The Frah territory was what most people would call a remote rural estate on the Empire's frontier.
It lay deep within the borderlands, following the long western stretch of the Haydin Mountains.
Beyond the mountains stood the Great Forest of the Fairies, a region that remained largely unexplored by humanity. For that reason, this place was commonly known as the end of the Empire.
Naturally, few people would willingly move to such an isolated region unless they had been born there.
Especially since the founding of the Empire had brought an end to human slavery, making forced relocation out of the question.
And yet, despite its remote geographical location, our territory was always bustling with people.
Even now, when there wasn't a single proper road to be found, only well-maintained dirt paths, carriages arrived every day, bringing new people with them.
"...Mom, is this the place?"
"Yes, dear. This is where we'll be living from now on."
Why did people keep arriving, just like the mother and child who had stepped down from a carriage into the enormous clearing that served as the village square?
"Ah, excuse me?"
"Yes? What can I do for you?"
"Well, we heard that workers were being recruited for some newly cultivated farmland, so we came here..."
That was precisely why people continued flocking to this place.
There was always work available here.
Furthermore, the territory actively sought settlers who would put down roots and remain for the rest of their lives. The mere possibility of eventually owning their own land was enough to attract countless people to the Frah territory.
"If you go past that church and turn right, you'll see a two-story brick building. You can register there."
"Ah! Thank you so much for your kindness! Come on, you should thank this gentleman too."
"Thank you, Mister!"
"You're very welcome."
I responded to the bowing mother and child with a modest wave of my hand before stepping aside.
As I walked away, I glanced back and saw the two of them heading in the direction I had indicated, holding hands.
"...Well, that's certainly unusual behavior for you, Brother."
As I watched them, a familiar little blonde brat suddenly popped into my field of vision.
My younger sister stood before me, wearing her usual impudent expression.
"What is it?"
"What possessed you to suddenly inspect the territory, Brother? You usually spend all your time holed up in the castle, doing nothing but breathing. And you're wandering around alone, without even bringing a knight."
Clank!
My sister gestured toward the man standing beside her. He shifted his sword sheath and bowed politely.
"Greetings, Young Master."
"Ah, Sir Hans. Have you been well?"
"Much the same as always."
The man accompanying my sister was Sir Hans, a knight and vassal responsible for our family's military affairs.
He was also a nobleman holding the personal rank of baron, having come from a traditional knightly background, something rather uncommon in this day and age.
That was why he had been entrusted with protecting the family head's children.
After all, guarding the children, who were the family head's greatest vulnerability, was a duty that could only be entrusted to an honorable man.
"...It is dangerous to venture outside the castle without an escort, Young Master. Although our territory is relatively safe, so many people come and go that we can never be certain when some scoundrel might attempt to harm you."
"Exactly, Brother. You're the eldest son and heir of our family, aren't you? We ought to prevent the unfortunate possibility of our family having to pay a ransom to some wicked criminals for your release."
"So that's why you came looking for me? Thank you for worrying about me."
"A-Ahem! Well, who else would look after a brother who's like a little child left alone beside a river?"
My younger sister blushed at my expression of gratitude.
People in this world had a tendency to become unnecessarily embarrassed when someone expressed sincere thanks directly.
Perhaps it was because of their authoritarian culture, but they never seemed accustomed to hearing simple, honest words.
"Ahem! Anyway, why are you wandering around alone, Brother?"
"Hmm? I don't know when I'll be able to return here, so I wanted to take in the scenery before I leave."
"..."
My casual answer caused my sister's expression to darken instantly.
"What's wrong?"
"...Aren't you angry, Brother? You've been summoned to Academia against your will."
"About what? I wanted to visit the Imperial Capital anyway, and it's not as though I can refuse the summons. If I approach it with a positive attitude, won't the journey feel that much easier?"
"...I don't like it."
My sister made a small gesture toward Sir Hans.
He immediately moved to clear away the people watching us and opened a path.
"Since this is a public thoroughfare, perhaps we should move somewhere else, My Lady, Young Master."
"Let's do that."
