Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

As Olivia was speaking, she noticed that Isaac on the sofa remained silent.

"What's wrong? Did you find something?"

"Do not……"

Despite saying that, Isaac's expression was clearly not right, and he covered his head with his hands.

What's causing this sudden sense of déjà vu?

The moment he saw the photo, an image suddenly flashed into his mind.

A burning city, corpses strewn everywhere, red heads rising from the massive city walls, people being chased by giants like those in the photographs…

"It feels just like those scenes that have appeared in my dreams before," Isaac murmured to himself.

"Ok?"

Olivia looked at Isaac strangely. She didn't know what had happened to the person in front of her, and her expression remained subtle.

"It's nothing, sir. I just seem to have dreamt of a similar scene before," Isaac chuckled dryly.

“Is that so?” Olivia stared at Isaac for a long time before giving up.

“By the way, sir,” Isaac suddenly asked, “when I was still serving at Brix Keep six years ago, did anything strange happen?”

"what?"

"I mean... did I suddenly become very strange for a period of time?"

“It’s been six years, how could I possibly remember?” Olivia laughed.

“That’s true.” Isaac stood up from the sofa, picked up the documents on the table, and walked towards the door. “There are still a few days before the meeting starts, I’ll take another look.”

"it is good."

Just as Isaac was about to step out the door, Olivia called him back once again.

"Wait a mininute."

"What's wrong?" Isaac asked, turning around.

“Now that you mention it, something like that did happen six years ago. Your behavior was a bit strange back then,” Olivia said in a low voice.

“Tell me more details.” Isaac’s eyes turned serious, and he stood still, listening intently.

“Olivia said slowly, “Back then, you, who always strictly adhered to military discipline, suddenly didn’t come to assembly in the morning. It was Bakania who dragged you out of bed.”

"and then?"

Olivia continued, "Then he dragged you to the top of the fortress, which was also the assembly point. You, who never complained about any training, suddenly said, 'It's so cold.'"

Isaac fell silent.

In his memory, he had always abided by the rules and regulations of the army since he began his service. Not to mention being late, he was always among the first three to arrive when the assembly order was given.

“I have no memory of this,” Isaac said.

“This was just the beginning. After that, you made all sorts of mistakes in training, and we all thought you were sick,” Olivia said. “But the strangest thing was what you said when you first arrived at the top of the fortress.”

What did 'I' say?

“You said…” Olivia recalled, “you looked at the snowy scenery outside and said, ‘Is this the Land of Ice?’ with an exaggerated expression, as if you had seen something incredible. Even though you’ve been here for several years.”

"..."

The atmosphere froze instantly, and Isaac's expression became even stranger.

He has absolutely no recollection of ever doing such a thing.

"Judging from your expression, you really don't remember this happening."

Isaac didn't say anything, but picked up the previous photos and put them in his pocket.

“Sir, I may have to leave Central City for a while before the international conference begins,” Isaac said.

"where are you going?"

“Risonbury,” Isaac said, “there are some things I need to ask someone more knowledgeable.”

He was referring, of course, to von Hohenheim, who was staying at home.

Chapter 373: The History of Eldia

Rissenberg, a small village located east of Amestoris, is known for its livestock industry.

It is also the hometown of Edward and Winry.

I only visited this place once a few years ago when I was transferred to the Eastern Command, and I haven't been here since because I've been too busy with work.

"Where could Hohenheim be? He shouldn't have anywhere to stay right now."

His original home burned down when Edward was 12 years old, and when he returned, it was completely empty.

Isaac held a suitcase in one hand and a small piece of paper in the other. The paper indicated where Hohenheim was currently living.

"This guy is actually staying with Dr. Rockbell?"

Isaac soon found Dr. Rockbell's residence and knocked on the door.

"coming."

The door opened, and it was Wenli who answered it.

She was slightly surprised to see Isaac: "Eh? Isaac? What brings you here?"

After all, he hadn't personally visited Rissenburg since his first visit.

"I'm looking for Mr. Hohenheim. Is he inside?"

“Oh, yes,” Winnie said with a smile. “Come inside with me.”

