[{"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-50":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},1366758,1809,"Chapter 50 - 46: The Men from the South","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-50",50,"\u003Cp>The prisoner said nothing at first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because he was brave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin could tell immediately that the man was terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone standing three meters away from a dragon and still remaining conscious deserved some credit for endurance alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow drifted quietly through the clearing while Aurethar’s golden eyes remained fixed on the kneeling infiltrator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm smoke rolled across the frozen ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mortals usually explain themselves faster,\" Aurethar observed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prisoner swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen stood nearby with his sword resting against one shoulder, looking patient in the same way executioners probably looked patient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which did not help the atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin finally stepped forward before the situation devolved further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You entered royal territory illegally during an active crown investigation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your group carried southern steel, military formations, and concealed markings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator crouched slightly until he was level with the prisoner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So let me ask again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who sent you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man looked between them: the investigator the Peak Knight the dragon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then laughed weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not confident laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exhausted kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think this is about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prisoner looked toward the dark forests surrounding them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You people don’t understand what’s happening in the south.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That caught Seraphin’s attention immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The infiltrator continued quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nobles are moving already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moving toward what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still kneeling in the snow, the prisoner looked toward the distant direction of Elarion hidden beyond the storm-covered mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Toward him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence settled briefly across the clearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone understood who \"him\" meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin’s expression hardened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The infiltrator laughed again, though this time bitterness replaced fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because rumors spread faster than snowstorms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator stepped closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What rumors?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prisoner looked genuinely incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A dying exile rebuilding a northern territory in months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded toward Aurethar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A dragon appearing in frontier skies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then toward the northern knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Armed patrols growing stronger every week.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trade caravans returning south talking about furnaces burning through entire nights.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest grew quieter afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because when spoken aloud like that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion truly did sound dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The infiltrator lowered his voice slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"People notice things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin studied the man carefully now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not an assassin then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Information gatherers perhaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advance observers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator finally asked the important question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who ordered this mission?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prisoner hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen’s hand shifted slightly against his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hesitation ended quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...House Merrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin’s eyes narrowed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator cursed softly under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That name mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful southern noble house closely tied to trade, intelligence networks, and political maneuvering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerous people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen looked toward Seraphin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator rose slowly afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if House Merrow is involved, then this wasn’t a rogue operation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant something far more troublesome:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Southern nobles had officially begun paying attention to Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar yawned massively nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your southern nobles sound exhausting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They are,\" Seraphin admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon snorted smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should burn fewer kingdoms. It improves moods.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator stared upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Have you burned kingdoms?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar looked thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A few.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That should not be a casual answer!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"History becomes casual eventually.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fairly horrifying logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen ignored the conversation entirely while searching through confiscated equipment beside the prisoners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his expression shifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seraphin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen handed him a sealed metal token marked with a silver crest partially hidden beneath black cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin recognized it instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And immediately wished he hadn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That’s impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin turned the token over slowly in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn’t House Merrow’s crest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked toward the captured infiltrator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This belongs to the Royal Intelligence Bureau.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clearing became very still afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Aurethar seemed interested now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prisoner lowered his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not denial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acceptance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen’s voice hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So the crown sent you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" the prisoner answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Bureau did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That distinction sounds extremely dangerous,\" Seraphin muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Royal Intelligence Bureau technically served the crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, it operated more like a shadow organization balancing noble power, political threats, and internal security through methods nobody publicly acknowledged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Bureau sent agents north secretly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then someone important considered Lucien a growing threat already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or a valuable asset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Possibly both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger investigator looked genuinely disturbed now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does His Majesty know about this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prisoner stayed silent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which honestly answered enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphin exhaled slowly into the cold air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation had officially become political poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar looked toward the prisoner afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon’s voice rumbled softly through the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You came all this way to spy on my contractor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prisoner wisely did not correct the phrasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Disappointing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly the dragon leaned closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Massive golden eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now I am curious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow swirled violently around the clearing as ancient mana pressure rolled outward faintly from the dragon’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The infiltrators visibly trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me,\" Aurethar asked quietly, \"what exactly do the humans fear he will become?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prisoner looked toward the distant mountains again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward the hidden furnaces beneath the snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then finally answered in a nearly whispered voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Someone powerful enough that the kingdom can no longer control him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone there understood the terrifying part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That fear might not be wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>",894,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.450Z",1,"novelbin.me","8b01b7bcc555fafe260605be0a6825e7af1141c271e0c0563985f16f60482d76","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-51","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-49",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]