Editing Horizon:Volume 4A Prologue

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==Prologue: Those with their Feet in a Winding Stream==
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==Prologue: Those Who Touch the Meander with Their Feet==
 
[[Image:Horizon4A_0021.jpg|thumb]]
  
[[Image:Horizon4A_0021.jpg|thumb]]
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''Where is the final destination
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''Where is''
   
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''The end of complications''
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''Of all those twists and turns?
  
   
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'''Point Allocation (Liberalism)
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'''Point Allocation (Liberalism)'''
   
   
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<center><span style="font-size: 300%;">●</span></center>
   
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Light poured down from high in the sky.
  
   
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The light streamed down from high in the sky.
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It was the sunlight of an early summer afternoon.
  
   
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It was the afternoon sun of early summer.
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More than warmth, it carried a stabbing heat, and it cast deep shadows across the land.
  
   
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More than just being merely warm, the piercingly hot radiance cast stark shadows over the land.
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Those shadows created waves on a three square kilometer grassy field surrounded by forest.
  
   
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That wave of newborn shadows covered the grassland that encircled the forest for three kilometers in every direction.
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A faint breeze washed across the mown grass, creating waves.
  
   
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Presently, the light breeze washed through the fields of cut grass, sending waves undulating through them.
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But there was a gap in the waves. A small stream cut south to north across the middle of the field.
  
   
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However, there was a break in the waves; midway across the field, stretching north to south, was a little river.
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Two figures sat on the northern downstream bank on the southern end of that stream of shadowy water. Their legs were cooling off in the water nearly up to the knee, but neither of them had human form.
  
   
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South of the river with its shadow coloured waters, on the downstream of the north bank, sat two shadows. Cooling off with their legs below their knees plunged beneath the water; those two did not resemble humans however.
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One was a girl-character bedsheet with legs growing from it and the other was a body pillow.
  
   
  +
On one hand, was a sheet with girl characters from which legs protruded. On the other, was a dakimakura.
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The body pillow kicked up the water with its normal legs. It was a carefree motion. With the movement of a long acquaintance, it turned its air hole toward the sheet.
  
   
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The dakimakura lightly kicked his bare legs up from the water. It was a nimble movement. Like long-time acquaintances, the dakimakura turned his air hole towards the sheet.
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“Wow, it’s already the afternoon and the water’s still cold! I feel like a child again, Koni-tan!”
  
   
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“Yes, it’s a shame no one else could escape the temporary provisional council building, Nobu-tan!”
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“Uwaaa, it’s still afternoon but the water’s so cold! It sure takes you back to your childhood days Koni-tan!”
   
  +
“Ehh, having just us sneaking out from the reserve Provisional Council office is too much of a waste, Nobu-tan!”
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Still sitting, they both swayed back and forth while singing an anime OP.
  
   
  +
They both sat together, swaying their bodies left and right while singing the opening to an anime.
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“♪Don’t you look down on yourself like that. Overthrow yourself so you have to look up at yourself. You can argue your case with incredible ease. Trust in yourself and your dreams will come true. If you’ve hit a dead end with the lesser cuckoo, just show your purity with a Ha-Ra-Ki-Ri♪”
  
   
  +
“♪Don‘t look down on yourself, look up and take the top. Be calm and stand fast, your dreams will come true if you just believe. The cuckoo reaches the end of its limits. A HA . RA . KI . RI of purity!”
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After singing, the body pillow sighed and the suddenly looked back to the north.
  
   
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The singing dakimakura paused. And then, abruptly looked behind him to the north.
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A few white and black forms were visible beyond the tall grass hiding them. They were large transport ships bearing Musashi’s emblem. The body pillow spoke up when he saw them in the sunlight.
  
   
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There, beyond grass tall enough to conceal a person were several white and black figures. They were a group of large transport ships bearing the coat of arms of Musashi.
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“Since the Musashi is being remodeled in the Kantou Izumo’s Ariake dock, the residents, facilities, and companies not needed for the remodeling are being carried out.”
  
   
  +
Looking at them as they sat in the sunlight, the dakimakura muttered.
   
  +
“Due to Musashi being refitted at Ariake, her special floating dock in Kantou IZUMO, all inhabitants and engineers not related to the repair works are to take their business outside.”
   
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The body pillow continued speaking.
  
   
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<center><span style="font-size: 300%;">●</span></center>
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“Even those of us on the Provisional Council are using the temporary Provisional Council building at the first land port along with the Musashino’s ships.”
  
   
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As he spoke, the wind blew. A few ships measuring a dozen meters were ascending from the ships docked at the land port to north.
  
   
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The dakimakura read the words aloud
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But they stopped after reaching a certain height.
  
   
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“—We, the office of the Provisional Council, at our general assembly together with the Musashino battle group have decided to take control of the reserve Provisional Council office of No.1 port, however….”
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As the body pillow and sheet watched, cargo was carried out from the floating ships’ decks and side hatches. The altitude differences were used to send the cargo along the thick rope passageways connecting the ships.
  
   
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In between his words, the wind blew.
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“So the early afternoon cargo transportation has begun. Mito’s land ports were originally divided up so other nations could use them, but now they’re being used by the transport ships providing living spaces for the Musashi’s eight ships. The Musashi’s cities have rearranged their wide blocks into transport ships that have docked at those land ports separated by the forests. As for the Musashi itself…”
  
   
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Several of the battle group’s vessels anchored at the north of the harbor ascended by tens of meters.
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The body pillow looked even further north.
  
   
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However, they all stopped after rising by a certain amount of height.
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Green mountains were visible in the distance and the sky could be seen twenty kilometers away.
  
   
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Before the eyes of the dakimakura and the sheet, cargo was carried out from the edges of the deck and the side hatches.
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“Shirakawa, the entrance to Oushuu. The Ariake is remodeling the Musashi there.”
  
   
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On the Futonawa road linking the ships, the difference in altitude was used to facilitate the stream of cargo being transported.
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“Only because Date holds eastern Oushuu and they won’t let us move any further north because they’re ‘busy’. And we can’t move into Siberia in western Oushuu because Mogami and Sviet Rus’s Uesugi are also putting off making a decision. Time passes, but little else happens.”
  
   
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“….so the afternoon transport commences? Originally, this harbor of Mito which is divided according to nation, would assign the eight component ships of the Musashi to the transport fleet overseeing its separation. Thanks to that, right now in every city in Musashi, after every lane has been reconfigured for transport shipping, the harbor which was separated from the forest is now also an arrival port.”
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The sheet sighed, but the body pillow said that was not necessarily a bad thing.
  
   
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Again the dakimakura looked to the north at the bulk of the Musashi.
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“Time is useful. The Musashi’s remodeling will be complete soon and we can get somewhat used to living in these divided temporary homes. It wasn’t a bad decision by the Student Council after the loss at Mikatagahara.”
  
   
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North where the distant green mountains lay, to a gap approximately 20km away.
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“True.” The sheet swayed as it sighed in a different way from before. “They moved the people from the Musashi so they wouldn’t see the damage and split them up into eight groups so they couldn’t form a union of negativity. And by sending them down to the surface and giving them a busy lifestyle they aren’t used to, they get a nice change of pace and can’t lose themselves in their negative emotions.”
  
   
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“The entrance to Oushuu, Shirakawa….The Musashi will be refited at Ariake.”
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“And they were also given the choice to leave the ships and live in Mito’s castle town. …Also, the manufacturing districts are making parts for the Musashi and volunteers can return to the Musashi to help with the remodeling for some bonus pay. They’re given a way out and their overall unity is given a chance to recover.”
  
