"Do you really need to go?

" Irea asked, wrapping her hands around Layn's belt. Hugged to his back, she just listened to the calm beating of his heart.

"I was the one to suggest the plan,

" the archmage replied, lowering his hand and cupping it around his wife's hand.

"I cannot send others for this nearly suicidal mission if I don't go myself,

" he said, taking a moment to enjoy the girl's warmth.

"Aren't you the leader of the camp?

" Irea asked, still unwilling to accept the harsh reality.

"Can't you just order someone to do it?

" she asked in a pleading voice.

"I'm not a commander, but a leader, just like you said,

" Layn whispered.

"And as the name suggests, a leader leads. I'm not the ruler to rule. I never wanted to be the one in the first place,

" he said in a steady voice, caressing Irea's gentle fingers.

"Heck, I'm not even a leader of the camp in the first place. I know you didn't mean it, but using that name could lead to internal strife later on. And this isn't something we would want, would we?

" A small snicker escaped from Layn's mouth.

"If you are not a leader, there should be no need for you to lead, then!

" Irea protested, pulling herself even deeper into Layn's back.

"I know it wasn't official or celebrated, but didn't we marry just the other day?

" she asked, rubbing her forehead against Layn's spine.

"Can't I have you for myself for just a little longer?

"

"It is just as you said, I'm not a leader of this place,

" Layn mirrored the girl's words.

"And that means I need to do my duty to protect it, just like everyone else,

" he added, turning around on his heel.

Irea didn't let go of him, yet she now buried her head in his chest. Unable to resist, Layn rested his cheek on the top of her head, soaking both her delicate aroma and warmth.

"Layn! We are going!

" A sudden shout from the outside broke the peaceful scene for the two.

"I need to go, dear,

" Layn whispered, caressing Irea's back with his hands. For a moment, he wrapped his arms around her, only to hug her as close as he could without actually hurting the girl.

"I promise, I will do everything in my power to not make you wait for long,

" he added, trying to comfort the girl in this trying time.

But the time of comforting each other could only last for so long. As reluctant as Layn was to do it, he let go of the girl's body before lowering his hands and pulling Irea's arms apart.

"Stay safe and return promptly,

" Irea muttered softly.

"I know that you are strong enough to take care of yourself... But take care,

" she added as tears started to well up in her eyes.

'I really need to make this sabotage matter,' Layn thought, turning around and walking out of the house in order to avoid looking at his wife's tears. He was used to the sight of blood and carnage, yet just a few drops of water on the face of the girl he loved proved to be too much of a sight for him to bear.

"Done bidding your farewells?

" Ation asked as soon as Layn emerged from the building.

"Yeah,

" Layn replied softly, refusing to elaborate.

"Man, listen,

" Ation started as the two of them moved towards the rallying point from where their expedition would start.

"I know that I often happen to be your opposing voice during the meetings. I also know that I didn't gain your sympathy by initially blaming everything that happened to us on you,

" he said before biting on his lip and turning silent.

"But?

" Layn said a single word, proving that he actually listened to the man.

"I mean, what you just said, sounded like just an introduction to the real thing,

" Layn added, encouraging Al's subordinate.

"For joining the expedition force, you have my respect,

" Ation said in a low voice.

"I fought with many clans where leaders would stay back and command, others where they wouldn't show up to the battlefield at all... But only those that actually lead proved challenging for our clan to unite,

" Ation said, refusing to look at Layn's face whatsoever.

"Thanks,

" Layn replied in a simple manner once again.

"But there is one thing that I need you to keep in mind,

" he added, turning his head towards the burly man.

"I'm not a leader to lead. I decided to take part in this expedition for two reasons.

"

For a moment, Layn turned silent. He just focused on his breathing, as if revealing his reasons was a kind of a big deal for him.

But that wasn't the case whatsoever. Rather than being worried about revealing his intentions, he could actually feel the stress and anxiety welling up in his soul.

'This expedition will decide the future of this steppe,' Layn thought, clenching his hands into fists. 'If we fail, everything will be over. If we aren't as successful as I hope we will be, everything will be over,' Layn's thoughts continued to put his mood down.

"I'm not a leader to lead,

" the archmage finally spoke out his intentions.

"But I was the one to come up with the idea. For that, I'm obliged to take part in it. And what's more,

" Layn took a small break just as they approached the rallying point.

"I'm the strongest in the entire camp. Worst case scenario, I should be able to do the most to save our people from the carnage,

" he added before turning completely silent.

The rallying point was already littered with people. Even though the camp's population oscillated around half of a thousand people, as they were all spread out through various areas and production facilities, one could rarely feel how actually congested this place was.

Only now, when nearly a hundred of the strongest warriors assembled all in one place, Layn realized just how big his little settlement became.

"Everyone!

" Markus shouted from the very middle of the gathering.. Whether it was just a coincidence or if he took Layn's appearance for the green light to get things going remained a mystery.

"Today, we ride!

"