Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"it is good."

The banquet began.

As usual, the head of the Armstrong family started rambling on stage, talking for almost an hour about the family's glory and history of how it got rich, before being forcibly dragged off the stage by Olivia, who couldn't stand it anymore.

The people around them also started doing their own things.

Although it was called a banquet, it was actually an occasion for powerful figures from all sides to make friends or discuss cooperation.

Many people wanted to speak to Isaac, after all, he was already at the pinnacle of power in Amestris.

Isaac was happy to talk to them and promoted his company enthusiastically, hoping to get some support from them.

Just then, Catherine walked towards Isaac.

Violet, who had already been warned by Isaac, directly blocked her way.

"Miss Catherine, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Major Eve Garden?" Catherine looked at Violet with a natural air and said with a smile, "I'll go see Mr. Isaac."

"Lieutenant General Isaac once said that he doesn't want to be disturbed when he's busy."

"Huh? Is that so?" Catherine's face showed disappointment.

“If there’s anything you need, please let me know and I can pass it on,” Violet said politely.

"That's right, Father wants to speak with him."

--------

“Mr. Nafix, I’m entrusting the task of opening up the market in Albion to you from now on,” Isaac said with a smile to a businessman in a suit.

"No problem, then it's a pleasure to work together, Lieutenant General Isaac."

"Pleasant to work with."

Their glasses clinked together.

“Lieutenant General Isaac,” Violet whispered from the side.

"Hmm? What is it?"

Violet leaned close to Isaac's ear and said, "It seems that the Armstrong family head wants to see you about something."

“Okay, I’ll be there in a bit.” Isaac said, giving the merchant in front of him an apologetic look. “Sorry, I have some things to take care of.”

"Lieutenant General, you're too kind. Please take care of whatever you need to do," the businessman said with a smile.

"Okay, we'll talk when I get back."

Isaac then left the spot.

Behind the hall was a reception room, where the Armstrong family head, whose body was beginning to grow outwards, sat in the middle.

"Oh, Isaac, you've arrived."

"What do you want from me?"

Olivia had brought him here when he was a child, and Isaac had become acquainted with the portly old man.

"It's been a while. We originally wanted Alex to come to this banquet as well, but it seems he's still at Brix Fortress."

Alex, as the State Alchemist, was guarding Brix Fortress with Roland, preventing an invasion by the army of Drakma. He would, of course, not be able to return from this banquet.

“You might not see your superior for months because of his orders,” Isaac laughed.

“That’s a real shame,” said the Armstrong family patriarch, but then added, “Olivia told me you’ve found your family, right?”

“Yes, it’s in the New Country.” Isaac nodded.

"I heard he's a prince from that great country, supposedly surnamed Yao," the Armstrong family head said, his face lighting up. "I was originally thinking of having you take our family's surname."

"I would be honored to decline," Isaac refused without hesitation.

He had absolutely no desire to join this strange family.

"Ah, actually I had already thought of your name back then: Isaac Charlie Armstrong..."

"You think too much."

"Actually, I had another idea at the time..."

“I have absolutely no idea…” Isaac had no idea why this person had come to see him.

“Originally, I wanted you to marry into our family,” said the Armstrong family head.

Isaac was speechless for a moment, his gaze towards the old man clearly indicating that he was looking at a rare beast.

Are you surprised?

"Just look at my expression and you'll understand."

“Now that you are a prince of the new country, I doubt the emperor there would agree to you marrying into the family,” the Armstrong family head murmured, nodding.

"Of course, but who did you originally want me to marry?" Isaac said with a wry smile, "It wasn't the officer, was it?"

Olivia was considered a beauty in the army, but because of her strong personality, no one dared to pursue her.

"How could it be her? With her personality, she'd probably end up alone." The Armstrong family head said something that might get him killed by his own daughter.

"I originally planned for you and Catherine to..."

Snapped!

Isaac slammed his hand on the table and stared blankly at the person in front of him.

"I can tell..."

"Ok?"

"You're trying to murder me so you can inherit my Future Technology Co., Ltd."

Chapter 363: On the Eve of Departure to the New Country

"Alright, enough of this. You didn't call me here to talk about this nonsense, did you?" Isaac skipped over the Armstrong family head's topic without hesitation.

“Yes, there’s one more thing I wanted to tell you.” The Armstrong family head became unusually serious. “Olivia came back today and told me about the thing you produced… that thing called an air conditioner. I think it has great potential.”

"You want to cooperate with me?"

“Yes, I want to take 5% of the shares when your company is officially operational,” the Armstrong family head said. “In exchange, I will provide you with our family’s factory and some manpower during this period.”

“Okay,” Isaac agreed.

Although manpower and factories are not major issues, it would be ideal if someone were willing to bear the burden, and a 5% stake is not unreasonable.

"Then it's settled."

"Okay, then I'll..."

"I was serious about what I said before. Won't you reconsider?"

"Go away! I'm not considering it!"

Isaac quickly left the room, leaving the overweight old man alone inside.

The banquet outside was drawing to a close.

"Lieutenant General Isaac, is the conversation over?"

Violet saw Isaac come out of the drawing room, so she went up to him and asked.

“Well, it’s over. We discussed some cooperation matters,” Isaac said. “Let’s get ready tonight. We’re going to the new country tomorrow.”

"Yes."

Isaac then recalled the past: "I wonder how my mother is doing lately. Her two sons are in Amestris."

“Mrs. Yao is a very optimistic woman, she’ll be fine,” Violet reassured me, thinking Isaac was worried.

"It's alright, at least my foolish brother should have already gone back to be with her by now." Isaac chuckled.

At least Yao Lin will be fine once he returns to the new country. I wonder if he mentioned becoming the crown prince.

"Huh?"

Violet looked puzzled upon hearing Isaac's words.

"what happened?"

“Don’t you know?” Violet hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Mr. Yao Lin is still in Amestris.”

"what?"

“Not only did he stay, but Master Fu and Miss Lanfang are here too,” Violet continued. “Would you like to go see them? They’re in Central City.”

"..."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Is this the place?

After the banquet, Violet led Isaac to the front of an apartment building.

“Yes,” Violet replied. “After Isaac left, His Excellency the President investigated the entire Central City to see if there were any suspicious individuals. Then, those who were New Nation citizens and appeared at the site of the original battle were arrested.”

"and then?"

"Then Yao Lin told His Excellency the President about the identities of his group and yours."

So that's how the President knew my identity...

Thinking this, Isaac then asked, "Weren't they deported?"

"Mr. Yao Lin refused to leave, and after investigating his identity, His Excellency the President allowed him to stay here for a period of time."

"..."

Boom boom boom!

Isaac knocked on the apartment door.

The door opened.

"Who?"

It was late at night, and Yao Lin, still half asleep, opened the door in his pajamas and saw his older brother and Violet standing at the door.