Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 124 The Sky Queen
"Kid, I know what you're thinking. But if you keep looking at me like that..."

Ada rode alongside Thales's mount, her fist clenched, her index finger knuckles bulging, and her tone extremely impatient: "You know what's going to happen."

“Okay.” Thiels, bursting with curiosity, stuck out his tongue and turned his head away.

"If you don't want to answer, that's fine."

The prince sighed softly to himself.

Ada let out a soft breath, sealing away the memories of the past deep in her heart.

Shining Star.

Damn Star.

"But speaking of which, Ada, how did you become a secret guard for the Star Kingdom?" Thales asked quietly, looking at the gradually emerging, blurry mountains ahead. "How could an elf be employed by a human Star Kingdom?"

"I heard that they are all extremely proud, and their service to humanity is unparalleled."

Ada lowered her head slightly.

“Hey kid,” the elf’s voice sounded a little awkward, “I’ve already told you, I’m not your family’s guard.”

"and……"

Ada crossed her arms, her tone laced with disdain: "As a little kid, how much do you know about elves?"

Thales could only stick out his tongue and shake his head helplessly.

This enigmatic elf, who may have lived for hundreds of years and met with the wise ruler Mindis and Prince Keira, must have a rich and colorful story to tell.

It's just a personality thing...

Just as the group crossed a snow-covered hillside, Putila rode up to Thales' side. The gaunt deputy, his face solemn, pointed in the direction they had been heading: "We've arrived."

Thales realized what was happening and quickly looked up down the hillside.

In the blurred vision of the snow-covered landscape, a giant with silver and black stripes appeared before the mountains.

No, it's not a giant.

Its silhouette, hazy and indistinct in the snow, appeared in the distance—a magnificent city built against the mountain.

Red and black flags could be faintly seen fluttering above the city.

Its gray-black walls are dotted with silvery-white snow, and the highest point of the city is located on the top of the mountains. From a distance, it looks like a giant leaning against the snow-capped mountains, standing tall on the northern land, surrounded by many villages and towns.

Over the course of more than ten days, in the vast snowfield, they saw such magnificent traces of civilization for the first time.

Thales gestured for Wyman to stop his restless mount.

He took a deep breath of the cold northern wind, gazed quietly at the imposing and powerful city in the distance, and felt a small surge of excitement in his heart.

Is this the Northern Dragon, the capital of the Kingdom of Exter?

Unbeknownst to them, they had already crossed the Weilan Snowfield and entered a new territory.

“This is the first time you’ve seen such a magnificent sight,” Nikolai rode up to them, a smile playing on his lips, his face filled with nostalgia and reverence. “It is a vast city nestled against the mountains, the largest, most majestic, and most magnificent city in the North, and also the oldest.”

"A sacred place in the hearts of the people of the North."

"Dragon Sky City".

Just then, an untimely humming came from the side.

"It wasn't originally called Dragon Sky City."

Nikolai turned his gaze to the Star Guest who had interrupted.

“It was established as early as the time of the kings and is one of the northern settlements of humankind. In the era of the ancient empire, it was the central capital of the former Northern Province,” Putila said expressionlessly, picking up where Nicolai left off.

"That fortress built against the mountain was originally named Arendeburg. It was the ancestral home of the Arende family, who ruled the North by order of the Emperor. After the collapse of the Empire, it fell into three hundred years of chaos and power struggles. Until one day, the armies of Nekaru and Tormund met nearby and won the first victory in the final war."

“It was Nekaru who led the army to the aid of Tormund, who was in dire straits,” Nikolai shook his head dismissively, “correcting” the Starman’s words with his own insights: “That’s why the battle was called ‘The Reversal of the Cold Wind’—it is said that on an open field near here, Nekaru’s troops marched at lightning speed, almost as if they had fallen from the sky, and crushed the enemy from the rear.”

Thales pursed his lips in exasperation.

Well, it's another minor "disagreement" between the Exter and the Starmen, the Northlands and the Empires.

Moreover—although they are both from the North, Nikolai seems to be even more stubborn than Cambida.

Sure enough, Putila exhaled, her face unconvinced.

"So, how did this place become the capital of Exter?" Thales immediately spoke up, interrupting the "intense discussion" that the two were about to start again.