   
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“It’s because the Date who control Northeastern Europe, under the pretext of ‘being too busy at the moment,’ would not allow anyone north of there. The elites who control the West European region of Siberia, the Uesugi of Svet Rus are also withholding announcement of their decision. Meanwhile we can only pass the time.”
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“Was that Masazumi-kun’s decision?”
  
   
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That may not be a bad idea, the dakimakura said to the sighing sheet.
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“Mostly,” said the body pillow. “But some of the arrangements were not made by her. That was done by the Student Council’s underclassmen.”
  
   
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“Time is welcome. It’s because while slowly approaching the completion of Musashi’s refit, I’ve grown somewhat accustomed to this eight-sectioned temporary residence. The decision by the Student Council after their defeat at Mikatagahara isn’t a bad thing.”
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“I see. Do you mean Ookubo and Kanou?”
  
   
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With that, the sheet let out a sigh different from the one before
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“Yes.” The body pillow nodded. “That’s Ookubo-kun’s daughter. …She is the daughter of a colleague who inherited the Ookubo name before Mikawa was cleared out. Afterwards, he came to Musashi like I did. I had thought he was living a fairly low-key life, but his daughter has done enough to inherit the names of Ookubo Tadachika and Nagayasu. Add in Kanou, the inherited name automaton that came with them from Mikawa, and they are certainly skilled. …Not as much as Masazumi, but they are some people to watch among the second years.”
  
   
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“Preventing us from seeing the losses from the battle, leaving upwards from the Musashi or forming any undesirable unions, that’s what the eight sections do. On one hand, while it may be possible to descend to the surface, the unfamiliar and hectic lifestyle provokes changes in sentiments, ensuring negative feelings do not boil over.”
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“Kh… I can’t stand how you hint at the connections you have there.”
  
   
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“The descent of the ship gives us the option of staying in Mito’s castle-town…..also, each industrial sector is producing parts for Musashi’s refitting. There are cases of people returning to the Musashi as those hoping to participate in the refitting works get special treatment. The provision of such a refuge means that unity can only recover.”
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“According to the Testament descriptions, the Honda and Ookubo clans have some political battles. It would help me quite a bit if Masazumi could get along with them. But…politics is more than a domestic affair. Isn’t that right, Koni-tan?”
  
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“Is that Masazumi-kun’s decision?”
   
  +
That’s generally so, said the dakimakura. However,
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“Judge. You mean Hashiba’s warriors which have stopped moving north for the history recreation of the Korean invasion in Edo and the reactions from Date, Mogami, Uesugi, and the other Kantou powers?”
  
   
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“But a part of the arrangements did not stem from Masazumi. They were from the Student Council’s juniors.”
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“Yes. And do you remember what Lady Yoshitsune said during the Battle of Mikatagahara?”
  
   
  +
“I see. You speak of Ookubo and Kanou then?”
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“Judge.” The sheet nodded and turned its air hole toward the body pillow. “Make allies of Date and Uesugi.”
  
   
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Aa, nodded the dakimakura.
   
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“The Ookubo girl…..Before the population census of Mikawa, she was a peer who took on the title of Ookubo. Like me, after the census, she too came to Musashi. However, looking to keep a lower profile, she took on the dual titles of Tadachika and Nagayasu. The automaton she inherited and which followed her from Mikawa, Kanou; to call her capable would not be a mistake…..Not on Masazumi’s level but she’s a rising star of the second years.”
   
  +
“Ku…..That style of speaking, vaguely knowing that connections exist, it’s most regrettable…”
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“That means it would be best to actively try to make allies of Date and Uesugi.”
  
   
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“The Honda and Ookubo are two houses locked in strife over the Testament Descriptor. I’ll have much to gain if she makes friends with Masazumi. However….government is not just limited to internal issues….is that not so, Koni-tan?”
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A boy in glasses drew a map of Oushuu on the blackboard.
  
   
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“Jud….In the south, Edo is carrying out the history recreation of the Korean Invasions. Consequently, the maneuvers of the Hashiba armies prevent any advance north. Also, there are the corresponding actions of the Date, Mogami, Uesugi and the Kantou force?”
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The armband on his short sleeve read “Secretary – Neshinbara Toussaint”.
  
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“That’s right….Earlier during the battle of Mikatagahara, do you remember what Lord Yoshitsune said?”
   
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Jud, nodded the sheet. Turning his air hole to the dakimakura,
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…''Well, they probably already understand all this.
  
   
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“—Get the Date and Uesugi to our side.”
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He looked across the sparsely filled classroom. This was Class 3-Plum of Musashi Ariadust Academy at the back of Okutama, Musashi’s rear central ship. He could see all of the Musashi outside the window. He could also see the interior of the Ariake, the specialized dock the Musashi had sunken into.
  
   
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The Ariake looked like a vast hole from here. Large land bridges passed by on either side and lifts covered the walls and ceiling, but it was mostly an IZUMO land port with a roof.
  
   
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The Musashi was contained within, but this was different from before. Many objects covered the surface of the eight ships, scaffolding surrounded them, or pieces were missing.
  
   
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<center><span style="font-size: 300%;">●</span></center>
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…''It’s being remodeled. And this time, it’s getting weapons.
  
   
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Below the coverings, it was being remodeled on the pretext of acting as a mercenary for other nations. Some were meant for defense and they had apparently reached the testing phase.
  
   
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''I wonder how this will turn out. I hope it’s cool. I hope the cannons have names,'' thought Neshinbara as he heard a woman’s voice from the side. It was Oriotorai who had removed her track suit jacket. She was checking over some datasheets on where the restaurants on the Musashi’s surface and interior had moved.
  
   
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“—therefore, allying with the Date and Uesugi on our own initiative would be desirable.”
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“Okay, okay. Just because you’re using the self-study time for a meeting is no excuse for getting distracted. Asama, Mitotsudaira, Masazumi, and everyone waiting for work may be out, but make sure you do this right. …So Neshinbara, what do you think about joining forces with Sviet Rus’s Uesugi?”
  
   
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The young boy with glasses, sketching a map of Oushuu in chalk on the black board said.
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“Oh, judge.” Neshinbara continued speaking. “According to the Testament, Date joins Matsudaira for Sekigahara and Uesugi joins Hashiba, so the standard thinking would be to assume allying with Uesugi will be difficult. The powerful nation of Mogami stands between them, but since it shrinks after Sekigahara, going for time-limited cooperation would be useful.”
  
   
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Wearing an arm band with the words “Secretary Neshinbara Toussaint” on his short sleeves, “well, that’s largely understood,” he thinks as he surveyed the classroom, sparsely furnished with seats.
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Someone spoke up from the back of the classroom. It was Naito, with her six gold wings. She was using a Magie Figur to communicate with Naruze who was helping transport cargo outside.
  
   
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This was class Third Year Umegumi of Musashi Ariadust Academy, located in the aft section of Musashi’s center-rear ship, Okutama.
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“Mogami declines and then Date becomes the ruler of Oushuu, right? So would we be getting Date’s support and using their influence to get Uesugi on our side?”
  
   
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Looking ahead, out the window, the entirety of the Musashi could be seen. And with that, the full expense of the interior of Ariake, the specialized, large scale dock that the Musashi was enclosed in.
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“I doubt it would be that simple. Date, Mogami, and Sviet Rus’s Uesugi have had connections for a long time and they have continued their history recreation through discussions rather than battle.”
  
