On the bustling street, Su Xiao walked down the main road beside the old priest. The Royal Garden wasn't far from the small chapel, less than a kilometer away.
"Is this the Royal Garden you mentioned?"
Su Xiao looked up at the stone gateway, which stood over thirty meters tall. He would have believed it if someone told him this was the main entrance to the royal palace.
"This is the smallest Royal Garden."
The old priest looked somewhat helpless.
"It's a miracle the Empire hasn't fallen yet."
Su Xiao lit a cigarette. In this world with its technological gaps, smoking didn't look out of place. That was right—this world had severe technological discontinuities. It was as if certain technologies had suddenly been discovered, yet these advanced technologies hadn't been of much use. Take wind power, for example. Ninety percent of the electricity was used for lighting.
"I thought the same thing. The Royal Family lives far too extravagantly. I heard some dukes like to eat people's... flesh. What sinful behavior. That is the water of life meant only for new life."
As the old priest spoke, his expression twisted again.
"You should find a doctor who treats mental disorders."
"..."
The old priest fell silent. He had indeed tried that, but the quack had attempted to lock him up.
The two entered the garden. There were several flowerbeds just inside the entrance. Farther in was a path, with vast seas of flowers on either side. The scents of all kinds of flowers mixed together. It wasn't exactly pleasant, but it did give people a sense of ease.
Following the path, Su Xiao and the old priest arrived beneath a towering statue. Four maids stood with their backs to them. In front of them knelt a Girl with long, pale-red