Upon returning to Fontaine, Neuvillette immediately ordered an investigation into the informant who had traveled to Sumeru. However, the search yielded no results.
However, a bloodstained letter addressed to "Monsieur Neuvillette—To Be Opened Only by Him" arrived. Fearing to delay, the recipient immediately delivered it to Neuvillette.
Neuvillette tore open the letter. As he read its contents, his fury reached a boiling point.
The letter contained the following message:
Monsieur Neuvillette,
After sacrificing countless lives, we have finally obtained critical intelligence.
The Doctor, Dottore, is currently conducting research in Sumeru to create a new god through artificial means. The project is nearing completion.
We have been discovered. To ensure this letter reaches Fontaine safely, we will deliberately expose ourselves to draw the Fatui's attention.
We know our chances of survival are slim, but we have long since accepted our fate.
Our only fear is that even if we give our lives, this letter might still fail to reach Fontaine and fall into your hands, Monsieur Neuvillette.
Lady Furina above, may you bless us so we don't suffer such misfortune. May our sacrifice not be in vain.
If Monsieur Neuvillette receives this letter, please tell our families that we have failed them in this life, but we will make amends in the next...
The final sentence was completely soaked in dark brown blood, barely legible even with careful scrutiny. One could only imagine the severity of the writer's injuries and the unwavering will it took to complete this letter.
What truly horrified Neuvillette was that the handwriting clearly belonged to multiple individuals—at least three had contributed to writing the brief note.
Why would such a short letter require so many writers? The reason was painfully obvious.
And these people's current situation likely held little hope for survival.
Neuvillette recalled the intelligence Dottore had previously revealed, and he closed his eyes in anguish and self-reproach.
Soon, these people would not only be subjected to Dottore's cruel experiments but also deployed to Fontaine as spies, tasked with infiltrating and gathering intelligence.
Forcing these brave souls, who had sacrificed everything for their country, to turn against the nation they loved—Dottore's actions were so vile that they would never find peace, even in death!
Neuvillette gripped his cane tightly, unable to suppress the fury surging within him.
Dottore!
Artificial God!
Isn't this just Dark Furina?!
Moreover, Neuvillette recalled the Abyss's aura clinging to Dark Furina. Everything pointed to Dottore's handiwork, making his actions utterly unforgivable!
The bloodstained letter made Neuvillette's hands tremble slightly. The writer's noble and self-sacrificing spirit filled him with profound sorrow and regret.
Fontaine had lost yet another group of heroes, brave souls who had cherished their nation and held high ideals.
As if on cue, a torrential downpour began again. Pedestrians cursed their ill fortune and hurried to seek shelter.
Neuvillette stared blankly at the rain streaming down the window, his heart heavy with despair.
He had believed that no one but No. 6 could stir such violent emotions in him—such hatred and loathing. But he was wrong. Compared to No. 6, Dottore was simply a kindred spirit, a monster cut from the same cloth!
Both of them were a scourge upon this world. As long as they lived, the entire continent of Teyvat would never know peace!
Neuvillette could no longer afford to delay. The longer he waited, the greater the chance Dottore would uncover his plans.
Judging by Dottore's insistence on contacting Dottore No. 2 to verify Dottore No. 1's claims, he was inherently suspicious. Such a man would inevitably detect the slightest inconsistencies.
While Dottore had seemingly remained oblivious so far, this was likely because he couldn't fathom the possibility of his Segments betraying him. Had he even entertained such a thought, his nature would have compelled him to uncover the truth long ago.
Time was of the essence. Before moving forward, Neuvillette needed to eliminate the immediate threat to Fontaine—the other Dottore Segment he had encountered that day.
Neuvillette couldn't wait another moment. After entrusting urgent matters to his Melusine Secretary, he once again activated his Radar to track down the Dottore Variant.
The remaining markers were distant but fortunately all within Fontaine's borders, sparing him the need to consider cross-border complications and streamlining the pursuit.
