Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Isaac has been staying at Hugh's house for about two weeks now.

In the week leading up to this half-month, Hugh received three investigation-related requests, all concerning mysterious events in the vicinity, which ultimately all turned out to be related to the Phantom Book.

Isaac intervened twice during that time, and that's why the person involved remembered him.

It's unclear how Geese publicized the resolution of the Lilburn family incident, but amidst the various rumors, Isaac's name spread more and more widely among the nearby noble circles.

At the same time, it's becoming increasingly mysterious.

"Furthermore, they didn't provide any clues about my lost textbooks, or even the whereabouts of a single phantom book."

“Of course, do you think the Phantom Books are like roadside stones?” Dalian said disdainfully. “Even when Wesley was still alive, he only lent out a few Phantom Books. Most of them have already been returned, and the few that haven’t reached their return date are treasured by the renters. How could he possibly provide you with information about them?”

"Now that you mention it, it seems that besides the nobles who come to me for commissions, there are also people who want to rent the Illusion Book from you."

The fact that Isaac and Hughie lived together was known to the surrounding nobles and wealthy people.

Those who come to Diswald’s mansion seeking Isaac’s help and are refused will go to Hugh and Dallian to borrow the Phantom Book.

If the alchemist won't help him, then he'll borrow a magic book and solve it himself.

It sounds wonderful, but there are also situations where you are rejected by both sides at the same time.

Boom boom boom!

"Oh, it sounds like someone is knocking on the door."

Hugh put down his teacup and went to open the door, guessing that it was probably another nobleman coming to ask for help.

"If someone invites me over, I'll say I'm too busy."

"Then you should think of a reason to refuse."

"Sleep, constipation, serious illness, burial—you can make up anything you want."

"You really are something."

Hugh shook his head with a wry smile and opened the gate to the mansion.

As soon as the door opened, a short, blond young man was standing outside.

"Long time no see, Lieutenant Hugh."

"Oh, it's Aruman. Long time no see. Please come in."

When Hughes saw that it was someone he knew, he invited the person into his mansion.

"Excuse me."

The young man walked in.

He was about twenty years old, just like Hugh, but his baby face made him look older than he actually was.

"Is this the lieutenant's home now...?"

"This house was left to me by my grandfather. Also, please don't call me Lieutenant; I've already retired."

"Oh, my apologies."

As Aruman spoke, he looked at Dalian, who was eating toast at the table.

The moment she was seen, Dalian turned her head away.

"Lieutenant, that child is..."

"Oh, she is Dalian. Her identity... is a bit complicated to explain."

Aruman squinted at Dalian.

She was about twelve or thirteen years old. Her black hair and black eyes didn't seem like Hugh's sister, and it was even more far-fetched to say she was his daughter. So, eliminating these impossible factors, there was only one answer left.

"Lieutenant, please don't take it to heart. I've always believed that age and romance have nothing to do with each other. It's just... I was a little surprised that you have this kind of hobby."

"Wait, Aruman, have I been misunderstood by you in a dishonorable way?"

"I'm the one being disgracefully misunderstood!"

Dalian could no longer contain herself. She jumped off her chair, walked up to Aruman, pointed her finger at him, and cursed:

"Where did you come from, you rude brat? Were you a chick that escaped from some chicken farm? You wouldn't even qualify as a roast chicken!"

"Huh? Roast chicken?"

Aruman was dumbfounded after being subjected to a barrage of insults from Dalian.

“She is Dalia, a friend of my grandfather. I am currently taking care of her in place of my grandfather,” Hugh explained. “Dalia, and this is Aruman Jeremiah, the son of the shipyard owner.”

"Hello, I'm Aruman. I used to be in the same air force unit as Lieutenant Hughie, and he took good care of me back then."

"I've already said I'm no longer a second lieutenant."

"Oh? Someone like you, a nobody, can join the Air Force? What are you here for? To repay a debt of gratitude?"

“No, actually I’ve come here to ask you for a favor,” Aruman said.

"what's up?"

"Excuse me, does Lord Isaac, known as the 'mysterious last heir' and the 'alchemist of the early century,' reside here?"

Hugh: "Ah, Isaac, he's now..."

Dalian: "He is now at peace. Please return."

"How could this happen?!!"

Aruman knelt on the ground in disbelief.

"I... I didn't even get to see you one last time?"

"No, no, no, that's not how it is."

Hugh quickly pulled him up from the ground.

"Isaac is in the living room."

No, I'm not here.

Isaac, whose back was the only part of his body visible, waved to the back of the person behind him.

"Ah! Lord Isaac!"

Although they had never met before, Danaruman rushed over to Isaac and knelt down on one knee.

"Your Excellency, my lifelong happiness depends entirely on you!"

"What?"

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.

Deep within an ancient castle.

In a dark room filled with soot, an elderly man dressed in a classic suit and wearing a monocle over his right eye was emitting a chilling laugh.

"An alchemist from the early 20th century? Let me see for myself, and don't disappoint me."

Chapter 989: The Extravagant Man

"Your name is Aruman, right?"

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Aruman stood respectfully beside Isaac, but unfortunately Isaac didn't even glance at him.

"Do you know that you're the tenth person to come here looking for me?"

"Huh? Has anyone else been looking for you before?"

"Of course there are. What was the name of the one who came recently...? His name was too complicated, I forgot."

“It is Lord Moschino,” Hugh answered Isaac, “an industrialist from the Eastern Steelworks.”

"Yes, yes, that's the person."

Isaac laughed.

“He walked in and came straight to me, just like you, and then told me that his happiness for the rest of his life depended on me. I don’t understand these people.”

Upon hearing this, Aruman's expression suddenly turned panicked.

"Did you agree to his request?"

"If I had agreed to his request, would I still be here talking to you?"

"Ah, as expected of the great alchemist!"

When Aruman heard that Isaac hadn't agreed to the previous person's request, his expression became exaggerated once again.

"You must have anticipated that I would seek your help, so you did this specifically..."

"Oh, I'm not planning to agree to that either."

"..."

"Flattery won't work on me. Do you think I'm so bored that I have nothing better to do than go out and cause trouble with you rich people?"

Dalian: "You really have a lot of free time. If you stay here any longer, your head might sprout."

"Will you die if you don't expose my flaws, you little brat?"

"My favorite thing is seeing the look on your face when you, you damn alchemist, are embarrassed."

"You'll never see it again in your lifetime."

Aruman said anxiously, "Your Excellency, I hope you can help me through this difficult time, no matter the cost?"

"If you're short of money, I can reward you with a few diamonds."

"It's not about something as mundane as money!"

Aruman knelt on the ground with his hands raised, looking like he was performing in a stage play.

"I did it for love!"

"Sure, people often refer to 'money and woman' as 'career and love,' and the only difference between you and those vulgar people is that you use more elegant language."

"No! Your Excellency! This is the only time in my life that I have ever felt such passionate love. I am completely in love and cannot extricate myself from it. Not only is this the first time in my life, but it is unlikely that I will ever experience it again!"

Isaac: "...Hughie, can we throw this overacting guy out?"