Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Seeing the "somewhat acceptable" expressions on everyone's faces, Violet continued, "The hydrogen bomb is the most destructive weapon of mass destruction known to date. It can protect one's own country as well as invade other countries. If you were to obtain a hydrogen bomb during a time of war, you would certainly use it for invasion. However, on behalf of Amestoris, I promise that the hydrogen bomb will never be used for invasion, and I guarantee that we will never be the first to use it against any other country."

Chapter 389: Two Charlottes

After Violet finished speaking, the conference hall was silent for a moment before sparse applause broke out.

This explanation should at least satisfy everyone present.

"Mr. Eve Garden, what is your definition of 'first use'?" Billy asked.

Violet replied, "It's not for external aggression, but if another country declares war on Amestris, then we will use hydrogen bombs to defend ourselves."

"So there's still a possibility that it might be used, right?"

"Then why don't you just not declare war on Amestris?" Violet tilted her head, looking like she didn't understand why this person was asking such a stupid question.

“…Never mind, thank you for your remarks, Lady Eve Garden.” Billy sat back down.

President Al-Lugo, standing to the side, breathed a sigh of relief, at least he understood that Amestoris, as the party that declared war, would not use a hydrogen bomb against them.

The discussion about the hydrogen bomb has come to an end.

The Queen of Albion nodded, indicating that the matter was settled.

The girl beside her asked softly, "Grandmother, does Amestoris mean he intends to compromise?"

“Impossible.” The Queen shook her head. “If they really wanted to compromise with us, they wouldn’t have started a war against Al-Lugo over such a trivial matter in the first place. They have never intended to sheathe their fangs.”

"So what Miss Eve Garden meant just now was..."

"That's what she said, but you have to understand, when she said that, that weapon with the power to destroy human civilization was still firmly in their country's hands, and the control was still in their hands," the Queen said. "This girl named Violet is not simple."

The girl also looked at Violet and realized that the girl was about the same age as herself. She was surprised that someone so young could receive such praise from her grandmother.

"She seems to be about your age," the Queen suddenly said with a kind smile. "You should learn a lot from her, Charlotte."

"Yes," the girl replied with a smile.

Two people named Charlotte appeared in the conference hall, and both of them were princesses.

The meeting continued, and this time Violet replaced Olivia, discussing various diplomatic issues with different countries, much to Isaac's amusement. However, remembering that his adjutant had graduated first in her class from the officer academy, he didn't think much of it.

"She's such an outstanding girl in every way," Olivia exclaimed. "Although you're usually quite unreliable, Isaac, you have a good eye for people."

"I'll accept that as a compliment."

“Speaking of which, about your declaration of war against Alrugo... although I acquiesced, wasn’t it a bit too hasty?” Olivia frowned. She trusted Isaac’s decision completely, but still wanted to know the reasons behind it.

“This is an opportunity.” Isaac’s eyes were fixed on the heads of state of various countries who were talking animatedly at the round table in the conference hall.

Although Violet's speech there was perfect, many countries are still targeting Amestoris, intentionally or unintentionally.

“There’s an old saying in our country: ‘Kill the chicken to scare the monkey,’” Isaac laughed, though there was a hint of bloodlust in his smile. “Our country’s technology is a hundred years ahead of the world, and its military strength is particularly outstanding.”

"You mean you want to show all the world how you wiped out Al-Lugo?"

“That’s right.” Isaac grinned maliciously. “I won’t use the hydrogen bomb if you don’t let me, but I want them to know that even without the hydrogen bomb, Amestris is not something any of the countries here can shake.”

"It's time to let them know that even without nuclear weapons, I can still instill fear in those bastards."

Olivia was slightly taken aback by Isaac's words, then smiled and said, "Indeed, this country has been dormant for too long because of the man in the bottle. It's time to let them know who the world's overlord is."

"By the time we get back, the satellite should be ready to launch. Then we'll show the world just how powerful a country that has mastered the C4ISR tactical command system and advanced weapons is."

“Since I’ve already given you military power, I’m just looking forward to it a little,” Olivia said with a smile.

"By the way, sir, I'm going out for a smoke. I'll be right back."

"Oh, go ahead."

Just as Isaac was about to leave the conference hall, Violet, who had been engaged in heated debates with the heads of state, suddenly turned around and extended a hand.

The world leaders were baffled by her action.

“…No way.” Isaac hesitated.

Violet didn't speak, but kept her eyes fixed on Isaac.

"Good good."

Isaac reluctantly took out a pack of cigarettes, pulled out two, and handed the rest to Violet.

"Yes, Lieutenant General, please take care of your health." Violet smiled with satisfaction after taking the cigarette.

"We are alchemists, our health is perfectly fine..."

With a wry smile, Isaac rubbed his head and walked out of the conference hall.

The princess beside the queen smiled slightly as she watched Isaac leave.

"Grandma, I'd like to go out for some fresh air. Can I leave for a little while?"

"Yes, go and come back soon." The Queen agreed without much thought.

----------

"Whoo~"

Isaac stood on the high platform, exhaling clouds of mist. He knew he still wasn't quite suited to the atmosphere of this kind of meeting, and he wasn't worried about Violet either; judging from the current situation, his adjutant was indeed better than him in that regard.

