Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

He took a sip of tea from his desk and remarked, "That kid hasn't changed a bit in four years."

Four years ago, they came to Brix Fortress of the Northern Army. The people there did not treat them well just because they were officers from other countries. "No work, no food" was always the tradition of the Brix Army, so even if they held high positions in other countries, they could only earn food by working here.

So back then, they would do odd jobs at Brix Fortress. Although they were unhappy, what could they do? A powerful nation like Amestris wouldn't care whether the officers of a small country were happy or not.

Having spent so long in the harsh environment of the north, and with no opportunity to learn alchemy, they felt there was no point in staying in the country any longer. Just as they were about to leave, two events made them stay a little longer.

First, they witnessed Brix's army wipe out a large number of Drakma's troops with a very small force. This made them think that even if they couldn't learn alchemy, learning some tactical command would be worthwhile.

Secondly, while they were helping to move things, they saw a dark-haired boy named Isaac using alchemy to help repair chariots and tanks.

I searched high and low without finding it, only to have it come to me effortlessly!

It turns out that the alchemist I was looking for had always been in Brix Keep.

After that, seeing that he was a child, the group tried to lure him in various ways. They became familiar with each other over time, but Isaac, being a shrewd man, was not going to fall for their tricks. He didn't teach them alchemy, but he did swindle them out of a lot of money.

Finally, due to the escalating war on the mainland, the officers who had been studying there gradually returned home, with Bastian being the last to leave.

Because he was the last to leave, he was fortunate enough to witness a battle he would never forget.

The Dorakma army numbered nearly 10,000.

Just one shell.

Annihilated!

Having been in this country for so long, he finally witnessed the destructive power of the country's alchemists in the military.

Isaac was then granted the title of State Alchemist and transferred to the Eastern Army, while Bastian returned to his homeland at that time.

It was Lieutenant General Bastian who entrusted the Führer to send Isaac to provide support.

"With him, we are determined to win this war."

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Auto Memory Doll

Now that the deal has been agreed upon, let's take a stroll around the neighborhood.

Isaac, who had just left the office, found Gilbert.

"Are there any fun places to visit at your headquarters?"

“Since you know this is the headquarters, how could there be any place to play?” Gilbert said, rubbing his forehead.

"When are we going to the front lines?"

“It can’t be that fast. The strategic deployment hasn’t even been done yet, and all the army group commanders are in meetings.” Gilbert was at a loss with this alchemist who was a bit silly. “If all else fails, let’s take a stroll around Leiden City. After all, it’s the capital, and there are still places to have fun.”

"This is getting a bit boring."

Just as Isaac and Gilbert were chatting, a voice came from over there.

“Gilbert, Mr. Isaac, it’s been a long time.”

What came into view was a red-haired young man.

"You are... who is going to do it?" Isaac thought for a moment, knowing that he had seen him before, but he couldn't remember his name.

“Claudia! Claudia Hawkins! Is that name really that hard to remember?” Claudia cried out to Isaac in exasperation.

“Claudia, are you here too?” Gilbert asked Claudia.

“Yes, I haven’t had any combat missions since I came back, I’ve just been on standby in Layton,” Claudia said with a smile. “By the way, what were you guys talking about just now?”

“I just asked if there’s anything fun to do near Gilbert. I’m so bored I can’t get to the front lines,” Isaac said.

"..."

This was the first time Claudia had ever met someone so eager to go to the front lines.

"Well, if it's alright, how about I take you for a walk around the area? I know Layton pretty well."

“That works too,” Isaac said, then turned to Gilbert and asked, “Do you want to come along?”

"I'll pass, I still have some things to take care of at headquarters."

"That's it."

Gilbert returned to Army Headquarters, while Isaac and Violet wandered around Leiden with Claudia.

Leiden, as the capital of the kingdom, was even more prosperous than Stima.

"Isaac, is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

“Let’s just find a place to look around. I don’t really have any particular place I want to go,” Isaac said casually. “If there’s any place, it’ll be a battlefield. Let’s try to tear that Galdarik army to shreds as soon as possible.”

As he said this, Isaac revealed a sinister smile.

