Scenario:Alchemist's Desire - Chapter 4: Hungered, Craved - Episode 4

Alchemist's Desire - Chapter 4: Hungered, Craved - Episode 4

Because Risette has taken in too many of other people's genetic factors, Cagliostro guesses that Risette only has a few more days to live. She explains that the only way to save Risette even temporarily is by giving her a large of amount of Mireille's blood, which will certainly lead to Mireille's death. When Risette suddenly comes into the room, the distressed Mireille panics and rushes out of the house. Worried, Risette runs after her.

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Mireille: Wh-what do you mean Risette doesn't have long to live?

Cagliostro: As I just explained, genetic factors are like notes with information on a particular body and soul.

Cagliostro: By taking in the factors, you can adopt someone's information, abilities, and experiences and use them for yourself.

Cagliostro: But in doing so, the downside is that your own existence grows vague.

Cagliostro: Taking someone else's genetic factors is only a temporary measure.

Cagliostro: If you keep doing it, eventually, all the information absorbed from others will take over and you won't be able to maintain yourself.

Cagliostro: Once Risette reaches that point, even taking in factors from other people won't prolong things.

Lyria: ...

Cagliostro: Looking at the state of the town and Risette's condition last night, I'd say she only has a few days left.

The crew is left speechless by this sudden news.

Mireille: B-but maybe with my blood...

Cagliostro: It's no use.

Mireille: Why!

Cagliostro: She might've been able to recover before if she'd taken in a small amount of your blood, but she's way past that phase.

Mireille: Are you saying that there's no way to help Risette!

But Cagliostro is unfazed by Mireille's desperate outburst.

Cagliostro: You're getting rather emotional for someone who once said Risette was just a tool.

Mireille: I finally realized... that homunculi are no different from people. It was Risette who taught me that.

Mireille: Before, I'd only thought of Risette as a convenient tool.

Mireille: I had no idea how she felt and what she was thinking inside.

Mireille: But after hearing her talk about her feelings, I just couldn't keep treating her like a tool anymore.

Mireille: Or rather, I didn't want to.

Mireille: What she felt were all things that I've felt before too...

Mireille: That's when I told myself that, from now on, I want to see Risette not as a tool, but as a real person.

Hearing these words, Cagliostro pauses for a moment, thinking to herself. She heaves a soft sigh.

Cagliostro: Don't you think it's a little late for that?

Mireille: ...

Cagliostro: You didn't have the slightest concern for her, up until it affected you personally. What do you think Risette thinks about that?

Mireille: I... don't know...

Mireille: Still, I want to help her. So tell me how I can do that.

Mireille: From the way you're talking, there's still hope, right?

Cagliostro grits her teeth, her expression reluctant.

Cagliostro: Mireille... Can you die for Risette?

Clarisse: What...

Mireille: ...

Mireille: You said she's past the phase of recovering with a small amount of my blood... You meant she'll need a lot more than that now.

Cagliostro: Exactly. Looks like we're on the same page.

Cagliostro: With the blood that she was provided at birth—in other words, your blood—it's possible for Risette to go back to how she was before.

Cagliostro: But the amount of blood, or genetic factors, required to do that now is significant.

Cagliostro: She'll need an amount equivalent to that of what she's taken from other people up until now... or even more than that.

Cagliostro: If you give that much to Risette, you will die, Mireille.

Lyria: No...

Cagliostro: You have a choice between two options. Either you live, Mireille, or Risette lives.

Mireille: ...

Ignoring the shocked expressions around her, Cagliostro goes on.

Cagliostro: I feel partly responsible for letting the situation get this bad. So I'm gonna say this for your sake.

Cagliostro: You should... give up on saving Risette.

Clarisse: Wha... Master!

Mireille: Why? Can you tell me the reason?

Cagliostro: Think about it. Risette needs your genetic factors in order to continue living.

Cagliostro: Even if you save Risette this time, it won't take long for her to revert back to this depraved state.

Cagliostro: And you won't be here to regularly provide her with the necessary factors anymore.

Cagliostro: Besides, knowing Risette, she might not be able to bear being alive when you're not.

Mireille: Well...

Mireille: ...

Cagliostro: But what you and I want out of life is different.

Cagliostro: Whether you want to save Risette or not... The choice is yours, Mireille.

Cagliostro: It's your responsibility to make this decision... as the one who gave birth to this homunculus, albeit coincidentally.

Mireille: My responsibility...

Mireille: (I can't save Risette unless I sacrifice myself...)

Mireille: (Risette is going to die because I didn't give her the factors she needs...)

Mireille: (All because of me...)

Mireille: (But in order to save her, I'll have to...)

Risette: I apologize for the interruption. There's something I need to ask Miss Mireille about...

Mireille: ...!

Their hearts skip a beat as Risette enters the room.

Risette: My apologies. Did I come in at a bad time?

Mireille: Risette...

Upon seeing Risette, Mireille is overwhelmed by a mixture of grief and inner conflict.

Mireille: ...!

Unable to hold back her feelings, she rushes out of the room without a word.

Lyria: Mireille!

Risette: Miss Mireille, please wait! You mustn't run like that!

Cagliostro: Wait, Risette! Stay here in the house!

Cagliostro: (Captain), restrain her! We don't know when she'll go out of control again!

(Captain) nods and immediately grabs Risette's arm, keeping her in a tight hold.

Risette: Please, let me go! It's dangerous for Miss Mireille!

Cagliostro: Risette. We'll go and make sure Mireille is—

Risette: ...

Clarisse: R-Risette?

All of a sudden, Risette ceases all movement. She looks at (Captain), emotionless.

Risette: …

Cagliostro: Quick, get away from her, (Captain)!

Risette: ...

Cagliostro: Tch!

In the blink of an eye, Cagliostro produces a barrier around Risette in an attempt to trap her.

Risette: Huh? What did I... just...

Risette: No, now's not the time... I have to find Miss Mireille!

Cagliostro: Damn it! Everyone all right? Come on, we have to go after her!

Clarisse: Okay!

Gripped by worry for Mireille, Risette runs out of the house.

(Captain) and company follow suit, desperate to catch up to Risette and to prevent any more casualties.