Chapter 357: Three Days in the Sky, Holy Sword [Durandel], Death and Immortality! (7K)
It is a hot summer in August, with the sun scorching.
The earth was steaming with rolling heat waves, and the sun was scorching the withered yellow grass.
At the end of the horizon, a flag with the red rose family emblem appeared, and a warhorse carrying a knight in silver armor, followed closely by a huge army.
A long, shrill cry was heard from the sky, and a majestic griffin flapped its wings and landed right in front of the marching troops.
The knight stroked the griffin's head, turned over and left the saddle, knelt on one knee in front of the silver-armored knight, and reported:
"Your Excellency, I have made careful inquiries. There is no one guarding Stamford Bridge. The road ahead is clear!"
Edward Lannister took off his mask, his stern face slightly pale, and whispered: "Don't be careless, continue to send people to investigate, be careful of the illusionist's trap."
"Yes, sir!"
The knight rode the griffin, flapped its wings, and went out for reconnaissance again.
A handsome knight with soft short golden hair, wearing light armor and a white satin cloak, rode a snow-white unicorn to the side of the Duke of Lannister and whispered:
"Once we cross Stamford Bridge, we will soon see Lunduta..."
There was a genuine compassion gleaming in the eyes of Knight Commander Phoenix.
"Hopefully, not too many people will die this time."
Duke Lannister closed his mask without making any comment and said in a muffled voice, "Your Majesty Duorlando has not received the support of the Mages Guild. Most of the mages I can invite to help are inferior guys. If we encounter an enemy who is good at magic, we will have to rely on your divine power."
The Mages Guild advocates separation from the world and does not encourage its mages to interfere with royal power. When the ban is the strictest, any mage who participates in secular wars will be expelled from the Mages Guild.
Therefore, mages are rarely seen on the battlefield, and most of the duels and fights are between knights.
However, there are also some mages who pursue fame and fortune. They would surrender to the nobles and establish military merits in exchange for the resources needed for cultivation.
However, most of these mages are not well-trained and cannot gain much advantage against knights, making it difficult for them to dominate the battlefield.
The Holy See and its knightly orders actively participate in the competition for secular power. After the current Pope Rodrigo ascended the throne, the situation has intensified. There are many bishops who hold both clergy and secular titles. Rodrigo's controversial illegitimate son, Cardinal and Duke of Valentino, and head of the College of Cardinals, Cesare, is one example.
"Since I have promised His Excellency the Duke, I will definitely do my best."
It was a hot, windless midsummer day. The blond knight on the unicorn seat looked back at the flagging flag and whispered:
"In fact, I have a way that may boost morale. Your Excellency the Duke, do you want to try it?"
"What's the solution? Tell me about it." Lord Lannister tilted his head and said.
Phoenix opened his lips slightly, and the silent communication fell into Edward's ears, which immediately made a strange color flash in his eyes. He nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Knight Commander!"
"It's just a small favor."
Phoenix chuckled, raised his bright ocean-blue eyes, and looked up at the dazzling sun under the sky.
Immediately, Phoenix's eyes glowed golden, and a strange divinity filled the realm of creation, causing ripples in the magic web.
Divine arts are essentially contrary to magic.
The source of its spellcasting does not come from the magic network, but from the holy light.
Many magical spells can heal, cause hallucinations, and kill, but divine spells can also do the same, but the casting principles are not the same.
Phoenix raised his right hand and waved his slender fingers lightly, as if playing invisible strings. Suddenly, ripples appeared on the sky as if on the water.
The next moment.
Like a flower in a mirror, the sun was covered with a halo, and the light refracted the sunlight. Soon, three suns appeared in the sky at the same time! Three suns in the sky!
In an instant, uproar spread among the troops in the rear.
The soldiers looked either terrified or shocked, and the army stopped moving forward for a moment!
"Divine art, sun illusion."
Phoenix said calmly, "It is said that before the Lord brings down divine punishment, he will warn the world with a three-day sky. Any illusion will melt like ice and snow before this high-hanging sun."
As he spoke, Phoenix looked ahead at the Derwent River, the calm river stretching across his path, and a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Just now the Griffin Knight said there is no ambush ahead, but I don't think that's true. There may be someone skilled in illusion among the enemies, but I can't hide it from them."
