Chapter 541 It wasn't just bats that were stealing food.
In the living room of Colin Manor in Thunder City, the expensive velvet sofa is currently suffering undeserved torment.
Clutching the ruffled cushion, Vivian transformed into a grumpy caterpillar.
She was seen rolling around on the large sofa, crawling in the shadows, and making strange, incoherent noises, which frightened the maids in the manor so much that they dared not approach her.
That's a platinum-level "monster" after all; anyone would be intimidated by it.
"Ugh, I'm so angry! I'm so angry!"
The fox-eared maid cautiously put down the freshly refilled cup of red tea, then hurriedly retreated from the living room, which had now turned into a battlefield.
The instant she left, Vivian leaped up from the sofa, her foot in a black stocking stomping wildly on the pillow, as if the mangled "rag" belonged to someone two hundred kilometers away.
Ten minutes earlier, Vivian, who was bickering with Mia, suddenly felt a jolt in her heart. The intense and rapid heartbeat rushed into her mind, causing her cheeks to involuntarily turn crimson.
That was clearly not because of Padric's succubus tricks. Mia, who prides herself on being "mature and elegant," never uses mental attacks on her own initiative. She usually resorts to trickery only when she can no longer defend herself.
It is obvious—
The intense feeling came from her family, their eagerness to share their joy with the whole world, which drove her to the brink of madness with jealousy.
Her heart was pounding wildly!
This is an utter disgrace!
"That white-haired vixen... her heart is beating so fast, Kenken is definitely up to no good!"
Vivian gritted her teeth and muttered, and the sofa finally let out a mournful cry of despair, collapsing under the trampling of the storm.
On the other side of the living room, Mia, wearing a bathrobe, was leaning against a single sofa, her long, slender legs naturally crossed.
She held a thick sheet of paper in her hand, calmly turning a page. Her gaze was focused yet unfocused, serious yet clear, exuding a detached earnestness.
Seeing Vivian scream as she sank into a pile of goose feathers, her brow twitched slightly, but she restrained herself from being impolite and instead slowly yawned.
"Don't the Colin family vampires have anything else to do besides yelling and screaming?"
What a shameless brat.
Unlike the vampires of the Colin family, Mia is a demon with a legitimate job. For example, right now, she is reviewing the business plan that Nana presented to her.
Kiki's performance in "The Bell" generated a response in Thunder City that far exceeded expectations. From the salons of the nobility to the taverns and cafes of the new industrial district, everyone was discussing the touching love story and criticizing the feudal poison that the Os Empire had brought to this land.
Without a doubt, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Inspired by Mrs. Antony, Mia is considering expanding her investment in the Iris Theatre Company to further fuel the flame!
She will no longer limit herself to having succubi from Shanghai perform on the human world stage, but will also have her juniors teach the humans of Thunder City how to charm people and send more talented people to the stage!
They will bring the creativity of the citizens of Thunder City and spread the local thriving culture to the entire northeast coast of the Whirlpool Sea, and even the entire Whirlpool Sea coastal region!
At that time, the name Padridge will become a legend in the arts!
All the stars who are admired by millions regard Miss Yaya Mitia as their "godfather" and fall at her feet!
Hehehe!
Just thinking about it makes me happy!
Mia was extremely pleased with herself for thinking about this. She felt that this job was even more interesting than being the director of the Demon King Management Division. It was just a pity that what her junior Nana had written all night was really obscure and difficult to understand.
But it's okay.
I can wait until my dear comes back and let him, who knows everything, tell me himself.
It was the same back in the Demon King Academy; when she couldn't figure out a problem even after thinking about it for a long time, Luo Yan could often explain it in a single, insightful sentence.
Struggling to her feet from the wreckage of the sofa, Vivian glared at Mia like a cat with its fur standing on end.
"Aren't you... worried at all?"
Mia said lazily.
"Worried? Worried about what?"
“Kukuku…” Looking at the clueless succubus Padric, Vivian suddenly calmed down, lightly covering the slightly upturned corners of her mouth, but unable to hide the wicked smile, “I knew it, no wonder Miss Padric was so calm, after all this time our dear Hell Intelligence Bureau branch chief knew nothing.”
