Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"Yes."

--------

The following days were relatively leisurely.

Isaac and Violet would train at the training grounds whenever they had free time, and occasionally attend operational meetings at the Army Command.

A few days ago, the Commander-in-Chief released information about several families and the hidden enemy troops, and quickly mobilized troops to begin purging these traitors.

Just recently, the Commander-in-Chief found Isaac.

“Mr. Isaac, this is your payment, please accept it.” The Commander-in-Chief handed Isaac a box full of money.

"That felt great! How did it feel to raid their property? Did you get a sense of satisfaction?"

"No, I've just been busy lately." The Commander-in-Chief rubbed his forehead, overwhelmed by the recent events.

"Is it about those traitors?"

"That's not it, the main problem is that the situation on the front lines is not optimistic."

"No way? We just helped you take a city and eliminate more than 50,000 people, how could something else happen on the front lines?" Isaac was surprised to hear him say that.

“We have to deal with more than just the Gadallik army. Don’t forget they are the Northeast Alliance, and the eastern and northern countries are united.” The commander-in-chief sighed. “Besides Gadallik, our enemy is also Kuturigao. Because this country is used to fighting in snowy weather, our soldiers cannot advance an inch due to the climate.”

“Kuturiga? Isn’t that a hostile northern country?” Isaac suddenly remembered what Stephen had told him before he died.

'I have already established a certain level of influence in the northern countries.'

So this country is the one that hired Stephen.

"That's true. Our country is facing a problem where we have to confront a joint attack from two countries at the same time." The commander-in-chief's expression was not good.

"And what about our allies? What about Anschel or Drosel? Didn't they go out to fight the enemy?"

Anchorage and Drosel are both countries belonging to the Southwest Associated Union.

Anschel is the largest country in the western part of the continent. It has relatively flat terrain, mild winters and cool summers with small temperature differences, and a stable climate, making it a very livable country. It is a major agricultural country and a transportation hub for surrounding countries.

Although the enemy surrounded the border, the country remained largely unaffected due to its geographical location, and it had numerous hospitals and sanatoriums to provide for wounded soldiers on the front lines.

As for Drozel, it is a small country with a small land area and a poor location, often bullied by its neighbors.

"Anschel is located south of Drosel and has been less attacked, but Drosel is in a more dangerous situation, fighting with Flügel and the situation is not optimistic."

Isaac said unhappily, "So, all that advantage we had before was for nothing?"

"That's not quite right. Thanks to Mr. Isaac's previous efforts, the Galdarik army has basically withdrawn from the front lines to recuperate in the rear. Only Kuturigao and we are still fighting."

After all that was said, there was one thing Isaac understood.

I have a long way to go before I have to go back.

That's infuriating.

"Actually, there's something I'd like to discuss with Mr. Isaac."

"Speak," Isaac said weakly.

"This time we would like you to help the Kingdom of Drosel and help them defeat Flügel," the Commander-in-Chief asked Isaac for his opinion.

"No way," Isaac replied directly.

"Uh..." The Commander-in-Chief did not expect Isaac to refuse so quickly.

“I came here on a mission from a protector. What if something happens to him while I’m on a mission elsewhere?” Isaac said. “Besides, my mission was to help you win. Your allies are not within my scope of business.”

Isaac felt like he was practically working for the country, commanding on the front lines and investigating traitors. He was, after all, a colonel in Amestris, not a military officer in this country.

“That’s true, but if we help Drosel solve his problem, they’ll be free to support us, and the war can end much faster,” the Commander-in-Chief continued. “Their enemies are much weaker than Gaddarick and Kuturi, and with Mr. Isaac’s strength, it won’t take them long to deal with them.”

He paused, then continued, "The price will be covered by De Roselle, and I'm sure you'll be satisfied."

After thinking for a moment, Isaac agreed, "Okay, this is the last time, and you have to grant me one request: that Gilbert in the army arrange for him to be placed in a safe zone."

“Of course.” The Commander-in-Chief said, taking a letter out of his drawer. “This is Princess Charlotte’s birthday invitation from the Kingdom of Rhodesel. Take this with you.”

Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Alchemist at the Banquet

The Kingdom of Drosael straddles the Themis River, bordering the Kingdom of Onschel to the south, while parts of its north and east have been occupied by the Kingdom of Flüger. Currently, its territory is in a state of being semi-surrounded by Flüger.

Despite its small size and constant threat from larger powers, Drossel has maintained stable development through marriage alliances with many neighboring countries, under their protection. Furthermore, Drossel actively promotes the arts, adorning the city with beautiful flowers and houses, especially with its national flower—the white camellia—surrounding the city and creating a unique tourist destination.

"It's very much in line with the survival rules of small and weak countries. Their will to have survived until now is commendable."

Sitting on the train, Isaac looked at the documents in his hand. Surviving being "encircled" by a country, no matter the method, Isaac admired this strong will.

Looking out the train window at the scenery along the way, Isaac yawned.

“Mr. Isaac, the two countries of Rhodesel and Fruger were supposed to be at a stalemate before, so why are they at war now?” Violet asked, sitting opposite Isaac and holding a document in her hand.

