We descend into a corner of the City of Ruins, lowering our ropes.

　All 366 members of the pioneer group who have survived until now, all the warriors except for Mr. Amukel, carry weapons and look ahead.

　Ahead of them is a huge 1000-medium-long snake god.

　And then there's a swarm of 10-medium-long serpents that fill the streets of the city.

　Gasp!

　In front of everyone, the dragon knight Ladle Kwokka advances in front of them.

　He has a long sword in his hand.

　A magic stone is embedded in its hilt, and Thanatos magic letters are engraved on the sword's nearly two-medium blade - that is Thanatos magic armor.

''I'll leave the first attack to you.

　He smiled at that.

　He poised his long sword to carry it on his shoulder.

　Huon.

　The magic stone shone, and Thanatos magic letters shone with light.

　His sword blade was engulfed in light.

　Above his head, his 'dragon' flew over.

He was the largest and strongest dragon among the eight dragons of the 'Shumurian Dragon Horsemen'.

　He opens his fanged mouth wide.

　His scaled throat swelled wide, and a red glow lit up in his mouth.

The breathing of the 'Dragon Knight' and the 'Dragon' overlapped.

　Mr. Raydor stepped in wide.

Dragon Flame Hatsuzane!

　He swung the shining long sword he was carrying on his shoulder forward.

　Kyubot.

　A shining sword flash was shot out, and at the same time, the 'dragon' above his head spat out flaming breath (breath).

　The two attacks crossed, and a slash of flame flew out.

　Cud-o'on.

　The serpents that filled the streets ahead were torn apart by the flash of their swords and consumed by the karma fire.

　--The path has opened up.

''All armies charge!''

　General Roberto thrusts out the sword in his hand and lets out a heroic voice.

''Oh, oh, oh!''

　A roar answered it, and all of the kingdom's knights and adventurers started running.

　The five of us followed suit.

　The cobbled streets were covered with several scars that looked like they had been gouged out by the dragon's claws and were charred black. And the bodies of the serpents had fallen on top of them, and the remaining fire was smoldering.

　The soles of our shoes stepped on it and moved forward.

There were tens of thousands of giant snakes in the City of Ruins.

　Even though the front was swept away, new serpents were soon rushing in from the side streets and from the tops of the buildings.

''Oraaah!''
Hi!

　Gasp, zakun.

　The adventurers and the kingdom knights greet them.

'Go ahead, Kirto Amandes!

　General Roberto also shouted to us as he killed one of the giant snakes with his sword in his hand.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

　The five of us ran along the path that many of the warriors had secured for us as a bulwark.

(!)

　But the number of enemies is overwhelming.

　The great snakes are once again rushing into the street ahead.

''Kook!''

　As I ran, I readied my 'fairy sword'.

　And at that time, a blinding light was born from behind us.

(Eh?)

　Reflexively looking back, there was a scene of a huge magic circle floating in the air with a diameter of thirty meters.

　Underneath it were 50 temple knights in beautiful silver armor.

　Each of them held an open Bible in their left hand and a magic wand in their right hand.

　Aase, the leader of the group, says in a beautiful voice.

''Divine martial magic, white spirit cannon..........teh!

　The giant magic circle above his head shone.

　From there, an extremely thick white light radiated out like a beam.

　Gao Ooong.　

　The swarm of giant snakes that had gathered in front of them were burned by the white light and disappeared.

　After ten seconds of irradiation, the white light and the giant magic circle disappeared.

　Around them, particles of white light were dancing around them.

(Great.........)　

　This is the power of the Temple Order.

　As I was trembling in my heart, Aase-san blackmailed me.

''Come on, Master Jingu!　Do not turn around and hurry forward!　Just keep moving forward!

　I'm like, "Yes! I nodded.

　Then, I let my feet, which had almost stopped, run again.

　Many people had risked their lives to deliver the five of us to the Serpentine Goddess, and now it was our turn to respond.

　Now it's our turn to respond to them.

　As I chase after Kilt, Illtimina, Solstice, and Poe's back, I make a strong mental note of this.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　We reached the roof of one of the buildings.

　The giant snake could be seen about two hundred yards ahead of us.

Don't go any closer.

　Mr. Kilt said.

(Huh?)

