Visit to the Sick — To the Emmental Domain — Part One
The Empire is a trading nation situated in the eastern part of the Aerua Continent.
Surrounded on three sides by other nations, it centers on its capital, encircled by six major domains and numerous smaller ones. Two major ports, unfrozen year-round, lie within the northeastern and southeastern domains; two rugged mountain ranges stretch across the southwestern and northern regions. The rest of the land consists primarily of plains and gentle hills, forming a basin-like terrain.
The principal industries are trade and agriculture.
Leveraging its geographical advantages, the Empire has long served as the sole conduit for trade between neighboring nations, fulfilling the role of a vital transportation hub. The same holds true for maritime transport. While the coastlines of neighboring countries are often rocky and treacherous, the Empire’s coastline is calm and deep, enabling maritime traffic to flourish since ancient times. As a result, it has become a primary port for distant destinations from inland regions.
Yet why do other nations overlook a land so rich in bounty... No, they have attempted invasion on several occasions. Each time, however, they were repelled by the nation’s defensive stronghold, unable to bring it to ruin. As a result, their trade routes were severed, their strength diminished, and their lands ravaged—repeatedly, until neighboring states learned the lesson: *Do not reach for the Empire.*
And that defensive stronghold lies not in fortress or field, but within the great cathedral seated upon each of the six major territories. The territories are held by one Grand House, three Marquis Houses, and two Count Houses—families of ancient lineage, entrusted since the nation’s founding to safeguard this land.
One of these is the northeastern maritime hub we now seek—Emmental, the County of the Counts.
Incidentally, there is a reason why two of the great estates governing the realm hold the rank of count. They each possess a port that remains unfrozen in the northeast and southeast. Because of this strategic advantage in trade and military power, their influence is so great that they are deliberately designated as counts to maintain balance. Thus, though called counts, their status is considered higher than that of many ducal families within the inner nobility.
Now, Emmental, the county we seek, lies approximately three days’ journey by carriage from the imperial capital. The territory contains four major towns: Bickbeards, located just inside the main road; the county seat, Keiwa, where the lord’s residence stands; Meinae, the maritime port; and Tabaf, the military port serving as the gateway to the southeast province. Our destination for this journey is the county seat, Keiwa, first.
I, Spica von Emmental, received word from Elder Brother earlier this spring regarding the Virgin of the Barrier.
I thought the current lord, sleeping alone in the church, must surely feel a deep loneliness.
And so I felt compelled to convey our gratitude for your protection.
At first, it was to be a journey of two—Cain Elder Brother and myself—but due to a conflict with Father’s land inspection, we have all traveled together to the estate.
This is my first long journey since I was old enough to understand, and I am filled with anticipation.
Yet, as our family holds a vast territory, it is said that it is unwise for all of us to be away from the capital at once. Thus, while we travel, Father’s younger brother—our uncle, Viscount Pestre—will remain behind to watch over the estate.
We wait for him before setting out.
It has been two years since I last saw my uncle, during the winter social season.
My uncle, who serves in the military, rarely comes to the capital for matters of national defense, so I look forward to seeing him once more.
I must finish packing before Uncle arrives.
Though, most of it is already being packed by the maids, so I merely check the contents.
Or so I thought—yet that is not how it is, as I realized the moment I entered the room.
Mother and three Elder Brothers were already there…
And the countless garments laid out across the space…
Numerous shoes, bonnets, parasols, and other accessories scattered about, making me momentarily believe this was a boutique or some such place.
“Good morning. Mother, Elder Brothers—what is the meaning of this?”
I asked, a faint headache beginning to form.
Mother was the first to reply.
“I was packing Spica’s attire for the upcoming journey. Then these little ones insisted on helping, and we couldn’t decide on anything—quite the dilemma, really.” She placed a hand to her cheek, offering a graceful noblewoman’s smile. Do not be deceived.
“Most of it was chosen by Mother, wasn’t it?” Cain Elder dipped a finger into the tea just brought by a maid, his voice calm, seated on the sofa. He had returned home from the academy’s summer break just two days prior.
“And what, pray tell, is that mountain of books piled behind you, Elder Brother?”
“Ugh… it’s just something I prepared to keep Spica from growing bored during the trip…”
“Elder Brother, I appreciate the thought, but even if we survive the entire summer, there’s no way we’ll finish reading all of these. Could you perhaps narrow it down to five recommended titles?”
Realizing the absurdity, he reluctantly began selecting books.
"Hey—Spica’s scolding you, Fret Elder." Fret Elder laughed, pointing at the eldest brother.
"Fret Elder, your manners are quite poor! And aren’t those toys yours? The horse tack, the balls, the wooden swords, the cards—those are clearly your doing." When pointed out, Fret Elder flinched, his body trembling slightly.
"I just brought along whatever seemed useful on this rare trip… Was that wrong?"
"Most of our schedule is already set. We don’t have room for things we won’t use. And surely some of those items are already at the manor? If you truly must bring something, consult Mother and have it counted as your own belongings."
Fret Elder’s shoulders sagged in defeat.
Finally, he turned to Alex Elder, who sat apart, quietly sipping tea as if untouched by it all.
"Alex Elder, what is inside that box?"
