Sanders had no intention of saying more about Time Thief's choice.
Before the choice came, saying more could have given Angel a sense of urgency. But now that it had been confirmed that Time Thief intended to make a move in the Dream Wilderness, the more they said, the more anxiety it might provoke.
So, when Sanders saw Angel's gaze grow resolute, he lightly changed the subject.
Sanders said, "Come to think of it, you've never asked about the problems with these ruins."
Angel shrugged. "Since we've already reached the entrance to the ruins, I'd rather set aside all other impressions for now and experience the ruins themselves firsthand."
For that very reason, Angel had not asked anyone about the ruins. He intended to speak only after experiencing them himself.
Sanders nodded noncommittally. "You said we've reached the entrance to the ruins. Then you should know where the ruins are, right?"
"Isn't the place my mentor brought me to the entrance?" Angel's gaze settled on the center of the triangle formed by the three observation pavilions in the distance—the very heart of the Star Pool ruins.
Though there was nothing unusual to the naked eye, Angel could clearly sense dense Nightmare Realm aura continuously spilling out from there. The nearly tangible mist in the sky, impossible to disperse, had likely originated there.
Sanders shook his head. "That is indeed an entrance, but it is not the only one."
Under Angel's puzzled gaze, Sanders lowered his head toward the gleaming Star Pool.
"You might want to look beneath your feet," Sanders said softly.
Following Sanders' words, Angel lowered his head. The ripples stirred by their movements tore apart the stars in the water and shattered their own reflections into fragments of light and shadow.
It was as though space itself were