Devouring World Dragon

Chapter 162: Supporting the Collapse of the Building

(I haven't updated these past two days because I went home for Chinese New Year, so I'm making up for it now. Although I said before that no one would be reading during the holiday, so I planned to update once a day, I'll actually update twice a day.)
Shinon.

Leaning against the castle window, staring blankly out the window, at the gloomy sky filled with dark clouds, the oppressive atmosphere making it hard to breathe, and the crown prince remained silent as he looked at the sky.

"..."

Unconsciously clenching his hands, the crown prince lowered his head.

Since Jeanne left with her army, Charles had been depressed and often lost in thought, because he had staked his entire fate on that country girl.

Whenever he recalls this incident, Charlie feels that he must have been crazy at the time. In his desperation, he actually believed a village girl who claimed to have come to save France.

"I must be crazy."

The French crown prince was clearly unaware that in the Far Eastern Empire, there was an emperor who, in a moment of desperation, chose to believe a Taoist priest when the capital was besieged by a large army. The priest led a group of thugs to fight against the Jurchens, which resulted in both the emperor and his son being captured and the empire never recovering.

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

However, he was ultimately helpless.

He had no money, no spare troops, and his territory was on the verge of falling. Apart from the empty title of King of France, he only had a few nobles and generals who were still somewhat loyal to him. He had placed all his bets on this country girl. If she failed, he might not even be able to remain a minor count.

Yes, besides being the Crown Prince of France, he was also the Count of Anjou, and he had many relatives by marriage both in France and abroad. In any case, even if the King of England really took away his French throne, he would still be a nobleman with his own territory and army. But... what could he do when he was penniless?
In order to keep his throne, he sold off many of his manors and numerous scattered territories, and now he is in dire straits. What is a lord who can't afford to maintain an army? He's nothing but a piece of meat.

In Eastern kingdoms, the power of the monarch and his subjects derives from the royal authority; the monarch can dismiss any subject with a single word. In contrast, in Western feudal kingdoms, the power of the monarch and his subjects originates from the army under their command, making it akin to a minor ruler serving a major one.

The so-called nobility, the so-called dignity, the so-called power, the so-called elegance... the dignity and power of the nobility are not maintained by empty titles and ranks, but by their own real territory and army.

Lords, regardless of rank, all have their own territories and armies. A lord's loyalty to the king is essentially the same as a small country's monarch's obedience to a large country's monarch, only a more closely intertwined vassal state.

This is why, even if a lord has a clear intention to rebel against the king, as long as he does not directly rebel, the king is often helpless. For the lord, the worst that can happen is that he can come to my territory and attack me, and see if your king's army is stronger than his army.

But precisely because, when even a lord is unable to maintain his own army, what is it?
She's nothing but a vase with an aristocratic title.

If the country girl fails, even if he cannot be openly killed due to the opinions of other nobles, Charlie will likely end up with an "accidental death."

Leaning against the windowsill in front of him, the prince gazed at the ominous dark clouds in the sky, as if rain was about to fall, and silently prayed.

"God, may you protect that girl."

Charlie didn't pray directly for himself, but for the girl from Lorraine, wishing her success, since he would have no choice but to surrender if she failed.

France was at its most critical moment, and the hope of saving France rested on a country girl...

How incredible, but that's the truth.

……

On the afternoon of May 8, 1429, the garrison of Shinon spotted a cavalryman heading towards Shinon from their watchtower.

"who!"

Although it was just one person, the high-raised castle drawbridge, the soldiers holding weapons and bows and arrows everywhere, and the tense expressions on their faces as they looked at the cavalry all proved that these soldiers were already at their limit.

During this period, countless news of defeats spread throughout the country, leaving these soldiers utterly disheartened. It seemed that France could no longer hold on.

But then, someone on the city wall recognized the cavalryman. "Charles?"

On the city wall, someone exclaimed in surprise.

Charles, a guard who was originally stationed in Chinon, had joined the Orleans reinforcements a month ago under the Crown Prince's orders, following the Lorraine Saint into the war. Now, however, he has returned.

Did he escape back after the defeat in the war?
Below the city wall, Charles was panting heavily, looking like he hadn't slept all day. On the way here, he had even killed three horses, and the last one was about to give up.

"O... Orleans!"

A hoarse throat, struggling to make a sound.

"Orleans? News from Orleans?"

The soldiers on the city wall dared not delay and immediately lowered the drawbridge. Charles dismounted and fell off his horse, but he didn't even bother to brush the mud off his body. He just ran towards the castle.

At this moment, Charlie, who had already received the news, could not contain himself any longer. He strode out of the hall and bumped into the messenger in the corridor.

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

He no longer cared about aristocratic etiquette, frantically shaking the shoulders of the panting soldier in front of him, his azure pupils nervously watching the overly excited face.

"Orleans...Orleans..."

But the soldier had been traveling all night, and the cold wind had made his throat sore. In addition, he was too excited, so even though he was gesturing wildly, he could only keep repeating "Orleans".

Upon hearing this, Charlie's heart sank. The hypothetical scenario he had always dared not consider was now being forced to confront.

"Has Orleans...fallen after all?"

Some murmured silently.

Surprisingly, when Charlie actually heard the news, he didn't feel much disappointment, nor did he feel anger towards the country girl, nor fear of the foreseeable future. Instead, he felt a strange sense of bewilderment and unreality.

It felt as if I had been in a dream all along, not knowing where I was, until just now...

Only then did I finally wake up from my dream.

"Yes, it's time to wake up from this dream."

A strange bitterness welled up in his heart. How could someone who wasn't even sure if he was the biological son of the previous King of France be qualified to be the King of France?
Suddenly, I felt bitter, my will was broken, and I was disheartened.

But just then...

"No, no... Orleans has been successfully rescued! The English suffered heavy losses and fled in defeat!"

An excited voice rang in my ears again.

It was a failure, as expected. Believing a country girl could save France was just too crazy. Oh well, anyway… uh? Hu ...

Charlie, suddenly realizing what was happening, stared in disbelief at the excited soldiers in front of him, his face utterly dumbfounded.

(End of this chapter)