Part 1: The World of Dreams

Update 1: The World of Dreams


Taboo
Music: A Familiar Scent

















Well that certainly doesn’t sound like it has any implications for the events of the game. Stepping away from this girl’s monologue on whatever taboo she broke to meet her special someone, let us cut away to the title character…


The Dream Tree and the Dream World
Music: Snow Melting in Your Palm

Wow! Look at that! Plachta, look how big it is!

Indeed, Sophie. It’s certainly impressive, isn’t it?




But it doesn’t look alive…Is it the same tree as the one you saw in your dream?

Not quite. The tree I saw was more … Well … Vibrant.



Hmm … If only Oskar was here. Just where on earth did he get to?

Heh. He must have left to follow the voices of the plants he heard somewhere.

Oskar being Sophie’s tubby childhood friend and one of the initial party members in her home game. Sophie and Plachta will eventually reunite with a very skinny Oskar during the events of Atelier Firis.

That does sound like him. Hey, let’s take a look a little closer.

Yes, we might be able to learn something.





Music: So Much Fun










Music: The Truth’s Key

Whoa … It looks even bigger up close! We’ve travelled around a lot, but this has to be the biggest tree I’ve ever seen!

So it is. I wonder why did this tree appear in my dream …

It’s pretty strange. Did you learn the way here from the dream as well?

I must have. Otherwise, I don’t think we would ever have found this place, buried so deep in the forest… It’s like my dream was leading me here … I wonder if I’ve been here before?



Plachta?

It’s nothing. Shall we look around some more?

Before they can look around more…




What–?!

Plachta!




Music: Headwind

Nnngh!

At this rate–



No way! … It’ll be okay! … I’m going to save you!




Just like that, it’s like Sophie and Plachta were never here!




Hey, that voice sounds familiar. From the beginning of this update…


Avant Opening
Music: Syndetos - Suzuyu
And with that, the opening sequence rolls!


That looks like the very same tree where Sophie and Plachta got isekai’d…


…Even if it very clearly isn’t the same location. And with no Plachta in sight.



Hey, what’s wrong? Are you okay?

Ngh… Plach … ta … *fade to black*

When Sophie comes to, she finds herself in…



Huh? Where am I?


Music: Jumping With Joy

Oh, good! You’re finally awake? Pirka! She’s awake!


Pirka is dressed very similarly to Corneria from Sophie 1 and L&S. That’s a neon-flashing hint as to her in-game function.

I’m okay … I … Where am I?

I found you passed out on the ground. Pirka and I carried you back here.

Passed out? I think … I was in a forest …



That’s right! Plachta! Was there anyone else with me when you found me?!

Was there?

No, just her.

Oh no … I’ve got to look for her! Um, thank you for helping me! But I have to get going now!



Just where do you plan on going? You don’t know anything about this world yet, do you?

This world?

It’s obvious to us that Sophie got isekai’d, but from her perspective, she found herself here in a totally normal shop with two totally normal people. She can’t be expected to know what’s befallen her yet.

Aha, just like I thought … I haven’t seen you around here before. How about you, Alette?

No, never.



Err, what do you mean by “this world”?

I think I’d react the same way if I learned I got ethered into Not Earth, too.

This should all have been explained to you before you came … Wasn’t it?


Not only did she get isekai’d, but she’s apparently the only one in this world who isn’t in on it. No wonder she’s even more confused.

Well, it’s not so easy to understand out of the blue. Let’s start at the beginning. I know it’s a little belated, but let me introduce myself. I’m Pirka, the owner of this store.



And I’m Alette Claretie, a merchant and procurer of fine goods. If there’s anything you ever need, all you’ve got to do is ask!



I-I’m Sophie Neuenmuller. I’m on a journey with Plachta …

Is this Plachta the person you’re looking for?

Yes … I’ve got to find her right away!

Now, now. Calm down.



You’re right. Sophie, if you’re feeling up for it, how about we head outside?


Music: When The Sun Comes Out

Let it not be said that Sophie doesn’t like what she’s seeing here.




What is this place?

I knew it. Sophie, you haven’t met Elvira, have you?

Elvira? Who’s that?

To be fair to Sophie, it’s not like that girl who told her “Welcome to my land of dreams!” gave a name before dumping her off.

How strange. Elvira should have explained everything to you before you arrived here …

Err … Umm …

Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to confuse you. This may seem a little sudden, but do you believe in other worlds?

I always figured that getting isekai’d would be an insanity-inducing experience; psychosis feels like a natural outcome of getting whisked away from everyone and everything you know and ending up in a fantasy world.



This is Erde Wiege, the Land of Dreams. Right now, we’re in Roytale, the town where everyone who comes to this world lives.

Um … This is a joke, right? This place just looks like an ordinary town.

Though in Sophie’s case, she's from medieval fantasy Germany and got isekai'd to another world that looks exactly like medieval fantasy Germany, so the contrast is probably less jarring for her than it would be for someone who came from modern Japan or whatever.

Ahaha. Well, I guess it doesn’t look very extraordinary around here.

(It doesn't really seem like Pirka and Alette are lying to me … Not to mention that vortex … That was definitely not normal. … Could this really be another world? But then where is Plachta?)

Speaking of which. How did you get here, Sophie?

How … I don’t really know myself. There was a giant tree deep in the forest, but when we got near it … this huge vortex appeared and sucked us up.

A giant tree and a vortex …

I don’t know anything about a vortex, but do you think she means the Dream Tree?

Very likely. And considering where we found Sophie, that must be it.

Where you found me … Please, take me there! Plachta might still be somewhere nearby!

All right. I didn’t see anyone else, but perhaps with the three of us … Ah, but first, I should give you this.

A map?

Take it. You’ll feel a lot better with something to help you get your bearings.

