Everyone was busy preparing a simple welcome dinner for Miss Egilina. The astrologer was a special profession, and the best among them were bestowed the title of Stargazer. The top twelve Stargazers were allowed to take Stars as their surnames. The twelve Stargazers were also known as Star Mage. Egilina had lived for over a hundred years and still maintained her youth: either her strength was extraordinary, or she was some other race than human. Regardless, a mage named after Stars should be taken seriously.

Seeing others busily preparing, the elf girl hesitated for a moment before approaching Roland. Before she could speak, a smile was already blooming on Roland’s face.

"Miss Melannis, how have you been lately?"

"Just call me Melannis. Thank you for your kindness, I am doing well."

Looking around, the elf asked, "Lord, you have given me an equal contract, but I understand my situation. Please command me directly if you have any tasks."

Roland looked at Melannis's stubborn eyes and couldn't help but smile inwardly. The stubbornness of elves was engraved in their souls, and Melannis was no exception. She would rather repay him with her delicate body than owe Roland any favor.

Roland did not wish to compete in stubbornness with an elf, so he casually said, "Cleaning and preparing meals were already taken care of. No need to bother you. Let me see...well...as an elf growing up in forests, you must be familiar with which fruits were edible."

"Of course."

Melannis raised her head proudly, inadvertently showcasing her impressive curves. Roland took a glance before gazing outside the window.

"The northern forest was rarely visited by humans. Could you explore a bit and see if there were any tasty wild fruits?"

"Will you come with me?"

"Sorry, but I must be here to receive Egilina, I mena, Miss Stars."

Roland was just arranging something for Melannis to do; he had no intention of going on a forest adventure himself.

"As you command."

Melannis didn't pretentiously ask why he trusted her so much but simply accepted the task. She understood Roland's thoughts. The fleeting glance that passed in front of her did not escape her notice. Roland loved her body but was not in a hurry to make a move, he must long for long-term companionship.

She didn’t hate Roland's gaze, but she could not reciprocate it. Since Mr. Roland liked her body, she would offer it intact before the contract ended.

Melannis walked into the forest, initially just to find something to do, but she was soon attracted by a small sapling deep in the forest. This sapling looked no different from others, but Melannis could sense a faint ancient aura at the tips of the branches.

There were many forests in the world, but only the Green Sea had this aura. This was the aura of the World Tree.

A World Tree exists outside the Green Sea? Impossible! The clan's secret tome "Book of the Forest" clearly states that only sacred lands can give birth to a World Tree.

As a member of the royal family, she knew this was a euphemism; the reality was that World Trees precede sacred lands.

During the ancient Tree Era when elves ruled the world, they established seven sacred lands around World Trees. Each World Tree, reaching tens of thousands of meters high, pierced the clouds. The roots of the World Tree delve twenty thousand meters underground, with the power of the forest easily covering a kingdom. Under the protection of the World Tree, elves were invincible.

Perhaps the existence of the World Tree was too contrary to the gods, or maybe because the gods disliked elf as such a powerful race, World Trees gradually withered at the end of the Tree Era, leading to the decline of the elves. Of the once seven World Trees, now only the last one remains in the Green Sea.

"As long as the ancient trees do not perish, elves will live on."

If this was a newly born World Tree... Melannis's breathing became rapid as she cautiously approached the sapling, squatting down for a closer look. Green light continuously emerged from her palm, enveloping the sapling. As the power of the forest flowed in, the tip of the sapling began to emit green light.

Melannis withdrew the green light, her eyes filled with ecstasy. This was definitely a World Tree, and moreover, it was the Resurrection Tree. The innate ability of the Resurrection Tree was revival, granting elves the power to resurrect the dead. Since it's the Resurrection Tree, reviving across two eras was not that unbelieevable.

Melannis's heartbeat was erratic. After making a fence with branches to protect the sapling, she smiled happily. World Trees, being the life forms closest to gods, have strong vitality even as seedlings and hardly need her protection. She indeed got too excited.

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After marking the location, ready to leave, she had a sudden idea. With her palms open, she commanded, and the nearby trees moved towards the World Tree as if they had legs, quickly forming a circle to conceal it. Other life forms would hardly harm a young World Tree, well...of course, humans were the greatest threat.

She glanced back at the castle, relieved. Fortunately, the barren and remote Minhausen Barony, with its sparse population, was not targeted and was very safe.

World Trees were amzaing; when Melannis returned to the castle, her originally pale cheeks had gained a bit of rosiness. Already stunningly beautiful, her flawless face now radiated with vitality, making her beauty indescribable.

The maid Lana, who came face to face with Melannis, felt something was amiss. Perhaps it was an illusion, but she sensed a vibrant vitality from the elf. Melannis was still Melannis, but a living being now, no longer a walking corpse.

Lana shrugged.

The next one Melannis met was Granni, who enthusiastically greeted her and was ready to walk out.

