Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Winry Rockbell, Edward's childhood friend, comes from a family that runs a mechanical armor shop. Her parents are doctors. She was drafted into the army a few years ago when the Ishvalan War broke out, and was rescued by Isaac during the war.

“I came over as soon as you called me earlier.” Winry looked at Edward, who was tied up tightly, and felt a little sad.

“Winnie, come and see this kid!” Isaac said with a laugh from the side.

Winry noticed Isaac at that moment and exclaimed with delight, "Isaac, you're here too! It's been so long!"

"Long time no see," Isaac greeted. "Did this kid break his autosuit again and get you to come and fix it?"

"No, it was my fault this time..." Wenli said, lowering her head sadly.

Seeing the heartbroken Winry, everyone turned their attention to Edward.

Edward felt a bit pressured by everyone's stares and quickly said, "It's not Winry's fault. I messed around and broke the autosuit, hahaha."

When Winry heard Edward say that, her eyes immediately lit up.

'Looks like they haven't noticed that I forgot to install a screw.'

Thinking this, she immediately grasped Edward's hand and said, "Then this on-site repair will definitely require an express fee."

"You rascal..."

Watching the two interact, Isaac smiled slightly and said to Hughes beside him, "Give me a cigarette, I'm going outside for a smoke."

"You should smoke less." Even so, Hughes still handed the cigarettes from his pocket to Isaac.

Isaac went up to the rooftop, lit a cigarette, and looked at the bustling Central City.

Chapter 140: Their Respective Missions

Just as Isaac went to the rooftop for a smoke, the people in the ward started chatting again.

After repairing Edward's automail, Winry left the ward for a stroll. Seeing that she was gone, Edward asked Hughes:

"Has Lieutenant Colonel Hughes been with Isaac these past few days?"

Hughes said, "Yes, Isaac asked me to look into something, and we've been working together lately."

Edward hesitated for a moment before telling Hughes what he had heard from Marco.

Half an hour later.

“You said Isaac studied the Philosopher’s Stone,” Hughes said.

"correct."

"Oh."

“Isn’t Lieutenant Colonel Hughes surprised?” Edward asked curiously.

He had expected Hughes to be shocked after hearing the news, but to his surprise, Hughes simply said "Oh" and that was it, showing no surprise whatsoever.

“Not surprising,” Hughes laughed. “Isaac told me a long time ago.”

"What!?"

Now it was their turn to be surprised.

“I know what you’re worried about. You’re worried that Isaac might become your enemy in the future, right?”

"..."

Everyone fell silent. Although they hadn't spoken, they all shared the same thought. Knowing that the Philosopher's Stone was made from living people, Isaac, who had participated in the experiments, naturally became their suspect.

Hughes looked at the silent crowd and chuckled, "I can assure you that Isaac is absolutely trustworthy."

As he spoke, he took out several documents and said, "Isaac and I have been secretly investigating these past few days. He said that we encountered androids in Riol and Central City, which may be related to what Mr. Marco called 'the truth behind the truth'."

"Is Mr. Isaac also investigating this matter?" Alphonse asked hastily.

"Yes, he is indeed investigating, so please trust him. He is definitely not your enemy."

Hughes' words left the group speechless for a moment.

Isaac had just finished his cigarette and came downstairs.

"I'm back, you all..."

"Brigadier General Isaac!"

Before he could react, a muscular man with tears in his eyes hugged Isaac tightly.

"Let me go, Alex!"

"Oh! I never expected that Brigadier General Isaac would risk his own safety to investigate something so terrifying. I am truly ashamed that I even had a moment of doubt about the Brigadier General!"

"What are you talking about! Let go of me!" Isaac forcefully shoved Alex, who was surrounded by stars, away.

Wow! It's so lively here.

While the group was still arguing, someone who shocked everyone walked into the ward.

Kim Bradley.

Since the President's arrival, everyone except Isaac tensed up. Hughes, Alex, and other soldiers all stood at attention, saluted, and greeted him: "Your Excellency the President!"

"Don't be nervous, everyone, relax," the President said with a smile.

"Boss, you're so free? You've sneaked out of the office again?" Isaac and the president still spoke in the same tone.

"I've come to visit you in the hospital," the President said, placing a basket of melons in Edward's hands. "Do you like melons?"

Edward: "Ah... thank you."

After setting down the basket, the President looked at Alex and asked, "Major Armstrong, I heard you've been investigating high-ranking military officials lately, is that right?"

