Dungeon Defense: Volume 3 – Intermission

Intermission


▯Demon Lord of Benevolence, Rank 9th, Paimon
Empire Calendar: Year 1506, Month 4, Day 3
Polles, Bruno Plains, Demon Lord Allied Forces

Ο

—This lady held her breath.

For a moment, the breaths of demons and humans were held indiscriminately. Though it was no longer than a mere moment, to me, it felt as long as an eternity.

This lady has come to the realization. That the time that had just brushed by this lady, that the time that had scraped and flowed through every mortal in these plains, was not simply a demanded time but a moment of history instead. From this day forth, every historical book to be written will have no other choice but to use an entire page for this moment. For a single moment in this place, history existed.

However.

“……What the fuck is that?”

Similar to everything else, since history is something that is also buried underneath time and flows by, it is something that cannot be seen once it has passed. One individual at a time, the mouths of the Demon Lords, who had held their breaths because of something uncontrollable, opened. The words that came to their lips were not astonishment, admiration, or even imprecations, but.

“Why did Dantalian fucking hand the authority to give the speech to some human girl when we gave him that right? Did that idiot become mentally ill?”

Merely dissatisfaction.

That was it.

“Oi, old man Marbas. If my memory hasn’t turned to shit, I’m pretty sure our right of speech has never been taken by a human before.”

“That is to my understanding as well…… Things have become troubling. Barbatos, I’m just asking this for caution’s sake, but did you perhaps allow Dantalian to commit such conduct?”

“Am I mad? Why would I give a lowly human bitch the sacred position of rallying the Crescent Army……? In any case, I wonder if it’s because Dantalian is a rookie since he sometimes doesn’t know what’s right and wrong. That kid doesn’t know circumstance.”

“Not only is the form of the speech a problem, but the content of the speech has many issues as well. Planting the seed of division into the humans is excellent, however, how could segregating humans and demons be wrong? Though it seems Dantalian had used a defector of human birth as his performer in order to shake the enemy army…… He has gone too far. It goes against what is right and goes against custom.”

“Yeah. She’s saying something nonsensical.”

Aah.

This lady’s head became hazy because of the conversation shared between Barbatos and Marbas. That did not remain as the reaction of merely those two Demon Lords. All the Demon Lords who had witnessed that speech were most likely thinking along those lines as well. Prejudice or ignorance, or rather, a sense of disdain that should just be called blindness flowed through the atmosphere. Feeling suffocated by that sensation, it became difficult for me to breathe……

Humans and demons are equal. Commoners and nobles are equal. Therefore, as all the people, regardless of one’s race, should be in harmony, everyone should respect one another while disregarding one’s class…… This simple and clear truth could not be seen by their blind eyes. They could not see it at all. This lady was barely able to open her lips.

“Everyone……”

“Hm?”

“Everyone, were you all unable to realize the meaning of that speech?”

“What are you talking about?”

Barbatos drew her brow together. A trivial body gesture such as that was more than enough to prove Barbatos’ natural ignorance. This lady gives up on trying to persuade her. It is impressive, Barbatos. You have the ability to repel this lady with the mere movement of your brow. I express my respect towards your ignorance.

“First, let’s punish Dantalian once the speech on the humans’ side is over.”

Punish? What do you mean by punishment?

This lady opened her eyes wide and gazed at Marbas. Beside Marbas, Barbatos was nodding her head as if it were obvious.

“If it had gone to only the mid-point, then we would have praised him, but since he has crawled at the absolute bottom, there is no other choice. We’re in a war, so for form’s sake, let’s just sentence him with confinement. And for that human, just whip her until she is nearly dead and pass it on adequately. If we really kill her then Dantalian would be pitiful……”

Confinement?

Whipping?

What sort of nonsense did they say just now?

……Barbatos has made Dantalian into her kept man. However, I am aware. I am aware that, by nature, Barbatos is not an individual who would share love with another. This lady had easily come to the conjecture that Barbatos was merely binding Dantalian with her body because he was necessary.

Regardless, to be able to do that so simply.

To be able to cast away the comrade and lover, who had saved her life and the lives of her army a month ago, like dirt.

