Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"Everyone! Cover your ears!"

The surrounding soldiers were unaware of what was happening, but they instinctively did as Isaac said.

Below, the troops of Dorakma saw something being thrown down from the fortress and all looked over.

What is this?

"bottle?"

"A grenade?"

"Forget about this thing for now! Retreat immediately!"

They stared at the thing, then hid inside the tank. They were in a hurry to escape, not caring what was being thrown down.

Anyway, even grenades can't penetrate their tanks.

Just as they were retreating, the inconspicuous thermos on the ground suddenly emitted a bright light.

boom!!!!!!!!!

A mushroom cloud rises.

The smoke from the explosion blanketed the sky above Brix Hill.

Half of Dorakma's army was wiped out in an instant; everyone was vaporized in the explosion, and even their bodies disappeared.

The blast wave even shook the distant fortress.

"How does it feel? This is the power of this thing." Isaac asked, looking at Bakania, who was unsteady on his feet from the gusts of wind.

"I can't believe such a terrifying thing exists in the world." He said this with cold sweat still dripping from his forehead.

"Of course, the power of technology is great. This bomb is equivalent to a thousand tons of high explosives, and it is easy to carry, has no radioactive pollution, and is suitable for individual soldiers to carry."

"..."

Looking down at the vast expanse of ground that had been reduced to scorched earth, Bakania was speechless for a moment.

“You know what, Bakania,” Isaac grinned, “the chemical energy used in our firearms, muskets, and explosives is merely the ‘edge energy’ released by the external arrangement and combination of atoms. But what I utilize is the ‘full power’ hidden inside the atomic nucleus.”

Isaac had already discovered this principle two years ago. In his madness, after creating the thermobaric bomb, he was still not satisfied with a weapon that required dozens of bombs to destroy a large city, and he reached into the atomic nucleus.

And then he succeeded.

Two years ago, during the operation supported by Leidenscheft, the first hydrogen bomb was successfully detonated, turning the entire city of Intans into ruins and proving the correctness of Isaac's theory.

And his research has continued to this day. He furthered his studies in that other world.

"The protons and neutrons that make up the atomic nucleus can resist the strong electromagnetic repulsion of the proton within a range of 10 to the power of -15 meters, and..."

“That’s enough, Isaac.” Bakania stopped Isaac, who was about to launch into a long explanation. “I’m not an alchemist, and I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

"Oh, that makes sense."

Bakania ordered his soldiers to go down and check if any had escaped before he followed them down, while Isaac and Violet returned to the fortress.

“Violet, the world I went to this time was so interesting, it was amazing…”

When they were alone, Isaac began to excitedly recount his experiences. Violet listened quietly with a smile.

As Isaac spoke, he took a laptop out of his briefcase.

"This thing is called a 'computer'. People in that world use it for work and study. I have a lot of audio and video materials stored in it to broaden your horizons."

For the people living in this world, anything produced in 2031 would be terrifying.

Even the usually composed Violet showed a hint of surprise when she saw the screen playing on the computer.

"Is this... the technology of the world the Brigadier General lives in?"

“Of course,” Isaac said, a longing look on his face. “My next goal is to popularize information technology throughout Amestoris.”

Chapter 340: Prison Explosion, a Big Problem

"That's amazing."

Violet looked at the computer with curiosity, and under Isaac's guidance, she awkwardly used the mouse to browse the files on the screen.

"Yes, that's right, Violet learns very quickly."

Violet kept clicking the files on the screen with her mouse, opening folder after folder.

"Brigadier General Isaac, you have a phone call," a soldier announced from outside the door.

"Wait a minute, I'll be right there," Isaac said, then turned to Violet and said, "You take your time looking at this, I'm going to take this call."

"it is good."

Isaac left the office, and just then, Violet continued clicking the mouse randomly.

I accidentally clicked on an audio file.

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

Who called?

"Yes, Your Excellency the President," the soldier replied.

"Sir/Madam? Why are you calling at this hour..."

The two walked to the communications city, the soldier said goodbye and left, and Isaac answered the phone.

"Hello? Did the officer want to see me?"

"Isaac, how's the situation with Dorakma?" Olivia's voice came through the phone.

