[{"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-79":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},1366787,1809,"Chapter 79 - 73: The City of Smoke","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-79",79,"\u003Cp>Kael Draven expected many things when he traveled north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold weather. Undisciplined frontier soldiers. Half-starved settlements struggling through recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he did not expect—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the thin smoke of village chimneys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not campfires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Industrial smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even from several kilometers away, Kael could already see dark pillars rising beyond the northern mountains into the gray evening sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too much smoke for a frontier fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elite knight slowed his horse atop the frozen ridge while the cold wind pushed against his cloak quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below him, the northern roads stretched toward Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unlike most northern roads—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were maintained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Properly maintained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone reinforcement. Drainage trenches. Wide enough for heavy transport movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael crouched slightly beside the ridge afterward while observing the movement below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trade carts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel shipments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Military patrols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The road remained active even near sunset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most frontier territories became quiet after dark due to monsters and harsh conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion apparently ignored that logic entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A merchant convoy passed beneath the ridge moments later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael listened carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Third steel shipment this week.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The factories barely stop anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard they work through the night now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not heard. Seen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchants continued onward while Kael remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Factories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again that word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight resumed moving shortly afterward while keeping distance from the main road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As night gradually fell across the north—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distant glow appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael stopped again immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first he thought it was a city fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he realized the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lights were controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rows of orange industrial glow illuminated the valley ahead while steam and smoke drifted upward beneath the dark sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael stared silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No northern fortress should look like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The territory below resembled something entirely different from the reports he remembered months ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Massive walls surrounded the central fortress. Watchtowers overlooked expanded districts spreading across the valley. Factory smoke stacks rose above entire blocks of newly constructed buildings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even from this distance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could hear machinery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low metallic thunder echoed faintly through the cold night air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam hiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hammer strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael’s expression hardened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reports were real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reports had understated things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight guided his horse carefully down the western ridge afterward before leaving the main trail entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Elarion truly possessed this level of organization, direct approach would attract attention immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Kael had no intention of being noticed yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deeper he moved toward the territory, the stranger things became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More roads. More patrols. More signs of activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even isolated northern farms showed improvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone foundations replaced weak wood. Water systems connected smaller settlements. Large storage buildings stood reinforced beside the roads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t random growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was systematic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael eventually stopped near a small roadside tavern several kilometers from the fortress itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The building looked ordinary enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm lanterns. Travelers resting inside. Horse carts parked nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect for gathering information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight entered quietly afterward while keeping his cloak hood lowered enough to avoid immediate recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conversations filled the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly workers and merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And almost all of them discussed Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...production doubled after winter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard Lord Lucien expanded the steel district again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My cousin works near the western foundries now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They really pay that well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Better than southern nobles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That last line caught Kael’s attention immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A northern worker speaking positively about noble rule was already unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking positively compared to southern territories?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael took a seat quietly near the corner while listening further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One older merchant drank deeply before laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should’ve seen the rifles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The thunder weapons again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m serious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchant leaned forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One shot split straight through steel plating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s what I said.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The table laughed nervously afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not mocking laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uneasy laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind people used when discussing things they genuinely did not understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael remained silent while absorbing everything carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weapons. Industry. Loyal civilians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All matching previous reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One worker eventually noticed him sitting nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You heading toward Elarion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael answered calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Possibly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worker grinned immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then avoid the eastern road tomorrow morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Military drills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another man laughed loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They train constantly now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How large are these drills?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worker shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Large enough that the walls shake sometimes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sounded deeply concerning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hours later, Kael finally departed the tavern and continued toward the territory under full darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closer he moved toward Elarion—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more unnatural the place felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not magical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Industrial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam pipes ran beside sections of road. Large water-driven machinery operated near the outer districts. Workers moved supplies even deep into the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And everywhere—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The territory simply never stopped moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael eventually reached the outer observation ridge overlooking the main valley itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then stopped completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion spread across the northern valley like a city reborn through steel and smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Factory districts glowed orange beneath the darkness. Steam rose endlessly into the sky. Massive fortress walls surrounded expanding industrial sectors. Watchtowers scanned the roads constantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the center—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main fortress overlooked everything like the heart of some growing machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael remained silent for a very long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this was no longer a frontier territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was becoming an industrial state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elite knight slowly crouched near the ridge afterward while studying the military patrols below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disciplined formations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regular movement intervals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armed guards carrying rifles unlike standard flintlocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even from this distance, Kael could tell the weapons looked refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Efficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp thunder-like sound echoed across the valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael’s head snapped instantly toward the western training fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another shot followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rifle training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elite knight narrowed his eyes while watching distant flashes appear near the military district below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No smoke clouds followed afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That immediately unsettled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even advanced flintlocks produced smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These weapons barely did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael slowly realized something then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>House Valcriox was already behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not politically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technologically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And perhaps by a terrifying margin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight stared toward the industrial valley silently while steam engines thundered endlessly through the night below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then for the first time since entering the north—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael felt genuine unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Elarion did not look like part of the kingdom anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like the beginning of something new.\u003C\u002Fp>",1052,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","af2961449d4c56a0b6c2debeca431c7f951235fec9ab3eb7af7bec56a1bc79b5","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-80","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-78",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]