The moment that voice rang out, everyone turned their heads in unison, only to see a young man in a crisp military uniform stride confidently into the side hall.
Upon seeing this figure, Clark's seething fury vanished without a trace. In fact, he quickly stepped aside to clear a path for the newcomer.
"Who is that?" Joad was about to ask when Ivy, visibly tense, whispered to him in haste.
"You don't know? That's the third prince of the Luminous Pearl Kingdom—Baphomet!"
"Ba…phomet?" Joad repeated the name slowly, his expression shifting to one of baffled amusement as he stared at the prince.
Baphomet approached and gave Joad a relaxed, casual smile.
"Well, I for one enjoy working with Ilan folks like you. Straightforward types are far easier to deal with."
"Are you serious?"
Joad looked at him skeptically, his tone filled with disbelief.
Baphomet ran a hand through his hair, as if ready to say more—
But at that very moment, another voice rang out from the entrance.
