Colonel Mustang recalls the Ishval Civil War and remembers the moment he decided to aspire to the position of Führer to protect all those under him and the point at which Lt. Col. Hughes promised him support. Lt. Hawkeye wakes Roy up from his reverie so he can finish the piled up paperwork before they are moved to Central City.
At the hospital, Edward tells Alphonse, Hughes, and Major Armstrong about the events that took place at Lab 5, but they all complain about the fact that further investigation is hampered by the mysterious destruction of the facility. As Hughes and Armstrong plan to make connections to find out more, they are all shocked by a sudden visit from Führer King Bradley, who informs them that he is well aware of their recent actions and their search for the Philosopher’s Stone. Bradley notes that the enemy they seek is powerful and elusive, and praises their credibility, but forbids them from poking their noses in or telling anyone about their investigation, while promising to call them for help when the time comes. After he leaves, Winry returns to the room with the train tickets to Dublith that Edward asked her to get and reveals to Elric that she is heading there to talk to her teacher. Winry notices that Rush Valley – the holy land of automail – is en route to Dublith, plans with them, and says goodbye to the Hugheses. On the train from Central Ed, Winry explains that they hope their teacher can help them become stronger in both body and mind, as well as shed some light on the Philosopher’s Stone.
That evening, Hughes looks at the news regarding the recent Letoist riots in Reola, noting all the riots and battles happening around the country. Suddenly struck by a strange realization, he rushes into the recording room and confirms his worst suspicions. Before he can inform the Führer, Lust is harassed and recognizes her Ouroboros sign that Edward drew for him. They attack simultaneously, but Hughes emerges victorious, albeit injured by Lust’s nails. Maes flees before Lust revives and heads to the military phones to contact the Führer. However, he changes his mind and leaves the premises to use an external phone box. He frantically tries to reach Roy and tells the military operator that the army is in great danger. He is stopped by Envy, who is disguised as 2nd Lt. Ross, but Hughes realizes he is an impostor. Spying a family photo that Hughes accidentally dropped, Envy transforms into the form of Hughes’ wife and fatally shoots him. As Hughes bleeds to death in the phone booth, Roy is connected and senses that something is wrong, all he hears is silence. On the train, Winry shares an apple pie that Mrs. Hughes has baked for them. The Elrics remember how much help Hughes was to them and decide to thank him after returning to the capital.
Hughes’ funeral is held, and the attendees – among them Mustang, Armstrong and Bradley – are visibly saddened by the death of their friend, as well as young Elicia’s inability to understand her father’s death. After the ceremony, Roy stands at Maes’ grave, shedding tears for his friend, reflecting on how Hughes had promised to support him, but now he has been posthumously promoted two ranks. He personally interviews everyone who saw Hughes on the night of his death, and discovers that there was an unseen struggle and that Maes tried to use the outside line before tying off to relay the imminent threat to the Colonel. to the army. While meeting with Major Armstrong, Mustang learns in a secret language that there are several unknown suspects in the case of Hughes’ murder, that someone in Central Command has ordered Alex not to speak to anyone about the matter, and that the situation is somehow related to the Elric Brothers and their search for the Philosopher’s Stone . Roy plans to investigate the matter further once his transfer to Central is complete.