I pointed to the three wooden boxes placed beside the side table. They were large—too large for me to carry alone.
“Medicine,” he said, as though it were nothing at all. Yet the quantity was excessive.
“This isn’t a battlefield, is it? Surely this is too much. Let’s reconsider—focus on motion sickness remedies and basic supplies. Wouldn’t a few potions suffice, so you wouldn’t need to carry so much…?”
Alex Elder, too, seemed to realize he had gone too far, and he continued sipping his tea with an uneasy expression.
“And, Mother, I intend to limit my luggage to five large trunks on this journey. Is that possible?” She declared with a smile. Laundry will not be possible during travel, but cleansing magic is within reach for nobility. After all, I am merely returning from the imperial manor to the estate in my domain. At this rate, I would need twenty large trunks. Traveling with such a burden—like some distant bride’s dowry—would be impossible. Simply imagining how many ox carts would be required just to carry the luggage made my head ache. “But all of them match, so why not take them all?” Mother insisted, refusing to yield. I finally persuaded her to relent—on the condition that I would serve as her dress-up mannequin until the very last moment of selecting my wardrobe.
In the midst of all this, Uncle arrived. In the end, packing was barely finished in time.
Uncle carried himself with a presence distinct from Father’s, his frame noble and imposing. Father greeted him as he dismounted from his horse.
“Ah, Pais—sorry to have summoned you this time.”
“No, it was the request of my beloved niece and nephew.”
Though it may sound brusque, the truth is that he speaks these words with genuine affection, for he is a man deeply devoted to his children.
“It has been some time, Uncle Paisley. Forgive the trouble I’ve caused you, but I ask for your guidance.”
Cain Elder offered a knight’s brief bow, and the other two brothers followed suit. I curtsied and waited for my cue. As the heir apparent, Cain Elder was regarded as equivalent to a viscount beneath Father, but the other children—without rank or title—were not permitted to speak unless addressed first.
Not even for such an occasion could I sit upon my elder brother’s chair, so I shall indulge myself with the comfort of it for a few days. The children have all grown so much. As family, a simple greeting and a proper look at one another will suffice.
“Forgive my absence.”
“It’s been so long! Master!”
Each elder offers a greeting in turn. Fret Elder, in particular, reveres his uncle as a teacher, and his joy is evident.
“Long time no see, Uncle.” I raise my face.
Uncle’s eyes crinkle with warmth as he looks upon me.
“You used to greet me with a hug the last time we met—have you stopped doing that?” he teases, his voice light. I flush, then reply, “Please, do not speak of the past, Uncle. I am striving to be a lady now!” Yet even that protest seemed endearing to him, and he only smiled.
We move inside the manor. While we sit in the parlor sipping tea, luggage is loaded onto the carriage.
This time, Fret Elder, having become a knight-in-training, will ride with the escort knights. The rest of us will travel in the first of three carriages, drawn by four Sleipnir steeds. Additional carriages carry the luggage and several maidservants, making for a large entourage. Only Father will join us later at the estate, due to pressing duties.
They say a rare and costly translocation spell will be used.
We conversed with Uncle for about two hours, then boarded the carriage. Fret Elder seemed disappointed he had not been granted a session of sword training, but there was nothing to be done.
“Be kind to my wife and children when we meet them in Tabah.”
With Uncle and Father seeing us off, we left the mansion.
Today, instead of taking the usual route through the noble district toward the central plaza and the palace, we turned in the opposite direction.
A gate came into view after a short walk—the boundary between the noble district and the commoner district. Beyond this gate lay the commoner district. Yet the road from here to the next outer gate was lined with shops, giving it much the same atmosphere as the noble district. Indeed, it was livelier. Shops called out to passersby; customers walked to shop; children of my age chased after carriages, scolded by their parents. This was a route we had taken several times before on secret outings with Fret Elder. On those occasions, Elder Brother walked beside me, flanked by guards, and I had been hurried along by the restless horses and Elder Brother’s urging. To see it now at such a slow pace was utterly fresh and new.
At the outer gate, we were all halted for formalities.
With payment made and approval from the noble council granted, we passed through shortly. Beyond that, the road continued—commonly known as the Sea Road.
We emerged from the Eastern Gate of the Imperial Capital—the starting point of the road that extended toward the two provinces to the northeast and southeast, both bustling with maritime trade.
Beyond the imperial capital, a pastoral landscape stretches endlessly—fields of spring wheat, recently harvested, lie bare under the open sky.
The wagons passing on the road, laden with goods from the sea side, seem full to bursting. Perhaps they’re bound for the imperial capital to be sold? What could be inside… a wonder to behold for the first time.
There was no boredom, no waning of interest—before they knew it, they had arrived at the manor of Baron Liston, the first inn of the day.
Baron Liston is a territorial noble entrusted with lands located one day’s journey from the imperial capital. It is said that the lands nearer the capital are directly under the Emperor’s jurisdiction, beyond the barony. My brothers usually stay in a town slightly further along the route when traveling to the estate, but this time, since I and Mother are unaccustomed to travel, we are to be accommodated at the baronial manor.
We were welcomed splendidly by the baronial family. Though my body had been excited by the evening meal, it was clearly weary. Though the bed was unfamiliar, my consciousness soon took flight into dreams.