"How did things come to this...?"
A man in opulent attire murmured to himself, his eyes filled with bewilderment.
Beside him lay a desolate landscape steeped in despair and darkness. The air was thick with the abyssal aura, potent enough to drive one mad and strip away all reason. Yet the man seemed utterly unaffected by this hellish environment.
"Why has Fontaine become so alien in such a short time...?"
The man looked up, surveying the surrounding scenery, his face etched with deep hesitation.
"Rene, can you tell me..."
"Does Fontaine still deserve to be saved...?"
-
Neuvillette swiftly gathered all the materials Dottore required and personally oversaw the construction of the Memory Restoration Device. He then meticulously cleaned up the remaining scraps to prevent any trickery.
The Dottore clones couldn't quite understand Neuvillette's caution.
With Neuvillette's immense power, he had nothing to fear from their petty schemes.
Under absolute strength, any conspiracy was futile. Only the Prime Dottore could hold his own against Neuvillette for more than a few exchanges.
However, the Dottore clones soon dismissed this trivial matter, attributing it to Neuvillette's personality, and refocused on building the Memory Restoration Device.
In truth, it wasn't just Neuvillette watching them like a hawk, fearing their treachery. The Dottore clones themselves had to keep a close eye on their other "selves" to prevent them from making any clandestine moves.
After all, no one knew them better than their own counterparts, making vigilance against each other essential.
Under this mutual surveillance, the completion time of the Memory Restoration Device was significantly delayed, but at least it was finally finished.
Soon, the Dottores, one by one, entered the device under the watchful eyes of their counterparts to recover any memories that might have been erased. Finally, under Neuvillette's scrutiny, they completed the memory exchange.
After the memory exchange, all the Dottores fell silent, because they still hadn't found the one who had committed these acts in Fontaine.
Clearly, their initial hypothesis was flawed; the truth was far more complex.
All eyes turned to Dottore No. 1, the original proponent of this theory.
Dottore No. 1 froze momentarily before glancing at Neuvillette.
"So, do you know which one of us was behind this?" Neuvillette asked immediately, assuming Dottore No. 1 was about to reveal the culprit.
Dottore No. 1 took a deep breath, regained his composure, and said,
"We've found him. It's the 'me' currently conducting research in Snezhnaya—the only individual we didn't notify to minimize the risk of premature exposure."
In that fleeting moment, Dottore No. 1 had already grasped the situation.
Whether the remaining Segment was indeed the individual described in the intelligence reports or not, it had to be. Otherwise, the fate of their entire group was as good as sealed.
What? The intelligence described the Segment as appearing younger?
This 'me' is far too cunning! He's trying to mislead us by exploiting such a detail!
As Dottore No. 1 spoke, the other Dottores immediately grasped his meaning.
Neuvillette frowned. While he found it hard to believe Dottore would go to such lengths merely to deceive him, he also couldn't fully trust Dottore's words. The coincidence was too convenient.
Still, having captured so many Dottores already, one more wouldn't make a difference.
"Then bring him here now."
"Monsieur Neuvillette, I'm afraid that's quite difficult," Dottore No. 1 replied immediately.
"He's currently in Snezhnaya. Any sudden departure would undoubtedly be noticed."
"I assume Monsieur Neuvillette wouldn't want this matter exposed prematurely, would he?"
"To prevent this matter from being exposed, I need to find the person collaborating with the mysterious forces in Fontaine and hold them accountable for the lives of countless citizens who perished there."
"If you cannot accomplish this, I will handle the matter according to Fontaine's laws."
Hearing Neuvillette's assertive words, the Dottore segments were momentarily stunned.
Based on their understanding of Neuvillette, he shouldn't possess such a forceful personality. Why had he changed so drastically?
Dottore had indeed familiarized himself with the events in Fontaine to some extent. After all, Fontaine was so close to Sumeru, and the news had been widely reported in Fontaine's newspapers.
However, Dottore had never anticipated that this incident would impact Neuvillette so profoundly, even altering his very approach to matters.
"Very well, Monsieur Neuvillette. We will attempt to comply."
Neuvillette nodded curtly before turning and departing.
As he watched Neuvillette's retreating figure, the smile gradually vanished from Dottore's face, replaced by a deep frown.
The Dottore segments then began communicating telepathically, but their discussion wasn't about how to lure the final Segment to Fontaine. Instead, they were urgently strategizing how to escape from this place.
Everyone knew that if the final Dottore learned of this, their fates would be sealed, given their inability to exist independently from the Prime.
Thus, they would never obediently follow Neuvillette's instructions.
The remaining Dottores turned their gaze to the Memory Restoration Device, seemingly forgotten by Neuvillette, and smiles reappeared on their faces.
Soon after, the Dottores collaborated to modify the Memory Restoration Device, creating a device capable of focusing their collective power.
Neuvillette had sealed this area with his power, making it impossible for them to break through the barrier with their own strength. However, with the aid of this tool, a sliver of hope remained.
What the Dottores didn't realize was that as they modified the Memory Restoration Device, Neuvillette was observing their every move from the surveillance room.
This surveillance device was meticulously hidden, concealed by Neuvillette's power. There was no risk of the Dottores discovering it, as the entire area radiated with Neuvillette's aura.
After the No. 6 Incident, Neuvillette had grown more cautious. This time, Dottore gave him a similar feeling—the man seemed to have his own plans, rather than following Neuvillette's instructions.
That's why Neuvillette deliberately left the Memory Restoration Device behind, wanting to observe what the Dottore clones were up to.
