“Co on. I can handle everything. This is the Magic Tower, after all.” Shaela scoffed lightly, exuding confidence. “More importantly, Lucion…”
Shaela’s smile abruptly disappeared, her tone turning serious.
Lucion instinctively swallowed a dry gulp.
[Heint did well, so we probably weren’t discovered,] Russell reassured, as if sensing Lucion’s concern.
‘That’s exactly my point,’ Lucion thought.
Heint had thoroughly maintained Lucion’s cover as “Hal,” providing excuses like tending to his illness or simply accompanying him. Thanks to his efforts, both Lucion and Hu felt more at ease.
“About Hal.”
“H-Hal…?”
“Yes, Hal, the leader of the organization Ale.”
“Oh, him? I know of him.”
“Have you ever seen him in person?”
“No, I haven’t. The only person I’ve t is the acting leader, soone nad Kran.”
“I see. He reminds of you.”
Shaela casually rolled her eyes, shaking her crossed legs.
“That Hal guy, I an.”
[Her intuition is too sharp!]
Bethel’s shock was evident in her voice.
[Indeed,] Russell agreed, pursing his lips.
[‘If even Shaela noticed so quickly, then Carson, who’s been around Lucion consistently, must have realized it by now.’]
If Shaela, who hadn’t seen Lucion in a while, could sense it imdiately, it was likely Carson had picked up on even more.
“Similar, you say…?”
Lucion’s expression faltered as cold sweat trickled down his neck, struggling to maintain composure under the pressure.
“It’s just that… At first, I thought it was you because the vibe is so similar. If you ever et him, you’ll be shocked too!”
Shaela chuckled softly.
“Goodness, what am I even saying so early in the morning? But if it really were you…”
Shaela’s smile faded again, leaving her sentence unfinished. Lucion’s heart sank at her hesitation. What on earth was she trying to say?
“I’d probably be really… worried. Ah, forget it. Never mind. Anyway, since your fever’s gone today, how about exploring the Magic Tower for a bit?”
“Sure,” Lucion replied, relieved at the change in topic.
—Ratta likes it too! Yahoo!
Ratta, holding a ball in her mouth, bounded over to Shaela, bouncing excitedly.
Squeak.
Roar.
* * *
“What did you just say?” Shaela’s voice rose sharply, filled with disbelief.
Lucion quietly sipped his grapefruit ade, cautiously observing Shaela’s sharp gaze.
“Nevast sent Lucion an invitation,” Carson replied grimly, handing over the letter delivered by a knight from Cronia.
Lucion glanced at Carson while picking up a macaron.
“No way… Those bastards actually sent Lucion an invitation?”
Heint clenched his fist, his brows furrowed deeply. Having learned from Ketlan and Lucion about Nevast’s actions, he was even more astounded by their audacity.
As Lucion chewed his macaron, he casually fed one to Ratta, who eagerly opened her mouth.
‘This feels intense,’ Lucion thought as he observed the sharp expressions of the three before him. They looked like feral beasts, ready to pounce.
[They’re talking about you, Lucion. At least try to look interested,] Russell said incredulously, watching Lucion munching peacefully on snacks.
‘Didn’t they already expect this?’
Lucion gave Russell a knowing glance, picking up another chocolate-covered macaron. They had talked several tis that Nevast might try to contact him, considering Nevast’s association with the warlock organization Hand of the Void and their connection to Neubra.
Nothing about this surprised Lucion. Besides, after the events in Neubra, he had already anticipated this move.
[So Nevast has finally acted. They must’ve secured solid evidence to pressure the Kingdom of Neubra, right?]
Bethel’s observation was calm yet incisive.
[Exactly. What Nevast is trying to do is wage war under the guise of justice. With warlocks involved and Neubra committing atrocities against humanity, Nevast can break its neutrality and justify its actions.]
Russell nodded, agreeing with Bethel’s analysis. He chuckled suddenly.
[But what are they going to do now? The Hand of the Void is gone, and all the evidence? Burned to ashes.]
Lucion chuckled lightly at Russell’s remark.
‘The real question is why Nevast is corrupting the holy relics and killing the divine beasts. Once we figure that out, we’ll have our leverage.’
Lucion silently awaited the information from Heroan and J.L. If they failed to gather intel, he was prepared to investigate himself.
