The emperor stepped back toward Theo, his gaze briefly meeting with the baron's. He chuckled softly, seeing the baron's prideful grin.
He clapped once more. This time, the robed man brought out a different kind of material.
Theo noticed it immediately as the familiar noises of the orb cracking had finally stopped.
The mantis had its eyes locked on the object the robed man was carrying toward it.
'Mantis, DON'T ATTACK YET,' Theo commanded quickly, peering inside the mantis's bond only to realize that it was coiled and ready to pounce at any moment.
Theo repeated the command again and again, silently praying to any god listening that the mantis wouldn't attack the poor robed man.
Fortunately, the robed man placed the triangular piece of material carefully on the side of the table before stepping back.
Just when the robed man was out of its range, Theo saw the mantis turn into a white blur once again, but this time, it wasn't silent.