He can close this distance in an instant. This will be the perfect timing. Let's go for it from here.

　She looked back at us with her golden eyes and continued to do so.

　We nodded.

'Irna, Sol, shoot from here. Poe, guard Sol and set up an attack if you can.
Yes, sir.
Okay.
Poe agreed.

　The three of them nodded at Kilt's instructions.

　And.

"Marle, take your strawberry and fly. We're headed for the head of the Serpent Man.

　He told me.

　I was surprised and confirmed.

'....Can I deploy my wings?

　The issue of God and the demons and our identity must have been a secret to the other pioneers.

　There's a good chance we'll be seen here.

I don't mind.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'If they find out, then that's the time. Now is not the time to be holding out.'
..........

　Are you sure about this?

　Still worried about me, Mr. Kirto smiled at me.

'Did you hear what General Robert said before we left?
What?
"We, the Fifth Settlers, have come to this distant continent to obtain the Spirit Stone and protect our people from the oracle's evil.

　Mr. Kilts repeated his words.

　The purpose of this pioneering group is to obtain the 'Divine Spirit Stone'.

　And the reason for this was the explanation that it was foretold by the oracle that a 'disaster' was about to happen, and the 'divine spirit stone' was necessary to avoid it.

(............)

　I was puzzled, and Kirto said to me.

This is an implicit indication of the existence of a demon.
!
The existence of the Devil's Force has been kept under wraps to avoid unnecessary confusion. However, there may come a time in the future when the truth may not be concealed. Princess LeClear is preparing for this, and is trying to prevent people from becoming unsettled by this, by giving them a glimpse of the truth behind the lies.

　Soo, that's right........

　Illtimina-san and Solstice also have a surprised and impressed look on their faces.

　Kilt-san says.

''Therefore, if they are found out here, it doesn't matter. Both Marle and Poe should make the most of their powers.''
Yes.
.......................

　If that's the case - both me and Poe nodded.

　After watching them, Kirt-san fluttered his rich silver hair and turned back to the "Serpent Godman".

''The plan is simple,''

　Far in front of Mr. Kilt's back is a huge snake.

'I'll draw his attention to it by attacking from here, and in the meantime, I'll attack it from the closest point of view of the straw carried by Marle.
..........
I'm aiming for the eyes.

　The eyeball?

''No matter how huge it is, the creature's weakness remains the same. It will avoid the hard-looking outer skin and strike the 'Demon God Sword, Zetsuzane' from the eyeballs, destroying the brain beyond it.

　There was a strong resolve in his low voice.

　We nodded.

'You won't get many chances. The people holding the serpent back won't have long to wait, and we'll decide with a single blow.

　Mr. Kilt looked back at us.

　The reliable 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter' laughed.

''Don't be afraid of failure. Just look forward and do your best to do what you need to do. The results will speak for themselves.

　That smile makes my heart burn.

'Yes!'

　I nodded widely.

'Yes.'
Yeah, good luck with that.
Poe swears to do everything he can.

　The three of us also answered emphatically.

　Kilt-san narrowed his golden eyes at us, and then nodded in satisfaction.

　Gasp!

　He took the Great Sword of Thunder in his hand and pointed it at the Snake Godman.

Okay, let's go!

　He declared the battle open.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


"Coro, give me wings!

　In response to my pleas, iridescent metal wings form on my back.

　Mr. Kilt puts his arms around my neck from my back side.

'Please.'
Yes.

　I nodded, feeling the weight of her weight, and I opened my metal wings wide.

　Voon.

　Our wings shine and we fly up into the sky.

　The figures of Illtimina-san, Solstice, and Poe on the roof of the building below us become smaller at once.

　And that dwarf, Illtimina-san, holds up a white spear.

　A throwing stance.

　Immediately after, she unleashes that spear.

　Hyun.

　A white flash of light ran to a giant snake two hundred meters away.

　Dopah.

　There was an explosion on the outer skin.

　But the giant, wet-looking scales show no significant damage.

(Solid.)

　A half-hearted attack was not going to work against him.

　Dopah, dopah, dopah.

　Illtimina-san continued her white spear bombardment.

　Solstice was also shining her large staff, creating a large amount of 'flaming butterflies' and hurling them at the 'Snake Godman'.

''Pooh........''

