Volume 3 Chapter 156 The Messenger Of The Alliance Arrives 1️⃣
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Woof woof! I’m Sarah the good doggy! Please scold me lots, Master! Woof!”
(Why is this happening?! This is so bad. Seriously, what is she thinking?!)
In a small, dim room, Sarah knelt on all fours, wearing a pair of playful dog ears and a bizarre, barely-there costume that left almost nothing to the imagination. Her pose mimicked that of a loyal pet—complete with a wiggling tail accessory attached in a way Kian really didn’t want to think about.
She had clearly… prepared for this.
Kian stood frozen at the door. Just the sight of her had sent his brain into overdrive. And yet, he didn’t dare step closer. Not with Linca still hidden under the bed.
”Sarah, stop. You’re completely exposed.”
”Woof! But it’s only Kian watching me.”
(…Except for the very last person she’d ever want seeing her like this.)
He nearly said it, but stopped himself.
Should he tell her Linca was there? Or would silence spare her some dignity?
That old Eastern saying floated through his head—ignorance is bliss. Maybe this was one of those times.
In the end, Kian couldn’t decide.
”Hey… Kian.”
”Yes?”
”Um… well…”
Sarah’s shoulders trembled slightly.
Her voice wavered. Her eyes shimmered.
”Woof… Please punish me.”
”Cut it out. This isn’t your fault.”
”No… I need to be punished. Please. Spank this bad doggy…?”
She turned away from him, lifting her hips slightly in a pose that was… not appropriate. At all.
If Linca weren’t under that bed, Kian might’ve lost the last thread of his control.
But he held on.
”Kian?”
”…Fine. If that’s what you want, then I’ll scold you.”
”Yay…♡”
”Don’t smile like that, you total pervert!”
Kian raised his hand dramatically—and gave her a sharp but harmless pat.
Sarah’s body jolted ever so slightly. She let out a muffled sound, clearly flustered but not resisting.
”You’re such a weird one. A hopeless pervert.”
”Eep—s-sorry…”
He couldn’t understand it. Sarah, his calm and intelligent childhood friend, was acting like she wanted this.
”If your mom saw you now… she’d collapse.”
”Meow…”
”Oh great Lord of Shajar… look away.”
Another pat. Then another. Each one made the air shift in that quiet little room.
”I-I’m sorry… please forgive me… I’m sorry…!”
”You say that, but you look way too happy to be sorry.”
”W-woof! Hauuun…!”
(Am I really doing this? In front of Linca? What even *is this situation?! Am I about to… No, no, no—morals, ethics, sanity—hello?!*)
And yet, the scariest part wasn’t Sarah.
It was Linca.
Earlier, she’d still been making little sneak attacks—pinches and pokes from under the bed—but now she was dead silent. Not a sound.
Was she laughing? Crying? Judging him into oblivion?
Even with his sharp senses, Kian couldn’t find her. With her invisibility and that freaky skill [Penetration], she was completely undetectable.
”Um… Master?”
”…Huh?”
Sarah crawled toward him on the bed, expression anxious. Which would’ve been fine—except he was standing right next to it.
Meaning… yeah. Linca’s current view was probably extremely unfortunate.
From under the bed, Linca’s head suddenly popped out at an angle behind Sarah. Her face screamed I’m so done with this. She shook her head hard, then disappeared back under the frame. A few seconds later, she peeked again—then ducked right back.
(Linca, quit messing around!)
”Master… um… your… you know… that thing…”
”Wha—Sarah! Stop!”
”But this pose is kind of… exciting, right? Woof woof!”
”Aaaaaaagh!”
Under the bed, Linca looked like her soul had left her body. Her eyes shimmered with heartbreak as she watched her childhood friend spiral into madness.
”Oh, right. I almost forgot.”
Sarah turned and fished through her discarded clothing, which somehow contained way too much. From deep within, she pulled out a small bottle.
”Ta-da!”
She popped the cap dramatically and poured a sweet-smelling lotion onto her hands… and then onto herself.
Holding her chest with one arm, she let the liquid trail down gently between her curves, her expression teasing.
She stuck her tongue out slightly.
”We should recharge your magic, right?”
”Huh… How?”
