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After several minutes of careful frying, Alexander finally had a bowl of hot, golden potato chips before him. He pinched a bit of precious salt and sprinkled it evenly over the crispy slices.

Taking the first chip, he popped it into his mouth. Crunch!

The satisfying sound of chips crunching echoed throughout the kitchen—a completely new auditory experience that was both strange and mesmerizing. "Good!" Alexander nodded with satisfaction, immediately reaching for another.

Fritz, Ranulf, and Osmund stared in fascination, visibly salivating at the enticing sounds and aromas. "May I try one, young lord?" Ranulf asked eagerly.

Fritz and Osmund swallowed nervously before adding their own requests. "It smells like potato fries but completely different. I'm desperately curious to taste it," Fritz admitted.

"Me as well," Osmund chimed in hopefully.

Alexander smiled at their eager expressions. "You want some? Come on then, help yourselves!"

All three men practically lunged forward, each grabbing a chip with obvious excitement.

With great anticipation, they bit down simultaneously. CRUNCH!

The loud cracking sound filled the kitchen as they chewed, the unusual texture creating a symphony of crispy sounds. The flavor was unlike anything they'd experienced—intensely potato-focused but transformed by the frying process into something entirely new. The thin texture allowed the salt to enhance every bite, while the concentrated potato essence created an almost addictive quality.

"Incredible!" Ranulf exclaimed with genuine amazement. "The taste is unusual but completely captivating—like potato fries but so much more intense!"

"I completely agree!" Osmund nodded enthusiastically.

Fritz looked at the mandoline slicer, then at Alexander, with pure astonishment. "Simply slicing potatoes thin and frying them creates this remarkable food?" He studied his young lord with newfound respect. Could it be that our young lord possesses natural culinary genius? He might be truly gifted beyond our understanding!

They continued consuming chips eagerly, unable to stop themselves.

Alexander smiled with satisfaction as he observed their reactions. Excellent response. While these chips don't quite match the quality from my previous life, they're made from pure potatoes rather than the heavily processed versions I remember. The authentic potato flavor is actually superior, even if the texture isn't perfectly refined. For this world, this is an absolutely revolutionary snack!

After finishing the entire bowl, everyone looked between Alexander and the mandoline slicer with embarrassed longing, clearly hoping for another batch.

Alexander decided this was the perfect moment for explanation. "The food you just consumed is called 'Potato Chips,'" he announced. "This is what I plan to sell to help improve our barony's finances. What are your thoughts?"

Everyone registered surprise at this revelation. They hadn't expected their young lord to consider commercial ventures—it was highly unusual for nobility to engage in trade. In their society, nobles were expected to maintain their elevated status through land ownership, military leadership, and political governance.

Commerce was considered the domain of merchants and craftsmen, social classes beneath nobility. For a lord to personally engage in buying and selling goods was seen as degrading to their station, mixing inappropriately with lower classes, and potentially indicating financial desperation or fallen status. Nobles who needed income typically increased taxes, sought advantageous marriages, or pursued military conquest—not direct commerce.

"I can definitely say these 'potato chips' will be incredibly popular in the capital, young lord!" Ranulf declared with enthusiastic eyes. "There are merchants selling all manner of goods there, so I believe this will sell exceptionally well."

"I agree completely," Osmund nodded, then hesitated carefully. "But I think this type of food isn't very... suitable as a proper meal..." His voice trailed off as he tried not to offend their young lord with harsh truths.

After a moment's consideration, Fritz also nodded reluctantly. "I must agree with Osmund. While undeniably delicious, these chips are quite light and don't provide the substantial nourishment that fills the stomach." He looked apologetic. "Though I enjoyed them immensely, young lord, this could present challenges."

Fritz's assessment was accurate. As head chef, he understood that while potato chips were remarkably novel and tasty, they couldn't satisfy hunger like proper food. They were essentially something to chew for flavor rather than genuine sustenance.

The three men expected Alexander to be offended by their criticism, but he simply smiled and nodded agreeably. "You're absolutely correct. Potato chips are indeed light and won't fill anyone's stomach."

Fritz and the others exchanged worried glances, feeling somewhat guilty about their blunt honesty.

But Alexander wasn't finished. "However, who said potato chips were meant to be proper food?"

Everyone looked confused. "Huh?"

Alexander was amused by their bewildered expressions. "Potato chips fall under the category of 'snack.'"

