That protagonist is trash; I could do better!

Although the purpose of alchemy is not destruction, a slight alteration to the steps of alchemy can achieve terrifying destructive effects.

If the third step is omitted, and one only needs to understand the composition of matter and then decompose it, then alchemy may be able to destroy everything.

This was the alchemy that Scarface used to hunt down State Alchemy.

Shinji Matou's most proficient alchemy is body transmutation, an alchemy originally developed for medical purposes.

It would only make killing more convenient.

While Shinji Matou was fighting monsters, he wasn't idle. Since he stayed in the world of Fullmetal Alchemist the longest, he developed a series of habits that belong to alchemists.

This includes the principle of equivalent exchange, and the three steps of alchemy that are fundamental to one's conduct and interactions with others.

When faced with an unknown enemy, they will subconsciously use alchemy to dissect its body structure.

The physical structure of this monster is no more complex than that of humans in this world.

Destroying the monster leader involved only two steps: understanding and disintegrating. Its body collapsed the moment they came into contact.

"Ah...ah...ahhhhhh!"

The little girl, witnessing this horrific scene, trembled, her mouth agape, unable to utter a word. Splattered blood dripped onto her face, the warm blood stimulating her senses. She collapsed to the ground, kicking her legs and backing away, wanting nothing more than to get as far away from Matou Shinji as possible, even if it was just a millimeter away.

"Don't bother struggling. If you confess honestly, I might spare your life."

Shinji Matou stepped over the monster leader's corpse and walked up to the little girl. He used his rapier to lift her chin and observe her terrified expression. No matter how you looked at her, she was just a little girl. Despite her fear, her eyes revealed a hint of wildness and intense hatred.

To kill or not to kill?

The village children were not fatally injured, so killing her would not be appropriate, but Shinji Matou was used to eliminating any obstacle that could pose a threat to him.

If she were an adult like the Bowel Hunter, it would be understandable, but she is clearly not old enough to distinguish between good and evil in this world.

Chapter 125 Beast Tamer Meli

"Was it your idea to attack the maid and then use the village children as bait? Or was it on someone's orders? You're just a child; you shouldn't have the judgment or ability to act like that."

The little girl trembled, her chin held by a slender sword. The cold blade stimulated her survival instinct. After hesitating for a long time, her survival instinct finally prevailed, and she answered in a tearful voice, "It is my mother's order."

"Who is your mother?" Shinji Matou asked again.

The little girl shook her head: "I don't know."

"Does the Bowel Hunter also act on the orders of the mother you mentioned?"

The little girl nodded vigorously.

Shinji Matou asked a few more questions and found that the little girl knew almost nothing, but based on his experience, he judged that she was not lying.

The little girl's name is Meli. She has a very special background. She was abandoned in the forest as a child and was rescued by a magical beast for some reason. They lived together and were only recently discovered by others. Later, she was found by Elsa, the Bowel Hunter, and together they worked for her mother.

The mother she mentioned was probably the leader of some assassination organization.

“Stretch out your right hand.”

Mary obediently did as she was told.

Shinji Matou slowly drew a cross on her palm with his rapier, deliberately making her feel pain. He commanded in a cold tone, "Get out of here. You're lucky because you're still at an age where you can't distinguish between good and evil. But the next time we meet, it won't just be a scar. This sword will cut your throat."

Although the little girl harbors intense hatred towards him, this time no serious consequences occurred, and she provided information. Therefore, he can let her go this time, but only this time.

Shinji Matou will not give his enemies a second chance, no matter who they are or what their identity is.

With tears in her eyes, Merry nodded vigorously. Just as she was about to turn and run away, a dark figure fell from the sky. It was none other than Roswaal, dressed in a black suit. He emphasized that things still looked strange: "This won't do, Mr. Shinji. She is the culprit who attacked Ram. It would be too hasty to let her go like this."

Shinji Matou frowned and asked, "Roswaal, were you watching the whole time?"

Roswaal twisted his body, answering vividly like a wronged woman: "Don't use such a cold tone, or I'll get excited. To be precise, it wasn't always halfway there. I arrived just as you were dealing with that big guy. But if you hadn't used that mysterious magic at the end, I would have doubted whether you were a magician or not. Your swordsmanship rivals that of a sword saint, and your magic is equally astonishing, even I can't decipher it. Mr. Shinji, who exactly are you?"

