The Doctor had heard about Durandal before, not from other Harbingers, but through the rumor of the divine doctor of mondstadt.
Initially, he didn't pay much attention. He was engrossed in his research, and such rumors, which sounded highly exaggerated, didn't pique his interest at all.
As Durandal treated more and more people, the Doctor learned that she had excellent healing abilities, even capable of curing some incurable diseases with current medical standards.
But even so, the Doctor didn't take it too seriously. Such healing abilities were indeed very good, but he could also achieve them, though those who received his treatment would often have some issues.
However, when he learned that Durandal could even treat people affected by the archon residue, the Doctor couldn't resist. He desperately needed this ability.
Clever as he was, he couldn't solve the problem of insufficient experimental subjects. To fuel his research, the Fatui would abduct suitable experimental subjects from various countries, most of whom were Children.
After all, you couldn't just focus on abducting people from one country; that would easily arouse suspicion. Although some nations already suspected the disappearance of Children was related to the Fatui, the Fatui always did a good job, leaving no evidence.
But even so, the Doctor's experimental subjects were still insufficient because the rate of replenishment couldn't keep up with the rate of consumption.
There was no other way; even the Fatui couldn't forcibly abduct people on the street, so they had to find other ways to slow down the consumption rate of experimental subjects.
The Doctor couldn't solve this problem, but Durandal's healing ability could. If Durandal could truly deal with the archon residue in the human body, then experimental subjects could be continuously reused, and he wouldn't have to worry about the shortage of experimental subjects.
As for whether Durandal was dangerous? The Doctor didn't care about this issue at all. He rarely communicated with other Harbingers. Although he received information to be careful of Durandal, he didn't take it to heart and immediately turned his attention to new research.
The Doctor had many ways to persuade others to join him. Before inviting Durandal to join him, he still needed to test Durandal's abilities.
First, he had to get Durandal's attention. Directly sending the Fatui to attack her wouldn't work, so he set his sights on the flower field Durandal frequently visited.
According to reports from the Fatui tracking Durandal, Durandal often went to that flower field, which should be a place she cared about.
Understanding this, the Doctor instructed his subordinates to arrange for the Treasure Hoarders to act against that flower field, and during their conversation, he "accidentally" revealed his own affairs.
The Knights of Favonius's siege of the Fatui base was unexpected, but these were all within acceptable limits.
If the plan succeeded, these losses would be worth it. With Durandal's participation, his research speed could achieve a qualitative leap.
Just now, when Durandal learned about the Children corroded by the archon residue, he hid in the dark to observe, and the results made him very satisfied, so excited he almost flew.
She could truly deal with the archon residue in the human body, and she herself showed no signs of discomfort.
This was the assistant he had dreamed of; he had to get her! He had to get her at all costs! This was the only thought in the Doctor's mind.
Returning to reality, the Doctor looked at the expressionless Durandal. Realizing something, he chuckled and said,
"You're not pitying those experimental subjects, are you? They are things that must be consumed on the path to greatness; there's nothing to pity. If you truly pity them, why not just heal them with your abilities?"
"Their 'sacrifice' can bring about an opportunity for human advancement. Don't you think this is very worthwhile? What we call 'humans' are merely sufficiently complex machines. Since they are machines, there's no problem with dismantling certain parts. By removing the originally fragile parts and replacing them with sufficiently powerful components, or modifying them to be even stronger than before, the machine's performance can be greatly enhanced."
"As long as the right method can be found, an ordinary person can become powerful, and ultimately, even a God can be created. Don't you... think this is a truly magnificent thing?"
The Doctor spoke with a look of rapture. His goal all along was to achieve this purpose, to tell the Sumeru Akademiya people, to let them know that he was right, and he would achieve this goal.
To achieve this goal, the Doctor needed Durandal's power. He needed Durandal to help him accomplish this, to allow humans to gain power comparable to Gods.
"Join me. You are different from the other Fatui members. Your abilities destine you to join this great endeavor. Become my assistant and accomplish this goal with me."
The Doctor extended his right hand to Durandal, inviting her with a rare sincerity in his tone.
