After a slight spatial distortion, the originally stern and predominantly black-and-red Iron Forest environment abruptly transformed before Violet’s eyes. What appeared in front of her was a vibrant garden, filled with flowers and lush grass.

 

“?”

 

She paused for a moment, only to realize that this was likely another small world created through spatial means.

 

It seemed that behind that door, there wasn’t a room; the door itself was a special teleportation node.

 

Was this where Edith usually lived? She seems to enjoy it…

 

Violet looked around.

 

This space wasn’t large, covering an area of at most several thousand square meters. Faint, air-like walls surrounded its edges, giving a hazy sensation.

 

Above, the azure sky radiated warmth and light, just like the outside world. It was unclear how Edith, or the creator of this place, managed to produce such a scene.

 

Below, countless familiar and unfamiliar flowers and plants bloomed, with at least a hundred different varieties visible at a glance. Soft grass covered the entire small space like a fluffy carpet, offering a comfortable feeling when stepped on.

 

In the center of the space stood a towering giant tree with a diameter of at least thirty meters and a height of several hundred meters. The lush canopy blocked most of the sunlight, but scattered beams still shone through, creating a dreamlike and enchanting atmosphere.

 

At the base of the giant tree, wooden stairs encircled it, and at its top, about ten meters above the ground, there was a partially open entrance resembling a wooden door. It looked as if it were waiting for someone.

 

It’s quite evident that the Guardian of the Kingdom, the master of this place, Edith Melchior, resides inside this giant tree.

 

Violet didn’t waste any time. She spread her wings and soared into the air. In a few breaths, she gracefully landed in front of the wooden door.

 

“Is anyone here? I’ve come in, you know?”

 

Pushing open the door, Violet immediately made eye contact with the elegant and beautiful girl in a golden robe, with waist-length blue hair, who was sitting quietly at the wooden table, waiting.

 

The other person looked at the black-haired girl with a playful expression, seeming to smile without smiling.

 

“Oh dear, entering someone else’s home first and then greeting them. Miss Violet’s style is truly sharp and decisive.”

 

“Hahaha… Sorry, sorry. I didn’t close the door when I came in.”

 

It had to be said that although she looked only a few years older than a certain princess, Edith, the Guardian lady, exuded a mature and stable unique charm, like a reliable big sister next door full of maternal aura.

 

Especially her ample bosom, even more majestic than Lilya, the still-developing little girl, gathered attention. Could this be the inherited talent of the Melchior family?

 

The vast and magnificent curvature of her golden robe made the priestess unsure where to place her gaze politely.

 

So much so that, in this non-business, leisurely chat, Violet felt a slight embarrassment.

 

I wonder if Lilya will develop to this extent in the future?

 

However, Edith was just teasing the priestess and had no intention of probing deeper.

 

On her other side, another set of wooden chairs was already arranged, though not as extravagantly prepared with desserts and drinks as Princess Menna. There were only two wooden cups and a tea pot.

 

Seating herself in front of Edith, Violet finally had the opportunity to observe the surroundings.

 

A very simple dwelling.

 

This is the interior of that large tree, a space of only a few dozen square meters. There’s a hammock, wooden table and chairs, a bookshelf with a dozen or so books, a bronze mirror, and not even a toilet.

 

It made someone can’t help but wonder, how does this Guardian lady, who has lived for over eight hundred years, usually live…

 

“Miss Violet, it seems like you’re thinking of something impolite?”

 

“Huh? Can you read minds! Uh…”

 

The priestess, with her mind racing, was startled. After blurting it out, she realized the implications of her words…

 

The girl in the golden robe covered her mouth and chuckled, displaying an elegant and cultured demeanor as she spoke frankly.

 

“I don’t possess such strange abilities. Even if I did, it probably wouldn’t work on a powerhouse like Miss Violet. I’ve just lived a long time and naturally learned to observe words and colors.”

 

Wow, older women are terrifying.

 

Seeing Violet looking embarrassed and not knowing what to say, Edith laughed gracefully and smoothly transitioned away from the topic.

 

“By the way, Miss Violet, did you come to see this old thing for something specific, or just for a casual chat?”

 

Hey hey, this person definitely has telepathy, right?

 

“Cough… Let’s consider it as passing the time with idle chatter, but I do have something I’d like to consult with Miss Edith.”

 

The Guardian lady raised her hand, poured a light green tea into the wooden cup in front of the black-haired girl, and smiled, nodding.

 

“Feel free to speak.”

 

“Alright, let’s start with a not-so-serious topic.”

 

After taking a sip of Edith’s special green tea, the refreshing aroma immediately spread between Violet’s lips and teeth. She couldn’t help but show a surprised and approving expression, and the words that came out of her mouth changed.

 

“This is delicious! What kind of tea is this?”

 

After a few more sips of the light green liquid, Violet put down the wooden cup with a lingering satisfaction. While initially impressed by the taste, she discovered that this substance contained a faint vitality after careful consideration.

 

Although it was only enjoyable for Violet as a divine being, for an ordinary person, especially elderly individuals with weakened vitality, regularly drinking such substances could indeed contribute to a longer and healthier life.

 

“Hehe, thank you for the praise, but this isn’t really tea.”

 

Edith pointed to the wooden ceiling above, which was the roof of the treehouse.

 

“It’s the condensed life dewdrops from this child,” she gestured to the tree, “diluted into a liquid. It’s the main thing I usually drink.”

 

The Guardian lady smiled indifferently.

 

“After all, as one gets older, it’s necessary to take care of oneself. Even with an extraordinary lifespan, it’s not infinite. Who wouldn’t want to live a few more years?”

 

“Oh, I see…”

 

Ignoring the peculiar behavior of referring to a tree as a child, Violet became curious.

 

Being able to condense such vital essence, it seemed that this tree was not an ordinary one… Indeed, ordinary trees couldn’t grow this large. However, she didn’t delve further into this topic and shifted to the real point of interest.

 

“Miss Edith, why did you come here and take on the role of a ‘Sin Warden’ in the dark underground?”

 

If I’m not mistaken, according to historical records, Edith Melchior, one of the founders of the Human United Kingdom, disappeared from public view as early as the 9th year of the founding of the country, eight hundred years ago.

 

Among the founders, only she lacks detailed records of the reasons for her disappearance or death. Regarding this matter, the historical community in the Human United Kingdom has been rife with various speculations, conspiracy theories, and explanations.

 

Some say Edith Melchior disappeared because of differing political views and was ultimately ostracized and secretly killed by the other founders. Others claim that as one of the most outstanding adventurers in history, she went alone to the edge of the world to explore the secrets beyond, never to return.

 

Even more sensational theories have been concocted based on the emotional relationships among the founders, weaving elaborate and bizarre tales of love and betrayal that are so outlandish that even a dog would shake its head upon hearing them.