[{"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-90":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},1366798,1809,"Chapter 90 - 84: The Hawks of Valcriox","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-90",90,"\u003Cp>The rain over the capital had not stopped for three days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gray clouds hung heavily above the spires of House Valcriox while servants moved quietly through dim corridors carrying reports, sealed letters, and trade ledgers between administrative chambers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beneath the calm surface of the capital—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tension spread rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the newest intelligence reports from Elarion had begun circulating quietly among the nobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And many did not like what they read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the western estate wing of House Valcriox, a private chamber remained lit long after midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy curtains covered the windows. Firelight flickered against dark wooden walls. Wine glasses rested untouched across a circular table surrounded by nobles wearing increasingly grim expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Berengar Valcriox slammed a production report onto the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This has gone too far.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The older noble’s voice carried restrained anger while several others silently exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Five thousand riflemen.\" \"Twenty cannons.\" \"Factories operating day and night.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around the chamber sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Kassian still waits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another noble nodded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Every month Elarion grows stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third scoffed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We should have crushed the north before winter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That statement lingered heavily in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because many of them privately believed the same thing now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, Lucien had seemed manageable:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>an exiled noble,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ruling frozen wasteland,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>playing with strange inventions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Elarion no longer resembled a failed northern territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled emerging power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that frightened them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Marius leaned forward slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The worst part is not the rifles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several nobles looked toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is the people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reports now confirmed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>migration increasing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>workers moving north voluntarily,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>craftsmen abandoning southern workshops,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>merchants quietly investing in Elarion trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The idea itself had become dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A territory where:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>commoners earned wages,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>merit mattered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>production scaled,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and armies expanded without noble levies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That threatened more than military balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It threatened the structure of noble authority itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar poured wine into his glass aggressively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kassian believes this can still be controlled politically.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you disagree?\" another noble asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I believe Lucien should already be dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber fell silent briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because the statement shocked anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because several secretly agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One younger lord finally spoke carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"War against Elarion would not remain contained anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And waiting improves that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No answer came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that was the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every report from the north worsened the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every month:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>more rifles,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>more workers,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>more furnaces,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>more artillery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion scaled continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Marius unfolded another intelligence report afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar looked irritated already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wonderful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The dragon remains in Elarion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That changed the atmosphere immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar’s existence complicated everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because ancient dragons were not political decorations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the kingdom treated them carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One noble muttered uneasily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would a dragon involve himself with humans?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another answered bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Apparently Lucien somehow convinced one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar’s expression darkened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That creature should have left months ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it hadn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that worried everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because if Aurethar openly sided with Elarion during conflict—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The consequences became unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear only hardened Berengar’s resolve further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we strike before things worsen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One noble frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You speak as if this is simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar leaned forward coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was simple months ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one argued with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the truth remained painfully obvious now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had underestimated Lucien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Badly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A servant quietly entered the chamber afterward carrying several newly arrived letters sealed with noble insignias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marius accepted them quickly before scanning the signatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his expression changed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These are responses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marius slowly smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To inquiries.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several nobles straightened immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which inquiries?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the letters across the table carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nobles concerned about Elarion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the atmosphere sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this was no longer merely private frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was organization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Political alignment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beginnings of factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One older lord quickly opened a letter before reading aloud:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> \"Continued northern militarization threatens regional stability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> \"Elarion’s industrial growth may destabilize noble trade influence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> \"Delaying action risks long-term consequences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different territories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar slowly smiled for the first time that night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kassian is not the only voice within House Valcriox.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because while Kassian preferred caution—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others preferred decisive action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially nobles whose wealth and influence already suffered from:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>migration,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>industrial competition,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and shifting trade patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marius folded his hands calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The question is no longer whether Elarion becomes dangerous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes moved toward the northern maps spread across the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It already is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Berengar spoke quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We begin building support.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For war?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For necessity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distinction honestly meant very little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One younger noble still looked uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Kassian?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar’s expression hardened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kassian thinks like a ruler.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was not entirely criticism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But neither was it praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He sees long-term stability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar’s gaze shifted toward the furnace reports from Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see a fire spreading before anyone bothers bringing water.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one argued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because somewhere deep down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all understood the fear now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien was not merely strengthening the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was changing the balance of the kingdom itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if Elarion continued growing unchecked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day even House Valcriox might no longer control what came next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the estate, rain continued falling across the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far to the north, beyond mountains and snowstorms—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The furnaces of Elarion continued burning through the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps fully aware—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That parts of the southern nobility had already begun preparing for war.\u003C\u002Fp>",918,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","71ac041fb14117c122e9f44a4189e498c8cbe332f5a066c3dbca0f04a81a687e","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-91","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-89",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]