Radiance

*cough*

Why, Jorna...? Why is this happening? I just wanna be with you forever...

Erina...

*cough* *cough*

Jorna, please don't go... Stay with me.

You can't leave me all by myself!

Don't cry...Erina...

...... I smell...wheat.

This place...

A voice? Is that...Erina?

Erina? Are you there?

......

Haha! Jorna!

It really is Erina.

Erina? Are you there?

Haha! This way, Jorna!

Wait, Erina.

Caught you.

Aww. You're way too fast, Jorna!

It's muddy over there. You might slip.

Hehe. Thanks! But if these clothes get dirty, we can just buy some more!

Come on... It's not like we have all the money in the world.

Look, Jorna! There's a shiny bug on the wheat!

It's pretty, isn't it?

(She's so innocent. She can find beauty even in a pest like this...)

(But she might get a rash if she touches it, so I should move it away.)

Lady Jorna. It is time for your studies.

Again? I've already read all the books we have at home.

I know. But a new shipment has just arrived and...

*cough* *cough*

Are you okay? It feels like everyone's getting that thing these days. What's it called again?

...Thanato fever.

Why don't you take the day off? I can walk Erina home.

Hey, Jorna. Is it hard studying every day?

I'm basically just cramming words into my head.

Father always says you're gonna be a great merchant someday! I think that's amazing!

It's my duty to live up to their expectations.

But sometimes I wonder... What do I want to do with my life?

No matter how many books I read, I can't seem to find the answer.

Well, I'll give you half of my dream then!

Your dream?

Yup! When I grow up, I wanna help people who're in trouble.

And you can help me with that big brain of yours! We'd be unstoppable!

Hahaha. That's an interesting proposal. I don't think it'd make much money, though.

It doesn't have to, as long as we're having fun! Ehehe!

Erina... You never change.

I couldn't save him either...

Please don't blame yourself, Doctor. You looked after him until his last moments, so he passed on in peace.

I am truly sorry. It hurts me knowing how powerless I have been.

I must do everything I can to prevent others from succumbing to this disease.

Thanato fever is truly terrifying. Your days are numbered the moment you catch it.

But thankfully we have Dr. Peruzzi.

Yeah. He's a good doctor who cares about his patients. I'm glad he's here.

*cough* *cough* Thank you so much... for coming here, Doctor...

Pay it no mind. I am their family doctor, after all.

I hope I will get better...and be able to look after those girls again soon... *cough*

......

What're you reading, Jorna?

A medical book about thanato fever.

Wow... You're so smart!

What're you doing, Erina?

I'm running as fast as I can! Hopefully I can be as fast as you someday!

Haha. Well, just be careful not to fall.

Oh, Dr. Peruzzi! Hello!

Lady Erina, Lady Jorna. How are you faring? The same as always, I hope.

Yes. And what about you? You've been quite busy lately, haven't you?

I appreciate your concern.

I have been coming here to check on you two ever since you were babies. You have both grown so much since then...

Hey, Dr. Peruzzi? She only has a cold, right?

No, my dear. I'm afraid it's thanato fever. I will be looking after her in my clinic.

She has not coughed on either of you, has she?

...No. We haven't been near her since she got sick. I made sure to keep Erina away too.

You are a good sister, Lady Jorna. I think there should be no cause for concern here, then.

But I should like to examine you both just in case. It is far better to be safe than sorry with thanato fever.

Okay! Thanks, Dr. Peruzzi!

I never got to tell her goodbye... Why did this happen to her, Jorna?

...... Dr. Peruzzi decided it was best to cremate her at the clinic where she died so no one else would get sick.

She was all alone...and burnt to ashes...

I'm scared... I don't wanna die... I don't wanna die, Jorna...!

You'll be alright, Erina. I'll protect you.

Zzz... Zzz...

......

It breaks my heart seeing Erina so scared... But there's not much information about thanato fever in any of my books.

I guess I'll just have to ask Dr. Peruzzi about it.

(Is that Dr. Peruzzi?)

But Doctor! Yellos Spirit Grass has the power to suppress thanato fever!

Not so loud. People are sleeping.

I understand your enthusiasm, but I cannot use an untested medicine on patients.

But if there's any hope of saving people from this disease, then...

Do not speak of hope. I refuse to gamble on my patients' lives. Farewell.

Hm...

Dr. Peruzzi's clinic...

He went underground? What's down there?

......

(What's that noise?)

Ah...

......

Erina... Where are you?

Ah...

Ah...

(Is that...the maid? But I thought she was cremated.) (She's not moving, though... She must be dead.)

Sorry to keep you waiting, my pitiful little puppet.

Dreadfully poor quality. This truly is a second-rate product.

Perhaps I will increase the concentration a little next time...

(Dr. Peruzzi...)

(No. That can't be him. Something's wrong.)

(Is this...a journal?)

......

......

......!

Why... Why Erina?

This notebook contains records of Peruzzi's past...

So people can't pass on thanato fever by coughing? (The journal keeps going, but it looks like scribbles.)

