, and Emilia desperately tries to clean it off with her fingers.

　However, the fingers of Emilia as she did this were already stained with blood, and the more she touched Fortuna's hair, the more blood stained it became.

"Lady Fortuna! Do not let your guard down and keep a watchful eye! I will go and confirm…"

"Juice?"

"――――"

　Juice let out a sharp breath and reluctantly got up, pointing his palm towards Fortuna.

　Hearing that, Emilia slowly looked up and called his name. Juice looked at him as if he was looking into the distance for a moment, then blinked.

"Lady Emilia?"

　Seeing the young girl sitting in a pool of blood, Juice muttered with a look of realization on his face for the first time.

　Then his gaze dropped, and he caught sight of a person leaning helplessly forward with his head resting on Emilia's lap.

　My eyes widen.

"...That's ridiculous."

　Juice looked to the side with an expression of disbelief on his face.

　As he dragged his feet, he came across the ground, and between him and the fallen Fortuna and the others, there was a platinum girl.

　Pandora smiled at Juice as he looked at her.

"It can't be helped. You just "misjudged."

"Ah, ahhh... aaaaaahhhhh!?"

　Putting both hands to his face, Juice mercilessly dug his nails into it, carving a crimson red mark.

　A dull thud was heard along with the force that was strong enough to tear off his fingernails, and fresh blood splattered across his cheek flesh, staining his face bright red.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid!? W-what am I, what am I doing? What have I done? Why, why why why why why why!? Then why did I do this... Ah! Ah!? Aaaaahh!!"

　Juice had absorbed the witch factor into his body and was able to suppress his disproportionate abilities with the force of his will.

　The most important part that supported his strong will was suddenly cut off. With a sound, everything inside Juice began to crumble.

　By destroying the very thing he was willing to risk his life to protect with the power he gained at that cost.

　Juice's heart is damaged beyond repair and he screams insanely.

"I - for what?!"

"It's all for love"

　Juice's eyes rolled up, foaming at the mouth as he looked up to the sky.

　Pandora responded to the cry of his soul in a quiet voice.

"You even offered up your own soul to save the one you loved. That is no ordinary thing. All the long days you supported the Witch Cult were all for the sake of love. All of your actions are a gift of love. A truly wonderful signpost of love."

"Love... Ai... AI... Ai... Ai...!"

"That's right. There's nothing to fear or regret. It was all inevitable. It was fate's guidance. The path was leading us here, and it was all for the sake of love."

"For love..."

　Juice's heart broke into pieces as he repeated the whispered words in his ears like a dazed rambler.

　And then, his eyes lose all color and Juice, stunned and speechless, is unable to move.

　The living corpse continued to mutter to himself, mumbling things that no one could hear.

　Pandora sighed in satisfaction at seeing Juice's heart broken like that.

"Emi, Ria..."

　And at the same time that Juice's existence was shattered into pieces, the flame of a life was also about to be snuffed out.

"Mother"

　Hearing her name called in a faint, faint voice, Emilia called back in shock.

　With trembling arms, I pulled my mother even closer, and her body felt so light it was almost sad. Before I knew it, the blood that had been flowing so profusely had completely stopped.

　If that's the case, then I wonder if my mother's wounds are healed now.

　As much as it may seem that way, Emilia's youth is no protection for her heart. Fortuna no longer has the strength to move, and to anyone who sees her, her face has the color of a dead person.

"...Big bro, san, I'm so sorry."

"Mother"

"I... I didn't... remember anything you said..."

　It was a tone of regret, almost like a child apologizing.

　Fortuna's body was bloodless, and tears flowed endlessly from its eyes. Feeling the hot drops on her fingers, Emilia desperately tried to gather them up.

　To Emilia, that seemed to represent all of her mother's life force at the moment.

"Hey, E-san... I'm gonna be mad, you know... you won't be able to forgive me... right...?"

　Listening to her mother's mumblings, Emilia finally realized something.

　Fortuna's open amethyst eyes had long since stopped reflecting any light.

