Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Habock chuckled wryly, "We can't compare to alchemists, but all the documents have piled up on my head since Violet left. Lieutenant General, couldn't you recruit a few more people?"

“All the graduates of the military academy are scrambling to get into Central City, who would come to our Eastern City? And now that little Isaac isn’t here,” Gulaman laughed.

After all, with Isaac gone, the Eastern Command is far less attractive to graduates of the NCO school.

"Think of a way, Lieutenant General Gulaman! If this keeps up, I'll work myself to death at my desk!"

“Things might improve once Isaac returns,” Gulaman said. “However, it’s uncertain whether he’ll stay at the Eastern Command afterward. After all, he was a former direct subordinate of President Armstrong, and he contributed significantly to the battle a few months ago…”

In fact, as a participant in the incident, Gulaman knew about Isaac's situation. His body turned to dust during the battle with the man in the bottle. Although it is said that he will come back, it is still uncertain whether he will actually return.

"report!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Gulaman called out.

The door opened and a soldier walked in:

"Captain Habock, Lieutenant General Gulaman, I have something to report."

“Go on,” Gulaman gestured for him to continue.

"Brigadier General Isaac is back."

"what!?"

Chapter 334: Encirclement from Three Sides

"Gulaman, I'm back."

Isaac pushed open the office door and shouted inside.

"Huh? You're really back? Weren't you already..."

Gulaman was about to say, "Weren't you already turned to ashes?", but then he remembered there were other people in the office and didn't say anything.

"Brigadier General Isaac, you're back? Weren't you supposed to be abroad on a mission? How come you're back so soon?" Hubble asked, puzzled.

“Going abroad on a mission…that’s a good reason,” Isaac murmured after hearing Hubble’s words.

"What did you say, Brigadier General?"

"Nothing much, I've completed my mission and returned." Isaac said, looking at Gulaman sitting in the chair. "What happened while I was gone?"

He needs to quickly understand what happened during this period so that he can get to work as soon as possible.

“A lot has happened,” Guraman chuckled. “Your adjutant, Violet, is now a State Alchemist and has been transferred to Brix Keep by the Führer.”

"I see, not bad at all." Isaac nodded.

It was somewhat expected that Violet would pass the State Alchemist exam, but he didn't expect it to be so fast. Going to Brix Keep was also a kind of training experience, after all, he himself had come from there.

Who is the current president?

“Your former superior, the former Major General Armstrong,” Gulaman said, “should now be addressed as His Excellency President Armstrong.”

"Very good, I am very pleased to see that you did not become the president."

“I’m really hurt by what you said, little Isaac. I’ve been your superior for six years, and I’ve always treated you well…”

"Nonsense! If it weren't for Roy and me smoothing things over for you back then, you old codger would have been removed from your position as head of the Eastern Command long ago," Isaac cursed. "Is there anything else?"

“Yes.” Guraman also dropped his exaggerated expression. “Recently, things haven’t been very peaceful in Amestoris.”

"Hmm?" Isaac also perked up his ears to listen.

"Our country is surrounded by three countries. Because we are a strong and powerful nation, they dare not come and cause trouble."

"You mean they dare now?"

“Yes, since the coup a few months ago, those countries have started to stir.” Gulaman crossed his arms and rested them on the bridge of his nose; the light reflected from his glasses made it impossible to see his expression.

"First, there was Dorakma in the north. They launched a surprise attack a week after the coup ended because President Armstrong was not at Brix Fortress at the time, and the rest of the troops were participating in joint military exercises with the Northeast Command, which left them slightly short-handed."

"How is Brix now?" Isaac asked anxiously.

As the fortress that nurtured him, it was like home to Isaac, so how could he not be worried now that something had happened to him?

Besides, I just heard that Violet is still there.

“It’s nothing serious. The President sent men to fight back, and the fortress was saved, but the war is still ongoing,” Gulaman said. “By the way, I’ll tell you something: Violet requested to be transferred there.”

"what?"

"She said she wanted to protect the place that Brigadier General Isaac cherished, so she volunteered to be transferred there by the Führer," Gulaman said with a smile. "What an extraordinary child!"

"Yes, that's my adjutant."

Isaac smiled too.

“Of course, the attack on Dorakma was just one thing,” Gulaman continued. “A month after the surprise attack on Dorakma, Clayta also declared war on Amestoris.”

Upon hearing this, Isaac also sensed that something was amiss.

