Roy's trip to the Elric residence was unannounced, and as Alphonse answered the door for him, he wondered if he should have come at all.
"Colonel Mustang." Though Al never could outright blame Roy for the loss of his brother, there was still a rift between the two since Ed's death that Roy never could reconcile. The hurt was visible in Al's eyes as he stood back, inviting Roy into his home out of politeness. "What brings you to Risembool?"
Roy flinched at Al's tone, devoid of all warmth and friendliness that had been all he knew of Al in the past. At one time, the two had been friends. But now? He knew to keep his visit diplomatic.
"There has been activity in Drachma lately," Roy began, a bit surprised at the cold tone of his own voice. "I came to be sure your family wasn't in any danger."
"What do you care, Colonel?" Al's words sliced through Roy like a sword, but he kept the pain from his expression. "You haven't visited once since the funeral. Now you want to extend protection and friendship?"
"Contrary to your belief, Alphonse," Roy retorted coldly, using almost the same words he had with Ed so long ago; "I do consider you an ally and a friend. I deeply apologize for what had happened. Had I known Ed would die, I would have left him in your care and gone to die myself."
Roy's eyes snapped to Winry as he heard her gasp, though his regretful glare never faltered. He felt that he would break down in front of the Elrics if he let his guard down for just a moment.
"Colonel," Winry said quietly as she approached Roy, her eyes searching his. "Edward would...he would punch you if he heard you talk like that."
"He would...wouldn't he." Roy sighed, releasing some of the stress from his tense shoulders. He didn't let himself relax fully, for fear of breaking.
"The Colonel has come to warn us of Drachma," Al said with, was that a snide tone Roy heard?
"What's happening at the border? Is everything alright?" Winry's eyes genuinely displayed fear.
"The trouble isn't so much at the border… as it is inside the country." Roy glanced at Winry before continuing. "I have been informed that an undetermined amount of Drachman men have infiltrated Central Command, as well as spread out across the rest of Amestris. This was something I had tried to prevent," he said with a ragged sigh; "though I was told that their only goal is to assist in rooting out all corruption in our government in order to ally the two countries together."
"Drachma?" Winry gasped loudly, looking fearfully at her front door. "But-Colonel, are you sure they really want peace? What if they're just trying to take over-"
"That's why I came to you, to warn you. I believe their intentions are pure, but I want you to be aware of any possible danger."
"And who is your source, Colonel?" Alphonse crossed his arms in a very uncharacteristic fashion. His scowl deepened when Roy spoke in a noticeably lower tone.
"General Auren."
"You've never told us of this man before. Can he be trusted?"
"I believe so, but after revealing that he has men stationed in Amestris-"
"He's a general from Drachma?!" Al's outburst came out as an incredulous yell.
"Yes, and I have been in contact with him and his men for-"
"Do you forget the country that Edward was murdered in?!" Tears of rage had already begun to spill from Al's wide eyes. "You're a blind man, a fool! You're going to lead this country to ruin!"
"This could be the answer to peace, the end of war with Drachma!"
"It could be the end of us!" Al screamed, but he froze when a young girl ran into the room and into Winry's arms. All the rage left him as he stared at the young blonde hugging his wife. "Jasmine?"
"Daddy why are you yelling," Jasmine asked cutely, peeking from Winry's embrace with her curious golden eyes. "Are you mad?"
Alphonse sank to his knees, silent as Jasmine ran over to hug him. Roy released released a tense breath when Al smiled softly and hugged her close like a security blanket.
"I should go." Roy's words cut through the silence, but Al's gaze on him wasn't one of anger as he'd expected. No, Roy saw sadness as Al lifted Jasmine up in one arm.
"Jasmine, this is Colonel Roy Mustang. Remember? I told you about him."
"Oh yeeaah I like your uniform Mr. Mustang!" Jasmine smiled cheerfully, reminding Roy so much of Ed's smile.
"Well thank you, Jasmine. And how old are you?" Roy bowed cutely, to which Jasmine giggled.
"I'm five!"
"And absolutely adorable." Roy beamed as the little girl giggled madly and hid her face in Al's shoulder.
"You will visit us again, won't you?" Winry asked hopefully.
Roy chanced a glance at Alphonse, but Al severed their met gaze immediately. Smiling sadly, Roy answered. "I may. Just remember to watch for trouble."
