[{"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-58":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},1366766,1809,"Chapter 58 - 54: Merchants from the South","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-58",58,"\u003Cp>The first southern caravan arrived during snowfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not heavy snowfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quieter kind that drifted slowly across the northern roads and covered wagon tracks almost as quickly as they appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards atop Elarion’s outer watchtowers spotted the convoy shortly before noon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six wagons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three mounted escorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merchant banners from the southern trade roads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary at first glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet by the time the report reached the fortress—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen was already suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too clean,\" the Peak Knight muttered while standing beside the upper battlements overlooking the valley road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below them, the caravan slowly approached the outer checkpoint while northern guards prepared inspection lines near the gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien looked toward the approaching wagons calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bandits?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen narrowed his eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They move like trained men pretending not to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone was enough to become concerning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside them, Lucas sighed deeply while reading the caravan registration papers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They claim to be iron and textile merchants from the southern routes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They are lying,\" Malen answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You identified that from this distance?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One guard keeps checking terrain elevation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The administrator blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...And that’s suspicious?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Merchants look at roads. Soldiers look at terrain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stayed silent afterward while observing the caravan himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing obviously wrong appeared immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wagons looked normal enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Travel-worn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow-covered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lead merchant even complained loudly about northern weather while arguing with the checkpoint guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Convincing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Malen rarely became suspicious without reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant Lucien already trusted the conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far below meanwhile, the southern \"merchants\" entered Elarion beneath armed inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lead trader wore layered winter clothing beneath a dark fur cloak while speaking with the practiced friendliness of someone accustomed to negotiating across noble territories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His name, according to the papers, was Rowan Hale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his real name was actually Raven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The royal operative was trying very hard not to stare openly at the industrial district visible beyond the fortress roads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the reports had not exaggerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke rose endlessly from multiple forge districts while workers moved through organized supply routes carrying refined steel, coal, timber, and machinery parts between active workshops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the roads looked reinforced recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven kept his expression neutral carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But internally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood immediately why Prince Cassian became concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not a frontier territory anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was infrastructure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the northern guards knocked against the side of the wagon again before stepping back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re clear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally,\" one fake merchant complained loudly. \"Your roads nearly froze my teeth off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That means you’re adapting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southern operative forced a tired laugh while the caravan continued moving inward through Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven quietly observed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers looked healthier than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armed patrols moved in organized rotations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Construction continued even during winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And perhaps most concerning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People did not look afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bothered him more than the dragon rumors somehow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oppressed territories usually carried tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bitterness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Elarion felt... functioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The caravan eventually stopped near the central trade quarter where several northern merchants immediately approached looking interested in southern goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven dismounted slowly while the others began unloading trade samples from the wagons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Textiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron fittings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normal merchandise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden beneath one wagon compartment meanwhile rested coded communication tools and sealed intelligence materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standard precautions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of his agents quietly stepped beside him afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...This place isn’t what I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven answered softly without looking toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The operative lowered his voice further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven glanced toward the distant western district where furnace smoke darkened the sky above Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Observe first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The agent nodded once before separating naturally into the growing market crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly as trained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately for them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar noticed almost immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High above the fortress walls, the golden dragon lazily rested across a reinforced watchtower while observing the settlement below with half-open eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly the dragon lifted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby guards immediately looked nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One swallowed carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar’s golden gaze followed the southern merchants moving through the trade quarter below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your visitors smell dishonest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You can smell dishonesty?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am a dragon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That did not answer the question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar ignored him entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far below, Raven suddenly paused mid-step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange feeling crawled briefly down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like being watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly glanced upward afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because atop the distant fortress tower—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive golden dragon was staring directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even across the settlement, Raven could feel the pressure behind those ancient eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon tilted its head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not friendly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not threatening either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven calmly looked away afterward and continued walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internally however—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every survival instinct he possessed was screaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later that evening, the southern merchants secured temporary lodging within the trade quarter while northern workers continued flooding taverns and supply halls after long shifts in the workshops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere remained loud and warm despite the cold outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven sat quietly near the corner of the inn listening more than speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers complained about furnace schedules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guards argued over rifle training rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One drunk blacksmith loudly declared smoothbore muskets \"obsolete garbage\" before another threw bread at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normal conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet hidden within it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Information flowed constantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Marksmen training started yesterday.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Heard the Lord expanded steel production again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No, the dragon actually ate the entire cow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That cannot possibly be true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I saw it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven slowly drank from the mug in his hands while memorizing every detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This territory was industrializing faster than intelligence predicted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if the rifle rumors were true—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Prince Cassian’s concern was entirely justified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re southern.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven looked up calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas stood beside the table holding several rolled inventory papers beneath one arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tired eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The administrator studied him casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your accent,\" Lucas clarified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven smiled politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trade routes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas remained there another moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then unexpectedly sat down across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inn suddenly felt quieter somehow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll have to forgive northern caution,\" Lucas said lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Winter makes people suspicious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven returned the smile carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And here I thought dragons caused the suspicion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actual laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brief, tired, genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That too,\" the administrator admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his eyes sharpened slightly afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly are southern merchants looking for this far north?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1051,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","a6a8cff722a7737447ad30f8dd75b96a889f01897b1956525a3fa4a388936674","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-59","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-57",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]