　Po-chan also activated 'God Body Mode'.

　The dragon's horns and tail sprouted, and both limbs and parts of his face were covered in scales.

　He clenched his fist of those dragon scales.

　Huoch Gopaaan.

　He thrust out his fist and unleashed an invisible 'divine Qi' cannonball.

　The scales on the part that was directly hit cracked.

(Great power!)

　As expected of a 'divine dragon'.

　Perhaps it might be more powerful than Illtimina-san's white spear bombardment.

　If it was a normal demon, it could be defeated.

　Attacks like that.

　But the other party was an abnormal monster that looked like it could be 1000 meters long.

　Even after receiving those attacks, no damage could be seen.

　And when it noticed those attacks, the giant snake moved its huge body towards the three of them.

(!)

　It was 200 meters away.

　But I witnessed it from above as it quickly reduced to zero.

　Although it appears to move in a leisurely manner, its huge body is not half as far as it should be.

　A huge head of about 30 meters in diameter rushed toward the building where Illtimina and the others were located.

　Zgaaaan!

　The building blew away and a cloud of dust rose up.

''Miss Illtimina!''

　I yelp.

　Kilt-san also groans, "Nuh-uh," and the arm around my neck strains.

(.........Ah....)

　At that moment, I could see Illtimina and the others moving through the dust cloud to the roof of the next building.

　Solstice, too, was being carried on her back by Poe, and she was properly evading them.

(Yo, good.)

　While they were relieved, the three men on the ground attacked the 'Snake God Man' again.　

　Dopapang, dopapang, gobang.

　An explosion occurs in the long torso.

The 'Serpent Goddess' twists her body depressingly and chases after Illtimina-san and the others.

　Zuzun, melee!

　Buildings in the area where it had moved crumbled and the cobblestones in the street turned up.

　A mere movement of that behemoth is enough to wreak havoc on the city.

Good. We're going to approach that head while those three are on the bait.
Yeah!

　I nodded at Kilt-san's words and let my wings flap.

　Bafu Huooh!

　With the wind knocked out of him, he approaches from above, almost in the blind spot.

　I'm going to keep getting closer and bring Mr. Kilt closer to my eyeballs.

　That's when I thought that.

(!)

　The four eyeballs on the giant body moved towards us with a jerk.

　Gwah!

　Its head lifts up and comes closer to us.

(Whoa!?)

　The distance that had been about three hundred maids was quickly closed down.

'Kase!'

　Mr. Kilt shouted and put his weight on the right side.

　I took a big right turn with that.

　Bygoooooh!

　Right next to it, the huge body of the snake went straight through.

(How big it was!)

　Seeing it up close, I realized once again how huge it was.

　At the same time, a tremendous wind pressure hit me, and I desperately regained my stance while keeping my distance.

''It's coming back!''
!

　It wiggled its long torso and its head turned towards us again.

　Its huge mouth opened, and with its sharp fangs bared, it approached us at a terrific rate.

(Whoa!?)

　voong

　He struggled to escape to the side, wings glistening.

　I barely managed to avoid it.

　But the snake's head wriggled further and focused on us.

　It has completely shifted its target to us.

(Crap!)

　Desperately, her wings glisten and she runs away, letting the rainbow afterglow shine in the blue sky.

''Chi-chi.''

　Kirt, who was holding onto my back, clicked his tongue, too.

　If this is the case, I can't afford to go after the eyeballs.

　Solstice, Po-chan is also attacking us, but the "snake godman" is not aiming at anyone else.

　Do you think they realize that we are the real target?

　If so, there's solid intelligence.

(How tricky!)

　I've been able to escape somehow, but I can't stay like this forever.

　I have to do something about it...!

　At that time, I saw Illtimina-san below in the distance raising the 'White Winged Spear' above her head.

''--Hagenshi, the dance of a flash.''

　Its lips moved.

　At the same time, a feather of light overflowed from the magic stone of the spear and produced the upper body of the 'Giant Woman of Light', much like Illtimina-san.

　In her hand, she has the 'Giant Spear of Light'.

The 'Giant Woman of Light' held it in its reverse hand.

　A throwing stance.

　The next moment, the Giant Spear of Light was shot out at the Snake Goddess.

　Huubok!

