A 15 year old boy was closing his eyes murmuring something standing at the front door of a house.
Roy: "I can do this, I will persuade him to teach me alchemy" (Motivating himself)
He opened his eyes and with confidence, he knocked the door and stood in attention stance. Five minutes passed, no one opened the door. He knocked again, still no one opened the door. He kept on repeating the same thing for some time and still no one opened the door. He couldn't even hear any noise from inside the house. After trying for two hours…
Roy: {Looks like no one is at home. I should wait here till he comes}
He sat on the verandah which was quite big and pulled out a book from his bag and started reading it. After an hour a women in her late fifties (wearing Augsburg dress, black hair wearing a bun) and a young girl (13 years old, wearing a frock, short blonde hair) came with a bag of groceries and encountered Roy who stood up in an attention stance after watching them. Watching that, the old lady asked…
Old lady: "Who are you?" (Curious tone)
Roy: "My name is Roy Mustang Ma'am and I am here to learn alchemy from Master Berthold Hawkeye"
Hearing that, both the old lady and the girl started staring at him.
Old lady: "Listen boy, Mr. Hawkeye does not like strangers. He has specifically told me not to allow any stranger inside the house. So, I am afraid you have to leave"
Roy: {I was expecting it won't be easy}
Roy: "Fine, I will be waiting out here. I will meet him in person when he comes out"
Old lady: "He rarely comes out of the house… it might take days or weeks, before you meet him and even if you meet him, he won't accept you as his disciple. So, leave before he makes you leave" (persuasive tone)
Roy didn't lose hope even after listening to her discouraging words.
Roy: "Ma'am, I have made up my mind to learn alchemy from Master Hawkeye. There is nothing in the world which can make me leave this place until I learn alchemy from him" (confident tone)
The young girl who was hiding behind the old lady, was peeking Roy while he was speaking. When Roy looked back at her, she again hid behind the old lady. The old lady was impressed looking at his determination but, she didn't show any emotion to encourage him.
Old lady: "Do as you please… but, don't mess with anything here"
She and the young girl entered inside the house after telling him that, and closed the door. Roy again sat on the verandah waiting for Berthold to come out. The old lady told Berthold Hawkeye about Roy and why he was here but, Berthold didn't consider that to be important and asked her not to disturb him. The night passed away and no one came out of the house, Roy slept at the verandah using a thin blanket which he brought with him. He was lucky that, neither the place was very cold nor it was winter.
Next day at early morning, the old lady came out of the house and found Roy sleeping on the verandah, tucked under his blanket. Just a moment later, the young girl opened the door and came out to join the old lady. They were both watching Roy sleeping, tucked inside his blanket like a turtle.
Girl: "Looks like, he is not going to leave"
Old lady: "Let's see"
They both then left for the groceries to the nearby market. When they returned, they saw Roy was sitting at the verandah reading a book. When they approached near the door, Roy stood up,
Roy: "Good Morning Ma'am"
Then he looked toward the girl but, she quickly opened the door and got inside before he could tell anything. The old lady also didn't respond to him and went inside. Roy sighed watching their reaction and sat again at his position to read. That day also passed just like the previous day, Berthold didn't come out of the house and Roy kept on waiting there.
Next day, when the old lady and the girl were returning from the market, they saw Roy was feeding a puppy. When they approached the door, Roy stood up and greeted them but, this time the girl didn't run inside. She was looking at the puppy with white fur, jumping around Roy's legs. The old lady looked at Roy,
Old lady: "Good morning (reciprocating to Roy)… are you feeding that puppy your own food?"
Roy: "Yes" (He said moving his hand over his hairs and with a grin)
The old lady looked at Roy's bag which was lying open on the ground. There were bits of breadcrumbs in his bag and a half eaten apple. She then looked at Roy and asked…
Old lady: "What did you eat this morning?"
