02x09 - The Grim Reaper's Horde

[bunniefuu]

What is it?

What's wrong, Mom?

A mouse!

Come on, a mouse is nothing to fuss over.

Nothing to fuss over?!

I absolutely despise mice!

And so, I was told to go get
the mouse poison from the drugstore.

What a waste.

Mom should leave that mouse be.

I might invite Yumi
to go to the movies with me.

Duty calls.

Oh? A new assignment?

What's wrong?

You seem really gloomy.

Well...

For our assignment this time,

we have to go to a dark and gloomy world.

In the 14th century,

the Grim Reaper's horde
ravaged all of Europe.

The Grim Reaper's horde?

Was there ever such an event?

Not the real Grim Reaper.

The Black Death epidemic.

Epidemics, including the Black Death,

initially broke out
in Central Asia in the 1330s.

Later on, in 1347,

it reached Constantinople.

From there it spread across
the Mediterranean coast, and in 1348,

it spread to Avignon in January
and Florence in April.

It arrived in England in August

and hit London in November.

In 1349, the Black Death spread
to the Nordic countries,

and in 1351, it even reached Russia.

The Black Death is said

to have wiped out one-third of Europe.

It's estimated that at least 25 million
people fell victim to this disease.

No one knew what caused it
or how to treat it,

which led to superstitions.

It seemed like the end of the world.

It's hard to believe.

I didn't know
there was such a deadly disease.

It's known as the plague.

It used to be referred to
as the "lethal disease."

THE GRIM REAPER'S HORDE

This is Molène, a town in northern France.

So, who are we saving?

An older man named Isaac.

He's a money changer.

Out of 25 million victims,
why was he chosen?

What reason could there be?

It's the same story.

The amount of people
Time Patrol can save is still limited.

It's like playing a lottery.

That's just the kind of work we do.

I suppose that sounds like a fair system.

Let's get out of here after we help Isaac.

Sounds good to me.

Seeing or hearing unnecessary stuff
will make things worse.

Why did we dress up like this?

We're posing as traveling entertainers.

But why Buyoyon as well?

This kind of thing
isn't so bad once in a while.

Why traveling entertainers?

This role allows a foreigner
to avoid suspicion most effectively.

It's so dark. And it stinks too.

Yeah, you're right.

Do you smell something bad?

Stop worrying about unnecessary stuff.

And watch your step.

-Bon?
-Ouch.

What's this? It's soft and squishy.

Someone from Buyoyon's kind?

That's impossible.

A corpse!

What?!

Now that I look closely, we're surrounded...

...by dead bodies.

Let's get to the town.

Excuse us!

We're travelers!

Please open the gate!

It may be the middle of the night,

but this silence isn't normal.

Is everyone dead?

No way! That would be assuming too much.

A mouse!

Come on, you're overreacting.

Why is everyone scared of mice?

I thought it was going to bite me.

What is it?

Do you hear that too?

-That's...
-Follow me!

What's that?

They're marching down
while whipping each other.

I don't know what it is, but...

...we'd better stay away from them.

We've got to find Isaac's home.

It should be around here.

Buyo?

Someone's here.

Thank goodness.
Let's ask him for directions.

Excuse us!

There's a man named Isaac around...

A ghost!

The same goes for you!

Who wanders at midnight,
demons or thieves?

We're searching for Isaac's house.

Isaac's?

If it's that person...

I've just examined him.

It's the sixth house after you turn left.

Examined him?

Yes.

Definitely the Black Death.

I couldn't help him, so I left.

I marked his door with a cross.

If you go near that house,
you'll be punished.

Is he a doctor?

I guess so.

Why was he wearing a cloth mask?

How would I know?

You don't know anything, do you?

Did you do enough research?

You can't skip that.

Wow! There's a mark on almost every door.

They're all houses with plague patients.

This is it. It's Isaac's house.

Good evening! Is anyone home?

Who is it?

We're poor traveling entertainers.

We are sorry to impose,

but could we spend the night
at your house?

I am very sorry,

but something has happened,
and I can't let anyone stay over.

Please don't say that.

We're in huge trouble.
A corner in the kitchen will do.

Please!

I'm sorry.

We have a sick person...

It's fine.

We have a protective charm
against the Black Death.

A protective charm?

Does such a thing exist?

If it doesn't bother you,
then please come in.

-Thank you!
-Thank you!

I'm afraid I don't have much to offer.

Oh, no. It's all good.

That's an unusual pet.

I'm Buyoyon!

We have pet tricks in our repertoire.

It's like it can really talk.

I can really talk!

Is your father's condition really bad?

Yes.

There's no escape if you're possessed
by the Black Grim Reaper.

You can't lose hope.

I'm sure your father will get better.

I really hope you're right.

It's just me and my father.

We've lived by relying on each other.

The thought of losing him makes me...

What was that?

Who were these people?

We're being harassed.

Why?

Because we're Jews.

That's horrible.

It's been happening for a while.

It feels like it's gotten worse
since the disease spread.

That's so cruel.

Sorry for bringing up only grim subjects.

I'll get the beds ready for you.

Her story is so sad.

Let's quickly help Isaac
and make her happy.

I agree.

Bon.

Bon, wake up!

Bon!

How is he?

His bubonic plague is advancing,
causing sepsis.

Antibiotics, cell activators,
and nutritional supplements.

A week's worth should do.

Will this cure him?

Yeah.

It's fast-acting,
so he should be up tomorrow.

His daughter will be surprised.

All right, our mission is over.

Let's head back.

Yay! We're already done!

And this is how you get
the job done efficiently.

Color me impressed.

You sure talk big.

But I wonder what's the deal
with that doctor with the mask?

And the people whipping themselves?

Does it really matter?

Our mission is over.

I'm still thinking about it.

