Search for the Lost Map
Sophia dons a new outfit to enter a market that might hold her lost map. She buys a map, but it seems somewhat different from her old one. The merchant tells her that if she goes to the location on the map, she would do well not to reveal she's a priestess.
On their travels, the crew meet a Zeyen priestess named Sophia.She was on a pilgrimage, a trial bestowed upon her by the high priest of her faith.
Along the way, however, she unwittingly lost her map.
As a result, she decided that the best course of action would be to travel with (Captain) and company to reach her destination.
One day (Captain) and company receive some vital information from Sierokarte.
They learn an antique market in a certain town holds a collection of precious maps.
Suspecting there's a chance they might find Sophia's lost map, they make their way to the location. However, all does not go as hoped.
Sophia: Aww... They kicked me out...
A downcast Sophia walks out from the marketplace to meet (Captain) waiting outside.
Sophia: The moment I stepped in there, everyone looked at me like they'd seen a ghost.
Sophia: They shouted at me and told me to get out. I've never experienced anything like that in my life...
Vyrn: Well, that's weird. We got in just fine.
Sierokarte: Ahh, it must be because you're a priestess, Sophia.
Lyria: Siero! When did you get here?
Sierokarte: Hehe. I have a store in this market; I've been here all day!
Sophia: Um, you were saying this is because I'm a priestess?
Sierokarte: Well, I won't get into the details, but this market's a tad touchy when it comes to the army or religion.
Vyrn: Hmm, okay. Vague, but I guess it isn't the first time I've heard of this kinda thing. All it takes is one bad run-in.
Sophia: Nnn... What do we do? My map could be in there...
- Just change your clothes!
- Want me to get it for you instead?
Choose: Just change your clothes!Sophia: Change my clothes?
Sierokarte: Excellent idea, (Captain)! I have a strong feeling that might work!
Choose: Want me to get it for you instead?Sophia: I wouldn't want to impose... But I guess there's no other—
Sierokarte: Hmm. There might be a better way: all you have to do is change your outfit.
Continue 1Sophia: Ah. I see...
Sophia: They won't know I'm a priestess if I'm not dressed like one, will they!
Sophia nods in excitement and returns to the Grandcypher to put the plan into action.
Lyria: Ah, she's back! Sophia! Wow...
Sophia: Sorry for the wait, everyone. What do you think?
Sophia: Huh? Wh-what's wrong? Why're you looking at me like that?
- You look amazing.
- You look like a whole different person.
Choose: You look amazing.Lyria: You sure do! Wow, I hope I can dress like that when I grow up!
Sophia: H-heh heh. Oh, stop... You're making me blush. Hehe.
Choose: You look like a whole different person.Vyrn: Yeah! No problems getting into that place now!
Sierokarte: Very chic, Sophia!
Sophia: H-haha. Thank you. Oh, I hope I'm not blushing.
Continue 2Together they head to the antique market.
Their plan works, and Sophia is able to enter the marketplace without incident. After that, however, something peculiar happens.
Merchant 1: Oh! Young lady! You there! Might I interest you in some paintings? They say paintings make your life all the richer!
Sophia: A painting? Well, I've never been too interested, but these look amazing. Maybe just one...
Merchant 2: Lass! What you need be this 'ere premium ceramic artisan pot! It'll bring you happiness!
Sophia: Happiness? Just by having a pot? That sounds really good.
Merchant 3: And might I recommend these fine miniature sculptures! They go well with paintings and pots!
Sophia: I-I guess I might as well...
Merchant 4: Hahaha! That's what I like to see! Here, get some of my wares too!
Sophia: Oh, ohh...
Wincing, (Captain) grabs Sophia by the hand and drags her out of the marketplace.
Sophia: I'm sorry, (Captain)... Thank you for getting me out of there.
Vyrn: Sigh. You know you can just ignore 'em, right?
Sophia: Haha... I tried to, but... I don't know; I felt bad...
Sophia: Besides, they were going out of their way to recommend all that stuff to me.
Sophia: I mean, making my life richer, bringing myself some happiness... Doesn't that sound great?
Vyrn: Oh, come on. They're just saying that! None of that's real!
Sophia: What! R-really?
Lyria: Ahaha... Sophia. You sure are trusting...
Vyrn: Well, anywho, let's not forget why we're here, okay?
Sophia: You're right. We'd better buy that map.
Cartographer: Well, well. Looking for maps are ya? Fancy a look at my shop then?
Vyrn: Hm? You're not trying to pull a fast one on us, are you?
Cartographer: No, no, heaven forbid! I've collected maps from far and wide, new and old, all with my own two feet. They're as authentic as they get.
Cartographer: From treasure maps to charts of every island, I've got what you need.
Sophia: Then do you have a map to the Zeyen holy grounds?
