Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"What? Could this be dangerous?"

"No, they're all wiped out," Isaac said calmly, looking at the cloud of mist.

"...That's terrifying, an entire fleet just vanished like that." Even though Dietrich was a veteran of countless battles, he couldn't help but feel a lingering fear after witnessing the explosions. "Should I be glad you're on our side?"

“Of course,” Isaac shamelessly admitted.

"Anyway, the reinforcements are gone now. When you go back, report that 'You fought a difficult battle under your leadership and successfully achieved victory with fewer troops.' Then you will be a naval captain immediately."

"You're quite skilled at it."

This military operation to seize control of the sea can be considered a victory, albeit barely.

After all, there was only one ship left.

"So what do we do with this body? Should we take it back?" Dietrich asked Isaac, pointing to Stephen who was still hanging on the thorns.

"The body needs to be transported back to the country for examination. I'll send a telegram back and someone will come to collect it," Isaac said nonchalantly. "I'll just take this opportunity to ask the boss if he'll give me a promotion or something."

"Can I just ask this directly?"

"I usually just ask directly, it's a habit."

“You really are…” Dietrich was somewhat helpless, but thinking about it, it made sense. An alchemist who could create weapons of mass destruction was indeed qualified to be arrogant and domineering, especially since his relationship with his president seemed to be quite good.

and many more.

Dietrich suddenly realized something: the enemy alchemist was dead, which meant that only his side had an alchemist among the two allied forces.

The balance has been broken.

So as long as Isaac doesn't leave his Southwest Alliance, the situation will be one-sided.

Anyway, this wave is already in the bag.

Dietrich has already notified headquarters to take over the area. He will go back and report on the situation before discussing further countermeasures.

Isaac then walked over and patted Violet's head, saying, "Violet contributed a lot to this battle~ What reward do you want when we get back?"

"why?"

"Of course, it's because Violet did a great job."

"To perform...meritorious service?"

Violet didn't understand what this meant. She had only stabbed the enemy once, and Isaac had been injured protecting her. The girl, who had been used as a tool for years, couldn't understand why this boy, who should be her master, was praising her.

It is unforgivable for someone to cause harm to their master while merely being a prop.

“Isaac… is injured… because of me.”

"It's not your fault. He was targeting me anyway. You just happened to be standing in front of me."

"but……"

“I told you before, you’re my adjutant, my subordinate, not a prop,” Isaac said with a smile to Violet. “As for being a subordinate, half of the credit goes to me, and half to you.”

The ship continued sailing into the distance, and the previously stormy weather cleared up.

Although Violet still didn't show any expression, her thoughts had already drifted far away.

It seems I'm... following a pretty good person.

Chapter 18: What are some good gifts to give a girl?

The morning after the battle ended.

Isaac woke up late today and has already completed the task of eliminating the traitors, which means that Isaac doesn't need to go all over the map to find one person every day.

All that's left to do now is wait for the war to end, and to go out and protect Dietfried while he goes off to fight. At least, that's all the president has instructed me to do.

However, Isaac had some things to do himself.

First, during this time, complete all the orders received at the Bougambilia family banquet. These orders combined are enough to cover Isaac's military pay for the past two years.

Secondly, continue to teach Violet some knowledge, at least until Isaac returns to Amestris and is no longer illiterate.

But none of this is urgent, so the days ahead will be relatively leisurely.

Just as Isaac was about to leave the room to wash up.

"Good morning, Mr. Isaac." Isaac had just opened the door when he saw Violet standing at the doorway of his room with a standard posture, still wearing the dress he had given her earlier. She spoke much more fluently than she had on the ship.

The house Isaac is currently living in was found for him by Dietfried; it's a three-bedroom, two-living-room house in the city center of Stima. The environment is nice, so he and Violet moved here.

"Um... Violet, why are you outside my door?"

"Stand by." The concise and pleasant reply woke Isaac, who was still half-asleep.

"On standby? When did you wake up?" Isaac asked uncertainly.

5:30 a.m.

"..." Isaac glanced at the alarm clock next to him; it was 10:00 AM.

"Violet...you wouldn't...have been standing at my door since 5:30 and waiting until now, would you?"

"Yes." The answer remained as concise as ever.

