Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Lieutenant General Gulaman packed up the chessboard and looked at Isaac, saying, "By the way, little Isaac, I have a task for you."

"what?"

“The State Alchemist at the Southern City Command has also been transferred, and there are no people available to inspect the area for the time being. This task was originally intended for Roy, but now that he's leaving, it falls to you.”

"Okay, where is the location?"

Gulaman narrowed his eyes and uttered a single word: "Dablis".

------

When I got back to my office, I saw Roy talking to me.

"How's it going, Roy? I've already spoken to Gulaman. How many people do you want to transfer?" Isaac asked.

“These are the men: Lieutenant Lisa Hawkeye, Sergeant Kane Phillips, Warrant Officer Watt Farman, and Warrant Officer Heisman Brada,” Roy said, reciting the names.

"Damn it, you've picked half the people. I think you're trying to work me to death," Isaac said, annoyed.

These are the only few people in the entire department who are relatively capable.

"Didn't you tell me I could choose anyone? Now I'm going to the central government, and I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to the presidency," Roy said confidently.

“You’re at least the second-in-command at the Eastern Command. Why don’t you go to the Central Command and see if you can get an important position?” Isaac mocked. “Don’t let your actions jeopardize their careers.”

"How could that be? My subordinates will only rise to prominence with me."

Isaac ignored Roy and turned to Hawkeye: "Lieutenant Hawkeye, if Roy can't make it in the Central Command, you're welcome to rejoin my team. The doors of the Eastern Command are always open for you."

"Hmph, Lieutenant Hawkeye is my adjutant, how could he possibly..."

“Yes, if the colonel ever becomes incapacitated, I will immediately abandon him and come back,” Hawkeye said with a smile.

Roy was so shocked by her words that he collapsed to the ground.

Of course, they were all joking.

After Roy and his men left, only John Habock and Violet remained in the office.

Isaac looked at Habock curiously and said, "I thought you went to the Central Government with Roy."

Habock laughed and said, "The colonel did call me, but I declined, since my girlfriend is still in Dongfang City."

“A wise decision. There’s no future in working with him,” Isaac said, taking a document from the drawer, making a few notes, and handing it to him.

“You’ll be taking over their work from now on, Lieutenant Hubble, no, now Captain Hubble.”

The appointment of lieutenant-level officers is decided by the direct command, so Isaac can directly promote a lieutenant-level officer in the Eastern Command.

"Ah! Brigadier General Isaac, I'll follow you for the rest of my life!"

When Habock saw that he had been promoted two ranks, he was immediately moved to tears and almost wanted to hug Isaac's leg.

"Alright, I'll go to Southern City with Violet first. I'll leave the Eastern Command to you for now."

After saying that, Isaac packed his things and left.

"Speaking of which, where did Violet go?"

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.

At this time, Violet was not at the Eastern Command.

"Lieutenant Hawkeye, may I ask you some questions?"

Violet and Hawkeye strolled along the street, a rare occurrence for her to voluntarily distance herself from Isaac.

"What's up, Warrant Officer Eve Garden? You used to always be by Brigadier General Isaac's side, but this time you came to see me on your own initiative," Hawkeye asked with a smile.

She especially liked this young but extremely dedicated reserve player.

"Has the lieutenant always been Colonel Mustang's adjutant?"

"Yes."

"Then, Lieutenant, could you tell me what the duties of an adjutant are?" Violet asked Hawkeye.

Chapter 146: The Demon's Den

"The duties of an adjutant?"

Hawkeye thought for a moment and said, "It means assisting your superior and helping him complete his mission."

“I know that, but I want to know the specifics, such as how the lieutenant assisted Colonel Mustang.” Violet’s eyes were very serious.

“If it were me, my job would be to urge the colonel to complete his work and point out his mistakes,” Hawkeye said. “For example, correcting him when he makes a mistake.”

Is that so?

Seeing Violet's seemingly puzzled look, Hawkeye asked, "What would you do if Brigadier General Isaac gave the wrong order?"

“I will carry it out without hesitation.” Violet’s answer was unwavering.

