Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Isaac spoke cruel words in a detached tone, completely ignoring Jubei, whose face was growing increasingly grim.

"If things develop that way, I will have to treat everyone in Japan as an enemy and eliminate them. The scene at that time is definitely not what you want to see."

Jubei's mind immediately conjured up a possible future scenario: corpses strewn across the land, a burning city, crying children, and behind them, the fully armed Amestris army. A scene of utter hell...

Snapped.

Just as he was making these associations, Isaac suddenly put his arm around his shoulder, pulling him away from the terrifying prospect of the future.

“Whether all this happens or not depends on your willingness to cooperate,” Isaac laughed. “Once you hand over the list, we can quickly identify who the enemy is, and everyone will live happily ever after.”

"And you, indirectly saved millions of people. Shouldn't you, as a samurai, feel proud?"

"Stop talking!" Jubei roared, then sighed as if relieved, and said, "I will cooperate."

"very good."

Isaac was very satisfied to see that Jubei was finally willing to cooperate.

Chapter 445: Do you want to be a great general?

Shortly after receiving the list, Isaac instructed the relevant regional leaders to handle the matter.

According to Jubei, small groups of resistance exist in many areas. These groups usually operate in the shadows and demonize Amestris among the people in an attempt to lure more civilians into joining their resistance.

Of course, their method was quite simple: they promised them the status of warriors after driving them out of Amestris, which was very attractive to some commoners.

Once they reach a certain number of men and have enough weapons, they will move from the shadows into the open and begin attacking the soldiers of Amestoris.

To be honest, this group wasn't this proactive when fighting the Kabane.

Sure enough, once a force that truly impacts their status emerges, this group of people will suddenly appear all at once.

A batch of weapons produced at Iwato Station had already been shipped out, but it still did not meet the needs of combat. The second batch that was originally scheduled to be shipped was stopped here by Isaac.

Now, they face the constant threat of grenades being thrown through their windows and a group of soldiers bursting through the door and firing automatic rifles at them.

"Although I really want to go and shoot those bastards myself, the lord of Iwato Station and his retainers have just died, and I need to find some replacements," Isaac said, sitting in the makeshift command room. "And I also need to rush to Kongo-go to issue a weapons ban."

And kill that former general who dared to cause him trouble; a useless puppet is worthless.

At that moment, a soldier knocked on the door and came in, saying to Isaac, "Lieutenant General, there is a man named Horikawa outside who wants to see you."

"Oh? He's finally here?" Isaac tidied up the somewhat messy desk piled with documents. "Let him in."

Not long after the soldier left, a group of people dressed in Japanese clothing walked in, led by a middle-aged man with a somewhat aged face.

Chise Todo was also accompanying them.

"You've arrived."

"Yes, Lord Isaac." The person in the lead was the middle-aged man, Horikawa.

As he said this, everyone bowed ninety degrees to Isaac.

While they were still in Kongo, Isaac sent someone to inform Horikawa to come to Iwato Station. Upon receiving this message, they did not dare to delay and rushed out without stopping.

“We in Amestoris have successfully obtained information about the rebels, and we must thank Lord Horikawa for your help,” Isaac said, extending his hand.

“Not at all, you flatter me.” Horikawa quickly grasped Isaac’s hands with both of his. “The Amestoris side has eliminated so many Kabane and liberated many areas. These are small things that we should do.”

"It would be so good if you could understand."

"I wonder what brings you here, sir?"

"It's like this, I heard that the guy Tennori Okikatsu was not convinced of Amestori's rule, and that he was the one who created that group of rebels from other places. I don't know if this is true."

After listening, Horikawa hesitated for a moment and said, "That's right. The samurai who tried to rebel outside, as well as the order to secretly stockpile weapons at Iwado Station, were all done by the shogun."

“Okay, I understand.” Isaac nodded. “It seems that guy really doesn’t need to exist anymore.”

These words made the people who were already looking down lower their heads even further.

"Lord Horikawa, is there something you'd be interested in?" Isaac suddenly asked.

Hori looked puzzled, wondering what Isaac wanted to ask.

Isaac's smile gradually turned sinister: "I wonder what you think about becoming the new Shogun of Japan?"

"What!?"

For a moment, Horikawa thought he had misheard.

The retainers around him, including Chiyo, exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes revealing shock.

"Is this... alright?" Horikawa asked, trembling.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. The entire Japanese mainland is under the control of Amestris. If the general is not up to the task, he can be replaced at any time,” Isaac laughed. “Whether Tentorori Okimasa is willing to step down or not is not up to him. Now it depends on whether you are willing to take the position.”