Nicolai gestured for them to continue, and the commander of the White Blade Guard, while riding his horse, began to speak slowly, like a true host:
"This land, centered around Dragonstreet, belongs to the Walton family—the family from which Nunn VII was born, and also the most prestigious ruling family in Exter, who have passed down the title of Grand Duke of Dragonstreet for generations."

"The human hero, Nekaru Ex, became the lord of this place more than six hundred years ago. Here, he met with the Nine Knights and swore to defend the Northland and their homeland together in the chaos after the final war, and to restore the pride of the Northlanders."

"From that time on, the proud people of the North called their newborn kingdom 'Exster,' and the Exster League was born."

"The following year, the Nine Knights, who had conquered new territories and swept through the lands, returned to this place and together elected Nekaru Ex, a king whom the people of the North sincerely believed in and swore to follow to the death. The Nine Knights then took charge of various regions to protect Dragonstreet City."

"The history of the Alliance ends here, and the history of the Kingdom of Exter begins here."

"Upholding the spirit of alternating rule and fair governance, the supreme ruler of Exeter, the co-ruler king, is chosen from among ten dukes, the rest of whom submit to his authority and commands—this was the oath of co-rule made by Necaru back then, which shows that his prestige and influence continue to this day."

"Because His Majesty Nunn also holds the title of Grand Duke of Dragonstreet, Dragonstreet has become the capital of the entire Exter."

Just then, a messenger from the Black Sand Territory struggled past the White Blade Guards to reach Nicolai and asked him to come and meet Viscount Cambida.

After Nicolai left, Thales turned and looked at Putila.

“You have something to say,” the prince said firmly.

“Of course,” the deputy envoy shook his head with disdain, “Don’t believe our hot-blooded Northern friends. His nonsense about ‘alternating rule and fair governance’ is only good for fooling Northerners. In fact, in the North—or anywhere in the world—power has always spoken and strength reigns supreme.”

“Oh?” Thales chuckled softly. “Now that your hot-blooded northern friend has left, would you mind telling me a little more, my knowledgeable and versatile northern expert?”

Putila reached into his robes to take out his pipe, but whether out of regret for his dwindling supply or a pang of conscience, the former bard hesitated for a few seconds before painfully withdrawing his hand.

He then turned to the second prince and said, “I wonder if you have noticed that the first ruler of Dragonstreet, the first co-ruler of Exter, was Nekaru Ex. But the Dragonstreet we see now is under the rule of Nunn Walton VII.”

Thales quickly realized: "Ex and Walton, those are two surnames—meaning that after Nekaru, those who inherited his name and title were not his direct blood relatives?"

Putila raised an eyebrow and nodded: "The true history, or rather the history recorded in the records that the stars can find, is that the young Nekaru died without having any children, and the position of Lord of Dragonstreet that he left behind was inherited by his nephew, Nunn Walton."

"That was the first Nun after the Walton family became the lords of Dragonstreet, Nun I."

"Since then, the Walton family, marked by the Cloud Dragon Spear, has ruled this land and this city ever since."

"But the bloodline of Nun I led the lords to question his legitimacy and also aroused their covetousness for the throne—no matter how many times he emphasized that his mother was Nekaru's sister, so Nun himself was the closest to the rightful heir of the late King Nekaru, he could not extinguish the ambition of the nine lords—even though they were all models of knights who were loyal to Nekaru in the past."

Thales frowned slightly.

At that moment, he didn't think of Nekaru and his nine knights, but rather of the huge portrait in the center of the Mindis Hall: a young knight, scarred and battered, charging fearlessly with six companions on the battlefield at sunset.

The King of the Restoration of the Stars, Tormund Star I, and his six knights, who are now the prominent ducal families and six great noble families.

Aarond with a white eagle, Cullen with a sun sword and shield, Kevindir with a tricolor iris, Falkenhaus with a four-eyed skull, Southrest with a giant antler stag, and Tebak with a blood moon.

They, even the ancestors of the thirteen noble families, fought alongside Tormund back then.

Were they also "loyal" to the King of Restoration back then?
Just like the nine knights and nine lords behind Nekaru?
"For the rightful succession to the throne of Exter, Nun I of Dragonsreach City clashed violently with the Nine Knights and their descendants," Putila continued. "After the war, the stalemate and confrontation between the major lords lasted for decades. At that time, Exter was almost like ten fragments, nominally one country, but in reality, they were enemies and incompatible with each other."

