Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Of course, I'll definitely need to get my travel expenses reimbursed through them.

However, your territory is already so small. If another piece is taken away, how much land will you have left?

“They made two demands,” the king said. “First, they wanted us to cede a portion of our southern territory to them. As for the second…”

The king paused here, then said, "They said... Princess Charlotte should marry into the family to ensure the agreement is upheld."

So what are your thoughts? What do you think?

Isaac's idea was simple: you can do whatever you want with your country, I just need to make sure the mission is completed.

But you just said it was southern territory...

"I think……"

However, before the king could speak, several ministers shouted.

“Your Majesty, grant their request. Rhodesells can no longer withstand the ravages of war.”

"Does Your Majesty wish to see the people plunged into misery?"

Of course, some ministers said, "They are going too far. Our territory is not big to begin with. If another piece of land is taken away, how much territory will we have left?"

The ministers started arguing amongst themselves, mostly about interests and territory, and acted as if they hadn't heard the king's earlier statement about using Princess Charlotte as a political sacrifice.

Isaac watched them with interest. Then he said, "Everyone, please don't make a scene. We're all civilized people; if you can use force, don't just talk!"

It's obvious they just want to watch the drama unfold.

The ministers fell silent, glaring angrily at the boy who was trying to smooth things over.

"Who exactly are you, kid?"

The king coughed twice as he looked at his ministers and said, "This is His Excellency Isaac, the State Alchemist from Amestris. He can help us solve this problem."

"From Amestoris?!" The ministers looked at Isaac in surprise.

They might not know about the State Alchemists, but they certainly knew about the country of Amestris.

Despite being only a century old, it has become a world-leading power on par with the new nation.

If we compare Rhodesel and Flügel to a rabbit and a dog, then Amestrel could be called a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

With this country as a backer, Flüger is simply not worth mentioning.

Thinking this, the way he looked at Isaac changed.

"I know what you're thinking. I'm here for personal reasons and don't represent Amestoris, so if you want my country to clean up your mess, you might as well go to sleep."

Hearing Isaac say this, everyone was disappointed.

What good are you by yourself?

The ministers continued their previous discussion, and some of those who had previously advocated for a counterattack gradually changed their tune.

They do not want war because war would affect their own interests, and the political situation would change immediately once war breaks out. Therefore, they would rather sacrifice their country's territory and princess to protect themselves.

After hearing that the land being cleared was to the south, Isaac probably already knew what they were planning.

If Rhodesel, a nation straddling the Themis River, loses its southern territories, it means that the northeastern coalition led by Gadaric can deploy troops there, effectively bypassing the Themis River and opening a breach in the southwestern coalition's defenses.

Based on Isaac's understanding of the Gadalic army, they would quickly deploy troops after acquiring territory and then storm into the Kingdom of Anshel with lightning speed. Once this defensive line is breached, the Southwest Alliance will be instantly disintegrated.

But Isaac didn't care; he just wanted to see what the ministers and the king would ultimately choose.

Just then.

Urgent footsteps and the voice of a maid came from the doorway.

"Your Highness, we cannot go there now."

"So verbose!"

Bang!

The conference room door was flung open, and everyone turned around to see Princess Charlotte standing there with red eyes.

The king was also surprised to see her: "Charlotte? What are you doing here?"

Charlotte didn't speak to the king; she walked straight into the conference room, slammed her hand on the table, and loudly declared to the ministers and the king, "I disagree with their demands!"

Chapter 74: The Princess's Decision

Princess Charlotte's arrival shocked everyone present, except for Isaac and Violet. The former had already sensed it, while the latter felt that this matter had nothing to do with her.

After a moment of stunned silence, everyone came to their senses. The ministers reprimanded the princess:

"Princess Charlotte, this is not a place for you."

"Your Highness, we are discussing important matters."

Please leave.

They were acting as if they were telling children not to interrupt adults.

The king looked at Princess Charlotte, sighed, and said, "Charlotte, this is none of your business. Go back now."

I know I did wrong my daughter, but that's the survival rule of a weak country.

He had considered using Isaac's power to fight back, but his understanding of the State Alchemist was somewhat vague. He only knew that they were very powerful, but that one person could fight against an entire nation was basically a pipe dream.

Furthermore, when Flügel suggested that they could avoid attacking the area, he eventually wavered.

Charlotte was trembling with rage and shouted, "What do you mean it has nothing to do with me?! Don't think I don't know! You're all planning to sell me off right away!"

