Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

“That’s true… You probably don’t remember someone as insignificant as me,” the red-haired youth said with a wry smile. “I was Claudia Hawkins, representing the Hawkins family at the Bougainvillea banquet.”

"Oh, it's you!"

"Huh? Mr. Isaac, do you remember now?"

"No."

“Uh…” Hawkins was speechless for a moment.

“It’s really lucky to meet Mr. Isaac here. What made you decide to come to the jewelry store today?” He cleverly changed the subject to avoid an awkward situation.

"Oh, I'm here to buy gifts for my subordinates." He said, pointing to Violet sitting next to him.

"I see, are you buying a gift for your girlfriend?"

“I already said he’s my subordinate. Do I look like the kind of person who would lay a hand on a minor?” Isaac realized that two people had misunderstood him.

"Isn't Mr. Isaac also a minor?"

“…You make a good point.” Isaac had almost forgotten that he was only 17 years old.

"Speaking of which, is Isaac currently operating with Lieutenant Commander Dietfried Bougainville?" Hawkins hesitated for a moment before asking his question.

"Your family is quite well-informed."

"Haha, actually the information didn't come from our family. My friend is that naval lieutenant commander's brother," Hawkins said with a laugh.

"Little Di's younger brother?" Isaac pondered for a moment, as if he remembered something.

There was indeed such a person at the banquet. Isaac discovered Stephen's presence in the enemy camp from the bullet he handed him. His name was something like... Gilbert.

"So you're in the army."

“Yes, I graduated from the same military academy as Gilbert and we became good friends afterward.” Hawkins rubbed his hair and smiled, appearing to be a very easy-going person.

"So, how is Dietrich's brother doing in the army?" After all, he is Dietrich's brother, so it's necessary to ask about his situation as a formality.

"Not so good, he's been involved in frontline operations the whole time." Hawkins's expression turned grim; he himself was also upset that his friend had been taking on such dangerous missions.

"Would old Bugambiria keep his son on the front lines?" Isaac wondered. After all, given his family's influence in the army, it would be easy for them to transfer their son to the rear.

“I don’t know either, it seems like something happened to the Bugambiria family.”

Things seem complicated, but that's none of Isaac's business. His mission was only to protect Dietfried; the other person was not within his purview.

“I’ve met Gilbert before. You two seem to have such different personalities. I’m amazed you two can become friends.” Since he had plenty of time to wait, Isaac decided to chat with the man in front of him.

"Didn't Mr. Isaac also become friends with Lieutenant Colonel Dietfried?" Hawkins said with a smile. "His bad temper makes him quite unpopular with others in the army."

"is it?"

Then Hawkins suddenly leaned over to Isaac and asked, "I heard that Mr. Isaac created a cannonball that can destroy more than a dozen warships at once?"

"Gilbert told you again?" Isaac didn't recall having any contact with Dietfried's brother since he returned; only a few days had passed since the battle ended.

“Oh, this was discovered through the family investigation,” Hawkins said in a low voice. “Lieutenant Colonel Dietfried’s report mentioned that you provided the shells, so it was actually quite easy to find out.”

"Oh, it's Xiao Di." That explains it.

"The Army Command has always wanted to cooperate with you. Knowing that you have connections with the Bugambiria family, they will probably send Gilbert as an intermediary in a while."

Isaac probably already knew what was going on.

He had manufactured a weapon of mass destruction. As a result, the army received information and wanted him to supply them with such a weapon. Since he was invited by the Bougambilia family, Gilbert Bougambilia in the army became the best persuader.

But there was one thing Isaac didn't quite understand: if it was a lobbyist, shouldn't old man Bugambiria have more influence than his son? Why would he ask Gilbert to talk to him?

Just as Isaac was pondering the problem, the shop assistant came out.

"Sir, your pendant has been engraved. Please remember to politely help the lady put it on." She then gave Isaac an encouraging look.

“I understand.” Isaac looked at the pendant he had bought; the back was engraved with Violet’s name and… his own name.

So, they asked for their own name so they could have it engraved on it too? But why would they want their own name engraved?

Isaac didn't dwell on the matter. He walked up to Violet.

"Ahem... Well then, Violet, this is a gift for you, please accept it." With that, he hung the pendant around Violet's slender neck, and time seemed to stand still for a moment.

Chapter Twenty-One: The shop assistant claimed he was completely innocent.

The moment the pendant was attached to Violet.

The girl's memories flashed through her mind like images.

Upon first meeting the boy, they drew their swords and fought to a draw. Later, on a rainy day, the boy draped his coat over his shoulders.

It was then handed over to the boy by its former owner as a prop, but the boy never treated himself as a prop.

Give yourself a name, make clothes for yourself.

Even when a crisis comes, they push themselves away and suffer serious injuries.

At that moment, something I had never experienced before seemed to have appeared in my heart.