　Fortuna's eyesight had long since been lost, reduced to an organ that only sheds tears. He couldn't even see Emilia's face. He didn't even notice that she was beside him.

　Even if I touch it or hold it, I can't reach it.

　Emilia was faced with Fortuna, who was simply crying like a child and begging for forgiveness.

"--I forgive you, Mother."

"..."

"Mom is my...Mom, and she has always taken good care of me...She loves me just as much as my father and mother..."

"..."

"So there's nothing to apologize for. Nothing at all. Emilia has always…always loved Mother Fortuna. I love her so much. I love her so much, I really love her so much…"

　Break.

　Her voice lost all sense of normality, and tears that she could not hold back fell one after another down Fortuna's face.

　If the teardrops were life force, then the final miracle was the power bestowed by Emilia's tears.

"...Mom?"

"rear"

　His hand slowly reached out and touched Emilia's cheek.

　Hands that shouldn't move stroke Emilia's cheeks, her ears, and tickle her hair. As if touching something precious, as if loving it so it wouldn't break.

"Crybaby"

"..."

"I love you so much..."

　I felt relaxed.

　The arm fell with a loud pop.

　As Fortuna stroked her cheek, Emilia felt her body become lighter.

　Even though his whole body had relaxed and his weight on his lap had increased, Fortuna's body had certainly become lighter in Emilia's arms.

　Something very important, something that should never have been lost, had been lost from my mother's body.

　That much was clear to Emilia.

"――――"

　Mother, Fortuna, was lost.

　The juice, Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti, broke my heart.

　And Emilia,

"So, are you ready to choose your wish to break the seal?"

"――――"

　Pandora approaches and calls out to Emilia, who is holding Fortuna's corpse.

　Gazing at the seated girl, Pandora's expression was calm as she quietly waited for an answer.

　Emilia understood that attitude.

"Can you open the fuin?"

"That's right. Unfortunately, your mother, with whom you made the promise, has passed away. Now you are no longer bound by the shackles of a promise. How is that?"

　Emilia was convinced by Pandora's outrageous words.

　What was this human-shaped demon in front of me thinking when it did something like this?

　This demon did that to make Emilia break her promise.

　To make Emilia lose sight of the meaning of her promise, Pandora had caused Fortuna's death, struck fear into Juice's heart, and ravaged the forest.

"That's right, I forgot."

"..."

"You probably don't need these kids anymore."

　Pandora gently puts out her hand to the side of Emilia's face, who doesn't respond. A pale light then overflows, surrounding Emilia's body, choosing Pandora's arm as its home, and taking up her body as its host.

　It's a micro-spirit.

　The fairy who led Emilia to this sealed door and showed her the way.

　So why is it in Pandora's place?

"I didn't think you would come here naturally, so I asked them to help me. Although we don't speak the same language, they are very reliable."

　Pandora smiles and expresses her gratitude to the micro-spirits, who then respond by dancing in the air.

　Where it all began, Emilia no longer knew.

"..."

　Emilia shook her head and looked up at the sealed door.

　The door seemed to gaze upon Emilia calmly, waiting for the moment it would be opened. She felt the weight of the key in her hand. The key that she thought she had lost somewhere was now once again in her hand.

"You have the key, then. You understand."

　As Pandora nodded, Emilia slowly stood up.

　I took my mother's head off my lap and gently laid her on the grass. I played with her bangs with my fingers and carefully smoothed her beautiful face, which I was so proud of.

　and,

"Die."

　--A blade of terrible cold air blew out, cutting Pandora's body into pieces.

　The spurting blood freezes in an instant, and red ice flowers bloom everywhere.

　A single icicle stands in the center, with fresh blood splattering the petals, creating a work of art of death and ice.

"That's a very disturbing thing to do. What on earth has caused you to do that all of a sudden--"

"Die."

　Raining down, ice stakes pierced Pandora's limbs, and ice spears rose up from the ground, piercing her from hip to head. Her frozen flesh was squeezed up and down, before shattering into pieces with a high-pitched noise.

"Please calm down. If we talk we can understand each other."

"Die."

