Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"Yes." Violet resumed her previous indifferent expression, but her tone still revealed her happiness.

“Of course, there’s one thing you must be aware of: when Gilbert and I go to the battlefield, you must stay in a safe area in the rear.” He then emphasized, “That’s an order.”

"Yes." Violet was puzzled as to why she wasn't allowed to go to the battlefield; her mission should be to protect Mr. Isaac.

But she didn't ask any more questions; for her, being able to follow Isaac was enough.

“If you want to go to the battlefield, you need to at least receive training. Although you already have a certain level of combat ability, it’s still too early for you to be on the battlefield amidst the roar of artillery fire,” Isaac said.

"When I go there this time, I'll ask if I can spare some people to teach you how to use a gun."

Chapter Thirty-Four: An Old Acquaintance

A week passed quickly.

As promised, Isaac and Gilbert arrived in Leiden.

During this time, in addition to completing the commission he had accepted at the banquet, Isaac also asked Gilbert for some internal military reports to read in order to understand how to deal with the current war situation.

"In just one week, the enemy has taken Instan City. Are the army all useless?" Isaac sighed, rubbing his forehead.

As the most important strategic location between the two countries, Instan is well known to have been the site of a war between the two nations that originated from religion. The Great Chapel in Instan contained a large number of sacred books. Although these books had been moved by the Southwest Allied Army, the enemy built fortifications after the city was captured, and the local army remained in a passive position.

If we capture this place, the Southwestern United Army will essentially secure a victory, and the enemy will suffer a complete rout. If we can't capture it, then we can only stall.

The longer the conflict drags on, the better the enemy's defenses become, and the more passive our side becomes.

“Don’t say that, the army is working very hard too…” Gilbert chuckled awkwardly from the side.

"What are you cowards doing trying to do? Bah! You're a disgrace!" Isaac was so irritable that he swore several times.

The bizarre situation left me at a loss. This wasn't something that could be resolved with just one or two thermobaric bombs.

The Northeast Allied Army has taken many cities, such as Mazig, which was occupied three years ago and has not yet been reclaimed. Although these cities are occupied, they are inhabited by people from their own side. These civilians have suffered greatly under the oppression of the stationed enemy troops and are all waiting for liberation. It would certainly be inappropriate for them to indiscriminately use thermobaric bombs.

“Please calm down…” Gilbert had no choice but to point to Violet next to Isaac, “There are underage girls here.”

"Tsk..." Isaac could only try to relax for now.

He remembered clearly that when he first arrived on this continent, the Southwestern Allied Forces were in a superior position, but within a month of his arrival, the army was at a disadvantage. Although the navy had always been superior, it was useless. The key to a continental war lay with the army; you might have gained control of the sea, but then others would take all your territory. Were you destined to live at sea from now on?

"Now I understand why the army and navy can still hold their own even though the main battlefields are on land. It's because the army is too weak. If I were in charge, I wouldn't want to give this bunch of trash military funds either."

"Um... Anyway, please come with me to the Army Headquarters first. The Commander-in-Chief also has some things he wants to discuss with Mr. Isaac." Gilbert didn't say much more and led Isaac and the others toward the Army Headquarters.

To be fair, Leidenscheft's army wasn't bad; it was just that the enemy was good at defense, making it difficult for his army to advance.

In addition, there are a few idiots among the leaders in charge.

Inside the Army Headquarters.

"Oh, Major Bugambilia, you're finally back. How did your talk with Mr. Isaac go? Did he agree to our request?" A cheerful voice came from behind the gate.

An officer, well past fifty, walked toward Gilbert. Judging from the rank on his shoulder, he was probably a lieutenant general.

"Yes, Lieutenant General Bastian!" Gilbert immediately stood up straight and gave a military salute.

"Mr. Isaac has already..."

“I’m here. You can talk to me about the weapons.” Before Gilbert could finish speaking, Isaac was already standing in front of the major general.

"You are Colonel Isaac, the State Alchemist of Amestris?" Bastian narrowed his eyes, staring at Isaac.

"If it wasn't me, then it was you?" Isaac looked at the old man in front of him with disdain, not caring at all about his rank as a lieutenant general.

Their eyes seemed to be locked in combat. The atmosphere tensed up instantly.

Gilbert stood by, unsure of what to do, while Violet was ready to jump up and smash the old man to the ground at any moment.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Suddenly, the two people who had been staring at each other burst into laughter.

"It really is you, Isaac. I didn't expect you to be the one helping us this time," Lieutenant General Bastian said with a smile, patting Isaac on the shoulder.

"You old codger, you've lived quite a long time. I didn't expect you to have risen to the rank of lieutenant general," Isaac chuckled.

"Uh..." Gilbert was a little confused, not knowing what was going on. How come the two people who were initially at loggerheads were suddenly acting like old acquaintances?

“Oh, I forgot to mention, Major Bougainville.” Bastian scratched his head. “I met this kid four years ago.”

"What? The lieutenant general and Mr. Isaac have met?" Gilbert was very surprised.

“Yes, the war wasn’t too big back then. Several of us generals went to Amestris to learn advanced military technology to help Leidenscheft.” Bastian seemed lost in memories.

"Bullshit, you clearly came as a group to steal alchemy knowledge, but the boss restricted your activities to the north." Isaac bluntly exposed him.

At that time, several officers from Leidenscheftrich, in order to resist the Northeastern United Army led by Gadarlik, came to Amestris, a country that was also militarized, under the pretext of learning advanced military technology and battlefield command.