“Mr. Isaac… I…” The girl gripped the pendant hanging around her neck.

Make sure to get this message out!

“I think…” His previously indifferent eyes became excited, and his voice gradually grew louder.

Tell Mr. Isaac your wish!

"I want to walk this path with Mr. Isaac!" The girl finally shouted these words in a way that was different from her usual self.

“Please let me follow you!” Her clear eyes were fixed on Isaac.

After a moment of stunned silence, Isaac smiled and said, "Of course."

----------

Hawkins looked at the two people in front of him and asked the clerk, "What's going on with them?"

The clerk, unaware of the truth, smiled and said, "Oh~ did that shy man finally accept the girl's confession? How romantic!"

"Yeah, youth is wonderful." Hawkins didn't know why, but his smile was incredibly smug.

I feel like I'm not on the same wavelength as these two people.

Isaac felt it wasn't good to stay there and be watched, so he decided to leave with Violet. He said goodbye to Hawkins before leaving.

"I'm leaving now, you person whose name I forgot. Please give my regards to Xiao Di's younger brother."

“…Just call me Hawkins. I’ll pass on your greetings.” Hawkins said helplessly, then seemed to remember something and said to Isaac, “Gilbert will be back from the front in about a week. He might come here to meet you. Don’t make things too difficult for him then.”

Isaac certainly knew what Hawkins was talking about; after all, asking him for that kind of weapon could very well lead to a breakdown in negotiations.

His biggest worry was that the negotiations would break down and he'd be wiped out by a disgruntled Isaac. After all, the higher-ups who had witnessed Isaac's abilities wouldn't turn against him over someone like Gilbert.

"Don't worry, he's Xiao Di's brother after all. We should give him face and not make things difficult for him," Isaac said nonchalantly.

"Ahaha, then thank you very much, Mr. Isaac." Hawkins was relieved; it seemed his close friend wouldn't have any major problems.

Isaac had already led Violet out of the store.

It was already afternoon.

St. Mar is a coastal city, and since the continent itself has a tropical climate, the temperature is generally higher than in other places at this time.

"It's a bit hot." Isaac shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand, but it was no use.

"Should we go back?" Violet, having finally revealed her true feelings, regained her previous composure and asked Isaac.

"It's a pity to go back so early after coming out so often. There's something else I need to do." He glanced at Violet as he spoke.

“?” Violet asked, puzzled.

Isaac didn't say anything, but simply led her along the bustling street.

Half an hour later, the two stopped in front of a huge clothing store.

“Although you are not officially my adjutant yet and cannot wear an officer’s uniform,” Isaac coughed twice, “as my subordinate, you are required to dress appropriately in ordinary times.”

“I think this dress made by Mr. Isaac fits me very well,” Violet said, pointing to the dress she was wearing.

This was made by Isaac from a bed sheet on the ship. Just based on its gorgeous appearance, it would be perfectly fine to wear on the street, perfectly highlighting Violet's beauty and cuteness.

However, this is, after all, an alchemical artifact. It's a bit unreasonable for a superior to make a subordinate wear an alchemical creation.

Isaac also didn't want to be labeled a 'stingy boss'.

As they entered the store with Violet, their eyes lit up.

The store was filled with all kinds of clothing, a dazzling array. Isaac himself had never been to a store like this before, and this was quite an eye-opener for him.

Just then, a pretty female shop assistant walked over.

"Sir, are you here to choose clothes?" the saleswoman asked very politely.

"No, it's the one behind me." The shop assistant moved aside and saw Violet, her eyes lighting up immediately.

"Sir, is this your girlfriend? She's so cute! Please let me, no, please let me help her choose clothes!!" The saleswoman was incredibly excited.

"..." Isaac felt targeted.

Whether it's you, the shop assistant from before, or that red-haired man whose name I've forgotten.

Everyone says she's my girlfriend!

Seriously! I finally found these subordinates! If you scare them away, are you going to replace them with someone else?

Violet stood nearby, lost in thought; no one knew what she was thinking.

"Well... I'll leave it to you..." Although he was very worried about the female shop assistant who was still panting, she was still more professional than him, a country bumpkin.

"Don't worry about me! Come on, miss, please come with me to the dressing room." With that, he pushed the puzzled Violet into the dressing room.

A few minutes later.

"Ouch! It hurts! It hurts! Let me go!"

Suddenly, a piercing scream came from the changing room; it sounded like the female shop assistant's.

Without a word, Isaac drew his pistol from his waist and rushed into the locker room, kicking open the door and pointing the gun at the front: "Don't move! What happened?"

Isaac was stunned when he saw what was inside.

Violet's dress was half-pulled off, completely exposing her bare shoulders and back, her skin appearing translucent. Unconcerned about her exposed body, she was using a grappling technique to pin the shop assistant to the ground.