Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Meanwhile, at the Yao tribe's residence, Isaac was skillfully preparing ingredients in the kitchen. Violet, on the other hand, sat obediently in the living room, wearing a napkin.

Isaac was cleaning the innards of a crucian carp and marinating it with salt and cooking wine.

"Place a wok over high heat, add vegetable oil, heat to medium-high, add the crucian carp and fry. Turn to medium heat and fry until the fish is golden brown and the flesh is crispy. Remove and drain the oil..."

He recited the steps to himself as he operated the device.

Finally, open the pot, add scallions, stir-fry chili peppers, add the fried crucian carp, add seasonings, simmer over low heat to reduce the sauce, and drizzle with sesame oil.

"Mission accomplished!" Isaac wiped the sweat from his forehead.

A plate of fragrant fish is ready.

This is currently Isaac's most proficient dish.

After bringing the fish out and placing it on the table, Isaac dropped his apron.

“Violet, come and try this Imperial Decree Crispy Fish.”

"Ah."

Seeing the fragrant fish, Violet nodded, picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of fish, and chewed it slowly.

Isaac watched her nervously from the side.

After swallowing the fish, she slowly put down her chopsticks.

"How is it?" Isaac asked expectantly.

Violet turned to Isaac and smiled, "Very delicious."

"Great!"

Isaac clenched his fist in a victory gesture and smiled happily.

Violet was slightly taken aback after seeing Isaac's performance.

"what happened?"

“Lieutenant General Isaac… how should I put it? You were like a child today,” Violet said with a smile.

"Huh? Really?"

Isaac touched his face.

Indeed, although he seems crazy every day, it is extremely rare for him to be like this today.

At least his former subordinates would be speechless with surprise if they saw him like this.

This time, he only wanted to make a dish that would satisfy Violet, and he succeeded, so he was as happy as a child.

"Don't worry about it, it's just what I felt." Isaac rubbed his cheek.

Violet stood up from her seat, gently hugged Isaac, and pressed her face against his chest.

"I feel very happy."

“No…” Isaac blushed slightly.

Just then, with a loud 'bang,' the living room door was suddenly opened. Yao Lin walked in from outside.

"Big brother, I smell something really nice, what is it...?"

Before he could finish speaking, he saw this scene inside. Cold sweat instantly covered his entire body.

"Um, big brother, I didn't see it, so I won't bother you..." Seeing his big brother's murderous gaze, Yao Lin slipped away and retreated.

We'll die if we don't leave now!

Before he could even back out, Isaac suddenly appeared in front of him, his right mechanical arm gripping his shoulder tightly.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Big brother! I didn't mean to!"

"Come on, little brother, let's go outside and talk." After saying that, he ignored Yao Lin's struggles and dragged him out with great force.

"No!!" Yao Lin struggled desperately, but couldn't break free at all.

You'll definitely die!

He turned his gaze to Violet, who was still in the living room.

"Sister-in-law, save me!"

"Huh!?" Violet pointed at herself in confusion. "Are you talking about me?"

"Of course it's you! Stop big brother!" Yao Lin cried out for help.

Violet seemed not to hear, as if she was still in a daze.

Isaac had already pulled him far away. "Don't even think about escaping. Even if the emperor comes, he can't save you this time."

In the distance, Yao Lin's voice grew weaker and weaker, and only faint cries of "Big brother, no!" could be heard.

-

A month is almost up, and it's time for Isaac to return to Amestris.

"Dad, the cooperation details have been basically finalized. I need to go back for a while afterward."

"It won't be long before you see me at the international conference," the emperor said with a smile, but his expression immediately turned serious. "Do you remember the bomb you planted three years ago in Intans City on the continent of Tersis?"

"You mean... a hydrogen bomb?"

"That's the terrifying weapon that killed hundreds of thousands of Galdarik soldiers in one fell swoop and leveled a city," the Emperor said in a deep voice. "This international conference won't be peaceful; those countries will probably target you."

"After all, you already possess... the power to destroy human civilization."

Chapter 372: This chapter contains a lot of information.

"I see. So you intend to deploy troops in Japan?"

Inside the command headquarters in Central City, Olivia carefully read the report Isaac handed her. It detailed a series of cooperation plans with the New Nation and the upcoming operational strategies.

Olivia had to admit that although Isaac usually seemed a bit eccentric, he was absolutely meticulous when it came to work.

“Yes, sir. I believe that to strengthen our voice in the eastern region, we must station troops there,” Isaac said, gesturing on the world map on the wall.

“With the number of alchemists we currently possess, we are fully capable of building battleships,” Isaac said. “And the advantage of deploying troops there is that, in addition to having an extra supply point, it can also deter both the nations of Alrugo and Albion.”

Isaac's main objective was to intimidate other countries.