“……”

Barbatos’ judgment may be correct in terms of political schemes. However, as that was not righteously correct, it was not politically correct either.  This lady considers the rule that does not straightly seek justice and vastly ponders one’s reign, as something that is merely evil. Yes, without question, Barbatos is an evil woman.

This lady bit her lip and immediately went into calculating.

……If this lady’s faction could truly be able to obtain superiority in the situation where we go against both Barbatos and Marbas at the same time. If the other Demon Lords, who follow this lady, would truly agree to the decision obediently in the situation where I incorporate Dantalian into this lady’s Mountain Faction after having been hostile towards him all this time. All sorts of situations and hypotheses mixed together chaotically. In the center of that suffocating fog, a single sentence stood out naturally.

Ο

Just now,

I have seen for the first time in my life a person who had the same way of thought as I did.

Ο

“……”

This lady’s silence deepened. It is not the depth of an investigator who was heading down towards the bottom. It was the depth of a survivor who was sinking because there was no bottom or boundary. I have lost my path. It is suffocating.

……Paimon, you must not act out of emotions. Rationally, consider the political impact that would occur if you were to shelter Dantalian. Moreover, though I believe in the equality of commoners and nobles, I also acknowledge the necessity of peasants. People of ignoble birth exist everywhere. Witches are an example of that. However, Dantalian would most likely embrace even those peasants as well. Our way of thought is very slightly different. In short, there is no need to assimilate myself with Dantalian on an emotional level. Calm down. Emotions will only ruin you. Calm down. An opportunity will always come……

“Wait. Now that I think about it. Can’t we just drag Dantalian here right now?”

Barbatos had spoken.

“The orator is that human anyway, so we can leave her be and just bring Dantalian here to punish.”

“Indeed, that is a fair point. You bring him.”

……

Paimon.

You cannot.

Look back at yourself objectively. You are the leader of the Mountain Faction. You are in possession of the largest faction within the Demon Lord armies. If you determine your position on impulse, then that influence will be directly taken in by the other Demon Lords. Please. If you have lived for 500 years then you should be sensible. Is it not sufficient for the Demon Lord, who forever behaves like a child, to remain as solely Barbatos? That is right, Paimon. Calm down. The reason why you always feel suffocated is because you think that you are suffering from angina. If you inhale slowly, then everything will be alri……

“Hey, bitch.”

“Ah?”

“Why are you wordlessly blocking my fucking way, you bitch?”

Barbatos was looking up at my face from below. That vulgar face, which looked like it would spit right this instant, verified how Barbatos-like she was.

……Ara?

When did this lady walk here?

I do not recall having walked here. Clearly, I was standing at the other side a second ago. Right now, this lady was blocking Barbatos’ path towards Dantalian. This is strange. This is really strange. If I do not return quickly……

“You fucker, try living while taking out some fat from your chest. Since you shove your stomach fat into your tits, a shitty smell is coming off. Really, a fucking vomit-inducing scent is emanating since the smell of your tits and the smell of oil is mixed together.”

“……”

If I do not return quickly.

“Oh? You aren’t going to fuck off? What are you going to do if you glare at me? In any case, you really do live up to your name as the most ragged bitch among the succubi since even your gaze is fickle. There are countless numbers of demons who want to do it through your eye socket, and yet you’ve managed to live without becoming one-eyed yet? Do you want me to introduce you to someone? Or will you lower your eyes before I introduce you to them?”

“……”

Please.

Rationally.

Not emotionally.

“Hey. Hey. Move it. You aren’t going to move? Did this bitch go insane? Fuck—.”

“Is the person who’s emanating the foul scent of breasts not you, Barbatos? I thought that I was unable to see you since you were so short, but after looking at it today, your breasts are also so small that I thought you were a man. How about putting a clear-cut indication somewhere on you in order to allow other people to know that you are a girl? That’s right. Such as writing the words “I am a whore” in red letters on your forehead, try something like that. Is it not good since it is so distinct?”

Ah.

Aaaaah.

I-I am not saying this!

I am not uttering these words because I want to!

My body, the body that had moved on its own a second ago, was now controlling my mouth and moving my tongue on its own volition. Yes. It is true. This is not my intention, but—.

