SMW C19 How the Five Villages Were Conquered (Arc 1 Completed)

After Ranulf the blacksmith's enthusiastic praise and desperate plea for more mashed potatoes, the reactions that followed were remarkably similar. One by one, each villager approached the serving area with visible terror, accepted their portion with trembling hands, took that first hesitant bite—and then their faces transformed with wonder and delight.

Each person seemed to discover the same revelation: the supposed devil's apples were actually delicious beyond imagination.

The pattern became so consistent that Lammert began to harbor dark suspicions. Leaning close to Wulfger, he whispered urgently, "Could it be that all these villagers are part of some elaborate deception? What if they're eating different food entirely—not made from devil's apples at all?" His paranoia deepened as he continued, "What if the poisoned food is reserved specifically for us?"

Wulfger considered the possibility seriously but ultimately shook his head. "Don't be absurd, Lammert. How could our young lord—or even Baron Aldric, who's constantly demanding more taxes—possibly have the resources to convince this entire village to participate in such an elaborate charade? All of this trouble just for two insignificant peasants like us?"

The logic was undeniable, and Lammert nodded reluctantly. If the nobles simply wanted to punish them, they could do so directly without anyone in the village being able to interfere. There would be no need for such an elaborate and expensive deception.

After what felt like an eternity of nervous waiting, Wulfger's turn finally arrived. His face had gone pale with dread, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool morning air.

Lammert, standing directly behind him, found himself equally nervous for his friend's sake. If Wulfger died from the cursed food, Lammert would struggle to find another butcher willing to purchase his pigs at fair prices. Though given their current predicament, both of them would likely perish anyway.

Squire Oswin handed Wulfger a wooden bowl filled with steaming mashed potatoes. The butcher accepted it with hands that shook like autumn leaves, raised a trembling spoonful to his lips, and took his first bite.

His eyes immediately widened in shock. Just like every person before him, his expression shifted from terror to amazement. Without hesitation, he began consuming the mashed potatoes with obvious relish and satisfaction.

Lammert's jaw dropped open in complete bewilderment. "You... you actually enjoy it?" he asked in disbelief.

Wulfger nodded enthusiastically, still chewing. "It's absolutely incredible, Lammert! You have to experience this for yourself—it tastes absolutely wonderful!"

Lammert studied his friend's face with deep suspicion. Is he telling me the truth, or has he betrayed me and joined this conspiracy? The pig farmer's mind raced with doubt and confusion.

Finally, his own turn arrived. Oswin extended a bowl of mashed potatoes toward him, and Lammert accepted it with barely concealed terror. Drawing on the reactions he'd witnessed, curiosity began to war with his fear.

He lifted a small spoonful to his mouth and let the creamy mixture touch his tongue.

The moment the mashed potatoes made contact, his eyebrows shot up in pure delight. The rich, smooth texture combined with subtle flavors that seemed to melt perfectly on his palate. It was unlike anything he'd ever tasted—comforting, satisfying, and utterly delicious.

Any remaining suspicion evaporated instantly. He began eating with the same vigor as everyone before him, praising the incredible dish between enthusiastic bites. "This is magnificent! How could we have been so wrong about these blessed roots?"

The transformation was complete—another skeptic had become a convert through the simple power of experiencing the truth for himself.

---

Alexander observed the departing villagers with deep satisfaction, noting their transformed expressions—faces that had entered the square filled with terror now radiated contentment and wonder.

"Excellent. Everything appears to be proceeding smoothly," he remarked with quiet pleasure.

Father Hensfried nodded approvingly beside him. "Indeed it is, young lord. After convincing the people of Graybrook—even if not every soul has been fully converted—we've made remarkable progress. Now we must carry this success to the other villages throughout the barony."

Alexander agreed, then pointed toward two familiar figures in the thinning crowd. "Do you see those two men there, Father Hensfried?"

"Yes, I do," the priest confirmed, following Alexander's gesture.

"The one with the nervous expression is Lammert, a swine farmer. He was kind enough to provide me with my first samples of potatoes when I visited the village." Alexander's tone grew thoughtful. "And his companion is Wulfger, the local butcher. I have a strong feeling I'll be working closely with both of them in the future."

This was indeed true. Alexander foresaw numerous projects that would require the services of both a reliable pig farmer and a skilled butcher, especially as his plans for the barony expanded.

However, Father Hensfried interpreted these words through a different lens entirely.

"Ah, I see," the priest said with unquestioning conviction. "If that is your intuition, then surely these men are also instruments that God has prepared for your sacred mission. Just as He prepared me to serve your will without question, you may command them as needed."

