Chapter 155

Odalys felt something watching her, but she needed to treat Brandon's son and had no time to look around. The sensation faded after she finished the acupuncture. Initially, she dismissed it as her imagination, but she was wrong.

A giant python hissed, nodding toward the ground. It lowered its posture as Odalys watched, breath held.

"Take a look," Odalys said. "But this wooden stick is lodged in its body. I can't guarantee I can fix it, and I've never treated a snake before."

The python listened attentively and moved aside. Odalys stepped forward. The snake was as thick as her arm, clearly at least twenty years old.

"What is this?" Odalys was surprised. Touching the stick, she recognized the smell—strangely familiar. This scent… is this from the Stewart family's corpse clothing? Her eyes widened. She remembered smelling it upon arriving in the village, then it disappeared, which she'd attributed to her sense of smell. Unexpectedly, she now smelled it on the stick.

"I may need to pull the stick out to stop the bleeding, but I can't guarantee it will survive. Can you trust me?" Odalys asked softly.

The python swam closer, squatting and nodding. Odalys placed her hand on its abdomen and, with a strong pull, removed the stick. Blood splattered everywhere. She quickly retrieved hemostatic powder from her bag and sprinkled it on the wound. She then applied a talisman; the bleeding stopped instantly. The previously lifeless snake moved slightly.

Chapter 135

"Keep it still," Odalys whispered, nervously, her fingers trembling. She feared the snake's death might cause the python to hold a grudge. It had watched her all night, clearly noticing her medical knowledge. Even if Sophia hadn't stolen its eggs, it likely would have sought her out today.

The python hissed but kept its distance. Odalys picked up the wooden stick, noticing a carved word. Tracing it with her fingertip, she felt a faint warmth, a chill passing through her.

"I'll take this stick. If you need anything, come find me," Odalys said, putting the stick away and leaving. She walked swiftly, though still fearful of the python.

Hearing a sound behind her, she turned to see the python chasing. Her heart leaped into her throat. It's not going to die, is it? This isn't my problem, she wondered.

She was about to run when the python blocked her path. Odalys stopped just short of colliding with it. The python flicked its tail, sending several injured, but not dead, wild animals flying toward her.

"Is this for me?" Odalys asked, a wry smile playing on her lips.

The python didn't respond, simply disappearing. Odalys picked up the five animals and headed back. By noon, she reached the village.

Passing Brandon's house, she saw the door ajar. Brandon stood before it, hands clasped behind his back. Seeing her, he opened the door. Their eyes met; he nodded slightly.

"Got it," she murmured, leaving without further interaction. She didn't want anyone to see them together.

Chapter 155 (Continued)

After all, Brandon's tendons had been cut, and his son nearly died from poisoning—clearly deliberate acts. Forced into the mountains, afraid to go to a hospital, they were obviously watched, but Odalys couldn't understand why they weren't killed. She suspected a connection to the Stewart family incident.

She kept her distance from Brandon, remaining low-key, avoiding a public connection. Their brief nod acknowledged his son's improvement. Only then did Odalys feel her heart begin to ease.

"Hey, Odalys is back!" Selah, who had been waiting, rushed over excitedly. Freya and Stellan ran out as well. Odalys carried the wild animals; her clothes were dirty.

"You went hunting? You scared me! No wonder you've been gone so long," Freya said, near tears. If Odalys hadn't returned soon, Freya likely would have searched for her.

"I went farther than expected and was delayed," Odalys murmured, smiling. She gave Selah the animals and washed her hands. Freya checked her for injuries, relaxing when she saw Odalys was unharmed.

"What did it want with you?" Freya asked softly.

Odalys, checked over by Freya and beaming, put an arm around Freya's shoulder. "His son was injured, probably accidentally during a hunt. He came to me for help."

"That works!" Freya was stunned.

Odalys smiled, pushing Freya forward. "Did you wash the vegetables?"

"Yeah, they're ready. We're about to make lunch," Selah replied.

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Chapter 155 (Continued)

Stellan rolled up his sleeves. "I'll make a pheasant stew."

"And we can roast rabbits… How about we eat while we cook!" Freya exclaimed.

"Sounds good," Odalys agreed.

They cleaned the game, cutting sticks to hang it to dry. After starting the fire, they skewered and seasoned the rabbits. The savory aroma filled the air, along with the scent of Stellan's stew.

"Hey, this smells good! I didn't expect Stellan to be such a good cook," Freya said after a bite, praising him. Selah and Odalys tasted it as well. After washing their hands, they enjoyed the stew while tending the rabbits. Odalys scored the meat to enhance flavor.

"We don't have a fire. Can we use your grill?" Francis asked, approaching with a prepared pheasant, noticing their fire.

"Sure, come on over," Odalys welcomed him.

Francis quickly joined them, skewering his pheasant and placing it over the fire. The delicious aroma intensified. Finnian also arrived with food.