   
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Viewed from here, Ariake was a vast hall.
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That comment came from Crossunite who sat next to Mary, who wore an English summer uniform.
  
   
  +
Overhead bridges spanned from left to right and lifts ran along the walls and ceiling. The entire scene was similar to the roofed IZUMO harbor.
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He opened a sign frame by the ceiling so everyone could see. It displayed a bird’s-eye-view map of Oushuu to Jouetsu, but it contained several large red circles and geometric shapes.
  
   
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The Musashi buried in its heart however, was different until now. The surfaces of the eight ships were covered by many sheets draped over them and they were encircled by scaffolding or otherwise, completely bare.
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“These are the many Harmonic Territories that Oushuu and Sviet Rus are well known for.”
  
   
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…..It was in the middle of repairs. And on top of that, this included the fitting of weaponry. Drastic changes to allow for the martial activities of various nations were being carried out beneath each cover. All that had been for the implicit purpose of defense and they had now reached the testing stage. Whatever they may be, whether they be attractive or are called guns, it’s fine, Neshinbara thought.
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They almost entirely filled Oushuu and Sviet Rus. More of the map was covered in red than was not. Ohiroshiki sighed and spoke up while looking almost straight up at the map.
  
   
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A girl’s voice came from the side.
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“Sviet Rus, Mogami, and Date have all fortified themselves behind these natural defenses, haven’t they?”
  
   
  +
It was Oriotorai, who had removed her jersey jacket. She was checking the draft of a report from an advance scouting operation on the relocation of dining areas on the exterior and interior of the ship.
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“Judge. They have techniques for living in the freezing cold that were cultivated in the Harmonic Divine States. And they use them to live in those vast Harmonic Territories. Not even the Musashi can approach without using the safe corridors. When the Harmonic Divine States collapsed, the few regions that collapsed first ended up like this; but Oushuu has more than anywhere else and has become very self-sufficient.”
  
   
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“Yes, yes, this used to be for the purpose of self study but is now a situation meeting, so I can’t just look the other way right? Although the task that Asama, Mitotsudaira and Masazumi have is a trifling affair, one must still be firm in it no? .....Eh, what? From Neshinbara’s viewpoint, it seems like we need to ally with the Uesugi’s Svet Rus.”
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''Yes, Musashi’s ability to trade is difficult to use here,'' agreed Neshinbara.
  
   
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Ah, Jud, Neshinbara continued.
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…''Oushuu has long been wary of outsiders.
  
   
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“According to the Testament, during the time of the Sekigahara campaign, the Date were on the side of the Matsudaira. The Uesugi were on the side of the Hashiba. Fundamentally, getting the Uesugi to our side is a next to impossible proposition. In between, there’s the large nation of the Mogami, however, this was a nation that was reduced after the Sekigahara campaign so aiming for a temporary alliance would be useful.”
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They had historical connections from long ago, so they had been able to handle everything through peaceful discussions.
  
   
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At this, the words started flowing from within the classroom.
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“In the Age of Dawn before the Testament was made, Oushuu is said to have been the site of the most intense fighting in the war over the Far East’s land. That fighting was treated as an early recreation of the later eastern expeditions of the successive imperial courts, so a relatively peaceful age began on the Far Eastern side of things. But with the confusion of the Kamakura Shogunate’s establishment and the Harmonic Unification War, it became a dangerous region once more. Especially since the collapse of the many Harmonic regions caused a resonance that affected the surrounding Far Eastern ley lines. That attuned the Far Eastern land with the Harmonic regions, making them just as frigid.”
  
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It was the gold, six-winged Knight. She was engaged in exchanges with the Magi no Figur because of Naruze, who was facilitating the shipping in of outside goods.
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“The way things are going now, the Mogami are in decline. Wouldn’t that leave the Date the supreme rulers of Oushuu? In that case, we just accept the shield to the rear the Date provides and borrow that authority to ally with the Uesugi….what do you think?”
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“Don’t be naïve. The Date, Mogami and Svet Rus of the Uesugi have long been linked in collusion to carry out the history recreation….”
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The one who had spoken was seated in line next to the English-style summer dress-clad Mary, Crossunite.
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He opened a Sign frame at the ceiling where everyone could see. Depicted there was the region north of Kantou, from Oushuu to Jyouetsu, on a general bird’s eye view map. However, on that map were a large, red circle and several geometric diagrams.
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“….Oushuu and Svet Rus’ specialty; they’re mostly fallen Divine Harmonic Realms.”
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The number of which fills most of Oushuu and Svet Rus. There was little that was not covered in red on the map.
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Looking directly upwards, Oshirohiki sharply exhaled and said
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“Svet Rus, Mogami and Date; they are all clad in these natural defenses huh…”
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“Jud. Survival techniques for the harshest cold, fostered in the Divine Harmonic States. Using those, they dare to live in the heart of the vast, fallen Harmonic Realm….Even for Musashi, if she didn’t go along the corridor, the terrain would be difficult for her. When the Divine Harmonic States crumbled, several of the first territories to fall into ruin were in this state, however, Oushuu in particular had a high propensity for it. It’s a territory which is highly self-contained.”
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That’s right. Musashi’s trading might can be brought to bear here, Neshinbara nodded.
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….Oushuu had always been wary of people from outside lands. They have a history of such for a very long time, that’s why dialogue on that has to be undertaken.
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“During the dawning eras, before the Testament existed, Oushuu waged war for the territories of the Far East. It can be said to be the largest of the battleground states. After this war, the recreations of the earlier defeats of the eastern expeditions of successive Imperial Courts were dealt with. The relatively peaceful period for the Far Eastern side continued. However, the difficulties of the establishment of the Kamakura bakufu and the Harmonic Unification War turned the land into one that is still troubled now….Especially since the resonance from the numerous collapses of the Harmonic Territories affected the Earth’s Pulse ether ley lines that lead to the Far East side in the area. Alignments that would have never occurred now occur and even lands on the Far Eastern side became frozen.”
   
 
So…
  
So…
   
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“Originally, as the region is difficult for Musashi to enter, provisional congress members and committee chairpersons would enter first. However, as Musashi is in the middle of repairs and is thus unable to take any external actions, the leaders cannot show up in each nation….Right now, Musashi is essentially cut off from relations with other nations.”
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“Because the Musashi would normally have such a hard time getting in, the Provisional Council and the heads of committees will be sent in first. But we can’t spare any time on foreign diplomacy with the remodeling going on, so we can’t send anyone out to the other nations. …Musashi has to effectively cut off all diplomacy at the moment.”
  
   
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“Isn’t that bad?”
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“That’s bad no?”
   
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The nudist was sitting in his desk wearing swim trunks.
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The Nude said as he sat in his swimming trunks.
   
   
   
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<center><span style="font-size: 300%;">●</span></center>
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Neshinbara considered ignoring him.
  
   
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But the musician of an entertainer god built up internal Blessings by offering up performances, so that was probably what this was. It was not just his personal preference. That had to be it. And so Neshinbara answered the idiot.
  
   
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“Musashi has not interacted with any other nation for about three weeks now. The Hirazumo hidden city of Oushuu Fujiwara gave us some initial supplies, but they’ve only been watching since.”
  
   
  +
Ignoring him, Neshinbara thought about that.
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“I see.”
  
   
  +
Yet, the musicians of the God of Performance gather internally burning Haiki when they use their performances as offerings. This was a possibility.
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Seeing the idiot pout his lips and lose himself in thought, Neshinbara smiled in his heart.
  
