Chapter 1

"Two cups for Yura, as usual, please."

"Sure, just a moment."

Having received the order, I used the hot water I had prepared in the adjacent room to pour tea into each cup arranged on the tray, making sure the colors of the red and tea were beautifully displayed. A fragrant aroma, slightly sweet and floral, wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of the aromatic tea leaves. It was the scent of black tea.

As soon as I finished brewing, I took the tray to the customers waiting at their seats.

"Here you are."

I approached the wooden long table where the customers were seated. The two of them, still in their navy uniforms and armor, had dirt on their cheeks, as if they had come straight here after training.

This place was originally a room in the castle of the Knights' territory, which had been converted into a 'café.' The walls and floor were made of gray stone, neatly smoothed but rather plain.

Why was I running a café here? It was to provide a service that they could rush to without changing clothes, earning a little extra money.

"Oh, here it is."

The older knight lifted his cup with delight. The young apprentice, who seemed to be a trainee, sniffed the tea curiously.

"It has a sweet scent. The color of the red tea is beautiful, but..."

The young boy tentatively took a sip and murmured, "Ah, it's delicious."

I was pleased to hear that. After all, in 'this world,' there was no black tea, and I had experimented to create a taste that resembled it.

Smiling, I retreated to the kitchen, and the young boy who had drunk the tea seemed to notice a change.

"What is this, a refreshing feeling...? Wait, I was tired just a moment ago..."

"Got it? The reason there's a café like this in the Knights' territory. This drink, black tea, has medicinal properties."

The young boy exclaimed, "What!?"

"There are spells to heal injuries, but no magic or medicine to restore one's energy, right?"

"Only the tea master's creation has such effects."

"By the way, what is a tea master?"

"It's the title of the owner who can make this tea."

I still felt a bit embarrassed by the term 'tea master.' I didn't name myself that. When I had to register a profession for a reason, none of the existing professions fit, so I created it.

"Because of this rare ability, I'm working exclusively for the Knights' territory."

Even in the kitchen, I could hear their voices. Oh, the Knights' voices are so loud...

Due to the strange ability I acquired, I was protected by the Knights' territory and am now the exclusive tea server for the Knights.

Just then, another apprentice knight arrived.

"As usual, please take it to the office."

"Understood."

I steeled myself. While the irregular café was important, my main job was even more crucial. I had been called for it.

I brewed a new batch of tea with the water I had already boiled, placed the cups carefully on the tray to prevent them from slipping, and headed to a room on the floor above. After knocking, a young man with blond hair opened the door.

"Thank you, Yura. Please come in."

"Excuse me."

I entered as invited and headed for the sofa set. Two young men were already seated there.

They were knights, but not in their armor, probably because they had been working. Their uniforms were a deep blue, a color that not everyone could pull off, but all of them had strikingly handsome features.

The knight with long black hair tied at the nape of his neck gave me a small nod. The blond knight also sat down, so I placed the tea in front of the three of them.

The first cup I placed was in front of the person with a blue shoulder strap embroidered with gold thread, indicating a special status.

With his silver hair and purple eyes, anyone could recognize him as the leader of the Sigul Knights, Lord Lucian.

The three of them took a sip in silence. I was a bit nervous. Eventually, Lord Lucian spoke.

"...As always, it has a good flavor."

I was relieved by the compliment. It was important to be favored by the leader of the group.

Once I had a moment to relax, the black-haired knight, Eival, addressed me.

"We called you here to request your assistance for a mission, as usual."

Hearing this, I steeled myself again. While I ran a tea shop for the Knights, I also went on missions with them. In doing so, I secretly tried to prevent the future where most of this world, which resembled a game, would become a wasteland. ...I wasn't a combat specialist, but I did my best in my own way.

Yes, this was a different world, one that closely resembled a game. From the perspective of my previous life, it was just a few months ago that I remembered.