Sure enough, under the illumination of the sun dog, the vast amount of dust that was raised on the originally empty plain looked like wild horses galloping, making people wonder how many troops were ambushed ahead!
Lord Lannister was secretly frightened. He tightened his grip on the reins and said in a hoarse voice, "It seems that there is really an ambush ahead!"
Who is it?
Who discovered my marching route and set up an ambush here in advance? Suddenly, the well-known name rang in his mind. Duke Lannister exhaled and said coldly: "After all, our enemy is the chosen one of God. I am not surprised that he has such means, but..."
"You are still one step ahead and saw through his trick in advance!"
Looking at the blond knight, Edward Lannister's tone was quietly filled with admiration.
Phoenix shook his head. As the Knight Commander of the Knights, he calmly analyzed:
"It's really fake, it's really fake. There may not be an ambush ahead. Someone just set up illusions in many places to confuse us and delay our march. They can wait for the troops to gather and form an encirclement around us."
"Since we have already decided to cross the Derwent River, it is too late to move now. Speed is of the essence. Regardless of whether there is an ambush ahead, we should break through quickly and head straight for Lundu!"
"As for now..." Phoenix paused, looked at the sight of the three suns in the sky, and said, "Your Excellency the Duke, please give a speech to boost morale!"
Edward Lannister's breathing became rapid.
As long as he takes control of Lundu, it will only be a matter of time before he takes control of Lundu with the knights and magic cannons under his command.
And as long as he supports the ten-year-old Dolman to ascend the throne, he will climb to a height that no one in the Lannister family has ever reached!
After looking at Phoenix deeply, Edward nodded gratefully and then looked back at the restless army.
Clang! Edward Lannister drew his sword and said solemnly: "Three suns in the sky symbolize the unity of three suns. It is a miracle from God, favoring us and asking us to save the kingdom from the dire straits!"
"With such a miracle, victory is a matter of course! Everyone, follow me and take back the throne that originally belongs to His Majesty Du Orlando!"
With the spectacular buildup and the speech of the Duke of Lannister, the chaotic army soon calmed down and burst into amazing morale.
The soldiers raised their spears high, raised their arms and shouted, like a mountain roaring and a tsunami, gathering into an unstoppable force, and the rumbling of their footsteps on the ground shook the mountains and the sea! Stamford Bridge.
The silver-armored knight rode on a snow-white warhorse, his cloak fluttering in the wind, holding a lance, guarding the bridge alone.
As far as the eye can see, the three suns in the sky are shining with magical light.
Ye Zhi's eyes narrowed slightly, and he felt awe-inspiring in his heart.
No one knows where this kind of divine power was stolen from, but it is most likely related to the death of the God of Light.
The one who could see through my illusion was most likely the Six-Ring Master under the command of Duke Lannister, or perhaps a knight from the Vatican.
but.
Since Gayeborg came into my hands, he has not had many real duels.
Today is the day to let the spears bleed!
On both sides of Stamford Bridge, the riverbed was dry and rocks were exposed. At the end of the plain on the other side of the bridge, the dull sound of horse hooves like thunder could be heard, rumbling and shaking.
More than four hundred years ago, the Ice Sea people, led by the 'Pirate King', landed on the coast of the Golden Lion Kingdom and fought a decisive battle with the ancestor of the Lionheart King, the 'Conqueror King', at the strategic location 'Stamford Bridge'.
Both of them were the strongest knights in the world. The battle started from the bridge and spread to the sky, causing the riverbed to collapse and the sea of clouds to surge.
In the end, the Pirate King was defeated and was beheaded by the Conqueror King.
That stunning battle known as the 'Battle of Stamford Bridge' brought two hundred years of peace to the Kingdom of Golden Lions!
Also at Stamford Bridge.
Ye Zhi clenched the spear in his hand, listened to the sound of horse hooves getting closer, his chest rising and falling, and adjusted his breathing.
Waiting for this battle to decide the future of the kingdom!
At the end of the horizon, a banner of House Lannister appeared.
The wind was howling, and the dust it raised made the dark clouds weigh down, and a solemn atmosphere enveloped the place.
Edward Lannister suddenly pulled the reins and looked at the figure blocking the bridge, a hint of surprise flashing through his heart.