   
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It wasn’t a simple pursuit.
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He had shown a lot of interest in these meetings lately.
  
   
  +
That was so, Neshinbara unusually accepted while considering that point.
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Of course, he never seemed to actually be listening. It was less about him understanding what was being said and more an interest in what everyone was involved in and what they were doing. But…
  
   
  +
“It’s already around 3 weeks and the Musashi still can’t conduct any foreign relations. The Oushuu Fujiwara who helped us with materials in the early stages, have since then, kept the isolated village of Hiraizumi under close watch.”
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…''I wonder.
  
   
  +
On seeing the idiot say “is that so” and thinking with pointed lips, Neshinbara laughed inwardly.
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Long ago, he had said he wanted to create a kingdom to make everyone’s dreams come true. And by rescuing his princess, he had started moving in that direction; but he was watching what the rulers of other nations did, asking the Reine des Garous about it, and had overcome the defeat at Mikatagahara.
  
   
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He was, at this point, intently following the conference.
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…''I really do wonder.
  
   
  +
Naturally, it didn’t look like he was listening. Rather than understanding the content of the subject, he is moved to interest based on how much connection it has to people.
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They were acting on the world domination and retrieval of the Logismoi Óplo he had started at Mikawa.
  
   
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However,
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Since they were on the move, in a way, he was not with them. His objective remained unchanged, so he only needed to watch.
  
   
  +
….What about it,
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''But,'' thought Neshinbara. ''What if he found a way to do more than watch and actually took part? Would we no longer have anything like Mikatagahara happen?
  
   
  +
Back then, he said he would create a land where everyone’s dreams would be fulfilled.
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''I do wonder. Am I viewing him as too much of a hero? But he’s still peeping and doing stupid things. When he leaves these meetings, he keeps smiling and doing weird things like he always has.
  
   
  +
And so now, with the princess’s rescue as the start, that seemed like the beginning of it. However, while observing what needed to be done with the kings of various nations, he heard the words from Rene de Garou. Additionally, there was the defeat at Mikatagahara.
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…''I wonder.
  
   
  +
….What about it indeed.
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“Yes.”
  
   
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Neshinbara nodded and spoke. He inhaled, changed his line of thought, and glanced over at the idiot for just a moment.
  
   
  +
Right now, they are beginning from Mikawa, his “world conquest” and “recovery of the Loizmoi Oploi.”
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“This is pretty bad, but we do have an intermediary even with diplomacy cut off. Oushuu has always been a resistant land, but once you get close, they treat you like family. …The merchants on both sides are secretly trading to keep business booming, aren’t they?”
  
   
  +
In a sense, he did not have any reason for acting.
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“Judge.”
  
   
  +
His goal was fixed and that was because all he had to do was watch.
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Heidi nodded from right in front of the teacher’s desk. Shirojiro was out working and she was assisting him via divine transmission.
  
   
  +
However, thought Neshinbara, what if he did not just watch but also found relevant ways to do things, then stuff like the defeat at Mikatagahara would not have happened.
−
“We’ve mainly been dealing in food. But the most valuable items are the Oushuu-made Orei Metallo. Konishi-sama of the Provisional Council is handling most of that. We’re doing our best to see if we can steal some of that business from him.”
  
   
  +
What about it.
   
  +
He’s going in the direction of a hero.
   
  +
However, at this point, with him always being a peeping tom and an idiot, he’s always going forth on this occasion, always smiling and always doing weird stuff but….
−
“I’m not about to lose to the Student Council. This deal is going to make me a lot of money, after all. I can buy the Orei Metallo from Date and Mogami’s ruins and sell them directly to IZUMO. It’s especially profitable with the remodeling going on.”
  
   
  +
What about it
−
As the sheet spoke with its legs soaking in the small stream, the body pillow sitting next to it nodded.
  
   
  +
“Un.”
−
“We need to show them that we are still their superiors. …But Koni-tan, you started to say something before we all began dancing in the viewing room, didn’t you? What happened in the Date clan? …Two weeks ago, Hashiba visited Date, Mogami, and Sviet Rus to ‘check on their history recreation’. Sviet Rus is being invaded by P.A. Oda’s Shibata, but Mogami and Date both stopped everything they were doing, didn’t they? Of course, I’m sure that was meant to show that Oushuu couldn’t rely on Musashi and to show what a threat Hashiba is to them.”
  
   
  +
Nodding, Neshinbara responded.
−
“Judge.” The sheet kicked at the water. “The Date clan and Mogami have stopped moving. But based on some observations, there are occasional massive thunder clouds at night so aerial ships cannot pass through. Also…”
  
  +
  +
Taking a breath and changing his mind, Neshinbara glanced at him for an instant.
  +
  +
“There may be many risks and foreign relations are disrupted but we have an intermediary no? Oushuu may be the one you formerly defended your land against, but people do draw close. Merchants depend on that to keep their businesses from drying up you know. Has the underground trade been carried out?”
  +
  +
Jud, Heidi nodded close to the surface of the teacher’s desk. She was on the link via the Divine Transmission from where she was assisting the working Shirojiro.
  +
  +
“We are in charge of food. And being the richest, as expected, the Provisional Council’s Konishi-sama has largely brought in Oushuu’s Orei Metal. We haven’t been able to pinch a little of it so we’ll keep at it on this.”
  +
  +
  +
<center><span style="font-size: 300%;">●</span></center>
  +
  +
  +
  +
  +
“The Student Council will not be beaten just yet! Transactions are my forte after all! This gem from the barren lots of the Date and Mogami dropped off at IZUMO. It will profit the current refitting works.”
  +
  +
The sheet with his legs in the creek said as the dakimakura next to him gave a small nod.
  +
  +
“We must yet demonstrate our superiority….However, Koni-tan, before you danced with everyone in the AV room, you were going to say something? What happened with the Date clan….? Two weeks before there was a “Confirmation of History Recreation” from the Hashiba to the Date, Mogami and Svet Rus. Aside from Svet Rus, which suffered from invasion by Shibata of P.A Oda, will the Mogami and Date each shut off their activities? It’s only natural that for those in Oushuu, we of Musashi are unreliable. We can show that the Hashiba are a threat but…”
  +
  +
Jud, said the sheet while kicking the water.
  +
  +
“….Right now, we can’t see if the Date are making any moves towards the Mogami. From observation reports, vast thunder clouds often form, disrupting traffic to and from the airport. Also….”
   
 
“Also?”
  
“Also?”
   
−
“Judge. This is an unrelated matter, but both Date and Mogami sent out a ship bearing signs of mourning. They were both sent south, toward Azuchi Castle.”
 +
“Jud. This is another thing but around two weeks ago, a ship, bearing a mark of mourning headed south from the Date and Mogami towards Azuchi Castle.”
   
−
“Date and Mogami sent someone who died to Hashiba? Did someone have to take responsibility when faced with the threat of Hashiba?”
 +
“….Who would the Date and Mogami send to the heart of the Hashiba after they’d died? Will those responsible for dealing with the Hashiba appear?”
   
  +
“I don’t know.”
−
“I don’t know.” The sheet swayed gently to the side. “But Hashiba’s forces responded by sending a ship to Kantou. Are you familiar with the Jurakudai? That castle belongs to Hashiba Hidetsugu, Hashiba’s nephew whose name had supposedly not been inherited yet. In other words…”
  
   
  +
The sheet gently swayed his entire body side to side.
−
“Don’t say it all. Someone has inherited the name of Hashiba Hidetsugu.”
  