The princess's angry roar made the king lose face, and the princes and ministers immediately rebuked her upon hearing her words:

"Your Highness, please consider the bigger picture."

"This is all for peace."

They spoke righteous and righteous words, but Charlotte found them utterly disgusting.

Why should she have to make sacrifices just because she's a princess? Leaving her homeland to marry someone she doesn't even know.

And if they're only making me marry into that family after they've already allocated the land, then what am I? A freebie?

At that moment, Princess Charlotte noticed Isaac sitting in the corner. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she looked at him with a pleading gaze.

He hoped the alchemist could help him.

Isaac is now pretending to look around at the scenery, seemingly oblivious to Princess Charlotte's presence.

This is truly hopeless.

Charlotte felt like she had been abandoned and collapsed to the ground.

Isaac then asked the king, "Give me a straight answer on what decision you've made."

The king looked at his daughter, whose face was filled with despair, and felt a pang of pity, but in the end he hardened his heart and said, "Thank you for coming, Mr. Isaac, but to be honest, we can no longer afford war, so we intend to grant Frugel's request."

"Really? Then reimburse my travel expenses so I can pack my things and go back," Isaac said, his tone completely flat.

"no problem."

After the meeting was over, Isaac was about to leave the meeting room when, as he passed Princess Charlotte, he said, "Have you resigned yourself to your fate? In the end, this is all you're capable of."

The moment the words left her lips, Charlotte's eyes, which had been dulled by her father's decision, suddenly lit up. She remembered what Isaac had told her the night before.

'If you don't want to be a prop, then struggle and use your willpower to destroy the obstacles that block your happiness.'

She slowly stood up, her eyes already radiating a strong fighting spirit.

Hadn't I already made up my mind? I wanted it all: life, status, and love.

She slammed her hand on the conference table and said, "Do you want me to marry Frudel? Not a bad idea. My sacrifice can guarantee the peace of the whole of Rhodesel."

When the king and his ministers heard the princess say this, they assumed she had agreed and quickly said, "Your Highness is truly sensible, then..."

“But I refuse!” Charlotte suddenly swept her sharp gaze across the crowd.

"what?!"

"My favorite thing to do is to say NO to you bunch of self-important bastards!" Charlotte opened her fan to cover her face and looked at the crowd with disdain.

Charlotte...you!

"Your Highness, mind your manners!"

"Even if you are Princess Charlotte, you shouldn't be so insolent!"

The ministers were furious when they heard Charlotte's words. They said that the princess had been nothing more than a pretty face in their eyes before, and now she dared to speak like that.

Charlotte ignored them and turned to Isaac, saying, "Mr. Isaac, how about we make a deal?"

“Oh? Interesting, tell me about it.” Isaac looked at Charlotte with great interest.

"I believe in Mr. Isaac's abilities, so I would like to ask Mr. Isaac to assist me in becoming the Queen of this country!"

Charlotte's words sent a chill down everyone's spine. The king, trembling, pointed at Charlotte, speechless, while the ministers roared, "Do you understand what you're saying? This is rebellion!"

"Guards! Guards! Take the princess away!"

Ignoring the ministers' roars, Charlotte continued, "I'm betting my future on this: when I become queen, Mr. Isaac can have anything he wants in this country."

Looking at Princess Charlotte's resolute eyes, Isaac grinned maliciously, "Really? You're going to use the entire country as a bargaining chip, aren't you?"

Princess Charlotte laughed heartily: "It's nothing, I'm just struggling as best I can."

"Haha ...

"Interesting! Very interesting! I suddenly admire you. Alright! Let me see how far you can struggle."

At that moment, the guards arrived.

"Seize the princess! She's plotting a rebellion!" one of the ministers exclaimed first.

Just as he finished speaking, Isaac snapped his fingers.

boom!!

A huge explosion resounded throughout the entire palace, and the servants were so frightened that they covered their heads and lay on the ground.

The instant Isaac snapped his fingers, sparks flew everywhere, and the minister was instantly blasted to pieces, leaving a large hole in the wall behind him. The other ministers nearby were also thrown away by the blast wave.

But that wasn't all. With a 'snap', Isaac snapped his fingers again.

This blast sent all the guards, who hadn't even had a chance to react, flying into the air. Because they were wearing armor, the explosion didn't kill them, but it knocked them all unconscious.