[{"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-120":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},1366828,1809,"Chapter 120 - 113: The Price of Victory","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-120",120,"\u003Cp>Snow fell quietly over Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in months—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cannons had fallen silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No artillery thundered across the mountains. No machine guns roared from trench fortifications. No war horns echoed through frozen valleys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only cold wind remained And death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield south of Elarion had become a graveyard stretching for miles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burned wagons remained scattered across shattered roads. Dead cavalry beasts froze beneath layers of snow. Broken banners of southern houses fluttered weakly among cratered fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trenches still stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blackened. Scarred. Bloodstained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The victory had spread across the north like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion had defeated the southern coalition. Destroyed noble armies. Killed grand knights. Shattered mana cavalry formations. Burned the enemy command camps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kingdom itself trembled from the aftermath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside Elarion—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mood felt quieter than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because victories still carried costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the city, funeral fires burned continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rows of wounded soldiers filled military hospitals while healers moved day and night between beds soaked with blood and medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surviving rifle regiments looked exhausted beyond belief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many soldiers still could not properly sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not after weeks of artillery,hearing thousands die screaming beyond the trenches and after witnessing machine guns erase entire charges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>War had changed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even victory could not undo that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Near the southern gates, workers repaired damaged trench sectors while engineering teams dismantled destroyed artillery positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riflemen cleaned weapons silently. Supply officers counted ammunition crates repeatedly. Messengers moved constantly between military districts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion had survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it needed rebuilding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep beneath the central fortress district—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the war command chamber—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leaders of Elarion gathered once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber looked very different from before the war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maps covered nearly every wall now. Artillery range charts remained stacked across tables. Spent rifle casings filled metal trays near engineering sectors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the center of the room—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stood silently beside the massive battlefield map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around him gathered the core leadership of Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric. Malen. Senior artillery officers. Logistics commanders. Engineering chiefs. Rifle regiment vice-commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even several dwarven smith masters attended the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere felt exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments no one spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lucien finally broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Begin casualty reports.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words immediately changed the mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was the numbers that made war real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One military officer stepped forward holding several report scrolls tightly beneath his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man looked pale from lack of sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We completed final battlefield estimates at dawn, my lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Read them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer inhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Confirmed dead...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room became completely silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Two-hundred seventy-eight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one reacted immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because the number was small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because everyone present remembered what they had faced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tens of thousands. Mana cavalry. Elite knights. Grand knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Elarion had survived with less than three hundred dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number almost sounded unreal,it was almost too good almost from a myth according to this world estimates\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two-hundred seventy-eight remained two-hundred seventy-eight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two-hundred seventy-eight men who would never return home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer continued quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Confirmed wounded... three-hundred fifty-seven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several commanders lowered their eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wounded count remained manageable compared to the scale of battle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But many injuries were severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burns. Shrapnel wounds. Crushed limbs. Mana damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some soldiers would never fight again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric folded his arms tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Rifle regiments?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another officer answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Most losses came from outer trench sectors during the first cavalry assaults and elite knight breakthrough attempts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen spoke next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The shield infantry assault also caused casualties before fragmentation bombardment fully disrupted them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield map before him still displayed markers where coalition assaults nearly reached the trenches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some sectors had come dangerously close to collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One artillery commander spoke carefully afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We also lost fourteen cannon crews from counterbattery fire during the first engagements.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another officer added quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Machine gun teams suffered casualties during the mana cavalry flank attacks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence settled again briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because despite the overwhelming victory—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle had not been effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several moments later Lucien finally spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Civilian losses?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A logistics officer answered quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minimal.\" \"No direct attacks reached the city itself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That visibly relaxed several commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien slowly walked toward the massive battlefield map afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southern valleys remained covered in red markings representing destroyed coalition sectors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scale of destruction still looked absurd even on paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally Cedric spoke quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Do we have estimates for enemy losses?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room grew still again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One officer slowly answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Confirmed enemy dead currently exceeds forty-six thousand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several commanders exhaled slowly hearing the number aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after witnessing the battlefield personally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scale remained staggering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer continued carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Potential total losses including retreat casualties may exceed fifty thousand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence filled the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because no one present had ever witnessed destruction on that scale before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even the veteran commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen finally muttered quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The kingdom will never view warfare the same way again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one disagreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another officer stepped forward with logistics records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord... ammunition reports.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien turned toward him immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wars were won by supply as much as battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer opened several documents nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rifle ammunition expenditure exceeded all previous estimates.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked genuinely stunned while reading the numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Total rifle rounds fired during the campaign crossed three million.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several vice-commanders blinked hearing that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the dwarven smiths looked surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Machine gun ammunition consumption was... catastrophic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One exhausted engineer muttered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s one way to say it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several commanders actually laughed quietly for the first time during the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The logistics officer kept reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three machine guns consumed nearly one-quarter of our prepared emergency reserves during the final battle alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the room became serious again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that number mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien crossed his arms thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long until reserves recover?