Leia continued, "The second way is to do him a favor. The only opportunity we know of is through his chronically ill sister. But this won''t be easy-Alistair once used his greatest war achievement to convince Lord Hector to summon Ss for her, but even Ss couldn''t help."


    Xena''s expression fell. If Dragonia''s second-ranked healer, Ss, could not help, what hope was there? Any leader knew the invaluable worth of having a capablemander. Hence, earning Alistair''s genuine respect was crucial to securing her position as a Wady. "Leia, did youe here just to discourage me?" Xena asked with a bitter smile. "Both options are impossible for me."


    If Ss could not help, what could she do? Even if she did be Wady, getting Ss'' attention was not guaranteed. And as for the top-ranked healer, that was even less likely.


    Leia replied, "Don''t you know any master healers? Dragonia''s history spans centuries. The current top-ten-ranked healers are just those who seek the spotlight. What about the hidden masters?


    "Take the miracle doctor, for instance. He''s nearly impossible to find, but whenever he appears, he never fails to cure what others can''t."


    Leia''s words sparked something in Xena''s mind, and Felix''s image shed through her thoughts. He had cured Curtis'' long-standing Phantom Poison, so perhaps he had the skills to help Alistair''s sister. It might be a long shot, but it was worth considering. "I might have an idea, though I can''t guarantee sess," Xena replied thoughtfully.


    Leia warned, "Remember, since Ss'' attempt, Alistair''s grown skeptical of regr healers. If you want to try, you''ll need to find the right moment-don''t be too direct."


    Xena nodded. "Got it."


    Meanwhile, Felix had just arrived at his newly purchased Serenity Manor, which came fully furnished. Otherwise, he would have just flipped it after helping Michelle meet her sales quota.


    As he entered the vi''s courtyard, his arms suddenly shot out to catch a woman falling from above. "Well, this is different," Felix remarked wryly.


    As he examined the unconscious woman in his arms, he could not help but feel a tug ofpassion. She wore a white dress and, despite her haggard appearance, possessed an eyes closed. ethereal beauty that stirred protective instincts even with her


    "Lucky for you, you found me," Felix muttered.


    4


    He carried her into the vi, not out of any inappropriate intentions, but because she was near death. While he was not one to actively seek patients, ignoring someone in such dire need would be inhumane.


    About five minutester, a man appeared in the Serenity Manorplex. He sniffed the air, and his expression darkened instantly. "The scent has faded! This is bad.""


    After surveying the area, he reluctantly pulled out his phone, and the look in his eyes reflected both guilt and fear. With trembling fingers, he dialed a number.


    "Speak!" The single word from the other end made the man shudder.


    "Captain Hill, M-Ms. Hill is missing," he stammered.