Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

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This village is where Jeanne D'Arc resides, Domrémy, situated at the border of Lorraine and Champagne, hence its somewhat ambiguous geographical position.

In the last simulation, Jeanne's determination to fight the British to the end, even to the point of obsession, perhaps was related to the fact that her hometown was once ravaged by the British.

He felt a surge of excitement in his heart.

With just two different choices, he could be certain that the outcome of this simulation would be very different from the last one.

Without any hesitation, he directly chose the first option.

[As someone reborn once, you are well aware of Jeanne D'Arc's extraordinariness. You met with her and placed unwavering trust in her, teaching her literacy, granting her the title of Knight, and letting her learn to handle state affairs with your ministers.]

[You acknowledge Jeanne's command abilities on the battlefield, but believe she lacks political acumen and intentionally focus on cultivating her in this aspect.]

Scenes of the Crown Prince's daily interactions with Jeanne began to unfold before Losa.

Eating together at the same table.

Laughing and chatting on the battlements of Chinon Castle.

Affectionately calling her "Dear Jeanne".

She playfully gave Charles the nickname "Little Flag", because the flag of the French royal family was in the hands of the British, implying that she would claim victory for Crown Prince Charles.

She got along well with everyone, even the Crown Prince's wife, Mary of the Anjou Family, was willing to bathe and share a bed with her.

Watching these scenes, Losa's expression was a bit complicated.

At this time, Jeanne was still very youthful, and her conversation was full of the innocence of her girlhood.

Only in the Knight's Jousting Arena would she reveal her exceptional combat talent and abilities.

Although her appearance still showed a resemblance to his squire, the Knight of Radiance, her speech and demeanor seemed entirely different.

Ten years can completely change a person.

And how many such decades had Jeanne experienced to become as she was now?

[You instructed the Bishops to proclaim Jeanne's holy fame to unite people's hearts, and her seemingly innate charm also captivated everyone who met her]

[On this day, the Regent of England in France, Duke of Bedford, personally led a large army to attack Orleans, and Duke Charles I of Orleans wrote to you for assistance]

You decide:

A. Borrow money from your mother-in-law, Lady Yolanda of Aragon, recruit an army, and personally lead the troops to battle.

B. Borrow money from your mother-in-law, recruit an army, appoint Jeanne as Commander-in-Chief, and give her full command of the battle.

C. Use "supporting Orleans" as a reason to levy an additional tax on vassals and the Estates-General, train more troops, but temporarily hold back.

Finally, the day had come again!

Losa pondered for a moment and decided to choose the second option.

No matter the pretext, as long as he wasn't crowned yet, both vassals and the parliament had reason to refuse, and furthermore, from a legal standpoint, Henry VI across the channel indeed had greater claims to the French throne.

As for standing still?

That's out of the question; Orleans is the Armagnac Faction's, or one could say the Royalist Faction's, last and largest stronghold in the North. If it falls, he'll truly become isolated and surrounded.

At that time, his best outcome would be to become a village lord, always wary of assassinations that could come any day.

[Your mother-in-law generously gifted you a large sum of money, which you used to recruit a thousand armored soldiers, leading a total of fifteen hundred men, including the five hundred troops under your command, to march towards Orleans]

[In battle, you and Jeanne, holding high the white banner with golden fleur-de-lis, fought shoulder to shoulder, charging at the forefront. The English longbowmen hadn't had time to set up chevaux-de-frise and stakes before you led the troops to charge in, causing their forces to collapse.]

[The besieged garrison in Orleans also took the opportunity to counterattack]

[In this battle, the enemy lost four thousand, while your troops suffered less than a hundred casualties]

[Due to your and Jeanne's valiant fighting, your personal prestige grew significantly, and Duke of Orleans personally came out of the city, knelt on one knee, and kissed your hand to show allegiance]

[This battle greatly encouraged the fighting spirit of the French who refused to submit to the British, dispelling the gloom brought by the Battle of Agincourt to the French]

[In this battle, Saintess Jeanne's outstanding military talents and her seemingly innate sharp judgment of battlefield situations were unanimously recognized and supported by your generals]

Having won this great victory, your ministers believe you should return to the court in Bourges, gather vassals and soldiers, and prepare to reclaim lost territory.

Because even though Duke of Bedford's army suffered heavy losses and it would be difficult for them to rebuild an army in the short term, Duke of Burgundy remains an extremely formidable opponent.

You decide:

A. Withdraw the army and return to Bourges

B. Continue the advance to reclaim Paris

C. Follow Jeanne's suggestion, go to Reims to be crowned King

Losa fell into deep thought.

Now, his personal prestige is undoubtedly much stronger than in the last simulation, perhaps no longer necessary to first go to Reims for coronation to declare legitimacy before counterattacking Paris.

By that time, the English would surely have already prepared their defenses.

But now, the English forces are damaged, and Duke of Burgundy might also choose to remain inactive due to his correspondence.

However, this is undoubtedly a gamble; if Paris cannot be captured at the first opportunity, and Duke of Burgundy brings reinforcements, the outcome would be worrisome.

Bet on it!

After all, there's still one more chance.