“Nevast approached . They said they needed soone capable of carrying out the tasks God had entrusted to them.”
Lucion recalled the words of Chayton, the slave trader connected to Nevast, who had corrupted a holy relic.
“And that day, Keortia disappeared. It vanished in the blink of an eye, right before my eyes…”
Everyone—including Chayton, the death knight of Keortia, and Kran—had said the sa thing.
‘It must have seed like a punishnt from the gods.’
Even Lucion, who had witnessed Keortia vanish and reappear, couldn’t easily explain what he’d seen.
‘Veronia was the one controlling Hotram.’
Hotram, the leader of the Hand of the Void, had been possessed by Veronia.
‘Then is Nevast any different?’
Lucion sighed softly.
‘Their goal isn’t to destroy the world.’
If that were their aim, why would they have reversed the world so many tis?
“What does this even an? Is Lucion so kind of object to them? Are we supposed to just hand him over because they demand it?”
Shaela slamd the teacup in her hand onto the table with force.
Clank!
Hu flinched at the sound. Even the mages passing by glanced over at Shaela, sensing the intensity of her murderous aura.
“I’m absolutely against this. No way.” Shaela asserted firmly.
Why would Lucion, who was vulnerable to light, even consider going to such a place? The territory outside the Empire was dangerous.
“Of course. How could we listen to those bastards barking?” Carson also expressed his disagreent.
“It’s true that I dislike this, but I believe Lucion’s opinion is the most important right now.” Heint maintained a neutral stance, unlike the other two.
After all, the invitation from Nevast was part of the plan Lucion had set forth as Hal.
Hu glanced at Lucion again.
‘Young master?’
Right now, Lucion didn’t seem interested in the situation at all. Whatever he was thinking, the distracted look in his eyes suggested his mind was elsewhere.
“Lucion.”
Lucion paused, about to put the macaroon in his mouth, as Shaela’s voice called him. Only then did he notice her fierce gaze and awkwardly smiled as he responded.
“Yes. Go ahead.”
“What do you think?”
Shaela gestured for him to eat the macaron, and even Carson and Heint turned their attention toward him.
Despite the subtle pressure, Lucion spoke freely. “If I don’t go, won’t Nevast accuse both the Empire and of lacking justice?”
In short, his response ant he intended to go.
Shaela took a deep breath at his words.
“Lucion. Any criticism they throw at you would only be temporary. Besides, why should you get involved in the political feud between Neubra and Nevast?”
“Because I’m the Saint,” Lucion replied calmly.
“You’re Lucion.”
“Sister, you know as well as I do that this isn’t sothing I can simply back out of.”
To uncover the truth about Neubra’s collusion with the warlocks, they needed soone impartial, soone who would take no sides. That’s why Nevast invited him, the ‘Saint,’ for this fairness.
In a way, it was a trap. If he refused, they could question his qualifications as a Saint, link him and the Empire to Neubra, or use any number of thods to attack him and the Empire.
Beyond that, the fact that warlocks—once only whispered about in rumors—had now revealed themselves to the world had drawn significant public attention.
“The position of Saint isn’t even sothing you wanted in the first place.”
Although she understood Lucion’s reasoning, Shaela couldn’t suppress her growing worry.
Lucion, who was not even a priest, had beco a Saint, which effectively blurred the noble image that the priests held. There was no way Nevast would simply let him be. It was certain there was so sche at play.
“That’s right. The divine beast chose . In a way, it was forced. But it was my choice to beco a Saint.”
Lucion smiled lightly. He could have given up the title of Saint, but he didn’t, because that was the only way he could survive.
[Look at that expression. It’s the sa as mine.]
Russell saw his own frustration reflected in Shaela’s twisted expression.
It was as if she wanted to grab Lucion by the hair and stop him at any cost.
―Hop! It’s true! That’s the exact sa look Russell makes every day when he looks at Lucion!
Ratta, who was holding onto the table and alternating her gaze between Shaela and Russell, burst into laughter.
“Lucion.” Carson called out to Lucion. “I know you made this decision carefully, but given the ti you had to think, can’t you reconsider a little longer?”
“It seems that my brother and sister are suspicious of Nevast.”
Lucion’s playful smile hinted that he noticed the shared concern between the two.
“What is it that you both know about Nevast that I don’t?”
