Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"A new world!?" Olivia exclaimed in surprise.

It wasn't a new country, but a new world—this was a certain understanding for Olivia.

“That’s not the point,” Isaac continued. “In that world, I studied their theories in detail, and I saw a book in the library called ‘On War.’”

Olivia nodded, showing interest, and gestured for Isaac to continue.

"The author of this book is the world-renowned military theorist Carl von Clausewitz. In the book, he mentioned that wars are always unclear due to the uncertainty of intelligence or the lag in the process of information production. Compared with theoretical planning, it is more important to adapt to local conditions in actual combat."

“I know that,” Olivia said.

She understood this principle, and so did Isaac. This is why they both personally went to the battlefield when commanding the army, and judged how to fight the next battle based on the terrain and the local personnel configuration.

"But this theory has been refuted in that world."

"What!?"

"The reason is that in that world, this theory has been broken by computer networks and C4ISR command systems. All enemy movements will be transmitted directly to your eyes through images."

"Does...do such technology really exist?" Olivia's eyes suddenly lit up with excitement.

“Of course, and I’ve already brought the technology with me,” Isaac laughed. “Warfare will change. Future wars will focus on information, and as long as Amestoris masters this technology, we will always have the upper hand in information.”

"In other words, Amestoris will be invincible in the future."

Chapter 337: I Miss You So Much

"The wars of the future... information warfare..."

Olivia was processing what Isaac had said. She couldn't fully digest all the information it contained in a short time.

She was now very curious to know just how terrifyingly advanced the technology of the world Isaac had described had become.

“I’ll explain it to you in detail later; it’s a long story,” Isaac said. “Simply put, we’re too superficial right now.”

"What do you mean?"

“Whether it’s you, sir, or me, we should both keep our eyes on what we can see.” Isaac pointed to the sky. “Don’t limit your gaze to the sky, but look beyond it.”

"Beyond the sky... the universe?"

“That’s right, that’s the place we must fight for,” Isaac laughed. “When I get back, I’ll tell you about the country’s future development plans.”

"Hmm? So where are you going now?" Olivia asked, puzzled.

"Of course we're going to Brix Keep! Those bastards in Drakma are so cocky, shouldn't I go and teach them a lesson?"

“That’s true, but they’ve assembled quite a large army this time, so you’ll probably need to stay there for quite a while,” Olivia sighed.

Although she really wanted to personally lead the troops to defeat Dorakma, she was now the president and could not leave Central City at any time; there were still many things in other places that needed her attention.

“It won’t take long, three days will be enough,” Isaac laughed, “including travel time.”

"Are you sure?" Olivia narrowed her eyes.

"of course."

“That’s an army of hundreds of thousands. It won’t be easy to defeat them in a few months,” Olivia frowned. “Are you confident you can repel them within three days?”

“Repel? What are you talking about, sir?” Isaac suddenly grinned maliciously. “None of them will escape. Let their corpses become one with Brix Mountain.”

Isaac would naturally choose to annihilate all invaders without leaving any survivors.

“Very good, then I'll leave this matter to you.” Olivia said with satisfaction, then took a box from the drawer and handed it to Isaac. “Now that you're back, this is for you.”

Isaac took the box and curiously opened it.

Inside lay a gold medal engraved with a six-pointed star. Also inside was a document signed by Olivia.

"This is... the Hexagram Medal of Honor?"

The Order of the Six-Pointed Star is one of Armenia's highest honors, alongside the Order of the Two-Legged Dragon. The six-pointed star and the two-legged dragon are the two symbols that make up the Armenian coat of arms.

These two medals are awarded only to those who have made extremely significant contributions to the country. The six-pointed star medal is usually awarded to state alchemists, while the two-legged dragon medal is awarded to ordinary officers.

“You protected this country from the man in the bottle, so this medal is naturally rightfully yours,” Olivia said. “Once you return from Brix Keep, I’ll reassign your duties.”

The implication is that he has another chance to be promoted.

"Okay, it's a deal."

As Isaac spoke, he pinned the medal from the box to his chest. The golden medal shone brightly.

"Well then, I wish you good luck in your military campaigns, Brigadier General Isaac."

"Yes, sir."

