Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

(An open-air hot spring!)

Brimming with excitement, Ekaterina slowly sank into the bath. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.
By Japanese standards, it felt like a hidden hot spring retreat. It had been built along a small stream, and the temperature was apparently adjusted by drawing in the stream’s water to reach a comfortable level. It must have been something left behind by the inventor Giovanna, preserved by the forest folk for three hundred years.

A tent had been set up on the side facing the forest folk’s settlement to block the view, but there was nothing to obstruct the stream or the sky. She could listen to the murmuring of the water and gaze up at a sky full of stars.

To put it mildly, it’s perfect!
Compared to Japan, the number of visible stars is completely different. The night sky is filled with them. I can even see the Milky Way!

…The Milky Way is really just a dense cluster of stars in the direction of the center of the galaxy, right? Is this solar system also located near the edge of the galaxy? Is this world actually Earth, or a different planet altogether…? No, better not think about it—I won’t be able to sleep otherwise.

“Milady, is the outdoor bath not frightening?”

Mina, who entered after her, asked this, and Ekaterina smiled and shook her head.

“It is very pleasant. Relaxing outdoors in this fresh air is wonderful. And I am happy to be able to bathe together with you, Mina.”
“…A ducal lady who is happy to bathe with her maid is strange.”
“My, that is a phrase I have not heard in a while.”

When they had first met, Mina often said, “Milady, you are strange,” but come to think of it, she had not said it much recently. Perhaps Ekaterina had grown accustomed to life as a noblewoman, or perhaps Mina had grown accustomed to her.

Still, Mina’s abdominal muscles were amazing—razor-sharp, like those of the world’s top female athletes you see in international competitions. Come to think of it, why were female track athletes always dressed so revealingly? It was a feast for the eyes, though.

As for myself, this villainess feels like I’ve toned up a little compared to my shut-in days, but only a little.
I have grown somewhat, though—in an indecent way. Before departing for Jurnova territory, when I had her measurements taken in the imperial capital by the designer Kamila, the woman had said cheerfully, “You have become even more enchanting!” No thanks, I’ve grown plenty.

Mina washed her back. The forest folk used thick leaves for bathing; when rubbed, they became slippery. Washing with them supposedly made the skin beautiful.

This world—or rather, the Empire—had a high awareness of bathing, washing one’s face, and washing one’s hands. According to Flora, there were public baths for commoners in the cities as well, not just for nobles.
It was well known that hygiene in medieval and early modern Europe in her previous life had been miserable. The fact that the Empire was not like that might be thanks in part to the water and sewer systems Giovanna had restored. And in general, there was an abundance of good water. Especially in forest-rich Jurnova territory, clean, delicious spring water welled up everywhere.

And the gods apparently played a large role as well. People washed their hands diligently because doing so brought divine blessings.
The god of medicine loved cleanliness, so washing one’s hands made one less likely to fall ill.
Of course, people had no knowledge of bacteria and only washed hands as a charm or a ritual—but science says that’s the correct steps!. Good job, god of medicine for bringing this up through an oracle!

“I will wash your back too, Mina.”
“No, thank you. I cannot let milady do such a thing.”

So curt! Even though this was naked companionship.
She pouted and insisted, but Mina’s defenses were impenetrable and she quickly washed herself. Oh well.

.

Since it would be rude to linger too long, once they were done washing, they quickly got out and dressed in the shade of the tent.
Why rude? Because the knights were guarding the area around the hot spring. Even at dinner, though they looked like heavy drinkers, they had refrained from alcohol because they were on duty. Ekaterina felt truly sorry for them.

“Thank you all very much. I will be retiring now, so please do go in and relax as well.”

When she called out to them, all the knights answered sharply, “Yes!” without turning around. …I’m really sorry.

.

They entered the tent lent to her for sleeping, and Mina brushed her hair. Although they had disembarked from the carriage in a hurry when they arrived at the forest folk’s settlement, Mina had properly brought along tools for caring for Ekaterina’s hair and nails. Precious items like her blue rose hair ornament were in there as well, so it was best to keep them close.

At dinner they had sat on floor cushions, so she had thought they would sleep on futons, but instead there was a small bed.
And her pillow smelled nice. A fresh scent like lemongrass. It probably had an insect-repellent effect. Would it work against Great King Bees? Well, they did not enter the tent, so it was fine.
The forest folk seemed to be knowledgeable about aromatherapy too. She hoped that could be put to good use in the future. She wished to establish a path by which the forest folk could maintain their forest, gain economic strength, and continue to live in their own way even as times changed. In her previous life, she had seen how indigenous peoples in many countries had suffered various hardships. She hoped that even if this world developed like her previous one, the forest folk would not have to endure the same.

When she got into bed, as Aurora had instructed, Mina released the white pearl insects that had been kept in a basket outside. Closing her eyes in the darkened tent, Ekaterina quickly fell asleep.

.

Ekaterina didn’t know when she woke up.
It was bright outside the tent, and yet it felt like it was still midnight.

—a voice beckoned her…

Ah, I need to go. The thought came naturally to her, and she sat up.
She got out of bed, draped a shawl over her nightclothes, and then noticed something strange.
Mina was not waking up.
Mina, who would wake at the slightest sign of movement, remained lying in the other bed in the same tent, showing no sign of stirring.
Even so, Ekaterina was not afraid. She felt she knew what was calling her.

She left the tent.
There was no one there. Even Regina and the hunting dogs were curled up asleep, unmoving.
At some point, the moon had risen. A dazzling full moon. The countless stars that had filled the sky were now barely visible before its overwhelming light.
She looked down at her feet. Her shadow lay sharply defined in the moonlight.

She raised her gaze. Beneath the full moon stood a mounted figure.
The great scythe held by the rider gleamed in the moonlight.

Ekaterina gracefully performed a lady’s curtsy.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Ekaterina Jurnova. You who are called the Maiden of Death—what do you need of me?”