Omniscius II [Genshin Impact]

61: Discarded Chips

"They've really cut communication with us?" the Regrator said in surprise upon reading the latest report, "Childe has become more stubborn. Probably due to the little scholar's influence."

Not only have they declined the offer of reinforcements, but they also chose to stop communicating entirely. It was obvious who was actually calling the shots.

Poor thing. She must be running out of patience after being tested many times, the Regrator thought with a smile.

He'd take the hint and leave them be, but there was someone else who wanted to...see how she was faring.

"You don't say? Soleil has been waging war in Inazuma in tandem with Tartaglia? Hahahaha! My, she's certainly changed. As a child, she always had that fire but was too much of a coward to do anything upfront. This is good."

Dottore was greatly amused by the news when the Regrator told him about what transpired in the isolated nation by the seas.

"You have yourself to thank. She hates you to the very core, and that's what has been driving her forward all this time," the Regrator said, "I'm almost concerned that you'll bleed the day she comes to bite you."

"Try as she may, she can never succeed. Knowledge is her weapon, but it was I who had been sharpening it to perfection," a condescending smirk graced Dottore's lips, "Tell me, how much blood has she been spilling?"

"Unfortunately, they are mere specks of blood. I doubt they've taken a life yet, which is impressive given that Tartaglia is with them," the Regrator chuckled, "Amusing, really. Looks like she managed to put a leash on the boy."

"Weeks of skirmishing and they haven't killed anyone? Tsk. I take my words back. She's still too soft for grown-up business," Dottore clicked his tongue in dismay.

"My informants tell me that Soleil has only waged war for the sake of entering Seirai Island. I have yet to know what the reason is," the Regrator stated.

"It doesn't matter 'why'. The 'how' was always the most important question, and often the telltale sign of whether one's experiment is a success," Dottore snorted.

"My stupid student. Has she not learned anything substantial at all?" he added, "She could achieve everything if she stopped considering what was morally acceptable and what was not. Those puny ants are not as big as a threat compared to her foolish ethical behavior."

The Regrator hummed, not surprised by the words Dottore let off his tongue.

In a sense, he was correct. Dottore was at the peak of success because he did not allow anything to hinder his research.

Morality did not stop him. Thus, human experimentation was a common practice. And it often brought astounding results to Dottore's table.

But the Regrator knew the little scholar was not like that, and that's the reason why she couldn't surpass him.

"Rushing to some place as soon as she recovered her memories of Scaramouche while playing in the sandbox with some insects... It's not difficult to see what she is planning," Dottore said, "Still I wonder: What will happen if I ruin her perfectly-crafted scheme just as it was about to happen?"

His smirk grew wider. It was the perfect opportunity.

"I know that look," the Regrator sighed.

"Of course, you do," Dottore chuckled, "Make arrangements. It's not right to let a toddler play without enough toys."

"To break, I presume?" the Regrator mused. "Why, yes," Dottore laughed maliciously, "That child is no stranger to insanity. All she needed is a teeny, tiny push."