　A huge white flash of light ran through the air.

　Dpaaaan.

　It produced the biggest explosion ever, blowing off several of its sturdy scales and biting into the flesh of the 'Snake God Man'.

　Purple blood flooded out like an explosion.

''Kyoaah!

The "Snake God Man" let out a high-pitched scream.

　It stopped chasing us, and its long, huge body came to a halt with a large slump.

''Now!''

　Kilt's strong voice.

　At the same time, I felt her arms come off my neck and I felt a light kick to my back.　

　When I noticed, she was in a free fall, fluttering her long silver hair.

　In her hand was the Great Sword of Thunder.

　A blue electrical discharge started on its black sword blade, and it focused into the space in front of the blade.

''The Demon God Sword--''

　Kilt-san's golden eyes shone.

　That small figure falling down passed by the side of the 'Serpent God Man''s head - next to the eyeball.

　The huge eyeball and the eyes of the 'Golden Seal Demon Hunter' stared at each other.

　In that momentous moment.

Zekijan!

　Kirt-san unleashed his special great sword.

　The crescent-blue light that was released was sucked into a giant eyeball that reflected Kilto-san's entire body.

　Kirt-san fell as it was.

　In the sky above him, the eyeball of the 'Snake God Man' was cut in half.

　No, it wasn't just the eyeball that was severed.

　Its skull was slashed open, and a light like a crescent moon pierced through the back of its head and disappeared into the sky.

　The huge head, which was 30-medium in size, was divided up and down.

(--Yay.)

　A huge amount of blood flooded the air.

　While avoiding that rush, I hurriedly caught up with the falling Mr. Quilt and hugged him tightly.

　As it was, I went up into the sky again.

　Looking down, the 'snake godman' that had lost half of its head had stopped moving.

''Great........great, Kirt-san!
"Mm.

　I cheered, and Mr. Kilt laughed as I cheered.

'I'm just glad it worked out.'

　So a breath.

　Even on the ground, I can see Illtimina exhaling heavily and Solstice raising her hands in delight.

　But.

(...Poe?)

　She was the only one who hadn't lost her battle stance.

　She was still in 'God Body Mode', staring at the huge body of the 'Snake God Man' that had stopped moving.

　Why on earth?

　Just as I thought that, a tremendous white light flooded from my porch.

!

　It was an exploration stone disk.

The magic stone that glowed in response to the 'divine Spirit Stone' was now emitting an unprecedented glow.

　What is this?

　Mr. Kilt also asked, 'What's going on?' I stared at that glow and then realized.

'....What is it?

　Huh?

　Kilt-san's gaze was looking towards the 'Snake Godman'.

　Guthruri.........

　As its damaged head was turned over, an intact head was rising up from underneath.

''Ah.....

'Molting'.

　With its tremendous regenerative power, the 'Snake Godman' had been revived.

　.........

(How absurd!)

　In front of us, aghast.

"QW-O-On!

　The giant 1000-medium-long snake monster let out a fierce roar of fear throughout the City of Ruins.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　I descended to the ground where the three of us were, with Kirt in my arms.

　The three of us on the roof of the pyramid-shaped building were also looking up at the resurrected "Serpent Godman" in a daze.

''It's a lie, it can't be.''

　Solstice muttered.

'How can you regenerate that much mass in this instant!　This ridiculous phenomenon is impossible!

　I hug the big cane with a tearful face.

　Neither Illtimina-san nor Poe can say anything.

Perhaps in reaction to recoil from releasing the 'Demon God Sword, Zetsuzane', Kilt-san was breathing on her shoulder.

　In the midst of all this, she took a slow breath and

But it's not real.

　He announced in his usual iron-like voice.

　I asked, hesitantly.

'Would you like to try again?'

　I wasn't sure.

　But I couldn't think of anything else to do.

It's useless.

　Solstice refused.

'I'm sure it will come back.'
'But it's not infinitely renewable, is it?　Then we can repeat the process until...

　Not wanting to extinguish the light of hope, I spun the words frantically.

　But.

It could be infinite, you know?

　And Solstice.

　His voice was terribly cold, and my spine froze.

'Look at that,'

　The girl's great staff indicated the ground ahead.

　There was a flood of newly spawned 10-medium class serpents flooding through the gaps in the scales of the 'Snake God Man'.