Roy didn't had his breakfast, he fed the only small piece of bread loaf he had left to the puppy. Now, he had only that half eaten apple. He didn't know what should he say and started smiling embarrassingly. While he was smiling, his stomach growled out of hunger. Hearing that, the old lady said,
Old lady: "Looks like you haven't eaten much lately. Even your half eaten apple looks like you ate it yesterday"
Hearing that, the girl pulled out two apples from her grocery bag and offered it to Roy.
Girl: "Here, take these apples"
She was holding one apple in each hand. Roy looked at her and took those apples from her hands.
Roy: "Thank you Miss"
The girl didn't reply to him and went inside with the old lady. After some time, the door opened and the young girl came out of the house alone. She saw Roy was sleeping on the verandah covering his face with the book he was reading, and the puppy was playing. She had brought some chicken pieces with her to feed the dog. She went closer to the puppy and gave it the chicken she brought. The puppy started biting the chicken pieces. The girl was smiling looking at the puppy, she bent down to pat it to which the puppy started wagging his tail in response. Suddenly she heard a voice,
Roy: "Do you like dogs?"
The girl looked at him. She was shy at first because she was not used to visitors at her house. After a moment, she stood up and replied
Girl: "Yes, they look cute and they are loyal too"
Roy: "Why don't you pet him then?"
Girl: "My father won't allow me"
Roy: "So, you are Master Hawkeye's daughter… if you don't mind, may I know your name?"
The girl felt that he was a good person based on her perception of him for those two days.
Girl: "My name is Riza"
Roy: "My name is Roy"
Riza: "I know, you told us your name on the first day"
Roy chuckled.
Roy: "I thought you forgot"
Riza bent down to place the bowl of chicken she brought on the ground, on which the puppy jumped. She then stood up and asked Roy,
Riza: "Do you really want to learn alchemy from my father?"
Roy: "Yes, I am not leaving this place until I learn alchemy from him"
Riza: "Good luck with that" (mocking tone)
Roy: "Did you tell him about me?"
Riza: "He knows you are here… Ms. Becker told my father about you on the first day, even I told him yesterday but, he won't come…he doesn't like to meet peoples"
Roy: "Ms. Becker? The old lady?"
Riza: "Yes, she takes care of the house and teaches me sometimes"
Roy: "Don't you go to any school?"
Riza: "No, Father doesn't want me to go to school, he teaches me at home"
Suddenly, the puppy started barking out of happiness standing near Riza and started wagging his tail. Looking that, Riza started laughing.
Riza: "Have you given him a name yet?"
Roy: "Not yet…why don't you give him one?"
Riza: "Fine…how about White Hikari?"
Roy looked at her with stunned look.
Roy: {What kind of name is that?}
Riza: "Isn't it a cute name?"
Roy started laughing hesitantly.
Roy: "Yes" (said while laughing hesitantly)
Two days passed like that when sometimes Riza came outside to play with the puppy and talk to Roy. Sometimes Matilda Becker (Caretaker of Riza and the house – the old lady) came with Riza and talked with Roy and played some board games with him. But, Roy was never allowed inside the house, he didn't even see Berthold coming out of the house.
It was five day since, Roy arrived at Hawkeye residence. Riza was playing with Hikari on the road in front of her house while Roy was reading a book. Suddenly, two boys of age around 13-14 (shirt and suspender pants, one was a red head and other was black haired) approached Riza while she was playing with Hikari.
Boy 1 (red haired): "Look who it is…where is your nanny, Riza?" (Taunting tone)
Riza looked at them in a panicked way as if something bad was going to happen.
In the meantime, the black haired boy held Riza from back and the red haired boy picked up Hikari, he put Hikari in a small drum present there and started poking him with a stick. Hikari was barking uncomfortably,
Boy 1:"Look, look how he is jumping" (laughing)
Boy 2: "Let me see"
The black haired boy left Riza by pushing her on the ground to join his friend in tormenting the puppy. Riza was trying to see Hikari but, both the boys were blocking her and poking the puppy. She could only hear the puppy's cry. Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted the boys…
Roy: "What do you think you are doing?"
Hearing the voice, both the boys looked toward Roy who was standing there like a hero to rescue. Getting the chance, Riza rushed toward Hikari to save him but, she was pushed back by the red haired boy and she fell on the ground.
