Chapter 4: Temptation
"Why were you released? Show me your release papers."
Colonel Mustang stood in front of Su Xiao, ready to fight at any moment.
"Is it that strange that I was released? And you don't have the authority to command me. Don't forget, we're the same rank."
Su Xiao walked forward carrying the corpse of Isaac, with Bubu Wang following behind him, a straw hanging from his head.
Ordinary State Alchemists held the rank of Major, while those who had participated in the "Ishvalan Extermination War" were at least Colonel, though such alchemists were rare.
Most alchemists who took part in the "Ishvalan Extermination War" were either assigned to remote regions or sent to prison on various pretexts.
Alchemists like Roy Mustang, who served in Central City, were extremely few. Searching the entire country, only Roy Mustang fit that description.
Others could see this abnormal situation, let alone Roy Mustang himself, which was why this Colonel was already preparing for rebellion.
The reason Roy Mustang remained in Central City was because the Homunculus in the Flask had taken a liking to his talent.
This was not a good thing. The Homunculus in the Flask's ultimate goal was to refine the entire nation's population into Philosopher's Stones. By now, the upper echelons of the military were all lapdogs of the Homunculus.
To be precise, the country of Amestris was founded by the Homunculus in the Flask. It had originally been a small nation, and the Homunculus had developed it to its current state.
Refining the entire country's population into Philosopher's Stones was no simple task, especially when it had to be done in secret.
First, a nationwide alchemy array had to be arranged. Once the array was successfully set up, each of its five corners required a human sacrifice.
These five individuals could not be chosen arbitrarily. First, they needed to be powerful alchemists. Second, these five alchemists must have performed human transmutation, which meant they had seen the Gate of Truth.
The Homunculus in the Flask called these five sacrifices "Pillars." They were:
Edward Elric (the protagonist)
Alphonse Elric (the protagonist's brother)
Roy Mustang (candidate Pillar)
Izumi Curtis (the protagonist's teacher, female)
Van Hohenheim (the protagonist's father)
It had to be said, the protagonist Edward Elric was rather unfortunate. Not only was he a Pillar himself, but his brother, father, and teacher had all been chosen as Pillars by the Homunculus.
Currently, Colonel Roy Mustang was a candidate Pillar, which was why he remained in Central City.
Su Xiao's mission target was the Homunculus in the Flask. The God Force (Fake) was inside its body. However, the Homunculus's strength was formidable. Within Amestris, its abilities were nearly unstoppable.
In the original story, the Homunculus was defeated after being surrounded by a group. Su Xiao understood this, so he wouldn't touch the plot characters who would besiege the Homunculus.
Not only that, but Su Xiao also needed to weaken the Homunculus's forces.
The Homunculus's forces consisted of two groups. One was the six Homunculi it had created—originally seven, but Greed had already betrayed them. Due to differences in nature, Greed could never be loyal to anyone.
The second group was the military high command. To gain immortality, they had cooperated with the Homunculus, becoming its lapdogs.
Su Xiao's primary target was the six Homunculi. The military lapdogs were easy to deal with, so there was no need to alert the enemy for now.
To eliminate these Homunculi, he first needed to infiltrate their ranks. Only by successfully infiltrating could he find their whereabouts; otherwise, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
For now, infiltration wasn't necessary. He knew the whereabouts of two Homunculi.
"Let's deal with those two first. One is easy to handle; the other is a bit troublesome."
Su Xiao walked down the street carrying a corpse, a contemplative expression on his face.
The two Homunculi he planned to deal with weren't particularly strong, but one of them had troublesome abilities. If hit by that ability, even if he didn't die, he would pay a heavy price.
Pulling out a map, Su Xiao followed its directions and wandered until he arrived in front of a research institute.
This institute was supposedly abandoned, yet a guard stood at its entrance.
Su Xiao walked toward the main gate, and the guard stopped him.
"Password."
"3T4M, fish, candy, lime."
Hearing this strange password, the guard nodded. He didn't know what was inside the institute behind him; he only needed to let in those who gave the correct password.
Entering the institute's courtyard, Su Xiao saw several adjacent buildings ahead. The buildings were abandoned, with broken windows left unrepaired.
Walking into the central building, Su Xiao headed straight for the basement.
The entire basement of the institute had been hollowed out into a large plaza. At the center of the plaza was an open space with a circular alchemy array. In the middle of the array stood a short wooden stake, also engraved with alchemical symbols.
Approaching the alchemy array, Su Xiao saw patches of black bloodstains on the ground. These stains had been there for a long time, long since dried.
"Right on time. Were you followed?"
Envy emerged from behind a stone pillar, walked to a spot not far from Su Xiao, and sat on the wooden stake at the center of the array.
"Inspection."
Su Xiao tossed Isaac's corpse toward Envy. Envy kicked the body, and upon seeing the wound on its chest and abdomen, frowned.
"This is... a knife wound?"
"Yes."
"Did you cut it?"
"No. When I found him, he already had this wound on his chest. It should have been made by a young man."
Su Xiao naturally wouldn't admit he had made the cut. When he killed Isaac, he had sensed the surroundings and found no one else.
"A young man?"
"A blond youth, around ten years old, about 1.6 meters tall, with a mechanical prosthetic on his right arm."
"I see. That guy, huh."
Envy scrutinized Su Xiao, seemingly deep in thought.
"Are you interested in gaining immortality?"
Envy spoke, a hint of temptation in his voice.
"Immortality? A life form like yours?"
"Yes and no."
"No interest."
Hearing Su Xiao's answer, Envy showed an expression of "just as I thought."
"Expected. Then let's change the bargaining chip. Are you interested in getting more Philosopher's Stones?"
Su Xiao's eyes lit up, deliberately revealing a look of desire.
"Of course I'm interested."
"Excellent. Then why not cooperate? Do things for us, and we'll pay you in Philosopher's Stones."
"Us?"
"Yes, us. Our power is beyond your imagination. To be precise, you've been working for us all along—whether in war or eliminating dissidents."
Su Xiao thought to himself, *The fox's tail is finally showing.* Envy had released him from prison, likely to recruit him.
"I want to see King Bradley. He's your leader, isn't he?"
"Hahaha, what for? If you're willing to work for us, you'll meet our true leader in the future. Not yet."
Su Xiao pretended to ponder, as if weighing the pros and cons. Envy said nothing, waiting for Su Xiao to make his decision.