“Oh, they’re all dead. Bakania and the others have gone to clean up the battlefield,” Isaac said.

"very good!"

Although he couldn't see her face, Isaac knew that his superior was in a very good mood.

"Did the commander call specifically to inquire about the battle situation?"

“No, I’m more at ease leaving Brix Fortress in your and Violet’s hands,” Olivia said, her voice turning somber. “I’m calling you this time to let you know that something has happened in Central City.”

"what?"

Isaac's hand holding the microphone trembled slightly.

Central City, as the center of Amestris, is heavily fortified, and after Olivia became president, its defenses were raised by more than one level.

If something can happen here now, it must be due to some sudden change.

"Was the Central Command bombed by terrorists? Or was it a surprise attack by the enemy's air force?" Isaac asked hastily.

“No, it’s not that serious,” Olivia said. “But there was a sudden explosion at the Central City prison, and a large number of prisoners escaped.”

"Central City Prison?"

Central City Jail is the same prison where Kimberley was imprisoned. It is heavily guarded, and an explosion there is unlikely to be an accident.

"Yes, an explosion suddenly occurred last night."

Last night, just as Isaac was taking the train to Brix Keep, trouble started as soon as he left.

"How many of the criminals inside escaped?"

“We’ve brought most of them back, but one of them is still missing,” Olivia said. “I’ve sent people to look for him, but he escaped very quickly.”

"So, this escapee is very likely the perpetrator of the prison bombing, right?"

“That’s right, the explosion in the prison did indeed occur from the inside,” Olivia replied. “We also found out who the guy was. He was a man named Melbin Boja, 26 years old, who was sentenced to five years in prison four and a half years ago for robbery and assault, and was still serving his sentence.”

He escaped from prison alone, without any outside help. But to escape from a place like Central City Prison...

"He's an alchemist?"

“That’s right.” Olivia sighed. “I learned from his cellmate that he bit his finger that night and drew a transmutation circle on the wall.”

"Just as I thought." Isaac pondered.

This matter seems simple, but it is actually quite complicated.

A man who was sentenced to five years in prison four and a half years ago was about to be released, but he lacked patience and directly destroyed the prison to escape.

If he knew alchemy, why didn't he just escape when he was captured, instead of waiting for more than four years?

The situation around Amestoris has become increasingly tense recently. Is there any necessary connection between this and him?

“Sir, I believe this matter must be thoroughly investigated, and it would be best to send an experienced alchemist to handle it,” Isaac said in a deep voice. “If this was done by foreign spies, the consequences could be far more serious than we imagine.”

Most importantly, the core technology of alchemy in Amestris might be in the hands of a foreigner, which makes Isaac want to rush to Central City, arrest him, and torture him for a confession.

“That’s what I thought too, but now almost all the State Alchemists have been sent to the border regions,” Olivia said helplessly. “The only State Alchemists left in Central City are Lieutenant General Gran and my good-for-nothing brother.”

That means only the Iron-Blooded Alchemist and the Mighty Arm Alchemist remained in Central City.

One is a brave and skilled fighter on the battlefield but not suited for investigating cases, and the other is simple-minded and physically strong.

"This……"

"So I've already transferred them to Brix Keep to temporarily take over your work. You and Violet should come to Central City to help me investigate this matter."

This is indeed feasible. The army of Dorakma has been completely wiped out, so there shouldn't be any problems in the short term. In addition, having two national alchemists come to guard the area is a good safety measure.

"Okay, I'll be right back."

“Okay, thank you. We can discuss the specific details when you come to Central City.” Olivia paused for a moment before continuing, “By the way, the Elric brothers were also in Central City yesterday, and they were witnesses. You should be able to see them when you get back.”

Sure enough, wherever something happens, those two lads are always there.

After hanging up the phone, Isaac got up to go find Violet.

This matter is of great importance; it would be best to expedite the process.

Back in his office, Isaac called out, "Violet, get ready, we're going to..."

Before he could finish speaking, he looked at the screen displaying on the computer.

Two muscular, shirtless men were pushing and shoving each other, eventually wrestling and making noise.

This is a 'philosophy' video that Isaac found on the internet in that world; it's supposedly quite popular.

Violet stared at the screen with a calm expression.

Bang!