Just as Benjamin was puzzling over it, a voice suddenly came from behind him, startling both him and the head of the Dark Division.
"Hi." The two turned around in astonishment, only to see Miles leaning against the corner of the room's wall, having appeared at some unknown time. He spoke casually. "Long time no see. Looks like you've been living quite comfortably here."
Benjamin froze for several seconds, then let out a sigh of relief.
"So you really woke up." He shook his head helplessly and said, "Earlier, the academy sent me word that your treatment had still been underway when you suddenly vanished from your hospital bed, without even leaving a footprint behind. They thought some kind of elemental mutation had occurred and wanted to send people out to look for you. But... I knew you had to have woken up and run off on your own."
Miles shrugged. "After lying there for so long, I had to come out and stretch my legs."
"Say whatever you like..." Benjamin stroked his chin. As though something had occurred to him, his tone suddenly shifted, and he resumed a stern expression. "Then the fall of Crusader Gate must have had something to do with you, right?"
The timing of his appearance was far too coincidental, and the gate had fallen far too easily. He could hardly stop himself from reading more into it.
Miles said nothing in response, but he nodded.
Benjamin hurriedly pressed on. "What exactly happened? You had some ties to the Wood Family before. You must know the inside story, right?"
Miles shrugged and said, "There wasn't really any inside story. The garrison within the gate was severely understaffed. They had a few mages draw attention away, then I slipped inside in secret. In the end, with