”Simple. Press it here… and I’ll take care of the rest. You’ll absorb mana through it.”
”──────────────”
”What? You don’t like this kind of thing?”
”No man hates— I mean, uh… n-no comment!”
(Okay maybe Jibril. And Oswald. Oswald probably likes… other things.)
Kian’s breath hitched. Sarah blushed, looking delighted.
”Then… come closer?”
”Oooohhhhhh…”
Whatever happened, happened.
At this point, he wasn’t thinking straight anymore. Not with Sarah looking at him like that. Not with his mind going blank.
Even if Linca was watching.
With a deep breath and his brain screaming, Kian slowly stepped forward and pressed against her, letting the moment carry .them
The sensation of her warm, soft flesh enveloping him sent shivers down his spine.
No words. No movement. Just tension thick enough to drown in.
Sarah smiled gently, her voice a quiet murmur.
She moved her arms slowly, gracefully.
No more words were exchanged.
And it might’ve been the most intense sensation she had ever given him.
”Glad you’re enjoying it… Wait, what’s this pattern?”
”────!?”
A glowing red magic crest had appeared near Kian’s lower abdomen.
It was the mark for sensory sharing—a spell inscribed by Linca.
With his completely smooth skin and the placement of the crest, Kian’s appearance was rather… questionable. Yet Sarah, ever the pure-hearted one, didn’t assume anything scandalous. Instead, her gaze fell on the red pattern with innocent curiosity, and she traced it with her fingertip.
”S-Sarah, this is a sensory-sharing magic mark. It’s been developed recently in Azrael’s monastery workshops for female warrior monks. I’ve been looking for it for a while, and I finally found a record of it in Ramsey. So I bought it.”
”Sensory sharing? Hmm… so that’s what they’re teaching now. Did you hear about it from Natra?”
”Maybe Rufna. I don’t really remember.”
”…So my technique wasn’t that impressive after all.”
Sarah looked up from the crest, her black eyes narrowed.
”You bought this… to help me get better?”
”It’s important for both of us to improve,” Kian answered gently. “It’s more fun that way, right?”
”…Yeah, that’s true. Then, since we’ve got the chance… would you mind engraving a magic mark on me too?”
”No, that might not be a good idea. If Natra or Rufna saw us, things could get… messy. I think it’s better to learn things naturally, without relying too much on magic shortcuts.”
”Wait, then—why did you only inscribe a crest on your side?”
”T-That’s… because of the mood. You know, the vibe.”
”…’The vibe,’ huh?” Sarah gave a short laugh, then burst out into full-on giggles. “Ahahaha! Kian, you idiot.”
All I could do was let out a stiff smile as Sarah laughed herself silly. When the fit of laughter finally passed, she leaned in close and whispered:
”Then… let’s go ahead and wrap this up. I want a nice finish.”
Before I could say anything, her chest and lips returned to their gentle work, and soon, the waves of pleasure overtook all thought.
Oh well.
For now… guess I’ll just let her finish me like this──
Just as Kian was about to surrender himself to the warmth of her embrace…
CRASH.
Like the shattering of a glass pane, the barrier Sarah had hastily put up crumbled with a sharp sound.
”Huh?”
”Eh—!?”
”──Excuse me, Sir Kian.”
Without a hint of hesitation, Linca stepped into the room through the now-broken door. She wore her usual white haori over a black oriental-style outfit. Inside, Kian and Sarah froze in place—in a position that could not possibly be misunderstood.
”Huh? Huh? Huh!?”
”…Ah.”
”Miss Sarah?”
Linca tried to keep her usual composed tone, but her lips twitched at the sight of Sarah, dressed in a collar and dog accessories, her expression frozen in horror.
”My apologies for interrupting your… festivities. However, I have a report to make.”
”────────”
Sarah slowly looked down, realizing what her hands were holding, then looked back at Linca.
”Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!?!?!?!?!?”
Her scream echoed throughout the entire room.
* * *
”WHAT THE HELL!? Why did you barge in like that!?”
”I had a barrier up! The door was locked! I made it clear I was busy!”
Three minutes later.
Kian sat on the floor in full seiza, completely nude, looking thoroughly defeated. Sarah was wrapped tightly in a blanket, curled on the bed with a tearful expression. Linca, meanwhile, stood by the door with her arms crossed, staring them down.
