CHAPTER 395: CHAPTER 11: THE ACTING SCHOOL

In late autumn, a gust of cold wind swept through, and there were few pedestrians on the streets of Dabris Town.

A rather large, black and white ’stray dog’ wandered the streets.

The ’stray dog’ looked forlorn, its entire body filthy, and its stomach growled with hunger.

Bu Wang was desperate, its pitiful little eyes arousing much sympathy.

"Sigh～."

Bu Wang sighed, glancing back at its unscrupulous owner, its little eyes conveying a message.

’Even if I have to play a stray dog, I shouldn’t have to starve.’

"Looking at me won’t help, it’s time to test your acting skills. If this works out, I’ll treat you to a feast when we get back."

Hearing about a feast, Bu Wang immediately perked up, quickly running towards a butcher shop.

Izumi Curtis’s alchemy skills were not weak. Her husband, though not an alchemist, was no less formidable in combat than one.

If it came to close combat, this burly man, nearly two meters tall, could even confront a homunculus head-on.

This burly man was standing in front of a meat stall, selling meat. His clothes were simple, his figure seemed bulky, yet he exuded a sense of power, like a bear.

Bu Wang approached the meat stall, seemingly wanting to get closer, but a bit frightened of humans, perhaps because it was often beaten and scolded as a stray.

Bu Wang was a talented method actor, both its expressions and movements were particularly convincing.

"A stray dog? Quite large, I wonder what breed it is."

Izumi’s husband picked up a knife, sliced off a small piece of meat, and tossed it to Bu Wang.

Bu Wang turned around and ran, but after running a short distance, it stopped, looking longingly at the meat, seeming to want to eat it but hesitating.

"It’s okay, eat up."

Izumi’s husband shook his head, feeling that this dog might have suffered a lot.

Bu Wang cautiously approached, tentatively picked up the piece of meat from the ground, and looked at Izumi’s husband, as if asking: ’Can I really eat this?’

"Hmm～, it must have been trained. Such a dog goes missing, its owner must be anxious."

Although Izumi’s husband wasn’t particularly fond of dogs, this one gave him a different feeling, almost a natural affection.

"Go ahead, eat."

With Izumi’s husband’s approval, Bu Wang devoured the meat ravenously.

Bu Wang was crying inside; aside from its early days, it hadn’t eaten raw meat for a long time, and raw meat wasn’t tasty at all.

No wonder Bu Wang felt this way; usually, it ate whatever Su Xiao ate, so naturally, it was picky.

After devouring the raw meat ’like a wolf’, Bu Wang licked its lips, looking satisfied.

"Where did this dog come from?"

Izumi Curtis came out from the butcher shop and immediately noticed Bu Wang.

"Not sure, just a stray, but very smart."

"Smart?"

"Yes, it must have been trained, maybe even a military dog."

Izumi Curtis nodded, not looking at Bu Wang anymore.

The couple’s butcher shop was doing well, and the meat sold out by noon, while Bu Wang squatted at the doorway, looking like a guard dog.

"Honey, this dog is quite interesting. You fed it meat, and it’s actually helping guard the shop, very unusual."

"Hmm, it’s a very excellent dog, hasn’t moved in three hours."

"Why don’t we adopt it, and if its owner comes by, let it leave with them."

"Alright."

An hour later, Bu Wang was sitting in front of Izumi and her husband. Bu Wang had taken a bath, its fur shiny and its spirit bright.

"This..."

Izumi Curtis was somewhat distressed. This dog seemed unusual, but such a smart dog, she was reluctant to let it go.

"Let’s take it in temporarily. It’s just a dog, nothing dangerous can come of it."

"Hmm, makes sense."

The couple temporarily took Bu Wang in, and Bu Wang’s undercover mission was a success, with its 43 Charm Attributes not just for show.

After the couple left, the confusion in Bu Wang’s eyes disappeared, replaced by a wolf-like demeanor.

Bu Wang’s nose twitched, perceiving that the couple hadn’t gone far, it lay down on the ground.

...

Su Xiao rented a room at a nearby inn, waiting for news from Bu Wang.

Su Xiao initially thought he’d have to wait several days, but unexpectedly, two days later he heard Bu Wang’s bark.

"Woof, woof, woof."

The bark was rhythmic, delivering the message that the protagonist brothers were back.

Su Xiao didn’t show up, it wasn’t the right time yet.

In Izumi Curtis’s home, Izumi was lying in bed, her health had never been good.

There was a reason for this; Izumi had once attempted Human Transmutation.

Izumi and her husband were very much in love, but for some unknown reason, they never had children. However, one day, due to their ’efforts’, Izumi found herself pregnant.

Due to an accident, Izumi miscarried. This was something the couple couldn’t accept, so Izumi attempted Human Transmutation to bring back their unborn child.

The transmutation unsurprisingly failed; Izumi lost part of her internal organs and permanently lost the ability to conceive again.

Izumi was severely traumatized, retreating to a small town to live in semi-seclusion, firmly rejecting even the nation’s attempts to recruit her.

At this time, Edward Elric and his brother stood outside the room, looking anxious.

"Is Master okay?"

Edward Elric looked at Izumi’s husband, and as soon as he finished speaking, the door swung open.

Edward Elric flinched, turning his head stiffly.

A foot wearing a slipper kicked Edward square in the face, sending him flying with a scream.

"Ungrateful apprentice, I heard you’ve become a lapdog of the military?"

Izumi glanced at Edward, then turned to look at Younger Brother Alphonse, who was scared stiff.

"Ma-Master, that’s because..."

Hearing a slightly familiar voice, the anger on Izumi’s face faded, but she felt a chill inside, sensing something amiss, though she didn’t show it.

"Al? You’ve grown so big!"

Izumi’s expression softened, and Alphonse quickly stepped forward.

"Teacher, I hope you’ve been well."

As soon as Alphonse spoke, Izumi suddenly grabbed his arm and threw Alphonse to the ground.

Thud,

"Your training is still lacking."

Although Izumi’s face was calm, a huge wave surged in her heart. Alphonse’s armor was empty; she could tell from the sound it made when it hit the ground.

"Teacher, is your health okay?"

Edward brushed the dust off his clothes, his back ached a bit.

"What nonsense are you spouting? I only put on a strong front because you two are here, argh～."

Izumi spat out a large mouthful of blood, shocking Edward and Younger Brother Alphonse.

"Teacher! ×2"

...

A day later, Su Xiao sat on a rooftop, watching as Izumi and her husband quickly ran down the street, with Bubute Ni ahead of them.

Soon the couple reached Su Xiao’s vicinity, immediately noticing Su Xiao on the rooftop.

"Remember the scent?"

Su Xiao asked, inquiring whether Bubu had memorized Alphonse’s scent.

"Woof,"

Bu Wang barked, leaping several times to reach the rooftop.

"Who are you?"

Izumi shouted.

"Who am I? Hmm～, thanks for ’taking care’ of my partner."

As he spoke, Su Xiao and Bu Wang leaped to another rooftop.

Izumi and her husband were stunned; they had been deceived by a dog for several days.