This volume centered on the Ishblan War and how it impacts what is happening in the present so well. It’s interesting to learn that the tattoo on Riza’s back comes from the Flame Alchemist. Her father, who was Roy’s master. It is an interesting perspective to see him look at Roy’s decision to be a dog of the military and him as selling out. It is a bit weird for him to put the secrets to flame alchemy on his daughter’s back, but it shows the connection between Riza and Roy is deeper than we first thought.
One thing that is clear about Scar is that he really isn’t an alchemist but a warrior. His brother was the one studying alchemy from Xing. His research in particular is something to take note of. He talks about this country’s alchemy, which I assume he is talking about Amestris, as unnatural. Very much Father and Homunculus have a stranglehold on their alchemy, and why Scar and Mei have more freedom in their alchemy. The sad part of Scar getting his brother’s right arm of deconstructions aligns with Scar’s never-ending path of seeking revenge.
It is sad to think how many innocents were sacrificed. To even think Winry’s parents were bound to be a casualty of the military if Scar didn’t kill them first. The sad part is they lost their lives saving the victims while there were others that were just there to kill people. Where is the justice in that? Seeing the transformation of Roy, Riza & Armstrong into the people who they are now is a terrible sight. Ironically, Hughes’s priority of surviving and helping others is still true to who we see him as.
As we see with Bradley, there was no compromise in store for the Ishblans, as he only looked at them as insignificant sacrifices. The other person of interest in this flashback is Solf Kimblee. There is definitely something odd with him. Many of his dialogues make him sound like someone with a lot of pride. Him even consuming the Philosopher’s Stone makes me wonder if he is Pride. Still, it was this war that steered Roy to where he is now, and it is clear that Bradley has sensed that in Roy since then as well.