Alexander felt an uncomfortable chill run down his spine at the priest's worshipful tone, though he managed to conceal his unease. The level of devotion in Father Hensfried's voice was both useful and deeply unsettling.

"I... if that's how you see it, Father Hensfried," he replied with slight awkwardness. "I appreciate your dedication."

After the majority of villagers had finished their portions of mashed potatoes and experienced their own culinary revelations, Alexander stepped forward to address the assembled crowd once more.

"People of Graybrook!" his young voice carried clearly across the square. "The Barony of Eisenfurt will officially begin cultivating these blessed root vegetables throughout our lands! And if any of you wish to grow potatoes on your own plots, you have my full encouragement to do so."

He gestured toward the now-empty serving bowls. "These crops will sustain us through our most challenging times—harsh winters, summer droughts, and seasons when other harvests fail us."

The crowd listened with newfound attention, hanging on every word from the young lord who had just transformed their understanding of the world.

Alexander nodded to the church acolytes and castle soldiers, who began distributing carefully prepared instructions. "We are providing detailed methods for preparing potatoes in various ways, ensuring they are both safe and delicious, just as you experienced today."

As he watched the distribution process, Alexander's mind wandered to practical concerns. This is becoming problematic. Quality parchment is extremely expensive and cannot be distributed on a large scale. I need to develop a cheaper, more efficient writing material—something thin, durable, and capable of mass production.

His modern knowledge suggested several possibilities: I could establish a papermaking operation using hemp fibers, linen rags, or even wood pulp if I can develop the proper techniques. Paper production would be revolutionary here—not only would it make spreading information vastly easier, but it could also generate significant revenue to fund my other development projects for the barony.

The potential applications excited him. Cheaper writing materials would facilitate education, record-keeping, trade correspondence, and the spread of agricultural innovations. More importantly, controlling paper production could provide the steady income stream necessary to implement his grander visions for transforming Eisenfurt.

Once I establish reliable paper manufacturing, I'll have both the means to communicate effectively with my people and the financial resources to pursue even more ambitious improvements, he thought with growing anticipation.

---

Following their success at Graybrook, Alexander's party remained in the village for an additional day and night. This extended stay allowed them to provide more detailed instruction about potato cultivation and preparation, ensuring the villagers fully understood the methods for growing and cooking their newfound blessing.

During their time there, several traveling merchants who had missed the initial announcement approached with curiosity about the remarkable food called "mashed potatoes" they'd heard praised throughout the village. However, when informed that this delicious dish was prepared from what had long been known as cursed roots, their reactions ranged from shock to outright disbelief.

"You're telling me people are eating devil's apples and calling them blessed?" one merchant exclaimed, crossing himself frantically. "Have you all gone mad?"

Despite such skepticism from outsiders, the villagers who had tasted the potatoes remained firmly convinced of their divine nature, creating an interesting divide between locals and visitors.

---

The following morning, Alexander's party resumed their journey to the next destination: Tannenfeld village. The hour-long ride took them across the River Mort via a sturdy wooden bridge, then along softer ground toward the edge of Darkpine Forest.

Tannenfeld proved quite different from Graybrook. With approximately four hundred residents, it was notably larger, and its economy relied heavily on the forest's bounty—wild herbs, medicinal plants, hunting, and modest agricultural plots carved from cleared woodland. The village had a distinctly different character, with many homes featuring drying racks for herbs and the sweet, earthy scents of various plants permeating the air.

Rather than proceeding directly to the village square for his announcement, Alexander chose to explore Tannenfeld's unique offerings first. His modern sensibilities had been increasingly troubled by the medieval world's approach to hygiene, and he saw an opportunity here.

Fascinating, he thought as he observed the various herbs hanging from wooden frames outside many cottages. There are plants here that would be perfect for soap-making. Looks like I can develop basic soap without too much difficulty.

His nose wrinkled slightly as a villager passed nearby, the man's unwashed odor hitting him like a physical force. The smell situation here is becoming unbearable. I absolutely must find a way to improve sanitation standards throughout the barony.

Alexander approached an elderly herbalist woman tending her drying racks. "Good afternoon, grandmother. I'm interested in purchasing some of your finest herbs."

The woman looked up with surprise at being addressed so politely by someone of obvious noble bearing. "Of course, young lord! What might you be seeking?"

"Pine needles, if you have them. Also any plants known for their cleansing properties—perhaps some that grow near the riverbank?" Alexander inquired, his mind already working through soap recipes he remembered from his previous life.

The herbalist's weathered face brightened. "Ah, you have an eye for useful plants! I have excellent pine needles, freshly gathered, and some fine soapwort that grows wild along the Mort's banks. Very good for washing, though most folk don't bother with such luxuries."

