While Joseph was still wildly battling the air, the two individuals locked in a confrontation had already escalated to verbal warfare.
After easily deflecting the flames, the silver-haired man looked at the Arab before him with an arrogant smirk.
"This is my Stand, Silver Chariot," he declared proudly, gesturing toward the shimmering, armored figure floating behind him.
His gaze sharpened as he called out, "Muhammad Avdol, looks like you're eager to be the first to die!"
The rapier of Silver Chariot flicked toward the burning table, its flames now eerily shaped into a clock face.
"I've crafted a clock with your flames. I'll finish you off before it burns to twelve o'clock!"
Avdol, arms crossed, smiled coolly. "Your swordsmanship is impressive, sir… but don't you think you're being a little too arrogant?"
The bird-headed humanoid Stand, its limbs wreathed in fire, spread its arms wide, preparing for battle.
"May I ask—"
"Wait, Avdol."
Avdol paused mid-sentence, surprised as he turned back toward Joseph.
"What is it?"
Joseph pinched the bridge of his nose, visibly exasperated. "I know this is meant to be your noble duel, but…"
The old fox's sharp eyes shifted toward the silver-haired man, assessing the situation.
"First, what's your name?"
The silver-haired man made a dismissive Oh sound, theatrically placing a hand to his forehead.
"Polnareff," he answered, flashing an arrogant, wicked smile. "Jean Pierre Polnareff."
"Alright, alright, Polnareff," Joseph muttered, spreading his hands in resignation. "First of all… you're working for Dio, aren't you?"
Polnareff's expression twisted briefly, arrogance faltering for a fraction of a second before returning in full force.
"And what if I am?"
Joseph caught the microexpression, shaking his head knowingly.
"You really weren't supposed to react like that…"
With a casual snap of his fingers, Joseph added, "Secondly—sorry in advance."
The moment the words left his mouth, Jotaro and Kakyoin subtly lowered their heads, and two new figures emerged behind them.
Behind Jotaro materialized a towering, muscular entity, its powerful frame radiating strength. Its sharp features bore a faint resemblance to Jotaro himself, and its hair stood spiked, shimmering with raw energy.
Behind Kakyoin hovered a green figure, its body wrapped in a silver-white, metallic shell. Within the shell, pale green energy pulsed like flowing water, giving it a liquid, ethereal presence.
Star Platinum!
Hierophant Green!
Polnareff's bravado faltered for an instant as he recognized the two Stands.
"Wait… this was supposed to be a fair duel—"
"Who agreed to that?" Joseph interrupted flatly.
As Silver Chariot lunged, Star Platinum appeared before him in a blur.
"Ora!"
Emerald Splash!
Five minutes later, Polnareff lay sprawled on the floor, bruised and battered, both eyes swollen to the size of ripe fruit, glaring at the trio with visible indignation.
You shameless bastards ganged up on me!
Joseph ignored the defeated Frenchman entirely, turning his gaze toward Kai Adler. His expression, previously tense, now carried cautious curiosity.
During the entire chaotic fight, while Polnareff was pounded mercilessly, this Stand User of unknown origin simply sat there, eating and watching the spectacle with his young companion, completely unfazed.
This young man, far more threatening than Polnareff, either wasn't working for Dio… or he was so powerful that sacrificing his own comrade meant nothing to him.
And judging by the boy's appearance—barely older than ten—Joseph certainly wasn't underestimating him. He'd seen enough battles to know: children with power could be deadlier than adults.
Initially, Joseph had planned to skip Avdol's noble dueling rules, gang up on Polnareff, and deal with the real threat—Kai—afterward.
But now, watching the two whisper to each other as casually as if they were at a café, Joseph began to wonder if he was overthinking this.
They truly looked like a pair of young tourists. But that boy…
Hermione, spoon in her mouth, clung to Kai's arm, her large eyes filled with curiosity.
"How did that white-haired man fall over? Are these people Wizards too?" she asked excitedly.
To her, it looked like the men were striking strange poses, then Polnareff suddenly flew through the air—clearly unwillingly, his face contorted in agony.
"I've read that Wizards from Africa can use gestures to cast Black Magic without wands… Maybe they're African Wizards?" she speculated brightly.
Kai looked at her, clearly amused. Avdol's darker complexion might justify the thought, but Jotaro and Polnareff?
Hermione, sensing his silent judgment, pouted and turned her head away in mock indignation.
Kai chuckled softly, reaching for her small hand. A subtle ripple of Black Magic pulsed between them and vanished.
Thanks to their shared Soul Oath, Hermione naturally accessed a portion of his power.
The world around her changed instantly.
Her eyes widened, staring at the scene before her—colorless surroundings, yet those vibrant, humanoid figures hovered mid-air in full color.
"What are those?!" she gasped, stunned by the strange, spectral beings before her.
But the four Stand Users noticed her exclamation immediately, their attention snapping to the young girl.
Hermione quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, peeking at Kai anxiously.
Did I just blow our cover?
Kai, utterly calm, ignored their scrutiny, focusing only on Hermione.
"Are you full?" he asked gently.
She nodded obediently.
"Then let's go find Uncle Leon," he suggested, rising smoothly.
"Okay," Hermione agreed, falling in beside him, determined not to cause trouble.
As they left, Joseph and the others watched their every step, suspicion lingering.
Kai walked past them unbothered, offering a polite, almost charming smile.
The incongruity of it—a young child maintaining such poise amid chaos—made the gesture feel oddly eerie.
But no one moved. They watched the pair exit the restaurant.
Only when the two small figures vanished through the door did Joseph exhale deeply, tension ebbing slightly.
He turned to Jotaro. "What's your read on him?"
Jotaro still had Polnareff pinned to the floor, Star Platinum looming protectively behind him.
The purple Stand brushed aside Polnareff's silver hair, revealing a small, grotesque mass embedded in his forehead—flesh-like, with writhing, slimy tendrils.
"Eugh…" Joseph recoiled dramatically, his body contorting with revulsion.
"Quick, get that disgusting thing out of him."
Star Platinum, ever precise, struck swiftly. The parasite—its tentacles flailing—was extracted, wriggling like some obscene octopus.
With a gentle squeeze, Star Platinum crushed the thing into pulp. Polnareff slumped unconscious.
"Another Stand User, brainwashed by Dio," Jotaro muttered, his expression hardening.
His eyes flicked to Kakyoin, recalling the identical parasite he'd once removed from his friend's brain.
Kakyoin's jaw clenched, his loathing for Dio surfacing.
"Damn that bastard."
Meanwhile, Avdol turned to Joseph.
"What about those two kids?"
He had originally prepared for a fair duel, but it turned into a three-on-one ambush—all because of those two seemingly harmless children.
Joseph shook his head, uneasy.
"I thought they were Stand Users, but… their energy felt different. Especially that boy…"
He remembered the abyss-like sensation—the devouring darkness radiating off Kai.
A faint frown creased his face.
"In any case, they're no ordinary tourists. The West runs deep, and we don't know this place well. Better we tread carefully."
He surveyed the wrecked restaurant, sighed, and dropped a handful of cash onto the floor.
"Let's clear out before Berlin's Magicians or the police show up. Then… Egypt."