Now all he wants to do is return to Amestoris to reorganize his forces.

Arlugo, located south of Amestris, had previously concentrated his forces on the border, clearly intending to benefit from the attacks on Amestris by Dorakma and Cleta.

However, what Al-Lugo did not expect was that while they wanted to target Amestoris, they themselves were more inclined to target them.

The value of a coastal nation to Amestris is self-evident. Even if they don't seize the opportunity to act, Isaac will find a chance to strike first.

However, what is reassuring is that the commander-in-chief of the Confederate Army is his comrade-in-arms, Roy Mustang.

Despite being considered "useless on rainy days," he can still play a role in this relatively arid region.

"I really want to go back right now," Isaac sighed.

"Is Mr. Isaac finding this place boring?"

A sweet voice sounded from behind him.

Turning around, Isaac saw the blonde girl who had been glancing at him all the time in the conference room.

Chapter 390: What is Courage?

"It's not that it's boring, I just don't like the atmosphere there." Isaac didn't deny that he felt out of place in the conference room. "By the way, aren't you the one next to that old woman Albion? Her granddaughter?"

“Yes, I am Charlotte, the granddaughter of the current queen, and also a princess of Albion,” the blonde girl smiled. “It’s not good to talk bad about your grandmother behind her back.”

“I would love to speak ill of her in front of her, but that could directly trigger an international dispute or even a war, so I don’t care,” Isaac laughed. “It would be more interesting to kick that old man off his throne.”

"..."

The princess had probably never met anyone speak to her like that before, and she stood there dumbfounded.

“Princess, if you have nothing else to do, why don’t you go and look around somewhere else? Inhaling my secondhand smoke here isn’t good for your health.” As he spoke, Isaac waved his hand and made a gesture that said, “You’d better leave.”

"Actually, I came here specifically to see you," the princess quickly said.

"Oh? What's up?"

"In the conference room, there is a girl a few years younger than me who has the same name as me. Mr. Isaac should know her."

She was referring to Charlotte Abelfreya Rhodesel, the princess of Rhodesel and the next queen.

“Yes, I know her.” Although he didn’t know why the princess suddenly asked this, Isaac did not deny it.

“Actually, before the meeting started, I sat down and chatted with that child, and she kept mentioning you to me,” the princess said with a smile. “She talked about how you helped her defeat the enemy and how you helped her country overcome difficulties.”

She hesitated for a moment after saying this.

"She also said that you helped her become the first in line to the throne of Rhodesell."

As Isaac listened to her, the cigarette in his hand slowly burned, and the ash fell to the ground.

After a long pause, Isaac spoke up: "What you're saying is true, but why are you suddenly telling me all this? Do you admire me and want my autograph?"

“I want to be queen,” the princess suddenly said.

"!"

Isaac paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "That's a good thing, a nice dream."

“But with my current strength, it’s still too difficult for me to do, because I am the fourth in line to succeed Albion, and there are three people ahead of me. Under normal circumstances, it won’t be my turn.” The princess shook her head and smiled bitterly. “If nothing unexpected happens, one day in the future I will become a tool for a political marriage and marry someone I don’t know.”

"Oh, then you'd better work hard." Isaac shrugged.

“To be frank, I hope to get Mr. Isaac’s help,” the princess suddenly said.

"My help?"

“Yes, I hope you can help me ascend the throne,” the princess said earnestly.

"I see, so you're here to seek cooperation. That makes things simpler," Isaac chuckled. "State your terms. What are you prepared to offer?"

"The mining rights to antigravity material," the princess said. "Only Albion possesses such material, but I will grant mining rights to Amestris after I become queen."

Antigravity matter, developed by scientist Dr. Keber, is a substance that can block gravity, creating a true weightless space around it. Scientists in the Kingdom of Albion, through research into how to manipulate antigravity matter using the heat energy generated by steam engines, have successively invented various machines that levitate and move in the air. An aerial fleet composed of antigravity matter flying warships is a representative example.

This thing is of great research value to Amestoris. As far as Isaac is concerned, the people of Albion have not made good use of this object. If it were in his hands, he would definitely be able to create something more valuable.

However, Isaac wouldn't cooperate just because of that.

"Princess, I think you may have fallen into a misconception."

"What?" The princess was somewhat confused.

“As the fourth in line to the throne, supporting you to become queen is much more difficult than supporting the second or third,” Isaac said. “Have you done anything to give you an advantage in the struggle for the throne?”

"This... seems not."

"That's good. Putting a princess who suddenly appears on the throne is an extremely difficult and thankless task. I'd rather spend that effort supporting you than find your sister or brother. That way, I can get a relatively higher benefit."

Isaac's words left the princess speechless for a moment.

Thinking about it carefully, that makes sense. As the heir, she had no competitive advantage whatsoever, and becoming queen would have been impossible under normal circumstances.

"Besides, it would be the same if I cooperated with the Republic of Albion next door. At least I believe they would pay a higher price to let me deal with your kingdom."

"Then... what do I need to give in return?" the princess asked through gritted teeth.

"The entire Kingdom of Albion."