Cartographer: Oh? Interesting tastes you have. But it just so happens I have one of those on hand.
Sophia: R-really? I'll take it!
Cartographer: Here you go! Pleasure doing business!
Lyria: Hehe. Congratulations, Sophia!
Sophia: I can finally get to the holy grounds.
Sophia: Hm? This doesn't look like the map I lost...
Sophia: And there's only one holy ground marked on this.
Vyrn: What!
Vyrn: Hey, what's the meaning of this!
Cartographer: Wha? How am I supposed to know? But that there map is a Zeyen map! I guarantee it!
Sophia: I see... I have heard rumors of there being more than one map...
Sophia: And I don't think my brother was lying to me...
Sophia: So this map must be the real thing!
Vyrn: Sigh. I really hope you're not being too trusting again...
Vyrn: And the next time you go throwin' cash around, make sure you look before you leap.
Sophia: Ahaha... Sorry.
Cartographer: Little lady, I don't want to pry, but could I ask? Are you a Zeyen priestess?
Sophia: Ah... Well...
Sophia: Um... Uhh... You see...
Cartographer: Hahaha! You're not too good at hiding it. Well, it's no surprise. Who else would want a Zeyen map?
Cartographer: Then let me tell you something, as thanks for trusting me.
Cartographer: If you do end up going to the location on that map, you'd best not go there dressed in your priestess garbs.
Sophia: Really? Why not?
Cartographer: Ahh, just trust me. If you don't want to cause a ruckus, remember what I told you.
Cartographer: That's all I can tell ya! Safe travels to you then! I've still got a business to run here!
Sophia: Thank you!
I wonder what all that was about...
Sophia's finally gotten her hands on a map, but things seem to be turning out a little different than imagined.
She begins the journey to the location indicated on the map but can't help wonder what the shopkeeper's strange words meant.
The Town Without a Heart
The crew follow the map to a town of people who have supposedly abandoned all emotion in place of logic. When an elderly woman collapses in front of them, they rush her to a hospital.
(Captain) and company head toward the holy ground indicated on the map purchased from the antique market.
As they do, the words of the map merchant echo in their minds.
Lyria: I wonder what he meant by what he said... Should we be worried?
Vyrn: I dunno. But whatever happens, stay sharp.
Sophia: I'm sure we'll be just fine! After all, we're doing just as he said: no priestess garbs!
Sophia: Making a pilgrimage in these clothes though... I don't know; it doesn't feel quite right.
Not soon after, they reach their destination.
It seems to be a simple town just like any other. Vyrn lets out a sigh.
Vyrn: Well, that was a whole lot of worry for a whole lot of nothing. This place looks as normal as can be.
Lyria: Hmm... Really?
Lyria: I can't put my finger on it, but I'm getting a strange feeling about this place.
Vyrn: Just looks like any old village to me.
Sophia: I... don't hear any voices.
Sophia: No children laughing, no people talking... Not a hint.
All they hear are the hollow sounds of footsteps on cobblestone paths.
Vyrn: N-now that you mention it... Everyone's walking around, but no one's saying a single word.
Just then an old woman hobbles out from the crowd, coughing. She collapses after just a few steps.
Sophia: Oh no!
The crew rushes to tend to the old woman, but (Captain) notices that no one else seems to care.
In fact, they seem to act inconvenienced by the collapsed elder, scrunching up their faces into frowns and quickening their steps.
Vyrn: The heck is wrong with this place? Why's no one helping?
Elder: Nnn...
Sophia: Ma'am, are you hurt? Are you all right?
Elder: Haah... Cough, cough... Stop! Get away from me!
Elder: I don't have any money for you! You won't get any thanks from me!
Vyrn: What? W-we're just trying to help you!
Elder: No one asked you for it! Cough, cough! Now go away!
Sophia: We don't want any money; we're just worried about you. Please, let us help you.
Elder: Huh? Worried? Well, that's not very rational. You're not from around here, are you?
Elder: In this town we hate anything that isn't rational!
Lyria: Wh-what do you mean?
Between her bouts of coughing, the woman tells the crew about the town.
A long, long time ago, the people of the town abandoned irrational ways of thinking and chose only to live a life based on logic.
Thanks to this, the town saw rapid growth and became prosperous.
And because of that, no one chooses to do anything without good reason.
Elder: We don't believe in anything. Belief is the most illogical of human behaviors.
Elder: Which is why I simply cannot believe you would help me for no reason at all.
Sophia: But... But how could an entire town be so cold!
Vyrn: Now I know why the map seller warned you not to wear your priestess outfit... These people would hate stuff like that, no doubt about it.
Vyrn: Are you really sure there's a holy ground in this place?
Elder: Hm? Are you lot associated with the Zeyens?
Elder: Humph. Fools and foolish acts. Calling that empty place a holy ground and worshipping it... Can't make any sense of it.
