[{"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-48":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},1366756,1809,"Chapter 48 -44:Into the white forest","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-48",48,"\u003Cp>The decision to move was made quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too quickly for comfort perhaps, but that was the reality of the north. Hesitation usually created bigger funerals later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By late afternoon the interception group had assembled inside the fortress courtyard while snow continued falling heavily from the darkening skies above Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Torches flickered against the storm winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Horses stamped restlessly against the frozen stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knights adjusted armor straps while checking blades and crossbows one final time before departure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mood felt tense, though not fearful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More like people preparing for another problem in a land filled with endless problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas stood near the gates wrapped in a thick winter cloak while reviewing routes with several scouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These trails become unstable after midnight,\" he warned while pointing toward the western ridges on the map. \"Especially near the frozen ravines.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One scout grimaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So we either freeze or fall to death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The north believes in balanced experiences,\" Lucas answered dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Seraphin Vale adjusted the fur lining around his gloves while quietly observing the preparations around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything here still felt strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the military organization itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That part made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What didn’t make sense was how naturally everyone worked together despite the chaos constantly surrounding the territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers passed heated supplies toward the patrols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guards joked with blacksmiths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the knights spoke to ordinary laborers without the usual noble distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Messy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unrefined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator finally walked beside Seraphin and lowered his voice slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This has officially gone beyond normal investigation duties.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You realized that after the dragon or before it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Fair point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen approached shortly afterward already fully armed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even beneath heavy winter gear, the Peak Knight carried an oppressive presence difficult to ignore. Nearby soldiers unconsciously moved aside whenever he walked past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Lord,\" he greeted Lucien as the latter descended the fortress stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard quieted slightly afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien wasn’t joining the expedition personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because he lacked ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because rulers sometimes protected territories better by remaining behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, his arrival alone steadied the atmosphere noticeably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin noticed that immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien looked toward Malen calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Capture if possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight sighed heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You always ruin the enjoyable solutions first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Try behaving like civilization exists.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The north rejected civilization years ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few nearby guards laughed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien ignored them and shifted his attention toward Seraphin afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t need to go personally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator shrugged lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If armed southern infiltrators entered this territory during an active royal investigation, I’d rather witness events directly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reasonable answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then return safely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simple words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet strangely sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin found himself staring at Lucien for a second longer than intended afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the more he interacted with the so-called \"worthless exile\"—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The less he resembled the man described in noble records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fortress gates eventually opened as evening darkness settled fully across the valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold wind swept inward immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrol departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow crunched beneath horses while torchlight slowly faded behind them as they rode westward into the frozen forests beyond Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world became quieter away from the settlement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not peaceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towering black pines surrounded the narrow mountain paths while snow-covered branches creaked softly overhead. Visibility worsened constantly as the storm thickened deeper within the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For long stretches, nobody spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the sounds of horses, armor, and wind remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the younger investigator finally muttered from beneath his cloak:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hate this place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen glanced toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve been here two days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the knights ahead barked a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator looked mildly offended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You people actually enjoy this weather?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" the knight answered honestly. \"We just stopped complaining because the snow ignores us anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That somehow sounded deeply northern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hours passed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrol advanced deeper into the western forests while scouts moved ahead searching for tracks through the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually one rider returned from the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fresh movement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen straightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How recent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Less than an hour.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sharpened the atmosphere instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin studied the surrounding trees carefully afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow hid most traces quickly, yet the scouts still managed to follow disturbed branches and partially buried footprints with impressive precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These men know how to hide,\" Seraphin observed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not well enough,\" Malen answered calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator suddenly looked upward nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Is the dragon following us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High above the clouds, a massive golden silhouette briefly crossed the moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Malen replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That should not feel normal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrol continued another half hour before Aurethar’s voice suddenly echoed faintly from somewhere overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every rider froze immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon descended somewhere deeper within the forest moments later with enough force that snow fell from nearby trees in heavy waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Horses panicked briefly before the knights calmed them again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar emerged through the pines afterward, golden scales glowing faintly beneath moonlight and storm shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, Seraphin still struggled slightly with the sheer absurdity of speaking casually beside a dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar lowered his massive head toward the forest path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen dismounted immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still twenty-three.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They stayed together?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is what concerns me,\" Malen answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because trained infiltrators normally scattered under pursuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless they expected confrontation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or planned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar’s eyes narrowed toward the western trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They know we follow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest suddenly felt much colder after hearing that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen crouched near disturbed snow while examining several partially hidden marks beneath the pines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his expression hardened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Camp remains.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Recent?\" Seraphin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One knight nearby pointed toward a nearby tree trunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fresh cuts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrow testing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator swallowed nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is an ambush.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Malen answered while rising slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin looked toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Good?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Peak Knight rested one hand against his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If they stop hiding, things become simpler.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was not the response of a normal man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrol formation tightened immediately afterward as they advanced deeper between the frozen trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more casual conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more relaxed movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snowstorms swallowed visibility until the world narrowed to torchlight and dark forest shapes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp whistle cut through the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen moved instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"DOWN!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrows exploded from the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One knight was thrown violently from his horse while another barely raised his shield before steel slammed against it hard enough to spark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator stumbled backward into the snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shapes emerged between the trees immediately afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black-cloaked figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disciplined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Southern steel flashed beneath moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ambush had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the center of the storm—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen smiled faintly for the first time that night.\u003C\u002Fp>",1090,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.450Z",1,"novelbin.me","f8f4de0cda0c0c4c5b307e0b84b06fa25698f422d6247c2d2e5522553dd77c79","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-49","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-47",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]