"What do you want to propose, then?

" Markus asked, quickly picking up the role that Layn foresaw for him in the entire affair.

"Right now, we have six people that could take up high positions,

" Layn said.

"Starting with Irea and me, we have two people from our group. Then we have Al and Ation managing the group of our ancestors. Then, finally, there is Yelna and you, making up for the third group,

" Layn counted everyone up.

"I believe that Al's group primary role should be in the military. Between the two of us, I don't really care about political power, so you can have it all. On that end, I wish to be in charge of managing the production of our coins,

" Layn explained his idea without pulling back anything.

"Wait, you gave out the roles for the three of you. What about us?

" Yelna protested, pointing each of her hands at Irea and Ation, respectively.

"Just bear with me for a moment,

" Layn said with a small smile.. Even though there was no deep sympathy between him and Markus's wife, they had mutual respect for each other. Moreover, given how capable the two of them were in their respective fields of expertise, they were more than happy to cooperate even if they didn't really like each other.

"That's how I figure we could split up the duties and privileges between the groups. But ultimately, we are all a single group,

" Layn added, putting a huge emphasis on the last two words.

"So you will mess up with secondary positions or something?

" Markus asked, proving that he didn't see through Layn's plan yet.

"Look. If I will be in charge of producing the money, then I would like to propose Ation to be in charge of practically spending it. Then, if Al will be the head of our military, I would like Yelna to be the chief commander of the troops. And by the method of elimination...

" Layn cut his words short, hoping that someone else would pick up the topic.

"I will be in charge of whatever it is that Markus will be doing,

" Irea continued Layn's words. She then turned her head around, gracing Layn with a quick peek at her lovable smile.

"Right?

" she asked playfully.

"So you are basically going for separation of theoretical and practical power?

" Markus asked, putting a small smile on his lips.

"Yeah. That's why, while I projected you to be responsible for creating and setting up laws, I believe it should be Irea that would go around and enforce them,

" Layn explained his idea in even greater detail.

"In this way, it will be impossible for either of the parties to seize all the power for themselves as they will always be checked in whatever they are doing by others,

" Layn added.

"What are you setting all those precautions for?

" Yelna suddenly came out and asked.

"It's not like we are going to split up and fight over this poor piece of a backyard,

" she said, pointing her hand towards the window.

"We are not going to fight for it between each other,

" Layn repeated Yelna's words. His face turned serious.

"This is true. For us, this place is completely worthless for now. We also know each other too well and for too long to break apart because of anything that this place can have to offer,

" Layn added, fully agreeing with Yelna's doubt.

"Why all the precautions, then?

" Markus asked, supporting his wife.

"Because we don't know who will come after us,

" Layn said grimly, revealing the one thing that could easily stir up the room in an instant.

Not because he dared to look at their situation long-term. There was absolutely nothing wrong with that. Rather than that, being able to see the picture through the perspective of a long time was a trait that any leader had to possess.

What Layn said was disturbing because it confirmed the idea that had already hung in the air for a while.

It confirmed that Layn had no intention of leaving this place and returning to his own time.

In a sense, it was a decision that Layn made himself but one that affected everyone else outside Irea.

"Well, I can't deny that,

" Markus decided to support his old friend after a long moment of hesitation.

"If we want this place to outlast us, we need to make sure to prepare it for when we will be no longer here to take care of everything,' he said, putting a nostalgic tone for a moment.

"To be honest, I didn't expect you to come with a system that would be... so restrictive...

" Yelna said, squinting her eyes as she looked at Layn.

"What, did you expect me to attempt grabbing all the power and becoming a tyrant of this place?

" Layn asked, openly ridiculing the girl's worries.

"Now that I have Irea by my side, I'm already a happy man,

" Layn said, wrapping his arms around the girl's waist.

"Yeah. We would have to be blind not to see that,

" Al commented from the side, without even raising his head from the wall he was resting it against.

"Still, you need to have some sort of ambition to get going,

" Yelna pressured the archmage without any stops as if Al didn't say a word at all.

"Without ambition, you will just end up slacking. And we can't have slackers on a position as important as you got for yourself,

" she said, looking at Layn with clear hostility.

"I don't think you need to worry about that, dear,

" Markus said, putting his hand on the girl's shoulder before pushing her down on his lap. He then raised his eyes at Layn before revealing a small, nostalgic smile.

"He wants to create an academy here. That's his ultimate objective. Because if I'm right, he plans to implant seeds in this world that will change it for a better one,

" Markus said, looking Layn directly in the eyes.

"Am I right, brother?

" he asked after a moment, proving just how well he knew his old friend.