The moment those words were spoken, an uproar swept through the banquet hall.
The First Prince's eyes were fixed on Joad with undisguised hostility, and even Clark wore a gleeful smirk, relishing Joad's predicament.
Ivy stepped forward, wanting to explain, but the Third Prince quickly stopped her with a subtle shake of his head.
"Now is not the time to walk into the trap of trying to prove innocence. If Joad starts defending himself, it will only solidify their accusation that he snuck in."
Just then, a cold voice chimed in, "Your Highness, why bother defending someone like him? He's not even from the Luminous Pearl Kingdom."
Joad turned and saw a gaunt young man glaring at him, a sinister smile curling on his lips.
Baphomet leaned closer to Joad and whispered, "Don't mind him. He's the son of Count Greypine. The Count himself is an archmage-level powerhouse, so his family acts as arrogantly as they please."