----------

Not long after arriving in Central City, Isaac bought a new train ticket to the north.

As for Sumire Muroto and Natsuyo Senju, Olivia arranged accommodations for them. Although Natsuyo wanted to go with Isaac, it was a war zone, and it wouldn't be convenient to bring a child along.

In addition, Isaac also learned the whereabouts of some of his colleagues from Olivia.

Roy Mustang is now the Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Command, tasked with fending off the covetous nation of Alrugo. Basque Gran remains in Central Command, while Zolf J. Kimberly is currently on the front lines at the western border.

Amestris is now surrounded on three sides, and alchemists from several powerful nations have been dispatched to the border regions.

As for the brothers Edward and Alphonse, they are still traveling around.

It's worth mentioning that their father, von Hohenheim, returned to Risenberg after the event and became a recluse, rarely going out.

Although Olivia had previously invited him to become a State Alchemist, he politely declined.

------------

To the north of Amestris lies a silent world covered in ice and snow.

Around Brix Fortress, gunfire and artillery fire could be heard intermittently.

At the highest point of the fortress, a blonde girl in a blue military uniform stood there, her eyes indifferent as she watched the army advancing relentlessly below.

"Major Eve Garden! The army of Dorakma has launched another attack!" a soldier ran up to report.

“Yes, I saw it,” Violet said.

As she spoke, she gripped the sword at her waist tightly.

"What should we do? Should we order an attack?"

"hold on."

Violet closed her eyes, recalling the days she had spent with Isaac.

Months ago, Isaac's body collapsed during his battle with the man in the bottle, and his last words to her on his deathbed were:

wait for me.

Violet firmly believed that Isaac would return.

"I must protect his homeland until the brigadier returns."

She looked intently at the local troops below.

'What would Brigadier General Isaac do if he encountered this situation?' Violet wondered silently.

She had been with Isaac since her time in Leiden-Sheftrich, and she had witnessed the several wars he commanded.

"When attacking, be as fast as lightning, and when defending..." Violet murmured, "Lure the enemy deep into your territory, and then strike back."

By this time, Dorakma's army was getting closer and closer to the fortress.

"Now! They're within the cannon's range. Fire!" Violet ordered.

Although the sound wasn't very loud, all the soldiers heard it clearly.

"fire!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The cannons on the fortress roared deafeningly, and shells flew down towards the army of Dorakma below. Deep craters were blasted out, followed by a hail of flying limbs and severed bodies.

"Notify the soldiers lying in ambush there to surround them from behind, and don't let a single one escape," Violet continued.

"Yes!"

The soldier, upon receiving the order, shouted that he should immediately go and relay the command.

Violet continued to gaze at the smoke-filled battlefield. Her hands gripped the black gemstone pendant at her chest, and she murmured softly to herself.

"Brigadier General... I miss you so much..."

Chapter 338: I'm Back

"Major, the vanguard has suppressed the enemy. What's next?"

Violet looked at the suppressed Drakma army and said, "I'll go myself."

"Huh?"

Before the soldiers could react, Violet took the sword from her waist and lightly tapped it on the ground.

The transmutation circle on the hilt flashed with a blinding light, and a thick layer of ice suddenly formed on the top of the fortress.

The ice kept gathering, transforming into a bridge connecting the fortress to the battlefield below.

"Order the remaining soldiers to concentrate at the front of the fortress."

After saying this, Violet stepped onto the ice bridge she had constructed using alchemy and slid towards the battlefield at an extremely fast speed.

On the battlefield, Dorakma's army was first bombarded by artillery fire, and then caught off guard by soldiers who had been lying in ambush all around. Now, even their retreat routes were blocked.

Blood and corpses stained the once white snow red.

"Let's force our way through! We have the numerical advantage!" shouted the general of Dorakma.

Brix Fortress is staffed with elite troops, but there aren't many of them. In addition, after Olivia became president, many veteran soldiers followed her to the Eastern Command. Although manpower was replenished later, their combat effectiveness was clearly not what it used to be.

He wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to breach Brix Fortress.

At that moment, they saw a long ice bridge extending from the massive fortress.

"what is this?"

There seems to be someone on the ice bridge.

The general of Dorakma looked at the ice bridge, and his face suddenly turned very ugly.