She hadn’t expected the elf girl to respond, since Melannis always wore a pale face. Despite her stunning beauty, Melannis rarely smiled. Granni had got used to it.

But Melannis smile to her and nodded, “Hi, Granni. Where are you going?”

Granni was stunned. She even thought it was an illusion.

She chuckled, flipping her ponytail, and straightforwardly said:

"I’m going out to chop a few trees."

"No, you must not cut down trees!"

Melannis's tone suddenly became excited.

Granni: "......"

Melannis: "......"

Granni was somewhat speechless. This elf lady was too overbearing. They were all maids; Melannis had no right to command her. Even if she did, she shouldn't be controlling whether a tree is cut down or not.

Even Lord Roland wasn't that domineering.

Frowning slightly, she was about to retort loudly but caught a glimpse of Melannis's uneasy expression. Well, she really couldn't refuse those pitiful eyes.

"Melannis, if you don't want me to cut trees, there has to be a reason. I'm just going to chop a few dead trees for firewood for the barbecue party, as per the lord's orders."

"Chopping dead trees? Then, then please don't hurt the saplings by mistake!" Melannis sighed in relief.

Granni was even more speechless.

Melannis, are you listening to yourself? Only a lunatic would chop down saplings for firewood.

Elves are just too sentimental.

Granni seemed to recall some unpleasant memories, her face set in a scowl as she nodded and strode off.

Watching her back, Melannis also felt a bit embarrassed.

The World Tree is too important for her race; she was a bit overprotective.

Fortunately it was Granni. If it had been Roland, perhaps he would have noticed something.

No, no, she must not show any flaws.

Humans are the natural enemies of the World Tree; she must be cautious.

Melannis went to the third floor and saw Roland looking out the window, not knowing what he was waiting for, but she knew he waited every day.

As if waiting for an enemy that would never come.

She stood behind Roland, smiling teasingly, "Roland, with such anticipation, are you waiting for a lover?"

Roland slowly turned around, his expression changing slightly.

Was Melannis joking with him just now?

His observation was sharp, and he quickly noticed the rosiness on Melannis's cheeks.

Although he didn't understand what happened in the forest, he was very sure Melannis's mood was improving. His mood also improved.

"Of course not, I'm waiting for enemies."

"Enemies? I don't understand."

Melannis truly couldn't understand. With the weak strength of Minhausen Barony, why would he hope for enemies to come?

"If, I mean if, the enemies really come, what do you plan to do?" She asked.

Roland spoke grandly, "I will present the elegance of a noble and the courage of a knight, standing proudly in front of the enemies!"

Melannis was stirred up, somewhat excited, "Do you plan to defeat them yourself?"

Roland shook his head, calmly stating, "The wise never suffer losses, I will personally surrender to the enemy."

Melannis: "......"

This was the first time she had heard someone describe surrender in such a refreshing and refined manner.

Well, it's the lord's affair, she should interfere less.

Minhausen Barony wasn't her territory, it was Roland's freedom to surrender, not her place to comment...

Wait, no, the World Tree is in Minhausen Barony!

She nervously asked, "If you surrender, can you keep your noble title and territory?"

"If I surrender with dignity, the new boss in a good mood will surely treat me well. Not only will I retain my title, but I will also be transferred to a richer new territory."

"No, absolutely not!"

Melannis was terrified and almost at a loss for words.

The World Tree had just ignited her aspirations for the future; she did not want to be deprived of it.

Her terror took Roland by surprise.

Was this the same Melannis who was very indifferent to her life?

He wanted to ask her why, but didn't know how.

As they looked at each other silently, the silence was deafening.

Roland broke the stalemate, "Do you like this forest?"

Melannis couldn't deny it, thinking of the possibility that Roland might discover the secret of the World Tree, her ears trembled.

Roland's pursuing words stopped upon seeing the girl's trembling ears.

A patch of broken forest, in Roland's opinion, was not worth a single hair of Melannis.

Without waiting for the girl to plead, he generously decided.

"Promise me one thing, and this forest is yours."

"I know what you want, I agree to everything. Whatever you want from me, I'll do it!"

Melannis raised her proud head, willing to exchange her purity for the revival of the World Tree.

"My request is for you to live and cherish your life. Can you do that?"

Melannis was stunned.

Is that your request, Mr. Roland?

She fell silent.

She longed to protect the World Tree but really didn't want to owe Roland any more favors.

As Roland waited for her response, she suddenly knelt on one knee, raising her head solemnly, "As long as you preserve the forest of the territory, I am willing to give everything. My wisdom, strength, and loyalty!"

"Then become my guardian knight. The northern forest will be your fief. Without your permission, no one, including me, is allowed to set foot in it."

Melannis couldn't hide her joy. She moved forward half a step, holding Roland's hand, gently kissing the back of his hand.

"I, Melannis Daphne Windtalker, hereby solemnly swear to become the guardian knight of Roland Galaxia, until the end of his life."