Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"I still feel a little unwilling..."

------

Time flew by and it was already afternoon.

The morning interviews weren't over yet, so we'll continue this afternoon.

This interview wasn't conducted in the office; instead, Isaac took the two girls outside.

“Lieutenant General Isaac, actually, many students at our school are interested in you,” Dorothy said with a smile. “You’re welcome to visit our school sometime!”

"Oh? I was actually quite popular among students?"

"Yes, many girls admire you."

"So, I guess I have female fans now too?" Isaac laughed.

As Dorothy spoke, she took notes: "By the way, Lieutenant General, is there anything you like or dislike?"

It's best to also investigate the target's preferences, as this will make the subsequent tasks much easier.

“There are quite a few things I like,” Isaac replied after a moment’s thought. “Then let me tell you what I hate.”

"Please speak."

"I have a particular dislike for deserters, traitors, and...spies."

"!"

When Isaac uttered the word 'spy,' Ange and Dorothy's hearts skipped a beat.

“I especially hate spies.” Isaac continued, completely oblivious to the expressions of the two girls beside him. “Because of our country’s alchemy, every year several criminals try to sneak into Amestris to steal this technology. If I catch them, I’ll just throw them into the chemical plant’s wastewater pool and dissolve their bodies and brains completely.”

"..."

"Or I could just chop them up and feed them to the pigs. I wouldn't do that to those bastards... Why are you two ladies so pale? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No...it's nothing." Dorothy quickly waved her hand.

Although he pretended to be indifferent on the surface, he was actually panicking inside.

“Oh right, I shouldn’t have talked about such bloody and violent things with you two kids.” Isaac scratched his head. “My bad, let’s change the subject.”

"Ah... okay."

The rest of the interview ended hastily after Dorothy asked only a few formulaic questions. She was finally starting to feel scared.

Anjie, who had been quiet, suddenly asked, "That..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Um... could you take us to see Amestoris's new weapons tomorrow?" Ange asked, feigning some embarrassment.

"Hey! Angela." Dorothy quickly tried to cover her mouth.

This is incredibly audacious! He's only been here a short time and he's already looking at this country's advanced weaponry? Does he think what this lieutenant general said before was all a joke?! This is utterly reckless!

"We'll only peek from the outside, we won't go in to peek, and we won't take pictures." Ange seemed oblivious to Dorothy's anxious expression, shyly picking up her camera to cover her face: "Is that alright?"

Isaac thought about what she said carefully.

The weapons and equipment on our side had actually been photographed by war correspondents from other countries during the war. As for their appearance and combat capabilities, they were no secret among the nations, so showing them around was not a problem.

Rather, he would prefer that someone publicize Amestoris's powerful military capabilities, so that he could secure more arms orders and partnerships.

After all, the weapons Isaac prepared for this war were more than enough to dominate the world, but they were definitely not among the most advanced.

He looked at Anjie, the petite girl, with surprise and asked, "Miss, you're interested in weapons and equipment?"

"I'm... a little interested," Ange smiled shyly.

It must be said that her acting skills were so good that Isaac couldn't tell the difference between reality and fiction.

"Alright then, I'll take you to visit the armory tomorrow."

"Great."

Ange jumped up happily, grasped Isaac's hand, and said, "Thank you so much!"

"It's nothing..."

Just as Isaac was about to say something, he felt something being stuffed into his hand.

"..."

"Ah! I'm so sorry, it was my rudeness." Ange quickly released Isaac's hand like a startled little rabbit and took a step back.

"It's alright, it's alright." Isaac waved his hand. "Then I'll take you on a tour tomorrow at nine o'clock. Arriving an hour early is fine too."

Isaac deliberately emphasized the phrase "an hour early".

When Angela heard Isaac's words, a slight smile appeared on her lips, out of Dorothy's sight.

"Yes, I will be there on time."

Chapter 401: Life

"Hey, Ange."

Inside the hotel, Dorothy looked at Angela, who still had a blank expression, with some concern.

"Are you really going to see Isaac alone tomorrow? It's dangerous."

Anjie said nonchalantly, "The organization requires sufficient results. If we can visit the weapons, we might be able to obtain intelligence that satisfies the organization."

“But it’s too dangerous!” Dorothy cried. “Don’t you know how dangerous it would be if our identities were exposed?”

Based on what she had heard about Isaac's methods of dealing with spies, the two of them had virtually no chance of survival after their identities were exposed.