Shinji Matou scoffed, "Those who disappear at crucial moments and stand by as bystanders have no right to tell me what to do."

Roswaal protested, feeling wronged: "Because you seemed to be in a lot of fun, I didn't want to bother you. Of course, I'm very grateful for your kindness, otherwise Ram might not have made it back before I got back. How about I handle the rest of the small fry, and the Beastmasters too?"

What do you want to do with her?

“She’s dangerous, but also a very important person. I overheard your conversation. She just went astray by accident. She still has value for rehabilitation. Don’t look at me like that! Don’t misunderstand, it’s about ideological education. I’m a gentleman.” Roswaal repeatedly stated, but an ordinary person would basically sentence him to death based on his attire.

Even a well-behaved girl like Emilia would secretly call him a pervert.

"Change your dressing habits first. I'm letting her go, I have no obligation to protect her, and it's none of my business what you want to do to her." Shinji Matou patted his chest with his right hand, activated his alchemy, and the blood that soaked his body quickly faded away like water droplets hitting a lotus leaf, leaving his clothes spotless.

Roswaal removed his top hat, bowed slightly, and said in an equally solemn tone, "Thank you very much. I owe you a favor."

"Shinji-sama! Rosdal-sama!" Rem's joyful voice came from the forest. Seeing that Matou Shinji was safe and sound, she patted her chest and relaxed, smiling gently: "Shinji-sama, it's so good that you're alright."

Roswaal chuckled and praised, "You handled this very well, Rem."

Rem bowed and reported, "Yes, Lord Roswaal, the monster horde over there has been wiped out, and all the spells on the children have been lifted. We can notify the villagers to bring the children back to the village."

Roswaal pointed to the bewildered monster user, Meli: "Rem, please take this child back to the manor. I'll go deal with the scattered monsters first."

"Yes."

Roswaal flew away, and moments later, a violent explosion echoed through the quiet forest.

Rem stared at the terrified and uneasy Merry, then asked Shinji Matou with a puzzled look, "Shinji-sama, who is she? Why wasn't she sent back to the village?"

"The Beast Tamer, the mastermind behind this incident, possesses the ability to control magical beasts, as the name suggests."

Upon hearing this, Rem's face instantly darkened, revealing her murderous intent.

Mary was so frightened that she backed away repeatedly.

"Don't worry, Roswaal will explain when we get back, and that's when we'll deal with her."

"Yes."

······

Shinji Matou and Rem, along with the Beast Tamer Merry, rode back to their mansion in a dragon carriage. A dragon carriage is a carriage pulled by earth dragons. There are many kinds of earth dragons, most of which look seven or eight parts similar to dinosaurs. Their speed, strength, and endurance far exceed those of horse-drawn carriages, so only nobles or merchants can afford to use them.

The dragon carriage that Shinji Matou rode in was brought by Roswaal, and it's hard to say whether to praise his thoughtfulness or go to unnecessary trouble.

The three of them barely spoke along the way. Rem was worried about Ram's condition while suppressing her murderous intent towards Meryl.

Meli huddled in a corner of the dragon carriage, not daring to look up at Shinji Matou or Rem.

The dragon carriage was very fast, and it returned to the manor in less than half an hour. As soon as they entered, they saw Emilia already waiting in front of the gate.

Emilia hurried over, her beautiful, ethereal face filled with worry as she asked, "Shinji-san, Rem, is everyone alright?"

Rem replied politely, "Yes, Lord Shinji has dealt with most of the monsters, and Lord Roswaal is eliminating the few that escaped."

Emilia looked at Meryl, who was huddled in the corner of the dragon carriage, with a puzzled expression: "Who is this child?"

"Rem isn't entirely sure either. Lord Roswaal will explain when he returns. How is her sister doing?"

Emilia smiled and said, "Ram has woken up. Apart from being a little weak, he is fine and will recover tomorrow."

Shinji Matou jumped down from the dragon carriage and smiled, "I'll leave the rest to you. I'm a little tired tonight, so I'm going to take a shower and go to sleep. Also, Emilia, don't forget the homework I assigned you because of this unexpected incident."

Emilia gave a wry smile: "You're really strict, Shinji-sensei."

Chapter 126 So cute, must be a boy

In the peaceful village, children run and play, and the villagers' faces are full of smiles.

