Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

He paused, then continued, "So, I have a favor to ask."

“Go ahead and say it. We’re all on the same side now. Just tell me if you need any help.” Isaac then added, “I’ll charge a fee depending on the situation.”

"Hahaha, I never expected someone of Mr. Isaac's stature to be interested in money?" the Commander-in-Chief said with a laugh.

In everyone's eyes, Isaac, at only seventeen years old, had become the State Alchemist and Colonel of Amestris, and at the recent meeting, he had demonstrated extremely advanced military theories and tactics. They believed that Isaac's abilities in all aspects had transcended the realm of ordinary humans.

At least no one thinks that someone at his level would care about money.

"Money is something that someone like me, with a low level of thinking and little education, naturally puts as much as I can into my pocket," Isaac said without a second thought.

"...Is that so?" The Commander-in-Chief was also somewhat speechless at Isaac's answer.

They're even starting to make fun of themselves.

"Of course. Now that I'm not in Amestris, even if I win a battle, my rank and military achievements won't increase, so I can only pursue more mercenary things."

Simply put, since I can't get promoted, I can only choose to get rich.

We will meet your financial needs.

“That’s easy. Is there anything I can help you with?” Isaac immediately became serious when he heard that there was money involved.

Upon seeing that Isaac had agreed, the Commander-in-Chief said with a serious expression, "It is like this, I hope that Mr. Isaac can serve as the combat commander of each army group during the campaign to retake Mazig."

This request really startled Isaac.

"Are you sure you want me, a foreigner, to command your army?"

"There's nothing we can do about it. You're probably aware of the commands those people have given us. We can only resort to some outdated methods, which is why we need a genius like you."

“Why not that old man Bastian? He came here after learning from us.” Isaac thought of his old acquaintance and asked the Commander-in-Chief.

“Bastian, ever since he returned from Amestris, he has been trying to implement reforms in the army and has made several suggestions to me. He has offended most people in the army, and I'm afraid many people will not accept him as a commander.”

Hearing this, Isaac understood why Bastian was in this situation.

He had lofty ambitions, but unfortunately, he hadn't found the right approach. Reforms would harm the interests of many in the military, especially conservatives, so there were many who wanted to trip him up.

"Alright, I agree to your request." Isaac finally agreed to take on the role of combat commander.

"That's wonderful, thank you for your help!"

“But I have a request,” Isaac suddenly said.

"Please speak."

“If some of the army group commanders do not obey orders, I think…” At this point, Isaac stopped speaking and instead made a throat-slitting gesture.

"...During wartime, disobeying your orders is a violation of military orders and can result in immediate execution." After a moment's thought, the Commander-in-Chief agreed to Isaac's request.

After his initial advantage was turned into a disadvantage, he himself began to get tired of those so-called conservatives, and without Isaac saying anything, he would find an opportunity to get rid of them.

"That's fine then. I'll head back now. Just have someone let me know the exact time." With that, Isaac walked out of the operations command center.

Only the Commander-in-Chief remained in the command room.

He sat in his seat, staring at the map on the table for a long time without saying a word.

After leaving headquarters, Isaac and Violet traveled together.

"Is Mr. Isaac going to the front lines in three days?" Violet asked from the side.

"Yeah, but I guess there won't be much of a chance to go to the battlefield and fight the enemy. I just took on a combat command job," Isaac said.

"That's wonderful." Violet's voice remained calm, but her expression betrayed a slight sense of relief.

"Why do you say that?"

"That way, Mr. Isaac won't be in danger."

"..."

So you were worried about yourself?

Thinking this, Isaac said, "Have some faith in your superiors. Even if I'm the only one left on the battlefield, I can still survive."

"Yes, I believe Mr. Isaac."

"Never mind, where do you want to eat lunch?"

When Isaac isn't working, this is his only hobby: taking Violet to different restaurants is a daily routine.

After all, neither of them knows how to cook.

Violet replied to Isaac's question, "If it's about food, then the army's mess hall will suffice."

"The cafeteria? Forget it, I've never been there before, so it's no big deal to go once in a while."

