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SMW C10 Servants Taste the Potato Stew
🕑 Added 2025-07-24 14:14:10 +0000 UTCThe head maid, Elsbeth, studied the bowl of stew before her with curious eyes. In all her years of service, she had never encountered such a dish. She observed the pale, cube-shaped pieces floating among the familiar onions and herbs, their surfaces slightly rough and earthy-looking.
What could those chunks be? she wondered. Perhaps some type of turnip? Or maybe white carrots that grew strangely? They're too large to be parsnips...
The rich aroma rising from the bowl was utterly inviting, making her mouth water despite her uncertainty. She carefully scooped up a generous portion, making sure to capture one of the mysterious pale cubes, and brought the spoon to her lips.
The stew was perfectly heated—warm and comforting without scalding her tongue. But as the flavors began to register, her eyes widened in complete astonishment.
The broth was savory and well-seasoned, the onions sweet and tender, but it was that unknown ingredient that truly amazed her.
The pale cube had a texture unlike anything she'd experienced—soft and fluffy, almost creamy, yet substantial enough to provide real satisfaction. Its flavor was mild and earthy, with a subtle sweetness that somehow enhanced every other taste in the stew. It wasn't sharp like turnips or sweet like carrots, but something entirely different—comforting and filling in a way that made her want to savor every morsel.
"My lord! This tastes incredible!" she exclaimed without thinking.
Immediately realizing her breach of etiquette, she blushed deeply and glanced around nervously, wondering if she had embarrassed herself in front of her fellow servants.
To her surprise and relief, nearly everyone in the hall was equally absorbed in their meals. Servants were eating with such enthusiasm and murmuring such praise that they seemed to have forgotten their surroundings entirely. The usual quiet decorum of mealtime had given way to genuine expressions of delight.
Feeling reassured, Elsbeth returned her attention to the remarkable dish before her. With swift, eager motions, she scooped up more of the stew, deliberately targeting those mysterious pale cubes. The taste was absolutely addictive—each bite more satisfying than the last.
She ate with growing enthusiasm, spoon after spoon disappearing into her mouth. Before she knew it, her bowl sat completely empty, not a drop of broth remaining.
"I need more!" she whispered desperately to herself. She started to rise, intending to approach Master Fritz directly, but then noticed other servants already forming a line for second helpings.
Oh no! I have to get in line before they run out! she thought urgently, hurrying to join the queue.
---
Fritz knew the potato stew was delicious, but he hadn't expected the servants to crave it so intensely that they would beg for seconds.
"Forgive me, Master Fritz, but that meal was extraordinary! Might I have just a bit more?" pleaded a young maid, looking both embarrassed and shameless in her desperation.
Fritz shook his head sympathetically. "I completely understand—it does taste unlike anything else, doesn't it? Unfortunately, we only prepared enough potato stew for single servings. There simply isn't any left."
The servants waiting in line groaned with disappointment.
"Truly? Nothing at all?"
"Such a shame—I've never tasted anything so satisfying."
"I suppose we were fortunate to experience such a luxury even once."
Elsbeth, who had been hurrying to join the queue, felt her heart sink. Already gone? What a pity. I was so eager for more. Looking around at her fellow servants, she realized she wasn't alone in her craving.
Suddenly, a clear voice cut through their disappointed murmurs: "Everyone! I have something important to tell you!"
They turned to see their young lord Alexander standing with obvious purpose. The servants immediately fell silent and gave him their respectful attention.
Even the guards in the adjacent hall leaned closer to listen through the doorway.
"Did you enjoy the dish we prepared for you today?" Alexander asked, catching everyone off guard with the question.
The servants exchanged glances before responding with growing enthusiasm:
"It was absolutely incredible, my lord!"
"I've never tasted anything like it!"
"Those tender cubes were positively addictive!"
"The flavor was so rich and satisfying!"
Alexander smiled broadly as he listened to their praise. "That dish you just enjoyed is called 'potato stew.'"
Immediate murmurs rippled through the crowd:
"Potato stew? I've never heard of such a thing..."
"What an unusual name—where does it come from?"
"Is it a dish from distant lands?"
"Why haven't we eaten it before if it's so delicious?"
After the excited chatter subsided, Alexander continued: "Yes, this potato stew is something Master Fritz and I created together."
The head maid Elsbeth raised her hand tentatively. "May I ask a question, young lord?"
"Of course," Alexander nodded encouragingly.
"Could you tell us about those wonderful cubes in the pottage?" Elsbeth inquired. (AN: Pottage = Stew)
Alexander's smile widened. "Those cubes are called potatoes—they come from a remarkable plant I discovered recently." He deliberately avoided mentioning they were root vegetables or had previously been considered pig fodder, knowing such details would only prejudice his audience against them.
Everyone gasped in amazement, murmuring in wonder:
"Potatoes? I've never heard of such a thing before!"
"It must be incredibly expensive to taste so divine!"
"Our young lord is so generous to share such a costly delicacy with us humble servants!" exclaimed a grateful maid. "We are truly blessed!"
