Dimension Void, the eternal place of silence.
Ian was lying on a lounge chair simulating sunbathing, holding a heavy book - <Time Acceleration Synchrony Theory of Void and Material World>. This is the latest academic achievement co-authored by him and Morgana.
"50 years."
Ian closed the book and glanced at the alchemy watch on his wrist.
In the past half century, he has not wasted his time in Dimensional Space. He has comprehensively reformed the magic system of the Arcane Empire, and created tens of thousands of new magics, filling his knowledge base.
His power has also increased in advance. Although his magic power has reached Fifth Tier, his soul strength and understanding of the rules have reached a terrifying height.
The only shortcoming is the body.
"The formation of Fifth Tier's magic power is a serious burden on the body." Ian frowned, "Without Battle Aura's strengthening, my body would have collapsed long ago. Unfortunately, my Battle Aura talent is really average."
He decided that after he returned, he must let the knights of the Empire study the advanced version of the Battle Aura system.
At this moment, the alarm on the watch rang.
"The time has come."
Ian sighed, connected through the consciousness dimension, and came to that world.
Amestris, Armstrong Manor.
As the sun set, two old men were standing on the balcony, looking at the sunset in the distance.
One is Olivia·Armstrong, who has white hair and a stooped back. She is over a hundred years old, but her waist is still straight, which is the military character engraved in her bones.
The other Ian (clone) still maintains the middle-aged changes.
"I'm leaving." Olivia looked at the back of his hand, which was as dry as tree bark, and said in a calm voice, "107 years old, for a mortal, this is already a long life."
"Yes." Ian nodded.
"In the past seventy years, I have watched everyone around me leave one by one."
Olivia's voice passed through the vicissitudes of life, "Brothers Edward, the President smiled Mustang, Hawkeye, Hughes... They are all gone. You are right, mortal life is like a candle in the wind, so fragile."
Ian remained silent.
During these long years, he participated in one funeral after another as a bystander.
He once again proposed eternal life to Hughes and Nina, but they were both rejected.
*"I have lived enough, and I don't want to watch my wife and daughter grow old while I live alone."*This is Hughes's last words.
*"I want to go see my parents."*These are the words Nina said before he died.
They chose to have trouble as mortals rather than become immortal monsters.
Ian respect their choice.
"Are you ready?" Ian asked.
"It has been prepared for a long time." Olivia turned his head, a glimmer of light flashed in his cloudy eyes, "But before I leave, I want to ask you one last question."
"Ask."
"You're waiting for me to die, right?"
Ian was stunned for a moment.
"Don't think of me as a fool." Olivia smiled, with a sharp touch of his middle finger, "Although you have been by my side all these years, I can sense that your body is planning something earth-shattering. And that thing... is too dangerous, too crazy, and you don't want me to see it."
"So, you are waiting for me to leave this world, and then... take responsibility."
Ian was silent for a long time and finally nodded.
"Yes. There are some things that you shouldn't and cannot see."
"What if I'm not different?"
"What you see may not be me now, but a Demons who uses whatever means necessary."
"Ha!"
Olivia laughed, and she stretched out her wrinkled hands and gently stroked Ian's still young face.
"Whether it's an angel or Demons, the seventy years of companionship are real. That's enough."
"Go ahead and take me away."
Ian Take a deep breath.
[Dimensional Teleportation]
A somewhat modest light door opens on the balcony.
Ian picked up Olivia's body as light as a feather and walked into the light door.
At the moment of entering Dimensional Space, the prepared [Fountain of Youth Potion] and [Essence of Vitality] were injected into her interior.
Visible to the naked eye, wrinkles fade and white hair turns golden. The once-powerful "Northern Queen" represents youth in its deep sleep.
Ian put her into the highest level sleep cabin.
"Sleep well, my queen. When you wake up, we will be in a new world."
After everything was settled, Ian's body returned to the core control room.
His eyes instantly became as cold as iron.
"All worries are over."
"Now, the stage is clear."
Ian looks in a certain direction in Void, that is where "Truth" is.
"The final showdown begins."