The two continued walking toward the cafeteria, where they ran into Gilbert, who was carrying a briefcase.

Gilbert saw Isaac and ran towards him.

"Mr. Isaac, I just received a notification that the battle to retake Mazig City will take place in three days."

"Oh, that's wonderful."

"?"

Gilbert didn't know what Isaac meant by "that's great."

“I have just taken over the command of the operation from your commander-in-chief, which means…” Isaac said, pointing to Gilbert, “that you will be under my command in three days.”

"What? You're the operations commander?" Gilbert was startled by such explosive news.

"Yes, that's great. Now we can assign you some less dangerous missions."

“Not so dangerous means…” Gilbert had a bad feeling about it.

"Having tea in the logistics department or something like that."

“…While this is safe, isn’t it a bit of an abuse of power?” Gilbert said helplessly.

It's certainly nice to be able to stay in a safe zone, but I used to be in a special operations department. Aren't I afraid of being gossiped about if I'm put in the logistics department?

"It's a shame not to use the power we have to do whatever we want."

"..."

Gilbert now has serious doubts about whether the Commander-in-Chief really thought things through when he handed over the command of operations to Isaac.

But then he seemed to remember something.

“Oh, right, Mr. Isaac, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” Gilbert suddenly said to Isaac, reaching into his briefcase to look for something.

"Here is your letter, sent from Amestoris."

Chapter 47: A Letter from Hometown

"My letter?"

Isaac was somewhat bewildered when Gilbert took a stack of letters out of his briefcase and gave them to him.

"so much?"

Although his business trip wasn't exactly a secret, most people didn't know about it. Apart from high-ranking military officials, Roy Mustang (that round-faced guy), and Mas Hughes (that weirdo who always showed off his wife's photos to him), only Olivia knew.

Putting aside the two subordinates, Olivia would never do something like writing a letter; she usually calls or telegraphs when she needs something.

As for the president... he would never write to himself unless he replied to himself.

However, only two days have passed since he asked the Auto Memory Doll to help him write the letter. In two days, the letter definitely hasn't reached him yet, and it's estimated that the letter hasn't even left this continent yet. Therefore, the President can basically be ruled out.

Almost no one else writes letters to themselves anymore.

"Thank you." Isaac took the letters from Gilbert and put them away. "By the way, have you eaten yet?"

"I just ate."

"Violet and I will go to the cafeteria first."

"it is good."

“By the way, Gilbert,” Isaac suddenly called out to him as he was about to take his leave.

"what happened?"

"Come to the training ground tomorrow, I'll get you something good." Isaac said with a mysterious expression as he and Violet headed towards the cafeteria.

"?"

-

After having lunch in the cafeteria, the two returned to their residence.

Isaac went into his room and spread the envelopes on his bed.

Let's take a look first.

Upon opening the first letter, Isaac read:

Mr. Isaac:

Lieutenant Colonel Hughes said you went abroad on business. Ever since my brother became a State Alchemist, we have wanted to visit Mr. Isaac, but we have never had the chance. By the time you read this letter, my brother and I will already be on our journey, hoping to find the Philosopher's Stone to restore our health.

Thank you for your continued help. Best wishes for all your endeavors.

It turns out that Hughes was the one who leaked my business trip information.

Although Hughes worked for the intelligence department, the information he could obtain was limited to the countries he visited and the commissions he received from the Bugambilia family. The specific tasks he was to perform, including dealing with traitors, were all classified.

So there's a reason why the letter eventually ended up in Gilbert's hands.

Isaac glanced at the signature, which read 'Elric'.

It seems to be the Elric brothers. Judging from the contents of the letter, it was probably not written by the older brother, Edward Elric, but by the younger brother, Alphonse Elric.

Such a polite letter certainly couldn't have been written by that arrogant little Edward.

The letter also included a photograph. In the photo, a huge suit of armor was waving at the camera, and a boy with blond hair in a braid was impatiently turning his head to the side.

It really was those two brothers.

However, the letter said they wanted to find the Philosopher's Stone...

Isaac took the gem, which was much smaller than before, out of his pocket.

"I wonder if you can bear it after you know the truth."