Shinari stood alone in her office, the afterimage of Aldred's sudden departure lingering like a phantom. His words echoed in her mind, a tumultuous blend of reassurance and enigma. The revelation that Aldred had been using clones to continue his relentless battle while safeguarding their operations brought a whirlwind of emotions: relief, frustration, and an intensified determination to play her part in this vast and intricate war.
Without a moment's delay, Shinari's resolve hardened. If Aldred was moving them into the next phase of the war, then she needed to ensure that their tactical and technological advances kept pace. Her first thought was of Salamander and his Auto-Drones, the silent harbingers of chaos for their demonic foes.