[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system":3,"chapter-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-110":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Exiled Duke's Lottery system",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1366818,1809,"Chapter 110 - 103: Blood in the Snow","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-110",110,"\u003Cp>Night descended slowly over the western frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield between the southern coalition and the trenches of Elarion had finally fallen silent beneath the freezing mountain winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But silence did not bring peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cries of the wounded could be heard clearly across the snow-covered valleys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dead lay everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bodies covered the battlefield from the southern lines all the way to the razor wire fields before the trenches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Broken shields lay half buried beneath snow. Spears protruded from frozen corpses. Blood stained entire sections of the valley dark red beneath the pale moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some soldiers had died instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others had not been so fortunate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wounded men crawled weakly through the snow calling for water, medics, or their comrades while freezing winds swept across the battlefield mercilessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One coalition soldier dragged himself slowly across the frozen ground with one arm while the other ended at a shredded stump wrapped in blood-soaked cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A medic finally reached him after several minutes only to stop silently after seeing the wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man would not survive the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Farther west, another recovery team discovered an entire infantry formation collapsed together where concentrated rifle volleys had torn through multiple rows at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many bodies still carried expressions of disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though the soldiers never truly understood what had killed them before collapsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lantern-bearing recovery teams moved continuously across the battlefield searching for survivors among the dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The work quickly became horrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One young medic vomited after rolling over a body whose chest had been almost completely destroyed by rifle fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another soldier froze silently beside a cluster of corpses tangled together near the razor wire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several men had died trying to cut through the steel barriers while rifle fire tore them apart from the trenches above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some still hung frozen against the wire itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hours passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wounded continued dying slowly beneath the falling snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with every passing hour—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The true scale of the disaster became clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back inside the southern coalition command camp, the atmosphere had transformed completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday the nobles laughed openly while mocking trenches and rifles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The command tent felt like a funeral hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No laughter remained. No arrogance. No mockery.Only tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officers gathered around long tables covered with casualty reports and battlefield maps while servants moved quietly between them carrying heated wine and fresh lantern oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several commanders still wore blood-stained armor from personally supervising the retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One exhausted battlefield officer finally entered the tent carrying updated casualty records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer hesitated briefly before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Current confirmed casualties exceed five thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several nobles stared at him blankly,one noble dropped his glass staining his clothes but none paid attention to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One younger commander spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer lowered his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many formations suffered catastrophic losses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another noble slammed his fist violently against the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Five thousand men... from rifle fire?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone there had witnessed it personally and these numbers were mocking them of their stupidity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A battlefield mage studying the reports slowly removed his gloves while speaking quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The firing discipline...\" \"The reload speed...\" \"The overlapping kill zones...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped briefly before finally muttering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They butchered the assault.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That single word darkened the tent further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butchered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not defeated. Not repelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butchered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several commanders immediately began arguing afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The infantry advanced too tightly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The officers rushed the assault!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The shield walls collapsed too early!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One furious cavalry commander snarled openly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re still only riflemen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kassian Valcriox finally spoke from the far side of the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And yet five thousand men are dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tent fell silent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because no argument could answer that neither could it bring them back\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kassian stood beside the battlefield map quietly studying the trench systems marked across the valleys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he understood far more clearly what Lucien had created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trenches were not defensive desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were killing grounds carefully designed to funnel enemy formations into concentrated fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the rifles—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gods...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rifles alone had shattered an entire assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lucien might still be keeping other trump cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That realization unsettled him deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because if rifles alone caused this much destruction—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what horrors still remained hidden?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One older commander finally broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Light infantry assaults will not work again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several nobles nodded reluctantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield had proven that brutally enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another heavily armored knight commander stepped forward afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we advance differently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander pointed toward the battlefield map spread across the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heavy infantry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding spread immediately afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Large reinforced steel shields. Thicker armor. Disciplined slow formations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking walls of steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight commander continued calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We advance under overlapping shield coverage.\" \"Large tower shields in the front.\" \"Heavily armored infantry behind them.\" \"Mana reinforcement detachments supporting from the rear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another noble frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That slows the attack.