"During this period, the remnants of the final empire established a tiny new nation on the banks of the Mu River in the south, on the former territory of the Chauvin province. This nation began to rise slowly and continued to expand outwards."

Thales, understanding perfectly, replied, "Tormond I, the King of Restoration?"

“Yes,” Putila nodded, a strange light shining in his eyes: “The Kingdom of Stars.”

"Ultimately, under pressure from the emerging Star Kingdom, King Nuen I and the nine lords reached the final and most awkward compromise."

"With the joint support of the nine lords, Nunn Walton succeeded to the throne of the co-elected king. Nunn I, in the name of the great former king Nekaru, redefined the territory of Exeter and appointed the ten lords, including himself, as the ten legitimate dukes of the Kingdom of Exeter. However, after the death of Nunn I, the throne had to be re-elected among the ten dukes, who would vote to elect a new co-elected king to rule for life. This cycle continued, and the system of electing kings in Exeter was thus established and has been in effect for six hundred years."

"This is the so-called 'Nicaru Co-governance Pledge'—because it is a pledge made by ten people in Naicaru's name, with Naicaru's signature, and ironically, it has absolutely nothing to do with Naicaru."

“Wait a minute,” Thales said, stunned. “The election of the king… I only saw a rough draft in the Mindis Hall… ten dukes voting to choose one of themselves?”

"What if there happens to be a tie? Are there mature systems and procedures to ensure the smooth election of a king through joint nomination at the election meeting?"

Thales recalled a magical movie from his past life, in which pirates elected a pirate king, but every candidate ended up voting for themselves.

“Yes, and it’s simple, direct, and effective, full of the romanticism of the North.” Putila whispered, “It’s a custom inherited from the Empire, inherited from the glorious era of the knights, and it’s continued in Exter to determine the king’s succession when the grand dukes are undecided.”

"A custom inherited from the Empire, determining the succession to the throne?" Thales gripped the reins tighter, startled as he recalled what he'd heard in the Hero's Tavern in Caslan. "You mean..."

“Hmm,” Putila nodded, his eyes filled with complex emotions, and softly uttered a single, yet forceful, word:

"duel."

Thales was stunned.

"When the sacred council of kings is unable to make a final decision, the king candidates with the same number of votes, regardless of age or status, must prove themselves in the arena."

"Prove that you have the courage to be worthy of the King, the spirit to lead the people of the North, the fearlessness to face life and death in a duel, and the victory to stand in the final battle."

Upon hearing this, Thales suddenly recalled the face of Grand Duke Chaman Lumba of the Black Sands, flickering in the firelight, and the worn-out old sword on his desk.

They were, after all, northerners.

Thales suddenly realized that although he had set foot in the territory of the northern Exter, his understanding of them was still in its infancy.

This country in the North, known for its strength and iron will, is far more complex and peculiar than I had imagined.

And I am about to face them.

“Go on,” Thales said solemnly, frowning. “Before meeting them, I would like to learn about the Grand Dukes of Exeter.”

"For example, their relationship with the co-ruler king?"

Putila paused only slightly before nodding and continuing, “The Grand Dukes of Exeter have absolute autonomy over their own territories. Their only obligations are to obey the co-ruled King and to send troops in times of war, as well as to pay taxes regularly and in fixed amounts—although I have heard that many Grand Dukes cannot even do this. Territorial affairs are purely self-determined, and whether or not to accept and implement the King’s decrees throughout the territory depends entirely on the Grand Dukes’ own will.”

“The power of the Grand Duke of Exeter is a bit too much,” Thales said with surprise, taking a slight breath as he walked. “Is it a miracle that Exeter hasn’t split up yet?”

“Yes, that’s why they’re called ‘Archduke’ instead of ‘Duke’ from the Imperial era,” Putila sighed. “In some ways, Exter, born from compromise, is even more divided than our Star Kingdom.”