"This..." Hawkeye was speechless for a moment.

"Well... to put it another way, if his decision would cause great destruction, and many people would lose their lives because of him, what would you do?"

"Execute resolutely."

"..."

I can't get along with this kid.

Hawkeye felt somewhat helpless. Although the girl in front of him was very outstanding and hardworking, she could be a bit stubborn at times.

"What if he harms himself?"

"..." This question stumped Violet.

What should I do if Brigadier General Isaac makes a decision that will harm me?

During his battle at Leidenscheft, he was repeatedly injured while protecting himself. First, he was pierced by a spear, then his right leg was blown off, and later he sacrificed his right hand to save himself.

If Brigadier General Isaac makes such a decision again in the future, then even if it's an order, I myself...

Hawkeye breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the person in front of him had been persuaded.

"Therefore, the duty of an adjutant is not simply to follow orders, but to stop their superior from making a mistake and to offer reasonable advice."

After listening, Violet pondered for a moment, then bowed deeply to Hawkeye.

"Thank you for Lieutenant Hawkeye's guidance. I know what I should do now."

Hawkeye smiled and said, "It's nothing really. Brigadier General Isaac must have had his reasons for choosing you as his adjutant. After we're gone, he can only entrust the task to you and Habock."

"Yes."

To Hawkeye and the others in the Eastern Command, Isaac was their superior, but sometimes they treated him like a child, after all, Isaac was only fourteen years old when he took office.

After saying goodbye, Violet headed towards the Eastern Command Headquarters.

While waiting in the office, Isaac started smoking out of boredom.

Upon seeing Violet return, Isaac said, "You're back. Get ready, we're going..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Violet walk up to him and snatch the cigarette from his mouth.

“Brigadier General Isaac, smoking is harmful to your health.” Violet stared intently into Isaac’s eyes.

Isaac: "..."

Violet extinguished the cigarette and threw it into the trash can.

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.

The train bound for Nanfang City started moving, and the two were already on their way there.

Isaac looked at the two cigarettes in his hand, somewhat speechless.

Violet said that because she was afraid Isaac would have health problems from smoking too much, she confiscated all the cigarettes from Isaac's pockets, leaving him with only two.

While I'm very pleased with Violet's transformation, I still feel something is off.

"Never mind... growth is always accompanied by pain."

Dublis has a hot climate, but it is a popular tourist destination, an important city in the South, and the location of the Southern Command.

After handing over his duties to the commander-in-chief here, Isaac began his inspection tour.

Some of the combat-capable State Alchemists from the Southern Command have been transferred to the Central Command, leaving only researchers. Coupled with the shortage of personnel, the patrol work can only be carried out by looking for people from the nearby Eastern Command.

"Why do I have to do the patrol myself? Anyone can do the same thing. What could possibly be wrong around the Southern Command?" Isaac complained as he walked down the streets of Dublis.

The streets here feel deserted, and some of the surrounding old shops haven't been renovated.

Isaac, who had been thinking this, suddenly sensed something and stopped in his tracks.

"What happened?"

Violet was curious as to why Isaac had suddenly stopped.

"This energy... it's from an artificial human again, and there's another energy that is..."

Isaac murmured, looking at an underground bar called The Cave.

The bar was tiny and the sign was in a terrible state; it was hard to imagine that this bar was even open.

"Let's go down and take a look."

Just as Isaac was about to walk down, a short man with a peculiar appearance and a tail that resembled a lizard suddenly darted out of the alley and stood in front of Isaac.

"Excuse me, officer, you are not welcome here." The man who looked like a lizard looked at Isaac and his group warily.

"Get out of the way, I'm here to search."

"No, I can't..."

Bang!

Before he could finish speaking, Isaac slapped him so hard he flew out and crashed into the wall.

"Violet, you go to the Southern Command first. I have an acquaintance here who I'd like to see."

“This is dangerous, I want to go with you,” Violet said hurriedly.

After listening to Hawkeye's words, Violet consciously tried to avoid any situation that might pose a danger to Isaac.

“Don’t worry, it’s someone we know,” Isaac said with a smile.