After her recent training with Barnett, she proactively learned some new things, such as document organization and typing, which, according to her, would allow her to better assist Mr. Isaac as his subordinate.

“Oh, those two countries were indeed at a truce before, but the trigger was probably my attack on Caldaric.” Isaac casually picked up a piece of bread and took a bite. “The large loss of troops made them want to drag Flügel into it as well. With Flügel’s addition, the balance of power between the two sides can be achieved.”

"I see."

When you get there, find out more from their king.

That's right, this country, like the new one, is ruled by the king, a system of absolute monarchy. But because the country is so weak, even the king himself could probably give this poor king a hard time.

After two days of travel, the train finally arrived in Drozel.

It was exactly in the afternoon.

As soon as they got off the train, Isaac and his companion were enveloped in a rich floral fragrance.

The surrounding area is filled with artistic architecture, and the streets are bustling with traffic, creating a peaceful scene.

"What a beautiful country," Violet exclaimed.

“Indeed.” Isaac also felt a cheerful atmosphere here. “Let’s go to the palace first. We have to attend the princess’s birthday banquet there tonight.”

"Yes."

------

Rhodesells Palace.

The magnificent palace gates were packed with people. Nobles and upper-class individuals dressed in luxurious attire presented their invitations and entered the palace, all there to attend the country's princess's tenth birthday banquet.

After handing over his invitation, Isaac entered the palace. Inside, the walls were gleaming, and the air was thick with the sophisticated atmosphere as the guests chatted amongst themselves.

Isaac wasn't dressed like the others in formal attire; he was wearing ordinary casual clothes, which made him stand out from the banquet atmosphere. The other guests, seeing Isaac's clothes, thought he was some country bumpkin and deliberately kept their distance.

Isaac ignored them; he was waiting for the food to be served.

After everyone had entered, the king of the country walked in, followed by a little girl with flaxen hair dressed in gorgeous clothes.

The room fell silent as he walked in.

The king stepped onto the stage and announced in a loud voice, "Today is the tenth birthday of my daughter, Charlotte Eberfreya Rhodesel. Welcome everyone here."

King Rhodesells made his customary opening remarks, after which the banquet officially began.

As the main character of the banquet, Princess Charlotte simply sat on a chair on the high platform, looking at everyone with her eyes filled with boredom.

It's her birthday today, but she feels like none of the people here are here to celebrate with her.

"Your Highness, I am the eldest son of the Exoda family. May I have the honor of marrying you?" At this moment, a nobleman's son stepped onto the stage and bowed slightly to Princess Charlotte.

This was someone who had come up to propose, but Princess Charlotte gently shook her head and politely asked them to leave. However, many more people went up to the stage.

"Your Highness, I am..."

"Princess Charlotte, I am..."

In this country, members of the royal family are usually betrothed by the age of ten, and the princess's birthday was seen by these nobles as a good opportunity.

Princess Charlotte was getting annoyed by the people proposing to her. These guys completely disregarded her feelings. It was her birthday, and all they did was propose; not a single one of them said "Happy Birthday."

Just as she was feeling upset, she saw a black-haired boy in the audience.

This young man was even more outrageous than the person who proposed to her on stage. He kept piling food from the table onto his own plate and then went to a corner seat to eat heartily.

This is my birthday party, not a restaurant I'm sponsoring!

Isaac, sitting in the audience, had no idea what Princess Charlotte was thinking on stage. Looking at the large crowd surrounding her, he asked, "What are all these people up there doing?"

“It seems to be some kind of marriage proposal to that princess,” Violet replied, sitting next to Isaac, though she herself wasn’t particularly interested in such things.

"Wow, the princess is only ten years old, and they're already proposing. These guys are really tough." Isaac chewed his food while looking at the 'young talents' on the stage.

However, the next person on stage caught Isaac's attention.

"Your Highness, I wish to marry you," a young man in magnificent attire said, bowing slightly.

Unlike others, he didn't reveal his family background first; he simply asked the princess to marry him. Naturally, the others were unhappy to see him like that.

"Hey! Who do you think you are, daring to propose to a princess?"

Which family are you from?

The young man smiled slightly and said, "I don't have a family as prominent as yours, but..."

He paused deliberately at this point, and amidst the curious gazes of the guests below, he said, "I am an alchemist!"

When this was mentioned, the entire audience erupted in uproar.

"Alchemist? Isn't that Amestris's profession?"

"Why would a noble alchemist come to Rhodesel?"

"Is he really an alchemist?"

All the questions were directed at the smug-looking young man on the stage.

Isaac took a sip of his drink and looked at the young man on the stage.

"That's interesting."

Chapter Seventy: The True Alchemist

Alchemy, as the core technology for the prosperity of Amestris, was normally never passed on to outsiders.

However, there are always exceptions. The rival nation of Cleta, located to the west of Amestris, has a small number of alchemists who are not weak.

However, this is a rare case. This country is right next to Amestris, and it is possible that some documents could be accidentally leaked out.