Devouring World Dragon

Chapter 159 Heading to Orleans (Second Update)
However, despite this, theologians were not so quick to agree. Before appointing Jeanne as commander, many theologians and scholars demanded verification of Jeanne's identity and conducted a series of inquiries with her.

First, the crown prince's mother-in-law, Joland, confirmed Jeanne's chastity; she was indeed a pure virgin who had never been with anyone. Then, the theologians raised a series of questions about Jeanne's claims. For example, they questioned when, where, and what kind of sounds Jeanne heard. Her words were full of traps; if Jeanne didn't answer correctly, these theologians and priests could label her a heretic or witch practicing witchcraft.

The questioning lasted for three weeks, until the theologians finally decided there was nothing more to ask and told Prince Charles that since it was the Holy Spirit who had helped this country girl out of Orleans, why not let her give it a try?

Meanwhile, Prince Charles was not idle either. He used all his wealth to have a blacksmith forge a suit of armor that fit Joan of Arc, and sew a banner embroidered with Christ and irises. He also reorganized an army to prepare for the expedition to Orleans.

So in early April, with the support of Crown Prince Charles, Jeanne, dressed in armor, rode away from Chinon on horseback, holding a banner of irises high, leading a force of several hundred men behind her...

Yes, only seven or eight hundred men. Although it included some well-equipped cavalry and fully armored infantry, making it a fairly elite force, it was still only seven or eight hundred men, a pitifully small number.

However, this was all the troops the Crown Prince could muster at the last possible means. He was now at his wit's end, his funds almost completely depleted. If he failed this time, he wouldn't even be able to return to his own Count of Anjou.

Standing atop the city wall, watching the army gradually disappear into the distance with a complex mix of emotions, Charlie felt as if he had returned to that secret room.

……

Nothing actually happened inside that secret room.

The little girl from the countryside simply told Charlie what she had seen and heard: the lives of the French people she had witnessed along the way, their resentment towards the British, the French people who had been robbed by the British, and their cries of fear and helplessness…

In the eyes of this country girl, the French people were willing to support their king, as long as the crown prince was willing.

However, what truly touched Charlie was a sentence spoken by the little girl named Jeanne.

“You are the only legitimate heir to the French throne. You should rightfully inherit the French throne. The king of France should be French. The French do not need an Englishman to be their king.”

The earnest and sincere voice spoke these words, and the bright eyes were fixed on Charlie in front of him.

And it was this one sentence that truly moved Charlie.

When even his mother said he wasn't the king's son, he vehemently denied it, but even he himself began to doubt whether he was truly qualified to inherit the French throne. If he wasn't the king's son, then was his delayed coronation also God's will?

However, only this little girl in front of him so sincerely said that he should be, and only he could be, the King of France.

That one sentence completely convinced Charlie to support the little girl in front of him.

Standing atop the city wall, watching the army gradually disappear into the distance, Charlie suddenly felt a sense of unreality and absurdity, and he murmured to himself.

"Bruno, do you think I'm crazy? To actually believe that a country girl can save France?"

Beside him, the minister remained silent, simply bowing his head and pretending not to hear.

However, Charlie clearly did not expect a reply from the minister beside him. He remained silent, and at this moment, he could only believe that the little girl from the countryside could create a miracle.

……

The same doubts also existed in the minds of the generals who were marching at this moment. Bertrand de Polangy, a noble general from the Loire, was filled with doubts about Jeanne. He was not very religious and thought it was absurd to appoint a country girl as commander.

"Ridiculous, what would a country girl know?"

He scoffed at the so-called "Saintess of Lorraine's" prophecy, but he could not disobey the Crown Prince's orders and could only reluctantly obey them. However, the confusion in his heart never disappeared.

As he rode his horse, he couldn't help but look at the country girl on horseback, holding a flag. She had blonde hair, bright eyes, and was only seventeen years old. Her face radiated youthful vitality, and there was still a touch of innocence between her brows.

The noble girls of her age were either preparing for marriage or already married, and they stayed peacefully in their boudoirs from beginning to end. They would faint from fright at the mere sight of a sharp weapon, let alone going to the battlefield.

But only she, this incredible country girl, dared to lead more than seven hundred heavily armed soldiers into battle?

Absurd! Are we going to the battlefield, or are we just playing house?
Bertrand's sense of absurdity grew stronger; such a scene was truly unheard of. Not only in the present day, but even in the fables and stories of our ancient ancestors, such a scene had never appeared; it might only exist in some pagan books.

Thinking of this, he urged his horse forward and tried to ask Jeanne a question, but just as he was about to speak, he realized that he did not know how to address the country girl in front of him.

To call her a country girl directly? In any case, at least nominally, this woman is still his leader. But to call her commander-in-chief? That was even more unbearable for him. To call a woman commander-in-chief was an unimaginable insult to him.

After hesitating for a moment, he still spoke.

“Virgin of Lorraine, how do you intend to lead us to victory…”

When he spoke of leading, the noble general paused for a moment, but ultimately said it against his will. The young girl in front of him, however, did not realize this. She was too young and simple-minded to think that much.

Looking at the humble (at least that's how she perceived it) noble general before her, the young woman then spoke devoutly.

"Once we reach Orleans, God will surely grant us victory."

Hearing this, Bertrand's sense of absurdity grew even stronger.

Will we win if we reach Orleans?
Do you think the British are all obedient children who will cry and repent to God in front of you and surrender after you scold them?

For a moment, Bertrand was so embarrassed that his face turned red, and he didn't know how to refute her.

But looking at the earnest face and bright eyes in front of him, Beltran was startled to realize...

The woman in front of him wasn't joking; she genuinely believed that as long as he reached Orleans, God would grant him victory.

After a moment of silence, Bertrand turned his horse and rode away without a word, then whispered to another familiar general beside him.

"I suddenly have an urge to switch allegiance to the King of England..."

The girl beside him was completely unaware that, unbeknownst to her, the morale of her generals was beginning to decline subtly...

(End of this chapter)