Boy 2: "Who are you? Riza's part-time nanny?"
Both the boys started laughing after saying that.
Roy: "What if I am? At least I am not some douchebag who likes to hit girls or torture puppies for fun" (taunting tone)
Both the boys got angry, listening to his words. They approached toward Roy with thin sticks with which they were poking Hikari. When both of them reached near Roy, the red haired boy attacked Roy with the stick, but Roy dodged it and punched him on his face. When he disconnected his punch, the black haired boy pushed Roy on the ground from back. Because of Roy's punch, the red haired boy fell on the ground and his nose started bleeding.
Boy 2: "Your nose!" (Looking at the red haired boy)
Roy took the advantage of the distraction and punched the black haired boy on his guts. The black haired boy held his stomach and sat down and started groaning. Roy stood up and shrugged off the dust on his shirt,
Roy: "Go away, I hope you learnt your lesson"
Both the boys stood up, one holding his bleeding nose and one groaning holding his belly. When they walked away, Riza came to Roy holding Hikari on her arms.
Riza: "Thank you Roy" (concerned look)
Roy: "You are welcome" (He replied with a smile)
Riza: "I wish I could fight like you"
Roy: "Well I don't know much fighting, but I can definitely teach you how to land a punch though"
Riza: "Really?"
Roy: "We are now friends after all. Aren't we?"
Riza smiled hearing his reply. It was already evening so, she put Hikari on the ground and ran toward the house. While going…
Riza: "Bye Hikari, I will meet you later"
After sometime when the sun was set and a half moon was shining in the sky, Roy was sitting at his regular position with Hikari. Inside the house, it was a rare moment when Berthold Hawkeye and Riza Hawkeye were sitting on the dining table after they finished their dinner, while Matilda Becker was in the kitchen washing the dishes. Generally, Berthold Hawkeye took his dinner in his study room.
Berthold: "You should stop feeding that boy. If you keep feeding him, he won't leave this place and it's not like he is doing any work to deserve the food you provide him"
Riza didn't reply for a moment. Then she talked in a low voice, hesitantly…
Riza: "But, he cleans the front of the house every day and, today he protected me from two boys who were hurting me. He just wants to learn alchemy from you, why don't you teach him… he is a nice person"
Berthold: "I think I have already made myself clear, I am not going to teach alchemy to anyone"
After saying that, he stood up and left for his study room. After sometime, Riza and Matilda got out of the house with some food. Roy looked at them,
Roy: "I told you, you don't need to do this for me"
Riza: "You clean the front of our house regularly, you take care of Hikari and over all of that you saved me today. It is the least I can do for you. And, you need strength if you want to learn alchemy from my father, don't you?"
Roy smiled.
Matilda: "Riza, now go inside and sleep, okay? I can't stay with you tonight, I have some work at home"
Riza went inside the house and locked the door from inside. Matilda checked the door before leaving for her home which was just 700-800 meter away from there. Sometime later, everybody was asleep inside the Hawkeye residence, and Roy was sleeping at the verandah with Hikari beside him as usual. Roy was sleeping happily, unknown from the fact that someone was keeping an eye on him. When the people who were keeping an eye on Roy were sure that everyone was asleep, they approached toward Roy and held him forcibly and closed his mouth so he couldn't shout and dragged him to some distance so that his voice couldn't get inside the house. They also took Hikari with them. There were 5 boys, 3 of them were quite tall (close to 6 feet) and 2 of them were 13-14 year old boys. Roy could easily identify those 2 boys who were the same one who got beaten by him. One of the big boy (shirt and pant, red haired, crew cut) grabbed Roy's jaw tightly while other two were holding his hands (they were also wearing shirt and pant, with dark untidy hair)
Big Boy 1 (red haired): "So you are the one who beat my brother?"
