Alexander unwrapped the potatoes on the preparation table under Fritz's watchful gaze. His excitement was barely contained as he spoke. "I have something special for you to cook, Fritz. These root vegetables could help our people survive without relying solely on grain and gruel—especially during harsh winters!"
Fritz examined the strange tubers with curiosity, listening patiently to his young lord's enthusiastic words. "What are these? They look familiar somehow..."
Alexander laughed nervously, hoping to dismiss whatever Fritz might be thinking. "Don't worry about that. I want you to prepare something for me—I can assure you it will be absolutely delicious!"
Fritz didn't think much of it at first, but then a memory surfaced. As a ten-year-old boy, he had stayed with his uncle—a pig farmer who raised swine for his livelihood.
I remember something called pig fodder that Uncle used to feed his animals, Fritz recalled. His uncle's words echoed in his memory: "These things are cursed and unfit for human consumption. But pigs will eat anything, even this tainted food. It makes them grow faster because it aligns with their evil nature."
As the memory crystallized, Fritz realized exactly what lay before him. He watched his young lord eagerly explaining cooking methods, and cold sweat broke out across his back.
"Young lord, I don't think we can cook these!" Fritz stammered.
Alexander felt a sinking sensation. Don't tell me he also knows about potatoes and thinks they're cursed! He felt helpless at this familiar reaction.
"Those are cursed roots! They're not meant for human consumption!" Fritz said, his voice trembling with fear. "Please, my lord, you must throw them away immediately!"
Alexander sighed heavily and tried to explain. "Fritz, trust me—these aren't cursed or evil! It's all a misunderstanding!" He picked up a potato and held it out toward the cook.
"No!" Fritz backed away, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the dreaded tubers.
Seeing Fritz's extreme caution, Alexander knew he had to take drastic action.
This isn't good. I thought our familiarity would make this easier, but I was completely wrong. Alexander sighed, then adopted a more authoritative tone. "Listen, Fritz—am I not your young lord?"
Fritz nodded quickly. "Yes, you are my young lord!"
"And you are my servant, bound to obey me, correct?" Alexander pressed, hating that he had to exploit the social hierarchy but seeing no alternative.
Fritz recognized the challenge to his loyalty immediately. "I am your faithful servant, young lord!"
"Then if you are truly loyal, you'll do whatever I command." Alexander's voice hardened with authority. "As your lord, I order you to cook these root vegetables according to the recipe I will provide."
A helpless expression crossed the cook's weathered face. He stammered, "I... I don't know, my lord..."
Alexander pressed his advantage, meeting Fritz's eyes directly. "I am nobility, and you serve within the territory of Eisenfurt, which falls under my father's rule. I have the authority to give you orders."
Fritz glanced around nervously. "But, young lord—"
"I know what you're thinking," Alexander interrupted. "You're worried these root vegetables will curse us with sickness—but I promise you they won't."
Fritz remained unconvinced. "How can you be so certain? My uncle was a pig farmer, and he always said those things you want me to cook aren't meant for human consumption! They could kill people or bring terrible curses!"
Alexander sighed, feeling helpless against such deeply ingrained superstitions. Explaining that potatoes were safe to eat wasn't easy, especially to someone so steeped in religious fears.
Then inspiration struck. "To ensure safety, I'll pray over these root vegetables—that will make them completely safe to consume."
Fritz stared at him in surprise. "But... would that actually work?"
Alexander chuckled confidently. "Of course it will! I'm a devout believer, and if I pray for these roots to be cleansed for human consumption, then they'll be perfectly edible."
"But..." Fritz still hesitated.
Alexander delivered his final argument. "Think about it—don't pig farmers pray over their swine to make them safe for eating? Without those prayers, the pigs would still be cursed, since demons were sealed into their ancestors' bodies long ago."
Fritz couldn't argue with that logic. Indeed, his uncle had always prayed fervently while raising his pigs. That's why swine farmers needed strong faith—without it, their livestock would remain tainted.
Alexander positioned himself before the potatoes. He felt somewhat ridiculous, but if this would ease Fritz's concerns, it was necessary. Closing his eyes and clasping his hands together, he began to pray:
"Almighty God, Creator of all things, I humbly beseech You to look upon these humble roots with Your divine mercy. As You have granted us dominion over all living things, and as You cleanse the swine through faithful prayer to nourish our bodies, I ask that You purify these earthly tubers of any curse or corruption. Let Your holy light drive out any darkness that may dwell within them, and transform them from fodder into sustenance fit for Your faithful servants. By Your grace and through my devotion, may these roots become wholesome nourishment, free from all taint and evil. In Your holy name, I pray. Amen."
Fritz watched the entire ritual with rapt attention. When Alexander finished and opened his eyes, he declared solemnly, "I can feel the divine spirit flowing through me. I can tell these root vegetables have been cleansed and are now safe to eat."
He added with renewed confidence, "Now, gather the other ingredients. I want you to prepare something truly special—something that won't disappoint."
Fritz had no choice. Though still reluctant, he was bound to fulfill his young lord's wishes, and the prayer had eased his worst fears.
---
Alexander wanted Fritz to prepare "Potato Stew"—a hearty, warming dish that had sustained countless people in his previous world. The thick, nutritious stew could fill empty bellies for hours with its rich combination of tender potatoes, aromatic herbs, and savory broth. It was simple yet deeply satisfying, the kind of meal that could keep a working man going through a long day. In his former world, this humble dish—or rather, the potato itself—had literally saved millions of lives during famines and harsh winters.
But the people of this world had yet to realize that potential. Alexander was determined to show them that potatoes could become a staple food here as well.
Fritz gathered several onions, a handful of fresh herbs including garlic, thyme, and parsley, along with a small piece of dried meat for flavor. He also fetched a pinch of precious salt from the kitchen stores.
Alexander helped by cleaning the potatoes, scrubbing away the dirt and beginning to peel them. Fritz saw him working and protested, "Young lord! Please, let me handle that—"
"It's fine. I can peel these root vegetables without trouble," Alexander replied, though the crude iron paring knife made the task far more difficult than it should have been.
Fritz didn't insist further and turned to chopping the onions and mincing the herbs with practiced skill. As an experienced cook, his knife work was swift and precise.
Still, he was merely following his young lord's strange instructions. Will this dish really be as good as he promises? Fritz wondered doubtfully.
He glanced at the potatoes and shuddered internally. No one has ever been mad enough to cook such vile roots before. They grow in the dark earth—they're practically from the underworld itself! He sighed but continued working.
Fritz prepared the large iron cauldron, filling it with water and setting it over the hearth fire. Following Alexander's instructions, he added the chopped onions first to build a flavorful base, then the herbs and small pieces of meat. When the water began to bubble, he carefully added the cubed potatoes, watching them bob in the roiling liquid. Alexander then instructed him to add small pieces of stale bread to help thicken the stew.
After thirty minutes of gentle simmering, Fritz had to admit the aroma wafting from the cauldron was surprisingly appetizing—rich and earthy, with hints of herbs and a hearty, comforting smell that reminded him of home. His stomach actually rumbled in response.
"Could it actually be delicious?" he murmured, almost salivating despite himself.
But then he remembered what was in the pot—cursed roots! No, I mustn't be tempted to taste it, he gulped nervously. Maybe I could just try the broth and onions, but avoid those evil tubers? he wondered.
Alexander noticed Fritz's conflicted expression and couldn't help but chuckle. I wonder what his reaction will be when he actually tastes the potatoes?