[{"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-98":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},1366806,1809,"Chapter 98 - 91: Smoke Before Fire","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-98",98,"\u003Cp>The assassination attempt changed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not publicly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But within Elarion—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere hardened overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Factory workers whispered about infiltrators. Rifle patrols doubled across the industrial districts. Checkpoint towers remained manned even after midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And above all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People became angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the south had crossed a line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morning smoke rose heavily above Elarion while workers gathered near the central industrial square beneath falling snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ruined warehouse district from the previous night remained sealed behind military barricades while black scorch marks from Aurethar’s fire still stained the stone streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone had heard the rumors already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assassins. Southern involvement. An attempt on Lucien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now thousands of workers stood silently watching as soldiers transported the bodies through the square toward the fortress gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No cheering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only cold silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One elderly steelworker finally muttered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They came into our city.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another answered quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They tried to kill the lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third spat onto the frozen ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then they should be grateful the dragon showed restraint.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly difficult to disagree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the central fortress war chamber, the atmosphere felt equally grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maps covered the strategy table while officers moved rapidly between communication stations carrying fresh frontier reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassination attempt had triggered immediate military consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen stood beside the western frontier maps while reviewing troop deployments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Border patrols increased across all southern roads.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric folded his arms nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’ll deny involvement publicly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course they will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas looked exhausted already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric snorted softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re nobles.\" \"They could deny rain during a storm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fair point honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien remained silent while reading the recovered intelligence reports from the assassins’ bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forged merchant documents. Encoded communication slips. Southern trade seals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough evidence to strongly imply involvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not enough to officially accuse House Valcriox directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully designed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cowardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Political.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One officer stepped forward afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Public response?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the room quieted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that question mattered enormously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien finally looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No panic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That simple?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien placed the reports down calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We announce:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>infiltrators entered Elarion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they were eliminated,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and security remains under control.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The administrator stared for several moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then slowly realized why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear destabilized systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confidence stabilized them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Elarion functioned through systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far south within the Valcriox capital—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hawkish nobles received the assassination reports in absolute silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Berengar reread the intelligence summary slowly beneath dim candlelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a third time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They sent four.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the report itself sounded absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four assassins entered Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One dragon found them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All four died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One noble rubbed his forehead tiredly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This was a disaster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another answered bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was supposed to be discreet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar’s expression darkened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Instead now Lucien knows someone attempted assassination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A military advisor finally spoke carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The important detail is this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped the report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The dragon intervened personally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That part frightened everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Aurethar was not acting like a neutral ancient creature anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was defending Elarion actively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One older noble muttered quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are approaching the point where this can no longer remain hidden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one disagreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because pressure had escalated again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>inspections,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>troop movements,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>convoy seizures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now assassination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every step moved closer toward unavoidable conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar slowly stood afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we stop reacting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several nobles looked toward him carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We prepare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room grew quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Openly?\" one asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berengar’s eyes shifted toward the northern maps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But quietly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then coldly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because if Lucien survives another year...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t finish the sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in Elarion—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The response came faster than anyone expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mobilization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers volunteered for militia training. Factory shifts extended voluntarily. Frontier fortifications expanded continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even migration into Elarion increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which honestly infuriated the south even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because instead of appearing weak after assassination—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion appeared united.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One rifle officer watching new recruits assemble near the training yards shook his head slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re joining faster now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another soldier laughed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The south tried to scare people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted toward the smoking factories below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They accidentally made Elarion look stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unfortunately—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later that evening, Lucien stood atop the upper fortress walls overlooking the industrial city beneath the falling snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>furnaces burned endlessly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>steam engines hissed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>factory lights glowed through the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite pressure. Despite threats. Despite assassination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, massive golden wings shifted softly against the snow-covered stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar rested along the fortress ridge while observing the city below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They underestimated something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien glanced toward the dragon briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurethar’s ancient golden eyes reflected the industrial lights beneath them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They believed fear would weaken this place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm smoke drifted slowly from the dragon’s nostrils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But pressure has only made your people more loyal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ancient dragon sounded genuinely thoughtful now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric arrived moments later carrying another frontier report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Southern troop activity increased again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas groaned from behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wonderful.\" \"Assassination failed so now they’re compensating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric unfolded the report carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Additional cavalry movements near the western frontier.\" \"Supply stockpiles increasing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen arrived shortly afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re preparing for something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone already knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>War still had not begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kingdom had crossed into something worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expectation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And expectation changed people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Factories worked harder. Armies trained longer. Borders hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone prepared for the future now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if nobody wanted to admit what future they expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far below the fortress walls, another artillery rolled through the industrial district while smoke rose endlessly into the winter night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somewhere beyond the southern mountains—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old world and the new world continued moving toward collision.\u003C\u002Fp>",933,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","ab3b1f1a5134dfbb613ecbdffa78c44168c18f983d24b0ead7f14bbb9b78e7e6","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-99","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-97",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]