Although the situation on the hero's side is worrying, Vivian is not incapable of enduring humiliation and cooperating with humans for a short while if she can defeat the most threatening succubus, Padric.
“I can’t pretend I didn’t hear that, dear Miss Colin,” Mia narrowed her eyes slightly, closed the stack of documents in her hand, and placed them on her lap. “Perhaps you should explain to me what exactly has been going on with you since just now?”
In the past, Vivian certainly wouldn't have done as she wished, but now it's a "state of war."
"Eileen is back!"
"And then?" Mia replied nonchalantly; she had always known about Eileen's situation.
Xiao Luoyan wrote down every detail in his work report, including how he succeeded, which she could see clearly from behind.
That's just work!
Seeing that this guy's defense was so high, Vivian raised her arm and wiped her mouth.
You've got some skills...
Looks like we need to add another ten percent of our strength!
"And then? She's with my older brother now! And her heart is beating really fast! What could make a hero's heart beat so fast? Could it be running? It can't be sword practice, can it? Kukuku... This is so hard to guess."
This extremely abstract guy wasn't content with just talking; he set up a horse stance on the wreckage of the sofa, stretching his two little arms in front of and behind him in bizarre ways.
Seeing the movements that were even more savage than the lizardmen's war dance, Mia's lazy and composed mask finally revealed a flaw, and a ripple of panic appeared.
I never imagined that the bats in the Colin family would be so vicious; when they go berserk, they even bite their own necks!
Is it really fun to scare yourself?!
"You, you can't scare me!"
Mia swallowed hard, her voice trembling with tension as she tried to find a clue on Vivian's face, and sure enough, the quick-witted Mia found it—
This guy is so calm!
Upon discovering this, Mia's eyes lit up like magic lamps, and she stared intently at Vivian, instantly seeing through her childish and ridiculous trick.
"If... something really happened between them, how could you be so calm! Has poor Miss Colin stooped so low as to resort to sowing discord to achieve her goals? Heh heh heh... what a shameless brat!"
Vivian, standing amidst the wreckage of the sofa, stared in shock, her jaw dropping, and her arms, which had been swaying back and forth, stopped dancing.
"...Are all the succubi in the Padridge family blind? Do I look like I'm being too calm?"
Mia smiled slightly, shifted her crossed legs, and regained her calm and elegant smile.
"I won't fall for your tricks!"
Vivian: "???"
...
Even the genius of the Colin family, no matter how hard he tried, couldn't defeat the idiot of the Padridge family.
Just as Vivian was being attacked from both sides by the "shameless retinue" and the "careless succubus," and was breaking through her defenses alone after her self-destructing wagon attack failed, melodious piano music was echoing in the city hall of Granstonburg.
Golden light streamed down from the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, illuminating the guests who were holding champagne and enjoying their drinks, along with the wall lamps on the marble pillars.
A grand banquet is being held here.
Tonight's banquet is not just a "post-hunt feast" to celebrate the bountiful hunt, but also a celebration ceremony to welcome the heroes home!
Archduke Edward stood in the center of the banquet hall, his wine glass held high, seemingly filled with holy light under the crystal chandelier.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
The loud voice pierced through the banquet hall, and also through the piano variation that was shifting from passionate and stirring to soothing and melodious.
"...Let us raise a toast to those soldiers who have returned from the north! It was they who stepped forward when we needed them most, guarding the northern borders of our duchy and rescuing our sworn brothers from the clutches of chaos and famine! Cheers to the Northern Rescue Army! Cheers to the reborn Twilight Province!"
Edward downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, amidst cheers and well wishes from the guests.
"Cheers to the Northern Rescue Force!"
"Cheers to Princess Eileen!"
Feeling those gazes as if they were spotlights on her, Eileen felt her cheeks burning hot.
It wasn't just because of the eager attention, but also because someone standing in the crowd was smiling and offering her blessings.
As Eileen drank the wine in her glass, her thoughts drifted back to their reunion half an hour earlier at the entrance of Granston Castle City Hall.
Not knowing how to express her longing, she inexplicably threw herself into his arms...
That soul-stirring feeling, as she savored the solid touch, quietly crept back into her heart.
Thump... Thump!
Unable to suppress the shyness that crept into her heart, she hid her entire face behind the rim of the cup.