As Lucion’s eyes narrowed and he reached for his grapefruit ade, Carson fell silent. Shaela, slightly uncomfortable, averted her gaze. As both the Saint and a noble, Lucion needed to be inford.
Soon, Lucion’s attention shifted to Heint, who gave a slight nod, implying that most of them likely knew more than he did.
“We can’t talk about this here. I’ll explain later,” Carson said, glancing at the mages wandering around the tower.
“Lucion, there’s another reason I’m trying to stop you,” Shaela said with a sigh, her shoulders sagging. “The place you have to go is Neubra, right?”
Neubra, the kingdom that had caused Lucion so much suffering. Yet, now he was preparing to return there. Shaela wanted to say so much, but she held it all back with considerable restraint.
“Didn’t they say they would et at the midway point of the three nations?” Lucion pointed to the letter.
“Yes. We agreed to et at the midway point. It’s the best option for both sides.” Heint replied.
“We still have ti, so let’s think about it carefully. For now, can we all relax? We didn’t co here just to sulk, right?”
Lucion tried to lighten the mood with his words. They had agreed to et at the midpoint of the three nations, with about two weeks left before the eting.
The timing could be adjusted, but the fact that he would have to go wouldn’t change. Neubra, barely propped up by a single pillar, was on the brink of collapse.
‘Only Nevast and Veronia remain.’
If those two were taken care of, it would truly be the end.
“Yeah, Lucion. You’re right. We shouldn’t keep discussing this now. You must have been cooped up in your room for so long.” Carson spoke up, trying to change the mood.
At that mont, Lucion almost spat out his grapefruit ade.
[Oh, right, you’ve been so active, huh? Phew, at least my disciple still has a shred of conscience,] Russell remarked sarcastically, causing Lucion’s wandering gaze to shift toward Heint.
Heint flinched slightly, and the two exchanged an uneasy smile.
* * *
—Nom nom nom.
Ratta, buried in her bowl, suddenly looked up.
—Lucion, Lucion! Look at Ratta!
As Ratta chewed a cookie, a bright red glow flared from her slightly parted lips, resembling flas bursting forth.
—Kya ha ha!
Ratta jumped for joy.
―Ratta loves the Magic Tower! Ratta wants to stay here every day!
“I completely agree!” Hu exclaid, clutching a handful of strange magical items, his eyes gleaming with excitent. Every ti he looked around, sothing new caught his attention, and he couldn’t contain his growing enthusiasm.
“Unbelievable,” Lucion muttered, sprawled across the bed, completely drained and too exhausted to lift a finger.
Initially, he had eagerly explored the Magic Tower, but his body quickly reached its limit. Reflecting on it, he realized just how much he’d relied on Shadow Movent to avoid physical exertion. How many tis had he actually walked anywhere?
“I’m exhausted,” Lucion groaned.
He had realized just how imnse the Magic Tower was. During the surprise raid, he had only scratched the surface.
[I should have helped Lord Lucion with his physical rehabilitation more. Then he wouldn’t have had to turn back midway,] Bethel sighed briefly.
Lucion rembered nearly collapsing from exhaustion during their exploration, almost needing Hu to carry him back.
Lucion flinched at the thought of rehab training. Bethel had been terrifying during training.
[Where would he have found the ti for that? He didn’t even get a break. Look at the situation lately—every ti he steps outside, he cos back injured. How is he supposed to manage that? I can’t even scold him properly when he’s hurt,] Russell vented, seizing the opportunity to air his frustrations.
[Look at Carson. At this point, he’s completely given up on trying to intervene, hasn’t he?]
“You both know I don’t get hurt on purpose, so why are you saying this?” Lucion retorted, furrowing his brow and letting out a sharp exhale.
Buzz.
The sudden sound of the communication device interrupted the mont, drawing Lucion’s attention. It was Heroan.
‘Well, look at that. His timing’s not so bad this ti.’
For the first ti, Lucion actually felt glad to hear from Heroan. He quickly grabbed the mask Hu handed him.
“Yes, Heroan?”