"Such kindness from one so young—he has a noble heart indeed!"
Fritz wore a peculiar expression as he listened to their praise. Pig fodder, expensive? he thought to himself. I wonder what their faces would look like if they knew the truth...
Alexander beamed at the servants' enthusiastic response, feeling genuinely pleased by their joy. At the same time, he found himself wondering about his system rewards. I've successfully created a potato-based dish as requested. The rewards should have appeared by now. Perhaps there's some delay, or maybe I need to complete additional requirements...
One of the older servants, the gatekeeper, spoke up with a wistful sigh: "I suppose we were fortunate to taste such a luxury even once. We're incredibly grateful for your generosity, young lord."
Alexander's smile widened as he responded: "Actually, this won't be the only time you'll enjoy potato stew."
Everyone froze, staring at Alexander in stunned surprise.
"That's right—tomorrow, Master Fritz and I will prepare potato stew for everyone once again!" Alexander announced triumphantly.
The servants erupted in delighted surprise:
"Truly, my lord? Again tomorrow?"
"Such incredible generosity!"
"We don't deserve such kindness!"
"The young lord treats us better than some nobles treat their own family!"
Suddenly, one of the kitchen boys raised his wooden spoon high and shouted: "Long live our gracious young lord!"
The cry was immediately taken up by the others: "Long live Young Lord Alexander!"
"Long live the House of Eisenberg!"
"May God bless our merciful lord!"
The enthusiastic chanting sent goosebumps down Alexander's spine. He couldn't help but grin widely at the feeling of genuine appreciation and loyalty from his people.
Just then, one of the guards from the adjacent hall approached hesitantly, raising his hand with embarrassment. "Young lord, forgive the interruption, but might we at the Guard's Hall also have the opportunity to taste this 'potato stew'?"
Alexander and all the servants turned toward the guard. Another guard stepped forward as well, adding: "We couldn't help but notice how much the servants enjoyed it, and the aroma was... quite enticing."
"We've been curious ever since we first caught the scent," admitted a third guard.
Alexander regarded them thoughtfully while the guards awaited his response with obvious anxiety.
"Of course, it's only fair that our guards should also have the opportunity to taste the potato stew," Alexander replied with a gracious smile.
The guards thanked him profusely, relief evident on their faces.
Just then, Alexander's attention was drawn to a familiar translucent interface appearing before his eyes:
[Mission Complete! You have successfully created a potato-based dish edible by humans.]
[Rewards Received: 3 Health Points | 2 System Points]
A surge of satisfaction filled him. Finally... He was eager to return to his chambers and experiment with applying those health points to improve his frail constitution.
While Alexander quietly slipped away from the bustling Servant's Hall, the castle steward—Konrad, Baron Aldric's most trusted administrator—approached the lingering group of chattering servants.
"What's all this commotion? Why aren't you attending to your duties?" Konrad's authoritative voice cut through their conversations.
The servants, recognizing his authority, immediately scattered back to their work stations. Only the head maid remained behind.
"Sir Konrad," Elsbeth greeted him with a respectful curtsy. "We'll return to our work immediately."
"Before you go, explain why everyone was gathered here," Konrad inquired, his curiosity evident.
Elsbeth nodded and provided a detailed account: "The young lord generously invited all the servants to enjoy a special meal he prepared with Master Fritz. It was a remarkable dish called 'potato stew'—unlike anything we've ever tasted. The flavor was extraordinary, particularly these tender cubes called potatoes. Everyone was so impressed that they wanted seconds, though there wasn't enough left."
Konrad listened intently, his interest clearly piqued. "Is there any of this potato stew remaining? I'd like to try it myself."
"Unfortunately, it's all been consumed," Elsbeth replied apologetically.
"A pity," Konrad murmured with genuine disappointment.
"However, you'll have another opportunity tomorrow," Elsbeth added helpfully. "The young lord has promised to serve the same dish to everyone again."
"Excellent. I'm quite curious about what our young lord is planning," Konrad said with an approving smile. "I should report this development to his lordship."
Elsbeth nodded and hurried off to resume her duties.
---
In the lord's private study, Aldric listened thoughtfully as Konrad delivered his report.
"Potato stew? I've never heard of such a dish," Aldric mused, leaning back in his chair.
Konrad nodded. "According to Elsbeth, the servants were unanimous in their praise. She described these 'potatoes' as remarkably flavorful and satisfying—so much so that everyone craved more."
Aldric stroked his beard contemplatively. "How intriguing. I confess I'm curious about the taste myself."
"The young lord has promised to serve the same dish tomorrow," Konrad informed him. "Perhaps you could request a portion for yourself?"
Aldric rose from his desk and nodded slowly. What exactly is that boy of mine up to? he wondered. First he sneaks out of the castle without permission, and now he's hosting elaborate meals for the servants. He sighed heavily, a mix of concern and exasperation in his expression. Our treasury isn't exactly overflowing, and here he is indulging in such generous hospitality. I need to understand what he's planning before this gets out of hand.
