Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

Chapter 120: Saintess Jeanne


You're really quite forward.

Losa sized up the person from head to toe.

It's apparent that this individual is a commander-in-chief type talent, similar to the "instructor" Hans mentioned, with attributes fairly balanced all around; the role of "commander-in-chief" fits perfectly.

If Jeanne had been there during the battle with the Saracens before, the outcome of the war might have been different.

"Sir!"

Hans, wielding the Armed Sword, rushed straight into the tent, his face full of wariness as he scrutinized the unexpected guest.

The strong aura emanating from this person caused him to instinctively feel a primal fear, like facing a natural enemy.

Losa quickly said, "Hans, don't be tense, this is our new colleague."

Jeanne raised her head, exposing her white chin: "Well then, three colleagues, wouldn't you introduce yourselves to me first?"

"Rest assured, everyone, I won't hold stereotypes against you just because you are dark creatures."

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy, yet it was Prajna, usually silent, who first spoke: "I am Prajna, from the Ghost Race of the Eastern Country, Hell, the Ghost Gate's guardian general."

Jeanne laughed: "So formal indeed — I am Jeanne D'Arc, a Gaul, Grand Master of the Holy Church Knight Order, you can also call me Jeanne."

Jeanne?

Is that a nickname?

Losa was slightly dazed.

Hans glanced at Furinjira, seeing her remain silent for a long time, then continued: "I've long admired your name, Grand Master Jeanne. I once served in the Teutonic Order and now am the commander of the Jerusalem Royal Knight Order. You can just call me Hans."

Jeanne nodded slightly: "Turns out you're a nascent werewolf, no wonder you don't display your crest on your forehead like those Two Sicilies wolves do — I'm pleased to work alongside you, Commander Hans."

Hans was somewhat overwhelmed with joy, an uncontrollable smile appeared on his face: "I... I'm also very pleased."

This hopeless fellow!

Sold out with just one flattering sentence?

Furinjira inwardly miffed.

Jeanne turned her gaze to Furinjira, who was hiding behind Losa, her tone tinged with amusement: "And as for you, the vampire from the Cepesh Family, do you have nothing you wish to say?"

Furinjira hid behind Losa, muttering quietly: "What is there to talk about? You, an executioner with blood of the Blood Race on your hands, seeing you makes me feel unlucky."

Losa was somewhat surprised: "You know Lady Jeanne?"

"Certainly, she's a madwoman, the pinnacle warrior of the Holy Church, although our Blood Royal Court doesn't pay much attention to the Holy Church, she's an exception."

Furinjira spoke with faint lingering fear: "I once witnessed her killing my brother with my own eyes."

"Ah this..."

Losa's expression grew solemn.

Discord among subordinates is one thing; this had become a deep blood feud, surely it would cause problems.

Furinjira hurriedly added: "But rest assured, sir, my relations with my brothers aren't so close, I have no intention of avenging him."

Jeanne smiled and said: "A discerning young lady, sir, you should keep an eye on her. I sense from her the purest royal bloodline, if she were to lose control..."

Losa nodded and said: "Don't worry, I'm aware of the gravity."

Though unfamiliar with the past of the Knight of Radiance before him, he was quite aware of Furinjira, knowing the vast potential she possessed within the narrative.

If she were left to freely feed and prey upon humans, it wouldn't take long before she'd transform into a blood demon.

Though her power would grow stronger that way, Losa still preferred the current little girl.

Jeanne spoke: "By the way, where are we now?"

She fanned herself: "This dreadful weather, so stifling and hot, reminds me of the days hunting black knights in the Iberian desert, by the way, is there any wine?"

Losa nodded and said: "There is."

Jeanne smiled and said: "Please bring me a chilled bottle, also, please brief me on the current situation and the basic outline of this world."

Losa fetched a bottle of wine: "Apologies, only at room temperature. This is Kaler Castle of the Kingdom of Jerusalem..."

He gave a brief overview of the current situation.

Jeanne realized: "So it's a time similar to the era of the Crusades, how ancient indeed. Sir, may I see the knights under your command?"

"Of course."

Jeanne put down the now-empty wine bottle, in such a brief moment, she'd already downed an entire bottle of wine, clearly treating it as a drink.

Losa stood, glancing at Furinjira and Prajna, his gaze hinting at inquiry.

The former immediately shook his head and said, "I'm not going, my lord. You know, I hate sunlight the most."

Isn't it sunlight you hate?

Hans lowered his head and muttered to himself.

