"Tap!"
As Arias's words fell, the sound of leather shoes stepping on stone slabs slowly reached John's ears the very next second.
In John's constricted pupils, a tall young man with a pale, gaunt face, meticulously combed platinum-blond hair, and a magitech prosthetic eye embedded in his left socket slowly entered through the door.
He wore a black-and-gold general's uniform adorned with a silver sash, with a dragon-and-sword insignia on his chest—the emblem of an Imperial transcendent Mage.
A deep-blue, silver-trimmed cloak lined with velvet draped behind him, and spotless white gloves covered his hands. Everything about him radiated coldness and authority.
Especially that single eye, which contained nothing but indifference and distance.
The moment one met his gaze, one could tell that he was absolutely not someone easy to deal with.
"I merely happened to be inspecting this place. I don't believe any explanation is necessary. Besides..."
Major General Ram paid no attention to John's shocked expression or Arias's scrutinizing gaze. He walked to the conference table, pulled out a chair, and sat down before calmly addressing Arias at the head of the table.
"I have always believed that there should be no relationship within the military other than that between superior and subordinate. Therefore, please retract your inappropriate remarks from earlier, Acting Legion Commander Arias."
"Heh..."
Arias chuckled softly. Rather than take offense at the Ice Prison Executioner's insolence, he seemed to have confirmed a certain suspicion from Ram's answer. He turned his gaze toward John, who was still somewhat dazed, and amusement flickered in his eyes.
In truth, before the 1st Division of the First Air Army Group had set out, the commander originally assigned to lead this force of ten thousand Mage Soldiers had not been Ram von Eisenblut, but another Upper-Tier Class general.
However, for