Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Isaac wasn't in a good state, and Olivia, who had raised him since he was a child, could naturally tell.

"No... I'm fine."

Shaking his head, Isaac said to Olivia, "I actually told Historia about this too. Although I have memories of being in the same regiment as them and have some understanding of the people there, but..."

"But what?"

"But that was when everyone believed that 'all the surviving humans in the world are inside the wall.' I have no way of knowing what the mentality of the people inside the wall is after the truth was revealed."

Believing that they are the last surviving humans is a completely different concept from knowing that there are other humans living elegant lives outside the wall.

Moreover, they learned of the hostility of the Marleyan Empire and other nations towards them, and that many people had perished in the jaws of Titans because of the breach in the wall a few years earlier, leaving them to live in poverty for several years.

“Eldia’s past glory, its current decline, the pressure from the outside world… I can’t guarantee that extreme nationalism hasn’t been fostered within the walls,” Isaac said seriously. “Moreover, if a merger is really necessary, then the legions on the island will absolutely need to be reshuffled, which is a huge undertaking.”

"So, Isaac, your opinion is not to merge?"

“My opinion is that a merger is possible, but not now,” Isaac said. “It may take several years to implement this plan… Sir, you don’t want the resources belonging to the people of Amestoris to be given to the people of Paradis Island, do you? After all, we are not a rich country like the New Kingdom.”

"So, does that mean that basic strategic cooperation is sufficient for now?"

"If the commander wants to incorporate Paradis Island into Amestris's territory, then I have a compromise solution, but no one has tried it yet."

"what?"

“Establish a federation.”

This is something Isaac learned in several other worlds.

The relationship between a nation as a whole and its constituent parts is one of alliance. The federal government exercises national power and is the main body of foreign relations.

It was not a simple territorial merger, but rather the formation of Paradis Island into a federation with Amestori, and the establishment of a federal parliament to draft a federal constitution.

Paradis Island was granted a degree of autonomy, but the main power remained with Amestoris.

“As long as we limit the number of seats in the parliament, we won’t have to worry about the legions causing any trouble,” Isaac said. “But then Amestris might have to be renamed the Amestris Federation.”

"...Isn't this approach too risky?"

Olivia said.

After all, no country in the history of the world has ever done this.

“It is indeed risky, and Amestoris could lose some power if things go wrong, but if the target is Paradis Island, then there is no problem at all.”

Isaac said.

"First of all, that country is a mess in terms of both economy and military on a global scale, while Amestris is far superior to it in every way. Even if the federation disintegrates, it won't have much of an impact on us. As for the benefits... as long as we can achieve initial success, we can continue to expand the number of member states."

“Okay, but directly changing the system requires a meeting of the military to discuss it.”

This was no small matter; to put it bluntly, it changed the very form of government of Amestris.

Whether it's worth doing this for a small island remains to be discussed.

"Well... if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Isaac stood up, rubbing his aching head as he spoke.

“Okay, you can go back now. Leave the rest to me,” Olivia said with a smile. “You haven’t visited your son for a few days, have you?”

"Yes, it's been a few days."

Isaac smiled wryly.

"These past few days I've been thinking about Paradis Island. My baby should still be at the Fifth Research Institute... Once I'm back at work, I'll have less time to spend with my family."

"You raised a son without even getting married. Only someone like you could do something like that."

Olivia looked at Isaac and said.

"By the way, have you found a family to adopt that child? If you really can't find one, you can put him in our Armstrong family to raise, so you can visit him when you're not working."

"Thank you, sir, but... the child's condition is not stable right now. If what happened before happens again... to be honest, he really is not suitable to be raised in China."

The rampage of the gastrovirus is a very serious problem. If it were to occur in Amestris, especially in the central city, and were to turn into a giant monster again, even if Isaac intervened in time, it would still cause significant damage.

"I see, then..."

Olivia pondered for a moment, then, as if struck by a sudden thought, asked, "What about the other worlds?"

"what?"

"You'll probably need to return to those worlds you visited before for some business, right? You should have your own power base there. How about leaving it there to fend for itself?"

"I've thought about this before, but I wouldn't go to other worlds if it weren't for work. Working and having a child together just doesn't make sense..."

