A first meeting in bad taste

In the study of Hohenheim's home, Wang Shui was talking with this important character in the plot.

In terms of knowledge alone, Hohenheim had received years of instruction from the [Dwarf in the Flask]. That advanced knowledge had given him a solid foundation, and over four hundred years of practice afterward had made his alchemy abilities extremely powerful.

Wang Shui, meanwhile, relied on three mutually complementary forms of alchemy and his powerful learning ability. He now surpassed Hohenheim in practical application and theoretical thinking, but still lacked knowledge of the things in this world.

Ever since Wang Shui returned to town, the two had often spent entire days engrossed in exploring alchemy.

Recently, Wang Shui had seen deep worry and resolve in Hohenheim's eyes and expressions. It seemed that by this point, he had already discovered the Nationwide Transmutation Circle beneath the entire country, and was close to realizing the [Dwarf in the Flask]'s plan to transmute this country's fifty million people into a Sage's Stone.

Wang Shui deliberately avoided any information concerning the Nationwide Transmutation Circle. Hohenheim did not want innocent people dragged into it, and Wang Shui did not want others interfering with his plans either.

"Mr. Via, I never imagined you would really pull it off."

Hohenheim looked at Wang Shui's [Simple Food Factory Catalysis Design Proposal], a rare hint of delight showing through his placid expression.

"I very much approve of your decision to set up the food factory in an uninhabited area beyond the border. This country has been plagued by unrest lately. We cannot afford problems with food security."

"Once the technology matures, I'll make it public and share it with the whole world, but there are still quite a few problems with making the transmutation easier. Here, for instance: using catalysis to promote water absorption is limited by the root system, and the water-to-fertilizer ratios for different growth rates are another major problem."

"Your selflessness and erudition inspire my admiration." Hohenheim's praise was heartfelt, and he now cared even more about helping Wang Shui solve these problems.

"No, your knowledge is extremely important too. The food factory has benefited from your help."

Words were cheap, after all. They cost nothing, and he had as many as anyone wanted. Of course, even paying Hohenheim would not matter now. Wang Shui's wealth had already exceeded anything Hohenheim could imagine.

While the two exchanged ideas, Hohenheim's wife, Trisha, often brought them food and tea. The two little protagonists, one and two years old, would also occasionally watch the two busy adults with uncomprehending looks.

Come to think of it, Edward and his brother were quite cute as children. Wang Shui had a deep appreciation for the power of human cubs. These two brothers were fairly quiet, though he did not know whether that was because they were too young.

Beneath this uneventful life of research, Wang Shui continued expanding his domain.

Under Silvia's control, an army of constructs driven by artificial souls was gradually building Wang Shui's industrial and commercial empire, while Wang Shui set aside many affairs to focus on his own growth.

In the blink of an eye, another five years passed. The world seemed unchanged, yet also seemed completely different.

Today, Hohenheim said goodbye to his wife at the door. The two little ones looked somewhat confused and worried. Perhaps, in their world, they had no idea what their father going away on a long journey meant; their parents' worries had affected them.

On the main road, Wang Shui waited, leaning against a small car.

"You didn't have to come see me off." Hohenheim's voice was now full of determination.

Wang Shui merely shook his head.

"I don't know what you're going to face, or why you've been researching human birth, aging, sickness, and death. Since you're willing to leave your family behind, as your friend and student, I naturally have nothing more to say.

"But take this car. It's powered entirely by alchemy and is very easy to repair. Its structure is simple, its engine is powerful, and it can handle all kinds of terrain. It's just a little slow, but I imagine it'll still be faster than traveling on foot. Take it. Consider it my tuition."

Hohenheim hesitated for a couple of seconds before nodding in acceptance. He was not going sightseeing, so greater efficiency was naturally better.

The little car gradually disappeared down the road. Hohenheim had left only a request that Wang Shui help look after his wife and children.

Wang Shui readily agreed, of course. There was certainly no need to worry about material supplies, but as for birth, aging, sickness, and death... he could offer no help there.

"Does this count as the start of the plot?" Silvia suddenly asked.

"I suppose so. The countdown has started for all sorts of events now. I only remember a tiny bit of the unrest in the plot. It's time to get a little involved." Wang Shui chatted with Silvia as he watched the little car recede.

Sensing the gaze of Trisha, the protagonist's mother, Wang Shui walked over near the doorway and reassured her:

"Don't worry, Mrs. Elric. Mr. Hohenheim is perfectly safe. He's just going to do some things he has to do. I think you should understand that better than I do.

"Here's my business card. Please take it. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask at any shop, warehouse, or machine shop in town. Mr. Hohenheim holds an enormous equity stake in my business through his technical contributions. He's simply overlooked it."

Wang Shui also glanced at the two little ones.

"As for these two, if they want to learn to read and acquire knowledge, I've already put away the dangerous things in Mr. Hohenheim's study. Just let them study whatever they like."

Looking at this young man, who had barely changed over seven years and had always looked to be in his twenties, Trisha Elric nodded. She did not understand the world of alchemy, but her husband had also told her that she could go to Mr. Sil Via if anything came up.

Wang Shui did not stay to interfere with the protagonists' upbringing. He had his own affairs to attend to now. After five years of effort, he already controlled nearly all the flow of supplies in this country and held sway over almost all bulk commodity trading.

He did not act rashly, merely taking the initiative to approach the military in a straightforward manner.

The identity he currently used was that of a powerful alchemist and a mechanical engineer researching automail. Two years earlier, the military had approached him to recruit him, and he had gone along with it, becoming a State Alchemist under the code name:

[Mirror Alchemy Master]

Wang Shui had chosen this title himself, because during his brief activities in Central City, he had demonstrated an unusual learning ability. He could quickly master other people's unique alchemy and use it freely, causing quite a stir.

So he had made up a special ability for himself, claiming he could briefly imitate other people's alchemy, though with somewhat weaker results.

Whether the Dwarf in the Flask believed it did not matter. It was enough that the easily startled alchemist community believed it.

Wang Shui displayed a great talent for alchemy, then revealed a desire to research the taboo of [Human Transmutation]. Sure enough, the arrogant [Dwarf in the Flask] and his group lowered their guard.

Instead, they eagerly anticipated Wang Shui making contact with "Truth" as soon as possible and becoming a stepping stone for [Father]'s ascension to godhood.

After bidding farewell to the protagonists' family, Wang Shui immediately headed farther east to the region called [Ishval]. Yes, this was not merely a city, but a vast region.

In this backward world of rock and desert, the people here lived tenaciously and positively, until they were annexed by Amestris many years ago.

The causes and consequences of the annexation were the same old story from the "civilized" world-racial discrimination, along with some religious issues.