“I think… you can go back to sleep for a while longer,” Isaac said with a dry laugh. The girl had woken up so early for some reason and had been standing at his door waiting.

“No need to worry, Mr. Isaac, please give the order.” Violet’s beautiful face remained expressionless.

"..."

You've killed the conversation at such a young age!

For the first time in his life, Isaac knew what it meant to be at a loss.

"I didn't... give any orders. You can go back to your room and rest for a while or something..."

"...Does that mean you should continue to stand by?"

“No!” Isaac said helplessly, pressing Violet’s shoulder. “What I mean is… we just finished fighting yesterday, right? Everyone’s exhausted, so let’s give them a break.”

What does "holiday" mean?

"I can do whatever I want."

“Then I would like to continue to await your orders, sir.” Violet looked at Isaac with her bright eyes.

How can we possibly withstand this!

Isaac felt a bit of a stomachache. It was probably because the kid had been used as a 'prop' for too long.

"Violet, as my future adjutant, you need to understand that I won't give orders most of the time. For some minor matters, you'll need to make your own judgments." He then looked at Violet's confused eyes and continued, "It's a holiday, so do whatever you want."

"..." Violet didn't speak, seemingly struggling with something.

It seems unlikely that I can teach her anything in the short term.

"Oh right, didn't I tell you last time that I would bring you a gift when I got back? Wait a moment, I'm going out for a bit." After saying that, she quickly changed her clothes and left without even washing up.

"Take care on your journey..." Violet hadn't finished speaking when she realized Isaac had already disappeared.

St. Marshall city center.

Dietfried's residence.

“Lieutenant Colonel Dietfried, Mr. Isaac requests to see you,” a soldier reported.

"Let him in." Dietrich was sitting comfortably on the sofa reading a book when he saw Isaac walk into his room.

"What's wrong? Why are you rushing here?"

"I have something to ask you. By the way, have you submitted your report to the Navy?"

"It's already been submitted. Thanks to you, I received commendation from higher-ups, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, I'll be promoted to naval captain next month."

"Oh, congratulations!" Isaac said.

“Oh, not at all, I would have been there if it weren’t for you,” Dietrich laughed. “By the way, what did you come here to ask me so early in the morning?”

"I want to ask you, what's a good gift to give a girl?" Isaac asked seriously.

"Clam?"

"Is there anything that would be a good gift for a girl?" Isaac asked again.

"Have you taken a fancy to some noble lady? I can put in a good word for you." Dietrich's smile suddenly turned wicked.

"No, it's for Violet."

"Tch, I thought it was something serious." Dietrich's expression instantly turned uninterested. "Why would you send a prop gift for no reason?"

“Xiao Di, I hope you won’t call her ‘prop’ anymore.” Isaac’s eyes suddenly sharpened. “After all, she’ll be my adjutant from now on. If you keep calling her that…”

"What will happen?" Dietrich swallowed hard.

“It will cause diplomatic problems,” Isaac said casually.

But Dietrich knew what this meant. It meant that he was being pushed to another country and that relations with Amestris would deteriorate. In the midst of war, this sudden move was practically tantamount to pushing the country into a fire pit.

"Alright, alright, I won't call you that anymore," Dietrich said helplessly.

“That’s more like it.” As he spoke, Isaac suddenly leaned closer to him. “So, do you have any good ideas for me to share?”

Why do you think I would know?

"Judging from your appearance, you must have fooled quite a few girls. I'm asking you something you should know."

"You're judging people by their appearance."

"Just tell me, have you ever picked up girls?"

"..." He was speechless for a moment, after all, he had indeed had relationships with more than one woman.

"You look like an expert, tell me quickly."

"Didn't you ever have any contact with girls when you were in your own country?"

“There are two. One is Major General Olivia, who took me into the army back then. She likes swords and the like. I forged a military knife for her on her birthday, and she seemed quite happy... Do all girls like knives and the like?” Isaac asked.

"Obviously not, what's the other one?"

"Another one is the daughter of a doctor couple I rescued from the battlefield. She really likes things like mechanical armor and prosthetics. I don't think most girls would like that."

"I thought so... Seriously, he's already 17 and already knows two girls?"