”I am fully aware. However, I must inform you both—messengers from the Beastmen Alliance were spotted twenty kilometers southeast of this ancient temple. At their speed, they’ll reach us before noon.”
”────! So it’s finally happening?”
”Even so!” Sarah clutched the blanket tighter, her voice trembling. “Who just breaks into someone’s private time like that!? Have you no shame!?”
”…’Private time’?”
Linca raised an eyebrow, her gaze moving pointedly to Sarah’s dog-ear headband and the tail protruding from the blanket.
”So for Miss Sarah, ‘private time’ means playing puppy with Sir Kian?”
”────っ! T-That’s not—! I mean—it is, but it’s not what it sounds like!”
”Woof woof. Sarah is a dog.”
Linca’s mocking bark was disturbingly accurate. Sarah took a deep breath, puffing up her cheeks, and turned beet red.
”Did you hear all that!?”
”Of course. If an assassin had broken in to harm my lord, I’d need to act instantly. Although, this time… what drew my attention was a certain mutt clinging to his mercy.”
”Don’t eavesdrop on people’s—on people’s love life, you perv!”
”The pervert is you.” Linca gestured vaguely toward the discarded leash on the floor. “You should reflect on your own outfit before calling others names.”
”U-Uuugh…”
”Even the ladies at back-alley establishments show more dignity than this.”
”No, some of them don’t,” Kian muttered.
”Sir Kian, silence. Later, you’ll explain who this ‘Christy’ person is.”
Kian’s words dried up under Linca’s frosty glare.
He wanted to defend Sarah, but for his own survival, he remained quiet.
”You realize what this means, don’t you?” Sarah said, still red-faced. “I won’t forgive you for this, Linca. Ever.”
”Oh dear. Are you going to punish me now?”
”Get out of here!!”
Sarah let out a frustrated scream, then began lightly banging her forehead against the stone wall.
Kian watched from the side, praying she wouldn’t go full tragic heroine.
As Sarah clung dramatically to the wall, eyes moist, Linca finally gave in and burst into laughter.
”Don’t laugh, you wicked woman!”
”S-Sorry. But… sticking a tail there, of all places… how foolish.”
”I swear I’ll make you pay for this! I’ll send you straight to hell!”
”Hehe… sorry, sorry. Woof~.”
”────”
Sarah’s expression shifted into something beyond anger.
Kian, still sitting on the floor, gave her a helpless, resigned smile.
”Hehe… I’d love to tease you more, but the Alliance’s messengers are on the move. I’ll let you off for now.”
”Thanks a lot… ugh.”
Still blushing furiously, Sarah gripped the tail hidden under the sheet. Slowly and quietly, she pulled it free. It had been in place long enough that it came out with a small wet sound, making her cheeks turn an even deeper red.
Linca stifled a laugh as she picked up the scattered undergarments and dress from the floor, handing them back with a smug expression.
”Tch… Thanks,” Sarah muttered, clicking her tongue.
”I should be the one thanking you,” Linca said with a teasing smile. “I never imagined that my longtime school rival would turn out to be such a pitiful mutt.”
”I’ll end you one day.”
”P-please, both of you, calm down…” Kian interjected with a troubled look.
”Sir Kian, please get dressed quickly,” Linca said crisply.
”Ah… yes, right.”
”Or,” she continued with a smirk, “do you intend to continue your little bonding ritual with this woman right here, in front of me?”
”O-of course not!”
”Oh? That’s a shame. You looked rather sweet—desperately burying your face in her chest like a lost child.”
”N-no! Please, stop!” Kian flailed in panic.
”How about now? Have you finally realized just how terrible her personality is? I seriously can’t understand why you’d ally yourself with someone like that.”
”…Linca was right to bring her in as an ally,” Kian said, lowering his voice. “This incident… it was a mistake between me and her.”
”Tch…”
”It’s fine,” Linca said with a sigh. “But the two of you should really get dressed. After that, clean up this mess. Ms. Sarah, please return to your room afterward. I’ll prepare breakfast. I know the mood’s heavy, but make sure to eat properly—we still have that meeting with the Beastmen.”
