Chapter 137: The Gate of Truth (Part 1)

"It seems he was telling the truth; things are troublesome." Hughes' expression was unusually grave as he looked at the map of Reole. Although Daniel had been very convincing, both Hughes and Mustang still harbored a sliver of hope. However, after the events in Reole, they understood that Daniel had completely given up that hope.

Because of this, both men felt utterly helpless about the current situation. Their hands were tied since the entire military, from the president down to the high-ranking officers, were on the other side.

Under the orders from Central, there was nothing they could do about Reole's situation. This helplessness was why Hughes had come to Central City; if he couldn't change things, he'd rather not see them.

"Hughes, what do you think we should do now?" Mustang asked Hughes. While Mustang was quite intelligent, he still fell short compared to Hughes, who had deduced the danger within the military from mere scraps of information. This was without being a proficient alchemist himself.

Hughes was a family man, always carrying photos of his wife and daughter and showing them off to his colleagues several times a day. It was this weakness that Envy exploited to kill him. Otherwise, Hughes might have had a chance to escape.

Thanks to Daniel's warning, Hughes' fate had altered somewhat. For the homunculi, as long as you didn't interfere with their plans, they generally wouldn't attack unrelated individuals.

Having received Daniel's warning, Hughes naturally stopped investigating related matters within the military. Even private meetings with Mustang were primarily for casual conversation or conducted through coded messages.

The homunculi underestimated humans, not realizing that the more dangerous the environment, the more it could spur human potential. For instance, Stark created the Arc Reactor and the prototype Iron Man suit after being kidnapped by terrorists.

Hawkeye and Mustang managed to send information about Pride right under his nose through their conversations. Mustang even contacted a certain female general in the north under their surveillance.

The homunculi lost the entire game despite being in such a dominant position.

"The south and west are currently in chaos. Many there likely belong to the enemy. Among all the generals, only Lieutenant General Grumman here and Major General Armstrong at the northern fortress can be trusted. The others are uncertain," Hughes shared his thoughts.

"Grumman, that old fox?"

Mustang was somewhat familiar with Lieutenant General Grumman. Grumman was the head of the Eastern Command and Mustang's direct superior. They often played chess, with Mustang usually losing. Grumman also hoped Mustang would marry his granddaughter.

As a state alchemist and now a full-fledged colonel, Mustang had been promoted upon returning from Central to East City. Grumman wanted to bring such a young, high-ranking officer into his fold.

"Given Grumman's achievements, he should have been transferred to Central long ago. Since he's stayed put all these years, he likely hasn't colluded with them."

"I'll find an opportunity to talk to him, see if he knows anything." Given the current situation, Mustang couldn't reveal everything to Grumman outright. If Grumman were also on the other side, they would be exposed.

"As for Major General Armstrong, it would be best to find an opportunity to meet her and gauge her stance. Unfortunately, there's no suitable pretext to go north." For officers like Hughes and Mustang, showing up at the northern command without a valid reason would be very conspicuous.

"The joint exercise between the Eastern and Northern commands is coming up. We might use that opportunity," Mustang suggested after some thought.

"That's an opportunity, but be cautious," Hughes agreed.

"Sigh, I now understand why the military never transferred the Eastern troops to the south and west for combat, always using new recruits instead, and their puzzling decisions back then." Hughes sighed deeply.

During the Ishvalan conflict, there were heavy casualties on both sides. Given the military's strength and the state alchemists' abilities, such high losses were unlikely unless intentionally caused by poor strategic decisions. Hughes had once thought the higher-ups were just foolish, but now he realized it was likely deliberate.

"Let's discuss this later. How's the investigation on that person?"

"We don't know his background, only that he arrived in Central not long ago and spends most of his time at the Central Library."

The Central Library had two areas: one for the public and one restricted to those with appropriate clearance, such as state alchemists.

"According to reports from the Fullmetal Alchemist, he might have appeared in Reole."

Knock, knock, knock.

Just as Hughes was about to speak, urgent knocking sounded at the door. Mustang and Hughes stopped talking and let the visitor in.

Lieutenant Hawkeye and Second Lieutenant Hubble entered. Hubble looked anxious and was breathing heavily.

"What happened? Weren't you supposed to be with the Fullmetal Alchemist?" Mustang asked, surprised.

