[{"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-46":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},1366754,1809,"Chapter 46 -42:A poorly hidden dragon","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-46",46,"\u003Cp>For several seconds after Lucien answered, the room remained completely silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not tense silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exhausted kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind shared by people realizing a problem had officially become too large to ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the distant roar echoed through the mountains one final time before fading beneath the storm winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin slowly looked between everyone in the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas was studying the ceiling like it personally offended him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen had crossed his arms while very deliberately avoiding eye contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gandalf appeared deeply interested in his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator finally spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...There really is a dragon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which, unfortunately, answered the question anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien rubbed his forehead slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This conversation became complicated faster than I hoped.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That implies you hoped it would happen eventually,\" Seraphin observed calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien looked toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hoped the dragon would learn restraint first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the corner of the room, Gandalf muttered: \"A foolish hope.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Gandalf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are welcome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator still looked mildly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought the reports were exaggerated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were,\" Lucas answered tiredly. \"Aurethar is larger than the reports.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That did not help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin leaned back slightly in his chair, though Lucien noticed something interesting immediately:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator wasn’t panicking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Concerned, yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alert, definitely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not fearful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Useful trait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me understand this properly,\" Seraphin said carefully. \"There is an actual dragon somewhere near Elarion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you’re saying this calmly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Panic seemed unproductive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fair point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator looked genuinely conflicted now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Lord... dragons destroy kingdoms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This one mostly insults people and steals furnace heat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gandalf snorted into his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is somehow accurate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator stared at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re all treating this like a difficult house guest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas answered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because that’s exactly what it feels like.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before anyone could continue—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber doors suddenly opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A servant stepped inside quickly, visibly nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Lord...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien already looked tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...There’s something on the western wall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lucas closed his eyes immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, half the fortress had gathered along the western battlements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snowstorms rolled heavily across the valley while guards nervously stood beside the walls staring outward toward the mountain cliffs beyond Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or more specifically—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the massive golden dragon currently lying across part of the outer watchtower like an oversized cat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar looked completely comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One enormous wing hung over the side of the wall while smoke drifted lazily from his nostrils into the freezing air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The watchtower beneath him creaked ominously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers nearby kept sneaking glances before pretending not to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar noticed Lucien approaching first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon lifted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have guests.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin stopped walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator looked moments away from questioning every life decision leading to this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because seeing dragon rumors written in reports was one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing ten meters away from one was very different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar’s golden eyes shifted lazily toward the investigators afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Tiny royal people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator froze completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin, however, stepped forward calmly despite several nearby guards visibly questioning his sanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interesting man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon watched him curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar lowered his massive head slightly closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This one doesn’t smell terrified.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon considered that seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Reasonable answer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stepped between them before the conversation became catastrophic somehow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aurethar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you on the wall?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was observing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The wall is cracking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sounds like an engineering problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the nearby guards quietly whispered: \"He said that last time too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas looked emotionally exhausted already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin continued studying the dragon carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancient mana pressure rolled subtly through the air around Aurethar even while relaxed. The sheer presence alone explained why frontier patrols panicked during sightings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t some lesser beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a true dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator finally asked the obvious question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien answered honestly enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We formed a contract.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator immediately looked horrified again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You WHAT?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar looked deeply pleased by the reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon stretched slightly, causing the watchtower to groan in pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is not enough explanation!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen stepped beside Lucien afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be fair, none of us fully understand why he agreed either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar looked offended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I possess refined judgment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You set three roofs on fire this month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Progress requires sacrifice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gandalf pointed accusingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is MY phrase.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon ignored him completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin watched the interaction quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the more he watched—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stranger this territory became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers weren’t fleeing from the dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guards weren’t panicking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One child near the lower courtyard was literally waving upward excitedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar noticed and waved one claw back carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child screamed happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator stared at that for several seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Your people are used to this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They adapted faster than we did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar suddenly sniffed the air once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his eyes narrowed slightly toward the western ridges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The playful mood faded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien noticed first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon lifted his head fully now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Movement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen’s expression sharpened instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beasts?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar’s golden eyes narrowed further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Humans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind howled sharply across the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several guards straightened immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin glanced toward the distant snowy ridges but saw nothing through the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien’s voice became colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon remained silent briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough that they are hiding poorly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen’s hand moved toward his sword instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas looked toward Lucien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Lord...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien’s eyes remained fixed toward the storm-covered mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone from the south had finally decided to investigate Elarion without permission.\u003C\u002Fp>",937,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.450Z",1,"novelbin.me","90829f261d155102076217e7b3b5c8ab22056d22ef58305634c39b0c00361a6e","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-47","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-45",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]