Well this explains your error, if start.ini file is empty. I don't know why your Itch download is corrupted or why it fails, but claims the ERAS project is updated and complete. The only thing I can suggest is click the Settings for ERAS in the Itch client, then the Manage button, then the Re-install button then wait for it to complete. After completion, then open the start.ini to see it was properly updated. If it still fails to properly update the start.ini file maybe contact their support if it continually doesn't work.