"Shou Tucker is dead," Hubble quickly explained, including Tucker's previous creation of a chimera and the note left by Daniel.

"What?" Mustang and Hughes immediately left the military headquarters, heading to Tucker's house with Hawkeye and Hubble. The area was already sealed off by military personnel.

"Is she okay?" Mustang asked a soldier, looking at the sleeping girl on the sofa near the Fullmetal brothers.

"She seems to be just asleep but hasn't woken up."

Mustang nodded, then went into the lab, inspecting Tucker's corpse. He frowned slightly before moving to a table to look at the note left behind.

"The person who did this seemed very angry," Mustang commented after examining Tucker's body.

"If it were me, the result would be the same," Hughes said grimly. As a devoted family man, this was something he couldn't tolerate. However, he only said this in extreme anger.

"It probably wasn't Scar," Hughes quickly regained his composure and shared his suggestion. His visit to Central to see Mustang was also to remind him to stay vigilant.

"Hawkeye, handle this. Report it as an assassination," Mustang ordered, then looked at the silent Fullmetal brothers and sighed.

Understanding their feelings, Mustang and Hughes chose not to tell them about the Philosopher's Stone.

Soon, more soldiers arrived to clean up, taking Tucker's body and all his lab materials.

Due to Mustang's orders, Tucker's actions were not made public. Mustang did this to protect Tucker's daughter, Nina. If Tucker's deeds were exposed, the impact on Nina would be devastating.

Moreover, as a state alchemist killed in action, Tucker's family was entitled to generous compensation, which Nina needed.

Strictly speaking, without the nationwide transmutation circle, the homunculi were very adept at ruling. Amestris had expanded its territory significantly and maintained peace in most places outside a few cities.

Amestris, aside from Central's darkness, had relatively clean local governance. Reole's disaster was only due to the homunculi's plan.

If it didn't involve their plans, the homunculi were just and fair, promoting and punishing based on merit. Officers like Lieutenant General Grumman, Major General Armstrong, and Lieutenant Colonel Hughes advanced quickly.

For the homunculi, there was no concept of corruption.

The homunculi ensured competent individuals were promoted to keep the country prosperous and peaceful, ensuring rapid population growth.

The nationwide transmutation circle required a large population, so constant turmoil would be counterproductive.

"A simple map sold at such a high price. Underground market, indeed." Daniel felt a bit exasperated holding the basic map.

"The desert is really hot. Good thing I have the Ice Transmutation Circle." Sitting on his hoverboard, Daniel was thankful he had saved Isaac.

Daniel had come to the desert to reach Xing. Between Xing and Amestris lay a vast desert. Unlike merchants who formed large caravans, Daniel could reach Xing quickly using a Quinjet.

Before heading to Xing, he had another place to visit: the ruins of Xerxes, the country where the Dwarf in the Flask originated.

Xerxes had vanished overnight, attracting many adventurers seeking the wealth left behind.

Although there's no treasure left now, the remnants of buildings and the strategic location have turned Xerxes into a transit hub for eastern and western caravans.

Merchants will venture into dangerous places if the profit is high enough.

Besides merchants, many Ishvalans who fled Amestris lived there.

"A country disappearing overnight... reminds me of the ancient city of Loulan. Could it be similar?" Flying overhead, Daniel mused humorously as he observed the ruins below.

"No traces of the transmutation circle... if everything vanished, it means animals too, suggesting animals can be used to make Philosopher's Stones."

Using binoculars from the air, Daniel quickly located the giant mural, a damaged section of the transmutation circle.

"Part of the missing section is inside Gluttony's stomach. Does this mean entering his belly is necessary? Who created this transmutation circle? Was it learned through a deal with the Gate of Truth? The Dwarf in the Flask might have been created by such an alchemist." After scanning the mural, Daniel pondered.

Human transmutation was the ultimate goal for alchemists. This ambition likely existed even in ancient times.

"These people looted everything clean." Finding nothing in the ruins, Daniel prepared to head to Xing.

While he could study alchemy books in Amestris, that would be too slow. He didn't have Scar's brother's brilliance.

Speaking of brilliance, Daniel recalled someone in this world similar to Doctor Strange, with a photographic memory.

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