Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

At that moment, Roy's voice came through Isaac's radio.

"Brigadier General Isaac, the suppression operation in this area is over."

Chapter 127: The Hidden Enemy

Homunculus, or artificial life form mentioned in alchemy, is a subject that Isaac once studied, but without much progress.

The appearance of the androids made Isaac realize that this country harbored some extraordinary beings.

Central City, inside the Central Command Headquarters.

“Boss, I think the enemy we’re facing now might be a bit tricky,” Isaac said, sitting in front of the Führer.

Upon returning from Riord, he immediately went to the central city to report the news to President Bradley.

"Those people called 'androids' have ouroboros tattoos on their bodies. I met three of them in Rior, each with different abilities. One of them, whose name I don't know, can transform into other people's appearances. Another one is called Raste, who can turn his fingers into spears..."

Isaac continued to share all the information he knew, and the Führer listened attentively.

"So, Brigadier General Isaac, what are your thoughts on them?" the President asked with a smile.

"Them? You mean those androids?"

"Yes, for example, that android you just mentioned named Lust, what's your opinion?" The Führer took a sip of tea and squinted at Isaac.

"She's sexy."

"Cough! Cough!" The President almost spat out his tea. "I'm asking what your opinion is on their appearance? Or what do you think of their strength?"

"Oh, that? I don't know because I haven't fought her."

"Who's the one you've faced before?"

"That kid, to be honest, was incredibly weak. If I hadn't wanted to test his body's regenerative abilities, I could have killed him a dozen times over in a minute," Isaac said. "Honestly, fighting him didn't feel like a fight at all."

"Is that so?" The President put down his teacup, crossed his hands, and held his nose. "Then why would Brigadier General Isaac be worried?"

Isaac's expression turned serious for the first time.

"Boss, androids aren't scary, what's scary is the people who can create androids."

The president's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this.

He had no idea how much this terrifying young man had uncovered.

Isaac, oblivious to the Führer's gaze, continued, "Human transmutation has always been a taboo for alchemists. Although I've basically never taken it seriously, I know that human transmutation cannot directly create a living person."

After a pause, Isaac continued, "There must be a powerful alchemist hiding in Amestris, and this riot in Riol must have been premeditated."

This is something Isaac couldn't understand: why would a powerful alchemist want to destroy Rior, a place that has basically no value?

"So, Brigadier General Isaac, what do you intend to do?" the President asked.

"I came here to inform you, boss, to keep a close eye on things here, and also to let the Central Army be on high alert," Isaac said.

"Good, thank you Brigadier General Isaac for coming all this way to tell me such important news. I will have all departments take note," the President said with a smile.

"I'm all set here, boss. You should be careful too... Never mind, those androids shouldn't be a match for you. I'll head back now." Isaac waved and walked out of the presidential office.

After Isaac left, the president sat in his seat and began to ponder.

Not long after, three people walked in.

"Hey! Ras! I've never heard of such a person among the 'human pillars'. Who exactly is this guy named Isaac?" the black-haired boy roared at the Führer.

If Isaac were here, he would realize that the person in front of him is the android that Isaac killed twice before.

“Envi, according to the plan, you should have evacuated after causing the riot. There’s nothing we can do if you stay there and get killed because you’re playing around,” the President said.

"Alright, he's just a hot-blooded young soldier anyway. We can just arrest him when the time comes," the sexy woman named Rust said nonchalantly.

"'Just'? You underestimate him." The president suddenly said.

"Why shouldn't we underestimate him? He's just a human after all," the boy named Envy sneered. "Back then, if only I had turned back to my original form..."

"Then you still can't win?" the president interrupted.

"What did you say?!" Envi was clearly unconvinced.

“Let me put it this way…” The Führer stood up and pointed at Rust, Envy, and Gratoni, who was still licking his fingers.

"The three of you combined can't beat him."

"?!"

Envy and Rust stared wide-eyed at the president, their faces filled with disbelief.

"How could that be? Mere humans..."

"Don't underestimate him just because he's human. Even I don't have a guaranteed win against him." The president rubbed his temples. "And I'm talking about him three years ago. I don't even know how strong he is now."

They listened to the president's words in shock.

The president's words sounded completely shocking to them; if they didn't know the person in front of them, they would have thought it was a joke.