Tonight, Eileen wore a black off-the-shoulder evening gown, which Teresa had specially chosen for her.
The deep black perfectly outlined the girl's beautiful figure as she grew up, while suppressing the coldness of her silver hair, making her appear noble and captivating under the brilliant lights, even more radiant than usual.
Seeing his sister, who was even more capable than usual, Grand Duke Edward nodded in satisfaction and gladly made her the absolute star of the evening.
Nobles, gentlemen, and ladies lined up to offer their toasts, none wanting to miss this opportunity to make an appearance before the future "princess."
Eileen's palms were sweating with nervousness.
Although she had received royal etiquette training, she shouldn't be unable to handle such a small situation. However, for some reason, her heart was beating unusually fast and she was unusually nervous today.
The influence of the "resonance field" is mutual.
As a vampire's first time serving as a familiar, she had no idea that as she shared her joy with the "First Embrace" who was nowhere to be found, she, as a familiar, was also enduring the "pain" of the "First Embrace's" envy, jealousy, and hatred.
That was really sore and painful.
To suppress the fluttering excitement in her heart, Eileen could only hope to numb her senses with alcohol, forgetting for a moment that she should only drink a little.
By the time she realized it, she was already too drunk to hold her liquor, and her emerald green eyes became hazy, her swaying figure beginning to overlap.
Huh?
I'm actually drunk?
Edward keenly sensed his sister's state, a knowing smile appearing on his face, and quietly approached Colin's side.
"Your Highness, I'm afraid I have to trouble you with a favor. You know it's inconvenient for me to leave here—"
"Okay, leave it to me."
Luo Yan couldn't very well say he was too busy, especially with Eileen's swaying posture, as if she might trip over her skirt at any moment.
He placed the champagne back on the waiter's tray, skillfully weaved through the crowd, and gentlemanly took Eileen's drooping arm.
"Your Highness, you are drunk."
His voice was soft and gentle, and he skillfully deflected the next baron who tried to offer a toast to Eileen, leading her to the edge of the banquet hall.
"I'll take you back to your room to rest."
Eileen did not resist.
Rather, she was more than happy to accept it, so she obediently leaned her weight into that strong arm and let him carry her away from the noisy banquet hall.
"Thank you..." she murmured softly, her head down, hiding the blush creeping up her cheeks. "I... I might be acting a little strange today. I'm not usually like this."
Seeing the barely concealed blush creeping up her swan-like neck, Luo Yan couldn't help but smile, but didn't continue teasing her.
"Perhaps they're just tired."
That wasn't the answer Eileen wanted to hear, but she didn't say anything. She just silently followed beside him, letting him support her as they went upstairs.
The second-floor corridor was quiet and cool, while the hustle and bustle downstairs seemed to be happening in another world.
Luo Yan led Eileen to the guest room.
However, even after the door to the second-floor guest room was gently closed, Eileen still didn't let go; instead, she wrapped her arms even tighter.
Alcohol is the best truth serum.
Things that one cannot normally say or do are all given a sense of rationality in the nerve-wracking incense.
In the dim, ambiguous light, Eileen finally mustered up her courage and put her other arm around Colin's neck, her breath getting closer and closer to his clothes.
"...I...am not tired."
Luo Yan was slightly stunned before he came to his senses. That stubborn voice was a response to the words he had said when he went upstairs.
Just as he was pondering what to say, Eileen lowered her head slightly, hiding the tip of her nose under his shirt.
The pent-up longing in her heart burst forth like a flood, and she felt as if she had returned to that helpless night. Everyone was astonished by her change, but that one person stood before her without hesitation, choosing to believe everything she said without reservation, even in the face of the dwarf's threat.
'I believe in Erin Campbell's character, including her piety, loyalty, courage, generosity, and kindness... and all those wonderful qualities.'
'At the same time, I unconditionally believe every word she says. Things developing this way was definitely not her intention; perhaps… it was all divine will!'
Whether she is human or vampire, I will stand with her!
Those voices still linger in her mind to this day, and they are the greatest motivation that has kept her going in the courtroom until now.
And that next sentence—
'If you're really hungry, you can borrow my neck.'
Let's just assume she's hungry.
She just wanted to hang around his neck right now, not wanting to do anything or think about anything, just wanting time to flow quietly by.