(It reads like he's just talking to himself.)

No...

Dr. Peruzzi... He's a monster.

How do I keep Erina safe?

Do I tell our parents? Show them the book?

No... I can't do that. If I do, then...

There you are, Jorna!

You really love the wheat fields, don't you?

Erina...

The smell of wheat calms me down.

You seem a little sad. But I'm okay! You don't have to worry about me anymore.

That's good to know. I was just thinking about merchant stuff, though.

Hmm...

I baked some cookies! They're not as good as the maid's, but...

I thought they might cheer you up.

Thank you, Erina. They're delicious.

Hehehe! They're a little burnt, but they really are good!

(If I told anyone about this and it went to trial...Erina might find out the truth.) (I can't let that happen. I don't want her to know just how awful this world can be.)

Is something the matter, Lady Jorna?

......

If you aren't feeling well, I can always have a look. I just hope it isn't thanato fever...

Is that how you tricked the maid into getting the injection?

I know what you do in that basement, Dr. Peruzzi.

I read all about it.

......

So you're the thief.

This is truly a pity, Lady Jorna. Bad children must be punished...

Wait. I have an idea.

And that is?

You promise me you'll leave Erina alone. And in return...

You can have me.

You came to offer me an exchange?

Why haven't you told your parents or the other townspeople?

...I'm doing what I can to protect my sister.

Haha... Ahahaha! What a good girl you are, Lady Jorna.

However, Lady Erina is a far more valuable specimen...

I disagree.

......

You certainly are brave. You do have very beautiful skin... I suppose that means your organs are quite healthy.

Very well then. You have a deal, Lady Jorna. You shall become my product in your sister's place.

You understand what this means, don't you?

But don't you dare break your promise. If you lay even a single finger on her...

I won't. Now then, Lady Jorna. Prepare yourself.

*pant* *pant*

It hurts...

Jorna...

Erina... Wait there.

*pant* *pant* What was that? A nightmare...?

*cough* My body...feels hot.

Jorna...

What did you think of the goods I harvested the other day?

They weren't bad, per se. However... I thought them a bit overripe.

When will the next harvest be?

Worry not. Everything is on schedule.

So you will finally get your hands on Erina, then.

Their merchant family has a long history. Years ago, they invited me into their home... And ever since I laid eyes on that girl, I could not forget just how innocent and pure she was.

You have a keen eye, good sir.

I will spare no expense. Do not fail me, Doctor.

Please be patient. The seed will soon be sown, I assure you.

Where are you going, Jorna?

...Out.

You can't! You need to rest.

*cough* *cough*

Dr. Peruzzi said you might've caught thanato fever. I'm...scared.

Don't be. You won't get it.

That's not what I'm afraid of...

There's something I have to do now. I don't have a choice.

Go to bed, Erina.

I won't be harvesting any more wheat...

It's almost time for me to leave this town at last. Jorna will be dead in just a few days.

And once that's done...I can get my hands on Erina.

With two quality specimens, I won't need to work another day in my life.

That Jorna can be too smart for her own good sometimes, but she's just a child at the end of the day, believing an empty promise. I can't wait to sink my scalpel into that nosy little brat.

Haha... I look forward to reaping those golden rewards.

You broke your promise, Doctor.

Ah!

Don't move. I've got a knife pointed straight at your back. And trust me, I studied enough to know just where your heart is.

......

I've known you since I was a baby. Maybe that's why I wanted to give you another chance. To believe you had a heart.

But I was wrong.

L-Lady Jorna...

I know you were looking forward to cutting me open, but I'm afraid that won't be happening. You won't hurt another person ever again.

Wait...

Ngh!

How does it feel being on the other end of the blade? Tell me, Doctor.

Hah... Take a look in the mirror...Lady Jorna...

......

I heard it was suicide. Dr. Peruzzi was such a good man. He must've felt guilty about all those people he couldn't save.

I heard someone else was found dead near the clinic. He was really rich or something, right?

What are we going to do now without a doctor? I'm glad that no one else has caught thanato fever since poor Jorna, but still...

*cough* *cough*

It's over...

I'll burn his notebook...

Turn everything to ash... So no one ever has to know...

*cough* *cough*

Jorna, please don't go... Stay with me.

You can't leave me all by myself!

Don't cry...Erina...

Wh-Why not?

Because you're like the sun... You have to keep shining bright... no matter how dark life gets... Please always be a ray of light... Erina...

...A dream.

What was that... I feel like...it was something very important.

But I can't remember.

Using the Illusory Tree as a pillow, I see. Aren't you getting a little too cozy?

It's time, Jorna.

Okay...

Now that you are a scythe wielder, it is your job to reap.

Okay...

I have high hopes for you, and I will not give that scythe a moment to rust. You would do well to remember that.

Okay...

My, you certainly are eloquent. Might you try saying something other than "okay" all the time?

If it's part of my job...

There seem to be some odd goings-on here in Purgatory.

I will be holding a special meeting with the other scythe wielders. Do not be late, Jorna.

Sure...

No time to rust, eh?

I better get going.