The world-devouring dragon

(I haven’t updated in the past two days because I went home for the Chinese New Year. I’m going to make up for it now. Although I said before that no one will read it during the Chinese New Year, so I plan to update it once a day, but I’ll update it twice a day.)

Chinon.

Leaning against the window of the castle, he stared blankly out of the window. It was a gloomy sky covered with dark clouds, which was so oppressive that it made people breathless. Looking at the sky, the Crown Prince's face was silent.

"..."

Holding hands unconsciously, the crown prince lowered his head.

Since Jeanne left with the army, Charlie has been depressed and often in a daze, because for him, he has staked his entire destiny on that country girl.

Every time he recalled this incident, Charlie felt that he must have gone crazy at that time. He was in a big crisis and rushed to the doctor because of his illness. He actually believed in a village girl who claimed that he was here to save France?

"I must be crazy."

The French crown prince obviously didn't know that there was an emperor in the Far East Empire who was just like him. When a large army besieged the capital, he chose to believe the words of a Taoist priest in desperation and let him lead a group of ruffians to fight against the Jin people. , as a result, both emperors, father and son, were kidnapped and the empire fell into ruin.

If he knew about this, he would definitely feel even more pessimistic about his future.

However, he was helpless after all.

There is no money in hand, no extra troops, and even the territory is about to fall. Apart from the empty name of the French King, only some nobles and generals who are still loyal to themselves are left. He has placed all his bets on this country girl. If the country girl fails, he may not even be able to become a little count.

Yes, in addition to his status as the French Crown Prince, he is also the Count of Anjou. He has a large number of in-laws in France and abroad. In any case, even if the King of England really takes away the throne of the French King, he will still have his own position. A nobleman of territory and army, but... what else can he do since he has no money?

In order to keep the throne, he sold many of his manors and many fragmented territories. Now he is in embarrassment. What is a lord who has no money to maintain an army? It's just a piece of meat.

For the monarch of the Eastern Kingdom, the power of his ministers comes from the royal authority. The king can depose any minister with a single word. As for the monarchs of Western feudal kingdoms, the power of their ministers comes from the army in their hands, just like a small king serving a big king.

The so-called nobility, the so-called majesty, the so-called power, the so-called elegance... The majesty and power of the nobility are not maintained by those false names and titles, but by their actual territory and army.

No matter how big or small, a lord has his own territory and army. The lord's allegiance to the king is essentially like the obedience of a small country's king to a big country's king, but it is a closer vassal state.

Because of this, even if the lord has obvious rebellion against the king, as long as there is no direct rebellion, the king is often helpless. For the lord, the worst is that you come to my territory to fight me, look at it is your king's army. The stronger one is my army.

But precisely because, when the lords are unable to maintain their own armies, what is that?

It's just a vase with a noble title on it.

If the country girl fails, even if he cannot be killed explicitly due to the opinions of other nobles, Charlie will pay for it himself, and he is afraid that he will end up with an "accidental death".

Holding on to the window sill in front of him, staring at the ominous dark clouds in the sky, as if it was about to rain, the crown prince prayed silently.

"God, please protect that girl."

Charlie did not pray directly for himself, but prayed for the Lorraine girl, wishing her success. Anyway, when the girl failed, he had no choice but to surrender.

The whole of France has reached its most critical moment, and the hope of saving France rests on a country girl...

How incredible, but it is the truth.

…

On the afternoon of May 8, 1429, the defenders of Chinon discovered a cavalry on the guard tower heading towards Chinon.

"who!"

Even though he was just one person, the raised castle suspension bridge, the soldiers holding weapons and bows and arrows everywhere, and the nervous expressions looking at the cavalry all proved that these soldiers were extremely nervous.

During this period, there were countless reports of defeats all over the country, which made these soldiers extremely depressed, and it seemed that France could no longer hold on.

But then, someone at the top of the city recognized who the cavalryman was.

"Charles?"

On top of the city, someone said in surprise.

Charles, this was a guard who originally served as a garrison in Chinon, but a month ago, he joined the Orleans reinforcements under the order of the Crown Prince and followed the Saint of Lorraine to join the war. , and now he is back.

Could it be that the war failed and he escaped?

Under the city wall, Charles was panting heavily and looked like he hadn't slept all day. On the way here, he even killed three horses directly, and the remaining horse also died. I can't hold it any longer.

"Oh... Orleans!"

With a hoarse throat, he tried his best to shout out.

"Orleans? News from Orleans?"

The soldiers at the top of the city did not dare to neglect, and immediately lowered the suspension bridge. Charles turned over and dismounted, and fell directly, but he did not even bother to pat the dirt on his body, he just ran towards the castle.

At this time, Charlie, who had already received the news, could not hold back. He walked quickly out of the hall and met the messenger in the corridor.

"What happened? What happened to Orleans???"

He no longer cared about aristocratic etiquette, and shook the shoulders of the panting soldier in front of him desperately. His blue pupils looked nervously at the overly excited face.

"Orleans... Orleans..."

But the soldier traveled all night, and his throat was hurt by the cold wind. In addition, he was too excited. Even if he was dancing, he could only keep repeating "Orleans".

Hearing the sound, Charlie's heart sank, and the assumption that he had never dared to think about was still forced to face it at this moment.

"Did Orleans... still fall?"

Some muttering silently.

Unexpectedly, when he actually heard the news, Charlie didn't feel too much disappointed. He didn't even feel angry towards the country girl, nor did he fear about his foreseeable future. He only felt inexplicable confusion. and a sense of unreality.

It was as if I had been in a dream before, not knowing where I was, but until just now...

Finally woke up from the dream.

"Yes, it's time to wake up."

He felt inexplicably bitter in his heart. How could he, a man who was not even sure whether he was the biological son of the previous King of France, be qualified to be the King of France?

For a moment, my heart felt bitter, my will was weakened, and I was discouraged.

But just then...

"No, it's not... Orleans was successfully rescued! The English suffered heavy losses and fled in defeat!"

In my ears, an excited voice sounded again.

Sure enough, it was a failure. Sure enough, it was too crazy to believe that a village girl could save France or something. Forget it, anyway... eh? Huh? ! ! Huh? ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Charlie, who suddenly reacted, looked at the excited soldiers in front of him in disbelief, with a look of astonishment on his face.