　Blocks of ice approached from both sides, crushing Pandora's body and turning it into smoke and blood.

"Let's not do it. You have a kind heart and are not capable of doing anything to hurt others. Hasn't your mother ever told you that?"

"Die."

　The spinning ice blade slices Pandora from under her feet, turning her into bright red sorbet.

"Your mother would be very sad to see you like this. Neither your real father nor your real mother, nor Bishop Petelgeuse, who risked his life for you, would want this to happen."

"Die!"

　A white mist covered Pandora's body, transforming it into an ice statue. Immediately afterwards, a giant ice sword was slammed down, more like a smash than a slash, sending the ice statue of Pandora crashing back into the earth.

　Despite the storm of destruction and murder that raged,

"That's troubling. It looks like it's backfired."

"Die, die, die, die...!!"

　Crying and waving, destruction of ice rains down on Pandora one after another.

　However, even though Pandora is exposed to all of this and dies a gruesome death, after a blink of an eye she revives in perfect condition and continues singing.

"Phew! Phew! Phew!"

　Gradually, Emilia, who was using magic beyond her capabilities, was reaching her limits.

　Emilia's face was red with fear as half of her body began to freeze from the barrage of magic that was beyond her ability. The enormous amount of mana that had been absorbed into her young body was running wild, and she was unable to release it in time.

"Even her own body cannot escape the damage; the manifestation of a power that exceeds her vessel is truly what is called bloodline. Witch blood cannot escape its karma. ―Or perhaps this forest was necessary to prevent her from becoming aware of this power."

　Pandora's recollections.

　Emilia shook her head as if denying the sound that she could not hear. Her right leg froze completely, making it difficult for her to even stand. She dropped to her knees, her murderous eyes piercing Pandora.

　Seeing the sharp, sinister light, Pandora shook her head.

"It's unfortunate in the face of my cherished wish, but I will withdraw for today. I don't think I'll be hearing you open the door readily any longer."

"Die, die, die, die..."

"For now, let's be satisfied with the existence of your bloodline and the birth of a new Sin Archbishop. Eventually, over time, your wish will come true."

　A selfish conclusion, self-centeredness that leaves others behind.

　Just as Pandora seemed to have given up on the situation, a white crystal suddenly flickered in her field of vision.

　It's snow.

　Emilia's incredible magical power goes out of control, distorting the weather to the extreme and causing snow to fall.

　At first the snow was light and thin, but gradually it gained momentum and strength, and soon the winds were strong enough to be called a blizzard.

"Even if we do end up talking, I don't think we'll even be able to face each other until you've let it all out first."

　Pandora, who was looking up at the sky, let out a white puff of breath and walked towards Emilia.

　Seeing her hated enemy approach, Emilia was unable to move. Her body had already frozen up to her waist, and she could no longer even lift her arms.

"You have allowed your power to go out of control, and you will now fall into a long slumber. Either the mana in this frozen forest runs out, or an entity with power comparable to yours offsets your power. Either way, you will spend a significant amount of time beneath the ice."

"Die, die...!"

"Unfortunately, I won't die. You and I will both remain alive until the ice melts and we meet again. When that happens, it will be difficult for us to talk as we are now. So..."

　As Emilia spat out a curse, Pandora's cold, white fingertips came into contact with her forehead.

　Pandora smiled innocently at Emilia, whose amethyst eyes were burning with hatred.

"Your memories up to this day are complete without my existence."

"--a"

"Feel free to fill me in. Well, you did your best to keep your promise. I'd be happy if you would keep that in mind and continue as you are now."

　Emilia's face was thrown back, her eyes wandering, unfocused.

　With her eyes rolling around and drool dripping from the corners of her mouth, Emilia's head was in turmoil.

　It collapses with a noise.

　Randomly and insensitively, memories are wallpapered.

　The words they exchanged fade into the distance, and Emilia is confronted with insults that she should never have received.

　What's important, what doesn't fade, is a promise.

　I will never forget that I kept my promise. Promises are things you keep, so I will never forget that.

　Promises kept. Promises kept.