Sarah, clearly still irritated, shot her a look. “And whose fault do you think that is?”
Ignoring the venom in Sarah’s voice, Linca offered a graceful bow and said, “Well then, excuse me,” before exiting the room with a pleased expression. Kian and Sarah exchanged glances, then silently began cleaning up the mess—the crumpled sheets, discarded buckets, and empty syringes.
* * *
A messenger from the Beastmen Alliance was coming.
Though the purpose of the visit was peaceful negotiation, no one could be sure how the other side would respond. In the worst-case scenario, blades might be drawn before a single word could be spoken.
To minimize risk, the meeting was arranged at the edge of the marsh, near the ancient temple ruins.
Inviting the delegation inside the temple would have been dangerous; if the guests turned hostile, their sheer force might overwhelm the defenders before any resistance could be mounted.
”Ms. Sarah, I’ve finished setting up the barriers. The beast-repelling incense burners have been placed—eight locations in total.”
”Thank you, Ms. Linca. We’ve also completed leveling the area and finished arranging the negotiation table.”
Linca stood tall beside Sarah, dressed in elegant ceremonial wear—purple and white, accented with a delicate hairpin. Sarah, too, wore formal robes from Azrael, pure white and flowing. Her hair remained in its usual style, but her makeup was more refined, and her neck and wrists were adorned with simple but tasteful accessories.
Kian stood nearby, surveying the now-cleared marshland in front of the leveled ancient temple. He exhaled softly.
With two skilled Witches at work, even something like this could be completed in a single breath.
The Cain species wandering from the gate remained distant, kept at bay by the fragrance Linca used. There seemed little chance Kian would need to intervene at all.
”Is the arrangement okay? If the flowers or vases look odd, let me know.”
”No, it’s perfect. You’ve created a stunning scene, especially considering how quickly it all came together. Your sense of style is impeccable, Sir Kian.”
”I appreciate that.”
After finishing the silver goblets, Kian placed a large water pitcher on the serving cart. That completed the preparations for now.
He was fully geared for combat—wearing the ‘Silver Ice’ armor set, and carrying both the Windsong Blade and Misty Magic Sword. He had considered Nightshade but left it behind, uncertain if its power was appropriate for this situation.
”Is Sir Rean really not coming?” Linca asked as she watched a dragonfly-like creature soar down from the temple’s direction. Riding it were Umar and his party from Vahid.
”Like I said before, he’s not interested in political talks. That man only gets fired up when it’s about hunting monsters or spinning a roulette wheel.”
”Do you think he managed to buy back Lyritisse?”
”No idea. Maybe Ms. Priscilla knows. She’ll probably report in after the talks are over.”
”That’s the plan.”
”If you’re curious, why not check in with her while we’re at it?”
”Maybe I will.”
The dragonfly passed through the sky barrier and touched down on the cleared land. Demete dismounted first, followed by several elder warrior monks and servants. Finally, Umar descended, supported by his aides.
Meanwhile, Yelmar and his group emerged from the temple.
Katyusha, the black panther warrior monk, and Head Magician Natasha were absent, likely still investigating the gate.
During their last discussion, Kian and the others made it clear they would not assist the Beastmen in seizing the temple from the others. In response, Umar delayed negotiations, aiming to gather more information first.
Depending on whether Eleonora and the Guild arrived in time, this ancient temple might soon be abandoned altogether.
”Mr. Owl’s familiar is flying above,” Linca said.
Kian looked up and saw it: a massive Cain Wing creature circling the sky.
If the emissary from the alliance chose violence, they’d strike quickly from Ramsey’s direction. A battle could break out before Owl arrived, but it was comforting to know he could manage the aftermath if necessary. Kian silently thanked him.
(Everything that can be done has been done. Now it’s about meeting the alliance’s emissaries and playing it by ear. Umar and Sarah will take the lead—I’ll remain a silent observer.)
Even without speaking, the presence of a magic sword wielder was enough to pressure an opponent.
He just needed to sit quietly and look intimidating. He’d seen how Renaud de Châtillon handled this kind of presence—he’d do the same.
”It looks like they’ve arrived,” Linca said, pointing to the now-cleared horizon.