''After all that regeneration, and still being able to create that many altered bodies?　It's not normal.
..........
'The supply of magic element is impossible. I can't help but think there's already an endless supply of energy coming from somewhere.

　Somewhere.....

Ah.

　We realized.

"Don't tell me this is the 'spirit stone'...?

　Solstice nodded, looking like she was trying to hold back tears.

'Its no way, isn't it? Otherwise, there would be no explanation for this phenomenon.'
..........

The divine Spirit Stone contains a large amount of divine energy.

　Normally, large amounts of divine spirit are poisonous to living creatures, but there are rare creatures that can withstand it.

　Just like the Tyrant Tortoise from the former "Great Labyrinth", that creature will gain abilities that would be impossible under normal circumstances.



　If it can endure a large amount of 'divine Qi' and absorb it as energy, it can revive no matter how many fatal wounds it inflicts and continue to release its uninterrupted minute body,

　Solstice said.

''The only way to defeat him is to detach the 'divine Spirit Stone'. But it's inside his body, you know?
..........
I'm in despair.

　He said that to a crying laugh and slumped into place.

　.....................

　We couldn't say anything.

　And then.....

　dobaaan

　A violent explosion occurred behind them.

　Looking back, I saw the Kingdom Knights and the Adventurer's Band fighting a large number of giant snakes.

The two 'dragons' of the 'Dragon Cavalry' were spitting flames, and the Temple Knights, in single-minded coordination, had formed another huge magic circle to reap the giant snakes.

　Still, the numbers were different.

　Little by little, little by little, the swarm of serpents was hunting down the warriors.

''..........''

　They believed in us, and they were still fighting for us.

　Geez.

　I clench my fists.

"It's hopeless, but we have to do it.

　I muttered.

　Everyone looks at me.

'Do you have a plan, Merle?'

　Mr. Kilt asks.

　

　But one method comes to mind.

(But will it really work?)

　If I fail, I will.....

　That fear blunts the last step of the decision.

　And then.....

　jalalala run

　A sound like clear metal popping came from above.

　I looked up and saw the huge snake head of the 'Snake God Man' looking down on us from far above.

　Its scales stood upside down and emitted a glittering light.

(!?!)

　What is this 'pressure'?

　Several large magic letters floated on the tip of the giant snake's nose.

　They are not Thanatos magic letters.

　It's a truga magic letter.

　The light converged there.

''No!''

　At the rise of that gathering magic, Kirt-san shouted with an intensified expression on his face.

　The next moment.

　Gaoon.

　A ray of reddish-black magic power was shot out at us.

''........Ah.

　It's not good.

　We could only stare in stunned amazement as the inevitable 'death' approached.

　Tang.

　In the midst of all this, there was one little figure stepping forward.

''Pooh-oh!''

　The blonde young girl screamed out while releasing a dazzling divine energy.

　That wave of energy enveloped us and became a great shield that collided with the red-black magical light.

　''Kyu-O-On!''

　A high-pitched collision sound.

　Waves and light collide, and the world vibrates.

(Ugh, wow!)

　I can't stand very well.

　Soon, the light goes out.

　We looked up and saw that everything around us, except for the roof of the pyramid-shaped building we were in, had burned down to create a crater.

　We were horrified by the power of the scene.

　Gasp!

　And Poe, who protected us, kneeled down on the floor.

'Po-chan!'

　I rushed over to her.

　Her scaled skin was drenched in sweat.

''Ha, ha.''

　Disordered breathing.

　I could see from her bloodless, pure white complexion that she was severely depleted.

(Po-chan.........)

　I reach out to touch its back.

　Gasp.

　That wrist was grabbed by Poe in reverse.

　Huh?

　It's a strong force that doesn't seem to be weak.

"Don't be afraid, Jingu Marle.

　His light blue eyes stare straight into my blue eyes, staring at me.

　The intensity of his gaze takes my breath away.

'You are the hero of the God Realm, the 'God Dog of Yacour' who chewed even the devil to death 400 years ago. What are you afraid of, then?
..........
That snake, what can it do to you? I am no match for you. --Come on, God d*mn it, get up!

　thumping

　Her heart burned at the sound of her resolve.