"All right."
I followed my sister and Sir Hans.
However, as we hurried along and gradually approached the place Sir Hans was leading us toward, I unconsciously stopped walking.
"...This place..."
"Surely you should at least say goodbye before leaving the territory?"
A cemetery.
The entrance to a neatly maintained graveyard stood before me.
"...I'll wait here. Go on, Brother."
"You really didn't have to bring me here."
"But you wouldn't have come unless I brought you here like this, would you? Go on."
"...Thank you."
After thanking my sister and Sir Hans, I slowly passed through the cemetery entrance.
Step. Step.
I walked deeper into the cemetery, passing the graves carefully tended by the resident groundskeeper.
Step.
"..."
Eventually, I arrived before a particular grave.
I stood in silence, staring at the burial mound and the headstone erected before it.
[Ishel. May her warm smile never fade, even in the Underworld.]
Her name and a brief inscription commemorating her life were engraved upon the stone.
Rustle.
After staring at the headstone for a while, I slowly reached out and traced the engraved letters with my fingers.
Tap. Tap.
The cold stone drew warmth from my fingertips, as though trying to rid itself of its own chill.
Somehow, the sensation felt strangely like conversing with the dead.
And so I stood there for a long time, gently caressing the headstone.
"Hmm. A meeting beside a grave? How atmospheric. This is a far more picturesque encounter than I expected."
Click.
As I was tracing the inscription, a stranger suddenly approached me.
The figure, whose hood was pulled low over their face, stepped casually to my side as though they had been standing there all along.
"Did I interrupt your mourning by speaking to you while you were paying your respects to the dead?"
"...Who are you?"
"Me?"
The stranger smiled brightly at my question.
"A mage."
"...A mage?"
"And your guide. You're Jin Frah, aren't you? Black hair is rather rare in the Empire, so I recognized you immediately."
The person who had introduced herself as a mage lowered her hood, smiled, and extended her hand toward me.
With the hood removed, the face of a young woman was revealed.
And quite a beautiful one at that.
"Nice to meet you."
Clasp.
When she offered me her hand, I instinctively reached out and took it, accepting the first handshake anyone had offered me since my reincarnation.
Shake. Shake.
She beamed with delight.
"Wow! You actually accepted a handshake from a strange woman! You're not even from the Imperial Capital, yet you have surprisingly good manners."
"...I take it people in the Imperial Capital greet each other with handshakes?"
"That's right. It's much simpler than the old custom of bowing to each other, isn't it? These days, everyone in the Imperial Capital greets each other like this, regardless of whether they're men or women."
"I see."
"Hmm?"
When I merely nodded without showing any particular reaction, she stared at me as though she had discovered some fascinating new creature.
"Are you really a noble? Why don't you look offended?"
"Do you normally ask someone that to their face?"
"Hmm? You're an interesting one. What a relief! Do you have any idea how dreadful it is to travel with a boring noble?"
She completely ignored my question and continued saying whatever she pleased.
What was with this woman? Did she always do exactly as she pleased?
I had never encountered anyone quite like her since being born into this world.
"Oh, right! Silly me! I was told that the first thing I should do upon arriving in a territory was greet the family head who governs it, but I ended up meeting you first... Did I do something wrong?"
"That would normally be considered a breach of etiquette."
"Really? But I arrived earlier than the appointed date, so surely it wouldn't matter if I greeted him later?"
"Normally, it would still be improper."
"Oh, whatever! I'm not an official envoy, so surely your father can overlook a little discourtesy like this?"
"Yes... Well, do as you please."
"Right? That should be fine, shouldn't it?"
I gave her the most benevolent smile I could manage and nodded.
There was no point wasting my breath on someone who had no intention of listening.
After all, she would be the one in trouble, not me. Surely she could take care of herself.
Academia wouldn't have appointed someone incapable of conducting herself properly as a guide.
At least, that was what I told myself as I looked at her.
She returned my gaze with a cheerful smile.
Our eyes met, and silence settled between us.
...Surely that was true?
I desperately wanted to believe it.
I really did.