"..."

Claudia also realized that no matter how silly this 17-year-old boy was, he was still a colonel, and anyone who could reach this position at this age was definitely not a normal person.

He was more like a soldier than himself and Gilbert, as if he were born for the battlefield.

"Um... let's go to the post office," Claudia said, changing the subject at the opportune moment.

"Post office? What are we going there for?"

"Mr. Isaac is from Amestoris. He may not know that we have a profession in the post office called—Automatic Memory Doll."

Automatic note-taking dolls are a service offered by postal companies that allows them to write letters on behalf of customers to convey their thoughts.

"Oh, I've heard of that. It seems to be a job that specializes in writing for people."

“…That’s not entirely wrong, but there are a few minor differences.” Claudia invited Isaac, “How about it? Want to come along?”

Isaac turned to Violet and asked, "Want to come along?"

Violet said, "Wherever Mr. Isaac goes, I will go."

"Alright, please lead the way."

There are many post offices in Leiden, and each one occupies a very large storefront. Claudia went into one of the very large post offices, so she must be a regular customer.

"Isn't this Lieutenant Colonel Hawkins? Here to write another letter?" The receptionist rushed forward to greet Claudia as soon as she saw her.

“This time it’s not him, he’s brought my friends for a visit,” Claudia introduced to the receptionist. “Mr. Isaac from Amestris, and Miss Violet.”

The receptionist also saw Claudia and her companion at that moment.

"Welcome, you two! Please feel free to look around," the receptionist said with a professional smile.

She seemed to think that Violet was also from Amestris, since blonde hair and blue eyes were indeed the hallmark of most Amestris people.

Isaac nodded and went into the post office.

Inside the post office, there were rows of counters, each occupied by a young and beautiful woman, all of whom were 'Auto Memory Dolls'.

They were sitting in their seats, typing letters on typewriters.

Claudia walked over to Isaac: "How are you feeling?"

"I'd like to order two ladies. By the way, how much is a glass of champagne here?"

“I think you might have come to the wrong store…” Claudia was speechless at this person who had lost their mind.

It's not that places with lots of pretty young women are all nightclubs!

"Oh, that's not very good."

Even someone as good-tempered as Claudia now really wants to hit him.

While the two were talking, a beautiful woman walked up to them.

“Sir, is there anything I can help you with?” she asked, bowing as she approached Isaac.

"Master" seems to be the name the Auto Memory Doll uses to refer to the person it serves.

Claudia nudged Isaac on the shoulder: "Why not take this rare opportunity to try the 'Auto Memory Doll Service'? Let them write you a letter. Don't you have anyone in your own country you need to contact?"

To be honest, there really isn't. My subordinates are all eager to climb over me, and I haven't received any notices from the military since I came here on this business trip. Last time, I had to send a telegram to headquarters to send 'Copper's' body back, and no one has come since.

It makes me angry just thinking about it.

But speaking of writing letters...

"Now that you mention it, there really is one."

“That’s perfect, let this young lady write for you.” With that, he pushed Isaac in front of the 'doll' who had greeted him earlier.

Looking at the beautiful woman with a smile in front of him, Isaac said, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

"Yes, sir. This is Veronica Raphael, the Auto Memory Doll. It is my pleasure to serve you."

"You're celebrating too soon."

"What did you just say, sir?"

"nothing."

The automatic memory doll didn't seem to care and asked Isaac, "Sir, to whom would you like to write this letter?"

Isaac pondered for a moment and said, "Write this to the President of Amestris—King Bradley."

"!"

"!"

Claudia and the Auto Memory Doll named Veranica were both terrified.

Write a letter to the president of a country...

This job seems difficult to get.

Chapter 37: How can a puppet not know how to swear?

"Um, sir, I may not have heard you clearly. Who are you sending it to?" the doll asked cautiously.

"Huh? Didn't I make myself clear?" Isaac cleared his throat and repeated.

"The President of Amestris - Kim Bradley".

"..."

The poor doll has never wanted to quit as much as she does today since becoming an Auto Memory Doll.

That's the president of a major country! How can we possibly take him down?!