   
  +
“Simply put, acting in tandem, a ship under the control of the Hashiba has arrived in Kantou. Have you heard of the Jurakudai….? That is the castle of the nephew of the as-of-yet heirless Hashiba, Hashiba Hidetsugu. In other words—“
−
The body pillow’s words suddenly grew icy.
  
   
  +
“Save your breath. The heir has been decided then….Hashiba Hidetsugu.”
−
“I see,” he said before slowly turning toward the sheet. “You understand, don’t you? Ha ha. This is very dangerous.”
  
   
  +
The dakimakura said those unexpectedly cold words.
−
“Yes. This is quite dangerous, but it is also a chance to influence some great historical upheaval.”
  
   
  +
With an “I see,” he slowly turned his body towards the sheet.
−
“Ha ha ha.” The body pillow bent over in laugher. “Is this Hashiba’s thoughtfulness or thoughtlessness? Either way, history is on the move and Hashiba has a blade against Date and Mogami’s throats. Masazumi and the others have their work cut out for them.”
  
  +
“….You understand as well? Ha ha, that’s a troublesome plan.”
   
  +
“Eh. This is troubling alright but it’s a chance to experience a great upheaval in history.”
−
“Judge. Based on my investigation, if you include that fox woman’s movements, this is actually the opposite-…”
  
   
  +
“Hahahaha,” the dakimakura doubled over with laughter.
−
As soon as he said that, something flew their way from the north.
  
  +
  +
“Whether it’s the concerns of the Hashiba or their thoughtlessness, history will be stirred up. It’s something that has Date, Mogami and Hashiba by the throat. It doesn’t seem as if Masazumi and her band can keep this up any longer.”
  +
  +
“Jud. As far as my findings reveal, even that vixen’s actions fly in the face of practicality.”
  +
  +
He announced to that extent.
  +
  +
From the north, in the direction of the grassy fields, something flew.
   
 
“Oh?”
  
“Oh?”
   
−
It was a purifying attack using an exorcism arrow.
 +
It was evidently a Purification Bombardment centered on an exorcism arrow.
   
  +
Hurriedly putting themselves on guard, the sheet and dakimakura rose to their feet on trembling legs and faced the attack of light that had flown in.
−
The sheet and body pillow rapidly went on the defensive and stomped their feet as the glowing attack arrived.
  
   
 
“Seppuku Barrier!!!”
  
“Seppuku Barrier!!!”
   
  +
After that they looked at each other’s air vents and….
−
Then their air holes exchanged a glance.
  
   
−
“Run away!!”
 +
“….RUN!!!”
   
  +
The entire thing detonated.
−
It exploded.
  
   
   
  +
<center><span style="font-size: 300%;">●</span></center>
   
−
[[Image:Horizon4A_0035.jpg|thumb]]
  
   
−
“Did you get them, Asama?”
 +
“Did you get them Asama?”
   
−
After leaving the first land port’s forest on Mito land, Masazumi was blinded by the bright sunlight.
 +
In the territory of Mito, from the forest of the No. 1 dock, Masazumi leapt out, blinking from the sudden glare of the sun.
   
−
When she called to the archer in a summer uniform who stood on the grass up ahead, that other girl tilted her head while finishing her follow-through. Her Mouse, Hanami, and her own black hair fluttered in the slight breeze.
 +
Calling out before her and charging ahead, a figure in summer uniform and wielding a bow and arrow positioned herself in a clump of bushes. Following through with her shot, she inclined her head to the side.
   
  +
Alongside the flowers of her Mouse, her black hair waving in the breeze, the girl said
−
“Hmm. The homing doesn’t seem to work well when you don’t know their identity. I blew away everything in the area, but it’s hard to say I actually hit them. We need to check the corpses.”
  
   
  +
“Un. As expected their true forms are unclear so the pursuit group appears to have been half-hearted. I nuked the area but it’s hard to say for sure. We have not confirmed the corpses after all.”
−
“Judge. Sorry about all the trouble. The residents reported some white figures dancing in the temporary government building. …I assume it’s some new kind of mysterious phenomenon.”
  
   
  +
“Jud. Sorry for bothering you. According to reports from the citizens, there were white shadows dancing around in the reserve government offices. For all I knew, it was a new weird phenomenon.”
−
“Agreed. With the remodeling of the Musashi and the cities split up, our shrine’s divine protection is split between them too. We’re managing with some help from the local Kashima Shrine, though.”
  
   
  +
“I share your sentiments. When the town was sectioned into eight for Musashi's refitting, our divine protection was also divided, that’s why. This area is somehow managing partly thanks to following Kashima Shrine.”
−
Asama nodded, folded up her bow, and stowed it inside her side skirt through the slit.
  
   
  +
Asama nodded and folded up her bow, before putting it away through a slit on the inner side of her side skirt. Looking at this action, Masazumi earnestly thought that wearing a summer uniform makes one busier.
−
''We sure have been busy since changing to our summer uniforms,'' thought Masazumi as she watched.
  
   
  +
Speaking of summer uniforms, in Masazumi’s own case, she had no outer garment and had only short sleeves on. However, as she had worn a man’s inner suit until last year, there was an excess in the bust size and below her waist line were trousers.
−
Then again, the only difference for Masazumi was the lack of a coat and the short sleeves.
  
   
  +
Besides, comparing the two…..
−
However, she had worn a boy’s inner suit for previous years, so she had had some extra room around the chest and had worn pants.
  
   
  +
Men’s wear was airier she felt but female wear was cooler.
−
…''The boy’s one always felt drafty, but the girl’s one feels chilly in its own more sudden way.
  
   
−
The girl’s suit was fit to her body, so she could feel her sweaty skin cooled by the air. The temperature difference between sun and shade was much more noticeable this way.
 +
The body-fitting suit that females wore really emphasized the feeling of cooling of sweaty skin due to external air. The bodily sensation of the variation in temperature upon entering the shade was stronger in this respect, thought Masazumi.
   
  +
….thanks to this inner suit, not just sound but also the temperature of the surroundings and all can be perceived.
−
…''Mukai can sense the temperature around her as well as the sound, but is that due to this inner suit?
  
   
−
She wondered if it bothered any of the others as she looked over at Asama.
 +
Best not to worry about others, thought Masazumi as she looked sideways at Asama.
   
−
“Now, let’s go check the site of the blast.”
 +
“….Well then, let’s go to the target zone.”
   
  +
Asama nodded her agreement.
−
“Yes,” agreed Asama just as someone else stepped between the two of them.
  
   
  +
At that moment, it happened.
−
Masazumi voiced her surprise at the sudden appearance, but this new figure only brushed her plentiful silver hair back into place. Then she turned her gold eyes toward Masazumi.
  
   
  +
A lone shadow stood up between the girls.
−
“I, 5th Special Duty Officer Nate Mitotsudaira, am here to protect you, Vice President. …This may be my territory, but aren’t we acting a little too freely?”
  
   
  +
It was a sudden appearance.
−
Mitotsudaira’s warning was given with a bitter smile in her voice. The chain-supplying obelisks were attached to the hard points on either side of her waist and she shrugged while looking to both Asama and Masazumi.
  
   
  +
With a cry, the other figure adjusted her oversized silver hair.
−
“Then again, it is important to show off that the Vice President and the Asama Shrine are working to maintain peace. According to Neshinbara, the drop in the Student Council’s approval rating is showing signs of stopping.”
  