Moving with his characteristic speed, Neuvillette quickly reached the Anomaly marked on the radar.
Next, the radar led him to a pig wearing underwear on its head, a Wind Wolf skilled in boxing, and an old turtle with a lecherous expression.
Neuvillette couldn't understand why he kept encountering such bizarre creatures. Could these experimental subjects all possess the potential to ascend to godhood?
He couldn't help but recall the massive gorilla he had faced earlier, whose strength rivaled that of an Archon. While none of the subsequent experimental subjects had reached that level of power, they were still far stronger than ordinary humans, weighing heavily on his mind.
However, with no sign of the Dottore Variant after so much searching, Neuvillette began to doubt the accuracy of the coordinates provided by Dottore No. 6.
If not for the research reports left behind at each experimental base, confirming that these creatures were indeed created by the Dottore Variant, Neuvillette would have suspected Dottore No. 6 of staging an elaborate farce.
This notion reached its peak when Neuvillette arrived at the Seventh Marker Point. There, he saw a dragon coiled in the sky, its form eerily similar to the Geo Archon Morax. Yet still, there was no sign of the Dottore Variant.
Just as Neuvillette hesitated, debating whether to confront Dottore No. 6, the colossal dragon in the sky spoke.
"State your wish," it boomed, its voice solemn and majestic. "Any wish will be granted, but only one."
Neuvillette paused, taken aback by the dragon's grandiose tone.
This self-proclaimed Divine Dragon hadn't attacked him outright but instead offered to fulfill a wish. Neuvillette remained skeptical, suspecting a trap, yet he couldn't bring himself to attack a fellow dragon who hadn't shown hostile intent.
Confident in his own strength, Neuvillette cautiously voiced his desire to meet the Dottore Variant.
The moment the words left his lips, a spatial portal gradually materialized before him.
"Your wish has been granted," the dragon declared. "Step through this portal, and you will find the one you seek."
"Then, we shall meet again."
With these words, the Divine Dragon's body erupted in a dazzling light, which then split into seven radiant beams that streaked across Fontaine.
Neuvillette withdrew his gaze, still somewhat puzzled, and cautiously stepped into the spatial portal, skepticism clinging to him.
Though he couldn't rule out the possibility of a trap, he couldn't afford to stop here.
Even if it were a trap, he had to see it for himself.
Moreover, with his formidable power, Neuvillette was confident that ordinary schemes would prove utterly ineffective against him.
He swiftly traversed the spatial rift, and the first thing that greeted his eyes was a pristine, well-organized laboratory, filled with research equipment.
The most striking features of the laboratory were the rows of spherical glass domes filled with an unknown liquid, within which various bizarre creatures floated suspended.
There was a humanoid being with a long tail and a monocle, resembling both a monkey and a man; a creature with smooth, silvery skin, a round head, and lizard-like features; and an insectoid entity with vibrant green skin and a long, needle-like tail... Neuvillette even spotted a massive, pulsing cotton candy-like mass, radiating an unimaginable life force.
Unlike the experimental subjects he had encountered before, these were clearly far more dangerous. Even in their slumber, each emanated an overwhelming aura of power.
What could the Dottore Variant be planning, creating so many dangerous entities within Fontaine?
Neuvillette didn't know the Dottore Variant's purpose, but he knew that whatever Dottore Variant had created these creatures for, it couldn't be anything good.
Raging with fury, Neuvillette surveyed the scene. Just then, the door suddenly swung open, and Dottore Variant strode into the room, a bloodstained scalpel in hand.
He froze upon seeing Neuvillette, clearly caught off guard by his presence in the laboratory.
It wasn't until he saw Neuvillette raise his hand, preparing to act, that the Dottore Variant snapped out of his daze, frantically dropping the scalpel and scrambling to flee.
"Don't even think of escaping," Neuvillette said coldly, watching Dottore Variant's desperate retreat.
This man... he will never be forgiven!
"Tidal surge, I have returned!"
