Chapter 385: Bewitchment

"How were you released? Show me your release papers."

Colonel Ma Sitan blocked Su Xiao's path, ready to fight at any moment.

"Is it so strange that I was released? Besides, you have no authority to command me. Don't forget, we are of equal rank."

Su Xiao walked forward, carrying the corpse of Isaac, with Bubu Wang following behind, a straw hanging from his head.

Ordinary State Alchemists are of Major rank, while those who participated in the 'Ishval Annihilation War' are at least Colonel rank, though such alchemists are rare.

Most alchemists who participated in the 'Ishval Annihilation War' were either sent to remote areas or imprisoned for various reasons.

Alchemists like Luo Yi Ma Sitan who serve in Central City are extremely rare; searching the entire country, only Luo Yi Ma Sitan fits this description.

Others can see this anomaly, let alone Luo Yi Ma Sitan himself, which is why this Colonel is already preparing to rebel.

The reason Luo Yi Ma Sitan was kept in Central City is because Father took a liking to his talent.

This is not a good thing; Father's ultimate goal is to refine the entire country's population into a Philosopher's Stone, and now the military high command are all Father's lackeys.

To be precise, the country of Amestris was founded by Father; it was originally a small country, and Father developed it into its current state.

Refining the entire country's population into a Philosopher's Stone is not simple, especially since all of this must be done in secret.

First, an alchemical array covering the entire country must be laid out. Once the array is successfully set, each of the five corners of the array requires a human sacrifice.

These five people cannot be chosen at random. First, they must be powerful alchemists; second, these five alchemists must have performed human transmutation, which means they have seen the Gate of Truth.

These five sacrifices are called Human Pillars by Father. The five sacrifices are:

Edward Elric (Protagonist)

Alphonse Elric (Protagonist's younger brother)

Luo Yi Ma Sitan (Candidate Human Pillar)

Izumi Curtis (Protagonist's Master, female)

Van Hohenheim (Protagonist's father)

It must be said that the protagonist Edward Elric is slightly miserable; not only is he a Human Pillar himself, but his brother, father, and master have all been chosen by Father as Human Pillars.

Colonel Luo Yi Ma Sitan is currently a candidate Human Pillar, which is why he is kept in Central City.

Su Xiao's mission target is Father; the Power of God (Fake) is within him. However, Father's strength is immense, and in Amestris, Father's abilities are almost unsolvable.

In the original work, Father was defeated after being besieged by everyone. Su Xiao is clear on this, so he will not touch the plot characters who besieged Father.

Not only that, Su Xiao must also weaken Father's forces.

Father's forces consist of two groups. One group is the six homunculi he created—there were originally seven, but Greed has already betrayed them; due to his nature, Greed cannot be loyal to anyone.

The second group is the military high command, who have cooperated with Father to gain eternal life, becoming his lackeys.

Su Xiao's primary targets are the six homunculi. Those military lackeys are easy to deal with and do not need to be alerted for now.

To deal with these homunculi, one must first infiltrate their camp. Only by successfully infiltrating can he have a chance to find the homunculi's whereabouts; otherwise, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

However, there is no need to infiltrate the enemy's interior for now; he knows the whereabouts of two homunculi.

"First, deal with those two. One is very easy to deal with, the other is a bit troublesome."

Su Xiao walked down the street carrying a corpse, a look of contemplation on his face.

The two homunculi he intends to deal with are not too strong, but one of them has a troublesome ability. If hit by that ability, even if he doesn't die, he will have to pay a painful price.

Taking out a map, Su Xiao followed the directions and arrived in front of a research institute.

This research institute is nominally abandoned, but a guard is stationed at the entrance.

Su Xiao walked toward the main entrance of the institute, 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 anyone who spoke the password.

Walking into the courtyard of the institute, several adjacent buildings appeared ahead. The buildings were abandoned, and some windows were broken with no one to repair them.

Walking into the middle building, Su Xiao headed straight for the basement.

The basement of the entire institute had been opened up to form a large plaza. In the center of the plaza was an open space with a circular alchemical array, and in the center of the array stood a low wooden stake, also engraved with an alchemical array.

Walking toward the alchemical array, Su Xiao saw pools of black blood on the ground; these bloodstains had existed for a long time and had long since dried.

"Quite punctual. Were you followed?"

Envy walked out from behind a stone pillar, walked not far from Su Xiao, and sat on the wooden stake in the center of the alchemical array.

"Inspection."

Su Xiao threw Isaac's corpse toward Envy. Envy kicked the corpse and, upon discovering the wound on the chest and abdomen, frowned.

"This is... a knife wound?"

"Yes."

"Did you slash it?"

"No, when I met him, he already had this wound on his chest. It should have been slashed by a young boy."

Su Xiao certainly wouldn't admit he slashed it. When he killed Isaac, he had sensed the surroundings, and there was no one else.

"A young boy?"

"A blond boy, in his teens, about 1.6 meters tall, with a mechanical prosthetic for his right arm."

"So that's how it is. That guy, huh."

Envy scrutinized Su Xiao, seemingly thinking about something.

"Are you interested in obtaining eternal life?"

Envy spoke, his words carrying a hint of bewitchment.

"Eternal life? A life form like you?"

"Yes, and no."

"Not interested."

Receiving Su Xiao's answer, Envy showed an 'as expected' expression.

"As expected. Then let's change the bargaining chip. Are you interested in obtaining more Philosopher's Stones?"

Su Xiao's eyes brightened, deliberately showing a look of longing.

"Of course I'm interested."

"Very good. Then why don't we cooperate? Do things for us, and we will pay you with Philosopher's Stones."

"You?"

"Yes, us. Our power is beyond your imagination. To be precise, you have been doing things for us all along, whether it's war or eliminating dissidents."

Su Xiao thought to himself, the fox's tail is finally showing. Envy releasing him from prison might just be to recruit him.

"I want to see King Bradley. He is your leader, right?"

"Hahaha, why see him? If you are willing to do things for us, you will be able to see our true leader in the future. Not now."

Su Xiao feigned contemplation, seemingly weighing the pros and cons. Envy didn't speak, waiting for Su Xiao to make a decision. ===== CHAPTER 386 =====