"Could I... stay here a little longer? Just a little while..."
"Of course, Your Highness."
Hearing that soft, slightly trembling voice, Luo Yan remained silent for a moment before replying in a very soft voice.
It was bound to happen sooner or later.
The Demon King's corruption of the hero couldn't just be empty talk; besides, he wasn't exactly a man of principle either. How could a man of principle go to hell?
Luo Yan's heart was actually beating very fast, though he didn't want to admit it.
The evil demon king is not only good at manipulating other people's minds, but also extremely good at deceiving himself, which is why he can always keep a straight face.
Just as Luo Yan was trying to convince himself, the girl who had buried her nose in his clothes slowly raised her head and closed her eyes.
Those trembling eyelashes seemed to hold a crystal-clear longing. Finally, she couldn't resist the throbbing deep in her soul, and tiptoed, slowly moving closer.
As it turns out—
The phrases "I just want to hold you like this" and "I'll just rub against you without going in" are similar in spirit. The desire to have more after getting what you want is human nature; the brave warrior, possessing a legendary aura, is yearning for the next victory!
Luo Yan was still pondering whether to take a step back, but just as he was thinking, a soft touch was already within arm's reach.
After a series of tentative attempts to catch each other, their breaths finally mingled together.
Soft, warm, and carrying the unique fragrance of a young girl, it recklessly squeezed through the gaps in the city wall, like the hoof of a galloping horse.
This time it was the Demon King's turn to open his eyes wide.
Eileen closed her eyes even tighter, and despite her inexperience, she seemed to be using all her strength to wrap her arms around his neck.
"Sizzle—"
The mellow champagne was infused with the sweet and sour taste of strawberries; she must have just tasted a piece of cake, the sweet flavor still lingering in its soft texture.
The atmosphere was so intense at this moment that it almost set the carpet ablaze. The Demon King had been forced against the wall by the hero.
However--
Just as the Demon King's sanity was about to collapse, a crimson light suddenly caught his eye.
The silvery moonlight shone on Eileen's flawless face, and her trembling eyelashes opened a crack in her eyes, still half-asleep.
The clear, vibrant green that sways behind the gaps is no longer there; instead, there is a blissful, even sickly, crimson.
That was an expression Eileen would never show.
That half-closed eye, like a little bat that has tasted the sweetness of meat, seemed to be cheering with joy and delight at "finally getting to eat."
Feeling a plundering force even more greedy and intense than the "Claw of Eternal Hunger," Luo Yan felt his heart almost leap out of his chest and took a step back almost as fast as lightning.
With a soft "thump," Luo Yan, who had distanced himself from Eileen, bumped into the door panel beside him.
Even after fishing all day, he still got bitten by a fish. The demon king, who always manipulated people's hearts with ease, had never been as embarrassed as he was at this moment.
Vivian seemed to realize that she had come at the wrong time, at least not the time for the "victory celebration dance," and her consciousness hurriedly fled from her familiar.
The crimson in Eileen's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a clear bewilderment and a shy blush as she came to her senses.
As before, she had no memory of being possessed; her fragmented memories were still stuck at the moment she boldly kissed him.
Seeing Luo Yan back away in "shock," she thought that her unladylike behavior had frightened him, and her face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato.
"I...I...I'm sorry..."
She frantically pressed her index finger to her lips, her eyes darting around as she stammered her explanation, looking weak and helpless, completely devoid of her previous courage.
Luo Yan took a deep breath, quickly adjusted his expression, and gently reached out to tidy up Eileen's slightly messy hair.
"You're drunk, Eileen."
There was nothing unusual in his voice, only meticulous care.
"Get some rest, we're heading back to Thunder City tomorrow."
Today is the last day of the summer hunt, a royal hunting event that usually lasts only two weeks and doesn't take long.
Eileen lowered her head, twisting her fingers around the hem of her skirt, and softly murmured "Mmm." She felt a mixture of embarrassment that made her want to disappear into the ground and a bittersweet sense of loss.
but--
She didn't regret it.
Just now, she had confirmed Colin's feelings. Although she was startled, he didn't reject her... which clearly meant that he had feelings for her too.
As for what that sense of loss was, she herself wasn't quite sure, and besides, that slight sense of loss was quickly overwhelmed by the overwhelming sweetness...
