When Neuvillette arrived at the Fortress of Meropide once more, Wriothesley was already there with the latest model of mecha, ready to give him a warm welcome.
"Is this your latest achievement?"
Neuvillette looked at the tall, imposing mecha before him, a strange expression on his face.
He had heard Furina and Focalors mention it before, and though he'd assumed they were exaggerating, seeing the real thing now made him realize these battlefield superweapons truly lived up to their name.
Wriothesley had brought it out, clearly intending to show it off, especially since he was also equipped with his new gear.
Of course, even the new equipment hadn't escaped Head Nurse Sigewinne's clutches. A cartoon sticker was hidden in a rather inconspicuous corner, and who knew when Wriothesley would finally notice it.
"My people are just as capable as yours."
Wriothesley crossed his arms, speaking with a hint of pride.
"By the way, the person imprisoned in the deepest level has woken up."
"That's precisely why I'm here."
At this, Neuvillette couldn't help but recall how difficult it had been to get half a day's leave from Otillia.
Although he wasn't worried about Otillia's safety, Neuvillette didn't want her to come to a place like this.
"Hmm, I can see you're busy. A man with a child really is different."
Wriothesley smiled slightly, teasing him.
Neuvillette knew Wriothesley was aware of the truth and was just using it to poke fun at him, so he didn't say much.
"You know where it is. Just go straight there."
"Monsieur Rene and Monsieur Jacob demonstrated good behavior during their sentences and made outstanding contributions, so I have already reduced their sentences."
"From three hundred years to two hundred, plus a one-month furlough. This requires your approval. Since you're here, remember to stop by and sign the papers before you leave."
"Yes, I'll visit your office later."
Hearing Neuvillette's reply, Wriothesley nodded. He then issued several commands to the mech, and soon, both he and the machine walked away.
Neuvillette, now alone, ventured deeper into the Fortress of Meropide. He passed through long pipelines, rode several lifting mechanisms, and finally crossed the barrier he had personally erected. There, he saw [The Doctor] Dottore, imprisoned in his cell.
"This is our first meeting, isn't it, Dottore?"
That Neuvillette's tone remained calm was a testament to his immense self-control.
Upon seeing Neuvillette, Dottore smiled faintly and spoke.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, isn't it rather improper for you to imprison me in this place?"
"I am the Second of the Fatui Harbingers. My status in Snezhnaya is extremely high. Aren't you afraid of dragging Fontaine into war by doing this?"
Dottore paused, then continued.
"Perhaps Monsieur Neuvillette has suppressed news about me, but with such a major incident in Sumeru, Snezhnaya will inevitably learn of my situation sooner or later."
"Fontaine does not fear war today."
Neuvillette gave Dottore a deep look before speaking again.
"Dottore, your actions in Fontaine have inflicted indelible harm upon every Fontainian."
"Do you plead guilty?"
"That was merely a necessary sacrifice on the path to truth. Such a price is utterly insignificant to me."
Dottore spread his hands, his face a mask of indifference as he spoke.
"Besides, I only provided that organization with some experimental data. As for the rest... it hasn't even succeeded yet, has it?"
"You can trade me to Snezhnaya for a great fortune. I'm very valuable, you know. Then you can make a few more demands, and that should satisfy you, shouldn't it, Monsieur Neuvillette?"
After hearing Dottore's words, Neuvillette's gaze grew noticeably colder.
"Dottore, I only need you to pay the price for your actions. I have no interest in Snezhnaya's compensation."
"Is that so? I thought Monsieur Neuvillette would want it all!"
Dottore, seemingly oblivious to Neuvillette's anger, continued speaking to himself.
"After all, only children make choices. Adults usually take everything."
"Why not broaden your horizons, Monsieur Neuvillette? I'm actually quite curious to know my own price in Snezhnaya."
Neuvillette froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Dottore, wondering what new trick the man was playing. Who would help sell themselves for a good price?
"Dottore, Snezhnaya won't make an offer for a dead man."
Hearing Neuvillette's words, Dottore shook his head and replied calmly.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, you won't let me die."
"Although I've caused many tragedies, most of them occurred in other nations. Fontaine's laws simply cannot judge me."
"Moreover, if Monsieur Neuvillette still wishes to cooperate with Snezhnaya, it's even less likely you'll let me die."
Neuvillette's grip on his cane tightened. He hadn't expected Dottore to see through his intentions so clearly.
All his previous words had been meant to pressure Dottore, to make him confess obediently.
But Dottore's arrogance had gone too far. Neuvillette unleashed a crushing force onto Dottore's shoulders, forcing his body to slowly bend.
The immense pressure made it impossible for Dottore to even lift his head. His body emitted creaking sounds, and soon, his forehead was beaded with sweat.
"Dottore, you have no right to speak to me in that tone."
After uttering these words, Neuvillette slightly eased the pressure. Dottore could finally catch his breath, the relaxed expression on his face having vanished.
"Remember that your life is now in my hands. If you want to live, tell me everything you know."
"What did you provide to that faction?"
"Just some research data on 'Segments.' Monsieur Neuvillette should already know this. Is there anything else I need to explain?"
Upon hearing Dottore's words, Neuvillette immediately spoke.
"The one who negotiated the cooperation with you was No. 1, wasn't it? Now, tell me everything you know about No. 1."
"Monsieur Neuvillette, are you sure you want me to say it?"
As soon as Neuvillette finished speaking, Dottore retorted with a question.
"I can tell you, but can you bear the price of hearing this secret?"
"Monsieur Neuvillette, are you truly certain that Fontaine is ready to face No. 1?"
"Dottore, is this No. 1's ability?"
Neuvillette's expression grew grim.