“What nonsense are you saying? The whore is you, you ragged bitch. They say that the number of castaway demons, who went into your hole and weren’t able to find their way out, reaches nearly 200 people this year. Is that why your belly is so flabby since you have 200 people inside you? Whores go around saying that they ‘devour men’, but you must be quite well off since you literally go around eating men, huh?”

Ο

—This dog bone-like girl.

Does she want to die?

Ο

“Why is this child, who could not satisfy the appetite of even a goblin if one were to twist and sever off her limbs, throwing an epileptic fit and trying to start a fight with this lady while not knowing of her place? Hm? Since their chest is already flat, should we shave their hair and make their head flat as well? It seems that they have yet to learn how to fix their dog-like antics from their childhood and is coming at me again, despite the fact that I had already once shaved their head 300 years ago when they went insane. If they understand that their chest is ugly, then they should at least rip their mouth out and attach it to their nipple and pretend to have breasts. You seem to be living quite well despite having such a shameful washboard attached to you. Well, since your subordinates are corpses that had come back to life, they most likely do not have anything down there. Your subordinates do not have anything below, and you do not have anything above, so your mutual settlement is quite marvelous. Though I am only saying this because the sight of you getting along with your corpses is so pretty, since you are playing with dead corpses anyway, can you not die a little as well?”

“Aaaaaaang–?”

“What will you do by glaring at me?”

Barbatos and I glared at each other ferociously. Do you think someone does not swear because they do not know how to? Because they have dignity and rationality, they are restraining themselves. They are an existence that is completely different from you who lacks both face and sense.

In that moment, the sound of footsteps could be heard. It was Dantalian. Having discovered us making a ruckus, Dantalian carefully approached us.

“I apologize. The speeches on both sides have yet to come to an end, so if Barbatos and Miss Paimon can be quiet for a moment……”

“Hey, Dantalian. You came at a good time.”

Barbatos got on her tiptoes and looked at Dantalian. She most likely intends to grab Dantalian like this and punish him. Though they had stated that it was going to be nothing more than a punishment for formality’s sake, formality is where punishment starts from. Do you think this lady will leave it be?

“Why are you doing the speech so poorly like that? Get hit by me a bit. For now, go inside a cage and repent on your life—.”

“Be quiet, Barbatos.”

“……What?”

“I said to be quiet.”

This lady stretched out her right arm and put it between Barbatos and Dantalian. Yes, I obstructed her. In the end, I blocked her.

Rationality? Political calculations? Put all those things away. Since long ago, this lady has lived based on her emotions. Despite doing so, this lady was able to form the greatest faction within the army of Demon Lords. Thus meaning, the more this lady acts according to her emotions, the more fortune comes rolling to her feet. Verification is complete. I will not accept any counter-arguments.

For now, if I am able to witness the sight of this child in front of me contorting her face, I will be satisfied with that.

“Henceforth, Dantalian is no longer the ally of the Plains Faction, but instead, is a Demon Lord who is supported by the Mountain Faction led by myself, Paimon. If you wish to punish Dantalian, then either obtain the consent of the Mountain Faction or proceed through a formal ballot during a Walpurgis Night.”

“……Ha?”

“Oh dear. Now that I think about it, the procedure of holding a Walpurgis Night during a war is incredibly complex and intricate. How unfortunate, Barbatos. Since you will have to return bitterly while holding onto that bitter chest, after all.”

“You…… Paimon. What are you saying?”

“Do you still not understand?”

This lady smirked. In truth, this lady was speaking in accordance to however her tongue moved while a lot of blood had rushed to her head. I am unable to even properly register what I am currently saying. It is this lady’s nature to become like this whenever she becomes mad.

“That man is not your property.”

This lady pointed towards Dantalian with the edge of her fan.

“He is now mine.”

“…………”

Barbatos’ face slowly started to distort.

That is right. This is it. If this lady is able to see this face, then she is able to endure both torture and abuse. Aah, truly. My entire insides feel refreshed. Why would one go against this lady with what little ability they have, and brazenly display their own stupidity, ignorance, and imprudence to the entire world? Truly, for Barbatos to understand……

…………Ara?

I looked around. For some reason, the Demon Lords around me were all frozen like statues. It felt as if even the air had frozen.

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………What did this lady say just now?

