The world-devouring dragon

Rouen, France, next to Paris.

In the dark prison, there are dots of firelight on both sides of the passage. Many prisoners are imprisoned here, including thieves, robbers, murderers, heretics, troublemaking drunkards... all kinds of people, to name but a few, with different basic crimes. , some are only detained for a few days, while others may be detained until death, or even executed.

However, there is only one cell that is particularly special, because there is only one person in this cell.

Moreover, even if there are dozens of people in other cells, they are only patrolled by a few guards. However, there are several heavily armed soldiers guarding the door of this cell. Obviously, the prison is very afraid of letting this person escape, so it is strict. Add supervision.

But what was inside the cell was not a muscular man, nor a scheming fallen nobleman, but a young girl.

In the dark cell, the floor was carefully swept, and there was only a crucifix on the table in the corner and tall candles on both sides. This was the only request made by the girl.

Facing the cross in front of her, the young girl knelt in front of the cross, clasping her hands and muttering a prayer, with a certain unshakable determination in her calm eyes.

To be fair, she is not a very beautiful type, but the youthful vigor on her face and the unusual composure she has developed through many hardships make her look inexplicably solemn and solemn. Even though she is behind bars, It didn't shake her determination.

"He is really like a saint..."

A soldier next to the cell glanced secretly at the young girl in the candlelight, and he couldn't help but admire in his heart. Even as an enemy, the woman in front of him was still awe-inspiring, not only because she became the commander-in-chief of the French army at the age of seventeen, but also because she was regarded as a saint by people.

Who doesn’t respect the Saint of Orleans?

…

Six months ago, no one thought that the Saint of Orleans, who had become a French icon, would be captured by the Burgundians.

When leading the army to fight against the Burgundians in southeastern France, for some unknown reason, the whereabouts of the army led by Jeanne were exposed, and they were surrounded by a large army led by the Burgundians who came after hearing the news. Although Jeanne took the lead, waving the flag in her hand to boost the morale of the soldiers, and even repelled the Burgundian army twice, after all, the number was sparse, with only a few hundred people, and she had to choose to retreat.

When retreating to the city of Compiègne, Jeanne insisted on covering the retreat for the soldiers, and she finally evacuated. However, just as she was cutting off the rear for the soldiers, the terrified Compiègne residents rushed to raise the drawbridge, and was captured by Burgundy. Jeanne, surrounded by people, was captured like this.

The Burgundians did not harm Jeanne, but kept her under strict guard and treated her well. The French generals tried to redeem Jeanne, but the Burgundians refused because the angry English king learned about Jeanne. After being captured, Jeanne was bought from the Burgundians for a high price of 60,000 francs.

Among them, French King Charles, who was single-handedly supported by Jeanne to the throne, made no attempt to rescue him because his finances were in extreme embarrassment and he was really unable to redeem himself.

So after being imprisoned by the Burgundians for four months, Jeanne was resold to the English. The English imprisoned Jeanne in Rouen next to Paris and prepared to try Jeanne here.

The girl who saved France's life and death was now being resold between several countries like a piece of cargo. However, the girl did not complain. Instead, she silently endured her fate and prayed to God. Occasionally ask the guards about the current situation in France.

When she knew about the battles of her comrades, those French generals, she would always listen carefully. When she won, she would smile and bless her comrades for their victory; when they failed, she would look worried and worry about their safety. Worry.

But from beginning to end, she never thought about her own safety, but always cared about her motherland.

"Don't you ever think about yourself?"

Once, the Duke of Burgundy couldn't help but said, and facing the monarch of Burgundy, Jeanne opened her eyes wide and said seriously.

"I would die for France."

…

"Roll..."

Suddenly, there was a heavy creaking sound, as if a door had been opened.

Jeanne was locked in the cell and could not see what was happening outside, but she could guess from the noisy footsteps that someone big seemed to be coming, so there were so many footsteps shouting in front of and behind her.

But what does this have to do with her.

Looking at the cross in front of her, Jeanne still murmured her prayers.

"Ahem...it smells really bad here."

In the distance, the owner of the shrill voice was coughing and complaining. His voice was very thin, and he sounded young, like a little boy. Then there seemed to be someone else echoing the sound beside him.

