Chapter 34: Preparing for Battle
The fact that other border generals were preparing to flee Amestris was not good news. Mustang had already spread word of the Homunculi's plans within the military, and with solid evidence presented, the Homunculi could not deny it.
In the original story, Mustang and his group didn't have it this easy. The reason was the massive gap in intelligence—they didn't know the plans or true nature of the Homunculus in the flask.
Logically speaking, the Homunculus in the flask had established this nation and should have firmly controlled it. But its goal was too anti-human, intending to sacrifice the entire nation's population, placing it in opposition to everyone.
Over the past century, the Homunculus in the flask's actions had grown increasingly extreme, its fangs gradually showing. Successive civil wars had pushed Amestris toward the brink of collapse.
"You all need to move faster on your end. I've completely burned bridges here and can't stay in Central."
It seemed Mustang's situation wasn't great either.
"Then where are you positioned?"
Su Xiao frowned. If Mustang was forced out of Central City, things would get troublesome. The Northern Army needed a 'springboard' to strike Central.
"Don't worry. I've stationed my troops in a small town near Central City, currently facing off against the Central Army. Those Central City generals all think I've lost my mind, that I'm courting death."
Given Mustang's cautious nature, everyone connected to him should be protected within that small town to avoid becoming hostages.
"Any suggestions?"
Olivier looked at Su Xiao.
"Me? No opinions. I'm not good at marching and warfare. You two decide."
Both Olivier and Mustang were shrewd old foxes. Although the three were allied, this alliance wasn't solid. Either of them could kick Su Xiao out at any time.
"As the initiator of this alliance, you have the right to offer suggestions. Speak freely."
Mustang also spoke up. Both were testing Su Xiao's stance.
"Like I said, I'm not good at marching and warfare. If there's a tough enemy to deal with, I can step in."
Su Xiao's answer made Mustang and Olivier fall silent for a moment.
"Then... what's your goal? Don't say you have no ulterior motives. My goal is to become the Führer, Olivier's is to protect her territory. What's yours?"
Mustang laid the cards on the table. This was information essential for the alliance.
"My goal? It's nothing special to say. Something belonging to the Homunculus in the flask."
"What thing?"
"His research achievements on alchemy."
Su Xiao's words shocked Mustang and Olivier.
"Are you trying to set up a Nationwide Transmutation Circle?"
Hearing Mustang's question, Su Xiao shook his head. It was natural for them to have such suspicions.
"Do you two think setting up a Nationwide Transmutation Circle is easy? Setting aside whether I could live for centuries, just bearing that amount of Philosopher's Stones is impossible. Mustang, you should know this."
Mustang nodded on the other end of the line.
"I have no more questions on my end. If we win, the Homunculus in the flask's alchemy knowledge can be yours, but any records related to the Nationwide Transmutation Circle must be completely destroyed."
"No problem."
Su Xiao stated his position.
"No issues on my end either."
Olivier also agreed.
The three parties' goals were temporarily aligned, bringing Su Xiao's plan another step forward.
"Then the alliance is officially established."
Su Xiao finalized the alliance. Only now were the three sides truly allied.
Having the Homunculus in the flask obtain the power of God first and then seizing it would be troublesome. Su Xiao had also considered setting up the Nationwide Transmutation Circle himself to gain the power of God.
But an awkward problem arose: he didn't know alchemy at all. What he mastered was alchemy as a science.
Even if he knew alchemy, whether to perform the Nationwide Transmutation Circle was still debatable.
The Homunculus in the flask had two goals for the Nationwide Transmutation Circle: first, to obtain a massive amount of Philosopher's Stones; second, to drag the Eye of Truth into its body.
The Eye of Truth is One, One is All, All is God, so the power of God is the power of the Eye of Truth.
Su Xiao's ultimate goal was the power of God within the Eye of Truth, but can humans truly bear the power of God? The answer is no.
To bear the Eye of Truth, one must first transplant a large number of Philosopher's Stones into the body. The material for Philosopher's Stones is human souls. Bearing hundreds of thousands of departed souls in one's body would certainly affect one's sanity.
Su Xiao's development path was melee combat, not a necromancer grandmaster, so he had little interest in the Eye of Truth itself—it was just a mission item.
"Since we've allied, we should unify our plans."
Olivier interrupted Su Xiao's thoughts.
"No plan needed. You directly send troops to Central, then we rendezvous with Mustang, find a way to destroy or capture the Central Army, and the final target is the Homunculus in the flask."
Su Xiao's simple and crude plan clearly stunned the Ice Queen Olivier.
"Is it really that simple?"
Olivier suddenly felt this alliance was somewhat unreliable.
"Yes. Otherwise, you propose a plan."
Su Xiao wouldn't interfere with Olivier and Mustang's specific actions, as long as they sent troops to attack Central City.
Now Mustang's forces were already facing off against the Central Army. War was inevitable sooner or later. The only one left to convince was Olivier—no, 'persuade' was more accurate.
Neither Olivier nor Mustang was stupid, but they had to oppose the Central Army. This was a matter of life and death, requiring no inducement from Su Xiao.
"Mustang, are we just charging in recklessly like this? Without a specific plan?"
"No."
Mustang's answer made Olivier even more astonished.
"If we're just charging in recklessly like this, then I'm withdrawing from the alliance."
The instability of the alliance showed itself.
"As you wish. But let me remind you of something: this country was established by the Homunculus in the flask. It's impossible to stay out of the coming war."
Mustang's stance was firm. He also understood that at this point, no plan was needed. The Nationwide Transmutation Circle wasn't complete yet—this was the best chance to defeat the Homunculus in the flask. Speed was crucial; spending time devising plans was far less effective than engaging the Central Army now.
"You can withdraw too. You could flee Amestris like those other border generals. But whether the Homunculus in the flask will allow it is unclear to me. After all, the sacrifices aren't enough yet."
Su Xiao's words made Olivier's expression turn unpleasant. No one wanted to be that so-called sacrifice.
"I was just joking earlier. When do we start the war?"
Olivier clearly realized it was now kill or be killed. The alliance wasn't formed by Su Xiao but naturally established under the threat of the Homunculus in the flask. He hadn't done much persuading.
"Now."
"Start the war now?"
"Yes, right now. Immediately. This instant!"
This time, Su Xiao's stance was resolute. The sooner they attacked Central City, the better.
"How long will it take your troops to assemble?"
Su Xiao looked at Olivier.
"At most ten minutes."
The efficiency of the border army was beyond imagination. Tens of thousands of troops could be mobilized in ten minutes. This area frequently had small-scale skirmishes with neighboring enemy countries—without such efficiency, they would have been breached long ago.
Under Olivier's orders, the entire border fortress bustled with activity. The orderly sound of marching footsteps came one after another.
Olivier hadn't exaggerated. In less than ten minutes, tens of thousands of troops from the border fortress were assembled before it.