Thank you, Miss Alette!
Music: Searching

You don’t need to “Miss” me. Alette is fine.

Really? Well, thank you, Alette.

Now, set course for the Dream Tree, double time!

Yay!

Y-yay … Lead the way!


Music: Somewhere In Between

Sophie came to in Pirka’s shop, so makes sense that once we’re finally in control, it’s in the Commercial District. Anyway, that blue door in the southwest corner is where we should be headed.



Music: Kerria Yamabuki

Still thinking about how it doesn’t look much different from your normal world?

Yeah … I mean, everyone just looks like normal people.

That’s because we are. Everyone here came from the same world you did.

Huh? Really?

Really-really.

The dreams we see when we’re asleep are called “dream visions” in this world. Elvira uses our dream visions to see the dreams we deeply wish would come true.

If she takes a particular interest in a dream, she will lead its owner to Erde Wiege. She has countless dream visions to search through, so we’re all lucky to be chosen.

Besides, this world is kind of unique. No matter how much time passes, none of us grow old. For those with personal goals, this place really is a dream world.

How’s that? Feeling more informed?



Haha. Just try to understand what you can. In any case, let’s head to the Dream Tree first.


It’s the Residential District, but there’s still plenty of street stalls about. I guess Roytale doesn’t have particularly anal zoning ordinances.


One steep climb later…



That tree!

Have you seen it before?

Yes! It was this exact one! I was looking at it with Plachta!





No answer …

Let’s search for her! Between the three of us, we’re bound to find something!

You’re right. She might have lost consciousness somewhere, just like Sophie.

Thank you … both of you.


Music: Casting Shadows
You can probably tell from the sound of this track how well the search went.

No luck …

Maybe someone has already taken her in?

I’d like to think so, but …



We call it the Dream Tree. It is said that the Dream Goddess Elvira resides near this tree. Whether that’s true or not, I don’t have a clue. Nobody has ever seen Elvira on this side.

This side?

Everyone speaks with her once, just before coming to this world. Although it’s a little hard to see her clearly. She’s like a vague figure shrouded in light.

Aside from that, Elvira never appears in front of humans, so none of us have seen her properly. But there’s no questioning her goddess powers!

A goddess of dreams, huh? But I never met this goddess … And neither of you fell into a vortex?

That part is strange. I’ve never heard of that before.

I guess you probably can’t just take our word for all this other world stuff, huh …

But I don’t really think either of you are lying to me … Besides, there wasn’t any town or altar nearby the giant tree we saw … But this tree is definitely the same one. … So, I guess I kind of do believe you …

Haha, I’m glad you’re willing to trust us, even a little.

If this really is a different world, it’s even more important to find Plachta right away.

How about we try asking some of the people in town? Someone might have found her and taken her to Roytale, like we did for you.

Sorry, I need to get back to my store. But I’ll be sure to ask my customers as well. I’ll let you know right away if I hear anything.

Got it. All right, Sophie, let’s go!



Going back to town…


Music: Brandished Blade

Oh no. Here comes a headache.

Huh? What do you mean?

Hey, if it isn’t Alette! Don’t usually see you around here.

I needed to visit the Dream Tree.

Why? Planning to climb it?

Of course not! Stop talking like I’m a little kid!

Hahaha, my bad. With how you act, I forget sometimes.

Is that supposed to make it any better?! Sheesh.

Um …



Huh? Ain’t seen you around here before. A newbie?

Yeah, this is Sophie. She just arrived, but it seems like she never met Elvira on the way.

Seriously? That happens? Huh. Sophie, was it? I’m Olias Enders. I’m the world’s strongest super bodyguard! If you ever need saving, just call my name. You won’t regret it.


I know he looks like a palette swapped Mathias from L&S, but he’s actually a very different character! You’ll see as the game goes on.

The world’s strongest … super bodyguard?

Just ignore his spiel. More importantly … Olias, have you heard of someone called Plachta?

Plachta?

She’s family to me. We were sucked in by a vortex together, so she’s probably come this way!

Well, dunno if she’s your family, but if it’s Plachta the alchemist, I’ve heard of her.



Wait, really?!

Sure. Showed up recently, and she’s been cooped up researching in her atelier ever since. I’ve seen her drop by Kati’s place for dinner a couple times, though. Ain’t that right, Alette? You know, the one with white hair and a tail? Some kinda accessories that look like ears?

White hair and a tail? That fits the profile alright

Aha … hahaha… SHE’S Plachta? Guess I never caught her name …

Really, you …

It’s not my fault! People come and go all the time, I’m not gonna remember everyone!

People leave? So there’s a way to get back to the world we came from?

Sure. The moment you achieve your heart’s desire, you’ll be sent right back home. I guess this all is pretty crazy if you don’t get a proper explanation in the beginning … That was not nice of our lady goddess.

So everyone in Erde Wiege is here by choice, Sophie aside. They all agreed to come, have all the time in the world to pursue their goal, and can leave at will. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal as far as isekai settings go. Sophie and Plachta’s deal aside.

So how do I get home if I’ve never even met Elvira?

Huh … Don’t ask me. I don’t think that’s ever happened before. Whatever’s going on, you must be something pretty special.

I never asked to be special …

Anyhow, first we gotta find Plachta. You two just follow me, and I’ll take you to her.

Really? Thank you, Olias!

How lucky! You’ll get to see your friend again soon.

Yeah, I never thought we’d find her so quickly. It’s a huge relief.



(Plus, I thought Plachta couldn’t do alchemy anymore. I wonder what’s changed?)

Well, that key piece of information aside, Olias is going to take the gang to Plachta. Half an hour in and Sophie’s already gonna be reunited with her and all’s well that ends well, right?

Right?