"Uncle Leon has been unconscious for a week now," Hefei said, running up to the bedside. She looked at the still-unconscious Leon, blinking her big, bright eyes before turning to Constantine with a serious expression.
"Father, is Uncle Leon⊠dead?"
Constantine pressed his lips together silently, thinking it might be time to teach his daughter a thing or two about how to phrase her thoughts.
He picked Hefei up, sat down beside her, and shook his head. "That guyâs just exhausted. He wouldnât die so easily."
"Oh, okay!"
Interestingly enough, a few years ago, Constantine was among those who most wished Leon would kick the bucket. But now, with a complete 180-degree change, he found himself sitting at Leonâs bedside every day, waiting for him to wake up.
And Constantine wasnât the only one. The people of Melkvey were all anxiously waiting for Leon to regain consciousness.
For the past few days, it was Mevis who had been tirelessly taking care of Leon.
Nova was too young and didnât know how to look after adults.
Rosvisser tried to help several times but was repeatedly turned away by Mevis, who insisted, "Your Majesty, you mustnât concern yourself with chores like this. Leave it to me!"
Mevis herself had only returned after the war, brought back by Isaâs people on the night of the final battle.
According to Isa, Mevis had gone missing for several hours during the fight. It wasnât until she regained consciousness, gravely injured, and confirmed Shadowâs presence had completely vanished that she returned.
Her injuries were severeâcharging into the front lines of battle with her body was a signature move. For Mevis, broken bones were considered minor injuries.
This was why the council had reluctantly allowed her to stage her "death."
So, the family, along with Constantine and Hefei, watched as this princess from the future busied herself with taking care of them.
Constantine had even tried to help to lighten her load.
Initially, Mevis had allowed him to assist, but after Constantine accidentally dumped an entire basin of warm water on Leonâs face, Mevis began to suspect the Red Flame Dragon King was using this as an opportunity to exact some form of revenge.
From that point on, she refused to let him help.
Fortunately, pretending to be a comatose person wasnât particularly difficult for Mevis. Life in Shadowâs controlled future had been far more grueling than this.
"Mevis, Teacher, when do you plan to return?"
Mevis leaned against the window, arms crossed, gazing down at the succulent plants on the windowsill.
"Once Kanya regains enough Primordial Power, weâll be able to perform a reversal spell to send me and her soul back to our original timeline."
Noa nodded. "Oh, so that meansâŠ"
"Itâll take a long time, right? Since that teacher of yours works
so
slowlyâ"
Before she could finish her sentence, Noa suddenly straightened, her tail sticking straight up as if electrified.
She lifted her hands to cradle her face and exclaimed, muffled, "Who are you calling slow, you brat?! If it werenât for your weak body, Iâd have been done ages ago!"
The voice came from behind Noa, a menacing presence emerging as she tried to defend herself.
"Donât look at me like that!"
"If you donât want me to complain, maybe you should switch hosts!"
"This king has chosen you for your potential! In a few years, once youâve grown up, your body will belong to me!"
"Respect your elders, kid!"
If Little Aurora had been there, she would have recorded the scene with a memory stone.
After all, her second host, Mikaeli, lacked the stoic resolve that her eldest sister always displayed.
Eventually, Mevis intervened.
"Enough. Stop arguing."
She gently pulled Noa into her embrace. The old ancestor, silenced, retreated into the consciousness space, likely planning to resume the argument in the stillness of the night.
"Right now, your bodyâs strength does limit how quickly Noa can accumulate Primordial Power," Mevis explained. "But my body doesnât have that problem. I estimate itâll take about⊠a month to gather enough power to perform the reversal spell."
Mevis tapped Noaâs nose lightly. "So you need to grow up quickly and become me, okay?"
Noa nodded firmly, determination shining in her eyes. "Iâll become as strong as you!"
Mevis smiled and rubbed her cheek against Noaâs.
Rosvisser quietly observed the heartwarming scene, her lips curling into a gentle smile.
Her eldest daughter had grown so strong in the futureâjust like her father.
A sudden thought crossed Rosvisserâs mind.
She wondered if, in the near future, Noa might become not just a great warrior but also the youngest Dragon King in the history of the Silver Dragon Clanâor even all dragonkind.
After all, the Silver Dragon Clanâs unique ability to access Primordial Mode and refine its use to enhance their mastery of ancient magic put her in an entirely different league.
In terms of strength alone, Noa already qualified as a Dragon King.
What she lacked now was simply experience.
Rosvisserâs thoughts deepened as she gazed at Noa in Mevisâs arms.
Leon and Rosvisser had always raised Noa to become an exceptional warrior, never once considering the path of a Dragon King.
After all, grooming a Dragon King candidate was far more demanding than raising a warrior.
Throughout history, the dragon race had never lacked outstanding offspring, but very few were qualified to ascend to the title of Dragon King.
Even some who had claimed the title did so through questionable means.
Rosvisser wasnât sure what Noaâs intentions were, or if this was all too premature for her. After all, Noa was only eight years old.
"Youngest Dragon King⊠Letâs leave that for when sheâs older."
"Rosvisser⊠NoaâŠ"
A faint voice interrupted Rosvisserâs thoughts.
She jolted upright and rushed to the bedside.
"Leon? Leon, are you awake?"
She leaned down, gently shaking his shoulders.
Mevis and the others quickly gathered around.
"Dad? Dad?"
"Brother-in-law, if youâre alive, say something!"
"Father, I like Auntie Aliâs way of speaking. Can you teach me?"
Constantine: "âŠ"
I should really keep my distance from the Melkvey family, Constantine thought to himself.
Leon slowly opened his eyes. As his vision cleared, he was startled by the crowd surrounding him with expressions straight out of a "Youâre finally awake.jpg" meme.
But more than anything, his bodyâs defense instincts kicked in.
Before falling unconscious, Leonâs body had been in a state of intense combat.
Even after seven days of rest, it hadnât completely relaxed.
Fortunately, the familiar sight of silver scales and hair brought him back to reality. Leonâs brief struggle ceased immediately.
Rosvisser gazed at him, exhaling a breath of relief, her silver eyes filled with concern.
"How long was I unconscious?" Leon asked hoarsely.
"A week," Rosvisser replied.
"A week?" Leonâs eyes widened briefly before he let out a long sigh.
Everyone expected him to say something emotional about waking up after the battle.
But instead, General Leon blurted out:
"If I was out that long, I mustâve called your name a bunch of times. How embarrassing."
Truly, a silent Leon is the best Leon.