   
  +
Turning her golden eyes this way,
−
“That’s because everything that’s making it drop is over now. Now it will naturally recover, starting from the areas of economic activity.”
  
   
  +
“5th Special Duty Nate Mitotsudaira, escort to the Vice-President, reporting. Although this is my domain, aren’t we venturing a bit too far forwards on our own?”
−
“Heh heh. You learned that from Heidi, didn’t you?”
  
   
  +
As she said those cautious words however, she was wearing a wry smile. The girl carrying chained obelisks at the hard points on the left and right of her waist looked at Asama and Masazumi and shrugged her shoulders.
−
“I’m busy, so I choose to rely on anyone I can.”
  
   
  +
“There is a need for the appeal of the Vice-President and Asama Shrine working together for peace; Neshinbara said that that the fall in the Student Council’s approval ratings is being arrested.”
−
Masazumi took a breath and pointed toward the site of destruction on the southern end of the waterway. Mitotsudaira started forward, Asama followed, and she took the rear.
  
   
−
They began to walk.
  
   
  +
“It’s because there are no more factors causing a decline. After this, there will be a natural recovery from the economic sector.”
   
  +
“Hu hu. That’s originally what Heidi said.”
   
  +
“As I was busy, I can only rely on a plan that involves only on relying on others.”
−
The site Masazumi found was less damaged than expected.
  
   
  +
Letting out a sigh, Masazumi pointed at the southern tip of the irrigation channel, at the blasted site.
−
“I detonated it in midair, so the stream shouldn’t have been damaged. It only took out some of the grass.”
  
   
  +
Following that indication, Mitotsudaira moved ahead, Asama following in succession, lining up with her.
−
“There’s only two centimeters of grass on the river bank.”
  
   
  +
They set out.
−
Masazumi did not entirely understand, but based on Mitotsudaira’s expression that must have been impressive accuracy.
  
   
  +
<center><span style="font-size: 300%;">●</span></center>
−
At any rate, Asama covered her right eye and checked around with her false eye while Mitotsudaira began to wiggle her nose. Meanwhile, Masazumi had nothing to do but look around.
  
   
  +
The devastation before Masazumi’s eyes was less than she expected.
−
…''This is a pretty large area of land.
  
   
  +
“As it was an air burst, the creek was not obliterated. On the ground, the grass has been stripped.”
−
All of the land, including the land ports, belonged to Mito Matsudaira and thus Mitotsudaira. The land had not been well taken care of since Mitotsudaira lived in Musashi, but they were using it now after maintaining it.
  
   
  +
“No taller than 2cm of the bushes of the riverbank remain.”
−
The Testament Union recognized the land as Mito Matsudaira land, so it was actually land from after the Matsudaira clan’s reign began, but…
  
   
  +
It wasn’t exactly clear how but Mitotsudaira bore an expression of having great accuracy.
−
…''That means Hashiba can’t easily interfere since she’s from a previous era.
  
   
  +
In any case, Asama used the artificial eye covering her right vision to verify the surroundings while Mitotsudaira twitched her nose.
−
That was partially why they had escaped to Mito.
  
   
  +
At the same time, Masazumi looked at the river bank in boredom.
−
It felt like they were abusing their connections, but Masazumi shuddered when she considered what would have happened without Mitotsudaira. Mitotsudaira simply smiled bitterly, but…
  
   
  +
….However, it was indeed a vast land.
−
“It’s a pretty good solution for us.”
  
   
  +
This expansive land that contained the harbor was the territory of Mitotsudaira—
−
Masazumi felt like she was doing nothing but rely on others, but her job was to make political decisions and negotiate. With no way to negotiate with Oushuu or Sviet Rus, she was of secondary importance.
  
   
  +
Mito Matsudaira.
−
She approached enough to catch the scent of Mitotsudaira’s hair.
  
   
  +
For the residents of Musashi, the sweet offer of Mitotsudaira maintaining the territory was currently being used in the outfitting works.
−
“By the way, how are the appeals from the different ships going?”
  
   
−
“Eh? Oh, right. Mary and the 1st Special Duty Officer are scheduled to go around this afternoon. Those two should be able to listen to the representatives of the ships’ residents well enough.”
  
   
  +
To get the Testament Union to recognize it as Mito Matsudaira’s land, they essentially labeled it as “the dominion after the Matsudaira clan had reigned over everything under the sky.”
−
“Judge. If it was me, I’d probably try to dissuade them on the spot.”
  
   
  +
….Those backwards Hashiba wouldn't be able to easily intervene here.
−
Masazumi heard two bitter laughs and felt a slight warmth in her cheeks. She told herself to assume it meant they understood her, but it also felt like they were treating her like a child.
  
   
  +
It was partly because of that judgment that they sought refuge in Mito.
−
“I wonder if I’m using Mary here. She does seem like the best person for the job, though.”
  
   
  +
It’s linked, thought Masazumi.
−
Asama turned her way.
  
   
  +
On the other hand, thinking what they would do without Mitotsudaira made her shiver.
−
“I think Mary was delighted to be made the 1st Special Duty Officer’s aide.”
  
   
  +
Mitotsudaira laughed dryly but she said,
−
“Judge. I know that, but there’s a subjective and an objective way of looking at it.”
  
   
  +
“—As for me, it’s quite simple.”
−
“Then,” said Mitotsudaira. “Stop using a negative subjective way of looking at it, Masazumi.”
  
   
  +
She just felt obliged to.
−
Mitotsudaira remained facing forward as she spoke without a smile on her serious expression.
  
   
  +
In charge of political decisions and negotiations, as it now stands, she had no clue how to negotiate with Oushuu and Svet Rus and thus had taken a back seat.
−
“Leave anything negative to our king.”
  
   
  +
Masazumi approached to where she could smell Mitotsudaira’s hair.
−
''To him?'' thought Masazumi. But at the same time…
  
   
  +
“Come to think of it, what are the petitions of each ship?”
−
“…Our king, huh?”
  
   
  +
“Eh? Ah, eeh, about that, Mary and the No. 1 special duty have planned to go around from the afternoon onwards. Those two intend to show up and hear from the representatives of the ships’ residents.”
−
Aoi seemed the same as always. He was always smiling, doing stupid things, and half-helping half-hindering people’s work. He did have a way of helping people relax, but that was the same as always too. Yet she always thought the same thing when she looked at him.
  
   
  +
“Jud. I am convinced on that front.”
−
…''You need to pull yourself together.
  
   
  +
Hearing that dry laugh for a second time, Masazumi felt a hint of warmth on her cheek.
−
She thought that to herself, not to the idiot.
  
   
−
Aoi had admonished her during the Battle of Mikatagahara. He had said she was not her usual self.
 +
As she thought that she understood the situation, it felt like she was being played for a child.
   
  +
However,
−
Since then, she had not had a chance to test her usual self.
  
   
  +
“I’m making use of Mary. Even if it’s fortuitous that she is the right person in the right place or whatever.”
−
And the fact that they had lost the battle weighed on her heart.
  
   
  +
Asama faced this way as she said.
−
She understood. Everyone was continuing their usual lives by remodeling the Musashi or living at the land ports and there were few complaints, but that was because they had a goal and because they were simply keeping their worries unsaid. So…
  
   
  +
“Are you pleased that Mary has been appointed also as No.1 Counselor?”
−
“I need to pull myself together.”
  
   
  +
“Jud. I understand that but there’s a difference between subjectivity and objectivity….”
−
She knew she would find herself at the negotiating table or in a meeting once more. And once that happened, she wanted to avoid doing anything like what Aoi had admonished her about.
  
