The strategic assessment meeting ended with clear conclusions but unclear timelines, every department head returning to their responsibilities while Luthra remained in the command room with expanded maps spread across the table.
"S-rank territories within reasonable travel distance," Kane marked locations on the regional map, his prosthetic arm moving with precision that exceeded the original, "three confirmed, possibly two more in unexplored zones."
The closest marker sat over a vast forested region northwest of coalition territory, the kind of place that appeared on maps more as warning than destination.
"Phantom Forest," Luthra read the faded label, "I've heard merchants mention it, but always in context of routes to avoid."