He then punched Roy's face. He punched Roy 3-4 times more, covering the face with blood. Two boys who were holding Roy's hand left him. Roy fell on the ground and all three of them started kicking him tearing off his shirt, covering him with bruises and blood. Then, the red haired small boy spoke to his big brother…
Boy 1: "What shall we do with this puppy?" (He was holding Hikari)
Big Boy 1: "Do as you please"
The two small boys looked at the puppy for a moment and then, the red haired boy slammed Hikari on ground and started kicking him. The puppy was groaning in pain. Roy was still conscious but, he was too weak to even stand up or shout. He was continuously saying them to stop in a very low voice but, the two boys were not stopping. After some moment, Roy lost his consciousness, closing his eyes looking at Hikari getting beaten by those two boys.
[Present day]
Roy's eyes were closed when he heard an irritating noise, exactly like an alarm clock. He opened his eyes, stopped the alarm and got out of his bed. Few months had passed since The Promised Day, everyone's life was going fine and normal as it was supposed to be. Team Mustang however had gained the most; every member of the team had been promoted, Roy was now a Major General and Havoc was back to the team. Roy now had the privileges of a General; he had a big house and some servants. After finishing all his morning chores which were generally brushing, bathing and taking a dump, he finished his breakfast, and started getting ready for office. While he was getting ready, he was talking to someone who was standing beside him, who was also getting ready to go somewhere.
Roy: "You never told me, how was your trip to Xing was like?"
A child's voice replied to him.
Boy: "It was awesome" (excited tone)
The Boy was looking a lot like a 9-10 year old Roy.
Roy: "Really? Did you like your granny so much?"
Boy: "Yes…and also I learned a different kind of alchemy which they call alkahestry but, I can do only one technique"
Roy was surprised as he came to know about alkahestry only few months back and now his son knew that thing.
Roy: "WHAT? Who taught you that?"
Boy: "There was this girl named Mei who was a little older than me. When I told her that I am your son and will be staying in Xing for some time, she became very friendly with me. She told me that she knows you…later I found out that she knows a different kind of alchemy so, I asked her to teach me and she agreed. That's all"
Roy was staring at his son with surprise.
Roy: {What kind of child is he? He knows both alchemy and alkahestry …Is he really gonna surpass me at this age? But then, he is my son after all}
He smiled with pride after his thought. Oliver saw his smile and asked…
Oliver: "Why are you smiling dad?"
Roy: "It's nothing" (He looked back at mirror to get ready for office)
Roy: "Anyways, are you sure you want to stay with me in Central? Aren't you going to miss your friends and Ms. Anna?"
Boy: "I told them before leaving that, it will be better for me if I stay with you and learn alchemy, that way I can become a state alchemist even before the age when Edward Elric became one"
Roy got concerned hearing his reply
Roy: "Son, it's too early to take some burden like that (serious tone)…enjoy your childhood, you should make some friends rather than studying and practicing alchemy you know" (He smiled looking at him)
Boy: "Don't worry Dad, I will be fine. Anyways, what are we going to do today?"
Roy: "You can come with me to my office if you want. You can meet my team there"
Boy: "I will go with you. Will there be more state alchemist there?"
Roy: "You might find Colonel Armstrong there, if you want to meet someone"
Boy: "THE STRONG ARM ALCHEMIST?" (His eyes started sparkling with excitement)
Roy: "Yes, but don't get intimidated by his size. He is very big, and don't come running to me if he strips his shirt off"
Boy: "Don't worry, I will be fine"
Roy: "Let's go then"
There was a driver waiting for them outside. He opened the door for both of them and drove them straight to the office. Everything was going as usual in the office; Havoc was watching the ceiling sitting on his chair while resting his healed legs on the desk; Breda and Falman were debating over some stupid thing and Fuery was enjoying the debate; Hawkeye had gone for a meeting with some other Military personnel from other teams. That's when the door opened and all team members looked at Mustang entering the office with a 9-10 year old kid. Mustang greeted, "Hey everyone" and everyone responded, "Good morning Sir". Everyone was looking at the boy who was somewhat looking like Roy in his childhood. Roy sat on the sofa and was looking very happy, even there was a smile stuck on his face. Roy cleared his throat before speaking,
Roy: "Team, this is Oliver" (Embracing Oliver with his right hand who was sitting beside him)
Roy: "Sorry, I never got to tell you about him but, it seems the right time has come. He is the next in line to the Mustang family and my only son" (He grinned after completing his sentence)
Everyone was shocked, staring at Roy and then Oliver, back and forth. The entire team shouted with a surprised look on their face, "WHAT? YOUR SON?" Their eyes were widened. They worked with Roy for so long and never got to know that he was a father.