This issue was undoubtedly a bombshell for Horikawa.

If he simply nodded, he could instantly rise from a marginal figure in the shogunate to the highest level. The temptation was unimaginable.

His body trembled uncontrollably due to his inner turmoil.

Isaac, seeing that he didn't answer, didn't urge him, and calmly waited in his seat.

Time passed second by second.

"How's your decision been? Have you thought it through?"

"Yes," Horikawa-kun said.

As he said this, he knelt on the ground, placed his hands in front of him, and kowtowed.

Seeing Horikawa's reaction, his retainers also knelt on the ground.

Horikawa pressed his head to the ground and said, "We are willing to pledge our lives to Amestoris."

“Good! I am very satisfied with your answer.” Isaac stepped forward and helped Horihe up. “You don’t need to kneel before me anymore; it’s not customary in Amestris.”

"Yes."

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I need to talk to you about privately."

"I understand."

After Horikawa finished speaking, he gave a wink to those behind him, and everyone realized what was going on, stood up, and left the command room.

Before leaving, Chise glanced at Horikawa and Isaac with a puzzled look, but still retreated outside.

Now, only the two of them remain here.

"Sir, please feel free to give me your orders."

“It’s like this…” Isaac said, clapping his hands, and a figure floated out from behind him.

The person who came was none other than Todo Jubei.

Horikawa was startled to see the man who had defected from him two years ago: "Jubei, what are you doing here!"

“I was the one who brought him here. He gave me a list of the country’s rebels, which is very useful to me,” Isaac explained. “According to our agreement, there’s something I need Horikawa to do for you.”

"What is it?"

“Help me and that kid Chise tell a lie,” Isaac said. “Say that Toudou Jubei isn’t a traitor.”

“…Okay.” Horikawa nodded in agreement, but still seemed a little uneasy, “But is it really okay? Jubei is more…”

“An agreement is an agreement, and since I agreed to it, I will not go back on my word,” Isaac said with a smile. “Besides, we don’t need to burden a child with the guilt of killing his own family.”

"Shouldn't we adults handle the dirty work ourselves?"

Horikawa paused for a moment after hearing Isaac's words, then said, "I understand. I will cover up this lie with Chise."

What he didn't know was that after leaving, Chise had been eavesdropping on the conversation inside from outside the wall.

Chapter 446: The Incident at Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

After giving his final instructions, Horikawa walked out of the command room.

After leaving the house, he found Chise and told her that Jubei was an undercover agent he had sent. If it were before, Chise might have actually believed him, but ever since she overheard their conversation outside the door, she knew that none of it was true.

Even so, she kept nodding to show that she understood and would forgive her father.

Seeing that Chise seemed to have believed him, Horikawa left. Shortly after he left, Chise knocked on the door of Isaac's command room.

"Come in."

Qian Shi walked in, looking somewhat conflicted.

"You heard everything?" Isaac asked.

"Um……"

Isaac was aware that she was eavesdropping outside the wall; he knew from the beginning that the girl had been listening to what was happening inside.

Knowing that your father is still a traitor, are you still willing to forgive him?

"I...don't know..." Qian Shi gritted his teeth.

She understood that her father was still the same man who had betrayed Horikawa, only now he had joined this side. He was still the same traitor he had been back then.

But whenever she thinks about the life she once shared with her father, her heart is filled with turmoil; she cannot completely sever the bond with the father who once cared for her.

“Try to forgive him,” Isaac sighed.

He felt that the child had been too deeply influenced by the samurai tradition.

"If this is your order, then I..."

“It’s not an order, just a suggestion. The decision is yours,” Isaac said. “You’ve been too affected by the past. It’s time to let go of your burdens.”

Seeing the somewhat bewildered Chise, Isaac continued, "Jubei also needs to pay the price for what he did in the past. I think he will try his best to make up for his mistakes over the years. You should also have a good talk with him. Maybe you can understand each other."

“…I understand, I will give it a try.” Qian Shi bowed respectfully to Isaac. “Thank you for your help.”

Ultimately, she herself longed to get along amicably with the father who had once cared for her, just like she wanted to go back to how things were two years ago.

“Well, that’s good.” Isaac laughed. “My dad and I have different ideas, but we get along quite well now.”

"Lord Isaac's father?"

“Yes, my dad wants me to go back and inherit the family business all the time, but I stay in Amestris to pursue my own dreams. We have completely different ideas, but our relationship is not bad.”

"Is that so..."

Chise secretly began to speculate about the background of the young officer in front of him.