Where is my Jackal? Where is my Casull?

After Wang Zhen activated the "Dead River," it was neither a flowing river of scarlet blood nor a pair of overwhelming, crimson wings; instead, it was a circular Transmutation Circle inscribed with a hexagram, formed from countless magical runes condensed from deep red blood, with Wang Zhen standing precisely at its center.

The moment the blood beneath his feet formed the Transmutation Circle, the projection of the "Gate of Truth" deep within Wang Zhen's consciousness flickered open. The "Eye of Truth," featuring an Ouroboros pattern composed of various geometric shapes at its pupil, slid silently out from the gate. It flashed once and appeared in the position of Wang Zhen's left eye, instantly merging with it as the pitch-black Ouroboros vanished deep into his iris.

This time, the movement of the "Gate of Truth" projection was significant, and since Wang Zhen was currently testing his "Dead River" ability, he sensed the disturbance in his consciousness immediately. However, the Gate moved too quickly, leaving him no time to react before the "Eye of Truth" leaped out and fused with his left eye.

This sudden change caught Wang Zhen completely off guard.

However, the "Gate of Truth" projection transmitted a piece of information that left Wang Zhen deep in thought.

The information transmitted by the "Gate of Truth" was actually quite simple: it was an incredibly complex and massive Transmutation Circle capable of encompassing an entire nation.

Having "fleeced" the "Gate of Truth" four times already, Wang Zhen recognized it at a glance as a "Philosopher's Stone" Transmutation Circle.

Furthermore, it was the same type of national-scale Transmutation Circle seen in Fullmetal Alchemist, capable of engulfing an entire country.

Although the "Gate of Truth" said nothing, this national-level "Philosopher's Stone" Transmutation Circle was enough for someone familiar with the Hellsing anime to realize that the reason Alucard possessed power so vastly different from other vampires likely stemmed from this very circle.

"Damn! Brother Cheat, no wonder it required good luck, hugs, and being lifted high to activate! You really are something! To think you could link two classic anime series through alchemy!"

"Brother Cheat, allow me to stretch my imagination a bit further, otherwise, I wouldn't dare guess at the mysterious origins of Alucard." Wang Zhen was truly bewildered; he never expected alchemy to unfold in such a way.

However, after the excitement subsided, Wang Zhen calmed down and pondered the matter carefully. A crossover between Hellsing and Fullmetal Alchemist was indeed plausible. The reason was simple: the classic inscription, "The Bird of Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame," originates from the 15th-century European alchemy manuscript, the Ripley Scroll.

At the same time, Hermes is the Greek god of knowledge and the patron of alchemy, and this inscription represents the most important philosophy of material transmutation in alchemy.

In Fullmetal Alchemist, Hohenheim and Father activated a national-level "Philosopher's Stone" Transmutation Circle, transmuting the entire Kingdom of Xerxes into a "Philosopher's Stone," with which Hohenheim merged to achieve immortality.

Does that not sound like Alucard, who devoured his own nation and possessed over three million "lives"?

Moreover, Alucard was defeated by the first Van Helsing and sealed in the basement of his estate until Integra discovered him and, at the cost of breaking the seal, took him as her servant, unsealing him with her blood.

Since then, although Alucard was free to move, his power remained restricted by three alchemical seals, preventing him from fighting at full strength. Only when his master, Integra, issued the order could he release these seals and fight to his heart's content.

Furthermore, the remains of Mina, Alucard's first blood descendant, were obtained by the Nazis to create the Millennium organization, the supernatural force of the Third Reich. Besides, true vampires rarely leave behind remains; if they do, they are mummified, not skeletal.

Wang Zhen thought it over carefully. Although there were many points that couldn't be fully reconciled by this crossover, the two were indeed linked through alchemy.

Since they were linked, this eccentric "Good Luck" cheat could use its "logic-defying" power to bridge the two. As for the inconsistencies that couldn't be explained, Wang Zhen felt that his "Brother Cheat" would simply turn a blind eye to them.

Wang Zhen wasn't one to nitpick, and besides, he had no way to argue with this cheat anyway.

Regardless, it was a good thing for him that they were linked. At the very least, he had now gained the "Eye of Truth," which provided true vision. Much like King Bradley, it was a bug-tier combat aid, and he knew this eye could significantly enhance his ability to analyze, decompose, and reconstruct matter.

What more could he ask for?

With so many benefits, even if his "Dead River" ability was completely different from that of Alucard and Seras Victoria after the crossover, it didn't matter.

This "Dead River" ability was the most suitable for him; the only thing to consider was that he couldn't use it openly, or he would be attacked by moral crusaders and self-righteous types.

"Dead River"?

This is my "Philosopher's Stone" Transmutation Circle!

That's right!

Unlike the "Dead River," which stores the souls of everyone killed to serve as "lives" to die in one's stead, Wang Zhen's "Dead River" ability transmuted the living beings within the circle into a "Philosopher's Stone" and then merged them with himself.

Wang Zhen knew that the "Philosopher's Stone" could not only replace material ingredients for any Transmutation Circle but also extend life; any physical injury could be instantly healed by consuming the "Philosopher's Stone."

Therefore, the prerequisite was that one had to possess a "Philosopher's Stone"—a massive amount of them—to be like Hohenheim, ageless and immortal, or like Father, using Transmutation Circles at will while completely ignoring the law of equivalent exchange.

Wang Zhen retracted his "Dead River" ability and gave a casual tap. A set of luxurious crimson attire identical to Alucard's—a crimson trench coat, a wide-brimmed crimson hat, and a black three-piece suit with an exquisite crimson bowtie—instantly appeared on his body.

It felt... like something was still missing.

What was it?

Glasses?

Wang Zhen tapped again, and a pair of round, black sunglasses perched on his nose, shielding his compassionate and kind eyes.

And gloves!

Wang Zhen tapped his hands together, and white gloves featuring mysterious alchemical seals on the backs appeared instantly.

Suddenly, Wang Zhen remembered, "Where are my Casull? Where is my Jackal?"

How could he have forgotten those two brothers?

That was inexcusable!

While the alchemical seals were mysterious and the "Dead River" ability was domineering, they lacked the carefree, arrogant, and manic flair of a Jackal in the left hand and a Casull in the right.