Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

“Okay, okay, of course no problem.” Isaac then laughed as well.

The entire camp was filled with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

----------

Unlike Isaac's relaxed demeanor, the group in King Kong's territory remained in a gloomy mood.

During the initial battles against the Kabane, the Japanese were divided into two factions: the pro-war faction and the moderate faction. The pro-war faction advocated actively fighting the Kabane, believing that offense was the best defense, while the moderate faction hoped to hold onto the existing human territory.

The Kabane's strength allowed the moderates to outnumber the pro-war faction by a ratio of 6:4. Coupled with some underhanded tactics by the moderates, the various stations in Hinohmoto all became isolated and unwilling to leave.

Now, Isaac's arrival has divided the entire upper echelons of Hinomoto into two factions: the resistance faction and the compromise faction.

However, this time, those willing to compromise completely overwhelmed those advocating resistance by a ratio of 99:1.

This is actually quite understandable. If creatures like the Kabane can frighten the country's high-ranking officials into hiding behind the city walls, then they certainly wouldn't dare to resist Isaac and his invincible army, who treat the Kabane like toys and can be manipulated at will.

Although they were unwilling to resist, they also did not want to simply hand over the country.

So their method can be summed up in one word: procrastination.

They had already planned that if Isaac arrived after 24 hours, they would use various excuses to delay him. The longer they dragged it out, the more plans they would come up with. Ideally, they would delay until Isaac ran out of supplies and had to return home.

It's not that no one has suggested simply handing over the country and letting Isaac and others clear out the Kabane, but such people are extremely rare among the high-ranking officials of Japan. After all, these high-ranking officials are not primarily concerned with how to reduce the Kabane to ensure the safety of the people or the development of the country, but rather with how to make themselves comfortable.

This problem can be seen from the fact that moderates are currently in power.

“General, I actually have an idea,” one of the general’s warriors suddenly said.

"Oh? Do you have any suggestions?" the general asked, looking at the warrior.

"That man named Isaac was able to kill so many Kabane because of his weapons and equipment." The samurai chuckled sinisterly. "When the time comes, we'll invite him to the manor to discuss surrender, then capture the soldiers who are threatening him. That way, we won't have to give up our country, and we can also take their weapons."

"...Is this reliable?" the general asked with some doubt.

“Of course, he’s just a human, not a Kabane,” the samurai laughed. “Besides, we have so many samurai and soldiers in our general’s mansion, so what if he were a Kabane?”

The general was somewhat tempted upon hearing this.

Chapter 408: There's something wrong with your thinking.

The general was indeed tempted.

He had witnessed the practical effectiveness of those weapons; with them, not only could he deal with the Kabane, but his rule in Japan would also become more secure.

Sifangchuan, who had previously suggested that the general stall for time, hurriedly said, "Absolutely not, General! We know nothing about the country behind them. If we rashly offend a general, we will face the wrath of the country behind him!"

“Then let them all stay here,” the samurai retorted loudly. “Just threaten them with that Isaac to make them surrender, then find an opportunity to kill them. Unarmed people pose no threat to us. Even if they survive, that young man is enough to threaten the country behind him.”

In his view, Isaac must hold a very high official position to command such a large army, and as long as he is controlled, it will not be a problem for him to threaten the entire Amestris.

"but……"

"Alright, you don't need to say anymore." The general raised his hand to stop Sifangchuan from continuing.

The country must not be taken away, so now there is only one choice left.

"I will invite Isaac here tomorrow. We will prepare sufficient troops and strive to take it in one fell swoop."

"Yes!"

Although the general said that, some officials still felt uneasy. But there was nothing they could do; the general in front of them was the one who held the power of the country.

----------

After playing cards all night and taking a nap, Isaac started checking the time after eating and drinking his fill.

There is one hour left until the stipulated 24 hours.

"Lieutenant General, someone's coming," the scout alerted.

Isaac looked into the distance and saw two samurai dressed in the distinctive attire of Japan approaching. As soon as they arrived, they called out, "Lord Isaac, the general asked me to tell you that he has made up his mind and invites you to the general's residence for a discussion."

“I see, he’s already made up his mind.” Isaac jumped off the ship and walked up to the samurai.

The samurai's heart tightened when he saw Isaac in front of him, but he still hurriedly said, "Yes, General, you would like to discuss some specific matters with me. Please follow me to the General's residence."

"Okay, lead the way."

Isaac didn't think much of it and followed the warrior up.