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dwarven production master answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If all factories continue operating at current speed...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarf scratched his beard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Three months minimum.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another engineering officer quickly added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unless we expand shell and cartridge manufacturing further.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That aligned with his expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warfare devoured ammunition endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another logistics report followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Artillery shell reserves remain stable despite bombardment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer paused awkwardly afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien looked toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The fragmentation shells proved far more effective than expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several artillery commanders smirked slightly hearing that understatement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One muttered quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They erased entire formations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien ignored the comment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many remain?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Roughly forty-two percent of prepared stockpiles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer visibly relieved several commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The artillery remained sustainable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another officer stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shoulder-fired rocket inventory is critically low.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How low?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Twenty-one operational rockets remain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room went silent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rockets had become essential against elite knight assaults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien immediately gave new orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Expand explosive production.\" \"Prioritize rocket assembly after rifle ammunition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The engineering officers nodded quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the landship reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere shifted again immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone in the room understood what those machines represented now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One engineer looked simultaneously exhausted and proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All three landships survived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several commanders visibly relaxed hearing that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The machines had become symbols of Elarion’s victory already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The engineer continued carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However... all sustained structural damage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed toward several diagrams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Machine gun overheating nearly caused catastrophic barrel failures during sustained fire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another engineer added quickly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Track systems also suffered severe stress during the countercharge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those issues had been expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first-generation landships were functional—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But crude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen spoke next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even damaged... they terrified the enemy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several commanders nodded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The routed coalition survivors had reportedly become terrified merely hearing machine gun sounds afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One dwarven engineer suddenly grinned proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The southern nobles probably think the machines are magical monsters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few officers laughed again quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re not entirely wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meeting continued for nearly two more hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trench repair schedules. Steel reserves. Food supplies. Recruitment potential. Medical shortages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every aspect of Elarion’s war machine underwent review.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And gradually—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clear truth emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion had survived the coalition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But future wars would become larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harder and more industrialized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually the final reports ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room finally fell quiet again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exhaustion visibly settled across nearly every commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then unexpectedly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar mechanical sound echoed inside Lucien’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[DING.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commanders around him continued discussing logistics quietly while the translucent blue interface appeared before Lucien alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[MILESTONE ACHIEVED.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You have successfully defeated a coalition force exceeding ten times your military size while preserving core territorial integrity.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Historical Battlefield Milestone Recorded.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Evaluation: — Tactical Innovation: Exceptional — Defensive Efficiency: Exceptional — Strategic Adaptability: Exceptional — Psychological Warfare Impact: Extreme]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Granted.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[10x Rare Spin Voucher Acquired.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien simply stared silently at the floating blue interface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten rare spins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after all this time using the system—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It always managed to surprise him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commanders nearby noticed Lucien suddenly go quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien blinked once before dismissing the interface instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue screens vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric clearly did not believe that answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But wisely chose not pressing further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Lucien’s thoughts however—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implications moved rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rare spins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not common rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not small blueprints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system did not hand out rewards like this casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially not ten at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system itself considered the coalition war a major turning point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien slowly looked toward the battlefield maps again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kingdom feared Elarion now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles panicked. The crown had noticed. Warfare itself had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was probably only the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One logistics officer interrupted his thoughts carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord... there is one more matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien looked toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The southern retreat left enormous quantities of abandoned equipment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now several commanders looked interested again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cannons.\" \"Steel.\" \"Armor.\" \"Supply wagons.\" \"Mana beast equipment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric immediately understood the implication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Recovery operations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officer nodded quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We estimate enough captured material to significantly expand production.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several dwarven smiths suddenly looked very happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One muttered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that’s proper victory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien considered the matter briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Recover everything usable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commanders immediately began discussing salvage operations afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And gradually—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere inside the chamber changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less mourning and more of determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because despite the losses—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion had done the impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far above the fortress meanwhile—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow continued falling quietly across the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And resting atop one distant frozen cliff—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar watched Elarion silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden dragon’s enormous tail shifted lazily across the snow while smoke drifted slowly from his nostrils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran sat nearby sharpening his blade quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally the dragon spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So.\" \"The screaming metal city survived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran did not look up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar’s golden eyes narrowed slightly toward Elarion below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The nobles are going to panic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight answered calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They already are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon suddenly grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then after a pause—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar began laughing softly again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still can’t believe the cavalry charged the machine guns twice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1810,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","cacce9961b09ad1e0b299d70dabced1e1f1e000fe067092723fabb5c791d4bad","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-121","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-119",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]