Lord Honeysuckle! He is standing here alone! What does this mean? Does he think he can stop my army by himself? In an instant, Lord Lannister's face became extremely gloomy.
He thought Yeats would intercept him here, but he didn't expect him to be so arrogant and dare to guard Stamford Bridge alone! He was really overestimating his own abilities! "Duke Lannister——"
The silver-haired knight's calm voice, carrying fluctuations of magic power, echoed over the army like thunder, bringing an indescribable sense of oppression.
"Yates Brown, I have been waiting for you here for a long time!"
The army hesitated to move forward, and the soldiers looked at the figures in front of them with fear or surprise, and talked among themselves.
Yeats of the Bronte family, the famous Duke of Honeysuckle, had long been famous throughout the kingdom as the minstrels spread his deeds! His famous name could be heard in the taverns, and even the illiterate conscripts knew his legend.
And it is such a hero that must be fought against! The well-known reputation caused the morale that had been boosted to suddenly drop to the freezing point, and a strange silence enveloped tens of thousands of troops!
Edward Lannister took off his mask, revealing a sneer on his gloomy and stern face.
"Are you alone?"
Ye Zhi raised the pitch-black spear in his hand, pointed the tip of the spear into the distance, looked at him with contempt, and spoke each word with emphasis.
"It's more than enough to deal with you."
Suddenly, a surge of anger suddenly ignited in Lannister's chest. His face was as gloomy as water, and he said sarcastically:
"You think you can stop me and my knights by yourself? You think too highly of yourself, hero!"
Yeats smiled gently.
"Your Excellency the Duke, it seems that your intelligence is quite backward!"
Lord Lannister was stunned.
Suddenly, a surge of will emerged from Ye Zhi, invisible deterrence pressed on everyone's shoulders, and the master-level aura caused the magic power in the creative field to riot!
Suddenly, Lannister's face changed drastically.
Ye Zhi actually became a six-ring master? !
But how old is he? What is the reason for this! He forced himself to calm down, his face became extremely ugly, and his voice became hoarse when he remembered Earl Humphrey's high evaluation of Yeats.
"You have really been promoted to Master..."
Edward Lannister asked with an icy voice, "Who is helping you? Is it the Mages Guild interfering in the secular world?"
A master who is only seventeen years old!
Even though he was an enemy of Yeats, the Duke of Lannister could not help but feel horrified! Looking across the entire continent, there was only one example of a six-ring master under the age of twenty! The Duke of Honeysuckle not only broke the record of the youngest master, but also cast a deep shadow over the battlefield!
This is really unbelievable.
The only possibility Edward could think of was the help given to him by his teacher Kendara, one of the Seven Councils.
For a time, Ye Zhi's threat to Lannister was greatly increased. Just as he had obtained the help of the Holy See Knights, Ye Zhi was most likely backed by the Mages Guild! Ye Zhi's eyes were cold and his words were clear: "You don't deserve to know."
Lannister's face twitched slightly, and he tried his best to suppress the anger in his chest and forced a sneer.
"Duke Honeysuckle is such a genius, I really admire him! Then, please stay here forever!"
After saying this, the Lord Lannister turned his gaze to the blond knight beside him, and the deep meaning in his eyes was self-evident.
Knight Commander Phoenix frowned.
"I never kill anyone."
"You just need to capture him." Lord Lannister gritted his teeth, "This is also for faith!"
Phoenix sighed, holding the reins of the unicorn, and came to the end of the bridge. He looked at Ye Zhi at the bridge head, put his hand on his chest, and said calmly: "The battle of the six rings is extraordinary. If you kill a mortal, you will inevitably be cursed by fate. Please allow me, who is also a six ring, to be your opponent!"
Ye Zhi looked at the blond knight on the unicorn and sensed an astonishing aura from him.
"Tell me your name."
"Phoenix, the sword of immortality, Phoenix."
Ye Zhi was secretly shocked and felt surprised.
It turned out to be him? Phoenix, the "Oathbreaker" who betrayed the Church in the original plot! Phoenix has fought for half his life, never killed anyone, and is good at healing. He was named "the Immortal Sword". Later, he became the Grand Master of the Hospitaller Knights and possessed one of the three holy swords, the Immortal Sword [Durandel], which was once the sword of the Paladin Roland.