Sure enough, human-shaped silhouettes appeared where the sky met the land. They walked on foot—no horses in sight.
But there weren’t just ten or twenty of them.
There were at least fifty.
Despite being on foot, they advanced at impressive speed.
Umar and the others were assembling behind them.
From the distance, Yelmar’s lazy voice echoed through the air. “Sorry I’m late!” he called, passing through the barrier.
Kian took a deep breath, steeling his nerves, and stepped forward toward the approaching figures.
Soon, the lead group came into clear view.
Each Beastman radiated powerful magic, but one among them stood out—a warrior from the black panther tribe, massive and muscular, his magical aura overwhelming. A beastly biped, covered in fur, easily several times the size of Katyusha.
Beside him was another warrior of the same tribe, slightly smaller but no less formidable.
Behind them marched tiger Beastmen.
A silver-haired Wolfman warrior emerged a few steps later, dashing to the front. Leading the Wolfmen was a middle-aged man clad in dark armor, a wooden spear strapped to his back—the same man who once stood beside Isthbaran.
It could only be ‘Burning Spear’ Juji.
”Who goes there!?” the towering panther warrior shouted in a gravelly voice.
His fur was too thick to judge his age accurately, but the rasp in his tone marked him as an elder.
He halted a few meters before Kian, Sarah, and Linca, resting his hand on the greatsword strapped to his back.
”I am Kian, Knight of Izerland!” Kian declared clearly.
”Kian…?”
The second panther warrior squinted at him, his icy armor gleaming like frozen crystal. A sword adorned with jagged ice protrusions hung on his back—it was unmistakably a magic sword. His hand moved to it.
”────! You!”
As beast-repelling incense filled the air, one of the silver-haired Wolfmen widened his eyes. Several warriors raised their spears, ready to engage—but before any could act, the man with the magic spear raised a hand.
”Wait. Don’t attack so suddenly.”
”But that guy’s the enemy of the High Warlord! Juji, you get it, right?!”
”I do. And that’s exactly why I’m stopping you. We can’t afford to disgrace ourselves any more than this.”
”Tch… Damn it.”
The Beastman clicked his tongue in frustration, then turned a glare on Kian.
”Consider yourself lucky, kid. You just got a free pass.”
A deep, composed voice broke through the tension.
”Are you the warrior monk who defeated my sworn enemy?”
An elder warrior from the Black Panther tribe stood above Kian, his sharp gaze scanning him.
Linca, who had remained hidden until now, had already cloaked herself in the veil of “Penetration.”
Though the old man seemed aware of her, he didn’t acknowledge her presence. His whiskers twitched slightly, but his expression remained still as he continued speaking.
”We do not intend to fight. We are an investigation unit sent by the Beastmen Chieftain Alliance. A few days ago, we received a report—the recent Bloodsucking Kind incidents are likely linked to a magic ritual performed by the Storm Herd. We came only to verify that claim.”
”This land is under the protection of His Excellency, Margrave Izerland Maribel Danofen,” Kian responded firmly. “We are here to defend his territory.”
”Izerland is the enemy!”
A roar came from one of the tiger Beastmen. There were two, but it was the larger one who stepped forward, teeth bared.
He approached the Black Panther elder and growled.
”Come on, Arminus. Let’s just deal with them here and now.”
”No,” Arminus replied calmly. “We don’t have the authority.”
”I don’t give a damn about that!” the tiger Beastman barked. “So what if we destroy enemy land? It’s war, isn’t it?! Besides—there’s a gate to another world inside that ancient temple, and Bloodsucking Kinds keep pouring through! You seriously think we can just stand around doing nothing?!”
”There is another way, Marcomanni.”
A new voice joined the conversation.
Yelmar stepped forward from behind Kian, placing a hand on Kian’s shoulder as he passed him, now facing the furious Steel Tiger tribe warriors.
”Yelmar… you bastard!”
”Yo, Juji.”
Yelmar gave a small shrug. “Sorry, but your squad’s mission ends here.”
”It’s not over yet!” Juji barked. “We came here to arrest Glen—the one behind the uprising—along with Tersea and Barghest! They’ll pay for throwing everything into chaos!”
”Too bad,” Yelmar replied flatly. “None of them are here.”