"It cannot be spoken. If I mention any detailed information about No. 1, they will detect it."
"Of course, what I know about No. 1's methods is just hearsay from internal members; its authenticity still needs verification."
"I'm still very curious about this, but I don't think Monsieur Neuvillette wants the people of Fontaine to suffer another disaster."
"By the way, if I'm not mistaken, the plague called 'COVID' that appeared in Sumeru earlier was No. 1's ability."
Faced with Dottore's half-smiling expression, Neuvillette's heart grew heavier.
Just by discussing their name or abilities, No. 1 could become aware of it. This meant No. 1's power had reached an extremely high level.
Alternatively, the power No. 1 possessed might involve the fundamental rules of the world.
In Neuvillette's estimation, the second possibility was more likely.
Of course, regardless of which possibility was true, it meant No. 1 was a terrifying existence.
Finally, Neuvillette sighed and stared at Dottore, speaking word by word.
"Tell me everything you know about that faction, everything that can be spoken."
"Of course, Monsieur Neuvillette."
Dottore smiled.
"Actually, my understanding isn't too extensive. When I was cooperating with No. 1, the only Numbered Member of that faction, aside from the even more mysterious one, was No. 1 himself."
"The other Numbered Members only began to appear after I handed over my research on 'Segments' to them."
Neuvillette's heart jolted. If Dottore wasn't lying, what did the 'Return' of the Numbered Members signify?
And what did 'Homeland' mean?
Neuvillette had initially assumed these words held only their literal meanings, but now it seemed they likely had another layer of significance.
At that moment, Neuvillette suddenly realized that in the initial intelligence he had seen, the names of all the Numbered Members had ended with the two characters for "Segment."
'Segment' implied a part separated from a 'Prime.' This meant all the Numbered Members might originate from the same individual: the most mysterious existence ranked above them all.
Afterward, Dottore shared some less critical information, most of which Neuvillette had already obtained. However, he didn't interrupt Dottore's account, as he could use it to verify the truthfulness of Dottore's words.
Once Dottore had finished saying all he could, Neuvillette temporarily left.
Dottore was right: for the future of Teyvat, Dottore couldn't be dealt with for now. At the very least, he needed to remain alive.
But this didn't mean he wouldn't pay the price for his actions. Neuvillette recalled that the Fontaine Research Institute had previously developed numerous methods to inflict extreme suffering on the nobles, most of which ensured the subject's survival. After all, this was necessary for the full experience, and it would be perfect for Dottore.
Of course, given Dottore's dangerous nature, this plan carried risks. Neuvillette couldn't monitor Dottore's situation constantly, and he might not even have the chance to witness Dottore's fate firsthand. After all, it was hard to shake off the two figures, one large and one small, and he couldn't possibly take Otillia to watch such a thing.
However, Neuvillette had ideal candidates in mind: Rene and Jacob, who were soon to be granted leave.
He had personally witnessed Rene's strength. Even Dottore at his peak would likely be no match, let alone the heavily restricted Dottore of now.
With a few more preparations, the risks could be minimized.
-
"Let us give our warmest applause to congratulate Miss Ann on passing her assessment and becoming another official researcher at our Fontaine Research Institute!"
Clap, clap, clap
Amid a round of applause and the encouragement and congratulations of those around her, Sandrone accepted the badge and uniform signifying her status as a researcher at the Fontaine Research Institute from the interim Head.
As Sandrone took the two items under the Head's approving gaze, her hands trembled slightly.
It hadn't been easy!
Before joining the Fontaine Research Institute, she had believed herself to be a genius. But this place had made her realize she was just a frog at the bottom of a well.
With her talent, it had taken her several months—even with detailed reference materials—to fully grasp a single research project and pass the official researcher assessment.
And if not for the first half-month where her memory was inexplicably hazy but she had somehow learned a great deal, it would have likely taken her at least a year to pass.
Ultimately, Sandrone concluded she must have studied herself into a stupor, triggering her body's self-preservation mechanism and causing her to forget those painful memories.
After all, the knowledge she had gained was real. It wasn't as if Pulonia, the automaton behind her, could have learned it and transferred the knowledge to her, right?
Impossible!
This day has finally come!
Finally, no more cleaning toilets!
Alain, who was standing nearby and knew what Sandrone was thinking, was utterly speechless. Have you ever cleaned the toilets yourself, even once? Wasn't I the one who did it every single time? How dare you even think that?!
Sandrone excitedly clenched her small fists, unable to contain her inner excitement.
During this time, her subordinates had served their sentences and been deported, but she hadn't intervened. Snezhnaya had sent urgent messages asking where she was and what she was doing, but she hadn't bothered to reply, dedicating herself entirely to her research, forgetting to eat or sleep. And now, she had finally reached this point!
All her previous efforts had been worth it. She had successfully proven herself!
Although a few others had also passed the assessment during this period, she knew she was the fastest!
The quickest among the others had taken a full month longer than her, which helped restore some of her confidence.
Now, as long as she continued to study diligently, she believed that sooner or later, she would become the most outstanding researcher at the Fontaine Research Institute!
At this thought, Sandrone's excitement became uncontrollable. She repeatedly thanked everyone for their congratulations, promising to work even harder in the future, not to disappoint their help and expectations, and to contribute to Fontaine's development.
During this time, everyone had been very enthusiastic and caring, even helping Sandrone solve many of the problems she encountered. Plus, although they were slightly less talented than her, they were still rare prodigies. This kept Sandrone from acting too aloof, and in the heat of the moment, she even said things she would never have said before.
But after the ceremony ended and Sandrone's head gradually cooled, a question suddenly arose in her mind.
By the way, what was her original purpose for joining the Fontaine Research Institute again?!