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FIN.

(Do not read on readlightnovel)

(They take my translations without permission and receive ad revenue from it)


TL Note: We have now arrived at the end of volume 3 of Dungeon Defense. There’s the afterword next, but a majority of you guys usually skip or skim through that. Anyway, now that I’ve caught up to all the released volumes for now, I’ll be able to get some proper rest without having to stress over the fact that I should be translating.

I’ll be leaving a longer “TL’er Afterword” underneath the author’s, so you guys can read the rest there.

Anyway, thank you all for reading Dungeon Defense, and I hope to see you guys when volume 4 is released!

PREVIOUS CHAPTER | VOLUME 3 AFTERWORD

148 thoughts on “Dungeon Defense: Volume 3 – Intermission

  1. Jokes on Paimon, everyone deep down already knows everyone is equal. The ones benefiting from inequality don’t want people to say it and those suffering from it let it be to avoid getting whipped. If people were truly unequal, there would be no need for whips or weapons as everyone will take on a role like an ant. Most herbivores are opportunistic carnivores and do in fact have a taste for flesh as horses quite often eat baby chicks if given the chance. Most herbivores eat plants not because they like it, but because their bodies are unsuited for catching meat.

    Liked by 14 people

    1. Depends on upbringing and mentality actually. Historically some people have been brought up to believe that peasants are below them, not to mention entrenched systems like caste/outcast and mental factors like narcissism and psychopathy.

      Not all humans are alike and “everyone thinks the same” has led to more than a few wars and deaths through misunderstandings and forcing another viewpoint on other societies before it is time.

      Liked by 5 people

      1. If she think everyone are the same and the weak have the right to speak … why do she as acted like the worst b*tch of all against the witch ? She said that to herself, but she don’t act like that at all when the time come. Either that, either she as realy, realy lost her path !
        Well, thinkink evryone is even is the most folish thing of all. Someone who’s bron with an almost perfect body, great brain, and great facility to learn do exist. In other end of the line, you have people who born with rotten body, dim-witted and almost innapt to learn anything … the world as never be jair and even. But yeah, i think this is to us to make use of it and let it become better. Sad thing, most of the people are trash and will become monster with the most little shred of power is they acquiere any.

        Like

    2. In modern times there is not really such inequality as years before (in developed countries). Now all people in advanced economy countries can become anyone, based on their ability, but the problem is that people unequal in their abilities. There is many stories (and I know such people personally) when person without background become someone great, but how many people born and die as commoners? And society can’t give the same reward to genius and to mediocrity, or else geniuses just change this society forcefully, or go out to better place.

      Like

      1. you are wrong it is the same as it was…there are still nobles only they have another name the 1% they look down on us just as much as nobles ever have.

        ability alone is the the factor when you have money you can go too better schools. you can have better security less things in the way of them using their ability. yes some do rise and become more just on ability alone but that it rare. if you grew up poor you most likely will die poor. the story that gets told too us again and again is that just some hard work and you too can be one of the rich/
        that is a story we are told so we don’t rise up and overthrow our lords and ladies

        eventually we must overthrow them otherwise our society will stagnate as we choke on the greed of the 1%

        Liked by 1 person

      2. @ScottZapper Go back to liberal arts class, your comparison is childish, and ignorant.
        The %1 includes those making around 70k+ a year, doctors, government, scientists, ect.

        Like

    3. Actually, bees and ants do have revolts, etc. For example a bee drone will clone herself in secret instead of having lots of half sisters… If she is caught by the police she is ripped to pieces.

      A more truly uneven relationship would be that between powerful species such as species and biological kingdoms.

      Like

  2. Thanks for the chapter!

    I guess it is all a plot against paimon, and barbatros may or may not be part of it (but even if she is not, she will probably go along with it). Paimon being the narrator is very suspicious, the author is definitely hiding dantalian and barbatros thought. It remind me of the start of the volume 2.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Despite I had expected that Paimon would give it some thought, I don’t think that she would really run mad, and most likely Dantalian wasn’t hoping for this as well. Now that this happened not only the human’s army morale dived down, there also are some strife between Barbatos and Paimon in the middle of the war.

      Like

  3. …….. Ara? Is that the sound of the waifu tier list revision for Paimon to become best girl?