He originally followed the order of the Holy See and joined the battlefields of various kingdoms to do dirty work for the nobles, but because he witnessed too much fighting, his soul was tortured.
Later, the Vatican organized a team called the "Children's Crusade" and used children to assassinate politicians, which became the last straw that broke the camel's back for Phoenix.
He joined the Assassin's League in Rome's underground and vowed to kill only one person in his life, making Pope Rodrigo his only target. He appears in the card pool with two illustrations: 'Immortal Sword' and 'Oathbreaker'.
The name Phoenix also means "Phoenix" and "rebirth from the ashes". Breaking one's oath actually becomes an opportunity for rebirth from the ashes.
Unexpectedly, the one who supports the Lannister cause is Phoenix. It seems that it is not the time for him to betray the Church yet.
Yeats's eyes were deep.
When Phoenix became a Forsworn, the rebel army he led caused great trouble to the Papal States.
There is no need to kill Phoenix right now. After all, killing him will do more harm than good in the long run.
Please...collect 6...9...books...!
But he must be defeated to prevent the Lord of Lannister from leading his army to the royal city! As the Grand Knight of the Knights, Phoenix's swordsmanship should not be underestimated, but the fighting skills taught in Skach have enabled Yezhi to have the best spearmanship in the continent!
"Come!"
Ye Zhi raised his spear, his fierce aura materialized into a violent gust of wind, and said fiercely: "Fight with me!"
"That's exactly what I meant!"
Buzz——
The unicorn was surging with sharp golden light, unstoppable, and charged forward carrying the Phoenix.
Clang! The spear surged with purple-red energy and suddenly thrust out, colliding with the sword in Phoenix's hand, bursting out dazzling sparks.
His eyes fell on Phoenix's sword, and Ye Zhi's eyes flashed, and he said, "Durandel?"
The end of Durandal's hilt was adorned with a brilliant ruby, the hilt was forged from gold, the blade glowed like the morning light, and was engraved with glowing runes.
This sword, Durandal, which originally belonged to the Paladin Roland and should have been one of the greatest treasures of the Roland Kingdom, has now appeared in Phoenix's hands!
Phoenix's mouth curled up sharply: "You have good vision!"
But the next moment, a look of surprise flashed across Phoenix's eyes. Yeats's spear stabbed at him from a tricky place like a poisonous snake. Phoenix was forced to bend down to dodge, but he immediately changed the momentum of his spear and stabbed downward with an incredibly fast movement, like lightning breaking through the wind!
Phoenix's heart trembled, and he drew his sword to block, and successively parried the spear tip that Yezhi stabbed at his eyes, throat, and heart.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Sparks flew everywhere, and it was dangerous! The distance between the two mounts crossed and widened. The previous battle ended with Phoenix suffering a loss, which fell into Lannister's eyes and made him frown.
Ye Zhi has only been promoted to Master for a short time, but he can actually fight against Phoenix without losing? No, Phoenix must be observing Ye Zhi's moves and preparing to defeat him with one strike! Thinking of this, Lord Lannister's brows relaxed a little.
Phoenix looked at Ye Zhi, the surprise in his eyes still not gone, and nodded:
“Great marksmanship!”
Ye Zhi did not respond, the white colt neighed and came rushing on the wind!
As he charged, Ye Zhi swept his spear across, and the pitch-black spear was wrapped with surging purple-red energy, like a violent thunder, and the powerful spear smashed into the unicorn's flank! Boom! !
The unicorn was swept up by a terrifying force, wailing as it flew backwards and fell heavily on the exposed rocks on the riverbed.
At the same moment, Phoenix had to give up his unicorn mount, and dodged, his body burning with fighting spirit, and flew into the air!
Looking down from a high place, with the holy sword in his hand shining with a cold light, Phoenix looked down at Yeats, and the ease on his face had been replaced by severity.
Is this guy really only seventeen years old? His spear skills are really weird, definitely a master's accomplishment!
His thoughts were as fast as lightning, and the long sword in Phoenix's hand continuously slashed out three sword beams carrying holy fire, and a surging heat wave roared towards him!
Bang! Ye Zhi swung his spear, sweeping away the terrifying gust of wind and dissolving the sword beams one by one.
The heat wave spread in all directions, and the aftermath of the battle swept the Lannister army, causing chaos! The Duke of Lannister looked grim and frightened.