He then invited Isaac into the house.

“By the way, Isaac, where did you disappear to these past few months? I asked them before, but the two brothers both gave vague answers,” Winry asked curiously.

Winry didn't hear about Isaac's 'sacrifice' in the battle with the Man in the Bottle a few months ago, and Edward also wisely kept the news from her.

"Oh, it's a mission dispatched by the government, it's classified, so it's normal that Edward didn't tell you," Isaac said, making things up.

"Oh, I see. No wonder." Winry believed this explanation. "Speaking of Isaac..."

"Ok?"

Isaac turned around and saw Winry's sparkling eyes.

"Your mechanical armor is so cool! Where did you get it?!" Winry exclaimed excitedly, pointing at Isaac's right arm.

Isaac looked at his right arm, a holmium-plated limb brought from another world. Its pure black metallic sheen and streamlined design looked quite cool, exuding a sense of technology ahead of its time.

"Oh, I got it by chance while on a mission outside."

"Could I take a look at it?"

"No, put away the wrench and screwdriver you're holding."

"Tch~ Stingy." Wen Li pouted unhappily.

“Stop complaining. The designer of this mechanical armor is at the Fifth Research Institute in Central City. If you really want to study it, you can contact her,” Isaac said.

"Really!?" Winry was overjoyed to hear this.

"Yes, her name is Sumire Muroto. Just tell her that I sent you."

"Great!"

After getting rid of Winry, Isaac went into a study.

Besides the numerous books scattered on the floor, there was also Hohenheim sleeping on the sofa covered with a blanket in the study.

"Mr. Hohenheim, are you still sleeping at noon?"

Hohenheim heard someone call his name and slowly opened his eyes: "Oh? It's Isaac. I didn't expect you to still be alive."

"Why do all sorts of people say that to me? Is my life so incomprehensible to you?"

After tidying up the books scattered on the floor, Isaac found a chair and sat down in front of Hohenheim.

"Are you planning to stay at someone else's house?"

“How can you say I’m just loitering here? I know this family very well,” Hohenheim chuckled dryly. “Besides, I often help out with chores.”

Haven't you ever thought about going to work?

“You retire at sixty, so why should I, a man several hundred years old, have to work?” Hohenheim said this without blushing at all.

"Oh, I see. I recently started a company and was thinking of having you join as my CTO." Isaac thought about it and then gave up.

It's practically impossible to get someone who refuses the State Alchemist qualification to work.

"I came to see you this time mainly to ask you something."

“Ask away, and I will answer you if I know the answer,” Hohenheim said.

Isaac took the photograph out of his briefcase and handed it to Hohenheim. After taking the photograph, Hohenheim picked up his glasses from his desk and put them on.

"This is... a giant?"

“Yes, these were photographed on the Western Front. They’re said to be weapons used by the Marleyan Empire for its invasions of neighboring countries,” Isaac said. “Do you know anything about these weapons?”

After a long silence, Hohenheim put down the photograph and sighed.

“I think… this probably can’t be considered a weapon.”

"Then are they still human?"

“Isaac, do you know about the Eldian Empire?” Hohenheim asked.

“I’ve heard of it, but it’s said to have been gone a hundred years ago,” Isaac said. “Does this have anything to do with the giant in the photo?”

In response to Isaac's question, Hohenheim said, "Historical records show that about a hundred years ago, Eldia was one of the most powerful nations in the world. The first king, Ymir Fritz, obtained the power of the Founding Titan by signing a contract with the Earth Devil and became the first Titan. Later, his people also gained the power to become Titans. At that time, Eldia's tens of thousands of Titans almost overthrew dozens of surrounding countries and occupied a considerable amount of territory. Many people believed that Eldia would become the world's hegemon."

Isaac remained silent and continued listening to Hohenheim speak.

Hohenheim continued, "The giants destroyed many countries and peoples one after another. At that time, mankind lived in the shadow of the giants, and the number of mankind in the world decreased rapidly in a short period of time."

“So you mean…” Isaac suddenly interrupted Hohenheim, “those giants are Eldians?”

“That’s exactly what I mean,” Hohenheim affirmed.