"In short, the best strategy now is to avoid any unexpected situations and refrain from contacting him," the President said in a deep voice. "This is all for 'Father'."

"Tsk, we know." Envy left the office with a disgruntled look on his face.

Luster then asked the Führer, "Do you see any chance of bringing him to our side? He doesn't seem like a very righteous person."

"Impossible," the president replied without hesitation.

Isaac wandered around the streets after leaving Central Command.

However, since it was near the headquarters, they soon ran into acquaintances.

"Isn't this Brigadier General Isaac? Long time no see." A tall soldier in military uniform greeted Isaac.

This man had dark skin, was bald, and had a comical 'W'-shaped mustache on his face.

“Commodore Gran? Long time no see,” Isaac said.

The newcomer was none other than Brigadier General Master Gran, the 'Iron-Blooded Alchemist', who was also Isaac's comrade-in-arms on the Ishvalan battlefield several years ago. The two worked together very well.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you. How about we grab a drink tonight?" Brigadier General Gran laughed heartily.

“Okay, okay,” Isaac immediately agreed.

Anyway, I'm an adult now, so drinking a little won't hurt.

Nighttime, in a bar in Central City.

"I heard you're a brigadier general now, buddy, you're my equal now," Grant laughed loudly as he drank.

Brigadier General Grant was originally a serious man, but he changed his demeanor in the bar.

"I was only one rank below you back then. Shouldn't I have been promoted faster than you after working so hard and traveling to various battlefields?" Isaac took a swig of wine and laughed.

"Hahaha, that's true."

Chapter 128: Scar Appears

The two had always had a good relationship. Isaac manufactured all sorts of strange and wonderful ammunition, while Brigadier General Gran manufactured cannons. On the battlefield, the two were the best partners. Although there was an age gap between them, they were also good friends in private.

The bar was filled with soothing music, and the dim lighting on the tables added to the cozy atmosphere.

"I heard you went to fight on the continent of Tersis more than two years ago. How was it?"

"Pretty good. Although he was injured, he gained an excellent subordinate," Isaac chuckled.

However, Grant didn't speak, but looked at Isaac in surprise.

"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

"Hahaha, no, I just didn't expect to see that kind of smile on your face." Brigadier General Gran patted Isaac on the back and laughed. "What kind of subordinate is this?"

“A very good subordinate,” Isaac said.

"She looks like a beauty, that's why you're so interested in her." Brigadier General Gran was slightly tipsy. "Is she your girlfriend?"

"No, but we've been through life and death together."

"Tch~" Brigadier General Gran lost interest instantly after not hearing anything that interested him.

The two continued chatting, and Brigadier General Gran drank more and more, until he seemed about to pass out.

"Gran, has your alcohol tolerance gotten worse since you came to the Central Government?"

“How is that possible… I can still drink…” Gran’s words were somewhat indistinct.

"Seriously, as a soldier, you should always keep your head clear. I've never drunk alcohol... well, there was one time." Isaac suddenly remembered that thing called baijiu in the new country.

Seeing that Glen was almost at his limit, Isaac went to the bar owner to pay the bill.

------

After paying the bill, Isaac helped Glenn up and walked out of the bar.

"What if you get attacked after drinking so much?"

"Anyone who dares to come looking for me is courting death! I am the Iron-Blooded Alchemist, and my cannons will terrify those scoundrels." Gran's strange beard twitched twice to express his displeasure.

"Isn't there a rumor that Scar has started committing crimes again? What should we do if we run into him?" Isaac laughed.

"Then let him know how powerful I am!"

The two continued walking until they came to a small alley, where they saw a person blocking their way.

The man had brown skin, a cross-shaped scar on his face, and wore sunglasses.

Isaac had seen his picture; this man was Scar.

"Hey, Glen, we're in luck, the wanted criminal is right in front of us."

"What!?"

Glenn sobered up considerably, and his pupils contracted when he saw the person in front of him.

"Scar!"

Scar looked at the two people in front of him and said calmly, "'Alchemist of Calamity' Isaac and 'Alchemist of Iron Blood' Master Gran, I'm in luck today."

The wine in Glen is now fully sober.

“No, you’re not so lucky, because you’ve run into me!” Gran put on the steel gauntlets engraved with transmutation circles on his hands and stepped forward. “Isaac, don’t help me. Watch how I take care of this little thief.”

After saying that, he slammed his fist on the ground.