Table of Contents Chapter 294.2 - Side Story – Teacher and Disciple (5)Chapter 294.1 - Side Story – Teacher and Disciple (5)Chapter 293 - Side Story – Teacher and Disciple (4)Chapter 292 - Side Story – Teacher and Disciple (3)Chapter 291 - Side Story – Teacher and Disciple (2)Chapter 290 - Side Story – Teacher and DiscipleChapter 289 - Epilogue (2)Chapter 288 - Epilogue - The Count's Youngest Son is a WarlockChapter 287.2 - It’s Snowing (7.2)Chapter 287.1 - It's Snowing (7)Chapter 286 - It's Snowing (6)Chapter 285 - It's Snowing (5)Chapter 284 - It's Snowing (4)Chapter 283 - It's Snowing (3)Chapter 282 - It's Snowing (2)Chapter 281 - It's SnowingChapter 280 - So… (3)Chapter 279 - So… (2)Chapter 278 - So…Chapter 277 - Final Preparations (3)Chapter 276 - Final Preparations (2)Chapter 275 - Final PreparationsChapter 274 - I've Been Waiting For You (3)Chapter 273 - I've Been Waiting For You (2)Chapter 272 - I've Been Waiting For YouChapter 271 - The Fifth Story (3)Chapter 270 - The Fifth Story (2)Chapter 269 - The Fifth StoryChapter 268 - Russell Paul (3)Chapter 267 - Russell Paul (2)Chapter 266 - Russell PaulChapter 265 - Make Do With What You Have (3)Chapter 264 - Make Do With What You Have (2)Chapter 263 - Make Do With What You HaveChapter 262 - This Can't Be Happening (3)Chapter 261 - This Can't Be Happening (2)Chapter 260 - This Can't Be HappeningChapter 259 - A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (3)Chapter 258 - A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (2)Chapter 257 - A Wolf in Sheep's ClothingChapter 256 - Three-Way Battle (3)Chapter 255 - The Three-Way Battle (2)Chapter 254 - The Three-Way BattleChapter 253 - One Step Closer (3)Chapter 252 - One Step Closer (2)Chapter 251 - One Step CloserChapter 250 - I am a Saint (3)Chapter 249 - I am a Saint (2)Chapter 248 - I am a Saint.Chapter 247 - Take Part (3)Chapter 246 - Take Part (2)Chapter 245 - Take PartChapter 244 - The Na is (3)Chapter 243 - The Na is (2)Chapter 242 - The Na isChapter 241 - One More (3)Chapter 240 - One More (2)Chapter 239 - One MoreChapter 238 - Roar, and the Fourth Story (3)Chapter 237 - Roar, and the Fourth Story (2)Chapter 236 - Roar, and the Fourth StoryChapter 235 - Sothing Big Happened (3)Chapter 234 - Sothing Big Happened (2)Chapter 233 - Sothing Big HappenedChapter 232 - I'm looking at it (3)Chapter 231 - I'm looking at it (2)Chapter 230 - I'm looking at itChapter 229 - The Cheers are Back (3)Chapter 228 - The Cheers are Back (2)Chapter 227 - The Cheers are BackChapter 226 - To the Magic Tower (3)Chapter 225 - To the Magic Tower (2)Chapter 224 - To the Magic TowerChapter 223 - Words to Share (3)Chapter 222 - Words to Share (2)Chapter 221 - Words to ShareChapter 220 - Overflow (3)Chapter 219 - Overflow (2)Chapter 218 - OverflowChapter 217 - The third story (3)Chapter 216 - The third story (2)Chapter 215 - The third storyChapter 214 - I'm pissed (3)Chapter 213 - I'm pissed (2)Chapter 212 - I'm pissedChapter 211 - I've co to catch you (3)Chapter 210 - I've co to catch you (2)Chapter 209 - I've co to catch you Chapter 208 - I ca to collect the debt (3)Chapter 207 - I ca to collect the debt (2)Chapter 206 - I ca to collect the debtChapter 205 - Second story (3)Chapter 204 - Second story (2)Chapter 203 - Second storyChapter 202 - To the Kingdom of Keortia (3)Chapter 201 - To the Kingdom of Keortia (2)Chapter 200 - To the Kingdom of KeortiaChapter 