Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"No, there's no room for negotiation."

"Huh? Why?"

“They’ve just broken free from your control and stabilized the situation within a few years. Who would want to continue being subject to the kingdom?” Isaac said. “And your Queen wouldn’t agree to them negotiating with their former colonies either. They obviously wouldn’t be willing to do that.”

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Ah~ I didn't expect that person to talk about such boring things."

"But what you said seems to make sense."

I don't know if what he said makes sense, but I'm almost asleep anyway.

After Isaac finished speaking, all the students left the classroom.

Angela and Dorothy, two spies hidden among the students, also came out of the classroom. Several students who were close to Dorothy walked up to her and asked, "Dorothy, you interviewed that lord in Amestris back then, didn't you?"

"Yes, that's right."

Dorothy recalls that mission, the purpose of which was to see if they could gain any benefits from a technologically advanced country.

She always felt that she and Ange were on the verge of being discovered, but Ange eventually managed to steal the radar technology there by some unknown means (old version).

"Was that lord also this serious back then?"

“Ah, yes,” Dorothy laughed. “He was like that when he interviewed Your Excellency back then, always spouting those very formulaic phrases. He seemed like a boring guy.”

"Isn't there anything special about him?"

"Something special about it?"

Dorothy looked up as if thinking for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"There is indeed one special feature."

"what? What?"

"Surprisingly innocent~"

"Eh!! Really!?"

"Of course it's true."

"Speaking of which," a girl said, looking towards the classroom, "it seems Her Highness is still inside."

"I heard there are still some things she wants to discuss with that person. So, the princess is indeed interested in this kind of thing?"

"Could it be that you're interested in that person?"

"How could that be? She is a princess."

--------------

"It's been a while, Lieutenant General."

"Ah, it has indeed been a while," Isaac said with a smile, looking at the princess before him. "Are you still striving for your ideals? Or have you already given up?"

Chapter 949: I Like Being Friends with Demons

"Of course, I will continue to uphold my ideals," the princess smiled. "My goals have never changed."

"That's really good. Although the hope is a bit slim, at least you have a dream."

The princess had already told him her dream at an international conference a few months ago: to become queen.

As the fourth in line to the throne, the effort she put in to become queen was absolutely enormous. She had tried to get Isaac's help, but he refused.

The reason is simple: if she were to inherit the throne, Isaac would have a ton of work to do, and the final reward might not be that high.

Unlike the princess Charlotte of the Kingdom of Rhodesel, who was also named Charlotte, Charlotte's side was at war at the time, and in order to avoid extending the battle lines to Isaac in the south, she could only launch a campaign to overthrow the regime.

But the Kingdom of Albion is different; it makes no difference to Isaac who is king.

"You stayed behind specifically to talk to me? Is it to ask me some questions about the kingdom?" Isaac said. "If so, I'm afraid I need to apologize, as I don't know much about the kingdom and can't answer many of your questions."

“No, Your Excellency has already explained the kingdom’s problems very clearly in class, and I have a general understanding of them.” The princess smiled and shook her head. “Since Your Excellency has come to Queen Mayfair Academy, why not take a tour of the place?”

"Visiting the college..."

Isaac looked at the princess in front of him, took out his pocket watch, and opened it to take a look.

There's still some time before noon.

"Violet, what do you think?"

“Queen Mayfair College is certainly worth visiting as the largest college in the city,” Violet said. “However, I need someone to accompany me.”

"OK then."

Isaac turned to the princess and said.

"Then I'll have to trouble Your Highness."

"It's my pleasure."

……

After explaining to the principal, the four of them walked out of the classroom together.

Violet followed behind Isaac, while the princess was always accompanied by a small-looking follower.

According to Princess Jullizo, this little follower is the daughter of a fallen nobleman named Beatrice, whose usual task is to take care of the princess's daily life.

She seemed very afraid of Isaac, and intentionally or unintentionally hid behind the princess.

"Queen Mayfair College was established by my grandmother in the hope of eliminating the class system in the country's people through education. Although it was opposed by many people at the time, it was eventually built."

As they walked, the princess told Isaac about the school's history.

"Is that so? From the moment I stepped into the campus, I saw a division of status, and it doesn't seem to have been established according to Her Majesty the Queen's wishes."

"After all, this takes time."

"It's as if you have plenty of time. While you're leisurely enjoying your afternoon tea, the countries to the west might already be using miniaturized antigravity materials in their weapons."

"Honestly, why do you always like to talk about war?" The princess's face showed a hint of reproach. "Wouldn't it be better if we all lived in peace?"

"Of course it would be great. If everyone were as naive as you, I would have retired from the military long ago."

"Huh? Am I that naive?"

“Yes, too young, too simple-minded, and sometimes naive,” Isaac said. “I believe other countries when they talk about peace, but if a hegemonic country like yours, which rose to power through colonies, talks about peace, I think you’re just talking nonsense. Don’t forget that it’s your military that allows those colonies to continuously supply you with resources so you can live like lazy pigs.”

"Waaah..."

"Ok?"

Isaac turned his head, and the one who spoke was Beatrice, the princess's attendant.

She seemed to want to say something, but when she saw Isaac looking at her, she suddenly felt a pang of fear, and finally mustered her courage to speak:

"This...this is...this is so rude."

"what?"

"Alas!!"

Faced with Isaac's gaze, Beatrice hid behind the princess like a frightened hamster.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency, Beatrice was just trying to save face for me. Please don't make things difficult for her."

"Don't worry, I won't hold a grudge against a child."

Beatrice peeked out from behind the princess and said timidly, "I...I'm already fifteen years old."

"what?"

"!!"

Isaac said nothing, which frightened her back behind the princess.

After all, he was a general of a country, so it's understandable that he was feared by children.

"Does Your Excellency mean..." the princess turned to face Isaac and said, "that it is impossible for the Kingdom and the Republic to coexist peacefully?"

“Well, I can’t think of anything like that. You can go back and ask your grandmother if she can think of anything,” Isaac said. “You’re not even sitting on the throne yet, so thinking about all this is pointless.”

"Do you believe I am incapable of becoming queen?"

“Objectively speaking, that’s true. As the fourth in line to the throne, you don’t hold any real power. The previous three heirs were all far superior to you.” Isaac shrugged. “You have no chance of winning.”

“What you said makes sense, but…”

The princess smiled slightly and continued.

"I've met some interesting friends, and perhaps with everyone's joint efforts, I might be able to ascend the throne."

"Your Highness!!"

Beatrice was startled and reached out to stop the princess.

The anxious expression on his face seemed to say, 'How could you tell anyone about something like this?'

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

After stopping Beatrice from saying anything more, the princess extended her hand to Isaac.

"What do you mean?"

"You once told me that true courage is about maintaining elegance in the face of pressure, is that right?"

"I did say that."

“So I’d like to take a gamble in this environment that’s constantly putting pressure on me,” the princess said with a smile. “Can we be friends, Lieutenant General Isaac?”

"Oh~"

Isaac looked at the princess in front of him with a subtle expression.

"You don't even know who I am, yet you want to be my friend?"

“I have already seen the Lieutenant General’s character at the international conference.” The princess maintained her smile. “He used weapons of mass destruction in the war on the continent of Tersis and developed a dangerous weapon called the hydrogen bomb. He launched a war against Allugo without warning and destroyed the country in twelve hours. He is undoubtedly a demon.”

"Since you know..."

"But I prefer to befriend demons rather than angels."

"..."