After settling Eileen in, Luo Yan left the room and gently closed the door behind him.
The corridor was deserted.
The sounds of laughter from the banquet hall could be faintly heard beneath the red carpet, a sound as jarring as the "Kukuku" noise.
Standing in the corridor, the Demon King took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to activate "Butterfly of All Things" and immediately fly back to Colin Manor to teach a brat a lesson.
calm--
It was just a bat secretly licking his nose; it wasn't something to get angry about, much less something to expose the Demon King's trump card.
Moreover, once Vivian figured out his moves, the increasingly aggressive brat would only become more troublesome.
Unlike the Padridge family's idiots, Vivian's learning and adaptability are truly remarkable; she certainly has reason to be proud.
She's a true genius, just spoiled...
After spending about five minutes calming himself down, Luo Yan walked towards his room, whereupon a milky-white ghost quietly floated out.
"Lord Demon King..."
"..."
"...Huh?"
"Huh? What?"
Why didn't you tell Youyou to shut up?
"Shut up, Youyou."
ah!
This is the taste!
As if waiting for those words, Youyou turned into a wisp of white smoke with a satisfied expression, swirling and dissipating into the shadows of the corridor.
The Demon King, on the other hand, felt even more exhausted.
Meanwhile, two hundred kilometers away at Colin Manor, a piercing scream, loud enough to shatter glass, startled the crows perched on the treetops, causing them to flee in panic.
"Kukuku!!!"
A dark figure landed on the rooftop like lightning. Facing the full moon, Vivian wore a wicked and intoxicated smile.
Hearing the noise from the rooftop, Mia rushed outside the manor and saw Vivian opening her arms to embrace the moon.
That crazed expression didn't seem like acting.
Without a doubt—
The vampires in the Colin family have finally lost their minds.
"What's wrong with you now?!"
Looking at Padridge, the loser, standing on the lawn of the manor, Vivian lazily narrowed her eyes, like a cat that had eaten its fill, and lightly brushed her tongue across her lips.
"Kuku...you, a succubus cook, would never understand."
“…?” Mia looked at the deranged Vivian with suspicion, and was about to retort, but for some reason, she had a bad feeling.
That was Patrice's intuition; the blessing of the demon god was reminding her as if she were facing an unprecedentedly severe trial.
Vivian ignored her, because the loser didn't deserve to step onto the victor's stage; he only deserved to kiss the strong man's shoes.
Praise the demon god Bayel!
From today onwards, Vivian is an adult!
I don't know why, but my chest still hurts a lot, and it's getting worse!
...
The loneliness that follows victory always leaves one feeling empty, especially when that emptiness gradually turns into a bitter, aching pain.
That was Eileen's body after all.
The Colin family vampire once again tore himself to shreds, leaving him riddled with holes... and finally let out a mournful wail as he fell off the roof, landing in the arms of a bewildered Padric's succubus.
However, Vivian wasn't left with only disappointment. At least one thing was the same for her and her family: they would all be facing a sleepless night.
Luo Yan finally returned to Prince Colin's room; the short distance had taken him a long time to traverse.
Shutting out the last faint noise, Luo Yan let out a long breath, trying to dispel the palpitations brought on by the kiss.
Just as he turned to walk towards the bed, the shadow that had been still in the corner of the room suddenly began to move without warning.
Without a sound, a slender and agile figure silently emerged from the darkness.
"Lord Demon King."
Sarah knelt on one knee, her tight black night clothes perfectly concealing her presence, her smooth black hair falling over her shoulder.
Although her expression remained calm, Luo Yan could tell from the cat ears swaying gently on her head that his subordinate was in a good mood today.
"What's wrong, Sarah? Did you not like the food at the banquet?"
“I simply dislike noisy places, Your Majesty. Besides, I have more important matters to report to you than to waste time with those insignificant fellows.”
Sarah paused for a moment before respectfully continuing.
"As per your instructions, I have assisted Gregar in completing the personnel screening, and the intelligence network known as 'Stigmata' has successfully taken root in the capital of the Kingdom of Ryan. In addition, we have discovered that we are not alone; Duke Campbell's men have also arrived there."
