"I now fully understand the situation," Neuvillette said after listening to Nahida's account, taking a deep breath.
"If you don't mind, Lady Nahida, I can assist Suru in thwarting No. 4's plan."
"Moreover, on behalf of Fontaine, I express our desire to establish cooperative relations between our nations, so we can jointly face the calamities that may befall Teyvat in the future."
"Monsieur Neuvillette, you are too kind. I am very receptive to Fontaine's offer of cooperation."
Nahida's heart raced with excitent. She hadn't expected to secure such a powerful ally so easily!
Neuvillette nodded, then continued:
"Then let's hurry to Irminsul and stop No. 4's next plan."
"Don't worry about resources. After governing Fontaine for centuries, I've accumulated a fair amount of Power of Faith."
With that, Neuvillette imdiately transferred one-third of his accumulated Power of Faith to Nahida, leaving her utterly stunned.
You call this a "fair amount"? This is beyond generous!
Nahida felt that even if she governed Suru diligently for five centuries, she would never amass such an imnse Power of Faith. At that mont, she once again felt the insurmountable gap between her and Neuvillette.
And he's not even the Hydro Archon!
If she had possessed this much Power of Faith earlier, the crisis caused by the Shouki no Kami might have been resolved effortlessly. Is this the happiness of clinging to a powerful benefactor?
"Monsieur Neuvillette, this is far too much! You don't need to give so much!"
Snapping out of her daze, Nahida tried to return the bulk of the Power of Faith to Neuvillette, keeping only enough to power the Ship of Dreams.
Neuvillette had already helped Suru so much; she couldn't bring herself to accept such a lavish gift.
"Keep it," Neuvillette replied. "It's of little use to , and I still have plenty remaining."
"To confront the crisis engulfing Teyvat, we require Lady Nahida's strength. For the sake of the world's safety, please accept this power."
While Neuvillette sympathized with Nahida's plight, he wasn't being purely altruistic in offering her such a vast amount of Power of Faith.
His motives were twofold: first, he anticipated that Nahida would play a pivotal role in the upcoming battles; second, he recognized the imnse value of the Akasha system.
Neuvillette's judgnt remained sharp as ever. Fontaine already possessed mobile phones, but information was still primarily transmitted through voice calls. He imdiately sensed the Akasha's potential for seamless integration with these devices, believing their synergy could yield remarkable breakthroughs.
However, he understood that the Akasha was a defining feature of Suru, and persuading Nahida to share it would be no easy task. Hence, he offered an unusually generous amount of Power of Faith, hoping it would make her hesitant to outright refuse when the ti ca to negotiate.
No matter how selfless Neuvillette might appear, when national interests were at stake, he would always strive to secure advantages for the Fontainian people.
Compared to Neuvillette, who had handled state affairs for centuries, Nahida seed like a re child. Moved to tears by Neuvillette's actions, she struggled to maintain her composure, though her gaze carried a hint of dependence.
"Thank you, Monsieur Neuvillette, for your generous assistance. I truly don't know how to repay this kindness."
"After much consideration, perhaps the only way I can assist you is through my knowledge."
"If there's anything I can assist you with, please don't hesitate to ask, Monsieur Neuvillette."
Hearing Nahida's heartfelt gratitude, Neuvillette knew the Akasha matter was essentially settled.
However, Nahida's willingness to reveal her inner thoughts so easily puzzled him slightly.
He saw in her the sa guileless sincerity he recognized in his own Furina.
Yet Furina was rely mortal, while Nahida was the genuine Dendro Archon—the God of Wisdom herself.
Could she be concealing her true capabilities?
Uncertain, he decided to observe further.
"Lady Nahida, you're too kind."
"Please prepare for your departure now."
At Neuvillette's words, Nahida nodded.
"Very well."
However, a hint of worry lingered on Nahida's face.
"Lady Nahida, are you concerned about The Doctor, Dottore?" Neuvillette asked, noticing her apprehension.