This is the battle between six-ring masters! The aftermath alone is unbearable for those with lower rings! Ye Zhi actually possesses such strength, which is a hundred times better than his father's generation! Suddenly, the Duke of Lannister felt a little regretful. If he had won over Ye Zhi in advance and tried to draw him to his camp...
But this idea was quickly dispelled. Lannister took a deep breath and hoped that Phoenix could capture Yeats as soon as possible!
At the same moment.
Yeats spread the wings of the god of poetry, fired his gun as fast as lightning, and rushed towards the Phoenix in the sky!
Ding! Ding! Ding! Terrifying energy surged in the sky, rolling up the sea of clouds. In an instant, the two of them attacked each other for ten rounds. Phoenix felt his palms go numb, and his arm holding the sword was shaking. His thoughts were like lightning.
I can't figure out his moves at all.
Who was the teacher who taught him the art of spear?
Could it be that his spearmanship skills are even higher than the master level? !
Phoenix is good at healing and has an endless supply of fighting spirit. Ye Zhi did not use the fighting spirit of the night, but relied on his quasi-grandmaster-level spearmanship to firmly suppress Phoenix's counterattack.
Suddenly, the air pressure became even lower, and white holy flames surged on the edge of Phoenix's sword. Different from the golden flame of judgment, this holy fire is a common combat skill of the Holy Light Knight, and Phoenix also has the powerful strength to use the six-ring combat skill! The holy flames tore through the clouds, and the high temperature made the air boil. Phoenix's "combat skill·Holy Flame Blade" seemed to ignite the sea of clouds, and the sky was full of rosy clouds, sweeping towards Ye Zhi!
This shocking scene made the soldiers under Lannister's command look up with fear in their eyes.
Earl Humphrey couldn't help but let out a hiss.
It was hard to imagine that the gentle and courteous doctor in the wounded camp could possess the terrifying power to ignite the sea of clouds with one sword! The holy blade roared with fire, but Ye Zhi was even faster! Shadow Spear Kill, a skill passed down by the Queen of Shadow Realm, Skah, had not appeared on the continent for nearly a hundred years.
Ye Zhi's figure suddenly jumped up, leaving an afterimage on the spot. This astonishing speed made Phoenix's eyes flash with surprise, and it was difficult to tell the truth from the false for a moment!
The shadow and the real body thrust out the spear at the same time. The shadow was quickly burned to ashes by the holy flame, but Ye Zhi's real body flashed to the back of the Phoenix, and facing the unprepared Phoenix, he blasted out with a thunderous spear force!
A strong sense of crisis quickly surged up, and Phoenix immediately turned around to meet the enemy. The blade of the immortal sword [Durandel] once again accurately blocked Ye Zhi's attacking spear tip!
Ye Zhi snorted coldly, and regardless of anything, he suddenly exerted force with his arm, and the tip of the gun, which had been stagnant, moved forward again! Snap!
Phoenix's eyes showed surprise.
I watched helplessly as the blade of the holy sword engraved with runes shattered into powder!
The magic spear Gajeberg spit out scarlet spear light, piercing through Phoenix's body protection fighting spirit, hitting his chest, forcing him to fall from the sea of clouds! Suddenly.
There was a cry of surprise among the army.
Lord Lannister stared with his eyes wide open in disbelief, his face ashen as he looked at the Phoenix falling from the sky.
How is this possible? ! Phoenix's sword was shattered by Yeats!
He had just been promoted to the Sixth Ring not long ago, how could his strength reach such an astonishing level! When he fell.
The trance in Phoenix's eyes was soon replaced by determination. A bright white light appeared in the palm of his hand, and he pressed this light into his chest.
His injuries healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. He managed to stabilize his body. The right hand holding the broken sword burned with white flames. A burst of crystal light gathered on the broken sword edge, and the Immortal Sword [Durandel] was restored to its original state! Durandel was named Immortal because no matter how much damage it suffered, it could be restored immediately.
But Durandal's texture is extremely hard, and it has a defensive power even more amazing than dragon scale armor.
Ye Zhi forcefully crushed Durandal, which made Phoenix's eyes full of surprise. He looked up at the silver-haired knight who was looking down at him, and said in a serious tone: "You are a respectable opponent, Lord Honeysuckle, so I will also use my full strength!"
