"If that's the case, then do you mind if I talk with Miss Veronica in peace?" Jacob impassively asked ambiguously.
He also asked through telepathy, "Is it done?"
Diminutive eyes shimmered sharply, clearly reluctant. But since things were not going
according to his plan, he nodded, "Why, of course, you can speak with little Veronica as much as you want. I also have things to take care of. After all, we have to make sure to satisfy Mister Crimson's bloody needs."
However, unbeknownst to Jacob, Diminutive used another aspect of Soul Force that Jacob was still unaware of; soul telepathy, and sent a warning that directly rang in Veronica's head!
"I want to hear everything and don't say anything I wouldn't, or I don't want to use 'that.' Remember, you are nothing without me, and you are alive because of me!"
The next moment, Diminutive silently retreated from the chapel, leaving the grim expression Veronica behind. She never expected that Diminutive would be so wary of Jacob that he broke his promise to her, and without any care about the consequences, he directly threatened her.
But alas, she couldn't do anything. She didn't even know how to retort without alerting Jacob and then incurring Diminutive's wrath.
"So, Miss Veronica, did you really call this meeting, or was it also that goblin's idea? If it's the former, please speak your mind freely." Jacob stated at this moment after Diminutive was gone.
Behind the mask, Veronica bit her lips in frustration, and she asked with a hesitant tone, "It was my idea, and he just tagged along. Nonetheless, Mr. Crimson is far more than what the others are making you to be. I had never seen someone going against Diminutive and pushing him so much. Still, I want to ask you why you're going against Diminutive like this and taking my side despite not even knowing me. Only then can I decide in which direction should our talk go."
Jacob chuckled coldly before he replied nonchalantly, "I have no grudge or any enmity with that goblin; it's just that I don't like goblin kind, and that fellow is every bit of a goblin that I loathe.
"Furthermore, I can sense when someone is sincere towards me and when someone is trying to scheme against me. And there is not even a hint of the former with that goblin. He's just too causation and wouldn't make a move against me until he's fully confident that he can win against me.
"As for why I look favorably upon you, it's quite simple. I had this feeling that you had a similar opinion of that goblin, and you didn't seem to be just a puppet leader, either, which I had been expecting you to be. If it's true, then I should have a chat with you instead of that goblin, which no one in the treaty seemed to acknowledge."
Veronica was speechless when she heard Jacob's ridiculous reason for opposing Diminutive and astounded when she heard Jacob's assessment of her.
'He's not only daring but also cunning. His early action seemed to be thoroughly calculative as well. Just where did this monster come from? It's no wonder even that Old Ghost is wary of him to such an extent. Can he really help me?'
Veronica quickly became conflicted as she decided whether to take the risk. After all, she knew she would only get this single chance, and she didn't want to use it haphazardly.
Even if she managed to win this gamble, if it meant falling into the hands of another greater monster, she would rather be with the lesser monster.
In the end, when she thought about Diminutive's early actions, her heart turned cold. She knew Diminutive didn't care about her playing any tricks before because he simply didn't have any match. However, now things were completely different.
Veronica gritted her teeth and flipped her palm, and a translucent scroll appeared on it. without hesitation, she tossed it toward Jacob without saying a word.
Jacob was startled for a moment before he caught the scroll. He didn't sense any danger from it, and then he opened it. Beautiful writing filled the scroll.
Once he read it, a glint of shock flashed past Jacob's eyes. When he was done, the translucent scroll suddenly turned into light particles. It was clearly a magic item, and after reading its content, Jacob was sure of it.
At this moment, Veronica finally spoke in an ambiguous tone, "That's all I have to say. If you agree, please contact me any time. I'm sure you know how. I'll take my leave now, and I can assure you that the task you entrusted the treaty will be fulfilled without any hitch!"
Veronica then nodded farewell and left without waiting for Jacob's response. Once, Jacob was alone in the chapel, resting his head on his gloved hand, deep in thought about what he had just read.
"Why are you thinking so much about it? They're already done for, and no matter what kind of scheme they are hatching, it is meaningless now." Nyx's chuckled coldly at this moment.
"I know that," Jacob replied before he clenched his fist. "But I read something in that scroll that got my attention. If she weren't a mere puppet, I would've had Autarch infiltrate her mind. But I guess now I must rely on you to get all the information from those two.
"That goblin is hiding many interesting things, and despite his careful personality, he lets that woman get a hold of his secrets. Or that woman is even more sly than that goblin."
"Oh, what is it? Tell me! I'm itching to test my new powers on them," Nyx quickly asked, clearly enthusiastic.
Jacob revealed with a solemn tone, "In that scroll, along with the lines about her being Diminutive's slave, she wrote that the thing he was using to enslave a peak quasi legend like her is actually related to an 'Hourglass.' She wrote that she had only seen him use that Hourglass two times. First, when he enslaved her, and second time, she saw him manipulating time with it. Furthermore, no matter what she tried, she wasn't able to release that slave mark on her at all, and that's also what she wants my help with.
"Although I don't know if that was his own ability or some spell, the part about the 'hourglass' reminded me of something that was very beneficial for me. I want you to find everything relating to this 'hourglass' for me. Also, confirm that the woman is telling the truth and not hiding more information."
Jacob's eyes shimmered with great interest, "Things are getting more and more interesting!'