Isaac didn't take Albion seriously; he was a clown who only dared to be disgusting when others were making things difficult for Amestoris. What he really wanted to restrict was Albion.

This country discovered an anti-gravity substance a few years ago, which gave it a military advantage by relying on its air fleet. It also has the most colonies in the world.

Albion originally possessed the strength to compete with Amestris and the New Kingdom for the title of a world power.

However, ten years ago, when Isaac was still scrubbing floors at Brix Keep, a revolution broke out in Albion, and the country was divided in two.

Half of it is the present-day Kingdom of Albion, and the other half is the Republic of Albion.

Thus, Albion lost its chance to become the strongest nation. Otherwise, with their powerful air fleet, they could have truly rivaled Amestris.

However, apart from the anti-gravity objects, most of Albion's machinery is still steam-powered.

“I see. So you want to restrict this country?” Olivia looked at the map and smiled. “That is indeed a good idea, but building a battleship weighing tens of thousands of tons is not so easy.”

“Indeed, but this is a necessary step. Send more alchemists to speed up construction. Not only battleships, but also the strict control of armed helicopters should be put on the agenda.” Isaac said seriously, “The colonization of Japan is an important part of our country’s development. In addition to gaining a voice there, foreign trade is also a very important part of it.”

“Okay, then I’ll leave this to you,” Olivia said.

"Yes."

Isaac had long planned to colonize Japan. The reason he chose battleships, which were obsolete in another world, was that Japan was an industrially backward country where junk equipment from over a decade ago could be used to make money, and there was no need to use modern electronic equipment.

Furthermore, given Amestris's current technology, even if alchemists existed, modern weapons created without the assistance of computers would struggle to unleash their true power.

Besides, no one would engage in electronic warfare with a country still in the steam age; just bombard them with cannons until they're scared and that's it.

The blueprints for the battleship Isaac used were based on a prototype from another world—the North Carolina-class battleship.

Building a few of these ships should be enough to scare Japan.

“Let’s put that aside for now. Let’s talk about the recent events, the international conference.” Olivia sat back down. “The hydrogen bomb you developed in Intans has already attracted the attention of various countries, and I expect they will demand an explanation from us at this conference.”

“I’m also thinking about how to deal with this,” Isaac said, looking troubled.

Back then, I was young and single-mindedly focused on annihilating the enemy to avenge the loss of my leg from the bomb, but the effects of that experience have lasted for three years to this day.

If it were before, anyone who dared to condemn Isaac would have been met with a direct retaliation, and he wouldn't have been afraid at all.

But the current situation doesn't allow Isaac to do that. Even if he wanted to, Olivia would stop him.

The reason is that if this were to happen, all countries would stand against Amnestos, directly disrupting trade and exacerbating the economic impact on Amnestos. Amnestos' future development cannot be disrupted by such a sudden turn of events.

After all, war is about spending money, so for now, we should prioritize stability.

"Which countries are participating this time?" Isaac asked.

Olivia pondered for a moment, then pulled out a document from a drawer listing "our Amestris, the New Kingdom, the Kingdom of Rhodesel, the Kingdom of Leidensheftrich, the Kingdom of Albion, and the Marley Empire, among dozens of other countries."

"Where is Gallia? Aren't they coming?"

“That country has been absent from several international conferences, and I don’t know what they’re doing,” Olivia said. “They’ll probably be absent from this one as well.”

“Forget it, we don’t have time for him anyway.” Isaac plopped down on the sofa. “Let’s think about which countries will be on our side first. The New Kingdom is one, and Rhodesell and Leidenscheft should also count…”

These two countries were the ones Isaac helped during his field mission three years ago. However, the development that Rhodesell has undergone from an unknown and weak country to one that is now qualified to participate in international conferences is quite legendary.

Their next queen, the current Princess Charlotte, is also quite familiar with Isaac.

“There aren’t many scattered ones,” Isaac said unhappily. “It’s all that bastard’s fault, the little man in the bottle. If he hadn’t been offending the surrounding countries all the time, would I be so exhausted now?”

He shamelessly shifted the blame onto someone who had already died.

Bang!

"Stop talking nonsense! Take some responsibility for your immaturity back then." Olivia picked up a thick book and smashed it on Isaac's head without hesitation. "Luckily, I happen to have something here that can help you."

"What?" Isaac asked curiously.

“I have some photos here that Kimberly got from the Western Front. You can take a look.” Olivia handed a stack of photos to Isaac.

Isaac looked at the contents of the photo.

A group of naked giants were devouring soldiers in military uniforms. The soldiers' eyes were filled with despair and fear, while the giants had only blank stares.

"This is a biological weapon from Marley. I don't know the specifics, but it's also an inhumane weapon. I want to use this as a breakthrough opportunity at the meeting..."