Crest of the Strongest Knight

Chapter 51 - Shortage

The past few days had been a blur for the group.

In the midst of everyone working diligently on the cafe while attending what little classes were still being held, the atmosphere around the academy had shifted significantly.

Though the festival preparations served as an excellent distraction, the students couldn't help but notice that there seemed to be a paradoxical lifeless vivacity around the campus. With most of the instructors gone and classes canceled, the plethora of free time that the students enjoyed had been a welcome novelty at first, but quickly devolved into a source of ennui.

The increased presence of imperial knights wandering around the academy grounds as well as frequent sightings of Duke Castellia wearing a grave expression only added to the heavy atmosphere that now hung over the campus. Most students weren't aware of what was going on at the northern border, but most knew that something big was happening.

Even so, they hoped that the upcoming festival would help lift up some of that gloom. Medrauta, Viviane, and the rest of their group weren't exempt from this hopeful escapism either despite being more aware of the situation than others.

With most of their preparations complete and the festival just around the corner, the group had decided on the tasks each member would perform for the cafe.

Naturally, Gwenhwyfar and Rosaline were placed in charge of advertising and drawing in customers thanks to their charisma while Viviane and Sakura would take on the role of serving the customers.

That left Leticia and Medrauta in the kitchen, a duty that neither of them disliked. After suffering the vileness of mess hall meals as squires, the two had acquired a penchant for cooking, and both of them were experienced with making meals for their ladies in any case.

For that reason, Medrauta sat on a desk as she pondered the cafe's prospective menu. She tapped her finger on an unfamiliar item as she turned to Sakura.

"So, what exactly is this, Lady Sakura?"

Sakura leaned over, peering at the dish that Medrauta had indicated. "Ah. I thought it would be interesting to include some of my homeland's traditional foods. Do not worry, I shall teach you how to make them. Essentially, it is roasted seaweed wrapped around rice and other ingredients."

Medrauta nodded eagerly. "I've always been interested in trying some Higashi cuisine for myself! I've only ever seen it in books."

"Excellent. Then we shall proceed apace once—"

The door slammed open violently, interrupting Sakura. Standing in the doorway was Viviane who was breathing heavily as she attempted to catch her breath. She'd gone to the staff room a few minutes ago in order to reserve a spot for the cafe and requisition ingredients they'd need to run it.

"T-There's a huge problem, everyone!" She exclaimed.

"Are you alright, Viviane?" Medrauta frowned, setting the menu down and making her way over to the noblewoman. Her face showed concern as she gazed upon Viviane's distraught expression. "What happened?"

Viviane nodded in response to Medrauta's first question. "I'm fine, but... I'm sorry, everyone. We won't be able to do the cafe."

"What?" Gwenhwyfar snapped. She'd been working on painting the finishing touches for the cafe's signboard, but she now turned her full attention to Viviane. Likewise, Leticia and Rosaline who had been working on finishing off the uniforms dropped what they were doing to stare at Viviane in disbelief.

"Oh dear..." Rosaline murmured. "Whyever not?"

"The instructors informed me that a majority of the academy's stockpile has been sent to the northern border in preparation for an attack from Kaslavna," Viviane replied with a shaky voice. "The food and ingredients they have here are reserved for the cafeteria and emergencies."