After a moment, everything calmed down, but everybody in that room was very curious and had a lot of questions. Havoc was the first one to ask but he sounded hesitant
Havoc: "Chief?"
Roy: "Yes Jean?"
Havoc: "Chief…Don't get me wrong but, all these years you never let me date a girl properly and now you come to us and say that, YOU HAVE A SON?"
Roy: "I think you should thank me for that…should I remind you whom did you dated once?"
Havoc: {Damn it, I knew he would bring that}
Fuery: "So Oliver… how old are you?"
Oliver: "Nine"
Havoc: "You had a son all this time and you never told us …huh Chief?"
Roy: "Things were pretty messy back then if you remember"
Havoc: "You are right I guess…Now when can we meet your wife?"
Roy: "The thing is…"
Everyone was staring at Roy and he was very uncomfortable answering that question.
Oliver: "She left us" (stressed tone)
Roy: "Can you please not ask anything about his mother?" (He requested)
Roy: "Fuery, why don't you take Oliver and show the central command?"
Fuery: "Sure Sir"
Oliver went with Fuery but, before they could open the door, the door opened and he saw a blonde woman right in front of him.
Oliver: "Ma'am!"
Riza was first shocked to see Oliver in the office but, she didn't react shocked.
Riza: "Oli? When…did…you come to Central?"
Team Mustang: "WHAT? SHE KNOWS OLIVER?"
Roy: "Yesterday" (Answering Riza)
Riza: "General, at least you could have told me Oli was coming. I could have picked him up from the station" (Looking at Roy with enraged eyes which only Roy could read)
Roy: "Yes, I should have" (guilty face)
Riza: "So Oli, how many days are you going to stay in Central?"
Oliver: "I am not going back"
Riza was shocked and at the same moment she appeared happy that Oliver was going to stay in Central.
Riza: "Won't you miss Anna and your friends there?" (Sweet tone)
Oliver: "I told them, I will come to visit them"
Riza smiled at Oliver.
Riza: "I think you will become a better man than your father someday"
Roy: "Was that an insult to me?" (Frowning face)
Oliver: "Can I go now?"
Riza: "Yes, and Fuery…take good care of Oliver and… Hayate is at the garden, if you want to pay a visit"
Oliver: "Really? Now I got to see the war dog Black Hayate" (Excited tone)
Riza chuckled listening to his reply. After Fuery and Oliver left, Havoc asked
Havoc: "It looks like Major Hawkeye knows Oliver from a very long time"
Roy: "Yes…what's the big deal in that? She is my aide and personal assistant, if you remember."
After a moment…
Falman: "SHIT"
Roy looked at Falman and asked in a bad mood.
Roy: "What happened?"
Falman: "Sorry Chi…Chief, it was nothing"
Roy was not convinced when he saw Falman uncomfortable and Breda sweating. He gave them a glaring look.
Roy: "Tell me… what's going on or else I will make sure that both of you won't go home this whole week and won't be able to get any lunch break"
Breda couldn't hold more and had to tell the truth while facing the floor.
Breda: "Actually, the thing is…"
Roy: "Are you testing my patience?" (Angry tone)
Breda: "According to your order, Falman and I went to your house yesterday to fetch the old books for binding"
Roy: "Yes, what about it?"
Breda: "We gathered all the old books, there were 6 of them. We then went to the binding shop you told us about, but it was closed, so we decided to go next day and went to the bar. After we had some drinks, we left for home but…"
Roy: "BUT WHAT?"