"Trouble that may be your doing, Colonel," Al warned, keeping animosity from his voice for the sake of his curious daughter. "I don't think you should trust Auren."
"It was good to speak with you again," Roy replied wistfully. "And it was nice to meet your wonderful daughter."
He left the Elric residence, Winry and Jasmine waving goodbye while Al just stared after him as though it would make Ed appear in Roy's place. Honestly, Roy wished for exactly that.
Upon returning to Central after his brief vacation, Roy immersed himself once more into the corruption of the military. While his usual tactics found him a few leads, he knew it wasn't enough to make real progress toward his goal. Not without taking decades. So with much thought on it, and with the support of the few Drachman 'spies' he had met, he slowly allowed himself to taste corruption. He began eavesdropping on everyone, not just suspects; he cut corners where he knew suspects above him would notice; he even arranged to have a man sent to his death for attempting to squeal on corruption.
Of course, Roy made sure the man lived... even if it was a drastic relocation to Drachma.
With his new tactics and new allies, Roy's men and Auren's men were able to nearly eradicate corruption from Central and from scattered bases around the country. Naturally, the closer to Drachma, the less of a threat the Amestrian soldiers were.
And to think, it only took four years.
"Bernard?" Roy answered the phone wearily, reclining in his chair.
"Colonel Mustang my friend!" Bernard sounded enthusiastic as always to converse with Roy. "You have done so very well. The General even said so!"
"It seems my change in tactics worked," Roy muttered, "though it did lose me a few loyal friends and a good deal of trust."
"Nothing that you cannot win back?"
"I've been lying to a lot of people. I doubt that they would believe the truth behind my motives."
"Yes, but you are a good man and you will gain their trust back. I am sorry your reputation has fallen so far," Bernard added, sounding genuinely dismayed. "If it is any consolation, Emil thinks it will make a good story to one day tell your children."
"Emil? Who is Emil?" Roy narrowed his eyes as he heard Bernard swear, drop the phone, and then pick it up with a nervous cough. "Bernard?"
"Well, I suppose... we are all friends now yes?" Another nervous laugh. "I do not think he would mind."
"Bernard," Roy repeated in a warning tone.
"Emil Van Auren," Bernard explained, "General Emil Van Auren."
Roy's jaw dropped as he finally learned the full name of this Auren character who, to be honest, Roy was beginning to think was invented by Bernard, the true general. He scribbled it down, asking his next question carefully.
"Emil, hm? Well, we've all been working together for years, I think it's fair as friends that we're properly introduced. If you would please pass the phone to your General so we can continue?"
Bernard faltered. Roy picked up on it immediately.
"...Give me a moment, I will speak with him." Roy held in his sigh as the line went quiet, the faintest sound of voices heard in the background. The phone returned to life as Bernard nervously spoke. "He is too busy to talk."
"He's trying to ally two countries together. Two countries. And you mean to tell me, for something that he has been working on for nearly ten years he can't talk on the phone with the only person who he's been working with?!"
"He…" Roy could hear the dryness in Bernard's stutter. "H-he is very busy… organizing his men in Central… and doing paperwork…" Bernard trailed off.
"Bernard Ustor you will let me speak with your General!" Roy's voice was just below a yell, though he could practically hear Bernard's cringe.
"Ah, y-yes, please, one moment…" The line was silent once more as Bernard disappeared. The line picked up several long minutes later, and Roy was ready to holler at Bernard yet again-but the voice on the other end was very different.
"Bernard has told you I am busy!" The man, whom Roy could only assume was Auren, hissed out in Drachman. His voice was sharp, gruff, and very irritated. It wasn't at all how Roy envisioned from a man working for peace. "Our business is done tonight, you will be called again when needed." The line went dead, Roy's jaw dropping in disbelief.
"Dismissing me? Who the hell does he think he is?! I don't care if he's-if he's-dammit!" Roy slammed the phone onto the hook, cursing loudly as it cracked and broke apart. He yanked his desk drawer open, snatched a printed sheet of paper out and smacked it onto the desk, slammed the broken phone on top of it, and activated the alchemy circle printed on the paper. Within moments his phone was no worse for the wear, though his nerves were still electrified.
"Well, General Auren," Roy growled angrily, glaring at the name in front of him; "If you refuse to speak with me, I will have to arrange a meeting."