A sense of secret delight rose in his heart, ha, the arrogant young lady finally met her comeuppance, this feeling is really quite satisfying!

General Prajna's temper is just too good, I wish I were a Six-star.

Prajna still remained silent, just quietly following alongside Losa.

Jeanne looked at Prajna, a trace of remembrance flashing in her eyes, she lamented, "You are a Heavy Iron Guard, right? Truly dutiful. If I had a Heavy Iron Guard by my side back then, I might not have been captured by the Gold Fleece Knight Order of Burgundy."

Prajna was taken aback, a hint of confusion flickered in her eyes, but she didn't ask, just slightly nodded, "You overpraise."

Losa's face showed a hint of surprise.

If, at first, he hadn't realized who this "Saintess" really was, after Jeanne said that, he was almost one hundred percent sure that this Knight of Radiance Jeanne's prototype was the hero of France during the Hundred Years' War, the Saint Joan of Arc, who was sold to the English by "Good Philip" of Burgundy for a high price of ten thousand gold coins!

"Are you really Jeanne?"

Jeanne looked at Losa, asking back, "Isn't it obvious enough? I never thought to hide this, after all, I was more or less considered a loyal subject, right?"

"How did you survive?"

Losa was very curious about what her backstory was.

Jeanne smiled and said, "That's a secret, my lord. As your servant, I should also have my own privacy, right?"

Losa did not press further.

Perhaps as their relationship became closer, without him asking, Jeanne would tell him herself.

The group walked through the military camp.

The Crusaders gathered in groups of twos and threes chatting, the wine sent from Kaler Castle was quite limited, they gathered in the shade, and from time to time, complaints could be heard from their mouths.

Jeanne asked puzzled, "These people don't seem to understand why the King wants to make peace with Saladin."

Losa explained, "Not going to war not only means there's no need to risk lives, but it also means no spoils, and they won't receive the redemption promised by the Priests."

Jeanne suddenly realized, "I knew it, those damned religious hypocrites are always deceiving the believers with their lies—once the fighting starts, they'll realize that redemption is nothing compared to survival."

The Crusaders hoped for a large battle, they didn't know the balance of power and wouldn't consider deeper reasons.

But Baldwin IV didn't want to fight Saladin!

Because the Crusaders on the Northern Expedition, almost equivalent to two-thirds of the strength of Jerusalem, were all bogged down in the quagmire of the northern battlefield by the enemy.

The army he led, with only two knight orders' soldiers and Losa's remaining armored cavalry of seven hundred men, truly had no confidence in defeating Saladin.

In the knights' camp.

The Winged Cavalry were matching up with the knights, using blunt wooden lances for combat practice.

These energetic knights were each challenging the Winged Cavalry under Losa's command—this feather-decked cavalry unit had already proven itself on the battlefield and was anything but a fancy display.

Now, every knight took pride in being able to spar with the Winged Cavalry.

Jeanne observed the battles on the training ground seriously and said, "Those are the Winged Cavalry of the Boli Federation, right? That's a fine force, even Emperor Napoleon once praised them, although the numbers seem a bit small?"

Losa nodded, "Give me more time, I'll recruit a hundred Winged Cavalry for you to command."

"Hmm—only a hundred? My lord, when you hired me, why were you just a baron? I used to command three thousand knights!"

Jeanne continued before finishing, "But it's also good, helping you rise from a mere baron to sit on the King's throne, this kind of developmental game is much more interesting."

Losa said thoughtfully, "Just like the Crown Prince of France, Charles VII?"

"Jeanne, speaking of which, I'm puzzled, shouldn't Henry VI legally have more right to be the King of France than Charles VII? I don't understand why you supported him."

Back then, there was no concept of nationalism.

Jeanne smiled, "My lord, I don't understand legal matters and heraldry, I only know that when the English came, they brought countless oppressive taxes, one massacre after another, rampaging English and Burgundian troops in the countryside, plundering everywhere—my village alone was plundered three times—I just want to drive these robbers away, that's all."

Losa suddenly understood.

Unlike this era, where territories like Gaul were considered core and Albion was disdainfully shunned, excessively exploited by Richard the Lionheart.

Henry VI of the Lancaster Family (later the Royal Family of England), from the Anjou Family, was the complete opposite.

"Quite a simple sentiment indeed."

"What else? You wouldn't think I really received revelations from the Heavenly Father, would you? Ha, that was just a lie I made up, no reason why priests can deceive with God, and I can't."

Jeanne laughed candidly.

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