[{"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-142":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},1366850,1809,"Chapter 142 - 135: Homecoming","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-142",142,"\u003Cp>The walls of Elarion appeared gradually from the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long moment, Lucien simply watched them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word carried a different meaning now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he had first arrived in this world, Elarion had been little more than a struggling territory surrounded by uncertainty of its future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it had become center of industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A place capable of attracting the attention of kings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, if the Royal Guardian was correct, perhaps one of humanity’s most important strongholds in the centuries to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage continued forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they approached the outer gates, Lucien immediately noticed increased activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers moved between construction sites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supply wagons entered and exited the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New buildings had appeared since his departure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several factory chimneys rose in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Road expansion projects were underway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even from outside the walls, growth was visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen noticed it as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like Lucas hasn’t been idle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was an understatement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was one thing Lucas excelled at, it was turning instructions into results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon the gates opened and carriage entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reaction was immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Citizens recognized Lucien almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers paused what they were doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merchants stopped their conversations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soldiers straightened visibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within minutes, word spread through nearby streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord had returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien wasn’t particularly comfortable with public attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unfortunately, that had become increasingly irrelevant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leadership carried visibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was no avoiding it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage continued toward the estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time they arrived, several senior officials were already waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front stood Lucas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The administrator looked exactly as Lucien remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tired ,overworked and ready to complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow still managing everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Lucien stepped from the carriage, Lucas approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien extended a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas ignored it and immediately began speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We need to discuss steel production.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien wasn’t surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some things never changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The administrator finally paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then noticed Gandalf and malen reactions noticing something wrong .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he realize nobody had responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slight cough followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After you’ve rested.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas looked relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The administrator clearly had an entire mountain of reports waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately for him, those reports would have to wait a little longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several hours later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the estate’s main conference room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maps covered one wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Industrial reports covered another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While production schedules occupied an entire table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien had barely sat down before Lucas began speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The expansion project is progressing ahead of schedule.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several folders immediately appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen visibly retreated toward a corner while gandalf quietly slipped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Military discussions were one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Administrative reports were another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight and mage both wanted no part of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Steel output increased by nineteen percent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Machine tool production increased by twenty-three percent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rail construction remains behind schedule due to labor shortages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien listened carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinarily these reports would have felt routine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now they looked completely different after seeing the technology tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every number represented progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every factory represented future possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every railway represented another step toward unlocking new technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system had changed how he viewed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas eventually noticed his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several people immediately became attentive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The administrator knew him well enough to recognize that look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t ordinary news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien leaned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then summarized everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital,weapon demonstration, King’s proposal and lastly the Supreme Mage Council summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Royal Guardian’s concerns regarding the Great Tear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he finished speaking, complete silence filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas simply stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The administrator eventually rubbed his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s review this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised a finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The King wants a partnership.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re being offered a duchy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The fate of humanity may depend on industrial development.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fourth finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You now possess access to an enormous technological progression system.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas lowered his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is a concerning amount of responsibility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For once, everyone agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien wasn’t sure whether to feel encouraged or alarmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later that evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meeting finally concluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas immediately disappeared to begin reviewing the implications of everything he had learned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen went to inspect the military training grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gandalf returned to the library.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Lucien alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time all day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The estate had grown quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside his office window, the lights of Elarion illuminated the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Factories continued operating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers continued moving through the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Construction continued even after sunset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city was alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, Lucien opened the technology tree once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enormous network appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ground Forces.Naval Forces.Air Forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thousands of possibilities stretched before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this time he wasn’t looking at weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was looking at requirements to obtain them\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Factories,Steel,Coal,Transportation,Education and so on\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deeper he examined the system, the clearer one truth became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greatest challenge wasn’t unlocking technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was building the foundation necessary to support it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the most advanced tank meant nothing without factories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even aircraft meant nothing without engines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even powerful weapons meant nothing without the civilization capable of producing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small notification suddenly appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NOTICE\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Civilization Development Recognized\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New Management Interface Available\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would You Like To Open?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>YES \u002F NO\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stared for some time\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then slowly smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently the legendary reward wasn’t finished surprising him yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he selected:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>YES.