Early morning, Hebron.

Water carrier Canute walked out of the public toilet, which was specially built by the appointed New Earl, complete with both squat positions and urinals, extremely convenient.

After relieving oneself, you could clean up with the wooden pieces provided by the toilet, considered to be the only public facility of its kind in Hebron.

Every morning, accumulated excrement and urine would be transported outside the city for composting and then sold cheaply to farmers.

Without a doubt, these toilets were profitable, but this amount of money was insignificant to Losa.

Since the toilets were introduced in Hebron, combined with the fierce City Defense Army often patrolling the streets with sticks, Hebron's sanitation situation had significantly improved.

But this was not good news for Canute, who was a water carrier.

Previously, he needed to go to the city's "Water Room," a well with a pavilion, queue up to fetch water, and deliver it to those who ordered.

During the dry season, he even had to search for clean water sources further up the mountains.

But now, many people often just used river water.

The frustration of being close to unemployment made Canute feel a slight resentment towards the city's rulers.

Although a water carrier's wage was often only a quarter of a mason or carpenter's, it was far better than farming in the countryside, and guaranteed stable income regardless of droughts or floods; who could refuse such a secure job?

He arrived at the bakery, and along the way, saw merchants being extorted by the City Guard Army because their livestock had defecated on the street, yet they hadn't cleaned up the feces.

These bullies were just relying on power!

Canute angrily averted his gaze, turning his attention to the freshly baked bread inside the shop.

The rich aroma wafting from the baked grains made him swallow involuntarily: "Old Neil, give me a loaf of rye bread, freshly baked."

Bakers were often the most disliked; in many Minstrels' songs, they were the first choice for being possessed by the Devil.

Because those damned fellows would often add various foreign objects like wood chips and small stones to increase the weight of the bread.

But Old Neil was an exception.

His family's bread was the most genuine, though slightly more expensive, at least you didn't have to worry about breaking a bleeding tooth biting down.

Old Neil said while fetching the bread: "Canute, you came just in time, I was about to close the shop, a bit later and I'd be gone."

Canute was puzzled: "Isn't now the best time for business, why suddenly close the shop?"

Old Neil laughed: "There's going to be a public trial, that bastard Ahmed finally gets the justice he deserves! I'm going as a witness to declare his crimes before everyone!"

"This is truly an occasion worth celebrating."

Canute couldn't help but be happy for Old Neil.

Everyone living on this street knew about the grudge between Old Neil and Ahmed.

That was when Old Neil was still called Little Neil.

In the year of drought, Lord Ahmed forcefully seized all of his land and grain because Little Neil couldn't pay enough tax, nearly starving his family.

Luckily, with Holy Fire Protection, Old Neil achieved what he has today.

"With Holy Fire above, Old Neil, what am I seeing?"

Canute widened his eyes because he saw that Old Neil was wearing a silver Cross around his neck!

Isn't this the symbol of the Heretics?

Old Neil picked up the Cross and smiled at Canute: "Indeed, I have converted to the true faith, not necessarily to reclaim the land that originally belonged to my family, but out of heartfelt gratitude towards the just Lord, the Lord, apart from this way—I have no other means to serve him."

Canute fell silent.

He wanted to accuse Old Neil of betrayal but knew in his heart that this New Earl was rare, a benevolent Lord who treated them as real people.

On the contrary, weren't those who usually lorded over them those so-called brothers of the same faith?

Old Neil smiled kindly, his face full of wrinkles showing sincere kindness: "Canute, perhaps you should consider changing jobs, you're a hardworking young man, you shouldn't waste your life just carrying water."

Canute paused, touching his somewhat stooped back from days of carrying water—his father couldn't fully straighten his back anymore.

"True, but apart from carrying water, I don't know anything else."

He took out his copper coins to pay, but was pushed back by Old Neil: "No need this time, wait for me a bit, let's go to the public trial together."

...

Canute and Old Neil squeezed towards the high platform for the public trial with the crowd.

He looked at those once high and mighty lords kneeling on the ground with bound hands, feeling a burst of pleasure.

Being a water carrier was nowhere close to being respectable.

During deliveries, encountering deductions, insults, and even beatings was just normal.

Although somewhat resentful towards the new Lord for smashing his job, Canute suddenly realized at this moment—if even these lords could lose their lives, what dissatisfaction did he have?

The Lord was a benevolent protector supporting commoners like him, so at most he'd quit being a water carrier and become a dung collector.

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