“They were a group of defeated soldiers who had been crushed by Sir Wesley’s new army during the Winter Coup. Edward trained them, and now they are in contact with the stonemasons who yearn for the Republic… Those men have been suppressed by the Royal Guard and are increasingly dissatisfied with Theodore.”
"As for the Twilight Province, everything remains the same as before. Governor Elaric is further expanding the influence of the Council of Light. And the Salvation Army, as you arranged, is transferring its local influence to the rightful rulers and shifting its focus to a larger battlefield."
Her voice was clear and cold, devoid of any extraneous emotion, as she gave her master a detailed report on the final work in the Twilight Province and the Kingdom of Ryan.
Luo Yan gently moved his index finger, causing the teapot on the table to float up. He poured himself a glass of water and then stood by the window, listening quietly.
“Also, regarding Brennan,” Sarah paused, her tone unusually calm, “that former leader of the Green Forest Army is very capable; he has now become the de facto leader of the Salvation Army. Today, the nobles of the entire Kingdom of Lane are cursing the greed and shamelessness of the Devalu family, while the people of Twilight Province are also seething with anger at the king who ignores their suffering.”
“Very well, we don’t need to concern ourselves with the rest. We can leave it to the locals. Once the railway in Earl Spinor’s territory is completed, it’ll be about time we run into our old ratmen friends… The dwarves say that the coal mines beneath their feet are quite large.”
Luo Yan nodded in satisfaction, turned to look at his capable subordinate who had been silently protecting him in the shadows, and said with a smile.
"Thank you for your hard work these past few days, Sarah. It's really a waste of your talents to have you keeping an eye on things in a place like Twilight City all this time."
As is customary, Sarah would probably say "It's not hard work" and then disappear back into the shadows of the room.
However, today the Demon King's "chess pieces" and "pets" seem to be acting strangely, not following the usual pattern.
The cat ears standing upright on its head trembled slightly, then slowly lowered, and its usually taut, cold and aloof face relaxed for a moment.
"Lord Demon King..."
"What's wrong?"
"Um...I..."
She kept her head down, but her hands unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes, and an unnatural blush appeared on her cheeks.
"I'd like a little reward too, maybe something a bit unreasonable, but please turn a blind eye... is that alright?"
That calm voice sounded anything but calm, even carrying a rare hint of coyness, like a cat tucking its paws to its chest before a hunt.
Upon hearing this, Luo Yan's hand holding the water glass trembled slightly, and he almost dropped it.
The lingering fear from being "backdoor listed" in the next room hadn't subsided when alarm bells rang in his mind again.
What's wrong with me today?
Unlike before, this time Sarah didn't wait for him to speak. Instead, she imitated Eileen's actions and flashed to the Demon King's chest.
"puff……"
With a soft thud, her forehead pressed against the Demon King's chest, and then she took a deep breath, somewhat with a sense of revenge.
"hiss--"
An epic lung-crossing experience has been completed.
Sarah's face showed a blissful, dreamy expression, and her taut cat ears relaxed along with her drooping shoulders.
The air in the room seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Luo Yan vaguely heard a comfortable snoring sound coming from his chest, a sound full of satisfaction.
Well……
That's it?
Luo Yan chuckled, but then he remembered Sarah's efforts over the past year, and his chuckle softened.
He placed the water glass on the windowsill and gently patted Sarah's shoulder, just as he had patted Eileen's shoulder at dusk earlier that day.
He could roughly guess that this was what Sarah wanted.
"Thanks for your hard work……"
Feeling the warmth on her shoulder, Sarah snapped back to reality, and a flush of heat instantly ignited at the tips of her ears.
"I...I'll go patrol for you!"
The figure moved as fast as the wind. She stammered out those words and sprang back like a squirrel whose tail had been stepped on, retreating into the shadows of the corner as if making a hasty retreat, leaving only a faint trace of embarrassment in the air.
Looking at the empty room, Luo Yan smiled and shook his head, picked up the water glass from the windowsill again, and drank the moonlight reflected in the glass in one gulp.
"Looks like I won't be getting any sleep tonight."
Back on the bed, Luo Yan crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and prepared to enter meditation.
The real "trouble" came after they returned to Thunder City.
He still hasn't figured out how to proceed with this play, and for now, he can only take it one step at a time...
(End of this chapter)
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