Starting with the sentries on the frontier

"Alright, alright, even if I could summon it, I wouldn't dare now," Zag quickly reassured Snowball. "Yesterday afternoon, I almost died just from using the simplest [Fire Breath]. If I used any other dragon shout, I'd probably be dead!"

Snowball finally relaxed, transforming from a fluffy, explosive black ball of fur into a smooth black ball of fur.

"That's true. The body you're using right now, like Modo's, is incredibly fragile. Any magic could kill you!"

Zag smiled, tacitly agreeing with Snowball's statement.

He couldn't guarantee what form he would take after the body he was currently inhabiting was completely destroyed, so surviving was his top priority.

"Alright, if you're too tired, you should rest first. I still need to copy all the materials that were burned yesterday."

"Great snowballs don't need rest!"

Although she was stubborn, Snowball, curled up on the bed, fell asleep in no time. Her round belly rose and fell, and she looked like she was sleeping soundly.

Since all the tables and chairs in his house were burned, Zag could only turn an empty bucket upside down to use as a table, and then kneel on the ground to copy the commissioned materials.

After copying the commission materials and sealing them away, he turned around and saw that Snowball was still asleep. Zhage then grabbed a handful of change, picked up his keys, and went out.

Snowball is right, it's injured and needs to be properly cared for. At least today I won't buy it dried fish, I'll buy it some real fish instead.

I hope my cooking skills haven't deteriorated. Although the seasonings and spices available in this world are limited, I should still be able to make something like a pot of tomato fish.

"Sentinel! You must be the sentinel from the Cabbage Town Anomaly Response Association!"

Not long after Zag left the sentry post, he encountered a stranger.

But the other person seemed to recognize him.

"You are...?"

"I am an alchemist from... the Tower of Dawn, named Peter."

The other party was very enthusiastic.

Zag suddenly realized: "You're the alchemist who provided Mr. Matthew with the latest healing alchemical potion, 'Blessing of the Sea God'?"

Peter explained, "That's right, it was just a small experiment on my part. I heard from Mr. Matthew that you were injured and bought 'Blessing of the Sea God,' so I came here specifically to see if you had any discomfort after taking this potion... You know, although I've done many tests, when it comes to alchemy, you should always be as cautious as possible."

Zag sincerely praised, "A wonderful potion! For its price, such good results should keep the church up at night!"

Unexpectedly, this alchemist was so conscientious and responsible that he even conducted "exclusive interviews and research" on mature alchemical potions that had already entered the market.

Peter seemed pleased with Zag's assessment: "That's good, that's good. I'm very satisfied to have your approval, Mr. Sentinel. However, although it's cheap, if you have extra money, it's best to buy another bottle to consolidate the effect. After all, I've been desperately trying to cut costs to help more poor people, which has resulted in its effects being rather unsatisfactory."

"This is already a very good alchemical potion. I believe that in the near future, it may change the market landscape and make more common people remember your name. Even in history books and the history of alchemy, you will shine brightly and be remembered by everyone."

Zag's remarks were not deliberate flattery; he genuinely believed it.

It is important to understand that in this world, or rather, in all eras of scarce production technology and resources, the largest group of people—ordinary citizens—have suffered the most and have the least human rights.

Healthcare and education have never been relevant to them.

Of course, the backwardness of technology and knowledge meant that the medical care enjoyed by many noble classes was far from satisfactory. For example, treating a minor cold by bloodletting or amputation, and the resulting deaths were common in the history of the world before Zag's time travel.

However, this world is better in comparison. In addition to the objective existence of extraordinary elements such as "magic," the technology in this world is not actually too backward.

It is well known that the existence of extraordinary beings can slow down the progress of technological development.

As the saying goes, if one can obtain a bountiful harvest through prayer, who would be willing to go through the hard work of researching tools to increase food production?

However, the pursuit of a more civilized and convenient way of life will lead humanity down a completely different path of technological development—the water and sewage systems that have just been introduced to Cabbage Town are one of the most compelling pieces of evidence for this.

Out of curiosity, Zag inquired about it; it was a technology that used magic to filter water and guide it through copper pipes, eventually leading to various houses. No pumps were needed—magic could perform this function—nor were purification devices required; it was still a problem that magic could solve.

As for the specific types of magic, Zag didn't know.

Of course, there are limitations to such water supply and drainage facilities. According to the advisor in the association, if there are no rivers or lakes near the town where such facilities are to be set up, the cost will at least double – because an additional water-drawing spell will be needed to draw water from the nearest natural water source into the facility system.

In short, there is actually a kind of "magical technology" in this world.

Or rather, it cleverly combined with the earliest steam and coal industries that naturally developed in another world where magic did not exist, forming "steam magic technology".

Within this technological system, there exist not only things similar to steam engines, but also basic technological devices powered by magically generated steam or heat energy. For example, the ships traveling between Whitmouth and Eastgate use this method to navigate, with each round trip taking less than three days, several times faster than the sailing ships of the past that relied solely on sails.

However, there are also relatively backward places in this world. For example, there are no long-distance trains. There are only short-distance trains running around the capital and a few surrounding towns, with a maximum travel time of no more than one day.

There must be some special reason, but Zag hasn't figured it out yet.

Or perhaps it's simply not worthwhile; there's not enough economic benefit, and neither the nobles nor the royal court are willing to waste money on it.

Just to make it easier for ordinary people to travel? Don't be ridiculous.

Therefore, Zag deeply respects people like Peter who are able to keep the needs of ordinary people in mind and truly dedicate themselves to them.

Peter seemed a little embarrassed by the praise. He chuckled awkwardly, took a few steps back uncomfortably, and said dryly, "You flatter me. I only did something insignificant... Well, since you think it worked well, I'm relieved. I won't disturb your work any longer. I hope you have a pleasant day."

Zag nodded: "I wish you the same."

So the two said goodbye, and Zag continued walking toward the market.

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【Dawn Mage Tower】: A human mage school established by the Norse during the First Eternal Empire. After maintaining neutrality during the War of the Silver Mountains, it became estranged from the nobility and royalty, and completely lost its dominant position in the magical world within the Eternal High Kingdom after the establishment of the Golden Palace. The Silverhammer family, the lords of the Dawn Territory that it supported, also became one of the first territories to become independent.

Furthermore, thanks to propaganda from the royal family and nobles, the Dawn Mage Tower had a very bad reputation among the Northers. Many Northers believed that the Northers had betrayed the Eternal Kingdom and the Northers because of their fear of the pure-blood elves, and regarded them as "traitors" and "cowards."