Devouring World Dragon

Chapter 163 The Coronation of the New King (First Update)
If history is a starry sky, then the entire Hundred Years' War between England and France has seen countless brilliant stars, including many heroes and geniuses. However, all the brilliance accumulated over the past hundred years has been overshadowed by the brilliance of that supernova.

—From "Things About France"

Jeanne won. No matter how unbelievable it seemed, just over ten days after arriving in Orléans, this country girl led her more than two thousand soldiers, along with more than eleven thousand garrison troops in Orléans, in a counterattack against the British army.

The battle lasted no more than half a day, with the British army suffering approximately nine thousand casualties and fleeing in defeat, while Jeanne's French army lost only two thousand men. The French generals intended to continue the pursuit, but Jeanne argued that it was Sunday, the Sabbath in Christianity, and therefore ordered her troops not to pursue.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, after relieving the siege of Orléans, Jeanne continued to lead her army toward the fallen northern France. Wherever she went, many towns surrendered. Even when she occasionally encountered resistance from the British army, she remained fearless and continued to advance.

The British army, having lost more than 9,000 men, suffered a significant blow. After all, the entire population of England was only five million. Coupled with the French army's rapid offensive, a stark contrast to their previous conservative and steady approach, the British were unable to mount an effective counterattack.

On their northward march, the French army fought the British army in more than a dozen battles, winning every single one and routing the British forces.

"Paris! Paris!"

The enthusiastic soldiers cheered. The French soldiers, who had been demoralized by the British army, regained their fighting spirit under Jeanne's leadership. Everyone thought that Jeanne was about to recapture the long-occupied French capital, including the British.

British troops throughout France were restless, desperately converging on Paris. The British rule that had been hanging over France like a dark cloud suddenly became unstable, as if this Lorraine village girl was about to overthrow it.

The French all said that this was a saint sent by God to protect the King of France; while the British cursed her, calling her a French witch skilled in witchcraft.

However, Jeanne, who was stationed at the French military base, did not think so.

In the bustling military camp, cavalrymen on horseback and infantrymen wielding halberds moved back and forth. Unlike the bewilderment and fear of a few months ago, these soldiers were now all in high spirits and full of fighting spirit.

Every day, large numbers of French people spontaneously came to enlist, and everyone realized that perhaps this war, which had been doomed to fail, might be about to take a turn for the better.

At the very center of the entire military camp was the general's tent, which was completely protected by the army. Inside the tent, a young girl who looked innocent and naive was carefully looking at the map in front of her.

It's incredible that a country girl, not even eighteen years old, now commands a nation's army and even renowned generals have to listen to her advice.

However, no one dared to mock her as a "country bumpkin" anymore; all of France revered her, and she was instead called a "saint."

Although the church has not yet made any statement, many people already regard Jeanne as a saint from the scriptures.

During the march, some villagers even brought their own pots and pans and boldly approached the military camp, begging Jeanne to touch these things so that they could become sacred objects blessed by the saint and thus protect them.

Of course, Jeanne flatly refused. She even emphasized to everyone in public that she was not a saint, but a Lorraine girl fighting for France. However, this had no effect.

At this moment, the Lorraine girl was thinking about where to go next.

The map was covered with numerous alterations, and Paris, marked with a red circle, was particularly striking. However, the girl hesitated when she looked at the location within that red circle.

At this moment, British troops throughout France are converging on Paris, and attacking Paris now may not be a good choice.

After a long while, she shook her head and looked away.

Lance.

That is where French kings were crowned throughout history. Only the kings crowned in Reims were truly recognized by the people as French kings.

"Let's go to Reims first, we'll fight in Paris next time."

After glancing at the area circled in red, the girl had already made her decision.

……

July 17, 1429. Five months had passed since Jeanne appeared in Chinon, and only three months since she led her troops to Orléans, but in just those three months, the entire situation in France had been completely changed.

The siege of Orleans was lifted, Reims was recaptured, and many towns returned to the fold.

Prince Charles, who originally only occupied a small area in central and eastern France, has suddenly expanded his territory by nearly double, completely escaping his previous precarious situation and even considering turning defense into offense.

Everyone knows that at this moment, the Crown Prince's favorite is the Saint of Orléans, who gives him almost anything he wants. Even Arthur Derichon, who was suspected by the French court because his brother sided with the British, was given the opportunity to rejoin the French army because Jeanne recognized his military talent.

However, today's protagonist is not the dazzling Jeanne, but Prince Charles.

Are there still wrinkles on my back that haven't been smoothed out?

Wearing the royal robes worn by successive kings at their coronation, Crown Prince Charles's face was flushed with excitement as he looked at himself in the mirror repeatedly, perhaps worried that his attire was not neat enough or that the ceremony arrangements were not good enough.

He looked as nervous as a virgin on her wedding night.

However, for this crown prince, the current situation was something he had never dreamed of. He had gritted his teeth and placed all his bets on that country girl, but he never expected the reward to be so generous.

Although large swathes of territory were still occupied by the British, and the Burgundians in southeastern France were also eyeing the country covetously, none of that mattered, because he could now truly be crowned in Reims like a French king.

Regardless, the doubt and lack of confidence in his identity as the King of Dharma remained the biggest knot in Charlie's heart. Seven years after his father's death, he had still not been able to be crowned king, which made him doubt whether he was even qualified to be king.

However, as long as I can be crowned in Reims, none of this matters.

His heart was pounding. He took a deep breath. Someone beside him reminded him that the coronation ceremony was about to begin.

After carefully tidying myself up one last time, I stepped forward and entered Narrance Cathedral.

"Woo..."

Surrounded by attendants and accompanied by the low horns, the church was filled with nobles and generals who had come to witness the ceremony. On the left were high-ranking nobles from various regions, and on the right were renowned generals. Jeanne, dressed in armor and holding a flag, sat at the very front of the generals.

As he walked in, all eyes turned to him.

At the very top of the church, the archbishop stood, holding a crown, awaiting his arrival.

After speaking with the archbishop in accordance with the coronation ceremony, the archbishop finally placed the crown on Charles's head. A thunderous cheer erupted behind him. Turning around, Charles looked at the many vassals and generals in front of him, and his excitement was beyond words.

Then, the young girl holding the flag stepped forward, knelt before him, and said joyfully.

"My King."

The girl who had always insisted on calling Charlie the Crown Prince finally addressed him as "King".

Hearing the word "King," Charles felt as if he were in a dream, with a strange sense of unreality. He was now the King, no longer the Crown Prince who had to live in constant fear, but the King of France.

Yes, I am the king... I am the king!
A deep sense of self-confidence filled the young king's heart, but he was completely unaware of it...

"Ho ho ho ho ho..."

Inside the church, accompanied by low laughter, a shadowy figure, invisible to humans, burrowed into his body.

(End of this chapter)