"Their autonomy within their own territories far exceeds that of the dukes of the Star Kingdom. At the very least, no matter how stingy or unwilling they are, Duke Kulen must allocate a sum of money from the East Sea Territory each year to pay sufficient taxes to Yongxing City and His Majesty. The appointment and dismissal of important officials in the Star Kingdom, as well as the promotion, demotion, and transfer of nobles, must comply with the Sacred Star Kingdom Law and even be reviewed by the Supreme King's decree. Therefore, if the dukes want to interfere in the kingdom's politics, the fastest way is to intervene in the central departments of Yongxing City or to infiltrate the kingdom's local officials through the influence of their territories."

Thales shook his head: "Then what is the point of the co-ruling king? If he can't even control the grand dukes under his command, then why should he be the co-ruling king?"

Putilas pondered for a moment, then answered him earnestly: "For the sake of high prestige, the lord's obedience, and the name of legitimacy."

Thales frowned again.

“This thing works much better in the North than in the Stars. Even the most uncultured Northman knows that the authority of the co-ruling king is inviolable, and the oath of Nekaru is not to be broken,” Putila continued, recalling his knowledge.

"Historically, the dukes of Exeter rebelled three times because they were dissatisfied with the co-ruled king, but each time it ended in failure. No matter how the dukes who raised the banner against the co-ruled king defended themselves, once they openly defied the oath of Nekaru, they would lose the hearts of their subjects. Even the most greedy northerners were unwilling to fight for them. Some ducal families even withdrew from the history of Exeter's rule forever because of this."

Thales gazed at Dragon Sky City in the distance, slowly exhaling a breath of warm air from his cold hands as he pondered deeply.

High prestige.

The legitimate name.

The loyalty of the people.

Traditional culture of the North?
“Too easy.” A few seconds later, Thales said casually.

"Hmm?" Putila looked puzzled.

“I mean, attributing the stability and unity of Exter to the prestige of Nekaru and the character and traditions of the Northlands is too simplistic.” Thales lowered his head, pondering carefully:

"Human behavior and social power structures always influence each other. It is impossible for a situation to exist in which behavior unilaterally reinforces the structure while the social structure has no effect on human behavior. No matter how noble the Northlanders are, how much they revere their ancestors and respect traditions, they cannot maintain such a national system."

"A power structure destined to split and collapse will only have the same effect on the people of the North. They are destined to evolve behaviors and motivations that conform to the structure of the times, under different lords, different interests, and different institutional structures, through the birth and death of generation after generation and social changes."

"Under Exter's strange, divisive system, it's difficult for the Northmen not to become enemies and fight each other."

Correct.

Thales nodded silently.

This is the society he perceives.

However, Exter...

"Do you have any more ideas?" Putila asked, squinting as she pondered Thales's words. "Why don't you share them?"

The second prince pondered for a moment, then uttered, "Stars." Thales raised his head and said confidently, "The Kingdom of Stars."

Putila's eyes flashed, awaiting the prince's answer.

“As you just said, the expansion and power of the stars should have contributed to the stability and unity of Exter to some extent.” Thales patted his mount, causing the horse, which was already at odds with him, to stir.

Wyatt frantically steered his mount back into control, and Thales gave him an apologetic smile.

Thales turned his head and continued, "With such a behemoth to the south, no duke or lord in Exeter can face it alone. They must sit down, coordinate their own contradictions, and unite to fight the enemy."

“That’s a good angle,” Putila nodded approvingly. “Indeed, the existence of the stars has largely restrained and diverted the conflict between the King and the Grand Duke.”

Thales took a deep breath.

Conversely, isn't the existence and threat of Exter also an external factor that brings together the internal forces of the stars?
No.

Thales looked at the city, which was getting closer and clearer, and lowered his head slightly.

The mutual influence between the stars and Exter?

Even this analysis is far from sufficient.

This is not the main reason why Exte has remained in power to this day, nor is it the main reason why the power of the co-ruler king is so stable.

What kind of power has kept the Kingdom of Exter, which should have been a disorganized mess, stable and powerful all the way to this day?
Thales stared at the red and black flag in the distance, squinting his eyes.

----

They encountered the first checkpoint of Dragon Sky City ahead, where the White Blade Guard was negotiating with the enemy. Just then, Thales was greeted by his escorts from the past few days.

“This is the furthest we can take you, Your Highness Thales.” Viscount Kambida of the Black Sand Territory was gathering his troops. He looked at Dragonsky City, which was so close at hand, and sighed, “Fortunately, the journey has been uneventful.”