"Snack?" All three men repeated the completely unfamiliar word simultaneously.

"Exactly," Alexander confirmed. "A snack is food that people consume purely for taste and pleasure during leisure time. Perhaps while reading, working, or socializing, they might nibble on snacks like these potato chips. You could compare them to roasted nuts that people eat while drinking ale, or candied fruits that nobles enjoy during festivals—not meant to replace meals, but to provide enjoyment between them."

As Alexander's full explanation sank in, everyone suddenly understood the concept completely. The idea made perfect sense—a new category of food designed for pleasure rather than necessity, something to enhance daily activities rather than sustain life.

Fritz and the others exchanged enthusiastic glances before responding one after another:

"That actually sounds completely reasonable! If that's the purpose, then selling this type of food makes perfect sense!"

"I can easily imagine a noble crunching these potato chips while studying scrolls or conducting business."

"I'd love to have these 'snacks' while working at the forge!"

Alexander felt pleased by their supportive reactions and growing understanding of his concept.

Just then, a servant knocked urgently on the kitchen door. "Young lord, Baron Aldric requests your immediate presence in his study!"

Alexander noticed the worried, hurried tone in the servant's voice. Something's wrong. She sounds genuinely distressed.

A sense of foreboding settled over him as he quickly followed the servant through the castle corridors.

---

Entering his father's study, Alexander immediately sensed the grave atmosphere. His father Aldric sat behind his desk looking unusually tense, while Reinhard stood grimly at his side. Most surprisingly, Father Hensfried was also present—the priest whom Alexander hadn't seen for weeks.

"It's been some time, Father Hensfried," Alexander greeted politely.

The priest nodded with a strained smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Alexander turned to his father with growing concern. "You summoned me, Father. What's happened?"

Aldric exchanged meaningful glances with both Reinhard and Father Hensfried before clearing his throat heavily.

"My son, I've called you here because we've received... disturbing news from beyond our borders."

Alexander felt his stomach drop. "What kind of news?"

Aldric sighed deeply. "Word of potatoes being edible has spread far beyond our barony. The knowledge has reached other territories and even the royal capital itself."

That was inevitable, Alexander thought grimly.

"But that's not the real problem," Aldric continued with obvious reluctance. "There are reports that people who consumed potatoes have been poisoned. Some are even said to have died."

Alexander's expression grew solemn as understanding dawned. It must be because they didn't follow the preparation instructions properly. They probably ate green potatoes, sprouted ones, or harvested them incorrectly without understanding the safety requirements.

"The fear of cursed roots is returning to other baronies—but that's still not the worst part," Aldric said, his voice growing heavier. "They're blaming us for deliberately spreading evil throughout the kingdom."

When these words hit Alexander, his heart sank completely. *Damn it. They copied our methods without understanding them properly, poisoned themselves through ignorance, and now have the audacity to blame us for their failures?*

The political implications were staggering, and Alexander realized their potato revolution had just become a potential catastrophe for the entire House of Eisenberg.

Father Hensfried spoke with grave authority. "The nobility and even members of the royal family are demanding an immediate explanation from House Eisenberg. Without proper justification, your family's position faces serious jeopardy." He paused meaningfully. "Both Lord Aldric and the young lord must present themselves before Duke Wilhelm—who governs all baronies in this region—to clear the Eisenberg name regarding these potato accusations."

Alexander couldn't help but sigh at the political complexity, though he felt confident about navigating this crisis. Especially with his potato chips now ready for strategic deployment.

"Fear not, young lord," Father Hensfried continued with unwavering conviction. "I will stand firmly beside you in this trial. I gave you my sacred pledge, and I will never retreat from that commitment." His voice carried religious fervor. "God Almighty and His heavenly host witnessed my vow of loyalty to you. I trust completely that you will dispel any misunderstandings and reveal the divine truth."

Alexander smiled with genuine appreciation. "Thank you, Father Hensfried. Your support means more than you know."

He hadn't expected the priest's loyalty to prove so steadfast and absolute. This unwavering devotion would clearly prove invaluable in the political battles ahead.

With Father Hensfried's ecclesiastical backing, my potato chips as evidence, and the truth on our side, I should be able to not only clear our name but potentially turn this crisis into an opportunity, Alexander thought strategically. Sometimes the best defense is a compelling offense.