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it protects the men.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A battlefield mage nearby added thoughtfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the rifles cannot penetrate effectively, the infantry reaches trench lines.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And once close combat began—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The balance shifted heavily toward the coalition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understood that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gradually the mood inside the command tent began stabilizing again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coalition had suffered terribly today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they still possessed overwhelming numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One noble finally muttered coldly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No weapon is unstoppable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agreement spread slowly afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Kassian remained unconvinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Lucien never seemed surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything about Elarion felt prepared beforehand. This war just didn’t feel right anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though Lucien had already predicted every coalition response before the war even began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the southern camps, preparations for the next assault began immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blacksmiths worked deep into the night beside massive forge fires repairing armor and reinforcing shield plating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supply crews unloaded enormous steel tower shields from heavy wagons while officers reorganized infantry formations around the new assault strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shields themselves looked intimidating:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>5inch thick steel fronts with reinforced wooden interiors andheavy iron edging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Designed specifically to survive concentrated rifle fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana reinforcement mages moved between heavy infantry units carving glowing defensive sigils across armor plates and shield surfaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next assault would not be reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far across the battlefield, the trenches of Elarion remained active throughout the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riflemen rotated shifts while engineers repaired damaged trench sectors beneath lantern light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Communication tunnels remained crowded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the day’s violence—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The defensive network continued functioning smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the central underground command bunker, Lucien calmly reviewed updated reports beside Malen and Cedric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Confirmed enemy casualties exceed five thousand.\" \"Coalition morale heavily disrupted.\" \"Enemy heavy infantry reorganizing for tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They adapted faster than expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien’s gaze remained fixed on the battlefield map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They learned from the first assault.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen folded his arms nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’ll use steel shield formations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien pointed toward the western valleys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slow advance.\" \"Layered shield coverage.\" \"Heavier armor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One younger officer looked uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will rifle fire still stop them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien answered honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" \"But slower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer unsettled several officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it meant tomorrow’s battle would become far harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence lingered briefly inside the bunker afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lucien finally looked toward the artillery deployment sectors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tomorrow the artillery charges.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several officers immediately focused on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The artillery commanders especially.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien’s finger moved across multiple assault approach routes marked on the map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The enemy believes our artillery is inaccurate.\" \"They believe reload speed is poor.\" \"They believe our guns lack coordination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint coldness entered his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tomorrow we correct that misunderstanding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One artillery officer stepped forward carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord... full bombardment authorization?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room sharpened immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone present understood what that meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now— Lucien had intentionally restrained the artillery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tomorrow that restraint ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another artillery commander asked quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What ammunition type?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien answered without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Explosive shells.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bunker fell silent for several seconds afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because unlike standard solid shells—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosive rounds were terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each shell contained packed blasting powder and fragmentation charges designed specifically to detonate upon impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During testing, entire stone walls had shattered beneath them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Infantry formations fared even worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric slowly grinned afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So tomorrow the real artillery begins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien studied the battlefield calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The heavy infantry will advance in tighter protected formations.\" \"They will rely on shields and armor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze hardened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which makes them ideal artillery targets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding spread quickly across the bunker afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tightly packed heavy infantry formations moved slower. Maneuvered poorly. Clustered close together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orders spread rapidly through the artillery tunnels afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since the war began:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>explosive shells were distributed fully,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>firing tables recalibrated,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>coordinated bombardment patterns prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Artillery crews immediately understood the significance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One veteran gunner quietly muttered while examining the new shells stacked beside his cannon:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gods help the bastards tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby soldiers said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they had seen the testing grounds before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And none of them wished to stand where those shells landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside above the trenches, snow continued falling softly across the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moonlight illuminated thousands of frozen corpses scattered across the valleys between the armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first assault had ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides finally understood something important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real battle had not even started yet.\u003C\u002Fp>",1519,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","03b1892bc8b7c68cacfe7db1899689385e1619ef877e7bee3df627645cd231ee","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-111","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-109",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]