You... Want to “Inspect” Me?

Using only a small handful of rice, Kurumi easily obtained everything she desired.

Like a nice hot bath, for example.

In these chaotic times, merely having enough food to eat was a luxury. Soybeans and wheat dominated the food market; rice was an extravagant delicacy only the nobility could afford.

The inn Kurumi stayed at was more of a homestay than an inn, typically hosting samurai passing through.

The innkeeper was a young girl in her prime, with an air of melancholy but a mature understanding. As Kurumi entered, the girl's first thought was that this must be a noblewoman; she quickly flipped the "Open" sign outside to "Closed."

With her head down, she respectfully prepared everything for the bath, then turned to leave. But remembering the allure in those wine-red eyes, she stopped short.

"Miss, would you like help with your back?"

"No need."

It was the response she'd expected. Quietly, the girl backed out of the room.

"Miss, I'll be right outside if you need me."

···

Kurumi stepped lightly toward the bath, her winter uniform from Raizen High School slipping off like a shadow.

Spirit gear certainly was convenient—effortlessly controlled by will.

With slender limbs and graceful curves, she sat in the bath with her arms wrapped around her knees. Her delicate, porcelain-like back was smooth and radiant, almost glowing in the moonlight.

She rested her head on her hand, blowing bubbles underwater, savoring this rare moment of relaxation.

The bubbles disturbed the steaming surface, and suddenly, Kurumi stilled.

A second figure appeared reflected in the water.

"I sent you all out to investigate this world, didn't I? So why are you back here?" The girl in the water's reflection had those same captivating wine-colored eyes.

"Oh my, my, you sent us to investigate, and here you are taking a bath? How mean!"

The sneaky clone climbed into the tub, the two girls now crowding together.

Feeling the warmth of soft, smooth skin against her back, Kurumi raised an eyebrow.

"If you keep slacking off, you won't be getting any allowance."

"Eek!" The words struck her clone's heart like an arrow. "I-I'm here to scrub your back!"

"Oh?" Kurumi's eyes narrowed playfully as she leaned back.

"What are you waiting for, then?"

Slacking off... pure joy!

Slacking off together... double the joy!

——

Kurumi's shadows reached everywhere, and with her grain bribery strategy, understanding the world's situation was almost too easy.

They even managed to obtain two steam guns.

But using steam-powered weapons required carrying a personal high-pressure boiler and the supply of a "Backpack Engine," which wasn't the most convenient setup.

···

The panorama of this world gradually unfolded before Kurumi.

[Hayatani Station] was a fortress far from the front lines.

Or, at least, it once was.

The Kabane disaster originated from Kyushu Island in the southwest. Ten years ago, the Shogunate sent four hundred thousand troops to Kyushu to fight the Kabane. Not a single one returned.

Afterward, fortresses were built across Japan, enclosing the populace for protection.

And one by one, the fortresses fell.

Tonight, the arrival of Hayajiro (earlier train) clearly signaled that the front lines had collapsed.

···

One particularly lazy clone, all honeyed smiles and flattery, managed to wheedle some extra allowance from Kurumi's hands before slipping back into the shadows, brimming with excitement.

The water had grown slightly cool by now, so Kurumi rose from the bath. Beads of water slid down her fair skin, then evaporated as her spirit energy enveloped her.

Black and red shadows cloaked her body, shifting into an ink-colored half-sleeved robe.

It resembled a kimono yet was distinctly different, with the wrists left bare and a hem that reached just to her knees.

Crimson spider lilies were embroidered across the fabric in vivid clusters.

This world's timeline seemed to be shortly after the First Industrial Revolution, in the late 18th century.

The Raizen High School uniform would definitely stand out a bit too much.

Donning wooden clogs, Kurumi stepped out, her outfit drawing a stunned expression from the young innkeeper who had been waiting by the door.

"M-Miss! Where are you going?"

"Oh, you can just call me Tokisaki," Kurumi said with a smile.

"O-Of course, Tokisaki-sama!"

Kurumi sighed with a resigned smile.

"I'm heading to the train depot to take a look."

"I'll show you the way!"

···

It was still June.

Hayatani Station lay shrouded in a final semblance of peace.

——

A ghostly rumor began circulating within Hayatani Station.

Word spread that the death-omen night owl of myth had descended upon the fortress, foretelling the city's ruin.

This rumor had originated among the samurai, which only added credibility.

Some said that the night owl had stood atop the Hayajiro, with eyes that shone like blood.

Some said the owl had a fearsome face with tusks, while others claimed it was a young girl barely five feet tall.

The samurai who mentioned her height was soon dragged into an alley, bag over his head, and beaten to a pulp. No one knew who'd done it.

···

By then, Kurumi had already left Hayatani Station.

She boarded a new Hayajiro—headed toward Kongoukaku.

That was the residence of the Shogun, reputedly the safest fortress in all of Japan.

Kurumi had a hunch that whoever called her here had some connection to that place.

——

The atmosphere aboard the armored locomotive was entirely different from that in the fortress; the accompanying samurai and civilians alike exuded an air of grimness.

The entire train was steeped in an unshakable smell of rust, a scent Kurumi knew all too well.

As the Hayajiro raced across the land, Kurumi saw the abandoned stations and the ravages left behind after Kabane attacks.

She witnessed firsthand the way samurai of this era fought the undead monsters.

Their swords seemed little more than ornaments; no one dared to engage Kabane in close combat.

The steam guns would fire and strike their targets—

But only managed to repel the Kabane, never kill them.

What felt like paper-thin membranes to Kurumi were insurmountable barriers to the ordinary warriors.

Fortunately, everything progressed without incident.

···

At the first light of dawn, with a violent shudder, Hayajiro pulled to a halt before a fortress known as [Aragane Station].

This station produced iron and housed a large number of steam artisans. the Hayajiro was due for some repairs.

As Kurumi gazed at the fortress, a faint premonition tugged at her; this place was where fate would unfold.

This was where the story would begin.

···

The drawbridge lowered, and Garou Fortress rolled into the forecourt of Aragane Station. The train entered a checkpoint, where everyone was required to undress for inspection, ensuring they bore no Kabane bite marks.

Kurumi, however, didn't join them. Instead, she sauntered off the back end of Garou Fortress with complete disregard.

There was no way she was stripping in front of others.

"Hey, hey! Everyone must undergo inspection!" A samurai holding a steam gun blocked Kurumi's path, his throat bobbing as he took in her striking appearance.

"Even women are not exempt."

"Hm?" Kurumi tilted her head, pressing a finger against her petal-like lips while lightly touching the collar of her robe with her other hand.