One Drakma is manageable; he can handle it alone. But two countries attacking simultaneously...

Even if Isaac is incredibly strong, he is still just one person, and can only appear on one battlefield at a time.

"That's not all. In addition to these two countries, Al-Lugo's army is also gathering in the border area. Although they haven't made it explicit, this is still a kind of provocation."

This means that Amestris is surrounded on three sides: the north, the west, and the south.

The Eastern Command is relatively uninvolved simply because there are no other countries nearby, only desert.

“These bastards have caused so much trouble while I was away…” Isaac’s eyes turned fierce.

Gulaman sighed: "We have tried our best to minimize the impact of the coup, but the news still leaked out in the end."

"This matter must be thoroughly investigated."

"Let's not talk about that. Now that you're back, go to Central City." Gulaman stood up, walked over to Isaac, and patted him on the shoulder. "The current president wants to see you. You can find out more details from her."

“Okay,” Isaac nodded in agreement.

It is indeed necessary to see the superior officer; there are a lot of things to report after returning from another world.

"By the way, little Isaac, who are those two people behind you?"

Guraman pointed behind Isaac, where Sumire Muroto, wearing a white lab coat, had been standing to the side since earlier, her hands still handcuffed. Natsume Chizuki was hiding behind Isaac.

"Oh, the researchers I brought back."

“Researchers…” Gulaman murmured, “I do believe that woman with the great figure is a researcher, but this little girl hiding behind you…”

"Don't underestimate her, Xia Shi is very smart."

“So that’s how it is. Her name is Xia Shi.” Gu Laman squatted down and gave an exaggerated smile. “Little Xia Shi, don’t be afraid. Grandpa is not a bad person.”

However, his expression made Xia Shi even more afraid to come out, and he clung tightly to Isaac's lower back.

“Speaking of which, Brigadier General,” Hubble suddenly asked, “why is this young lady in handcuffs?”

“Because she requested to enter the country, but considering her circumstances, I handcuffed her first,” Isaac said.

"Commander, isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to treat such a beautiful young lady like this?"

“That’s right, that’s right,” Sumire Muroto chimed in.

“Habock, you’ve gotten too big for your britches,” Isaac said kindly. “Do you know what my return means?”

“Wh...what?” Habock swallowed hard.

"This means I can deduct your bonus again."

"Are you a demon!?"

Ignoring Habock, Isaac bid farewell to the others and boarded the train to Central City with Sumire Muroto and Natsume.

Chapter 335: This is not the life I want

"I never expected to see a steam train."

On the train to Central City, Sumire Muroto and Natsume curiously observed the layout of the interior.

In the 2031 they originally lived in, steam trains existed only as antiques in museums, and those that were still running were completely unheard of.

“We might not see it again in the future. Amestris needs a technological revolution, and high-speed rail technology is essential,” Isaac said, leaning back in his seat.

Returning from that world, in addition to military technology, civilian science and technology are also an indispensable part.

"That's a real shame." Sumire Muroto opened the window, and the wind outside ruffled her long hair.

"I quite like the relaxed feeling that comes with traveling at 80 kilometers per hour."

“Technological innovation is inevitable,” Isaac said. “Anyway, these cars can’t all be phased out at once; it will be a long process.”

Just as the group was talking, the train gradually slowed down with a whistle.

"We've arrived at our stop, please get off."

Outside the train station in Central City, people had been waiting for quite some time.

Isaac and the two had barely gotten out of the car when they saw someone approaching.

"Hey, Isaac, it's been a long time."

Hughes jogged over from outside the platform and waved to Isaac and the others.

"Hughes, it's been a long time indeed."

Isaac smiled and responded when he saw the newcomer. Since their parting in Central City, Isaac had rarely seen Hughes, not even before the final battle with the man in the bottle.

How did you know I was coming?

“Our central intelligence department received the news as soon as you showed up at the Eastern Command,” Hughes said with a smile. “Lieutenant General Gulaman also told you to come to Central City, so I came to pick you up.”

"Oh, I see. Thank you for your help."

"Haha, I've been busy with work lately anyway, so skipping work to pick you up is like taking a break." Hughes laughed, then looked at the two women behind Isaac, "Welcome to Amestris, ladies."

Natsume and Sumire Muroto also bowed and greeted them.

"Alright, get in the car first. The new president probably has a lot of things to discuss with you."

Hughes said, gesturing for the group to get in the car first.

In the car, Isaac looked out at the street scenery and asked Hughes, who was driving: