my slow journey to infinity

Chapter 50 A nasty first encounter
In the Hohenheim family's study, Wang Shui was communicating with this important plot character.

In terms of knowledge alone, Hohenheim received a long-term education from "The Little Man in the Bottle". The high-level knowledge laid a good foundation for him. After more than 400 years of practice, Hohenheim's alchemy ability is quite strong.

Aqua Regia relies on the mutual complementation of the three alchemies and its strong learning ability. Now it is stronger than Hohenheim in the field of practicality and thinking, but its knowledge of things in this world is still lacking.

Since Aqua Regia returned to town, the two often spent the entire day indulging in the exploration of alchemy.

Recently, Wang Shui saw deep worry and determination in Hohenheim's eyes and expression. It seems that at this time, he has discovered the land formation formation covering the entire country's underground, and is about to realize that the [Little Man in the Bottle] wants to There is a plan for 5000 million people in this country to refine the Philosopher's Stone.

Wang Shui is deliberately avoiding the relevant information about the national formation formation. Hohenheim does not want innocent people to be involved, and Wang Shui does not want others to interfere with his plan.

"Mr. Via, I didn't expect you to really do it."

Hohenheim looked at Aqua Regia's [Simple Grain Factory Catalytic Design Plan], with a rare hint of joy in his plain expression.

"I very much agree with your decision to place grain factories in no-man's land outside the country. This country has been in constant turmoil recently, and food security cannot be a problem."

"When the technology matures, I will make it public and share it with the world, but there are still many problems in reducing the difficulty of making it. For example, here, the catalytic promotion of water absorption will be limited by the root system, and the water and fertilizer ratios at different growth rates will also be Big problem."

"I admire your selflessness and erudition." Hohenheim praised from the bottom of his heart. He is now more concerned about helping Aqua Regia solve these problems.

"No, your knowledge is also very important, and the grain factory benefits from your help."

Anyway, it's cheap, and you don't have to pay, so you can have as much as you want.Of course, it doesn't matter even if he pays Hohenheim now, Aqua Regia's wealth has exceeded Hohenheim's imagination.

When the two communicate, Hohenheim's wife Theresa often comes to bring some food and tea, and the two little protagonists, who are one or two years old, look at the two busy adults with confused expressions from time to time.

Speaking of which, the two Edward brothers were quite cute when they were young. Aqua Regia was quite impressed by the power of human cubs. The two brothers were quite quiet. I don't know if it was because they were too young.

Underneath the dull research life, Shui Wang continued to expand his territory.

Under Sylvia's control, the army of artificial soul-driven structures is gradually building Wang Shui's industrial and commercial empire, and Wang Shui has also put down many affairs and focused on his own growth.

Five years have passed in the blink of an eye, and the world seems to have not changed at all, and it seems to be completely different.

Today, Hohenheim said goodbye to his wife at the door. The two little guys were a little confused and worried. Maybe in their world, they didn't know what their father's traveling meant. It was the worries between their parents that affected them.

On the main road, Wang Shui was waiting against a car.

"You don't have to see me off." Hohenheim's tone was full of determination at this moment.

Wang Shui just shook his head.

"I don't know what you are going to face. I don't know why you study people's birth, old age, illness and death. Since you are willing to leave your family behind, as a friend and student, I naturally have nothing to say.

But you take this car away. It is a vehicle completely powered by alchemy. It is easy to repair, has a simple structure and is powerful. It can adapt to various terrains. It is just a little slower, but I think it is faster than you hiking. , accept it, consider it as my tuition fee. "

Hohenheim hesitated for two seconds and then nodded and accepted. He was not going to travel around. It would be better to be more efficient.

The car gradually disappeared at the end of the road, and Hohenheim only left a request for Wang Shui to help take care of his wife and children.

Wang Shui naturally agreed, and of course there was no need to worry about supplies, but life, old age, illness and death...he was helpless.