Such is the declaration.
The runes carved on Durandal seemed to suddenly come alive.
These runes surrounded the blond knight, and gathered beside him into a diamond-like barrier, just like the [Indestructible Barrier] that protected the hero Roland in the epic! Seeing this, the Duke of Lannister's heart was relieved and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Paladin Roland is the founder of the Roland Kingdom. To this day, the dueling and romantic culture of the Roland Kingdom is still influenced by Roland.
He claimed to be blessed by God, and no attack could work on him. This was precisely because of the powerful protection provided by the 'Immortal Sword' Durandal! No matter how strong Ye Zhi's attack was, it was impossible to penetrate the Immortal Barrier!
Under the sky.
Ye Zhi raised the magic spear Gayeberg and looked down at the Phoenix surrounded by the diamond-colored barrier, with the teachings of his teacher Skach echoing in his mind.
"Kayeberg, the moment it is thrown, it will surely bring doomed death to the enemy!"
Gajeburg and Durandal.
Spear and shield.
Mortality and immortality.
Ye Zhi gripped the gun handle tightly and held the pitch-black magic gun high. Dark purple surging energy was wrapped around the gun handle, and his eyes suddenly became stern.
Suddenly.
The magic spear turned into a dark lightning, tearing the sky apart, falling like a meteor, carrying the force of thunder, and smashing into the indestructible barrier around Phoenix!
"it's useless."
The Immortal Barrier firmly blocked the magic spear and kept the terrifying Gun Munger outside the barrier.
Phoenix said coldly:
"No one can break the Indestructible Barrier, not even you!"
However.
Phoenix looked up at Yeats's disdainful eyes, and suddenly a bad premonition arose in his heart.
However, the cloak of the Duke of Honeysuckle fluttered in the wind, his eyes were sharp, and he said in a stern voice:
"Break it for me...!"
The power of the magic spear Gajeborg had not yet dissipated, and the tip of the spear penetrated deeper and deeper into the immortal barrier. With a chilling sound of shattering, cracks quickly spread across the entire barrier! Phoenix was stunned on the spot, looking at the incredible scene in front of him, his voice trembling.
“This…how is this possible?!”
Crack! ! The entire immortal barrier quickly cracked and turned into powder!
The magic spear, with tremendous force, hit Phoenix's chest. He suddenly vomited blood and fell from a high altitude as if his string was broken. He landed right on the Stamford Bridge with a loud bang, smashing the entire bridge. The river water splashed and dust flew!
The army was completely silent, and deathly stillness spread throughout the ranks.
The Lord of Lannister's lips trembled as he looked up at the figure in the sky. Fear was like a poisonous snake gnawing at his heart!
All ambitions were shattered, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings. The bitterness turned into pain, and the Duke of Lannister's nails dug deeply into his palms.
"Oh no, Your Excellency the Duke!"
Earl Humphrey said hurriedly: "There are enemies behind us! Phocas led the Frostwolf Cavalry to outflank us!"
Yeats's men again, Yeats again! Lord Lannister covered his chest, his face as white as paper, his body swaying, and he said hoarsely:
"Quick, take Knight Commander Phoenix and retreat!"
Boom! Ye Zhi fell like a cannonball, stepped on the unconscious Phoenix, pulled out the magic spear stuck in his chest, raised the gun flower, and looked at the Lord Lannister with a smile.
"Where are you going? Or should I give you a ride?"
The army fell into chaos, shouts of killing were deafening in the rear, and fear and panic spread among the army.
"Oh no, Your Excellency, Duke Vic has also arrived with his troops!"
"Our escape route has been completely cut off, Your Excellency the Duke, what should we do?"
"Sir, surrender now and save your descendants!"
"You...Yeats..." The Duke of Lannister was filled with despair and fear. He vomited blood, his eyes went dark, and he fell off his horse.
The setting sun in the sky is blood-red.
Ye Zhi glanced at the still-breathing Phoenix, picked up the Immortal Sword [Durandel], and muttered to himself:
"This sword is very similar to the one I lost before."
Putting the item into the storage ring and ignoring Phoenix, Ye Zhi looked up at the sunset.
"Next... we should prepare for Queen Theresa's coronation ceremony!"
(End of this chapter)