Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

"So it's no use for you to arrest me, General, she's my subordinate," Mima said with a smile.

Where is the nameless guardian?

“Her parents died early, and I have been taking care of her ever since.”

“Then arresting you is the right thing to do,” Isaac said.

"..."

"Next question," Isaac asked, staring into Mima Tentori's eyes, "Did you instigate the nameless one to climb through my window?"

“No, I didn’t know that,” Mima Amatori said with a smile.

His expression was so natural that Isaac couldn't tell if he was lying.

“Forget it, I doubt you’d dare,” Isaac said. “But Anonymous’s actions are a matter of national security, and I think you’ll be implicated.”

"What does Your Excellency intend to do?" Mima breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; it seemed that the matter had not been exposed.

“Logically speaking, this kind of crime should be punishable by death,” Isaac said. “The Nameless One is a minor and a first-time offender, so I can assume he's just young and mischievous. But you…”

As Isaac spoke, he extended his hand to the American horse.

Mima understood and immediately said, "Brigadier General, I discovered that besides paying for the weapons, there is about a ton of gold left over. Since we can't take it back anyway, why don't you keep it for us?"

“Very well, then I’ll reluctantly keep it for you.” Isaac smiled and patted Mima on the shoulder. “You can take Wuming back later.”

"Thank you!" Mima said.

I've finally survived this time.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I need to tell you," Isaac said from behind just as Mima was about to leave.

"what?"

"Alchemy is the core technology of Amestris, so don't even think about getting involved," Isaac said.

"!"

Amatori Mima's pupils contracted instantly. When did he find out? Had he already been exposed?

Isaac hadn't actually realized Mima's intentions; he was just giving him a heads-up. If he had, he would be a corpse by now.

Outside the interrogation room, the nameless man waved to Isaac.

"Goodbye, thank you for the treat, the pork chop rice was delicious!"

"Don't come again next time."

On the way back, Wuming chattered away beside Meima.

“Brother, the way this country treats prisoners is very strange. There is no torture, and they are even given pork chop rice.”

"That's quite surprising. I guess that's how it is in developed countries," Mima said. "By the way, Nameless. How were you caught yesterday?"

The nameless man recalled, "When I broke into his house yesterday, I found two women inside. One seemed to be his subordinate, and I think her name was Violet. The other was named Lanfang."

"They subdued you?"

"Yes, they are both very strong. Even with my shackles removed, they are no match for me."

"I see." Mima began to think.

He had met Violet before; she was one of the soldiers of Amestris, Isaac's adjutant, with the rank of warrant officer. From the nameless man's words, it could be inferred that his combat prowess was as unfathomable as Isaac's.

There is another person named Lan Fang. Judging from the name, he should be from Singapore. What is his relationship with Isaac?

"Oh, by the way, that woman named Lanfang seems to address Isaac as 'Your Highness'," Wuming added after a moment's thought.

"..."

It seems Isaac's identity is not as simple as it appears on the surface; he should probably keep a low profile from now on.

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.

After they were released, the transaction proceeded normally.

"Two thousand 98AZ carbines, three thousand GRP08 pistols, ten machine guns, and fifty mortars," Isaac said, looking at the order in his hand. "That concludes the transaction. Thank you all for your cooperation."

“Not at all, I should be thanking Brigadier General,” Mima said with a smile. “These weapons are enough for us to fight against our enemies at home.”

“Alright, although you’ll be leaving in a few days, you’ll have to stay here for the time being,” Isaac said.

"no problem."

Just as Isaac was talking to them.

On a distant clock tower, a fat man, round like a ball, sniffed the air and revealed an angry expression.

"I smell...Isaac's scent..."

"The one who killed Lust...Isaac!!!"

Chapter 159: The Giant Mouth

In a dark space, there was only a faint light.

Countless enormous pipes lined the perimeter of the space, all leading to a seat in the very center. In the seat sat an elderly man, flipping through a book inscribed with ancient, archaic characters.

At that moment, a figure walked towards the old man.

"Ras, you've come." The old man turned away from the person and slowly closed the book in his hands.

"I have arrived, Father." The newcomer revealed his face; it was none other than the President of Amestris, Kim Bradley.

"How is Isaac doing now?" the old man asked.

"He has been inactive in Central City and, according to intelligence, has abandoned his investigation into us," the President said respectfully.

"Is that so..." The old man continued after a moment of silence, "Although Isaac is a human sacrifice, we must be wary of him. He is the one who is most likely to disrupt our plans."

“I know, but at least he still trusts me for now,” the president said.

"That's good." The old man paused slightly and asked, "Have you warned that man named Mustang and the Elric brothers?"

“We warned them last time they left from here,” the President said in a deep voice.

“Alright, now we just need to wait for the follow-up work to be completed,” the old man said. “By the way, where is Gratoni?”

"He should still be in Central City. He's been wandering around the area ever since Laste died."

"Never mind, we don't need him for the current plan." After saying that, the old man picked up his book again and continued reading.

The president also went back.

The eerie place fell silent again.

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.

In Dongfang City, Isaac continued his business negotiations with Meima.

"I'll send you some ammunition; you can buy the rest as needed."

"Thank you very much," Mima said.

"It's a pleasure to cooperate with you then..."

Just as Isaac was about to shake hands to signify the deal was done, his expression suddenly changed slightly, and he turned his head to look into the distance.

"What happened? What's wrong...?"

"Get down!" Isaac shouted.

boom!

An unidentified object crashed down in front of them, kicking up a cloud of dust.

“Found it…” A round, fat man emerged from the smoke, his face contorted with rage when he saw Isaac.

People around stared in astonishment at the fat man who had fallen from the sky; how could someone fall from such a height unharmed?

Mima looked at Isaac and noticed a surprised look on his face, which made her curious.

"Your Excellency, this is..."

"An artificial human, I didn't expect to find this place." Isaac's face revealed a ferocious smile.

He remembered this person; his name seemed to be Gratoni, the fat man who stood with Rust in Rior.

As they were talking, Gratoni rushed at Isaac and slapped away everyone who was blocking his way.

The people of Japan, seeing the monster charging towards them, assumed it intended to attack Mima, who was standing next to Isaac, and tried to block it, but this was futile.

Gratoni grabbed a person, opened his mouth wide, and bit down, causing blood to splatter everywhere.

"A monster...a monster."

"What is this thing?!"

"Man-eating... Could it be the Kabane?"

The Japanese soldiers, though surprised, were used to man-eating monsters from their long battles with the Kabane. Upon seeing Gratoni bite someone, they immediately opened fire, of course, using old-fashioned steam guns.

Although these bullets are ineffective against the Kabane, they are still effective against people, and Gratoni was riddled with holes in an instant.

Just when they thought they had won, a bizarre scene unfolded.

Gratoni, who was originally riddled with bullet holes, was restored to his original state in a burst of red lightning.

"You...you're in the way!"

Gratoni instantly rushed in front of the shooters and slapped them all away.

boom!

A bullet pierced Gratoni's head. He turned around angrily and found the Nameless One pointing a gun at him.

Without a second thought, Gratoni lunged at the nameless woman, his massive body slamming into her and sending her flying backward to the ground.

Before she could even get up, Gratoni was already standing in front of her. Under the nameless man's terrified gaze, he opened his mouth wide and bit down.

hum~

Several streaks of colorful light flashed past, severing Gratoni's hands, which had been pinning the nameless man to the ground.

While Wuming was still in a daze, he felt someone grab the back of his collar.

"Get back," Isaac said, lifting the nameless man off the ground and throwing him behind him.