I'm just very curious by nature.

Bon!

Did you get the mouse poison?

Bon!

You still want me to get it?

I'll go buy it right away.

Just after a short break.

Bon, wake up!

You scared me!

Isaac and his daughter are in danger!

What do you mean?

Isaac's plague should be completely cured.

He did fully recover from it.

But five days later,

they got caught in the Jewish hunt.

The Jewish hunt?

In that era, the true nature
of the Black Death wasn't known yet,

leading to various superstitions.

For example,

they believed that inhaling rotten air
can transmit the disease.

Which is why doctors avoided inhaling it
by covering their faces with cloth masks.

People who saw the Black Death
as God's wrath

traveled from town to town,
whipping themselves to seek forgiveness

for 33-and-a-half days,
in honor of Christ,

who lived for 33-and-a-half years.

Eventually, people began looking
for someone to blame.

They were convinced
someone was spreading the plague.

The Jews were blamed for having caused it
by poisoning the wells.

Judaism was deemed evil,

and many Jews were massacred
all across Europe.

I had no idea.

We must quickly save
Isaac and his daughter.

Are we going into town dressed like this?

We'll use the Forgetter.

Isaac!

They're already caught.

Where did they take them?

Bon!

While investigating conspiracy,

we caught this suspicious pair
at Isaac's house.

They're dressed in odd attire.

They must be pagan witches.

Either way,

if they're in a Jewish group,

execute them.

As you wish, my lord.

However, more Jews are being brought in.

The gallows are already full.

Then build new ones.

We must waste no time

and execute as many Jews as possible,

and put a stop to the Black Death.

Execute?

We're in serious trouble.

They took away our boats,
so we can't even escape.

There's no point in getting so flustered.

You've gotten into quite a mess.

Buyoyon, you came at a perfect time.

How will you escape?

I have a little favor to ask you.

How can you even stay so calm?!

Oh, I know! Is Buyoyon coming to save us?

Don't count on it.

He's doing something else for me.

What do you mean?

I won't tell you.

If I'm wrong, you'll be disappointed.

What?

You're up first.

Isaac!

It's you again?

Why are you here?

Could it be
because you got involved with us?

Enough idle talk.

Keep moving!

Hey! I have bad news!

What happened?

Our lord has...

Oh, no.

How is he?

What's going on?

This might be our chance.

There's nothing we can do.

Sounds like things have taken a bad turn.

What was that?

You said your lord is sick, right?

How did you know?

We know because we are witches.

But the good ones, mind you.

If you wish, we can cure your lord

of the Black Death within three days.

You can cure the Black Death?

Don't listen to her.

She can't do such a thing.

Are you sure?

Shouldn't you inform your lord about this,
just in case?

Can you really make decisions by yourself

that might threaten your lord's life?

You're going to regret it.

She's a suspicious wench.

She spread the Black Death herself

and is now saying that she can cure it.

Oh, no.

We weren't the ones who spread it.

Mice are the culprit.

What?!

Well, to be exact, fleas infected
with Yersinia pestis are,

but it was the mice that spread them
around by bringing them to houses.

The mice spread such a deadly disease?

But our magic is powerful.

Fleas and mice don't stand a chance.

Within three days,
we shall not only cure you,

but also eradicate the Black Death
from the whole town.

Stop saying that nonsense.

You can do such a thing?

Don't let her fool you, my lord.

However, all executions must be ceased
in the meantime.

Are you sure?

All the medicines are in our Time Boats.

I've got this.

She's saying such things
out of a fear for her life.

Most likely.

That said,

given that there's no cure,

this might be worth a try.

Very well.

I accept your terms.

However, cast your spells only from
your prison cells, without touching me.

Can you do it?

No problem!

You've taken this bluff too far.

What are you planning to do now?

Nothing.

Nothing?!

Yep. Nothing at all.

Hey! I'm back!

Buyoyon!

I investigated the town.

Everything was just as you said.

So I was right.

Thank you.

Buyoyon?

What?

What are you talking about?

All we can do now is wait.

Wait? You're joking.

What do I do?

What do I do?

What do I do?

Oh God, save me.

Do something quickly.

God,

please!

Help me!

The promised three days have passed.

Get out.

You said you would use magic,

but absolutely nothing happened!

So it seems.

Hurry up and go up there.

Before you execute us,

could you tell us how your lord is doing?

You're about to be ex*cuted,
so that's no concern of yours.

Wait!

Stop the execution!

Untie them quickly.

I owe my life to these people.

We're saved.

I still can't believe it.

I never thought
you'd really cure the Black Death.

What kind of magic did you use?

I didn't use any.

I just did proper research
about the area in advance.

Actually, the epidemic of plague
in this town has passed its peak.

I had Buyoyon look into this
to confirm it.

There hasn't been a single death
from the plague in this town.

After taking a look
at the swelling on the lord's neck,

I realized his bubonic plague symptoms
were milder than Isaac's.

So all we had to do was wait
for the lord to get better naturally.

The Black Grim Reaper has left.

Life has returned to the skies and earth.

A true miracle indeed!

So, does that mean
we're free to go back home?

Of course!

I have no words to thank you.

You're welcome.

Thank you so much
for saving not only my father's life,

but mine as well.

I'll be telling this story
to my grandchildren.

We're glad to hear that,

but we need you to forget
about Time Patrol.

Now we can finally go back
to our good old homes.

I thought we'd never come back.

Well?

Do you understand why
prior research is important now?

And this is how you get
the job done efficiently.

You have my apologies.

The mortal disease.

How scary.

I forgot!

Bon?

BAIT FOR EXTERMINATING MICE
MICE BLOCKS

That should do the trick.

Let's get rid of that mouse!

Who told you to get so much?!

But mice are scary!

You bought too much!

Don't say that.