"Blessed by God...the King of England and France comes..."

Before the person arrived, the arrogant voice had already sounded, loudly announcing the noble status of the person arriving.

"Wow..."

With the sound of the chain, the firmly locked iron door opened.

And then, it was as if light was shining in. Even if she was facing the wall, Jeanne could still feel the strong light behind her, which was the light illuminated by many torches.

"You're that Jenny."

An arrogant, high-pitched child's voice sounded, as if the voice was talking to a slave.

Jeanne is French, but if she says it in English, it is Jenny. It is obvious that the person behind her came specifically to see her. But Jeanne did not stand up immediately, but continued to mutter a prayer. After finishing the prayer, she stood up slowly and looked behind her.

Surrounded by numerous firelights and luxuriously dressed people, there was a little boy who was not even as tall as Jeanne's waist. He looked to be no more than ten years old. He was wearing a royal robe that was relatively too big. He was looking up at Jeanne in front of him.

Although he held his head high, his arrogant and arrogant attitude made people feel that he was not looking at Jeanne at all, because Jeanne was not worthy of his gaze at all.

"If you mean the woman named Jeanne in French, then yes, I'm Jeanne."

Jeanne nodded and said, she already knew who the person standing in front of her was.

King Henry of England is nine years old this year, but as one of the most powerful monarchs on the entire continent, no one dares to look down upon him because of his age.

"Then you should kneel down to me."

The unmistakable childish voice said proudly, and the tone of matter-of-factness was as natural as the sun rising.

"Why."

Jeanne asked rhetorically.

"Because I am the King of France, your King, and you should kneel to me!"

As if he was a little angry, the little boy said loudly, the voice was high-pitched and thin, which made people laugh, but no one dared to laugh, because although the King of England was young, those who dared to disobey him could not help but laugh. Deciding that nothing good ends.

But Jeanne shook her head, not dissatisfied at all with the arrogance and tyranny of the little boy in front of her, but said stubbornly.

"There is only one king of France, and that is Charles of France, who was crowned in Reims."

After hearing that name, the little boy in front of him clenched his fists tightly and couldn't help but said loudly.

"Charlie...that deposed prince is not qualified to be king at all! France has been defeated. His father has long ago transferred the French King's throne inheritance rights to my father. Those shameless French nobles betrayed the agreement! I am the only France king!"

What Henry said was exactly what happened after the Battle of Agincourt. The defeated France was forced to sign an agreement with Britain. After the death of French King Charles VI, the throne of France would be inherited by Henry's father Henry V. Therefore, the Hundred Years War It should have been over long ago.

But the strange thing is that the two kings died at almost the same time, within a few days of each other, so that the French nobles found an excuse to refuse to recognize Henry's right to the throne.

In the eyes of King Henry of England, the French were all treacherous liars.

However, in the face of his doubts, Jeanne spoke calmly.

"The French do not need an Englishman as their king. The king of the French can only be French and must be French."

She is not a very strong girl. On the contrary, her character has always been very docile, and she has always been the pious and simple shepherdess. However, she has an unexpected stubbornness in her bones. She is particularly stubborn in important places and never Willing to make no concessions.

Henry in front of him was angry and flushed, but he surprisingly suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and then said in an unexpectedly good voice.

"Kneel down to me... Be loyal to me, to the King of France, and I will promise you freedom. I can give you whatever Charles can give you, whether it is wealth or land, anything."

For Henry, since Jeanne can be loyal to Charles and conquer cities for him, she can also be loyal to him, become his most powerful sword, and expand his territory.

"I am a Frenchman. I am only loyal to King Charles of France and not to King Henry of England."

But without any tact, Jeanne directly responded with one sentence.

Henry's face suddenly turned gloomy, and he spoke word by word.

"Then you're going to die here, I swear."

Jeanne didn't answer him anymore, but turned around, closed her eyes, and silently prayed to the cross in front of her again.

There was silence behind him, and then there were the sounds of footsteps turning away and curses. After a long time, you could still vaguely hear the angry voice of the young child in the distance.

"I want that woman dead!"

There were many noises, and the crowd surrounded the young King of England and left. Only Jeanne remained in the cell.

Opening his eyes, there was silence in his bright eyes.

"Death...?"