Leo smiled confidently and nonchalantly, “You can wait as long as you want, even until it gets dark!”
A group of villagers then really sat around Bernard, patiently waiting.
The iron gate of the military camp opened again, and the previous colonel came out hurriedly with a large group of people.
The soldiers on either side of him clutched their guns tightly, scanning the villagers warily.
However, the villagers’ attention was all on Bernard at this moment. Seeing the colonel come out with his men, they didn’t react much.
“Ms. Monica, Dr. Bloomer, welcome!” The colonel walked up to Leo and Monica, extending his hand warmly.
Leo smiled and shook his hand, unsure of how to address him.
Monica quickly introduced, “Dr. Bloomer, this is Chief Lawson!”
“Hello, Chief Lawson,” Leo greeted with a smile.
“Dr. Bloomer, your medicine is truly miraculous. Many of our sick soldiers felt much better after taking it!” Lawson said gratefully.
“Chief Lawson, how is the situation here now? Are the number of people infected with this virus still increasing every day?” Leo asked.
“Yes, whether in nearby villages or within our camp, the number of infected people is continuously rising!” Lawson said worriedly. “Moreover, those infected later are falling ill faster.”
“And the mortality rate of this disease is too high. Many people die every day, causing widespread panic…” added an officer beside Lawson.
This officer was Jaidyn, in charge of logistics.
The grim situation made Leo frown again.
“Dr. Bloomer, this virus is mainly transmitted through blood. Logically, after controlling the sources of food and water, such large-scale infections shouldn’t continue!” Monica said with a frown.
Leo thought for a moment and asked, “Have the soldiers been going out frequently recently?”
“No!” Lawson shook his head firmly. “Training and morning exercises have been stopped recently. We can’t even take care of all the patients.”
“That means the host carrying this virus must have a strong ability to move and can operate around humans!” Leo cast his gaze towards the dense forest not far away.
After waiting for some time, Leo walked towards the villagers and said, “It’s been over half an hour, and Bernard is still fine.”
The villagers looked at each other with strange expressions in their eyes.
Under everyone’s close observation, not only was Bernard unharmed, but he also looked better, with no pain on his face anymore.
Seeing that the atmosphere was off, Eugene immediately said to Leo, “Bernard isn’t dead, but he hasn’t woken up either. Maybe he’ll die in a day or two, so what’s the difference?”
The villagers felt Eugene made sense and started discussing again.
Leo glared at Eugene angrily but explained patiently, “Everyone listen to me. Bernard indeed can only live for five or six more days at most, but you all saw how sick he was. It’s not easy for him to live these extra days.”
Hearing Leo’s words, everyone quieted down and seemed thoughtful.
“I told you before that as long as we find the source of the virus infection, which is the host carrying this virus, we can find a cure and completely heal everyone!”
“As long as you are willing to help, I believe we can find the virus host. So the best choice now is to unite and cooperate!”
“Yes, everyone. You always said it was the mountain god who brought the disaster. But you have sacrificed so many cattle and sheep to the mountain god these days without any effect.” Lawson also stepped forward. “I hope you can trust Dr. Bloomer and his team. If they weren’t here to help us, why would they risk their lives to come here?”
Lawson’s sincere words gained the approval of many villagers.
The old village chief took a couple of puffs on his dry pipe, walked up to Leo, and said, “We can trust you for now. But if you can’t find the source of the poison to cure us, what then?”
“It won’t happen, Chief. I’m more anxious than you! Someone in my clinic has also been infected with this virus. I came here to find the source as quickly as possible to save her!”
While Leo spoke, the village chief watched his face closely. Confirming he wasn’t lying, he said solemnly, “Alright, I believe you. Tell us how we can cooperate with you.”
Leo thought for a moment and said, “We need someone familiar with the local terrain to guide us into the mountains for investigation.”
“No problem. As long as you’re sincere in helping us, we’ll do our best to help you!” The village chief nodded.
“Alright then, find someone for us. We’ll prepare and set off soon!” Leo said.
“Dr. Bloomer, that’s not possible. It’s already four in the afternoon; it gets dark early in the deep forest!” Lawson said urgently.
“Can we camp in the mountains?!” Leo asked the village chief.
Leo wanted to find the source of the virus infection as quickly as possible to save Willow.
Hearing that Leo intended to camp in the mountains, the village chief shook his head and said, “It’s best not to camp there. Besides many wild animals, there are also various poisonous insects and ants. If bitten accidentally, it could be fatal!”
“It’s okay; I’m not afraid!”
“Dr. Bloomer, even if you’re not afraid, you should consider Ms. Monica and others.” Lawson advised again.
“Yes, Dr. Bloomer. Why don’t you stay at our camp tonight? We can discuss some specific details with you and go up the mountain tomorrow.” Jaidyn also persuaded.
Leo looked back at Monica and others and decided to follow Lawson’s suggestion.
In the evening, Lawson specially arranged a banquet to welcome Leo and Monica’s team.
He also invited the village chief and the villagers chosen as guides because Clotho Syndicate was also here to help.
In the evening, a group from the European Medical Research Association also arrived at the camp and joined the banquet.
Leo knew little about them except for his foreign apprentice Brill; he didn’t know anyone else.
During the banquet, members of the European Medical Research Association kept glancing at Monica’s side.
Monica’s assistant glanced at Clotho Syndicate and European Medical Research Association members unhappily and said, “We worked hard to convince the locals to guide us, but they got all the benefits!”