"Has the plot begun?" Sylvia suddenly asked.

"That's right. Now the countdown to various events has begun. I only remember a little bit of the turbulent plot. It's time to get involved." Wang Shui looked at the car going away and chatted with Sylvia.

Sensing the gaze of the protagonist's mother Theresa, Wang Shui walked near the door and comforted:

"Mrs. Elric, don't worry. Mr. Hohenheim is safe. He is just doing what he has to do. I think you should know better than me.

This is my business card. Please accept it. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to go to any store, warehouse or machine shop in town for help. Mr. Hohenheim has a very large technical stake in me, but he has ignored it. "

Wang Shui also looked at the two little guys.

"As for the two of them, if they want to learn words and knowledge, I have put away the dangerous things in Mr. Hohenheim's study and let them learn as they please."

Looking at this young man who has not changed much in the past seven years and has always been in his 20s, Teresa Elric nodded. She did not understand the world of alchemy, but her husband also said, If you have any questions, you can contact Mr. Hill Via.

Wang Shui did not stay to interfere with the protagonist's growth. He now has his own things to be busy with. After five years of hard work, he has controlled almost all material flows in the country and mastered almost all bulk commodity transactions.

He did not act rashly, but took the initiative to contact the military in a simple way.

The identity he currently uses is that of a powerful alchemist, a mechanical engineer who studies mechanical armor. He was recruited by the military two years ago and became a national alchemist, codename:

【Mirror Alchemist】

This title was given by Wang Shui himself because he showed special learning ability during his short period of activity in Central City. He could quickly master other people's unique alchemy techniques and use them freely, causing quite a sensation.

So he made up his own special ability, saying that he could temporarily simulate other people's alchemy, but the effect would be less.

It doesn't matter if you believe the little man in the bottle or not, as long as the group of startled alchemists believe it.

Aqua Regia showed a high talent for alchemy, and then revealed his willingness to study the taboo [human body refining]. As expected, the [little man in the bottle] and his group relaxed their guard.

Instead, they looked forward to Wang Shui's early contact with the "truth" and becoming [Father's] ladder to ascend to God.

After bidding farewell to the protagonist's family, Wang Shui immediately went to the area called [Ishval] further east. Yes, this is not just a city, but a large area.

In this backward world of rocks and deserts, the people here lived tenaciously and actively until they were annexed by Amestorius many years ago.

The causes and consequences of annexation are the same as those of the "civilized" world - racial discrimination, and some religious issues.The Ishvar people believe that everything in the world is created by God, and alchemy changes the objects created by God to their original appearance, which is contrary to God's will.

Foolishness or not, the problem of unrest has always lingered here, and the military in the country's east has been on alert to control the occasional unrest.

Wang Shui went here, on the one hand, to be recruited by the military, and on the other hand, to personally compare his memory of this part of the plot.

On the slow train, Wang Shui checked the local data reports.

"According to warehouse statistics, the tribal groups in the Ishval area probably had a population of less than 100 million before the annexation, and the main tribal gathering areas only had tens of thousands of people.

In the past five years, there has been a large-scale baby boom due to sufficient food, and the Ishvar people are also dispersing into the country.Based on rough calculations based on food consumption, the current resident population in the area is around 300 million. Based on the frugal life style of the locals, the population may be even higher. "

It's really surprising data. The speed of population expansion has made Wang Shui more knowledgeable, but according to Zhinao big data statistics, this region is consuming steel and special chemicals at an alarming rate.

Wang Shui smelled a hint of war.

The train stopped in an ordinary town, which was already the most remote station, still some distance away from the Ishval area.

Wearing a loose light-colored burqa to block the increasingly scorching sunshine, Wang Shui walked out of the platform carrying a small suitcase. At the exit, he saw a young man with short black hair wearing a blue military robe from a distance.

Wang Shui walked towards him and showed him his silver pocket watch and recruitment documents.

