[{"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-112":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},1366820,1809,"Chapter 112 - 105: The Knight Before the Storm","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-112",112,"\u003Cp>[This is a parallel Chapter thank you]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The war had not officially begun yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No infantry assaults. No artillery bombardments. No rivers of blood across the snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southern coalition had only recently arrived near Elarion’s frontier and established massive encampments outside the northern defensive lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both armies watched each other across the frozen valleys while tension spread through the mountains like an approaching storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And during those first days—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southern nobles feared one thing above all else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone understood a simple truth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a dragon entered the battlefield—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entire armies could collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coalition commanders knew Lucien possessed only one city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One main defensive front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with Aurethar supporting him from the skies the equation changes entirely\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So before the first battle even began—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coalition acted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hired a monster to distract another monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep inside the southern command camp, a secret meeting gathered beneath heavy canvas walls lit by lantern fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only senior nobles remained present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No servants. No guards nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere inside felt tense and cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kassian Valcriox stood beside the central battlefield table silently observing while several coalition nobles argued in low voices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you find him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is asking too much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if Aurethar joins the battlefield?\" \"What then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because no one present possessed a solution for a dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana cavalry could not stop one. Mages could not guarantee killing one. Even elite knight regiments would be slaughtered in open terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coalition needed time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And time required keeping Aurethar away from the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One elderly noble finally reached into his cloak before placing a silver token onto the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wolf crest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancient. Scarred. Recognized instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several nobles stiffened immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One younger commander whispered softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You actually found him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old noble nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He accepted the contract.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence spread afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because only one man still carried that crest openly across the continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran Wolfblade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Legends about him varied wildly depending on the kingdom telling them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some claimed he defeated entire knight companies alone. Others claimed he once survived a dragon attack. Several stories described him as:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>mercenary,wandering swordsman,monster hunter,cursed knight and battlefield demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most stories contradicted each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one detail always remained consistent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran Wolfblade never accepted contracts he believed impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Late that same night, heavy snowstorms swept across the southern camps while soldiers reinforced fortifications beneath freezing winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And through that storm—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lone figure approached the command camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No banners,no escort\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one man walking calmly through deep snow with a massive sword across his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards noticed him immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And instinctively stepped aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the man radiated danger that sent chills up their spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the command tent, the nobles waited quietly as the stranger entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow followed briefly through the entrance before the tent closed again behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man removed his hood slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gray hair. Scarred face. Sharp golden-brown eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Older than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But worn down by countless years of violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the stranger sighed heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This weather is terrible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several nobles blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One finally cleared his throat carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kieran Wolfblade.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight looked mildly annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still hate that name.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The legendary swordsman casually approached the fire before warming his hands like a tired traveler rather than a warrior feared across kingdoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kassian studied him carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You came quickly than expected\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You offered enough gold to temporarily ignore common sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One younger noble hesitated briefly before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The stories about you.\" \"Are they true?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran glanced toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Depends.\" \"Which ones?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The dragon stories.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight sighed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\" \"Those.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tent quieted further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One older commander leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You truly fought dragons before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran stared into the fire briefly before answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several nobles exchanged uneasy looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And survived?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran looked toward them flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m standing here so I guess that counts as a yes\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer somehow felt less reassuring than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kassian finally spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are not asking you to kill the dragon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\" \"That would have increased the price dramatically.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We only require you keeping him away from the battlefield.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran remained silent briefly afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made far more sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragons were prideful creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially ancient dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Challenge one properly— and it might focus entirely on the challenger rather than the surrounding war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually Kieran nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long enough for us to destroy elarion\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...This is going to become annoying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the way what is the name of dragon Kieran asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They call him \"Aurethar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran eyes went wide at this answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Say the name again which dragon exactly\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Umm it’s a Aurethar the golden dragon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran brain stopped functioning at this moment,he suddenly started regretting accepting this mission,his mood kept changing every second but outwardly he tried to remain calm .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles still detected it, a slight tremor of his right hand and a shudder when they said the dragon’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far north beyond the trenches of Elarion, Aurethar rested atop a frozen mountain ridge overlooking the valleys below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden dragon appeared immense beneath the moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Massive golden scales reflected silver light while smoke drifted lazily from his nostrils into the freezing air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even resting— he radiated terrifying power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below him sat Lucien, Cedric,Malen and Ironbreaker beside a large fire reviewing military reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The southern coalition continues expanding camp fortifications,\" Cedric said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironbreaker snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re scared already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They should be after all they are facing the mighty Aurethar\" Aurethar rumbled lazily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien quietly ignored all of them while studying battlefield sketches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar lifted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The joking stopped immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden eyes narrowed toward the distant western ridges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien noticed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon remained silent briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then slowly stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow and ice slid from the mountainside beneath his enormous weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar’s eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone strong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several kilometers away—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran Wolfblade climbed the frozen ridge alone through the snowstorm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No fear or hesitation despite knowing the creature he is facing is a entire different species even among dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One that has actually killed legendary existences with efficiency and brutality bar none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight’s boots crushed frozen snow beneath steady steps while storm winds whipped his cloak violently around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And eventually—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Aurethar saw him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a recognition between predators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran stopped roughly thirty meters away from the dragon and rested one hand against the massive sword on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several seconds—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain winds howled around them while snow drifted across the ridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Aurethar finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aurethar\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight answered evenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kieran wolfblade\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien quietly observed the exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even from a distance— the tension felt heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind forged between powerful beings who crossed paths before and never enjoyed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar slowly stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each movement caused the frozen ridge to tremble slightly beneath his weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So they called you to deal with me,you really came a long way to die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran’s expression remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You always talk too much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric blinked slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironbreaker muttered quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Oh this is bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden dragon lowered his massive head slightly toward the knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And yet you still came.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was paid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That explains the poor decision.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran’s hand tightened slightly against the sword hilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not here for the conversation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\" \"You’re here because frightened nobles fear I’ll enter the battlefield.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Kieran answered honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien finally understood completely afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not an assassination attempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coalition wanted Aurethar occupied far away from the battlefield before the war truly began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they hired someone dangerous enough to attempt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar’s golden eyes narrowed further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you believe you can stop me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran slowly unsheathed the massive blade from his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark steel emerged beneath moonlight covered in faded runes and countless battle scars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure radiating from the weapon changed the atmosphere immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Malen expression changed after seeing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dragon-killing sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a myth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the real deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran lowered the blade calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t need to defeat you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The storm winds intensified around the ridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I only need to keep you busy long enough\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Aurethar slowly spread his massive wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow exploded outward across the mountain beneath the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon’s voice deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should’ve stayed away from this war.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran adjusted his stance slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should’ve stayed away from humans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither joked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air itself felt heavy with pressure now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beneath the falling snow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden dragon and the legendary knight prepared to clash while far below them the greatest war in the north waited to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go somewhere else, so I can properly teach you about the saying \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which one\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran asked\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"-Its good to have money and the things money can buy,but it’s good to, check once in a while and making sure that you haven’t lost the things money can’t buy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1503,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","c55ab6b82a4978faab5a356037d45a91b9dec676d08378fe9045802997d6f817","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-113","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-111",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]