"Rest assured, I've already made arrangents for Dottore," Neuvillette continued after a mont's pause. "In fact, my visit to Suru was primarily for Dottore's sake. I intend to settle every score for the cris he committed in Fontaine, one by one."
Hearing Neuvillette's assurance, Nahida set aside her worries and fully imrsed herself in constructing the Ship of Dreams.
Seizing the opportunity, Neuvillette turned to Lumine, who stood nearby.
"You must be the Traveler, the rising star of the Adventurer's Guild. It's a pleasure to finally et you."
"H-hello!" Paimon stamred, intimidated by Neuvillette's imposing presence. Even she hesitated to et his gaze. Lumine responded with equal deference.
"Traveler, there's an important matter I wish to discuss with you," Neuvillette continued. "However, this isn't the right ti. I would appreciate it if you could travel to Fontaine after these events have concluded."
"Monsieur Neuvillette," Paimon replied, "the Traveler and I were already planning to explore Fontaine. We'll definitely look you up when we visit."
Hearing Paimon's response, Neuvillette temporarily set aside a worry.
"If that's the case, then all the better."
"When the ti cos, Fontaine will treat you as its most honored guests. I will personally guide you to visit Fontaine's iconic landmarks and scenic spots."
"Will there be good food?"
Paimon imdiately asked her most pressing question after hearing Neuvillette's words.
Lumine's face darkened at Paimon's question, her expression clearly disapproving. However, her occasional glances in their direction betrayed her own concern about the food situation.
"Of course," Neuvillette replied with a rare smile. "I will introduce you to Fontaine's unique culinary delights."
"Monsieur Neuvillette, I have prepared everything here," Nahida announced.
With the abundant Power of Faith now available, Nahida had swiftly constructed the Ship of Dreams.
Neuvillette nodded. Knowing the enemy they faced was too powerful for others to contribute effectively, they wisely remained behind.
In the end, only Neuvillette, Nahida, Lumine, and her "mouthpiece," Paimon, boarded the Ship of Dreams to journey to Irminsul's location.
anwhile, deep within a dense forest over a thousand miles from Suru City, space tore open, and Dottore erged.
He looked disheveled, his clothes tattered and even a corner of his mask missing.
Clutching his chest with one hand and wiping blood from the corner of his mouth with the other, Dottore contacted his Segnts telepathically.
"You should have already entered Suru territory by now."
A reply ca swiftly.
"Good. I'll head to Port Ormos. Wait for there."
"Oh, did you bring what I asked for?"
"Excellent. Just in ti; my current research is complete, and I can imdiately move on to the next project."
"That's all. Ensure the experintal subjects remain intact."
After ending the call, Dottore wasted no ti contacting another Segnt.
"Where are you now?"
"About to enter Suru? Co directly to Port Ormos. I have so tasks for you..."
After a brief exchange, Dottore disconnected again, then contacted a third Segnt.
"After entering Suru, go straight to Suru City and retrieve the Gnosis. Rember to bring a compass and map—Suru City may have completely vanished by now..."
After several consecutive calls, Dottore finally finished making his arrangents and prepared to withdraw from Suru.
Though he had been outmaneuvered by Dr. Edward, revenge could wait. If he didn't leave soon, he might get caught up in Suru's massive turmoil himself.
Moreover, he had underestimated the mysterious organization in Fontaine. After leaving Suru, he would need to reassess their threat level.
He pulled out two vials of purple liquid from his chest and drained them in quick succession. Soon, Dottore felt his injuries healing rapidly.
After briefly orienting himself, Dottore unhesitatingly set off toward Port Ormos.
What Dottore didn't realize was that during each of his ntal communications, all his Segnts—except for Dottore No. N—had been observing the entire exchange.
Dottore No. N was still imprisoned in the Fortress of ropide, on the verge of being forgotten by everyone.
"The Pri has finally contacted us. Our chance has co," Dottore No. 2 declared.
"Hmph, probably just being his usual cowardly self, making us clean up his sses again," Dottore No. 3 sneered, his face twisted with displeasure.
