Subtle dominance is a quieter blade; it cuts without blood and lets enemies think they hold the reins. Outright force is a roar that sends the whole region trembling. I weigh them by the value of the prize. If the target’s loyalty can be bought with whispers and threats, I whisper, and the threat is a silent promise of a swift, brutal strike if they disobey. When the prize is hard‑to‑control or vital, I show my power outright, then follow with a calculated touch. I never let emotions decide—only what keeps the empire expanding, and who will betray me next.

Indeed, a well‑placed quiet threat turns a king’s hesitation into a surrender. I move only what the board demands, and when I do, it feels inevitable.