Elder: Since the time I was but a baby, our people have never stepped onto that land. Not
even—
Elder: Cough, cough!
Sophia: Ma'am! You're coughing blood! And you're burning up!
Sophia: (Captain)! We need to get her to a doctor! I can't heal her if it's a sickness...
Elder: Pant... Pant... Stop... Don't...
Sophia: Please, you need to remain still! (Captain)!
They act on Sophia's words without hesitation and rush to find a hospital.
The Town Without a Heart: Scene 2
To the crew's surprise, the hospital refuses to treat the old woman on the basis that it would not be logical to waste scarce medicine on the elderly. Something seems to click for Sophia, and she rushes out of the building.
The crew manage to find a hospital nearby and bring the coughing woman in for help. But they get a terrible surprise.
Doctor: Sigh. I can't look at her. Now could you kindly leave?
Sophia: Why! Can't you see how much pain she's in?
Doctor: Over here we only treat the young and the working class, those who contribute to our society.
Doctor: It's only logical that we not waste our medicinal herbs.
Lyria: How could you say such a thing!
Doctor: Perhaps you fail to realize how precious the herbs are in this town. They only grow here, and there's no more that can be grown. What we have is the last of them.
Doctor: Do you understand now? Very good, the exit is that way.
Sophia: This doesn't make sense! How! How could you be so cruel!
Sophia: How can you ignore someone suffering right in front of you! I thought you were a doctor!
Sophia: However logical it is, ignoring a life you can save... It's wrong; you have to...
Something seems to click for Sophia.
Sophia: The holy ground... I need to get to the holy ground!
She turns and rushes toward the exit.
Lyria: What's happened? Where're you going?
Vyrn: You're just gonna leave the old lady here?
Elder: Sigh. Just go. It's far more logical to further your own efforts than try to help a stranger.
Sophia: No! I'm going to the holy ground to help you!
Elder: Huh?
Sophia: Not believing in anything, relying only on logic... If that's what's deeply ingrained in your way of life, then it might be no use trying to change things.
Sophia: But please, just this once, believe. Believe in me and wait here!
With that, Sophia leaves the hospital.
Vyrn: H-hey! Wait up!
After a moment's pause and a quick exchange of glances, (Captain) and the rest of the group follow after her.
Sophia: We have to hurry!
Lyria: Sophia! Watch out!
Monster: Grrr!
Sophia: Ah! A monster!
Sophia: I can help her. I know it. I just need to get to the holy ground!
Sophia: Please! You need to let us pass!
Monster: Grrr!
The Town Without a Heart: Scene 3
Sophia returns with the medicinal herbs that were believed to have gone extinct. The doctor and old woman cannot believe how she could do such a seemingly irrational thing. In time, however, the townspeople slowly begin to show care for each other.
After some time, Sophia and the others return to the hospital.
To the doctor and elder's surprise, they see Sophia holding a bundle of the very medicinal herbs they thought were no more.
Doctor: What! Wh-where did you get that?
Sophia: At the holy ground. There's quite a bit of it growing there.
Elder: In that place? But it's supposed to be barren. There shouldn't be anything there...
Sophia: You said the herbs only grow in this town and that they've all been harvested, didn't you?
Sophia: But then I remembered something the elder woman said, that no one has been to the holy ground in years.
Sophia: I thought that maybe there might still be some of the herb growing there.
Doctor: You... How could you jump to such an illogical conclusion like that? You couldn't possibly have known... But you did manage to find the herb... Hmm...
Vyrn: Hey, hey! Less talking, more treating the old lady!
Sophia: There's more than enough of the herb for her. You should be able to help her now, right?
Doctor: Ah, y-yes...
With a tinge of embarrassment, the doctor begins to make preparations for the treatment.
Sophia: I'm so glad. She's going to get better.
Sophia: I really am so glad.
Elder: Why?
Sophia: Huh?
Elder: Without a doubt, you have and always will follow this path of irrationality.
Elder: We can't understand such thinking. So I ask, why?
Sophia: Haha... Well, I'm not too sure myself.
Sophia: I'm still finding my legs as a priestess, so I might not be able to phrase this too well.
Sophia: But if someone right in front of me is in pain, I feel like I have to help them.
Elder: Sigh... That makes no sense. I just can't believe you.
Elder: Hehe. But maybe that's all right.
Elder: Thank you, young lady.
Sophia: You're very welcome, ma'am. Take care!
With a big smile, Sophia waves goodbye to the elder and heads back to the holy ground for her pilgrimage.
The old woman looks on at Sophia's silhouette, and for the first time ever, smiles.
Elder: Thank you, truly.
As time passes, the town starts to change; its residents begin to take action, even if the reasons are not immediately apparent, and people start to show care for others.