And just as he suspected, he caught them red-handed.
The Dottore clones were clearly planning a jailbreak. Unrepentant and defiant, their crimes only deepened!
Though Neuvillette's gaze had turned icy, he decided to hold off on intervening for now, preferring to follow them and observe their next move.
He was confident that as long as they remained within his sensory range, escape would be impossible.
The surveillance footage confirmed his suspicions. Step by step, events unfolded as he had predicted. After completely dismantling the Memory Restoration Device, the Dottore clones had fashioned it into a tool capable of channeling and concentrating power.
But then, chaos erupted. Before anyone could react, Dottore No. 6 snatched the tool and raced to the main gate, shouting loudly through the bars.
"Monsieur Neuvillette!"
"I'm reporting a jailbreak! Someone's escaped!"
Upon witnessing this scene, Neuvillette froze in shock, while the other Dottores were completely dumbfounded.
How could another traitor emerge from within our ranks?
When the Dottores finally regained their composure, their expressions turned icy.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"What else could it mean? I'm abandoning the darkness for the light. From now on, I pledge my loyalty to Fontaine."
Hearing Dottore No. 6's words, the other Dottores burst into derisive laughter.
"It seems his mind has finally snapped. Let's just dispose of him."
"Do it."
Though the Dottores didn't fully understand what had transpired or why Dottore No. 6 had suddenly betrayed them, their immediate priority was to eliminate him swiftly. If Neuvillette learned of the situation here, their escape plan would be ruined.
With that thought, the Dottores immediately attacked.
Waves of powerful energy surged through the confined space, only to be intercepted by a layer of azure light shimmering across the walls.
Just then, Neuvillette intervened, his formidable power instantly flooding the area and immobilizing everyone.
The other Dottores were initially stunned that Neuvillette had discovered the situation so quickly, but they soon pieced everything together.
Neuvillette had never truly left; he had been silently observing their every move from the shadows.
Once they realized this, they immediately understood why Dottore No. 6 had betrayed them.
He must have discovered Neuvillette's plan but instead of warning them, he had sold them all out to curry favor with Neuvillette.
What a treacherous dog!
Why does such a despicable creature exist in this world?
Wait a minute... they're all fragments of the Prime! Never mind then!
Before long, Neuvillette returned with a slightly peculiar expression, simultaneously withdrawing his power.
His effortless control sent a chill down the Dottores' spines. This mastery over power boded ill for them, confirming that everything had been under Neuvillette's control all along, thus validating their earlier suspicions.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, I must report that they were planning a prison break!"
"This device in my hand is the evidence!"
Ignoring the torrent of insults from the other Dottore clones, Dottore No. 6 handed Neuvillette the tool that could gather and focus power.
Neuvillette examined the device, inwardly marveling at the Dottores' ingenuity, before looking up at them.
"Explain yourselves."
"Hah! Since Monsieur Neuvillette has already seen everything, what need is there for us to explain?"
Neuvillette didn't refute this. The other Dottore was right—he had indeed witnessed everything, save for the final, unexpectedly dramatic outcome.
"I must say, Monsieur Neuvillette's caution far exceeds our expectations. It seems you've experienced something deeply regrettable in the past."
Neuvillette remained noncommittal to Dottore No. 1's remark, then turned his gaze to Dottore No. 6.
"You deduced that I never truly left?"
Neuvillette could think of only one explanation: while the surveillance footage showed that Dottore No. 6 hadn't discovered the hidden cameras, this sudden move could only mean he had deduced their presence.
"No, I've decided to renounce my dark past and embrace the light!" Dottore No. 6 declared with unwavering conviction upon hearing Neuvillette's question.
"We Segments may appear to enjoy the same treatment and status within the Fatui as the Prime, but that false flattery is utterly meaningless."
"We're merely disposable tools in the Prime's hands—multiple instruments allowing him to observe his research from various perspectives."
"When the Prime no longer needs us, a mere thought is all it takes to erase us."
Dottore No. 6 paused before continuing, his voice hardening.
"Even if the Prime had no such intention, he would readily sell us if the price were right."
"For example, if Sumeru's Dendro Archon offered him a Gnosis in exchange for us, I'm certain he would agree."
"Because I am him too, I understand his inner thoughts."
"I've had enough of being strangled by the Prime."
Dottore No. 6 looked at Neuvillette and spoke earnestly.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, I had no choice before, but now I want to become a good person."
"If there's anyone in this world who can change things, it's you."
Upon hearing Dottore No. 6's words, the other Dottore Segments froze in disbelief.
From Dottore No. 6's mouth, it sounded like a joke.
Be a good person?
So he does have a sense of humor after all?
Neuvillette, too, found Dottore No. 6's claims dubious. Could someone who treated life with such callous disregard suddenly want to become a good person?
However, the information the Segment revealed confirmed something Neuvillette had suspected: the Segments and the Prime were far from harmonious.
The Segment sought to use him to regain its freedom, and he could seize this opportunity to capture the true mastermind.
Whether the one collaborating with the mysterious organization was the Prime or a Segment, Dottore himself bore inescapable responsibility. The Prime was the one Neuvillette most wanted to capture, but until now, he hadn't had a suitable opportunity.
"It's rare to see such a change of heart," Neuvillette said. "As reward for reporting the others' escape attempt, I can arrange for you to be transferred to a private cell with more comprehensive living amenities."
"That's more than enough, Monsieur Neuvillette," Dottore No. 6 replied, a smile spreading across his face.
"I will show you even more of my sincerity."