Neuvillette unleashed his full power from the start. Partly to prevent his target's escape, and partly to ensure these dangerous experimental subjects wouldn't spread beyond Fontaine's borders. Let everything be entombed with the tide!
A colossal surge of water crashed into the experimental base. In mere moments, the sprawling facility was utterly destroyed, and the slumbering subjects were swept away and annihilated in the raging currents.
Neuvillette quietly surveyed the ruins, meticulously sensing for any lingering traces. He had to ensure that every single one of these dangerous experimental subjects was eliminated—not a single one could be allowed to escape!
As for the Dottore Variant, Neuvillette knew he was still alive but made no immediate move to locate him. After all, with him standing guard here, the Variant had nowhere to run.
True enough, moments later, a figure shot out from the wreckage and bolted into the distance.
Prepared for this, Neuvillette had no intention of letting the Dottore Variant escape. He immediately gave chase.
Neuvillette quickly overtook the Dottore Variant, appearing directly in his path. He tapped his cane lightly against the air, producing a crisp, resounding sound.
Simultaneously, Neuvillette radiated a brilliant azure light, his overwhelming aura gradually coalescing around him.
The Dottore Variant's expression shifted as he jerked back, preparing to flee. But a surging column of water swiftly overtook him, piercing straight through his body.
Yet even with his body pierced, the Dottore Variant remained remarkably spry, as if completely unharmed.
Neuvillette's composure remained unshaken. He merely adjusted the angle of his raised hand slightly, and another column of water shot forth, only to be intercepted mid-flight, shattering into droplets that scattered like rain.
There was nothing visible where the water column had been blocked—until, a split second later, the Dottore Variant's figure abruptly materialized at that exact spot.
"The same trick won't work on me twice," Neuvillette said calmly. "Surrender now, Dottore. You can't escape."
Neuvillette wasn't surprised that Dottore had managed to deflect his attack. This Segment truly possessed power comparable to an Archon's. Moreover, Neuvillette had deliberately held back his full strength, allowing the Variant to remain so stubbornly resilient.
"Hah, overconfidence is never a good thing, Monsieur Neuvillette," the Dottore Variant chuckled, then slipped into the spatial portal that had just opened beside him, preparing to escape. But the moment he reached the other side, a hand suddenly emerged and clamped around his neck.
Neuvillette's figure slowly emerged from the portal, his gaze icy as he stared at the Dottore Variant.
"Dottore," Neuvillette said, his voice glacial, sending a chill down the spine. "I told you, you can't escape."
Despite the discomfort caused by Neuvillette's grip, the Dottore Variant maintained a faint smile.
In the next instant, a petite figure darted out of the spatial portal Neuvillette had just emerged from, a blade of azure light aimed at Neuvillette's kidneys.
Neuvillette frowned, dodging the attack with the Dottore Variant in tow. He retreated to a safe distance and faced off against Dark Furina, who had ambushed him earlier.
Dark Furina stood poised with a dark-hued longsword, her eyes calmly fixed on Neuvillette.
Dark Furina's appearance confirmed the ambiguous connection between her and the Dottore Variant. It was almost certain that her creation was orchestrated by him, further fueling Neuvillette's rage toward Dottore.
Dark Furina's emergence had plunged Fontaine into unprecedented peril. Her followers were multiplying rapidly, and if this continued, the Hydro Archon Focalors' Authority over Water might soon transfer entirely to Dark Furina. Should that happen, the consequences would be catastrophic beyond imagination.
"Dottore, Fontaine is not your playground!" Neuvillette declared. "Every crime you've committed here will be accounted for, one by one!"
Hearing this, the Dottore Variant coughed twice before forcing out a reply. "Monsieur Neuvillette, I've already told you—you've mistaken me for someone else. My name is Erottod."
Neuvillette nearly laughed at this absurd denial. "Even now, you still refuse to acknowledge your true identity?"
Neuvillette's gaze toward the Dottore Variant was utterly cold.