”What… did you just say?”
”Listen, brat,” one of the tiger Beastmen growled, stepping forward with narrowed eyes. “Hand over your leader. If not… I’ll make you relive the same hell you went through last time.”
”Enough!”
Juji snapped at him, voice sharp.
At the same time, Arminus turned toward the round table that had been prepared for negotiation, noting the goblets set neatly in place. His gaze then moved to Umar, entering in a wheelchair pushed by Demete.
A small frown appeared on Arminus’s face.
”Thank you for making the journey, everyone,” Umar said, voice composed despite his frailty. “I am Umar Vahid, the one in charge here.”
”Vahid…?”
Juji raised an eyebrow, looking between Kian, Sarah, and finally landing his eyes on Linca.
”Wait… is that the Vahid family of Azrael?”
”Indeed,” Umar answered.
”This is Izerland territory, just like Lord Kian said earlier. What’s someone from the Vahid family doing here?”
A calm voice came from one of the Black Panther warriors standing beside Arminus.
Umar paused briefly, then spoke without hesitation.
”Lord Kian of Izerland is my son. I am also the father of Jibril, one of the current Twelve Divine Generals.”
”I see…”
”Hmph. So even Azrael has started playing the marriage game, huh? That’s something we usually see in the western kingdoms.”
Marcomanni spat the words out, clearly displeased.
Arminus glanced his way but didn’t respond. He looked back at Umar and spoke plainly.
”As I said before, our mission is to confirm the truth of the matter. ──Old man, is it safe to assume you are prepared to negotiate with us?”
Umar nodded once. “Yes.”
”Just so you know,” Arminus added, “poisons don’t work on us.”
Suddenly, a figure popped in beside Juji.
”Of course, Kakaka-dono.”
Kakaka, a Cat Beastman with thick black whiskers, twitched his ears and narrowed his eyes.
”How do you even know my name, -nya?”
”You’re infamous,” said another tiger Beastman—the quiet one who had remained silent until now. “Not in a good way.”
Kakaka let out a short laugh, “-nya ha ha,” his expression unreadable.
Arminus gave a single nod.
”I’m willing to enter negotiations. Are there any objections? Marcomanni?”
”Do as you please.”
”Very well.”
Arminus stepped past Kian, making his way toward the round table. “I’ll proceed, though I’ll keep my sword on. Hope that won’t be a problem.”
The other Beastmen followed close behind.
”────”
”……”
”Tch…”
As Juji and the Wolfmen passed, they glared daggers at Kian.
Their eyes burned with a raw, unrestrained killing intent—none more intense than Juji’s, who had earlier held his comrades back. His stare was aimed solely at Kian now.
Arminus and the key members of the Beastmen delegation took their seats at the negotiation table. The rest of their group stood behind them in silence. Kian and Sarah followed and sat across from them.
Once everyone was seated, Umar adjusted his position slightly in his wheelchair and finally spoke, voice quiet but clear.
”First, I will explain the circumstances that led to this conflict. If anything is unclear, please feel free to stop me at any time.”
Notes:
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Mag – The wolfwoman under Yelmar—the one who was caught by Kian’s group earlier.
• Demete – A male dark elf shaman and a servant in the Umar household.
• Katyusha – A female warrior monk of the black panther race and a follower of Abbas Hashmalik Shakerdoust.
• Isthbaran – The High Warlord of the ‘Storm Herd.’
• Juji – Male. Leader of the Wolfmen’s ‘Jinsou’. A skilled warrior with sharp senses and combat abilities. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Arminus – Male. Leader of the Black Panther Tribe. Possesses extraordinary physical abilities, enhanced by the tribe’s unique technique that repels energy and magic attacks. His speed and strength surpass those of High Warlord Isthbaran. Wields the magic sword Balmung, capable of cleaving through an ice dragon with a single strike. His black fur provides camouflage in low visibility, making him nearly undetectable. Relationship: Leader of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Marcomanni – Male. Member of the Steel Tiger Clan. Known for his strength and tactical skills. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Tersea – A shaman who assisted Barghest and is connected to the summoning ritual.
• Kakaka – Male. Top warrior of the Cat Beastmen Tribe. Known for his agility and precision in combat. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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