The young man saluted briefly and said:

"Good afternoon, Lieutenant Hill Via. I am Roy Mustang. I will escort you for the rest of your trip."

Wang Shui took back his token and was a little surprised to see the future [Flame Alchemist], and he couldn't hold back his mischievous mood.

"Why, the military only sent soldiers like you to protect me? Is it because you are so powerful, or does the military believe in my strength?"

"Please don't worry about safety issues. The atmosphere in nearby towns is just a little tense. This is a military area. As a soldier, I will protect your safety with my life. Please follow me, sir."

Mustang's neither humbleness nor arrogance made Wang Shuigao take a look at him. He was young and not afraid of honor and disgrace, and he spoke very measuredly. He was a person who did great things.

Wang Shui did not act too mean and got into the car. Mustang took him to the military station.

"Sergeant, please introduce me to the commander of this area. I want to know the purpose of recruiting me here."

"Yes, there are currently two legions stationed in the Ishval area, both of which belong to the Eastern Military Region. They are being split into eight brigade-level command centers to open up the front line. Currently, only one brigade has unrest on the contact surface, which has caused some personnel casualties.

The second brigade is currently stationed here. It has just been replaced. The commander is Colonel Margus. Many of the wounded here have mutilated limbs. And you are a master of mechanical armor. The military has recruited you, probably for the purpose of recruiting you. Use mechanical armor to heal these soldiers. "

Wang Shui's expression was indifferent. He looked into Mustang's eyes through the rearview mirror and asked:

"Did your commander tell you, or did you think of it yourself."

Mustang was stunned for a moment, and then answered honestly: "Most of it is not a secret. The mechanical armor aspect is just my guess."

"Watch your words, Sergeant. What if I'm a spy?"

"Sir, are you joking..."

As he spoke, Mustang's eyes gradually widened. He watched the white-skinned young man with black hair change rapidly in the rearview mirror. Aqua regia's skin turned brown, his eyes turned red, and even his hair changed. Get silver.

squeak - creak -

The military car stopped quickly, making a harsh friction sound on the road. Sergeant Roy Mustang quickly drew his gun and turned around, but his shot was in vain!
"Are you looking for this?" Wang Shui showed an exaggerated smile and showed Mustang the pistol that belonged to him. "You are too defensive, sergeant."

Mustang immediately wanted to open the car door, but found that the door had been integrated into the car body, and the car actually started automatically and drove forward.

Mustang, who had always been very calm and talkative, was now covered in horror and sweating, but he still maintained a good composure, pretending to be panicked and struggling, and reached for the grenade in his arms.

But at this time, the car stopped.

Aqua Regia flipped the pistol in a fancy way and handed the handle of the gun to Mustang in front.

"Okay, the test is over, let's continue walking."

Mustang took over his pistol in surprise and couldn't help but ask:
"You! What on earth is..."

What answered him was an ordinary paper card displayed by Shui Wang, with a complex circular formation and dense text on it.

Wang Shui held the card between his hands, weak blue lightning lit up, and he quickly changed back to his own appearance.

"Biological alchemy is an ancient but unpopular branch that has never made any progress. Temporary appearance changes and permanent plastic surgery are the results of my recent research. I am planning to use it to make money from rich ladies. At the same time, it has good healing power. Look There are not enough doctors coming to the military. So why not recruit ordinary doctors from the country?"

Seeing Wang Shui explaining and thinking to himself, Mustang quickly regained his composure.

This was probably the first time he had experienced the power of the national alchemist up close, and it was clear that aqua regia did not disappoint him.

The vehicle started moving again, but Mustang still believed the silver pocket watch and the documents. After all, it was the order he received to bring back the [Mirror Alchemist].

Soldiers must obey orders no matter what the circumstances.

　Mine, don’t make any promises. I have new ideas when designing the plot. It depends on the situation. But don’t worry, I will quit my job and write a book very stably.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)