Chapter 412: Chapter 28: Negotiation
A blonde female general stood in front of Su Xiao, holding a stabbing sword.
This female general immediately reminded Su Xiao of Esdeath, but she was different from Esdeath; she had no penchant for torturing people and was a brave and skilled female general.
The general’s name was Olivier Mira Armstrong, also known as the Ice Queen, holding the rank of Vice Admiral and responsible for guarding the ’Briggs Border’.
Such talent being sent to the harsh cold region had only one reason: her abilities were too strong, and the homunculi were somewhat wary, so she wasn’t given the opportunity to enter Central City.
"You’re... the Demon of the Ishbal Extermination!"
Olivier Mira recognized Su Xiao; she had learned about the Ishbal Extermination, and it was normal to be remembered as the alchemist who killed the most in the Ishbal Extermination.
"What are you doing in the north, and why are you sitting in my place?"
Olivier Mira disliked alchemists wandering aimlessly; in her view, alchemists should be imprisoned or directly sent to the front line as combat effectiveness.
"It seems the news here is quite outdated, or Central City has already cut off communications with this place."
Su Xiao’s expression was calm; he came to negotiate today, not to fight.
"Cut the crap, state your purpose."
"Alright, I don’t want to waste too much talking either."
Su Xiao organized his thoughts briefly and then spoke:
"The reason I’m looking for you this time is to pull you into a rebellion."
Even though Olivier Mira had countless guesses, she didn’t expect this to be Su Xiao’s purpose.
"What?"
Olivier Mira, usually calm, raised her voice slightly.
"Do you know what you’re saying? As a State Alchemist, you’re discussing rebellion with a Vice Admiral? Do you believe I’ll order your arrest right now?"
"I’m no longer a State Alchemist."
Olivier Mira’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Forget it, let’s start from the beginning; you can doubt my description. I’m just giving you a general direction."
Su Xiao began explaining to Olivier Mira the purpose of the country’s establishment, homunculi, the Little Man in the Bottle, and the military’s upper echelons being bought off.
Olivier Mira’s expression didn’t change throughout.
"Absurd! I only believe what I see with my own eyes."
Indeed, Olivier Mira was not that easy to persuade.
Su Xiao didn’t intend to convince Olivier Mira right now; he was just providing a thought.
As one of the main forces to defeat the homunculi, joining forces with Olivier Mira is essential.
"If you have any doubts, you can call your subordinates in, and meanwhile, bring a map of Amestris."
Olivier Mira hesitated for a moment, then stepped out of the office. Shortly afterward, some of her trusted subordinates arrived in the room.
Among Olivier’s subordinates was a half-blood of Ishbal People and Amestrians, named Miles, inheriting the Ishbal People’s appearance, with white hair and red eyes.
Miles naturally recognized Su Xiao, looking at Su Xiao with an unfriendly gaze but saying nothing.
Su Xiao took the map in front of him.
"First, let’s look at the Amestris map. Do you find anything strange?"
Pointing at the Amestris map, Su Xiao glanced around at those present, who were full of caution, seemingly ready to arrest Su Xiao at any moment.
"There’s nothing unusual."
Olivier shook her head.
"This country’s map is circular."
After Su Xiao spoke, the few people frowned. Circular wasn’t unusual as Amestris had been invading surrounding small countries previously; expanding territory was normal.
"First, let’s compare this country to a circle."
Su Xiao drew a circle on the Amestris map, and the circle just encompassed Amestris.
"In July 1558, the Leore incident, over 10,000 dead and wounded."
Su Xiao marked the location of Leore.
"In October 1661, the Cameron civil unrest, over 20,000 dead and wounded."
Su Xiao marked the location of Cameron again.
"In February 1799, the Sopman event, over 50,000 deaths."
Su Xiao continued marking on the map.
"In 1811, the Visli incident, over 30,000 deaths."
"In June 1835, the first Southern Border War."
"In May 1911, the second Southern Border War."
"In 1913, the Intehans civil war."
"In 1914, the Riel riot."
...
Su Xiao started sketching on the map.
"If we connect all the places where wars have occurred, what will happen?"
Everyone leaned closer, and as Su Xiao sketched with a pencil, an Alchemy Array Diagram appeared, with lines without deviation.
"What is... this?"
Olivier Mira’s subordinates were stunned; now even a fool could see something’s wrong with this country.
Olivier Mira reacted first: "What does this refining array represent?"
"This is the Philosopher’s Stone refining array."
Su Xiao took out a stack of documents, detailing the Philosopher’s Stone.
Olivier Mira scanned the documents, her expression growing more unpleasant; the Little Man in the Bottle actually planned to refine the entire country’s people into a Philosopher’s Stone.
But she wouldn’t lightly believe Su Xiao’s one-sided words, yet she’s heard of those wars mentioned; those can’t be faked. Is it coincidence? Impossible!
"Let me give you another piece of information; ’Briggs Border’ is here." Su Xiao pointed a pencil at a point on the map.
"This is also a critical node of the refining array. Although ’Brickies Fortress’ often has small scale conflicts with surrounding enemy countries, the bloodshed is still far from sufficient."
Su Xiao ceased speaking; afterward, it was left to Olivier Mira to consider.
"I haven’t yet found any flaws in your words, but I only believe what I see with my own eyes; I won’t believe solely based on your words."
Olivier Mira still hadn’t made a statement.
"Suit yourself; if nothing unexpected occurs, Central City will send people soon, then you’ll have two choices: abandon your subordinates and cooperate with Central City, or rise up to resist."
Su Xiao wasn’t worried about Olivier Mira collaborating with the Little Man in the Bottle; that was impossible.
"What role are you playing?"
Olivier Mira looked directly at Su Xiao.
"Me? Right now, I’m a fugitive."
"A fugitive? For what reason?"
"Because I killed homunculi."
Listening to what was said, Olivier Mira snickered.
"I can believe others, but homunculi are utterly ridiculous; humans are not created."
"No need to rush to dismiss it; perhaps homunculi will soon appear before you. For alchemists, homunculi aren’t impossible."
Their negotiations terminated at this point; Olivier Mira needed time to confirm Su Xiao’s statements.
Su Xiao wasn’t anxious; without Olivier Mira and Mustang’s help, his chances of defeating the Little Man in the Bottle were very low, even zero.
Su Xiao temporarily resided at Briggs Fortress; although able to move freely, Olivier Mira arranged a dozen ’guides’ for him to prevent him from ’getting lost’ in the fortress.
Looking at the dozen burly men before him, the surveillance was quite obvious.
After waiting for two days, a turn finally appeared; the main characters, the Elric Brothers, arrived at Briggs Fortress.