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a completely new section of the system began unfolding before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the technology tree moved aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making room for something far larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new interface unfolded before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Layer after layer of information appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It contained everything from Cities,Factories,Resources,Population statistics,Transportation networks,Agriculture,Energy production,Education,Research to Military infrastructure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The amount of information alone was staggering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien immediately sat upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a military system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t even a technology system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was more of a civilization management system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The display stabilized gradually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CIVILIZATION INTERFACE ACTIVATED\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Current Civilization: Elarion\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Civilizational Tier: II\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Development Status: Expanding\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall Assessment: Promising\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several new tabs appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Population,industry,infrastructure,research\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>,agriculture,military,resources,administration and national Projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stared for sometime then clicked the Industry tab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately a detailed report appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel Production: 18,740 tons annually\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machine Tool Production: Growing\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Industrial Efficiency: 61%\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Factory Utilization: 78%\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skilled Worker Availability: Limited\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Industrial Bottlenecks Detected\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed at the word industrial bottlenecks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system immediately highlighted several areas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lack of skilled technicians,insufficient transportation capacity,steel shortages during peak production periods,limited precision manufacturing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several recommendations appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Priority Recommendation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expand Technical Education\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Estimated Impact: High\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another recommendation followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Priority Recommendation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Increase Rail Infrastructure\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Estimated Impact: High\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien slowly leaned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system wasn’t merely presenting information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was actively analyzing Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost like a strategic advisor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened another tab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The display changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Current Research Capacity: Low\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Research Institutions: 1[Gandalf]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Research Efficiency: 42%\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Innovation Rate: Limited\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Major Limitation Identified\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lack of Educated Workforce\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien immediately understood the implication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technology tree wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing how something worked didn’t automatically create the people capable of building it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A civilization required engineers,scientists, technicians,managers,workers and teachers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization struck harder than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greatest bottleneck wasn’t steel, Coal or factories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Educated people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Lucien understood why advanced civilizations invested so heavily in education.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without educated citizens, progress slowed to a crawl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A notification appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strategic Recommendation\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Establish Technical Academies\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Priority Level: High\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long-Term Impact: Exceptional\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas was going to love this Or hate it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Possibly both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the Military tab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The display shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Military Assessment\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ground Forces: Strong\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naval Forces: Nonexistent\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Air Forces: Nonexistent\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall Military Rating: Regional Power\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Projected Growth Potential: Exceptional\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion possessed modern artillery and armored vehicles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its ground forces were already becoming formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its navy barely existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its air force,well even it’s concept didn’t exist right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system wasn’t being insulting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was being accurate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien continued reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another section caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Threat Assessment\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internal Threats: Moderate\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>External Threats: Low\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long-Term Existential Threats: Unknown\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word bothered him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately he selected it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new window opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Data Incomplete\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Insufficient Information Regarding:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Tear,demonic Forces,ancient Civilization Records,supreme Mage Council Archives\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Further Investigation Required\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the system lacked complete information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, the Great Tear felt even more mysterious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the system considered its knowledge incomplete, then there were clearly pieces missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made a mental note to remember that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Royal Guardian might know more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Supreme Mage Council almost certainly knew more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And perhaps, somewhere within ancient records, answers still existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually Lucien closed the report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One final tab remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>National Projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious, he selected it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The display changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A list appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some entries were dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others glowed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several immediately caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>National Railway Expansion\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Status: Available\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Estimated Completion Time: 5 Years\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Civilization Impact: High\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Industrial Education Initiative\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Status: Available\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Estimated Completion Time: 8 Years\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Civilization Impact: Exceptional\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Integrated National Steel Program\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Status: Available\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Estimated Completion Time: 6 Years\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Civilization Impact: Very High\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were long term goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Projects capable of transforming entire regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he noticed something near the bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A project unlike the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its icon glowed gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same color as legendary quests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly he opened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The description appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time since unlocking the civilization interface, Lucien’s expression changed completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>LEGENDARY NATIONAL PROJECT\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humanity’s Shield\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Status: Locked\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Requirements Incomplete\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Purpose: Prepare Civilization For The Next Great Tear\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Progress: 0%\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room suddenly felt colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heartbeat slowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humanity’s Shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wording alone carried enormous implications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly he opened the project requirements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The list began appearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One line at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And each new requirement was more intimidating than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien read the first one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the third.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because for the first time since arriving in this world, the system had shown him something truly frightening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the scale of that goal dwarfed everything he had accomplished so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the window, the lights of Elarion continued shining beneath the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Factories worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers labored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Citizens slept peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely unaware of the challenge waiting centuries in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien slowly leaned back in his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze remained fixed on the golden project.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Royal Guardian had spoken of preparing humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The King had spoken of strengthening civilization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technology tree had pointed toward industrial growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the system itself had confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All roads led toward the same destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next Great Tear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And suddenly, for the first time, Lucien began understanding the true scale of the journey ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>",1758,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","8227c6eb813b79efb5486c08d378ef130748016b980c6b81725a07aab96a2cf0","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-143","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-141",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]