Falman: "But, we left your books at the bar. When I remembered that we left your books there, I went there to retrieve them but, they were already gone and, the bar-tender was clueless who took them"
Roy: "I see (calm tone)…Was there any book which had a brown cover and 'BH' written over it?"
Falman: "Yes" (Panicked tone)
Roy: "Major, please bring me my gloves?"
Riza: "There is no time for that Sir…we have a meeting now"'
Roy: "I will only burn there lower half…just a little" (evil tone)
Breda and Falman were sweating in fear.
Riza: "You can do that later Sir"
She stood up and went toward the door.
Roy: "I will see you later, boys" (evil tone)
Roy and Riza left the office and were going toward the meeting room. After leaving the office…
Roy: "Those idiots, how could they be so irresponsible?" (Angry tone)
Riza: "Why are you so worried about some books?"
Roy: "Because one of those books was Master's" (Angry tone)
After hearing Roy's reason, Riza understood why he was worried. It was the final gift that her father gave to him after he died, and she was the one who gave it to Roy because her father requested her to give him that book after his death. That was not actually a book, it was a collection of alchemical notes her father made.
Riza: "I see" (empathizing tone)
They stopped talking for a moment then, Riza spoke
Riza: "Why didn't you tell me Oli was in Central?"
Roy got out of the thought about losing his Master's book when he heard that question.
Roy: "We were having fun till evening and by the time we returned home, he was very tired so, I thought of informing you later"
Riza: "So, that's your excuse?" (Her voice was full of anger without any yelling)
Roy: "Sorry, I should have let you know"
Riza calmed down after listening to his genuine apology.
Riza: "Anyways, now that Oli will be staying at Central, I think you should homeschool him"
Roy: "He needs to make friends and he cannot do it until he joins a school…you are being overprotective you know?"
Riza: "What's wrong with that?"
They were at the door of the meeting room. She opened the door for Roy to enter. They entered the meeting room where Olivier Mira Armstrong and Miles were waiting for them sitting on their chair.
Olivier: "I can't believe you became a General" (disgusted tone)
Roy and Riza sat down opposite to them and Roy replied to her with a smile…
Roy: "I guess, there was no one else better than me to fill the shoes…So, why did you bother to come here?"
Olivier: "You must be aware that after Bradley died, our neighboring countries are thinking we are vulnerable."
Roy: "Yes, I talked to the Fuehrer about this. He is going to increase forces at West and South and at least one state alchemist is going to be appointed at each command"
Olivier: "What about North? Isn't he going to increase forces in north?"
Roy: "Food supply is a problem at north…so, your forces will be provided with best ammunitions and better state alchemists instead of soldiers"
Miles: "There is one other issue in North according to our sources. Drachma has some secret weapon which they are going to use against Amestris. We don't know what that weapon is or how does it works. I would like to request the Fuehrer to initiate a covert mission to Drachma and get information as soon as possible."
Roy: "How much time do we have?"
Miles: "Approximately 1 month"
Roy: "I see" (concerned tone)
Riza: "Next week, some people from the Xingese royal family are coming for an official meet. Shall we call off the visit?"
Roy: "No, we don't need to cancel that. This is a very important meeting and they are going to stay for 3 days so, I don't think we will have a problem"
Olivier: "I agree, all we need is a covert operation and, if we cancel some major event like this, Drachma might take a notice on this and change their plan"
The meeting lasted for more than 2 hours.
Roy: "Are we done then?"
Olivier: "Yes, but It would have been better if Fuehrer had been here. Where is he?"
Riza: "He has gone to visit Ms. Bradley"
Olivier: "I see"
Riza lifted the glass of water to quench her thirst after the long meeting.
Miles: "General Mustang if you don't mind, can you please tell us if it's true that you have a son?"
Roy smiled and answered him…
Roy: "Yes"
Olivier: "I didn't know you will be a man to settle down! Who is the unlucky woman?"
Hearing that, Riza coughed and water sprinkled on the table. Due to her action, everyone was staring at her.
Riza: "Sorry for that"
Olivier: "It's alright Major… I know you are way too smart to be that unlucky woman"
Riza didn't react to that.
