"That's how it happened. This blueprint was designed by an alchemist passing through who called himself Von Hohenheim. According to him, this design would be better than our original one and would not cause any additional slaughter."
Nakayama Shion led her people back to the core of the Alchemy Array, before a temporarily constructed, half-finished pyramid, and explained the origins of the blueprint to the Great Priest, who sat there with an utterly impassive expression.
As a major figure who had operated in this world, the Great Priest had attained a considerable level of mastery in alchemy as well. Looking at the Alchemy Array before him, surprise appeared on his face.
"Truly ingenious, a marvel of craftsmanship that steals from nature itself. I never expected him not to be boasting. He really possesses such skill."
The Great Priest nodded in satisfaction. He could tell that although this Alchemy Array required quite a few rare materials, its effects were even better than those achieved through blood sacrifice!
Moreover, those materials only required the right properties. There was no need for him to specially gather them; he could simply use the massive stockpile of resources they had brought in to construct it directly.
Yet Nakayama Shion keenly caught something unusual in the Great Priest's words.
"You've met him?"
"Yes. Not long ago, someone calling himself Von Hohenheim came here and tried to persuade me to alter the structure of this Alchemy Array. But why would I believe him based on empty words alone? So I drove him away. I never expected him to produce a blueprint so quickly. Had I known, I would have kept him here."
"That makes sense. To see through the prototype I had laid out from mere scraps and clues... he must have some real ability."
The Great