　Therefore, there is no reason for anyone to deny that I have kept my promise.

"I wonder what kind of resolution you will come to in your heart, and how you will smile the next time we meet. I look forward to that wonderful reunion."

　A fierce snowstorm rages, and Pandora sets off, holding back her messy long hair.

　Juice was on his knees in a daze, half buried in the falling snow. Pandora whispered something to him, and Juice stood up with a weak look on his face.

　The two of them, Pandora and Juice, walked off side by side through the snowy forest.

　Emilia simply sees them off.

　The freezing of her body had already reached her face, and the only part of Emilia's consciousness remained in her eyes.

　Suddenly, Emilia dropped her gaze and noticed something.

　There was an unnatural pile of snow on the ground in front of me.

　It's as if you are hugging someone in this white snowy landscape.

"――――"

　My mouth won't move, and I can no longer close my eyes.

　Her body freezes, her mind freezes too. And then, Emilia's consciousness...

"--A-sama."

　He continued to spend the next hundred years trapped in the unmelting ice.

　He searches for her, until he is found by the spirit who was born into this world just for her.

　--Emilia continued to freeze like that.

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　Having witnessed it all, Emilia stood frozen before her own frozen form.

"――――"

　I remembered everything that had happened.

　Slowly, scenes from the past unfolded, tracing the memories that were beginning to awaken.

　All of this spills out, peeling away the thin skin of reality and fiction.

　As a child, Emilia saw it all. She saw Fortuna die in her arms, Juice go mad with his heart broken, and she saw with her own eyes who the source of all evil was that had done it all.

　Was the reason I forgot due to my own weakness, my wish to forget?

"If you're blaming yourself for the memory tampering, you're mistaken."

"..."

　Suddenly, the girl standing next to Emilia - Echidna - spoke up.

　Just as Emilia was reliving her memories, Echidna was also someone who had witnessed the same scene from start to finish.

　She looked at Emilia's profile as she gazed out at the snowy scenery.

"The thing you were facing was Pandora, the Witch of Vanity. She wields shallow, selfish logic and "rewrites" events as she pleases. I'm sure that the passage of time and your own power have weakened her influence at least a little."

"My, power..."

"As you can see, your uncontrollable power is enormous. In terms of simple combat strength, you surpassed Pandora even in your childhood. However, a battle is not so short that you can win by sheer strength. Moreover, Pandora is a witch who excels at surviving."

　Echidna's knowledge is so vast that she even seems to know about Pandora. However, her face as she speaks to Emilia is as stern as ever, so even if she were to ask her a direct question, it seems unlikely that she would get an answer.

"...Are you not going to be nasty to me like you were before?"

"I don't like that about you. Even I have the consideration to be considerate to someone who has just remembered the memory of losing their mother. Even if that person is a despicable person who is like a filthy whore."

"thank you"

　Echidna sighed as Emilia thanked her, but didn't offer any further words of comfort.

　Finding herself almost laughing at his attitude, Emilia realized her own weakness in trying to divert even a little from the brutal memories before her.

　The memories that were brought back to her completely overturned Emilia's entire worldview.

　In a very real sense, Emilia's life was turned upside down from the very beginning.

　After all, Emilia threw herself into the royal selection with the sole purpose of rescuing everyone in the forest.

"I wonder who is still alive in this frozen forest..."

　Fortuna died, and Emilia witnessed Arch's death as well.

　Emilia had no memory of the attack by the demonic beast, the Black Snake, but she knew of the threat and malicious nature of that demonic beast.

　The Black Snake is a magical beast that causes disease and inflicts a hundred diseases on living things with just a touch. Any land that the Black Snake crawls over is cursed, turning it into a land of death where nothing but magical beasts can live.

　--How many survivors were there in the village before it was buried under snow?

　And were the survivors able to avoid being infected by the Black Snake's disease beneath the ice?

　For Emilia, it was as if she had lost her very reason to fight.

　I see, it makes sense why he had sealed away his memories.

　Even without Pandora's interference, he would probably have preferred to forget such memories.

