[{"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-74":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},1366782,1809,"Chapter 74 - 69: The Lottery of the Future","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-74",74,"\u003Cp>The spring festival finally ended three days later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly because the dwarves ran out of things they were legally allowed to explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion slowly returned to normal afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Factories resumed full production. Steam engines thundered through the industrial district. Rifle drills echoed across the training yards once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But despite the return to routine—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien had been distracted ever since the system reward appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 10x uncommon lottery voucher remained unopened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow that felt more dangerous than beast tides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the upper fortress office, Lucas reviewed supply reports while occasionally glancing toward Lucien sitting silently near the balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve been staring into space for ten minutes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien didn’t look up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m thinking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sentence has historically damaged infrastructure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric lounged near the fireplace polishing one of the new Mauser prototypes while smirking faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He has the system look again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas groaned immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar occupied most of the southern balcony outside while sunlight reflected across his golden scales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The human seeks more forbidden knowledge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I seek progress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is the same thing when YOU say it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fair point honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien finally stood afterward and walked toward the center table slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system interface appeared before his eyes immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[10x Uncommon Lottery Voucher Available]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would you like to begin spin sequence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>YES \u002F NO\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien selected YES.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room suddenly became colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not physically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But perceptually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after all this time, the system still carried an unnatural presence whenever it activated fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden light spread across Lucien’s vision while rows of rotating rewards began appearing rapidly before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blueprints. Machines. Weapons. Industrial systems. Unknown technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spin began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Obtained]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precision Lathe Blueprint\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Information flooded into Lucien’s mind instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advanced machining tolerances. Rotational stability. Mass-production tooling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extremely useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With proper lathes, Mauser production efficiency would nearly triple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric noticed Lucien suddenly blinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That one good or bad?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas sighed heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is never comforting anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second reward appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Obtained]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Improved Steel Alloy Formula\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The formula entered Lucien’s memory almost violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carbon ratios. Heat treatment adjustments. Pressure endurance improvements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stronger barrels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Safer boilers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And possibly stronger armor plating eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third reward spun into existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Obtained]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smokeless Powder Refinement Manual\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien’s eyes narrowed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grayfire Powder had been unstable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerously unstable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This reward essentially completed the accidental discovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stabilizers. Compression methods. Storage techniques. Pressure balancing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion’s firearms had just become significantly safer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That also made them significantly deadlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas noticed the expression immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...How bad is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien answered honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The rifles will stop exploding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The administrator visibly relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh thank gods.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien continued calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’ll also become much stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas looked tired again instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course they will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth reward appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Obtained]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Telegraph Prototype Blueprint\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time even Lucien looked surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instant long-distance communication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not magical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mechanical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Electrical relay pulse systems using conductive crystal minerals from the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If developed successfully—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion could coordinate armies faster than royal messengers could ride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone could change kingdoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar slowly lifted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The human looks dangerous again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric glanced toward Lucien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s mentally restructuring civilization.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fifth reward appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Obtained]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Industrial Chemical Processing Notes\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acids. Refinement compounds. Fertilizer concepts. Industrial solvents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A foundation technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not glamorous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But civilization-changing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien silently realized something afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system wasn’t giving random rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was building industrial chains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every reward supported another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sixth reward spun forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Obtained]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advanced Farming Equipment Blueprint\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas blinked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Agricultural tools?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Food production increase.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That seems oddly normal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s probably one of the most important rewards so far.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rifles won wars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But food sustained then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seventh reward appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Obtained]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mechanical Refrigeration Theory\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lucien paused slightly at that one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold storage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Food preservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Medical transport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Industrial cooling systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another foundational technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion’s growth ceiling had just increased dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas rubbed both hands across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I miss when problems involved grain taxes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No you don’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Fair.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eighth reward appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Obtained]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water-Turbine Industrial System\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additional energy production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>River factories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expanded infrastructure capability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The industrial district below Elarion could eventually spread far beyond the fortress itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion was beginning to resemble a true industrial state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not merely a territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ninth reward finally appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien actually froze slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Obtained]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy Machine Gun Concept Fragment\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Incomplete mechanisms flooded his mind rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cooling jackets. Belt-fed systems. Sustained fire concepts. Recoil cycling principles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not enough to build one immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But enough to glimpse the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough to understand what was coming eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lucien felt slightly disturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he knew exactly what machine guns would do to medieval armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar narrowed his eyes carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That one was dangerous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien looked toward the dragon slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room grew quieter afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Cedric looked uneasy now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because for the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien himself seemed cautious about a technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the final reward began spinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden light intensified across the system window while the fortress office itself seemed unnaturally silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spin slowed gradually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Jackpot Reward Obtained]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam Landship Prototype Blueprint\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Classification:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First-Generation Armored Vehicle\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam Powered\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy Assault Platform\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Designation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>LANDSHIP MARK I\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then information hit Lucien all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armored plating layouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam-pressure drive systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Track assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotational wheel concepts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internal troop compartments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Side-mounted cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boiler stabilization mechanisms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer scale of it nearly made his head hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not truly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something older.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cruder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An armored industrial monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moving fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien unconsciously whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A landship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric frowned immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien slowly looked upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time in a very long while—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he looked slightly overwhelmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s an armored vehicle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas blinked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Like a carriage?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A wagon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How large?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien remained silent briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then answered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Large enough to cross battlefields through enemy formations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lucas spoke carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Absolutely not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar looked deeply offended suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The humans made a fake dragon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is not the point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is clearly trying to become me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric stepped closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression shifted slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A moving armored fortress?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam-powered. Steel-plated. Armed with artillery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And horrifyingly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not now perhaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon stared toward Lucien suspiciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You looked less insane when creating cannons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was a simpler time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas pointed toward him immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"NO. WE ARE NOT NORMALIZING THIS.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the office windows, the factories of Elarion continued burning beneath the evening sky while steam rose endlessly into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The industrial district suddenly looked different now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smaller somehow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the beginning of something much larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much more dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien looked toward the distant smoke stacks silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then toward the system window slowly fading before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future had arrived again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It came on tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>",1163,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","70c11696c8a0b69bdb5e57a7d50fa357f7bf636202340e7fcf78eeeadff7f5d7","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-75","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-73",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]