[You chose to summon all the vassals in Orleans, along with the forces they were willing to send, but except for the Armagnac faction lords of Orleans, most of the southern vassals still remained watchful, refusing your summoning decree on the grounds that the Crown Prince had no right to call for the army]

[You had no choice but to lead the troops, along with the vassals willing to support you in Orleans, marching towards Paris]

[The towns along the way opened their gates to welcome your arrival. Each place you visited, you dispatched troops to execute bandits and robbers, upholding justice for the civilians in villages and towns, earning the nickname "the Just"]

[The Saintess Jeanne also demonstrated her affinity, rallying a large number of civilians under your banner]

[As you marched, your army grew larger until, under the walls of Paris, your force was more than twice the size it was when you set out, numbering over ten thousand]

[In contrast, the reinforcement from the Duke of Burgundy was delayed, and the number of defenders in Paris was small. However, the walls of Paris were sturdy, and Parisians feared that if you breached the city, you would punish them for their betrayal. Moreover, the supplies and resources you requisitioned along the way were not sufficient]

Therefore, you choose:

A. Lay siege and assault

B. Surround Paris, awaiting the enemy's arrival, and ambush the reinforcements

C. Divert to attack Reims

"I choose the fourth option!"

Losa decisively made a choice.

The perspective shifts downwards.

He entered the military tent, his gaze sweeping over the present noble commanders: Duke Alençon, Jil de Lais, Count Clermont, Marshal Bousac, Count Vendôme...

And the most important one, Jeanne, whom Losa trusted the most.

The hourglass swiftly ran out.

Losa raised his hand, stopping the commanders from their endless debates.

"It is unwise to attack Paris by storm; we carry too few cannons, and the calibers are small. You should be aware of the Paris walls' strength, in face of rolling stones, hot oil, and solid cannonballs, even fully armed Armored Knights are no different from ragged Peasant Slaves."

Duke Alençon concurred: "Your Highness, I also believe it is too difficult to capture Paris in a short time. It's better to besiege Paris and send troops to ambush the enemy's reinforcements."

"Your Grace, please let me finish—your suggestion to besiege and ambush the enemy reinforcements is indeed a good idea. But please be aware, we are deep in enemy territory with limited supplies. If the English decide to increase the stakes and persuade the Duke of Burgundy to lead reinforcements, we might end up being surrounded ourselves."

Losa and Jeanne exchanged a glance: "Dear Jeanne, diverting to Reims is indeed the least risky option, but I want to be a little greedier."

"Send the order to the soldiers—announce to all the citizens of Paris that they are victims under the threat of the English. I understand that their aid to the English was not born of their own will. If they kill the English who guard the city and offer up Paris, I will forgive them all!"

The time for autonomous control was fleeting.

There were many reasons for Losa's choice, the biggest premise being—his prestige had greatly improved compared to the past, from the Brave to the Just—this significantly compensated for the damage to his credibility caused by Crown Prince Charles' foolish act of attempting to assassinate the Duke of Burgundy.

Otherwise, even if Losa talked himself hoarse, it would be difficult to earn the trust of the Parisians.

Secondly, the number of English garrison was much smaller than the Parisians in Paris. Even if the plan failed, it would still cause distrust within the enemy.

[Time flies]

[You commanded your troops to build large siege weapons and continuously spread rumors that you had secretly reached an agreement with the Duke of Burgundy and that reinforcements would not arrive]

[Inside Paris, the gaze exchanged daily between Parisians and the English garrison became filled with vigilance and hostility]

[Meanwhile, beneath the city, you continued to bluff and exaggerate your military strength, threatening a massacre upon breaking the city to pressure the Parisians inside if they refused to surrender]

[Finally, at midnight, shouts of battle erupted from within Paris. You immediately applied the Group Night Vision Technique and launched a siege assault]

[You captured Paris effortlessly, only to learn later that the origin of that night's battle cries was merely a drunk English soldier who uttered a profanity mistaken for an insult by the Paris garrison]

[You recaptured Paris and were crowned as King of France there, transforming Charles, Crown Prince, into Charles VII]

[Though you occupy Paris, this city, after enduring multiple ravages of war, has witnessed its population decline drastically, with many struggling to find food. The once flourishing estates and city districts were now roaming grounds for stray dogs.]

[Amidst the ruins devastated by artillery, one could still occasionally spot exposed, accumulated skeletons.]

[You kept your promise, pardoning all Parisians, but you did not linger in the city, and took away a large amount of stored grain, leaving the Parisians to fend for themselves]

[You advanced to the gates of Reims City, facing the arriving combined forces of Burgundy and England.]

Duke Philip of Burgundy's reluctance to switch sides easily to Losa's was predictable, knowing if he could offer terms, the English could do so as well.

Perhaps he reached an agreement with the English to make him the new regent of France, or maybe they promised him more land and fiefs.

In any case, the previous inaction was merely a bid for a better price.

[At the gates of Reims City, you personally led an army of ten thousand against the joint forces led by Duke Beaufort and Duke Philip, totaling eighteen thousand, engaging in a confrontation.]

You choose—

A. Retreat and return to Paris, awaiting the vassals to defend the throne

B. Decisively battle the enemy (You will trigger the final battle.)

C. Negotiate with the enemy, seeking peace

Losa's expression remained calm. The first and third options were idealistic choices, the former relying only on who knew how many vassals would send troops to support him.

The latter, where the enemy held the advantage, would be even less likely to settle for negotiations.

"Let's battle."

Losa took a deep breath, feeling eager: "I can't wait to lead an army of ten thousand to fight the enemy."

Before this, what was the largest number of troops Losa commanded?

No more than eight hundred at best.

And now, within his command, there were no less than fifteen hundred Heavy Cavalry alone, all clad in full Plate Armor!