At the fruit stand, the vendor respectfully answered Shinji Matou's question: "My lord, as you said, the kingdom is not stable right now. This village is alright, after all, it is Lord Roswaal's territory on the border, and Lord Roswaal takes good care of this village. I have heard from passing merchants about other towns and villages being attacked by thieves or monsters. Only by deciding on the next king and making a pact with the dragon can the kingdom be stabilized again."

Shinji Matou nodded and then asked, "Roswaal's nominee for the next king is a half-elf. What do you think?"

The vendor was taken aback, then said with a wry smile, "Sir, please don't make things too difficult for us."

Shinji Matou nodded solemnly: "Speak freely. This is just my personal opinion. I swear in the name of the Divine Dragon that our conversation will not affect what happens afterward."

Because the dragon made a pact with the kingdom, the people of this country generally value agreements very much. To swear an oath in the name of the dragon is essentially to guarantee it with one's life.

The vendor looked around, quickly walked up to Shinji Matou, and replied in a low voice with a sense of helplessness: "Since you say so, sir... we are actually not too willing to support a half-demon as king, especially since that half-demon looks similar to the Witch of Envy who devoured half the world. However, we are under the care of Lord Roswaal, and it is already difficult enough to live a peaceful life in this era. Whoever Lord Roswaal supports as king, we will naturally follow."

Expected.

Shinji Matou replied knowingly, "Thank you very much for your cooperation."

The vendor, beaming, handed a bag of fruit to Shinji Matou, saying warmly, "No, no, no, it's our village that needs to thank you. The day before yesterday, you and that maid helped the village find the children and repel the monsters. If you don't mind, please accept these fruits. These are the best quality ones I specially selected from the stall."

"Just give me one, I can't finish any more." Shinji Matou took one from the bag.

"You are truly witty."

Shinji Matou smiled and greeted them, then ate an apple as he arrived at the village square. Rem was waiting there, carrying two large bags, surrounded by a group of the mischievous kids he had rescued the day before.

Because Ram was still very weak, Rem took care of most of the housework at the mansion.

After finishing his apple, Shinji Matou smiled and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Rem greeted him with a smile: "Shinji-sama, I just finished shopping. Are you going back now?"

Rem is still Rem, still wearing her maid outfit, with half of her blue bangs covering her eyes. Her clear and bright eyes ripple with tears. Her attitude towards Matou Shinji is no longer the coldness and hostility she had shown a while ago. Rather, after spending a few days together and after Matou Shinji resolved the monster incident, Rem has become quite enthusiastic, making Matou Shinji feel the long-lost feeling of being an older brother.

The children nearby noticed that Shinji Matou's expression became slightly reserved. Although Shinji Matou was not old, his words and actions revealed a maturity and composure that was inconsistent with his age, making these children feel a natural sense of distance.

A little girl with her hair tied with a red silk scarf stepped out and bowed gracefully to Shinji Matou: "Sir, thank you so much for saving us the day before yesterday."

"Thank you so much for your help."

"Me too!"

The other children also came over to greet him.

Shinji Matou took some fruit from the bag Rem was carrying and distributed it to them, smiling as he said, "Be careful in the future, and make sure you don't leave the village's protective barrier at night."

"Yes!" the children answered happily, holding the fruit. Although they weren't good at getting along with Shinji Matou, they were still just kids and could be easily "bought off".

"Let's go back."

"Ah."

The two returned to the dragon carriage, with Rem driving while Shinji Matou sat inside, sorting out his thoughts. He had accompanied Rem on this shopping trip to investigate the true state of the kingdom. They had chatted with many villagers and gained a general understanding of the current situation.

Emilia's situation is very bad. Even in the border territory of Boroswaal, her support rate is pitifully low. Not to mention that Emilia looks like the legendary witch of jealousy, Satella, the racial war between humans and demi-humans that broke out fifty years ago and ended with the victory of humans has deepened the discrimination against demi-humans in the Kingdom of Lugnica.

"Humans have too deep a prejudice against demi-humans. It's unlikely to be resolved in less than a few hundred years. Or perhaps Emilia could save the kingdom and become a savior, which might change people's prejudice against her half-elf identity." Shinji Matou weighed his options. In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, he had also experienced racial wars and witnessed the massacre of the Ishvalans by the Kingdom of Amestris as an alchemist.

At the time, Shinji Hijiri was still a State Alchemist and knew the true purpose of this war. He participated in the war as a medic, so he didn't have to go to the front lines. He secretly helped a large number of Ishvalans escape.