The Maelstrom of Stardew
Year 1 (Summer)
Chapter 48: From The Duke With Drive
Friday, the 12th of Summer, 2017
[Quest Announcement] - Gamer Ability/Notification
[LOAD GAME]
…
[LOADING QUICKSAVE DATA.]
[GAME LOADED. WELCOME BACK!]
Taeko had [Fast Traveled] back to Sunshade Farm in Yelenhelm and had to deal with clearing up something.
"Wait, they're not…"
"No, they're not like Artesia or Thyme, Poppy. They're more willing servants and given that your daughter was their leader…and she's a concubine of mine, I'm their leader now." Taeko explained.
"Yeah, he caught us but never had us formally arrested. And we are very grateful to serve given it's a pretty cushy job." Cleo pointed out.
"And I'm not going to have them paraded around." Taeko remarked to the relief of Tara, Chisa, and Cleo. "Besides, I won't take you or Tera. Tera's already a concubine and it's public knowledge I took everything her father left behind including you. Plus, I already called Cassidee to handle things."
"I'm sorry, my lord. I forgot my place." Willow said submissively.
"Tera, why don't you and the girls have a sleepover or something. Take the night off. Willow will handle snacks and everything you need." Taeko said as Willow bowed.
"Thanks, daddy~" Tera said before leaving with her mother and the rest of the pack.
He went up to get dressed for the party, having bought some formal clothes. He got one a slate colored three piece suit, off-white collared shirt, a pair of spats, a black tie, and fancy white gloves.
"Don't I look dapper." Taeko said to himself.
He checked his phone to find a message from the Lemoncarb sisters that both were going to be on the 'mainland' dealing with an emergency and would be late to the party. He decided to call up Odalia who had politely declined citing she was on her way to a family dinner.
"Hey, I won't tear you away from that. You can still use my hotel room. Tell Amity I said hi." Taeko said before hanging up. "Guess I fly solo."
And fly he did in his Swift enjoying the night sky before landing down at the castle's rooftop helipad. Royal guard and maids came out as Taeko came out.
"Duke Maelstrom, welcome to the castle once again." One of the maids stated as he bowed. "This way."
He was escorted to the main hall for the party where he saw the same crowd as the last time only with a few more people.
"Presenting Duke Maelstrom."
He was shown to the table with the royals and fellow nobles.
"The man of the hour." Fylson said chipperly. "How's business?"
"All over the place, I just got a garage and dealership running up in Forjado. Fencing cars and all that." Taeko said casually. "I also dealt with reforming a white-collar scam artist trying to claim to be a noble. Don't worry, I dealt with it personally. She's working for me and grateful for my mercy."
"Well, given it was outside of Yelenhelm, I'll let it go for now." Queen Lorelaan said. "For this is a celebration of you being my third in command."
It would be after dinner that Taeko was formally 'knighted' as the Duke of Shadows to the cheers of everyone. He'd also receive a [Yelenhelm Mantle], a cloak worn by royalty like in the movies. He did see his mantle, like Yui's, were purple unlike the King and Queen's green ones. The party would really begin as drinks were served and people moved about. The System encouraged Taeko to explore to see what events he could trigger. So he decided to see Maron who was readying to leave.
"Taeko, hey. I won't be staying long as now that I get to see the rest of my family more often, I want to do more for them." Maron said kindly. "But I wanted to at least stay to see you knighted."
"It's no sweat, Maron. You're all square with me." Taeko said as Maron took her leave.
He found himself approached by Shijimi.
"Baroness or should I call you Viscountess…" Taeko greeted. "Where's your husband by the way."
"Oh Taeko dear, Shijimi's fine. We're nobles after all. And my dear is making the rounds." Shijimi said with a giggle. "But I wanted to talk to you personally."
Taeko decided to politely excuse himself before scampering. Given how Shijimi acted, she was being a bit too friendly for his liking. He went over to find Griselda having a dark at the open bar.
"Congrats on your progress, you've managed to really turn things around." Griselda said as he sat next to her. "But there's something I need to talk to you about…something serious."
Taeko got himself a mojito mocktail to drink before asking what was going on.
"I haven't told the Queen, but I've received a threatening letter. I was going to be giving a speech at the University of Forjado Fierro on human rights violations…with a bit of the Saudi monarchy corruption. I was arranging a hotel stay when I got that letter." She explained.