    Thanks for the translations so far. The quality has been very high to be grammatically correct while having appropriate flow, and above all else has been very fast despite the amount of words in each chapter.

    Like

    1. He did end up as something like the top demon lord and harem king as per the prologue in vol. 1. Threesome? You be setting his fated ability to attract disasters (harems) at much too low a level.

      Just look at the witches trying to blatantly lure him into an orgy with them, repeatedly. It is only the fact that our dear Dantalian is guarded by yandere^2 that is currently protecting what little remains of his dignity from flying out the window.

      Liked by 5 people

  4. I reeeeeeeally wonder if at the end of the series or so, Dantalian reveals everything that he calculated. XD Also I hope Dantalian can safely be amused by Barbatos and Paimon cursing each other, because, yeah, that’s going to happen… A LOT.

    Thanks so much for all your hard work!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. “Just now,

    I have seen for the first time in my life a person who had the same way of thought as I did.”

    I have a theory regarding Paimon’s change. Since Dantalian has already played the game from the perspective of the hero (of humans), and he mentioned that Paimon fell in love with the hero (and she even let’s herself get killed by him)… Then I can understand her reaction, since Dantalian probably already knows what tickles Paimon’s heartstrings…. Although I have mixed feelings of her joining the harem, BIG BREASTS are justice!!!!
    Oh and thanks for the chapter!!!

    PS: I did not read ahead, all that info is from previous volumes…

    Liked by 4 people

  6. Is her body being taken over or is she subconsciously doing it.
    Either way, Dantalian is gonna rule the world.

    Thank you! Hope vol4 be super good.

    Like

  7. so reading prologue of vol 1 this happened :

    Aah, I wanted to rub against Christiane.

    Not only Christiane, but I wanted to enjoy a fun life with the other heroines like Romei or the Emperor’s daughter, Elizabeth.

    so they are all dead?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think that is strange for him say all that when he was clearly with only the thought of estabilish himself as a ruler in his mind. It sounded like he was a kind MC that had no choice but act cruelly to ensure the peace. Maybe thst was a joke of the character or the autor.

      Like

      1. yea that’s true, unfortunately it sounds like the ‘government’ closest to his ideals is dictatorship, as if ability is the only determinant power will tend to centralize.

        That’s why anyone who believes in a world where we all live equally are laughable and delusional idealists.
        Of course The MC knows this, he is an opportunist and simply sowing division to take advantage.

        People should remember that he values nothing but power, and the thirst for power. A true sociopath.

        Dislike the MC’s cynical character that values nothing but power, but I like the story and the character itself seems multidimensional, it’s just the intended character is unable to feel empathy, only know of it.

        Personal most liked character was Margrave.

        Like

      2. @ flyinggnat
        Finally some1 that understands the MC, yes hes a sociopath, a narcissist and prob a few more problems, he clearly doesnt feel normal empathy, who the fk kills a maid for subtly clicking her tongue once, and many of his executions were pointless, hes not a normal mc thats just cruel, many of his decisions lead to pointless deaths, some of his kills dont even provide him any benefit. Altho lapiz is even worse, shes no diff than a mass serial killer at this point.

        Every1 is in this story has mental issues, and the author perhaps doesnt know but you dont need to lack empathy to succeed in this or that world, it surely helps to rise faster but it also helps to fall deeper, some1 whos excessively cruel, becomes a tyrant, and tyrants have supreme but short lives, revolution and assassination attempts should start to skyrocket soon enough. And the mc isnt even cruel but straight sociopath which makes for shorter stays in power.

        I know this is based on the dark ages but even how ignorant 1 could be back then, ppl still intuitively despised sociopaths and narcissists, b4 we are beings of reasoning we are emotional beings with instincts, thats why many of this events would straight out fail during the real dark ages.

        I agree the only character that got my sympathy was Margrave, sure he was clueless and pride blinded. I loved his last phrase for certain, at his last moments, the comfort his subjects gave him was infinitely more valuable than the princess back wash.

        Im still waiting for some character that has intellect and empathy, that I can relate to, as it is the mc feels like a sociopath lower version of Lelouch and every1 else is below him. If anything his eloquence is truely amazing he does indeed deserve that SS rank on it, but if Lelouch was here he would get S rank in intel for sure.

