Starting with the sentries on the frontier

Chapter 38 David's Visit

In the evening, while Zag was cutting cabbage, David came to visit with his daughter and youngest son.

Cabbage Town was such a small town that everyone heard about Zag's dog in just one day, and David's visit was because of that dog—

"I'm so sorry, Lilia and Andrew were clamoring to see the dog, so I had to bother you at this hour!" David looked quite embarrassed, so when he was invited in, he deliberately held up the basket he was carrying and said loudly, "Lily prepared mead and prosciutto sandwiches for us, as well as redcurrant cheese rolls. Brother, we can have a good drink!"

As a middle-aged man with a considerable height, a robust build, and biceps as developed as Billy the King, the small wicker basket slung over his arm looked like a toy. Coupled with the white cotton cloth with purple daisy print draped over it, it was quite comical, almost making Zag burst out laughing.

David was accompanied by his youngest son and only daughter.

The two children were only two years apart. The girl, Lilia, was a bit taller and bolder. The moment she saw Herford, she cheered, let go of her younger brother's hand, and ran over. Then she stood about half a meter away from the bewildered Herford, hesitating as if she wanted to touch him but didn't dare. Finally, she turned her head, her eyes sparkling, and asked, "Uncle Zag, what's its name?"

Zag replied, "Coal Ball, you can call him Coal Ball."

"Coal ball? That's a weird name!"

Lilia had some trouble pronouncing "coal ball" properly, so she put the two syllables together and pronounced them very shortly, which sounded cuter.

Andrew, the younger brother, seemed much more reserved. Although he was also excited, he politely approached Helford by walking and asked, "Uncle Zag, may I touch it?"

Zag replied, "You'll have to ask him. If Coal Ball agrees, then it's fine."

This sounds a bit strange, but in a child's world, it seems perfectly natural.

So Lilia knelt down first, extended her hand in a friendly manner, and asked Helford, "May I touch you? I washed my hands before I came!"

Facing the two Modo cubs, Helford showed none of the fear he had felt upon seeing Liam that morning. Instead, he stuck out his tongue, lowered his head, and rubbed against Lilia's hand.

Clearly, this signifies agreement and indicates that Lilia may touch him.

In fact, as a werewolf who had been hiding for many years, Helford had not had such close contact with humans, especially human cubs, for a long time.

Youth is sometimes the essence of beauty itself.

Seeing his sister already enjoying petting the big white dog, Andrew got impatient and quickly reached out his hands to give Helford a massage.

Helford loved children, and Zag was relieved. He then found a blanket and spread it on the floor in front of the fireplace, awkwardly explaining to David, "I accidentally broke the table and chairs a few days ago, so there's really nowhere to sit. This is the only way I can entertain you."

David casually placed the basket on the blanket, then laughed and said, "Haha, you should have told me! Making you a table wouldn't have been a problem!"

"How could I possibly accept this!"

"What's the big deal! To be honest, as a blacksmith, you should know a little carpentry. I can't do the fancy carvings, but a simple, functional table is no problem at all! I'll make one for you tomorrow when I have some free time!"

"No, no need," Zag said hastily, afraid that his kind-hearted friend would actually do it for him. "I'm planning to go to East Port next week, so even if you make me a new table, I won't need it."

David's smile faded, and he pressed, "Why? What happened? I heard people at the market this afternoon saying that Mr. Liam had been rushing around all day, and was even inquiring about things outside town early this morning. Has something serious really happened?"

"Well, something did happen, and I was told not to talk about it, so just take this with a grain of salt," Zag hinted cryptically. "There's a cult causing trouble, and it's not just alarmed the lord; even the Golden Palace has sent people over. I suggest that if anything happens recently, try to avoid taking alchemical potions, or even if you absolutely have to use them, avoid potions with unfamiliar names, especially one called 'Blessing of the Sea God.'"

David pondered, "【Poseidon's Blessing】? I've never heard of such an alchemical potion! But I'll remember it! Thanks, brother!"

You're welcome. Anyway, please be careful.

"I will," David nodded, but then asked, "But what will happen to the sentry post if you leave? Will there be a replacement sentry?"

Zag shrugged: "That's the association's business; I can't interfere!"

"This is a real headache. If Aiden finds out, he'll definitely insist on applying for the job!" David said, looking annoyed. "It's not that I don't want him to do the job; honestly, the pay isn't bad, enough to support himself. But wouldn't it be a waste of his excellent forging skills?"

Aiden is David's eldest son, the young man who only wanted to become a guard.

Zag paused for a moment, then specifically reminded him, "If you really want to be a sentinel, that's fine, but my advice is not to stay for more than three years, and it's best to resign after two years."

"What kind of explanation is this?"

Zag replied, "This place is too close to the Dark Realm, and the pollution is severe. Some materials and evidence aren't safe for ordinary people. Occasional contact is fine, but long-term contact is very bad... To be honest, David, haven't you noticed that Sentinels usually don't live more than a few years, or they're transferred away after a few years and then disappear without a trace?"

David was horrified: "Meritra above! Is that even possible? This is extremely dangerous!"

"Yes, that's why I've always advised Aiden against going into this line of work."

"Is this pollution...irreversible?"

"No, that's not it. If it's just mild contamination, like if you've been a Sentinel for no more than two years, you can drink some alchemical potions that are effective against contamination, like [Healing Hand], and rest for a year or two, and you'll recover. But all in all, it's still a rather unsafe profession. I do this purely out of necessity; I need to earn money to buy [Healing Hand] for my mother. You know, she relies on it to stay alive."

David breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. No wonder you didn't plan to quit. You've been doing it for over three years, it must have been quite dangerous!"

Zag nodded: "Yes, that's why I decided to go to East Port to see if there are any good jobs. Mr. Matthew recommended me to be an alchemy apprentice at Mrs. Weyland's Aromatic Apothecary in East Port. It's basically bookkeeping, and the salary is quite good, 45 shillings. If there aren't any better opportunities, I plan to give it a try."

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【Dawn Magic Encyclopedia】: Tundra Cotton is a very versatile plant. In addition to being used for weaving cloth and making stuffing, it can also be used to make alchemical potions. It is a common magical material.

In addition, its seeds can be pressed for oil, which is a good painting material and skin care oil, and is also one of the common ingredients in many dyes and cosmetics.

This plant is easy to grow and not too picky about its growing environment. It can grow even in water-scarce and arid areas, although the yield is low.