"I got a room at the Van Koff hotel in Queens, but if you really need a place that's hidden…I got places in Forjado. As for your attackers, I know of them. Al-Aziz. Actually managed to kill a dozen of their guys because they're beefing with a group I'm affiliated with. You could hire them to be your added protection while I act as the middle man." Taeko offered.
"That's perfect. I trust you can arrange a meeting…"
"Yeah, you got a boat? If so, sail to the beach a distance away from Angel Pine. Go there, go straight to Angel Pine, and rent a motel room at the U Get Inn Motel. When that's done, text me and I can arrange the meeting. Ask Erelune to arrange some help." Taeko said as she nodded. "But at least tell the queen about it. May as well let her know so there's no misunderstandings."
Griselda finished her drink, thanked him, and left the bar. He could see her and Erelune talking but focused on finishing his drink.
"Hey there, boss."
He turned to see Cassidee and Thyme. Cassidee looked dolled up with a white off-the-shoulder dress with matching heels and a gray peacoat. Thyme wore a black leather jacket under an olive-colored, halterneck, backless dress with a black sash around her waist, and matching heeled pumps.
"Cassidee. Thyme." Taeko greeted.
"I had to make sure your handmaiden came to the event. It's a good showing of your entourage. By the way, thanks for meeting Poppy in check." Cassidee said Taeko called for a drink for her. "Thank you."
"You do your job well, Cass. How's your family situation?" Taeko said as she took up the drink.
"All my child support payments are paid so it's all good." Cassidee remarked. "I've made my peace about it. You two have fun."
Cassidee sauntered off with her drink leaving the two alone.
"Is there anything you need, your grace?" Thyme asked.
Yui came up as Thyme stiffened a bit in fear.
"Taeko, it's good to see you here…and you had your handmaiden brought along as a part of your entourage. I hope she is no trouble at all." Yui said as Taeko nodded. "Regardless, it's all official now. You're basically seen as a part of the royal family…and the first godfather to their future kids."
"They're already attempting, are they?" Taeko asked.
"Furiously so…like rabbits. But I'm not shaming them for it…Lorelaan's happy and in a loving relationship. And Fylson can retire from merchant and mercenary work for good. I actually like the guy's company." Yui said kindly. "All thanks to you. And Thyme is thankful to you for taking her in."
"Of course, Grand Duchess." Thyme said as Yui took her leave.
Taeko would explore the castle further and in the process, finally meet Shijimi's elusive husband who was in the middle of fucking one of his maids.
"Ah yes, the new Duke. How are you holding up? Need a turn on her?"
"Fine…and I'm good." Taeko said. "I guess you and your wife are open about this."
"Shijimi's the mother of my little legacies, but our marriages is more of convenience." He admitted, thrusting into her girl faster. "I did wish she would lose that gut of hers. She's a bit too heavy for my liking. I ask her to consider losing a bit of weight and she takes issue with it."
"Do you guys even love each other?" Taeko thought. "Fuck it, not like it's my business."
"I have to keep myself in decent shape. I'm not asking for her to be an athlete, just trim down a bit."
Before he could say anything, Shijimi entered the room.
"Masa, what are you two talking about?" Shijimi asked.
"Nothing important." Taeko said to cover it.
Masa gives Taeko a wordless thanks before Shijimi could drag the new duke out of the room.
"He probably brought up my weight again." Shijimi said.
"To be fair, you could stand to lose weight. Not to say you need to be very thin, but you are just a touch too plump." Taeko said honestly. "I'm not going to be rude to you about it, but not going to lie to you about it."
The only reason Shijimi didn't retort was because she knew Taeko's profession as a monster hunter required him to be in fighting shape.
"It's not that easy." She protested.
"You're wealthy. You're telling me you can't hire a dietician and a personal trainer." Taeko asked as Shijimi's cheeks went red.
She shuffled off away from him as Taeko rolled his eyes.
"Rich people, I swear." Taeko said.
"She's run off because what you did was what Griselda was nice to do, what Maron was too dense to do, and what I did not care to do…that's got no excuse to lose the weight." Yui said flatly. "Not going to lie, you were a lot nicer than I would have been about it. But I'll go after her."
"I think I may call it an early night. I need to get back to the mainland as I have business to handle." Taeko said as Yui gave a nod.