        Like

  8. Readers rejoice, Dantalian FINALLY managed to get a girl with large breasts! And here I was thinking his choice in the survey would never come true as a cruel joke.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Suddenly reminds me of a part from way on back:

    “Do you think it would be possible to request to go on a date with the both of them at the same time? I’d go out with them, and then sneak to the back and simply watch the two of them fight.”

    It’d be hilarious if he made reality that whim.

    Liked by 5 people

  10. Kinda disappointed that the skills have so little impact. The skill he got in the tutorial were only used a couple of times and seemed rather unnecessary in all cases except for getting closer to Lapis.
    I thought he would at least get a choice for getting more of them after big achievements.

    Like

    1. True, for all the emphasis placed on his skill being cheat-like, I don’t think he has used it much at all since He and Lapiz actually became lovers.

      Hopefully the author doesn’t forget about the whole reading the other person’s thought and status thing.

      Like

    2. The skill been completly useless, even againts lala it didnt matter, you can feel the other party feelings without looking at empathy level, the thing is the mc is a sociopath as such he cant fully understand the other party emotions like normal human beings, hes an expert at exploiting it but he cant relate to it.
      The best abilities have alrdy been discussed to be either hades hand (The 1 he can buy warriors), the map ability, that works like some radar wherever he is, or the great hero stats, either int or charm, he doesnt need might cuz hes an expert backstabber, and he doesnt need leadership cuz he has Farnesse.

      I just thing the author messed up not showing other ways of lvling up/getting more skills, as it is, he prob will forever stay with aphrodites apostle till the very end. Lunatic+ Difficulty prob.

      I prob still would had choosed Ares Apostle, going around crushing skulls with my bare hands would surely make my infamy skyrocket, also would become top demon lord in personal power together with agares. I believe it gives you S might.

      Like

  11. Damnalion sure pick an odd moment to get the urge to walk over and visit Paimon and Barbatos, even if he did like them fighting. I’m betting he was getting affection rising notice pings like crazy from Paimon as the speech went on. With Paimonn giving affection notices like crazy then the start of a squabble he has to be elated… or confused. Either way I look forward to how he handles having those two fight over him.

    I’m betting the next arc he’ll be making full use of his ability with Paimon. He’s already wooded her to death in the game when he played as the hero so he knows what touches her. With his cheat he rarely uses on top of already knowing what gets her trapped she should be putty in his hands.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. i just read this series and it took 2 straight days to finally caught up! Amazing novel and this twist just put my hype for volume 4 to the max!

    Thank you for the translations!

    PS.
    i was hoping for more ivar in the next volume but judging from the preview it won’t happen. RIP.

    Like

  13. WTF with dat cliffhanger XD
    “He is now mine.” how could the author dares to end this volume on that.
    Well to end the volume while lauhging is nice too.
    I wonder if Dantalian knew that Paimon might reacts like that or not, well either way he might finally have obtained his big breasted lady of his dream.

    Like

  14. Ah, this novel… it’s been… actually, I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this before. Glancing into a mirror and seeing that obviously insane person’s face just after reading this thing is certainly new.
    So, thank you very much for the translation.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Ahaha, how amusing! The perfect follow-up for that magnificent, tense speech before. Excellent work translating this.

    Like

  16. Hohoho u know me ma bro but really when i first reading this i thought it will be some demon lord who kill all intruder in his dungeon but lol there is only political shit that make me cant stop reading it even he sacrificed his own dungeon for it lmao what a marvelous novel u have there thank u for showing it to me

    Like

  17. Paimon is like that one innocent sheep who has walked into a den of a demons. Paimon being more human in her demon’s skin than the MC is under his demon’s skin despite being born human.

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  18. humpf, I can’t believe I didn’t comment back then. Or was I too engrossed reading ?

    But ah, Paimon. That speech was also made to trap you, obviously.

    Like

  19. I see many of you hating paimon and claiming she’s a hypocrite cuz of the way she treated the witch. But the reason she did that was because the witch had betrayed dantalion even though he had treated them so well (wiping the mud off them). She was disgusted by their treachery and not by their social status.

    Like

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