298: University cafeteria

"Delivering your meal—"

"Thank you. Yes, here's the payment."

Vilijanira's lecture had concluded successfully.

Since it was already too late to return to the Vanillagenroot Baronial Family residence tonight, she planned to spend the night in a room within the Vanillacity Imperial University and depart the following morning.

Thus, dinner was being delivered from the university cafeteria.

"Got it. Vee."

Thank you, Satā. Hehe, it smells like something from the past.

Hmm, it definitely smells good.

The menu is carbonara with a hamburger plate, and the drink is just plain water from the room's supply.

So, let's dig in right away.

"Enjoy our meal!"

First, let's start with the carbonara.

Freshly made, steaming hot carbonara—cheese and egg perfectly blended, with the rich aroma of well-seasoned black pepper and perfectly fried bacon wafting through the air.

I scoop a bite of the carbonara onto my fork and bring it to my mouth.

"Mmm, delicious."

"It's been a while since I last had this, but it's really true."

"Nice. This."

The aroma of cheese, the richness of egg, the sharp kick of black pepper, the savory fat and umami of the bacon—all dancing together with the perfectly cooked pasta in my mouth... Ahh, yes, this is delicious.

Maybe it's to keep prices low at the cafeteria, but the quality of the ingredients isn't top-tier—still, it's in the upper class, and to me, it feels like a premium dish.

Hmm, yeah, this is tasty.

"I made the hamburger plate exactly as Vee asked—100% pork. That's okay, right?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"You're kind of making a grimace there..."

Continuing with the hamburger plate.

This is a 100% ground pork hamburger, thoroughly grilled all the way through, served with side dishes of corn, potatoes, beans, and carrots.

Now, starting with the hamburger... hmm, this one's delicious too.

The sweet richness of the pork fat and the savory meatiness are perfectly enhanced by just a hint of spice and the thorough grilling... I can't stop eating it.

The finely chopped vegetables served alongside are thoroughly grilled, bringing out each vegetable's unique sweetness and offering both enjoyment and nourishment to the eater.

Perhaps because they're grown within the grounds of the Vanilla Sid Empire University, I sometimes experience unfamiliar textures on my tongue... but that's something only I would notice, so don't worry about it.

"Still, it's quite generous. I'm fine with it, though."

"I agree. But it's delicious, so no problem at all."

"Yeah. And for this amount, that price... I can't help but envy the students attending this university."

Incidentally,

since it's a university cafeteria, the portion size is quite generous, yet the price remains reasonable.

Specifically, it's priced at around 70% of the cost of nearby establishments.

However, this seventy-percent price applies only to those affiliated with the university or officially invited guests, so it doesn't seem to threaten businesses in other districts.

"Miss Vee. Forgive the interruption during your meal. An urgent message has arrived."

"Is it the Emperor?"

"Yes, but it also bears the signatures of Her Majesty the Empress and the Great Mother, with a note urging immediate attention from their side as well."

"Ah, I see. Looks like I'll need to take a look at this."

He was calmly, peacefully, and enjoyably savoring his meal—until it seemed an urgent message had just arrived.

So, while Vilejaniara checked the message, I quickly finished the rest of my own meal.

Yeah, that'll do.

"……"

Now, as for the crucial Vilejaniara... she seems to be wearing a rather troubled expression.

I can understand it, but I'm not fully convinced, I suppose?

And so, we resume eating.

That means reading is urgent, but acting isn't—so that's the situation.

Well, I'll prepare myself no matter what they say.

"Thank you for the meal."

With that, Vilejaniara also finishes her meal.

She straightens her attire... and looks toward us.

"Sata. Sata's main body wishes for you to move through the ether space according to this message."

"？ Understood."

Vilejaniara shows the message.

Hmm, this is similar to a spacecraft's navigation plan, especially one involving faster-than-light travel using hyperspace.

Only, instead of hyperspace, it's utilizing ether space.

"Joharis. We're supposed to move to the 'Carnival Viper' and perform faster-than-light travel according to these instructions."

"I understand, but... this is either strange or just plain troublesome..."

Joharis is handed a plan document identical to the one he showed me.

So, we four are supposed to board the 'Carnival Viper' and move out?

But following these instructions exactly...

"No, I think traveling at faster-than-light speeds without a guide beacon goes beyond strange—it's downright normal now."

"That's true, but we do have some experience with that kind of thing, so it should just stay strange and not get any worse."

"Please take care of us, Sata, Jhoharis. Then, shall we begin our operation?"

"Miss Vee. Your vehicle is ready."

It seemed clear that some kind of operation had just begun.

We hurried toward the 'Carnival Viper' in the car prepared by Memoqui.