Olivier: "I don't have interest in your personal life, Mustang. So, you don't have to answer me ,and I have to go somewhere anyways"
After saying that, she and Miles left the room.
[Othon- The capital of Drachma, a month after the promised day]
It was night and snowing at Othon, the capital of Drachma. A meeting was going on in the strategic room of the palace. Three people were present there, and three of them were the most powerful persons of Drachma who were responsible for all the important decision of the country….
Marshal of the Drachmann Federation – Clifton Kozlov (Appearance: In his 50s, height around 6.5 feet with bulky body, Fair complexion, oblong face, small black eyes, medium length black hair combed backward, bushy handlebar moustache, wearing the traditional Drachmann army uniform containing a Songkok hat with a white feather on it and a strip of red fabric around the uniform)
Prime Minister - Sieglaff (Appearance: In his 50s, height around 5.8 feet with a well-proportioned body, brown complexion, round face, normal sized black eyes, medium length black hair with strands of white hairs combed backward, wearing a black round neck suit and a red shawl)
And
The King - Coeus (Appearance: In his early 40s, height around 6 feet with a well-proportioned body, fair complexion, diamond face, normal sized green eyes, loosed shoulder length silver hair, wearing one golden ring shaped earing on his left ear, a golden ring, a black pant, leather shoes , renaissance shirt and a polar bear fur coat)
They were sitting around an oval table and being headed by the King.
Clifton: "There is no doubt, Fuehrer Bradley is dead. And, the new Fuehrer is Grumman, who was initially a General posted at the East City"
Sieglaff: "This time I hope you are not going to attack Briggs, just because an Amestrian told you something"
Sieglaff mocked Clifton because one of his General attacked on Briggs when the General received the news from Solf J. Kimblee (the crimson lotus alchemist) about the transfer of Olivier Armstrong from Briggs.
Clifton: "General Semenov acted on his own, good thing he died out there, otherwise I would have killed him myself for leading so many of my soldiers to their death" (angrily fisting the table)
Sieglaff: "Maybe because you are not a capable leader"
Clifton: "How dare you doubt on my leadership capability?" (Annoyed tone)
Suddenly, they both got interrupted by the man….
Coeus: "Sieglaff" (He called him calmly)
Sieglaff and Clifton looked toward Coeus.
Sieglaff: "Yes, my King?"
Coeus: "Did you find out what happened at the central command of Amestris?"
Sieglaff: "Yes, my King…A battle happened there as you know. According to our sources, an unknown young man appeared from beneath central command. He was so powerful that no weapon was working against him, he was also able to produce human beings from within his body…."
Sieglaff told everything what happened during the promised day.
Sieglaff: "I tried to find out who that young man was. We were unable to find much about his history except that, he was below the central command the whole time and, the homunculus referred to him as…"
Coeus: "Father"
When Coeus completed the sentence, Sieglaff and Clifton started looking at him with surprise because it was a piece of information which was known to some handful of people in Amestris.
Sieglaff: "Did you know him, my King?"
Coeus thought for a moment and replied…
Coeus: "No"
After listening to his reply, they didn't ask him any more question regarding Father even though they felt he knew Father.
Sieglaff: "Bradley is dead and Amestris is looking very vulnerable for the first time. I propose we make a plan to attack Amestris"
Clifton: "Minister Sieglaff, do you really think we couldn't have beaten Bradley and his army of alchemists? Our force is far more terrifying than any country, it's just that our King didn't want to attack Amestris"
Coeus stood up and started walking toward the door. Both Sieglaff and Clifton were confused that why he was leaving the room without making a decision. Then, Coeus spoke…
Coeus: "Fine Clifton, you have my permission to prepare for war. I am bored of this cold weather anyways, I wonder how the Fuehrer's residence feels like"
After saying that, Coeus left the room. That was the first time, Sieglaff and Clifton listened something like that from the King's mouth. They smiled after hearing his reply. For the first time they were feeling like, they were going to capture Amestris.