[{"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-60":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},1366768,1809,"Chapter 60 - 56: Thunder in the Snow","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-60",60,"\u003Cp>Morning arrived cold and gray over Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snow had stopped during the night, leaving the entire valley buried beneath a clean white silence broken only by distant hammering from the western workshops and the occasional roar of furnace flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven stood near the upper market road with gloved hands tucked beneath his cloak while watching soldiers move through the lower training grounds below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, it looked ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Winter drills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Formation practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northern discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the rifles appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the atmosphere changed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rows of armed men marched into the snow-covered field carrying long rifled weapons across their shoulders while Malen walked slowly along the formation line like a predator inspecting prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even from a distance, Raven could feel the difference between these soldiers and ordinary guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not militia either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young northern guard noticed Raven watching from the roadside and laughed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First time seeing the marksmen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven forced an amused smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The whole settlement keeps talking about them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s because they’re insane.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard sounded strangely proud while saying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below them, Malen suddenly barked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Formation!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The riflemen moved instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boots crushed deep snow as the soldiers shifted into firing positions across the field while assistants moved behind them carrying powder satchels and ammunition boxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven narrowed his eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assistants too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Organized logistics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard beside him folded his arms against the cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three weeks ago half of them couldn’t even load properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard watched the formation below with visible admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now they hit targets farther than most archers can even see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bothered Raven more than he expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because rumors exaggerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reality usually disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Elarion somehow kept proving worse than the rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far below, Malen walked slowly between the lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Steady your breathing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold wind swept through the valley while distant furnace smoke drifted across the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rifles are not swords,\" Malen continued calmly. \"You do not fight emotion with them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One soldier adjusted his grip slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen stopped instantly beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re anticipating recoil.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Sorry, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you fear the weapon, it becomes useless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Peak Knight crouched beside the nervous marksman before adjusting the man’s shoulder position himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven studied the soldiers carefully afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally noticed something deeply unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mixed ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some riflemen wore light noble armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others clearly came from common backgrounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One still had miner calluses across both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they trained together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No separation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No visible hierarchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone would terrify southern nobles if word spread properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A commoner with a rifle could kill armored cavalry from impossible distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lucien was training them deliberately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The field suddenly erupted with sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunder rolled across the valley as the first firing line unleashed synchronized rifle fire toward distant targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow burst upward near impact zones far across the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven blinked slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The range was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even nearby workers stopped briefly to watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second volley followed moments later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a third.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disciplined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not experimental anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Military.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet voice suddenly spoke beside Raven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Loud, aren’t they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven turned calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric stood nearby wrapped in a heavy winter cloak with snow across one shoulder and a steaming cup in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight looked toward the firing lines below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Scared the hell out of the horses the first week.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can imagine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric took another sip before continuing casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The dwarves are still arguing over barrel quality.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are they improving?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Depends which dwarf you ask.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another thunderous volley echoed through the valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric glanced toward the soldiers again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re getting faster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven noticed it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reload timing had improved dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Powder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramrod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still slower than bows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But far deadlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disguised spy kept his voice careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you truly think rifles can replace knights?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric laughed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer surprised Raven slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Cedric continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But they don’t need to replace knights to change battlefields.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer was much worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below them, Malen suddenly raised one arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The firing stopped instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned across the valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the Peak Knight pointed toward the distant targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Retrieve them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several soldiers jogged through the snow while the rest remained disciplined in formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few moments later the damaged armor plates were brought back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven’s eyes narrowed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Direct penetrations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at that range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One nearby marksman whispered quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Gods.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The miner-turned-rifleman standing beside him grinned proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Told you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen overheard instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is not entertainment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men immediately straightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Peak Knight looked across the formation afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Never forget what these weapons are for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere cooled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone there understood the implication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These rifles were made to kill people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not armor plates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven quietly watched the soldiers again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The discipline impressed him more than the weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien wasn’t simply building firearms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was building doctrine around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That required vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which made the prince’s concerns increasingly justified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly a loud argument erupted from near the western workshop road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One dwarf stormed across the snow carrying a rifle scope tube while Gandalf followed behind him yelling angrily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The crystal alignment was correct!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It exploded!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That does not automatically mean it failed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"IT CAUGHT FIRE!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers nearby immediately started laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Cedric rubbed his forehead tiredly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Scope?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re going to hear rumors eventually anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight pointed toward the metal tube in the dwarf’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re trying to improve long-range sighting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since entering Elarion—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven genuinely felt uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because of the rifles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because of the dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the people here kept innovating faster than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every week Elarion became more dangerous than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somewhere deep inside the snowy fortress beyond the training grounds—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien Valcroix was still building.\u003C\u002Fp>",979,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","f5909d26da0b6ac141953298a5c30ccd94fa86480f642faab8c8506e9d093f8f","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-61","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-59",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]