　Solstice, who had been with her all this time, held her mouth and called out her name, "...Poe..." as if she were about to cry.

　I nodded loudly.

(Yes, there was no need to be afraid.)

　I'm just going to do what I have to do.

　At that moment, Illtimina-san looked up with a huff.

'No!　Second shot, coming up!
!

　He hurriedly jumped up his face, and to his surprise, there was the figure of the 'Serpent Goddess' who was about to release the magical light again.

(Can he fire that much power in rapid succession?!

　We are aghast.

　Even that Mr. Quilt can't move.

　Gaoon.

　A reddish-black magical light came down on us.

　No!

　Poe was worn out, and there was nothing we could do to prevent it from happening again.

　Just as desperation looms.

Motherf*cker!

　Suddenly, Solstice let out a yell and raised her great staff.

　Voon.

　The magic stone of the large staff shone strongly and a red light surrounded us.

　The light was made of that 'divine letter'.

　Cuoaoaoong.

　In front of us in amazement, a ward of red light caught the red-black magical light and bounced it back, shifting its angle.

　It destroyed the city and blew away the giant snakes that gathered there.

　The magical light disappeared.

　At the same time, the red light shield also disappeared.

(I don't think that was 'divine magic'!

　The girl, who had raised her great cane, fell on her face with a slam.

'Solstice!'
"Sol!

　We rushed over to her in a hurry.

　The girl, with blood dripping from her nose, smiled wryly at her sweaty beauty.

''We did it, Recto Alice........''

　A word of pride.

　And then Solstice passes out.

'Sol.........'

　Illtimina-san hugs her sister tightly, who has worked hard to the limit.

　............

　Any hesitation disappeared.

　Solstice, Po-chan, and everyone else is working so hard, but it's not such a shameful thing that I'm the only one sparing my life and not being able to move.

　Thwack!

　The wings on my back spread wide and I float in the air.

'Merle?'

　Mr. Illtimina, who noticed, called me over.

　I said, being careful not to let my voice tremble.

''If that guy is immortalized by the blessing of the 'Divine Spirit Stone', I'll go cut it off.
What?
What?

　Mr. Illtimina, Mr. Kilt was stunned.

　I laughed.

'I'm going to go.'

　Then, with a glint of wings, he took to the sky.

'Merle!'

　Illtimina-san reaches out her hand as if in a panic.

　But it barely reaches.

　Feeling her thoughts at my back, I approach the 'Serpent Goddess' with a rainbow colored afterglow shining in the blue sky.

　I reach a distance of about 50 meters from its nose.

　Gulli.

　Four giant eyes caught me.

'...........'

　My blue eyes catch the glint in them without fear and glare back.

(Let's go, Merle!)

　With my resolve, I open the tap of the great power inside my body.

　--The release of divine energy.

　Gyuoh.........

　Magma-hot power flowed through his entire body, and a tremendous amount of power came from all over his body.

　Beast ears sprouted and a long tail grew out.

　At the same time, rainbow-colored light particles enveloped my entire body.

　It formed a 'rainbow-colored exoskeleton' and covered my entire small body.

　Clunk!

　A helmet in the shape of a dog drops its face covering.

　It's my strongest and final card, the 'Ultimate God Body Mode'.

　Thanks to the fact that it has become a complete 'divine Armament', I can also deploy my metal wings at the same time, and I can evolve the 'Fairy Sword' into the 'Rainbow Mata Sword'.

(Come on!)

　The helmet's eyes shone and struck a strong killing intent into the 'Snake God Man'.

　Perhaps sensing this, the huge body moved.

　It opened its huge mouth and attacked me.

　As I responded, I too flew towards it at once, lighting up a rainbow-colored afterglow.

　Fangs as tall as an adult.

　A red, blood-like palate.

　In the next moment when they were closing in on me, the mouth that even the 'dragon' had swallowed in one gulp covered my small figure without having time to avoid it.

　Boom!

(Gulp!)

　A jolt and my vision goes dark.

　-- Eaten.

　The fact that this fact is transmitted to the back of my brain with fear, and a tremendous sense of oppression hits my whole body.

　Your consciousness flickers.

　In the midst of it all.

Merle?

　I thought I heard the distant cry of Illtimina on the ground, her mournful cry.