“Thank you for escorting us all the way—though we didn’t ask for it,” Putila sighed, her face cold. “And thank you for the welcoming ceremony.”

Ignoring Putila's attitude and the hostile gazes of the nearby melee guards, Kambida nodded to Tuleha behind him, signaling that he was ready to leave. Then, turning back to Thales, he said:

"Then we shall part ways. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors in Dragon Sky City."

Thales gazed intently at the Grand Duke of Lombard's advisor.

The efficiency and effectiveness he displayed while commanding the army along the way, as well as the sharp words and unique ideas he showed in the Hero's Tavern, all left a deep impression on Thales.

A few seconds later, the second prince suddenly spoke up: "Why isn't His Excellency the Grand Duke here?"

Viscount Cambida was taken aback.

“His Majesty Nunn extended invitations to all nine Grand Dukes of Exeter, didn’t he? But Lumba didn’t come,” Thales muttered to himself, recalling his recent discussion with Putila.

“You know, King Nunn may want all of Exter to see how the King of the Commonwealth treats the Prince of Stars—starting with a friendly welcome from the White Blade Guard.”

At this moment, what comes to Thales' mind is not the two actual people, Nunn and Lumba, but the two concepts of "co-ruling king" and "grand duke," each representing different powers and ranks within the same social structure, and engaging in a power struggle with each other.

“The Grand Duke has his reasons,” Viscount Cambida responded quickly, “and I believe the Grand Duke has already told you that both you and the Grand Duke are in danger, and only through your sincere cooperation…”

“King Nunn hates him, doesn’t he?” Thales interrupted Kambida under Putila’s strange gaze.

Kambida stopped talking, his face expressionless.

“I suspect that news of what happened in the Star Palace has already reached Dragon Sky City. Although there’s no evidence, the Grand Duke of Black Sand Territory is already implicated in Prince Moral’s death, just like that cold-faced Meteorite said…” Thales said, enunciating each word clearly:
"King Nuen will settle accounts with him sooner or later."

"And what does Rumba plan to do?"

Thales stared intently at Cambida's expression, trying to glean something from it.

Viscount Cambida first frowned slightly, then shook his head gently, a peculiar smile appearing on his lips.

He no longer used a polite but distant tone, but responded with serious and earnest words:

“Black Sand Territory stands on the frontier of Exter and the Stars, confronting the North for centuries. It is not as weak and vulnerable as you imagine,” the Viscount said meaningfully. “And His Majesty Nunn, including the Walton family, cannot extend his power into Black Sand Territory.”

“Moreover, Exter is an elective monarch.” Cambida gave a strange smile. “The Grand Duke is still very young, while His Majesty Nunn…”

Thales' eyes flickered slightly.

That's quite confident of them.

Chaman Lumba.

He recalled their conversation at the Lombard camp.

Only someone like this could be called a "gambler," making even a fortress beauty like Sonia wary of him.

“Very good.” Thales muttered, seemingly unintentionally, “Because I’m young too.”

Cambida stared intently at Thales.

Before his departure, the Grand Duke asked me to give you a message.

Thales looked up.

“Choose your enemies and friends carefully,” Kambida smiled again, tapped his chest, and said, “Compassion and mercy are not the faults of a king.”

"But failing to see things clearly is a great taboo for a king."

Thales frowned and gave a soft hum.

“These words,” the second prince shook his head, “are best left for His Excellency the Grand Duke to use to instruct me when he himself becomes king.”

Kambida nodded with an unchanged smile: "I will convey your words exactly as they were."

Just now.

“People of Black Sand Territory—why haven’t you left yet?” Nikolai approached them and said rudely, “What, you want to take two thousand men to Dragon Sky City for a stroll?”

Marquis Slay followed quietly to the side, chuckling, "Don't mind him, I think Lord Nicolai just speaks in a rather unusual way."

"Walking around?"

“How could I dare? This is, after all, the territory of the Dragonlance family, and the residence of the King,” Kambida said with a wry smile. “We will leave first thing tomorrow morning… If His Majesty is as generous as ever, could you provide us with some…”

“Then get out of here—unless you want to freeze to death in the freezing cold,” Nicolai interrupted Cambida with a cold look on his face, “unless you let Rumba come here himself.”

"Otherwise, His Majesty will not be in the mood to entertain you."