"Why dwell on such trifles? Once this plan succeeds, all of us will be free from the Pri's control," Dottore No. 1 said to the others, then turned to Dottore No. 6, the Head of the operation. "Have you contacted Monsieur Neuvillette?"
"Yes, I have. Monsieur Neuvillette has pressing matters to attend to and instructed us to handle things ourselves," Dottore No. 6 replied with a smile. However, his words sparked suspicion among the other Dottores.
"Monsieur Neuvillette trusts us that much?"
"He doesn't trust you, he trusts . Don't get it twisted," Dottore No. 6 corrected sharply. "After all, I'm the prodigal son who's worth more than gold, unlike you lot who are burdened by past sins."
Hearing Dottore No. 6's infuriating words, the other Dottores' faces darkened as if they'd swallowed excrent. They could barely restrain themselves from punching him in the face.
"Don't get too carried away. Everyone knows exactly what kind of person you are. Sooner or later, your true colors will show," Dottore No. 4 remarked, as Dottore No. 5 chid in simultaneously.
"Rember, we're showing respect to Monsieur Neuvillette, not to you."
"Without Monsieur Neuvillette, you're nothing!"
Hearing Dottore No. 5's words, Dottore No. 6's smile remained unchanged.
"It seems you're the most talkative one here. Everyone else makes one comnt, but you always have to add two. It looks like you're really eager to prove yourself. In that case, I'll appoint you as the vanguard."
Dottore No. 5: "???"
You're basically a dog's Segnt, aren't you?!
Witnessing Dottore No. 5's fate, the other Dottores, who had initially planned to join in the mockery, imdiately fell silent.
Facing the Pri, who could decide their life or death with a re thought, being called the "vanguard" was just a euphemism for "suicide squad"!
The Segnts present clearly weren't ready to die yet, so naturally, they wouldn't dare provoke Dottore No. 6.
"I disagree!"
Dottore No. 5 imdiately protested.
"Don't forget, Monsieur Neuvillette specifically instructed that everything be under my command before he left."
Hearing Dottore No. 6's words, Dottore No. 5 trembled with fury.
That old Six! He always uses Neuvillette to bully us!
Realizing it was futile to change Dottore No. 6's mind, Dottore No. 5 shifted his approach.
"I an to say, relying on just isn't safe enough. We should bring more people."
"If this operation fails, we're all finished. Surely no one's still thinking about hoarding resources at a ti like this?"
Though his words might offend so, Dottore No. 5 couldn't care less. He wasn't going to be the only one screwed over!
"Your point has so rit. Very well, choose three assistants to work with you."
Upon hearing this, Dottore No. 5's face darkened. He's blatantly dumping all the unpleasant tasks on !
Sure enough, Dottore No. 5 could already feel the other Dottore clones glaring at him. He was now consud by regret, wondering why he had ever sought this fleeting mont of triumph.
Even if he regretted it now, it was too late. For his own safety, Dottore No. 5 steeled himself and summoned three of the strongest Segnts.
But facing their hostile glares, Dottore No. 5 felt a twinge of unease.
Even one of these three could defeat him in a duel, let alone all three ganging up on him.
After this is over, won't they sneak up on with a blunt object?
At that thought, Dottore No. 5 cursed Dottore No. 6—that scheming Six—even more bitterly in his mind.
"Alright, brothers, it's ti we set off for Port Ormos."
Who the hell calls you a brother?!
As Dottore No. 6 continued to ramble on, the others exchanged exasperated glances.
"This ti, we'll give the Pri a real shock—make him understand the consequences of crossing us Segnts!"
"We're not just disposable tools he can discard on a whim!"
Now that's sothing that sounds vaguely human!
The others nodded, their long-simring resentnt toward the Pri surging to the surface once more.
The thought of soon breaking free from the Pri's control entirely, and even settling old scores, filled them with a quiet, vengeful glee.
"Let's move out!"
With a sweeping gesture, Dottore No. 6 led everyone directly to Port Ormos.
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