"I'll let the queen know." Yui said as Taeko took off.
He'd get back to his helicopter and fly off into the night letting Cassidee know that he was leaving.
"Damn, I need to get a load off…"
Taeko would use the exploit to land his chopper near his Angel Pine home to 'store' it in his garage before [Fast Traveling] to Forjado. He'd go straight to Maru's place wanting comfort in the arms of the lover.
"Long day?" She asked him.
"Yeah. Wanted to end it with you." Taeko said holding her to kiss her. "How's yours?"
"Classes are coming along. I'm excited to hear that speech that Yelenhelm noble is going to do at the college." Maru remarked. "And it'll look like I'll have you to myself for a bit. Abigail and Penny were hired to go on a bit of a guild mission concerning that Deathgaze that appeared. They didn't hire you because you're kinda being punted into the reserves until this mess with Joja's resolved. So Monday."
"That's fair." Taeko admitted putting that tub of ice cream he had on the table. "We can share this and-Oh…man…"
"What's wrong?" Maru asked.
"I got to deal with some stuff for the farm. Not the main one, but if I don't do it now…it'll take longer to deal with." Taeko said, going to the door.
"And if you put it off it's going to be a hassle, I know the pain." Maru said as he left.
~MoS-SY1~
It was one of those rare moments, but Taeko used SecuroServ to be dropped off as his forest farm. He already had paid and went straight to the greenhouse to plant those [Mixed Seeds] in lain in his Inventory for so long. Given they were basically randomized seeds, he tried his luck planting them only to have half of them turn to [Wheat Seeds], one be a [Radish Seed], and the rest be [Corn Seeds].
"Man, what a long day." Taeko said, looking down at his cloak. "May as well use [Observe] to see if there's any bonuses."
[Yelenhelm Mantle - Neck (Equip Item) - The mantle only worn by those seen as a part of the royal family whether directly or indirectly. It can also glow if one pumps a bit of energy into it and aids in the defense with its blessing of protection. (Glow Ring Effect, Doubles Defense on Equipped Clothing, Magical Defense, Self Repairs from Damage) (Works in tandem with your Duke of Shadows perk)]
"Damn, double defense? That'll be sweet." Taeko said before equipping it.
Unlike the ring, he was even a choice of what his one-time blessing would be. An +1000 increase to HP, a +1000 increase to his energy, or split it down the middle. He chose the split.
[Your HP and Energy increased by 500]
He finds Pamela asleep on the couch and he lets her be before leaving the house. He [Fast Traveled] to the Stardew Galaxia, going straight to his office. As he slumped into the cot, he got a text from Chisa asking if he wanted her to put today's haul in the selling bin. He texted a yes before nodding off to sleep unaware of tonight's thunderstorm.
[STATS]
Taeko Kiba Maelstrom
Occupation: Farmer/Adventurer/Oyabun/Duke of Yelenhelm
Age: 20 years
HP: 4324/4324
Energy: 4304/4304
Overall Level: Agriculturist
Farming Skill Level: 10
Mining Skill Level: 10
Foraging Skill Level: 10
Fishing Skill Level: 10
Combat Skill Level: 10
Mastery Level: 2
Gold: 16,093,295
From a former employee of the corrupt Joja Corporation to it's worst nightmare, Taeko Maelstrom is out for revenge against the company who burned him. An accomplished monster hunter, a tactical yakuza leader, a farmer, and a noble to the Elf Kingdom only shows his varied skills while toeing the line and living life to the edge. His favorite gifts tend to center around weaponry and food, especially a good pizza.