He regarded Durandal as an existence equal to himself. She was different from those Fatui members who could become his experimental subjects; she was someone who could stand by his side, and he was willing to give Durandal this position.
Facing the Doctor's invitation, Durandal said nothing. She silently summoned her great scythe, her attitude already very clear.
The Doctor regretfully shook his head. Durandal's performance disappointed him, but this was still within the scope of what could be handled.
With the Fatui's methods, it was easy to brainwash someone.
Using brainwashing to make her his assistant was also an option. An assistant obtained through such a method would also be more obedient and compliant.
Two spikes appeared behind the Doctor, and at the same time, a cage descended from the sky, containing several Children who had been experimented on, their bodies harboring a dense archon residue.
The moment the cages opened, the archon residue within them began to act up, their bodies deforming from human shapes into hideous monsters.
As they transformed into monsters, an extremely dangerous aura emanated from them.
They were defective products researched by the Doctor; because they were uncontrollable, the Doctor abandoned these several test subjects.
He hadn't expected these defective products to actually have a day where they would be useful. There were eight test subjects in total; just one already required a large military force to deal with, and with eight test subjects, this was not something ordinary people could handle.
Unless Durandal was one of the Seven Gods, the Doctor truly didn't think Durandal could handle them.
As long as these test subjects beat Durandal half to death, he would step in to save her, then take her to his laboratory in another location, where he could slowly begin the brainwashing process.
The Doctor had already begun his future plans, completely oblivious to the fact that the surrounded Durandal showed no signs of panic. Her gaze towards the Doctor became increasingly cold, her scarlet pupils watching her like a beast.
Due to their instability, the test subjects uncontrollably attacked Durandal. Eight test subjects simultaneously launched an assault on Durandal, blocking all her escape routes.
As the Doctor pondered what kind of injuries Durandal would sustain under such an assault, a violent impact struck, blowing the test subjects away, and even the Doctor, who was observing, was pushed back more than ten meters by the shockwave.
"What happened?"
The Doctor looked in confusion at where Durandal had been standing. When he clearly saw Durandal's situation, he clutched his head, shouting excitedly.
"So... so that's it! Ah haha~ I should have thought of it sooner! I should have thought of it sooner! The reason you can absorb the archon residue isn't because of your special physique, but because you are a God!"
Durandal remained standing in her original spot, but around her appeared several terrifying-looking monsters. They were Durandal in her black plague state.
Durandal, who previously could only summon one clone to assist in battle, could now summon several clones simultaneously to assist in battle after acquiring Humus Power.
Not only that, their combat power had increased significantly; this was the improvement Humus Power brought her.
Standing among them, Durandal was like a queen, her eyes calmly watching the test subjects that were getting back up. The terrifying aura of an Apostle swept towards them.
Like frightened puppies, they let out a whimper, the madness in their eyes quickly enveloped by fear. They crouched on the ground, holding their heads in a humanoid fashion, trembling as they watched Durandal, not daring to make any move.
This is an Apostle; just its aura is enough to suppress irrational beasts. Ordinary beasts would not dare to be presumptuous; they would only submit to a being stronger than themselves.
Seeing this situation, the Doctor realized he might have overplayed his hand. He didn't yet have the ability to face a God, but... he seemed to have no way to escape.
But he wasn't flustered; he still had a trump card he hadn't revealed. His experiments weren't for naught; don't assume he's just a researcher with no strength, for he wouldn't be able to become a Harbinger otherwise.
"Let me show you the masterpiece I created! This... is power comparable to a God!"
The Doctor took out a syringe containing a strange liquid from his person. He unhesitatingly plunged the syringe into his heart.
As the liquid injected into his body, the Doctor's body began to change, and the Delusion he carried resonated with his transformation.
The Doctor gradually lost his human appearance, just like those test subjects, but he did not lose his sanity. He laughed wildly, feeling his power continuously increasing.
He felt invincible, even against a terrifying God. The Doctor felt he had the strength to fight, and what if this power had significant side effects? This small price could be ignored.
"Come on, let's start round two. I'm very curious how powerful the legendary God truly is. If your strength isn't enough, you'll be reclaimed by me, you know."
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