"Ah...yes, how did Your Excellency the President find out?" Alex asked nervously.

"Don't underestimate my intelligence network," the Führer said calmly, then turned to Edward and Isaac: "Edward, you're investigating the Philosopher's Stone, and Isaac, you're investigating the Homunculi. Am I right?"

Edward stared at the Führer in shock, as for Isaac…

"Yeah, if it weren't for the fact that the high command of your Central Army is so incompetent, and that I, from the Eastern Army, had to come to Central City in person, I really wanted to beat them all up... Waaaaaah..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hughes rushed over and covered Isaac's mouth.

"I'm really sorry to have troubled Brigadier General Isaac. Although I have already ordered them to search, it seems there haven't been any results," the President said with an apologetic smile, though inwardly he was cursing.

The person I'm most worried about right now is Isaac.

He casually picked up a document next to him and started reading: "I know the military is not very stable, so I'm trying to figure out how to deal with it."

The president paused for a moment, then continued, "Just yesterday, the Fifth Research Institute collapsed, and all the researchers who worked there perished."

"What!?" Everyone was very surprised to hear this news.

The President continued, "The enemy will always be one step ahead of us, and even if we use my intelligence, we cannot know the enemy's intelligence, organization, purpose, or even scale."

"Do you mean it's dangerous to continue the investigation?" Hughes asked.

“That’s right,” the President said. “Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, Major Armstrong, the Elric brothers… and Brigadier General Isaac, I believe you are all trustworthy individuals, and I issued this order because I was concerned for your safety…”

The President said sternly, "I forbid you from continuing to investigate this matter, and you are absolutely not allowed to tell anyone!"

Upon hearing the president's words, everyone lowered their heads.

Only Isaac was there, saying, "Hey boss, why don't you improve your efficiency? The androids are all running around in the center. If others can't do it, why don't you do it yourself? Or do you expect me to just whimper and cry..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hughes covered his mouth again.

The President laughed and said, "Don't worry, I'm not asking you to give up. I'll let you make your move when the time is right. Remember to be prepared then."

"Yes!" the men immediately replied to the President.

After the president finished speaking, he left the ward.

His face was very gloomy after he left the ward.

"I didn't expect even Isaac to start investigating. We have to take action."

------

After Edward recovered from his illness, he and Alphonse wanted to rush back to the East to find his master.

Before parting, the group found Isaac.

“Isaac, you and Lieutenant Colonel Hughes investigate first. I’ll go ask my master about the situation,” Edward said.

"Alright, go in peace. I hope your master won't beat you to death if he sees you and your brother in this sorry state," Isaac said gloatingly.

"Hahaha... How... is that possible?" Edward said, but he also became frightened.

"Anyway, you two go ahead. Hughes and I will take care of things here in the center, so don't worry," Isaac said, patting the two brothers on the shoulder.

After the two brothers were alright, Winry approached Isaac.

"What's wrong?"

“Um…Isaac…” Winry said shyly, her face flushed.

"What is it?"

"Can I take your right hand apart and take a look?" Wen Li asked, blushing, already pulling out a screwdriver and a wrench.

“No, I can’t, I refuse.” With that, Isaac left the spot.

Chapter 141: Danger Approaching

That evening, Isaac and Hughes stood on the open grass.

There was no one here at night.

"Well then, since the boss has already told us not to investigate anymore, let's call it a day for now," Isaac said, idly sprawled on a park bench.

“I don’t think you’re the kind of person who would be afraid of the president,” Hughes laughed.

He had known Isaac for five years, and the kid knew absolutely nothing of fear, even in front of the President and the commanders of the various corps of the Central Army. He didn't think the President's words, "Don't investigate," would make him back down.

"Stop joking. Although I often tease the boss, I've never embarrassed him. In the end, we're both soldiers, and a soldier's duty is to obey orders." Isaac said, lighting another cigarette. "Since the boss has put it this way, we have to give him face, otherwise it will affect our careers."

"Are we just going to give up like this?" Hughes asked hastily.

He had already sensed the impending conspiracy, and the truth behind this matter might concern the future of the nation. To give up now would be to let the potential danger to the country slip away.

“I don’t mean give up.” Isaac said with a cigarette dangling from his lips and a strange smile on his face. “I’m giving the boss face, but those androids’ face is worthless to me.”

"What do you mean?"