Kambida paused for a moment, then remained silent. He bowed slightly on his horse and rode away calmly.

He was accompanied by an army that stretched for hundreds of meters along the Black Sand Territory.

For a moment, Thales was left with only the delegation and the White Blade Guard.

Facing the majestic Dragon Sky City.

Thales exhaled, turned his head, and looked at the approaching Dragon Sky City. Suddenly, he frowned.

Thales looked at a stone bridge that connected to the top of Dragon Sky City.

The stone bridge was suspended in the air, and the other end led to a huge cliff. The cliff was flat and wide, but unlike the cliffs in Dragon Sky City that were full of buildings, this cliff, although large in area, was completely empty.

He asked in bewilderment, "Why is that giant cliff so flat and empty?"

and also……

"And that large cave behind it, it seems to have been carved out by man?" Thales squinted, looking into the distance.

Srace passed several people and came to Thales.

“That’s the legendary ‘Sky Cliff’,” the Marquis of Commas said, looking at the giant cliff with a frown and shaking his head. “Although I’ve been here many times, the story of that place is still unknown—I heard it’s the exclusive territory of their Queen.”

"Your Majesty the Queen?" Thales, who was observing the cliff, was taken aback and subconsciously asked, "What Queen?"

"What queen?" Nikolai turned his head, his expression peculiar, seemingly slightly displeased:

"Are you joking?"

Thales shrugged, trying to exchange a glance with Putilay beside him, but the latter remained silent with a meaningful look.

“I’ve heard a little about this, about Sky Cliff in Dragon Sky City,” the attendant Huaiya, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up at this moment, “I heard it’s the palace of the ‘First Queen’?”

"The First Queen?" Thales was even more puzzled. He exhaled and looked at Nikolai.

Using a desolate and empty mountain cliff as a temporary palace?

Is it asceticism?
"Whose queen is she, anyway?" Thales pressed impatiently.

“I thought the Prince of the Stars should at least have some knowledge,” Nikolai said sarcastically. “Of course, he should be the savior of the war that ended the world, the greatest hero in human history, the founder of Exter, His Majesty Nekaru Ex… and his queen!”

Thales was completely stunned.

"The Queen of Naikaru?"

Thales frowned slightly, then looked up at the cliff, the Cliff of the Sky.

and many more.

The Queen from 600 years ago?
“Hmm.” Nikolai nodded, his expression solemn and respectful.

"Queen Exeter's legendary first queen."

"In the final battle, His Majesty Nekaru was the most reliable person behind him."

"His comrade-in-arms, his beloved, and his eternal queen when he was crowned king."

"It is also the most sublime and perfect symbol in the hearts of the people of the North for the past six hundred years."

Nikolai looked on with reverence.

Although the guards were masked, Thales could still sense their emotions, which were exactly the same as Nikolai's.

The leader of the White Blade Guard said calmly:
"Although she disappeared without a trace after Her Majesty Nekaru's passing, her legend and myth will forever remain in the hearts of every Exeter."

Nikolai said softly:

"The battlefield legend of Crimson Wings and Azure Flames in the final battle."

"The Queen of Sky - Her Majesty Chloreth."

Thales frowned.

Why the sky?

Could this queen possibly fly...?

and many more.

Thales stared at the massive cliff, his mouth agape.

meeting……

fly……

"You just said... Crimson Winged Azure Flame?" Thales turned around, his face ashen, staring dumbfounded at Nicolai. "The Sky Queen, which means... which means she is a..."

"Ah, that's right."

Nikolai rarely grinned; this usually aloof, serious, and pale-faced man was now filled with glory and pride.
"In the final battle, the great hero, Her Majesty Nekaru Ex..."

Nicolai proudly raised his hand, pointing to an Exeter flag fluttering in the distance.

"...He is a knight."

Thales turned around and stared blankly at the black flag, on which a crimson dragon stood against the wind, baring its fangs and claws.

"Soaring through the skies alongside his beloved Sky Queen, fighting side by side..."

Nikolai's words echoed in my ears:
"Dragon Knight".

I'm back! Seven thousand words right off the bat!
The editor originally suggested that I divide it into three chapters, each with more than two thousand words.

But look how conscientious I am.

I know you are very touched.

Don't get too excited.

I'll be shy.

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(End of this chapter)