[Taeko's Perks] - [No change]
[New Items Equipped] - [Yelenhelm Mantle - Neck (Equip Item) - The mantle only worn by those seen as a part of the royal family whether directly or indirectly. It can also glow if one pumps a bit of energy into it and aids in the defense with its blessing of protection. (Glow Ring Effect, Doubles Defense on Equipped Clothing, Magical Defense, Self Repairs from Damage) (Works in tandem with your Duke of Shadows perk)]
[Relationships]
[No change]
[Status of the Farmland]
[Shadow Farm]
[Column 1]
Row 1)
Row 2)
Row 3)
Row 4)
Row 5)
Row 6)
Row 7)
Row 8) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 9) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 10) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 11) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 12) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 13) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 14) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 15)
Row 16)
[Column 2]
Row 1) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 2) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 3) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 4) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 5) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 6) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 7) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 8) Sunflower (Days in the Soil: 3/8)
Row 9)
Row 10)
Row 11)
Row 12)
Row 13)
Row 14)
Row 15)
Row 16)
[Column 3]
Row 1)
Row 2)
Row 3) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 4) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 5) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 6) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 7) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 8)
Row 9) Corn (Days in the Soil: 11/12)
Row 10) Corn (Days in the Soil: 11/12)
Row 11) Corn (Days in the Soil: 11/12)
Row 12) Corn (Days in the Soil: 11/12)
Row 13) Corn (Days in the Soil: 11/12)
Row 14) Corn (Days in the Soil: 11/12)
Row 15) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 16) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
[Column 4]
Row 1) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 2) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 3) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 4) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 5) Hot Pepper (Days in the Soil: 9/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 6)
Row 7)
Row 8) Tomato (Days in the Soil: 9/10)
Row 9) Tomato (Days in the Soil: 9/10)
Row 10) Tomato (Days in the Soil: 9/10)
Row 11) Tomato (Days in the Soil: 9/10)
Row 12) Tomato (Days in the Soil: 9/10)
Row 13) Tomato (Days in the Soil: 9/10)
Row 14)
Row 15)
Row 16)
[Column 5]
Row 1)
Row 2)
Row 3)
Row 4) Blueberry (Quality Fertilizer) (Days in the Soils: 11/2) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 5) Blueberry (Quality Fertilizer) (Days in the Soils: 11/2) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 6) Blueberry (Quality Fertilizer) (Days in the Soils: 11/2) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 7)
Row 8)
Row 9)
Row 10)
Row 11)
Row 12)
Row 13)
Row 14)
Row 15)
Row 16)
[Column 6]
Row 1) Tea Sapling (Days in the Soil: 11/18, Will Produce Every Days After Fully Grown)
Row 2) Tea Sapling (Days in the Soil: 11/18, Will Produce Every Days After Fully Grown)
Row 3) Tea Sapling (Days in the Soil: 11/18, Will Produce Every Days After Fully Grown)
Row 4) Tea Sapling (Days in the Soil: 38/17, Will Produce Every Day After Fully Grown)
Row 5) Tea Sapling (Days in the Soil: 38/17, Will Produce Every Day After Fully Grown)
Row 6) Tea Sapling (Days in the Soil: 11/18, Will Produce Every Days After Fully Grown)
Row 7)
Row 8)
Row 9)
Row 10)
Row 11)
Row 12)
Row 13)
Row 14)
Row 15)
Row 16)
[Sunshade Farm] (All crops on farm take one day less to grow)
[Column 1]
Row 1) Hops (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/4) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 2) Hops (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/4) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 3)
Row 4)
Row 5)
Row 6)
Row 7)
Row 8)
[Column 2]
Row 1) Hops (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/4) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 2) Hops (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/4) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 3)
Row 4)
Row 5)
Row 6)
Row 7)
Row 8)
[Column 3]
Row 1) Hops (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/4) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 2) Hops (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/4) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 3)
Row 4)
Row 5) Blueberries (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 6)
Row 7)
Row 8)
[Column 4]
Row 1) Hops (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/4) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 2) Hops (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/4) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 3) Blueberries (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 4) Blueberries (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 5) Blueberries (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 6)
Row 7)
Row 8)
[Column 5]
Row 1) Hops (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/4) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 2) Hops (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/4) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 3) Blueberries (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 4) Blueberries (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 5) Blueberries (Hyper Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 11/1) (Will Produce More Every Day)
Row 6)
Row 7)
Row 8)
[Shara Farm] (Trees and Flowers only need one day to grow)
[No change]
(Day 12 Total Profits: 38,280 Gold + (Business Profits: 90,806) = 129,086 Gold)
(Stardew Shadow's Total Profits (This adds all the money made by the end of each day): 5,362,349 Gold)
[Status of the Pets]
[No change]
[SAVING GAME]
….
[DOWNLOAD COMPLETE!]
[GAME SAVED!]
(A/N: I completely forgot that I'm nearing 50 chapters of this fic, what a shock. Either way, I noticed a major error on Chapter 40 going forward to 45, but by the post of this chapter, it should be fixed. We're soon to reach the halfway mark in this season and Taeko's got plenty to do.)