As for why they didn't go to the new country, which was closer to them, to learn alchemy, firstly, compared to alchemy that was more suited to the medical field, alchemy that excelled in the military field was their first choice; secondly, the new country had very strict control over outsiders.

Alchemy, being the core technology of Amestris, could not be taught to them. The Führer saw through their intentions at a glance and told them, "You want to learn military technology and command, right? Go to Brix in the north." He then sent this group of people to the north.

It's important to understand that the Union Army didn't have State Alchemists, and they were practically nonexistent in civilian circles. Most alchemists were concentrated in the Central, Eastern, and Southern regions. The Union Army's Commander-in-Chief, Major General Armstrong, who was also the commander of Brixkes Fortress at the time, kept a very close watch on these individuals.

That's where he met Isaac.

"Haha, let's not bring this up again, it's not a good thing." He glanced around and said, "Major Bougainville, forget about what just happened."

"Yes!" Gilbert could only reluctantly agree.

Bastian nodded in satisfaction and looked at Isaac, saying, "You were only 12 years old when I met you at Brix Keep. I never imagined that the little soldier in the army back then would become the famous State Alchemist."

“Back then, I was wondering why you old man were staring at me all the time. I’m the only one in all of Brix who knows alchemy, so you guys must have set your sights on me.” Isaac looked at him disdainfully.

"Ahem..." Bastian coughed twice. "I've already said let's not talk about the past anymore. Let's talk about weapons."

He walked into the office next door, followed closely by Isaac and Violet.

“Um… Isaac, what’s this…” Bastian asked, looking at Violet who had walked in with him.

“She’s my subordinate, not an outsider,” Isaac said. “Don’t worry that she’ll pose a danger to you; she’s not as dangerous as me.”

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Deal

“…That makes sense.” Bastian thought about it and agreed. He had witnessed the boy’s fighting prowess when he was in Brix, so he agreed to let Violet in.

"Old man, can I ask you a question before we go?" Isaac sat in his chair with his legs crossed, looking at Bastian, while Violet stood beside him without saying a word.

"At least call me Lieutenant General."

Bastian was helpless against the boy in front of him. He had no advantage in terms of status. The lieutenant general of the Kingdom of Leidensheftrich was no match for the colonel of Amestoris, let alone the state alchemist.

Given his status, even a general might not dare to speak disrespectfully to Isaac. Let alone now that he needs his help.

"go ahead."

Bastian thought to himself that if he hadn't been an old friend of this kid, he probably wouldn't have listened to him.

Why is your army so incompetent?

"Um...why do you say that?"

Bastian was somewhat puzzled by Isaac's assessment.

Isaac said, "Although you didn't manage to steal any alchemy when you came here, you still witnessed how our Brix army routed those bastards of Drakma. Didn't you reflect on how to use your army after you came back?"

Bastian was speechless for a moment.

Although they initially intended to learn alchemy, they did indeed seriously seek advice and study after witnessing the army's superior numbers at Brix Fortress.

After all, the Brix Army has an exceptionally rigorous tactical mindset, and once they launch an attack, they can annihilate the enemy at an extremely fast pace.

He sighed and said, "It's not that simple. You see, new tactical concepts mean innovation, and the conservatives in the kingdom won't allow us to do that."

"The idea was submitted and rejected multiple times, but the conservatives insisted that the current tactics were the safest and most advanced."

Isaac asked, "Aren't you a lieutenant general? Why do you speak so little?"

Bastian smiled bitterly, "Do you know what a demotion is in disguise? Although I've been promoted to lieutenant general, I've been sidelined and I'm not allowed to get involved in anything at the front. Now I can only manage personnel at the Layton headquarters."

"So, given your situation, how exactly do you plan to defeat the other side?"

Isaac was utterly speechless at this group of soldiers. They were still forming factions during the war; they probably didn't know the meaning of death.

"Then let's talk about weapons. I heard you want to get thermobaric weapons from me?"

"Yes, we want to buy..."

“You can buy them, but I can only make them on-site when you want to use them,” Isaac said before he could finish speaking.

"Um...can you tell me why?"

"You think I don't know what you're thinking? You just ask me to buy weapons, a few for use, and the rest for research, right?" Isaac looked at Bastian with disdain.

“This…” Bastian’s eyes darted around.

They do indeed have this plan. If they could develop the components of a thermobaric weapon, wouldn't they be unstoppable on this continent?

“So I’ve decided to make it only when you need it, to prevent you from trying to outsmart me.” Isaac’s eyes sharpened.

"Don't worry, I won't let go of any money that can be made."

"That's good. I'll let you know if I need anything."

The two have reached a temporary agreement.

“Speaking of which, old man, there’s something I need to trouble you with,” Isaac suddenly said.

"what?"

Isaac pointed to Violet standing next to him: "This subordinate of mine needs some training in army knowledge, such as shooting and hand-to-hand combat. Could you arrange that for me?"

"It's possible..."

“If you agree, I can give you a discount on the price of the weapons, and I’ll also provide some that you’ve never seen before,” Isaac said with a smile.

"I guarantee to provide the Army's best instructors!" Enticed by the preferential terms and new weapons, Bastian agreed without hesitation. As an official in the Army Personnel Department, providing some instructors was a piece of cake.

“Then it’s settled.” Isaac finished his business and stood up to leave. “I wouldn’t recommend that I take a tour of headquarters.”

"Of course, do you need me to lead the way?"

"I'll just find Gilbert, old man, you go ahead with your work." With that, he and Violet went out the door.

Now only Bastian is left in the office.