Alexander purchased several varieties of herbs, including the pine needles and soapwort, along with some promising antiseptic plants he intended to experiment with later. The herbalist seemed delighted to find someone who appreciated her less commonly requested items.

This should provide an excellent foundation for developing basic soap, Alexander mused as he secured his purchases. Combined with rendered animal fat and perhaps some wood ash for lye, I should be able to create something far superior to what passes for cleansing agents in this era.

---

After hours of preparation, Alexander finally began his presentation to the villagers of Tannenfeld, introducing the humble potato and unveiling a demonstration feast centered around a hearty potato stew. However, unlike the relatively smooth reception at Graybrook, Tannenfeld proved far more challenging.

The forest-dwelling villagers harbored deeper superstitions about cursed plants, having lived their entire lives surrounded by the mysterious Darkpine Forest with its rumored spirits and dark magic. Many refused to even approach the serving area on the first day, crossing themselves and muttering protective prayers whenever they glimpsed the "devil's apples."

"Those roots grow in shadow and darkness," one elderly woman declared loudly. "Nothing good comes from the cursed earth beneath the trees!"

Despite these setbacks, those brave enough to taste the potato stew found themselves just as impressed as the Graybrook villagers had been. However, convincing the remainder required patience and persistence. Alexander spent several additional days in Tannenfeld, gradually winning over skeptics one small group at a time through careful demonstrations and the enthusiastic testimonials of early converts.

By the third day, even the most superstitious villagers had begun to accept that perhaps their young lord truly had received divine revelation about these blessed roots.

Alexander's party then traveled to Mortgraben Village, a journey of one to two hours by horseback across drier hills dotted with ancient stone road remnants—evidence of the kingdom's more prosperous past.

Mortgraben specialized in clay deposits and pottery, home to tough farming folk who eked out modest livings from poor soil and rudimentary pottery skills. Old watchtower ruins overlooked the village, testament to more strategic days when this location held military significance.

Exploring the settlement, Alexander's eyes lit up with recognition as he observed the extensive clay deposits. Clay everywhere—making clay pipes should be entirely feasible. This could become a crucial industry for the barony's future.

The villagers and even the barony's administrators viewed clay simply as material for basic pottery, water jugs, and food storage vessels. They had no conception of clay's potential for more advanced applications like pipes for water distribution, sewage systems, or industrial processes.

They're sitting on resources they don't even realize are valuable, Alexander mused. Proper clay pipe manufacturing could revolutionize sanitation and water management throughout Eisenfurt.

Mortgraben boasted a larger population than Graybrook—approximately nine hundred residents—which meant serving about five hundred people during the potato introduction. The sheer numbers required careful organization and extended time to ensure everyone could witness and taste the blessed food.

The process took several days to complete, but the results proved equally successful. Once again, Alexander witnessed the transformation from fear and suspicion to wonder and gratitude as many villagers discovered that the supposedly cursed roots were actually divine gifts from God Himself.

---

After Mortgraben, Alexander's party traveled to Osterwald Hamlet, a small settlement of two hundred souls nestled deep within the eastern border near Velbrück foothills. The hamlet specialized in beekeeping and goat herding, producing medicinal honey renowned throughout the barony. A modest chapel dedicated to Saint Agnira served as the spiritual center.

Alexander observed the extensive apiaries with keen interest. Honey production and goat farming—both excellent for food security and trade. The medicinal honey could become a valuable export.

The potato introduction proceeded smoothly among the smaller population, taking only two days to complete.

The final destination was Southgate Watch, a militarized garrison post of roughly one hundred fifty residents along the southern edge near Ironmere Lake road. The population consisted mainly of guards, their families, and occasional traveling merchants.

Alexander quickly assessed the settlement's dire conditions: leaking barracks, poorly fed troops, and obvious signs of smuggling activities born from desperation. The guards were supposed to protect trade routes but clearly struggled with inadequate funding and resources.

This garrison is strategically important but criminally neglected, Alexander noted. Proper support could transform these demoralized guards into effective protectors of our southern borders.

The potato introduction here met with particular enthusiasm—the hungry soldiers and their families embraced any improvement to their meager rations. Many guards openly expressed gratitude for the young lord's attention to their forgotten outpost.

"Finally, someone from the castle remembers we exist," one grizzled sergeant remarked while eagerly consuming his potato stew.

With Southgate Watch converted, Alexander had successfully introduced potatoes to every village in the Barony of Eisenfurt, laying the foundation for agricultural and economic transformation throughout his father's domain.

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[Arc 1 Complete: The Potato Crusade]