   
  +
“If that’s so,” came Mitotsudaira’s voice, “then please stop being so negative, Masazumi.”
−
…''And what about you?
  
   
  +
Eeh, continued Mitotsudaira as she stared straight ahead, seriously, without a smile.
−
That idiot had supported her and pulled her along at Mikawa, so what did he think about their loss at Mikatagahara?
  
   
  +
“—Please leave all negative things to my King.”
−
She wanted to ask if she could, but first…
  
   
  +
That eh….thought Masazumi.
−
“I need to do what I can. …First comes the remodeling of the Musashi and the return to the international stage.”
  
   
  +
However, saying to one side,
−
Meanwhile, the wind blew in. It was a slight breeze from the mountains. She felt its chilliness through her hair and summer uniform, but…
  
   
  +
“ ……King huh.”
−
…''What is this?
  
   
  +
Aoi has lately been his usual self, thought Masazumi.
−
She could not put it in words, but something still seemed different in the bottom of her heart.
  
   
  +
Always laughing, getting on with being an idiot, doing stuff that causes one to be unable to understand whether he’s helping out or being a hindrance, bring warmth to the place.
−
She wanted something other than this cool breeze.
  
   
  +
As usual as always.
−
She had been busy and had gotten little sleep since Mikatagahara, but this still was not it.
  
   
  +
However, looking at him, she gets a certain impression.
−
…''What is it?
  
   
  +
….That something isn’t stable.
−
What should she do about her stewing self and what should she think about the others?
  
   
  +
It isn’t about that idiot.
−
She did not want a cool breeze, so…
  
   
  +
It’s about herself.
−
“I…”
  
   
  +
During the Battle of Mikatagahara, she had admonished Aoi.
−
“Eh?”
  
   
  +
She hadn’t been herself.
−
Asama turned around in surprise and Masazumi quickly swallowed her words, but Asama simply tilted her head.
  
   
  +
Since then, she never had the chance to be herself.
−
“What’s the matter, Masazumi? Did you go crazy again?”
  
   
  +
And her heart had to deal with the words from that defeat.
−
“What do you mean ‘again’!?”
  
   
  +
She understood it.
−
''And don’t look so disturbed, Mitotsudaira.
  
   
  +
Everyone’s life at the harbor all this while, throughout Musashi’s refitting.
−
But before anyone else could react, two forms stepped out from the grass remaining to the south.
  
   
  +
Keeping their discontent at that low was their plan; they were merely not giving voice to their unhappiness.
−
“Oh, dad? And Konishi-sama?”
  
   
  +
That was why,
   
  +
“It’s unstable.”
   
  +
One day, she’ll herself go to negotiations and conference area.
−
Asama saw Masazumi correct her posture. She placed a hand on her chest and lowered her head.
  
   
  +
At that time, she wished she had never reprimanded Aoi.
−
“We had heard two beings thought to be mysterious phenomena had fled here from the temporary Provisional Council building. Are the two of you all right?”
  
   
  +
And so,
−
“Masazumi, use your brain. Why do you think we are here?”
  
   
  +
….What about you?
−
Masazumi’s father grabbed the cigar in his mouth and blew out a sharp line of smoke. Mitotsudaira stepped back a bit from the scent of the smoke and Konishi crossed his arms.
  
   
  +
The idiot who steadied and pulled himself along at Mikawa; what do you think about the defeat at Mikatagahara?
−
“We were pursuing those very beings.”
  
   
  +
I want to hear it just for the sake of doing so.
−
“Eh? Th-then you weren’t caught in that blast were you?”
  
   
  +
However, before that,
−
''No, think carefully, Asama Tomo. If they had been, they wouldn’t be speaking with us right now. That’s just how serious I was. Yes. So I need to give them a salesman’s smile.
  
   
  +
“Getting back to business….First is the resumption of diplomatic exchanges with Musashi under repair.”
−
“Of course you weren’t caught in the blast! Yes, that couldn’t possibly have affected you! I would never carelessly fail to check where I was shooting or anything! Let’s just go with that!”
  
  +
  +
When she said that, a wind blew. It was a breeze from the mountains. She felt the coolness through her hair and summer uniform.
  +
  +
What is this huh?
  +
  +
She could not come up with a witty remark but the thought “not yet” resounded in the depths of her heart.
  +
  +
That wasn’t a cool breeze.
  +
  +
This was definitely not what she wanted.
  +
  +
Toiling away without sufficient sleep ever since the debacle at Mikatagahara….
  +
  +
Not yet
  +
  +
….What is this?
  +
  +
What should she who was already smoldering at her limit do?
  +
  +
What do others think?
  +
  +
A cooling breeze wasn’t what she wished for.
  +
  +
If that’s the case,
  +
  +
“I’ll—“
  +
  +
“Eh?”
   
  +
Next to her, Asama turned around in surprise while Masazumi flusteredly swallowed her words.
−
The two adults gave her expressionless looks.
  
   
  +
Asama simply tilted her head.
−
“…”
  
   
  +
“What were you doing? Masazumi was also a bit strange there.”
−
''Owwww!! This silence is painful!!!!
  
   
  +
“Also, WHAAT—!?”
−
As a dangerous sweat poured down Asama’s face, Masazumi’s father suddenly turned toward his daughter.
  
   
  +
Mitotsudaira drew her face back.
−
“Anyway, it seems those mysterious phenomena have vanished. You can exterminate them some other time.”
  
   
  +
However, before anyone could respond, a silhouette emerged from the remnants of the bushes on the south.
−
“Judge.” Masazumi nodded. “The two of you are very important, so please do not push yourselves too hard.”
  
   
  +
That was,
−
“Ha ha. No need to worry, Masazumi. We were students once, you know?”
  
   
  +
“—Ah, Father? Konishi-sama too…”
−
''That’s true,'' thought Asama. One’s student life ended at eighteen in the Far East, but if those two had been in a position to reach the Provisional Council…
  
   
  +
<center><span style="font-size: 300%;">●</span></center>
−
…''They must have been plenty powerful as students.
  
   
  +
Asama watched as Masazumi straightened herself.
−
She nodded and spoke her conclusion.
  
   
  +
She struck her own chest and dipped her head.
−
“Yes. So in other words, I don’t have to worry about firing on the two of you in the future.”
  
   
  +
“Two strange entities fled from the reserve Provisional Council offices to this area. Nothing serious has happened to you two, I take it?”
−
''They don’t look happy, but doesn’t that contradict what they just said? Yes. And don’t you give me the same look, Mito and Masazumi.
  
  +
“Masazumi, guessing is not enough— why do you think we are here?”
   
  +
Masazumi’s father took the cigar in his mouth to his hand and blew out a puff of smoke.
−
''I’d better change the subject.
  
   
  +
Faced with the scent of the smoke, Mitotsudaira backed slightly towards this way.
−
“So you say the mysterious phenomena have vanished? I’ll have to finish them off next time.”
  
   
  +
At the same time, Konishi folded his arms.
−
“Um, Tomo? You seem to be in a good mood, but if we’re done here, shouldn’t we head back?”
  
   
  +
“We chased those things here first.”
−
“Eh? Oh, right, right. Let’s head back.”
  
   
  +
“Eh? Well then, are you fine after that bombardment just now? If you were caught in it…”
−
The two adults nodded and said “judge”, but Masazumi’s father suddenly spoke up.
  
   
  +
No, think carefully, Asama Tomo.
−
“Masazumi, if you tell the people we dealt with the situation on your orders, you can score some points.”
  
