If the number of cycles is the same, or differs by an integral number of cycles, then the two beams of light will arrive at the same phase

I am currently studying the textbook Modern optical engineering, fourth edition, by Warren Smith. Section 1.5 Interference and Diffraction says the following:

Now if the waves arrive at C in phase, they will reinforce; if they arrive one-half wavelength out of phase, they will cancel. In determining the phase relationship at C we must take into account the index of the material through which the light has traveled and also the phase change which occurs on reflection. This phase change occurs when light traveling through a low-index medium is reflected from the surface of a high-index medium; the phase is then abruptly changed by 180$^circ$, or one-half wavelength. No phase change occurs when the indices are encountered in reverse order. Thus with the relative indices as indicated in Fig. 1.14, there is a phase change at C for the light following the A$^prime$CD path, but no phase change at B for the light reflected from the lower surface.

As in the case of Young’s experiment described above, the difference between the optical paths ABC and A$^prime$C determines the phase relationship. Since the index of refraction is inversely related to the velocity of light in a medium, it is apparent that the length of time a wave front takes to travel through a thickness $d$ of a material of index $n$ is given by $t =? nd/c$ (where $c approx 3 ?times 10^{10} text{cm/s} = text{velocity of light}$). The constant frequency of electromagnetic radiation is given by $c/?lambda$, so that the number of cycles which take place during the time $t =? nd/c$ is given by $(c/lambda?) cdot (nd/c)$ or $nd/lambda$?. Thus, if the number of cycles is the same, or differs by an integral number of cycles, over the two paths of light traversed, the two beams of light will arrive at the same phase.

It is this part that I am confused about:

Thus, if the number of cycles is the same, or differs by an integral number of cycles, over the two paths of light traversed, the two beams of light will arrive at the same phase.

I understood everything, but it isn’t clear to me how this all then implies that, if the number of cycles is the same, or differs by an integral number of cycles, over the two paths of light traversed, then the two beams of light will arrive at the same phase. I would greatly appreciate it if people would please take the time to explain this.

Related: Phase shift of 180 degrees of transversal wave on reflection from denser medium

EDIT:

My point is this: We calculated $nd/lambda$, but how did any of this work relate to the phase? In fact, "phase" is not mentioned at all in the entire second part of the author’s explanation, where we derive $nd/lambda$, until the very end; so it is not at all clear how the entire preamble relates to the phase.

EDIT2:

Optics, fifth edition, by Hecht.