　The more I thought that, the more hopeless this memory was.

"...If we just stand there like this, the 'Trial' won't end."

　Echidna muttered as she gazed out at the snowy scenery in the still world.

"The past has progressed without a hitch. We should now be able to confirm your greatest regret as a challenger of the Trial. Now, all that remains is for you to come up with an answer."

"The answer to the 'Trial'?"

"The first test is achieved by putting an end to the symbolism of your regrets. You can either affirm your past actions, or completely deny them. If you are unable to accept them and reject them, that too will end in an unfulfilled state."

　Emilia let out a deep breath after hearing Echidna's words.

　Over and over again, I have thought about what I need to overcome this "trial."

　Faced with the sight of false memories, I have asked myself why I cannot overcome them.

　Having lost Puck, and having to take on the part of him that she had relied on, Emilia was finally able to open the lid on her own memories.

　Now, Emilia had finally reached the starting point of the Trial.

　And yet, even though my feet had finally reached the starting point, my mind had lost sight of the original starting point.

　I left the forest because I wanted to rescue everyone in the village and my mother.

　However, all of these decisions were nothing more than idealism or a pipe dream.

　His mother is dead, and he doesn't know the safety of anyone in his village.

　Having lost her reason to start walking, what is left for Emilia?

"---That's something I was already taught."

　Just as Emilia was about to hesitate on her answer, a hand reached out from the light held her in place.

　Strong arms pull Emilia, who is confused about where to go.

　Don't give up. Look forward, look up, look at me.

　He told Emilia over and over again.

　Even though he knows Emilia is weak, he yells at her not to remain weak.

　Emilia shook her head, saying it was no good, so I pulled her up, asking if there was any way it couldn't be good.

　When Emilia wants to give up, thinking she's not good enough, he declares, without any basis, that she's the best.

　The pain from their clashing teeth and the heat of their lips together ignite a fire in Emilia's heart.

"My mother loved me."

"――――"

"I wanted to rescue Mother Fortuna. I wanted her to hold me in her arms again, and sleep in the same bed as me. I wanted to tell her how much I love her, over and over again."

"So, do you regret it?"

　Echidna's subjectless question asks about a time when one was forced to make a decision about hope.

　If he had taken Pandora's hand and broken his promise then, perhaps Pandora and the others would have withdrawn from the forest, and neither Fortuna nor Juice would have been taken away from him.

　If we look back on the past and consider "what if," "if only," and "what if," that may be the case.

"I have no regrets."

"..."

"I will never regret keeping my promise and not giving up that place. If I do regret anything, it's that I wasn't strong enough at the time, that I didn't try as wisely. I will never let you regret breaking Mother's orders and not doing as Pandora told you."

　After all, Fortuna told me everything until the end.

　He says he is proud of Emilia for deciding to keep her promise, and that she is his treasure.

　Those very words are a treasure that will remain with Emilia forever.

"Hasn't the point of fighting been lost?"

"That's not true. Mother... I couldn't save her. But the others in the village still don't know. They may be still waiting for help beneath the snow. Only I can save them."

"The land is still contaminated by the Black Snake. Even if there are villagers left in the frozen soil, I don't think they can survive as their bodies are infected by disease."

"That's just your imagination. A bad guess. Everyone is under the snow, waiting for help. If you pull them out quickly, they'll get mad at me. Then they'll laugh and be happy to be alive."

"It's a silly delusion."

"No, it's a prediction of a happy future!"

　As Echidna tried to cut him off, Emilia stepped forward and attacked him.

　Coming face to face with the Witch, Emilia gestured to the snowy scenery,

"I won't let anyone deny what they haven't seen yet! I won't accept that what Mother left behind will end in such a sad way! I will fulfil Mother's ideals!"

"Ideal? What did your mother want?"

"Mother said that one day we would all leave the forest and be able to live normal lives. Just like how Juice and the others in the village got along well, just like how Subaru told me he loved me, and the world would be one where Mother and Juice could walk side by side, that will surely come!"

"And there are villagers there, frozen? You trapped them in the frozen earth?"