199 - He who digs a pit for others falls into it himself (3)Chapter 198 - He who digs a pit for others falls into it himself (2)Chapter 197 - He who digs a pit for others falls into it himselfChapter 196 - The Emperor, Ketlan Tesla (3)Chapter 195 - The Emperor, Ketlan Tesla (2)Chapter 194 - The Emperor, Ketlan TeslaChapter 193 - Prince of Ruin, Kran (3)Chapter 192 - Prince of Ruin, Kran (2)Chapter 191 - Prince of Ruin, KranChapter 190 - Shh. It's a secret (3)Chapter 189 - Shh. It's a secret (2)Chapter 188 - Shh. It's a secretChapter 187 - Got caught (3)Chapter 186 - Got caught (2)Chapter 185 - Got caughtChapter 184 - Shaela (3)Chapter 183 - Shaela (2)Chapter 182 - ShaelaChapter 181 - The owl laughs (3)Chapter 180 - The owl laughs (2)Chapter 179 - The owl laughsChapter 178 - Change (3)Chapter 177 - Change (2)Chapter 176 - ChangeChapter 175 - Great Light Temple, Again? (3)Chapter 174 - Great Light Temple, Again? (2)Chapter 173 - Great Light Temple, Again?Chapter 172 - Listen To The Story (3)Chapter 171 - Listen To The Story (2)Chapter 170 - Listen To The StoryChapter 169 - I Repay The Favor (3)Chapter 168 - I Repay The Favor (2)Chapter 167 - I Repay The FavorChapter 166 - Entangled and connected (3)Chapter 165 - Entangled and connected (2)Chapter 164 - Entangled and connectedChapter 163 - Frugally (3)Chapter 162 - Frugally (2)Chapter 161 - FrugallyChapter 160 - Pilgrimage Route (3)Chapter 159 - Pilgrimage Route (2)Chapter 158 - Pilgrimage RouteChapter 157 - To the North (3)Chapter 156 - To the North (2)Chapter 155 - To the NorthChapter 154 - Teasing with Tongue (3)Chapter 153 - Teasing with Tongue (2)Chapter 152 - Teasing with TongueChapter 151 - The Pursuer is the Sa (3)Chapter 150 - The Pursuer is the Sa (2)Chapter 149 - The Pursuer is the Sa (1) Chapter 148 - Hu is Hu (3)Chapter 147 - Hu is Hu (2)Chapter 146 - Hu is Hu (1)Chapter 145 - Remove The Silent Mask (3)Chapter 144 - Remove the Silent Mask (2)Chapter 143 - Remove the Silent Mask (1)Chapter 142 - How dare you aim at my stuff? (3)Chapter 141 - How dare you aim at my stuff? (2)Chapter 140 - How dare you aim at my stuff?Chapter 139 - It's very tempting (3)Chapter 138 - It's very tempting (2)Chapter 137 - I want itChapter 136 - Have you forgotten who I am? (3)Chapter 135 - Have you forgotten who I am? (2)Chapter 134 - Have you forgotten who I am?Chapter 133 - To the Auction house (3)Chapter 132 - To the Auction House (2)Chapter 131 - To the Auction HouseChapter 130 - Too Much to Refuse (3)Chapter 129 - Too Much to Refuse (2)Chapter 128 - Too Much to RefuseChapter 127 - Let's Take Care of This (3)Chapter 126 - Let's Take Care of This (2)Chapter 125 - Let's Take Care of ThisChapter 124 - Departure to the South (3)Chapter 123 - Departure to the South (2)Chapter 122 - Departure to the SouthChapter 121 - Get the Black Bead (3)Chapter 120 - Get the Black Bead (2)Chapter 119 - Get the Black BeadChapter 118 - To Find the Notebook (3)Chapter 117 - To Find the Notebook (2)Chapter 116 - To Find the NotebookChapter 115 - The Invitation is Here (3)Chapter 114 - The Invitation is Here (2)Chapter 113 - The Invitation is HereChapter 112 - The Reint rcenary Corps (3)Chapter 111 - The Reint rcenary Corps (2)Chapter 110 - The Reint rcenary CorpsChapter 109 - We don't seem to be in sync (3)Chapter 108 - We don't seem to be in sync (2)Chapter 107 - We don't seem to be in syncChapter 106 - Step by Step (4)Chapter 