Werewolves and humans had a special ritual for forming bonds. Once the ritual was completed, the werewolf would see the human as a companion, following them loyally and obeying their commands.
During the ritual, the werewolf would crouch in front of the human, emitting a low growl from its throat, as if reciting some kind of contract. Then, the werewolf would lift its head, exposing its most vulnerable throat to the human, allowing them to touch it.
Leo extended his right hand and gently stroked Marianna’s throat. After the ritual was completed, Marianna stood up from the ground. Although she was the Wolf Empress, in front of Leo, she was merely a servant.
With this, Leo had eliminated the four major families of Orientia led by the Koken family, subdued the werewolves, and eradicated any threats to the Seven Stars Sword Sect.
Leo did not linger at the werewolf base. After making some simple arrangements, he flew back to his country on his sword. As he neared the capital, his wristwatch vibrated with an incoming call from Xavier.
Leo felt a slight stir in his heart and pressed the answer button. “Leo, are you coming to the capital soon?” Xavier’s voice came through the earpiece.
“I’ll be in the capital soon. What’s up?” Leo replied.
“That’s great! Leo, my grandfather hasn’t been feeling well lately. I’ve heard you’re a great doctor. Can you come and take a look at him?”
“Is your grandfather seriously ill?” Leo asked.
“It seems pretty serious. Even my Uncle Jackson has come back!” Xavier replied.
“Your Uncle Jackson is back?” Leo was slightly taken aback and couldn’t help but think about his own background.
“He just got back today, specifically for my grandfather’s illness,” Xavier said, detecting something unusual in Leo’s tone. “Why, Leo, do you want to meet my Uncle Jackson?”
“I have nothing to do with your Bloomer family. Why would I want to meet your Uncle Jackson?” Leo laughed.
“Can you come and see my grandfather?” Xavier’s voice carried a hint of pleading. “I don’t trust those pretentious old doctors…”
Although Xavier’s grandfather had always been strict with him, among all his grandchildren, he loved Xavier the most. That’s why Xavier, usually carefree, called Leo for help.
Although Leo didn’t want to go to the Bloomer family, hearing Xavier’s almost pleading voice, he sighed helplessly and asked, “Which hospital is your grandfather staying at?”
“He’s not in a hospital. He refuses to go. Some old doctors are coming to our house today to see him. Leo, just come to our house directly,” Xavier said hurriedly.
“Alright, but you’ll need to find me an excuse to visit your house,” Leo said with a wry smile. He couldn’t just show up uninvited.
“That’s easy. My grandmother is always hoping you’ll visit. I’ll just say she invited you,” Xavier said excitedly.
“Alright then, I’m on my way,” Leo agreed.
In the suburbs of the capital, Leo found a secluded spot to land and hailed a cab to the Bloomer family residence. Xavier met Leo outside the Bloomer family estate, excitedly and warmly leading him inside.
After walking a short distance, Xavier stopped a servant and asked, “Nancy, where’s my grandmother?”
“She’s in the kitchen making soup,” Nancy said somewhat awkwardly.
“Making soup? Why is she making soup?” Xavier frowned in displeasure. This was usually Nancy’s job.
“Lady Alyvia wouldn’t let me do it…” Nancy said helplessly.
Xavier frowned slightly and quickly led Leo to the kitchen. In the kitchen, Lady Alyvia was ladling out a bowl of soup. When she saw Leo behind Xavier, her face lit up with joy. She hurriedly handed the soup to Leo and smiled, “Leon, you’re here! Quickly, drink the soup Grandma made for you.”
“Oh Grandma, Leo is here to see Grandpa, not to drink…” Xavier started to protest but was interrupted by Leo who took the soup and drank it in one gulp. He then smiled and said, “Grandma, I’ll check on Grandpa first and come back for more soup later!”
“Alright,” Lady Alyvia nodded with a smile.
After leaving the kitchen, Leo asked Xavier, “Xavier, how long has your grandmother been like this?”
“Huh? Like what?” Xavier was puzzled.
“Didn’t you notice? Your grandmother’s mind…” Leo didn’t finish his sentence but remembered meeting Lady Alyvia for the first time at her birthday banquet. She had been clear-headed then and could distinguish between him and Leon. But today, she mistook him for Leon. Perhaps his appearance had triggered something in her.
“I hadn’t really noticed. No wonder she’s been so forgetful lately,” Xavier sighed and shook his head. “People get confused as they age. Let’s go see my grandfather; my dad, Uncle Jackson, and Uncle Jason are all there.”
Leo followed Xavier upstairs where a crowd had gathered outside a bedroom. Among them were several elderly doctors from both Western and traditional medicine fields. Jason and Jacob were also present, but there was no sign of Uncle Jackson.
“What are you doing here?” Jason asked when he saw Leo. “Get out of here! You’re not welcome in our house!”
“Uncle Jason, Leo is here to see Grandpa,” Xavier said with displeasure at Jason’s attitude.
“See Grandpa? Do we need him when we have all these great doctors here?” Jason glared at Xavier. “Who’s in charge here? You or me?”
Xavier was intimidated by Jason and didn’t dare speak up. Leo also remained silent but glanced at Nicholas on the bed before saying to Xavier, “With all these great doctors here, your grandfather will be fine. I won’t add to the chaos.”
Seeing that Leo was leaving, Xavier didn’t say much more and quickly followed him downstairs. Jason frowned and followed them down as well.
Just as they reached the front door, a middle-aged man in military uniform hurried over. Seeing Jason, he asked urgently, “Jason, how’s Dad?”
Jason’s expression changed dramatically when he saw him. He rushed over and grabbed his shoulder. “Dad was just asking for you! Come with me!”
The man in uniform quickly followed Jason inside without noticing Leo and Xavier nearby.
“Unc…” Xavier started to call out but didn’t finish.
“Leo, that was my Uncle Jackson!” Xavier said proudly. “What do you think? Isn’t he impressive?”