Adam's gaze remained locked onto Ronan, skepticism etched on his face. The idea of expansion, proposed so calmly, felt reckless, too close to ambition disguised as madness.
"You mean to take advantage of the chaos, strike at our enemies' weak spots?" Adam asked, tinged with doubt, but there was an underlying flicker of potential.
Ronan shook his head, dousing the notion before it could ignite. "Not our enemies, not impulsive grabs for territory. That's what they'd expect – a desperate move convinced it's bold. Don't give them the satisfaction."
"Then what?" Adam's patience was a taut rope, holding firm despite Ronan's deliberate pace. Suspicion lined the edges of his voice.
"Legitimacy," Ronan replied, letting the word punctuate the air with its weight. "The perception of strength – not through retaliation or sprawling over territory like a hungry dog, but through calculated moves that force others to see you differently."
"I… don't understand."