A person who can become a lieutenant general in a country would never have the idiotic thought of "You're so cute, I'll let you off the hook." When it comes to national interests, all enemies must be eliminated.

“Don’t worry, you can leave this to me,” Ange said. “Tomorrow we will split into two groups. You will continue to interview the soldiers who participated in the combat as a reporter, while I will meet with Isaac.”

"Okay... then be careful."

"I will."

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

At eight o'clock in the morning, Isaac was already waiting for Angela outside the warehouse.

Anjie arrived shortly afterward as promised.

"You actually came."

“I had to come,” Anjie said calmly.

Unlike her usual docile demeanor in front of Isaac, she reverted to her original expression and tone.

“Your acting is truly superb; you even fooled me,” Isaac laughed. “Am I right, Miss Spy?”

Anjie's identity has been exposed.

"I must say, you're incredibly bold. After learning that I hate spies the most, you actually told me your identity." Isaac held a slip of paper in his hand.

This note was deliberately slipped into his hand by Anjie yesterday when she held it.

After reading the note, Isaac learned the true identities of the two men—spies from the Republic of Albion.

It must be admitted that the Republic of Albion's move was very clever. First of all, the spies they sent had perfect identities, so no normal person would suspect them. Olivia's agreement to let the two of them come for an interview is a good example of this.

Even if Isaac had some doubts, his dual identity as a graduate of Queen Mayfair College and an intern reporter for the London Evening Post would likely lead him to point the finger at the Kingdom rather than the Republic.

Of course, after Ange revealed her true identity to Isaac, the Republic Organization's plan instantly fell apart.

Isaac's eyes were filled with malice as he looked at Ange, as if she would be killed on the spot if she didn't give a reasonable explanation.

The atmosphere became somewhat heavy.

“Of course I know that Lieutenant General hates spies, but I believe you won’t hate me,” Ange said with a smile.

"Oh? So confident."

“Of course, I don’t think you would dislike someone who can bring ‘benefits’ to Amestris,” she smiled. Isaac fell silent, while Ange waited for him quietly.

It would be impossible for her not to be nervous, but this was a gamble she had to take.

Rather than waiting to be discovered and executed, it's better to proactively confess and gain trust.

“Not bad, you’re very clever.” Isaac suddenly laughed. “Whether you’re a spy or not, as long as you can bring benefits.”

"Whoo~"

Anjie breathed a slight sigh of relief; it seemed she had made the right bet after all.

“Of course, the premise is that the benefits you bring must be large enough, otherwise it’s meaningless,” Isaac laughed. “Am I right, Miss Spy?”

Ange nodded and took out a golden spherical object from behind her back.

"what is this?"

“C-ball,” Ange explained, “is a personal gravity control device developed under the ‘Personal Portable Anti-Gravity Material Mobile Device’ program promoted by the Intelligence Committee of the Republic of Albion. It uses a high concentration of anti-gravity material.”

It is an expensive weapon manufactured with a state-allocated budget, issued only to spies carrying out important missions designated by the Republic. Its existence is a top state secret, known almost exclusively within the Republic. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the highest secret of the Albion Republic.

Ange pressed a button on the ball, and then her body emitted a faint green light and began to float.

"I see, that's certainly an interesting thing." Isaac was starting to get interested.

Unlike the antigravity materials that the Kingdom and the Republic install on their airships, this tool is perfectly capable of acting on the human body and is easy to carry.

“Your Excellency, the Lieutenant General, must be a State Alchemist. Deciphering something like this should be a piece of cake for you,” Ange said with a smile. “I wonder what the ‘benefits’ are?”

Isaac looked at the C ball in his hand and nodded in satisfaction.

Although the world is not technologically advanced, every country has its own trump cards.

The alchemy of Amestris, the alchemy of the New Kingdom, the antigravity matter of the Republic and Kingdom of Albion, the giants of the Marleyan Empire, and the rare minerals of the continent where the Principality of Gallia is located...

These are all items strictly guarded by the state, and now that Ball C has fallen into Isaac's hands, it means that the two nations of Albion have absolutely no trump cards in front of Isaac. Using this to exchange for the titles of two petty spies is certainly enough.

“That’s right, I can’t bring myself to dislike this ‘benefit’,” Isaac chuckled. “So what do you want in return?”

“Dorothy and I are safe,” Angela said.

"That woman named Dorothy is your accomplice, isn't she? Does she know about our deal?"

"She didn't know."