(Within the Time Stilled World, Leo's POV)
A week after the conclusion of the tournament, Leo convened the first war council in a long time, as he gathered all the Cult Commanders under one roof and began outlining his plans for the next phase of conquest.
"We need to begin planning for a phased expansion," Leo said, his voice steady as he addressed the room.
"According to internal records, we have lost close to 1.5 million capable fighters over the past two decades to natural causes alone."
He paused briefly, letting the weight of that number settle.
"As beneficial as the Time Stilled World is for our safety and long-term stability, the reality remains that our people age significantly faster here compared to the outside universe, as many of our soldiers live out their entire lives training, only to die without ever seeing real combat."
A quiet tension spread across the room as several Commanders lowered their gaze.
