"Have you seen him too?" Laplace’s tone was filled with surprise, marking the first time everyone clearly heard the fluctuation in her voice.
"’Also’ seen him?" Angel looked at Laplace with a doubtful tone.
The others were shocked that Angel had seen the Thief of Time, and before their surprise could subside, another potential seed marked by the Thief of Time emerged!
Dox’s finger trembled as he pointed at Laplace: "You mean, you’ve seen the Thief of Time?"
Laplace nodded.
Upon receiving a positive answer, Dox covered his face, murmuring to himself: "Why, why... It’s one thing for Angel, but why even a creature who might not be human can be chosen by the Thief of Time! Look at me, I’m so talented, why doesn’t he come to steal my choice? No need to steal, I’m ready to offer it myself!"
Dox’s mournful words only drew complex glances of differing emotions from Kaier and Vay, without attracting further attention from the others.
Angel focused on Laplace, while Laplace stared at Angel.
This subtle atmosphere of eye contact lasted for several seconds, and Angel was the first to break the silence: "You’ve seen the Thief of Time, so he took one of your choices too?"
Laplace nodded: "He took one of my... precious choices."
Angel: "Then surely he compensated you?"
Laplace: "Yes. My ability to move freely in the Sea of Void Mirror is one of his compensations."
One of the compensations? Angel thought to himself, meaning there are other compensations? It seems that Laplace is not exaggerating; the Thief of Time must have taken a choice very precious to Laplace, otherwise he wouldn’t compensate multiple times.
Moreover, just the ability to freely move in the Sea of Void Mirror is already very precious, yet it’s merely one of the compensations.
From this, it can be inferred that the Thief of Time must regard Laplace very highly... likely as a focus of observation.
It’s just unknown, besides the compensations Laplace willingly disclosed, what other compensations the Thief of Time might have given her? Could Reflection of the Heart be one such compensation?
While Angel’s mind was racing with thoughts, he didn’t stop speaking: "It seems the Thief of Time values you a lot, but being valued by him isn’t necessarily a good thing."
Laplace remained silent.
From Laplace’s behavior, it seems she is aware of the Thief of Time’s bad reputation. Although he offers compensation, what he steals is someone’s life choice. If he truly took the most precious choice, it’s akin to having one’s life thoroughly ruined by him.
Angel: "Although the Thief of Time’s actions aren’t exactly honorable, many people still flock to him, as he will certainly compensate you when taking your choice."
"You met the Thief of Time and received compensation. Similarly, I encountered him in the Alchemy Omen and also received compensation. My compensation, however, isn’t on my own abilities but rather..." Angel pointed to the cloak behind him: "It’s compensation on this cloak I refined."
"Therefore, Blood Night Shelter seems like a tool to guard against prophecy, but it also conceals the power bestowed by the Thief of Time."
Now, everyone understood why Angel would bring out the Blood Night Shelter.
A tool that guards against prophecy is already a rare item, and Angel’s refined cloak is not only precious, but it also carries the power of the Thief of Time.
Such a powerful entity as the Thief of Time, even if only a sliver of his energy leaks from his fingertips, it holds heaven-defying power. What’s more, the power on the cloak was intentionally granted by him.
Previously, most looked at the Blood Night Shelter with envy, but now even the Black Earl had a tinge of greed.
This kind of treasure is rare and hard to find.
However, the Black Earl’s greed was momentary, as he fully understood that the tool Angel refined for himself is certainly like Blood Origin binding. Even if it were snatched away, it would likely only bring misfortune without any benefit.
On the other side, Laplace inside the mirror also understood Angel’s meaning: "The Thief of Time bestowed greater abilities to this alchemy tool?"
Angel nodded: "There are many abilities bestowed, primarily amplifications, but also the added ability to shield against outside probing."
"And this ability to prevent probing... has a very high limit." Angel paused deliberately, looking reluctant to discuss further.
The others understood; after all, this is the ability bestowed by the Thief of Time on Blood Night Shelter, and it involves personal privacy. Angel’s willingness to share its general function was already generous. Revealing detailed specifics could risk exposure if a loose tongue spread around, leading outsiders to plot against Angel, starting with the Blood Night Shelter, essentially trapping Angel.
So leaving some unsaid, or discussing it vaguely, was understandable to them.
Although Laplace wasn’t familiar with human manners, she could also deduce why Angel didn’t wish to disclose further. Just like she wouldn’t want to reveal all the abilities she obtained from the Thief of Time, as it pertains to her survival.
However, based on Angel’s stated situation, Laplace couldn’t determine whether Blood Night Shelter truly is the reason for blocking Reflection of the Heart.
The core of Reflection of the Heart is "reflecting." Through mirror reflection, it displays the deep-seated aspect of oneself that is difficult to self-detect.
There’s still a gap between "reflecting" and "probing."
Even though "reflecting" might not equate directly with "probing," if examined closely, reflecting another’s inner self overlaps somewhat with "probing."
Hence, although Laplace still feels Blood Night Shelter might not be the true answer, she cannot entirely deny its possibility.
Furthermore, Laplace knows the core of Reflection of the Heart is reflection, not probing, so she can adjust her inner balance accordingly.
But Angel doesn’t know; at most, he deduced from his dialogue that Reflection of the Heart isn’t a prophecy, but whether it’s probing isn’t something he can ascertain.
Laplace put herself in Angel’s shoes, in a situation of complete ignorance about Reflection of the Heart, she might also consider it primarily a "probing" ability.
Thus, Angel using Blood Night Shelter as an answer was indeed sincere. He’s likely thought about it seriously and selected what he believes to be the most probable answer.
If Angel were more perfunctory, Laplace could dismiss it outright. But given the current circumstances, whether Blood Night Shelter is truly the answer or not, Laplace has to accept it... unless Angel is lying and Blood Night Shelter doesn’t have any enhancement from the Thief of Time.
Whether or not it’s a lie can be easily proven.
At this thought, Laplace raised her gaze, her eyes devoid of emotion, staring at Angel.
Initially, Angel didn’t notice anything amiss because since Laplace appeared, she had been paying attention to him the majority of the time.
It wasn’t until the Blood Night Shelter suddenly emitted a ghostly glow that Laplace abruptly shut her eyes, appearing impacted.
Seeing this, Angel realized that Laplace was likely testing whether Blood Night Shelter has the ability to prevent probing.
Angel didn’t mind this, for if it were himself, he’d also be suspicious. But testing directly without any indication was somewhat rude.