   
  +
If they were caught in it, they wouldn’t be unscathed like this.
−
“Judge. I’ll do that. Also…”
  
   
  +
That was the truth, yes.
−
Masazumi looked up to the east.
  
   
  +
That’s why what she ought to do now was smile like a salesperson.
−
A moment later, a large humanoid form flew by with the wind.
  
   
  +
“Of course you weren’t caught in it! Eh….it’s perfectly fine! It isn’t like I missed the target zone or something! Yeah, it’s like that!”
−
It flew down nearby, so Asama looked up in surprise to see a heavy God of War with a blue dog’s face. The wings on the back remained open and a sign frame appeared next to the face.
  
   
  +
At this the two men turned this way with expressionless faces.
−
The sign frame displayed the virtual cockpit and a long-lived girl. She appeared to be sitting in a small Far Eastern-style room and Masazumi nodded toward her.
  
   
  +
“…..”
−
“How are you doing, Satomi Student Council President?”
  
   
  +
It hurts—!!
−
“You can call me Yoshiyasu if you want. …Righteousness is doing really well. Hurry onboard. The Student Council room has apparently been cleaned up, so they want you to check over it during the lunch break.”
  
   
  +
The silence hurts in return—!!!
−
''The Student Council room?'' wondered Asama with a tilt of the head, but she quickly remembered where that was.
  
   
  +
Masazumi’s father gazed at Masazumi who was anxiously sweating.
−
“Oh, that room right above the academy’s main entrance. That’s where Toori would stand naked in the window drinking milk in the mornings. That probably was pretty filthy.”
  
   
  +
“In any case, it seems that those unknown entities have vanished. The extermination is still not yet done.”
−
“Tomo! Tomo! That’s the room we’re going to be using at school from now on!”
  
   
  +
Jud, nodded Masazumi.
−
''Yes! A new purification job!'' she celebrated in her heart, but then she looked to Masazumi.
  
   
  +
“As you two are vital personnel, we kindly request that you do not over-exert yourselves.”
−
She saw the tension leave the girl’s eyebrows.
  
   
  +
“Haha, Masazumi. Don’t worry. We were once students after all.”
−
“Are you feeling better?”
  
   
  +
Certainly, thought Masazumi.
−
“Right now, it’s important to have a place of our own. …Now, then.”
  
   
  +
The student period in the Far Easy ends at the age of eighteen.
−
Masazumi stepped up onto the outstretched hand of Yoshiyasu’s God of War.
  
   
  +
However, after that, one can elect to be a provisional congress member….if one had sufficient skills when he was a student.
−
Suddenly, a sign frame appeared next to her face.
  
   
  +
Un, nodded Asama. This is surely the case.
−
'''Marube-ya:''' “Masazumi? It’s Heidi. I just received word through some trade connections that the Date clan wants to hold a secret meeting.”
  
   
  +
In other words,
−
“What?” said Masazumi while glancing over at her father and Konishi. Her father nodded back and pointed into the sky where the Ariake had to be.
  
   
  +
“Eeh…in other words— from now on, being careful not to get caught in bombardment strikes would be a good idea on the parts of both of you.”
−
“Hurry on back. We can no longer take things easy. The situation surrounding Oushuu, Russia, Kantou, and most importantly Musashi, has begun to move all at once. First, you must take on Oushuu, the land that experienced the conflict from the Age of Dawn and is now a solid rock of resistance and talking things out.”
  
   
  +
Despite having a displeased look, that behavior did not contradict with those words and actions just now.
−
“This isn’t going to be easy if we have to deal with Sviet Rus at the same time.”
  
   
  +
Eeh?
−
“Ho ho.” Konishi laughed quietly and placed a hand on the side of his mouth. “To face P.A. Oda, Uesugi has gone through internal reform and placed ‘Man of Love’ Naoe Kanetsugu as their Vice Chancellor and Vice President. …And to face Date and Mogami, they have placed the brave general Honjou Shigenaga as their 2nd Special Duty Officer. But the real problem lies within.”
  
   
  +
Mito and Masazumi aren’t going to look here together?
−
“You mean…?”
  
   
  +
Eeh?
−
The look in Mitotsudaira’s eyes said “people who talk this much can’t hide anything, can they?”, but Konishi probably knew that perfectly well. He then pointed northwest.
  
   
−
“Listen. Novgorod is a large floating city like IZUMO located in west Sviet Rus. Eight years ago, Sviet Rus Chancellor Ivan the Terrible carried out a great purge there and the Musashi has not visited since. …But that city is clashing with Shibata’s P.A. Oda forces.”
  
   
  +
The words slid from Asama’s tongue,
−
“So if we get involved with Oushuu and Sviet Rus, we might have to deal with Shibata’s forces too?”
  
   
  +
“…Anyway, those supernatural entities have vanished—we didn’t kill them this time.”
−
“Most likely. I also have word that the Jurakudai, castle of Hashiba Hidetsugu whose name shouldn’t have been inherited yet, has arrived in Edo. …Well, do your best, I suppose.”
  
   
−
“Judge.” Masazumi nodded. “Thank you for all the important information.”
  
   
  +
“Errm, Tomo? Even if you are taking in the refreshing air for whatever reason, shouldn’t we be going back if we have finished cleaning up here?”
−
She gave a quick bow, so the other two girls did as well.
  
   
  +
“—Eh? Ah, yes, yes. Let’s go back.”
−
“We’ll be going.”
  
   
  +
Jud, nodded the two men.
   
  +
However, Masazumi’s father suddenly opened his mouth.
   
  +
“Masazumi, you should convey to the citizens that they can do something, point being they should earn their keep.”
−
“Yes. This land has a history of resistance. You should proceed carefully.”
  
   
  +
“Jud. I accept your suggestion. As for the rest—“
−
Masazumi heard those words from her father.
  
   
  +
Masazumi looked up at the skies in the east.
−
This was not something he had done in the past, so she wondered if it meant he recognized her skill a little now.
  
   
  +
Immediately after, something approached.
−
…''No, I still have a long way to go. He might be trying to help me out because of that. After all, Musashi still hasn’t left the shadow of our loss at Mikatagahara.
  
   
  +
Flying in with the wind, was a large humanoid shadow.
−
Once they returned to the Ariake, they would find the Musashi being remodeled, the working people, and their training classmates.
  
   
  +
Asama gaped at the sky as the figure landed next to her.
−
''Let’s get back,'' she thought. She wanted to get back and begin searching for the way to recovery. And she wanted to check on this secret meeting with the Date clan that could help them find that way.
  
   
  +
It was a heavy God of War with a blue, doglike face.
−
“Let’s go home, Asama, Mitotsudaira, and Satomi President. …And for now, that means the Ariake.”
  
   
  +
Closing up the wings on its back, a Sign Frame appeared next to its face.
−
The idiot would be waiting for them too.
  
   
  +
Nestled in the virtual cockpit projected, was a young girl of the Elves.
−
He was their king.
  
   
  +
Masazumi nodded at the girl who, to all appearances, was sitting in a Japanese room with four tatami mats.
−
And he was a king who she had worried when she was supposed to be supporting him.
  
   
  +
“Student Council President Satomi. How are you doing?”
−
<noinclude>
  
−
{{HorizonNavbar
  
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| [[Horizon:Volume 4A School Rules|School Rules]]
  
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| [[Horizon:Volume 4A Chapter 01|Chapter 01]]
  
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}}
  
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</noinclude>
  

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