The General looked around, yes.
"Statement: I am in agreement. Inquiry: Perhaps while on the way to The Grand Foyer you can inform me on who or what is this "Wintersend"."
They were assuming it was a "person" and not an organization. But they couldn't be sure.
This attack likely wasn't premeditated, so this probably wasn't an assassination attempt. But it would still be useful to know who they worked for.