"I'll apologize profusely. Over and over again, until I'm forgiven! And if I'm forgiven, I'll introduce the world to everyone. You won't have to live in hiding anymore. This is the world Mother Fortuna spoke of!"

"――――"

　Emilia takes a breath and shouts.

　Before they knew it, Emilia and Echidna were no longer in the snowy landscape, but in a world of white light.

　Emilia raises her voice without noticing that the stinging cold air has disappeared, and the scenery dominated by countless regrets has disappeared.

"Sing your dreams until your voice is hoarse so Mother in the sky can hear you!"

"――――"

"I am happy in the world that mother loved--!"

　In an instant, the world cracked with a sound.

　Seeing a crack running through the white space, Emilia finally noticed the change in the scenery. As Emilia's eyes widened in shock, Echidna clapped her hand.

　Applause.

"I see, I understand. I thought I understood, but it's more than I imagined. It's pushy, arrogant, self-centered, self-indulgent, hypocritical."

"Yeah. Is that bad?"

"I don't really think anything of it. But she's just like her mother in that way."

　Emilia asked a question as Echidna frowned.

　The current statement is certainly

"Do you know my mother... another mother other than Mother Fortuna?"

"I know. It's not unrelated to the fact that I'm so emotional towards you. I guess I'm jealous, though, and wonder why it has to be you."

　Echidna shrugged, and before Emilia's eyes she began to lose her composure.

　At the same time, Emilia's own consciousness began to feel a vague weight, and a floating sensation, like waking up from a dream, began to surround her whole body.

"It's over. No matter how self-centered your conclusion may be, what's settled is what's settled. Use your mother's sacrifice as an excuse for your resolve, and at best dance around like a fool."

"Say what you like. I'm getting used to your swearing."

　With her hands on her hips, Emilia showed her composure as Echidna continued to speak nasty words to her until the very end. Echidna averted her eyes from Emilia's attitude,

"There are two more Trials to go... but unfortunately, they won't be much of an obstacle."

"Really?"

"Defiant and complacent are always the natural enemies of questioning one's inner self. The outline of the 'Trial' that delves deep into your inner self is extremely incompatible with the current you. In a sense, it is the result of giving up on thinking."

"It's really hurtful to be told that you don't think about it."

　Emilia expresses her dissatisfaction with Echidna's explanation.

　Either way, it looks like this conversation is coming to an end.

　Echidna was almost out of sight, and Emilia shook her head, her eyes beginning to blur.

　But I can no longer stay conscious.

"--I hate you."

"But I don't hate you that much."

　Even though she couldn't see it, she felt like she understood the look on Echidna's face at Emilia's answer.

　Consciousness rises.

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　When Emilia regained consciousness, she groaned softly upon feeling a hard sensation on her back.

　There was a wall right behind him. It seemed he had collapsed and lost consciousness with his body leaning against the wall.

　I reached out and touched the wall, feeling the traces of the rough scraping. I saw the word "I love you" written there, and laughed at how good the timing was.

　Right now, more than anyone else, Emilia wanted to be affirmed by his words.

"--I'm sorry, mother."

　The corners of Emilia's lips twisted as she laughed, and she let out a hushed voice.

　The apology echoed around the dimly lit small room, and the sound of sniffling was repeated.

　The tears just kept flowing, one after the other, I couldn't bear it. I couldn't bear it.

　Stubbornly and stubbornly determined not to let the witch see her crying face, Emilia pressed her face against the wall and made a grand display in the tomb where there was no need to worry about anyone seeing her.

"Mom...Mom...ahh"

　Tears flowing.

　Tears that should have been shed a long time ago, a hundred years ago.

　Emilia continues to mourn the death of her mother, a death she had never had the chance to mourn because she had forgotten about it, in a small room where no one can see.

　So that no one will see my crying face when I go outside.

　So that I don't have to show my weak side to him, who says he loves me even when I'm weak.

　Cry, cry, cry, cry.

　Mourning the memories of my mother, her love, and all that she gave me.

　Emilia continued crying, her face pressed against 『Love』.