Isaac shook his head.

"Ideally, it should be within this world, then overseas, so that the person taking care of him has the power to stop him when he goes berserk... Huh?"

Upon hearing this, Isaac suddenly thought of someone.

"Sir, wait a moment, I'm going out to make a phone call."

"it is good."

Olivia nodded, and Isaac simply opened the office door and walked out.

Leaning against the wall, he took out his phone and dialed a number.

The call was answered shortly afterward.

"Hello? It's been a long time, Lord Isaac."

"Anjie, I might have a task for you."

Chapter 1258: I still couldn't bear to part with it.

Ange, a spy planted by the Republic of Albion in the Kingdom of Albion, once collaborated with Isaac in the Third World, that is, in early 20th-century Europe.

It was precisely because of this wondrous adventure that Ange, by chance, learned Isaac's alchemy.

This is why Isaac needed to bypass Olivia and speak with Ange.

If she finds out that alchemy has been learned by a foreign spy, then no matter how much she tries to protect Isaac, she will have to hold him accountable.

But it was precisely because Ange had learned alchemy that she had enough power to help Isaac.

“Listen, Ange Lucarlo, this mission is extraordinary. No mission you’ve ever received in the Republic can compare to the one I’m about to give you.”

"Ah."

Anjie on the other end of the phone fell into a brief silence.

Isaac's serious tone proved that the difficulty of this mission was indeed unimaginable.

The fact that Lieutenant General Isaac, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Amestoris, is taking this matter so seriously suggests that its impact is likely even more serious than the conflict between the two countries of Albion.

“Lord Isaac,” Angela asked, “could you tell me about the aspects of the mission?”

"To be specific, it means... I want you to keep something that could destroy the world for me."

"...Your country's hydrogen bomb?"

"No, it's even more terrifying than a hydrogen bomb."

"This……"

Even Ange, who always maintains a poker face, showed a slight change in expression at this moment.

Almost everyone in the world knows that Amestris possesses a terrifying weapon capable of leveling a city in an instant: the hydrogen bomb.

Because of the existence of such terrifying weapons that can easily destroy human civilization, every word Amestoris utters carries immense weight.

The weapon was created by Isaac, which instilled fear in the world of 'Isaac' and the title of 'State Alchemist'.

And just today, he suddenly said that something was more terrifying than a hydrogen bomb, and that he wanted Ange, the spy, to keep it safe.

Having been a spy for so long, this was the first time she had ever heard of such an outrageous operation.

But Ange didn't refuse. Instead, she asked seriously, "Sir, please tell me the details of the specific mission. I don't know if I'm qualified..."

"Could you help me look after the child?"

"...I'm sorry, sir, I may not have heard you clearly."

“Please look after the children for me,” Isaac repeated.

"..."

"..."

"So, Mr. Isaac, all that preamble, like a ghost story, was just to get me to take care of your child?"

“That’s pretty much the gist of it,” Isaac said. “But I’m not kidding you about ‘potentially destroying the world,’ that kid… his situation is a bit special.”

"Okay, how old is the child this year?"

"Just one month old."

"baby?"

"Correct."

"Is this your child?"

“He’s my child,” Isaac said, “but not naturally born, but rather… a product of science.”

"...Let me guess, is this what happened?"

Anjie said over the phone.

"Because creating a life form without authorization would be questioned by the military in Amestris, the child cannot be said to have been created. If it were a natural birth and you are not married, you could easily be falsely accused of 'improper private life.' Therefore, the child's information cannot be made public. Thus, the child can only be sent abroad to be raised, and the announcement will be made after the official marriage."

"As expected of Anjie, although she didn't get some details right, she was at least 90% correct..."

"Then why don't you just say the child is adopted? That way, all the subsequent issues will be..."

"Are you kidding me?! How could I possibly tell my kid he was adopted?!"

Ange noticed that Isaac's tone on the phone had changed.

This was the first time she had ever heard Isaac's tone of voice like this, and it felt quite novel.

"Alright, I'll take the mission."

"Thank you very much. Your contributions will be recognized separately after you officially join Amestoris."