105 - Step by Step (3)Chapter 104 - Step by Step (2)Chapter 103 - Step by StepChapter 102 - Assassins (3)Chapter 101 - Assassins (2)Chapter 100 - AssassinsChapter 99 - Necromancy (3)Chapter 98 - Necromancy (2)Chapter 97 - NecromancyChapter 96 - Step on the enemy's foot while stepping backward (3)Chapter 95 - Step on the enemy's foot while stepping backward (2)Chapter 94 - Step on the enemy's foot while stepping backwardChapter 93 - Chasing (3)Chapter 92 - Chasing (2)Chapter 91 - ChasingChapter 90 - Organization, the Beginning of Ale (3)Chapter 89 - Organization, the Beginning of Ale (2)Chapter 88 - Organization, the Beginning of AleChapter 87 - Viscount Chefran (3)Chapter 86 - Viscount Chefran (2)Chapter 85 - Viscount ChefranChapter 84 - Loyalty to You (3)Chapter 83 - Loyalty to You (2)Chapter 82 - Loyalty to YouChapter 81 - Convince the Craftsn (3)Chapter 80 - Convince the Craftsn (2)Chapter 79 - Convince the CraftsnChapter 78 - Take Over (3)Chapter 77 - Take Over (2)Chapter 76 - Take OverChapter 75 - Housework (3)Chapter 74 - Housework (2)Chapter 73 - HouseworkChapter 72 - Return to the Frontier (3)Chapter 71 - Return to the Frontier (2)Chapter 70 - Return to the FrontierChapter 69 - Let's Catch the Rat (3)Chapter 68 - Let's Catch the Rat (2)Chapter 67 - Let's Catch the Rat!Chapter 66 - Moving (3)Chapter 65 - Moving (2)Chapter 64 - MovingChapter 63 - Ti Has Stopped (3)Chapter 62 - Ti Has Stopped (2)Chapter 61 - Ti Has Stopped?Chapter 60 - Secret Safe, Fallen Ghost (3)Chapter 59 - Secret Safe, Fallen Ghost (2)Chapter 58 - Secret Safe, Fallen GhostChapter 57 - Death Knights Follow (3)Chapter 56 - The Death Knight Follows (2)Chapter 55 - Death Knights FollowChapter 54 - This Cheer is Just For (3)Chapter 53 - This Cheer is Just For (2)Chapter 52 - This Cheer is Just For Chapter 51 - Am I the Main Character Today (3)Chapter 50 - Am I the Main Character Today (2)Chapter 49 - Am I the Main Character Today?Chapter 48 - Hold on (3)Chapter 47 - Hold On (2)Chapter 46 - Hold on!Chapter 45 - Who is it? (3)Chapter 44 - Who is it? (2)Chapter 43 - Who is it?Chapter 42 - It Changed (2)Chapter 41 - It changed (2)Chapter 40 - It changedChapter 39 - Refreshing and sweet scent! (3)Chapter 38 - Refreshing and sweet scent! (2)Chapter 37 - Refreshing and sweet scent!Chapter 36 - Rewards are Sweet (3)Chapter 35 - Rewards are Sweet (2)Chapter 34 - Rewards are SweetChapter 33 - Divine Beast Birth Banquet (3)Chapter 32 - Divine Beast Birth Banquet? (2)Chapter 31 - Divine Beast Birthday Banquet?Chapter 30 - There's a Sign (3)Chapter 29 - There's a Sign (2)Chapter 28 - There's a SignChapter 27 - And Run Into (3)Chapter 26 - And Run Into (2)Chapter 25 - And Run IntoChapter 24 - et (3)Chapter 23 - et (2)Chapter 22 - etChapter 21 - Is this how it goes? (3)Chapter 20 - Is this how it goes? (2)Chapter 19 - Is this how it goes?Chapter 18 - Ghost Domination (3)Chapter 17 - Ghost Domination (2)Chapter 16 - Ghost DominationChapter 15 - Fate is so… (3)Chapter 14 - Fate is so... (2)Chapter 13 - Fate is so...Chapter 12 - Training (3)Chapter 11 - Training (2)Chapter 10 - TrainingChapter 9 - I Knew This Would Happen (3)Chapter 8 - I Knew This Would Happen (2)Chapter 7 - I Knew This Would HappenChapter 6 - One Step (3)Chapter 5 - One Step (2)Chapter 4 - One StepChapter 3 - I Rembered (3)Chapter 2 - I Rembered (2)Chapter 1 - I Rembered
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