The warrior breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Isaac had agreed, and then he began to pay attention to the soldiers around him.

The soldiers were wearing something that didn't look like armor, and the guns they carried didn't seem to have steam engines.

But that wasn't the main issue. He was worried that if he suggested Isaac go to the general's mansion with him alone, the soldiers would definitely try to stop him, and he would have to go through a lot of trouble to persuade them.

Strangely, not a single one of them stepped forward to stop them, and there wasn't even a hint of worry in their eyes.

This is very strange.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Isaac asked, noticing the warrior who had stopped moving forward.

"No, this way please, Your Excellency Isaac."

Upon entering the territory of King Kong, Isaac began to carefully examine the city.

Numerous railways have been built above the city, encircling its center. The residents' dwellings appear quite rudimentary, confirming what Mima Tentori had told him: their country is not rich in resources.

The residents here kept their distance from Isaac, and after witnessing yesterday's battle, their awe of the soldiers in blue uniforms couldn't be erased overnight.

In the eyes of ordinary people, these soldiers are more noble than those arrogant samurai lords.

"Lord Isaac, please come in."

The warrior brought Isaac to the general's mansion.

Just as Isaac stepped inside, the door suddenly slammed shut with a 'click'.

"This way, sir." The samurai's voice turned slightly cold.

Isaac smiled and followed him up the stairs to the top floor.

The top floor of the general's mansion was a huge space, where the general was sitting in his seat, flanked by warriors holding steam guns.

Upon seeing Isaac enter, they quickly drew their guns and aimed them at him.

"Lord Isaac, you've arrived." The general sat in his seat, with a nonchalant expression.

In stark contrast to his obsequious demeanor yesterday, he seemed to have gained confidence.

"Is this your answer?" Isaac said calmly.

Before the general could speak, a warrior beside him couldn't sit still any longer: "Don't you understand your situation? Look around, you're surrounded."

The general shook his head and said with regret, "Lord Isaac, you really shouldn't have come to plunder this country."

"...You've got some kind of mental problem," Isaac said to the general with a forced smile. "Can't you just cherish your dog's life?"

"Enough!" the general stood up and said angrily, "Now you'd better be a hostage."

Isaac ignored him, glanced at the warriors around him pointing guns at him, and suddenly laughed: "General, I remember your surname is Skybird, right?"

"So what if it is?"

"Do you know someone named Amatori Mima?"

Isaac's words caused a stir in the room.

The name Tenryu Mima was known to both officials and samurai here, though it was not normally allowed to be mentioned.

How do you know this name!?

“He once came to Amestoris to buy some weapons, and I still have a pretty good impression of him,” Isaac said with a smile.

"What!?" the general exclaimed in surprise.

Buying weapons? Does that mean you also have those weapons from outside, like the Tenryu and Mima?

The general seems to have fallen into a misconception.

"Who is he? Your son?"

“...Yes, he is my son,” the general said after a moment of silence.

“Eh? Is that so?” Isaac scoffed, looking at the general before him. “Your son seems to be a bit smarter than you. He figured out my identity as soon as he arrived in Amestris, unlike you.”

"What do you want to say?!" the general asked sharply, a vague feeling that something was wrong.

Have you ever heard of the 'State Alchemist'?

Upon hearing this word, the general frantically searched his mind for information.

Alchemy was the core technology of Amestris' prosperity. Alchemists were scientists who could alter the structure of matter, while State Alchemists were the pinnacle of all alchemists.

Possessing the power to change the course of battle, Amestris's ultimate weapon!

The general looked at Isaac with growing terror: "Could it be... you are...?"

With a sinister smile, Isaac's shadow suddenly began to spread and cover the entire space, and several chilling eyes and sharp teeth instantly appeared on the shadow.

"Don't regret the path you've chosen."

Chapter 409: Complete Occupation

"What is this thing?!"

"A monster...a monster!!"

The warriors, seeing the constantly twisting black shadows on the ground, were all overwhelmed by fear.

The general's eyes were filled with disbelief as he looked at Isaac.

"Could it be that you are...?"

"That's right, I am the State Alchemist."

boom!!!

The dark shadows transformed into hundreds of sharp blades that shot into the sky, creating a huge hole in the ceiling of the general's mansion.

The civilians inside Jin Gang Guo heard the sound and looked towards the General's Mansion. They saw black, tentacle-like objects constantly emerging from the building, enveloping the entire mansion.

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!!!"

"Fire...fire!!"

Seeing that the surroundings were in complete chaos, the general hurriedly gave an order.