?In the Vile Witch Valley, the core city of this region No. 492, in the headquarters of the Alchemy Guild, Jacob was sitting comfortably, and in front of him was none other Basic Elder Grandmaster Sofie holding Jacob's Vermin Transponder.
When Jacob showed up out of the blue, she was shocked since she didn't remember Faceless Ancient being a massive twenty-meter-tall giant. Furthermore, he had turned even more unfathomable than the last time, as if his power had no depth, and she felt like an ant.
Afterward, he had her read a script to trick Captain Free Sword. She now looked at Jacob with dread as she had no idea who she was talking to, but the other party seemed quite furious and wondered how that person had offended this dark star, and that person thought she belonged to a dark city.
One thing was clear, though: Jacob was planning something big.
Jacob looked at Sofie's apprehensive expression and chuckled, "You did great. Even I almost believe you."
Sofie pulled a bitter smile as she appeared even more beautiful, "Lord, what are you truly planning, really?"
Although he was still apprehensive of him, she had worked for him now enough to understand him slightly and ask questions.
Jacob merely smiled as he replied, "Just spreading a net to catch a big fish. Don't worry, though; your life is completely guaranteed as long as you follow me. After this, you'll get your freedom."
Sofie eyes shimmered with happiness before she hesitated and said sheepishly, "C-can I say something?"
"Go ahead." Jacob dismissively said, as he no longer put anyone in the epic plains in his eyes because he was already at the peak of unique rank. Not even Captain Free Sword can threaten him now.
If not for Masha's slave rune, he would've already gone to him to settle his score.
Sofie took a deep breath and resolutely said, "I…I want to follow you!"
Jacob narrowed his eyes upon hearing this unexpected answer, making Sofie quiver as she lowered her head.
"Are you serious? Following me means forfeiting your authority and even your luxurious life as a member of the Alchemy Guild. Moreover, you might die at any moment, or I might sacrifice you." Jacob plainly stated, and he wasn't joking.
Sofie took a deep breath to calm her widely beating heart, "If I remain here, I think this would be the limit of my achievements. B-but following you means I might achieve something. As an alchemist, my goal should be to pursue the mysteries, not living comfortably.
"When I became an alchemist, my goal was to unravel the mysteries of magic. But as time passed, my goal became blurry, and with all the authority and riches, I didn't know what I was doing anymore.
"But when my lord ensl… I-I mean, when you took me in, I finally understood how I took my freedom for granted, and my little power and authority didn't mean anything in front of a true master." She looked deeply into Jacob's eyes as she stated, "Please give me a chance, and I should prove my worth. In return, all I want is a place by your side."
Jacob narrowed his eyes, looking at the beautiful elf full of convictions and a new fire in her that wasn't present when he enslaved her that day.
"It's not like I look down on you or anything. But without your authority, what other use do you have for me? Furthermore, your strength is nothing in the place which I'm aiming for. You are nothing but a burden." Jacob mercilessly stated without holding back.
Sofie was slightly pale, but it wasn't like she hadn't expected this response. She inhaled deeply and said, "I-I know I'm useless in your eyes, but I'm still willing to be your maid. You need someone to take care of your business… and… you."
She begins to blush at this point, "Please let me serve you, and if I die, I won't blame anyone. You can use me as a sacrificial pawn!"
Jacob looked deeply at the elf, as he knew it would take all the willpower to state one's desire and submit to someone.
"I'll think about it. You are dismissed for now. If you receive another call, report me to first before doing anything." He stated impassively.
Sofie smiled brightly. Although Jacob didn't accept her, he didn't reject her either. She quickly bowed before she left the room, which was actually hers.
Jacob couldn't help but sigh, 'A follower, huh? In the long journey to immortality, do I even need to consider it when everyone will just die before me? Am I even capable of caring about others anymore?'
He didn't know why he was thinking but dismissed those strange thoughts since he knew, in the end, he would be alone, and he couldn't tarry from this path for anything or anyone…
---
At this moment, outside the waterfall in the core area of the Vile Witch Valley, where one of the entrances of the Witch Palace was located once, two giant figures appeared.
"This is the place?" Star-Lord asked emotionally with great pain.
The Vice Star-Lord, also his wife, replied with a quavering voice, "Yes, this is the place where some vile brute murdered our children!" There was endless hate in her voice.
Star-Lord took a deep breath to calm his boiling hatred, and a white brocade box appeared in his hand.
He emotionally said while creasing the smooth jade like surface of the box, "It took them five months to deliver this S-
Augmented Reality Lane to us. Now, we can finally find the murderer of our children.
"But we are only given two more weeks before the Containment Unit of Destiny Star Corporation would arrive here. My star ID might've already been exposed, so we need to change our identities before departing. So, I want you to be open-minded. Just in case we can't track down the killer, we'll leave. We can't die. We have to live for our children." He sternly said.
The Vice Star Lord closed her eyes as tears began to stream down before she nodded, "I know. I don't want to die before killing that vile brute. Even if he could escape our revenge now, once we climb the ladder at the Unique Plains, it would not be too late to destroy the entire epic plains!"
The Star Lord nodded in stratification and gently said, "Now that's my wife. But I don't plan on giving up this time!"
The next moment, he opened the brocade box, and a blinding crimson light suddenly gushed out like a stream of endless water and quickly began to cover the core region of the Vile Witch Valley!