The towering spires of buildings stand tall against the sky, and clergy in church robes walk steadily with their heads down on the paved cobblestone streets. Their peaceful expressions and devout eyes, accompanied by the majestic chimes of the Reims Cathedral, located at the heart and highest point of this ancient city, further imbue the scene with a sacred sense of religious solace.

Such an atmosphere is extremely rare in northern France, a country that has long suffered from war, repeated occupations, and constant oppression from the English.

Even the city of Paris has long since lost its former glory due to the bombardment of artillery.

The city of Reims remained unchanged.

And this moment.

Lu Kang was also walking on the streets of this city, side by side with a spirited young girl who had taken off her armor, leaving only her battle skirt fluttering.

At this time, the army was stationed outside the city.

Only the two of them went into the city.

"This place gives me a strange sense of familiarity."

Jeanne suddenly spoke, gazing at the city scene before her, her words coming from the heart.

Lu Kang paused slightly, looking at the girl who had already confessed her feelings to him. Her figure was still slender and graceful, with a deep purple uniform tightly binding her chest and waist. Her round and perky buttocks were faintly visible at the slit of her skirt, and her long legs supported the skirt that swayed in the wind. Her bright golden hair fell gently to her side, and the ends of her braided hair swept lightly.

She also looked at Lu Kang.

He said with a serious expression, "This place feels a lot like the atmosphere I had when I went to visit Vic before—Vic's hometown."

"Are you praising me, or saying that the city of Lance is overrated?" Lu Kang was taken aback. Just a second ago, he really thought that Jeanne had been to Lance before.

But upon closer reflection, that seems unlikely.

Jeanne was born in a small village in central France and had never left before she raised the banner of the Iris. After she rose to power, northern France had already fallen to England—it was impossible for her to venture there alone, let alone set foot in this ancient city called Reims.

Now that he had heard the girl's explanation, he was truly speechless.

The ancient city of Reims, which has existed for a thousand or even two thousand years, is far superior to his small village, which has a history of only a hundred years.

"Of course, it means that Lance City is exaggerating its capabilities."

Extremely rare, Jeanne also made a small joke, saying, "After all, no one from here has ever produced a 'Vik,' how can it compare to your place?"

She always felt very relaxed and at ease in front of Lu Kang.

After that impulsive desire to express itself was released, I felt more at ease and relaxed.

She was so relaxed, unlike the saintly young girl who always stood tall and straight in front of her subordinate officers.

He was so carefree that he didn't seem like a young man who needed to shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting France with his slender shoulders.

She rarely displayed the demeanor expected of a young girl.

she says:

"Although you rarely participate in direct combat, the noble officers and even the ordinary soldiers say that every time you leave and return, you bring us a miraculous victory—"

“I always feel like you’re secretly trying to get me to leave,” Lu Kang replied jokingly.

Jeanne, seemingly deep in thought, said, "If that's the case..."

"Then I'll have to consider leaving with you."

"after all--"

"I've said it before, we are absolute comrades and best friends, we will definitely fight side by side, won't we?"

The girl took the initiative to reach out and grasp Lu Kang's hand. Her palm was soft and she wasn't wearing the heavy black gloves she usually wore. The touch of her skin seemed to penetrate Lu Kang's brain instantly, causing him to be stunned once again.

This girl... is really quite 'aggressive'.

I always feel like I'm the one being pursued...

But he's not the kind of person who passively takes 'attacks'!

Jeanne.

Lu Kang turned around and grasped the girl's hand; the young man's palm was much larger than hers and could easily encompass hers.

The girl felt the man's slightly warmer body, and her delicate face flushed slightly. When she heard Lu Kang call her name, she raised her eyebrows and looked confused.

Do you know the origin of Reims Cathedral?

They looked up and realized they had already traversed most of the city and arrived at Reims Cathedral, located at its heart.

The magnificent church stood before us, and the closer we got, the louder the bells rang, casting a hazy shadow in the midday sun.

"of course I know."

Gazing at the church before her, or at the handsome face of the young man standing to her side who had taken her hand, the girl was slightly lost in thought, her face growing increasingly flushed. She responded to Lu Kang's words, quickly regaining her composure:

"Reims Cathedral originated from a small chapel in the Roman era and flourished at the time of the founding of France—the independence of Gaul and the coronation of Clovis I."

"I don't recognize many characters, but I know quite a lot!"

Lu Kang was generous with his praise.

Jeanne's face fell instantly. Even now, under Lu Kang's tutelage, she has managed to recognize some common characters, but not many.

Then Lu Kang continued, "But what you know is not complete."

"Do you know what Reims Cathedral was used for before Clovis was crowned?"

What it's used for—Jena really didn't know either.

“It’s a local wedding where the couple recites their eternal vows.” Lu Kang didn’t keep them in suspense and said directly, “Under the witness of this cathedral, every word you say will become an eternal covenant.”

"..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Kang gripped Jeanne's hand even tighter, not letting her break free or 'escape'.

Furthermore, they are forbidden from using the terms "comrade-in-arms" or "close friend" as a disguise.

Then he watched as her slightly flushed face grew even redder, as if it had been painted with a layer of brilliant midday sun.

Until it shines like the glow of dawn, its beauty boundless.

...

You successfully launched a counterattack against Jeanne's aggressive words.

You're determined to maintain control no matter what.

Standing before the cathedral, beneath the majestic tolling of the bells, it truly felt like the most important moment of your life.

Until

A deep, aged voice broke the silence between you.

"I apologize for disturbing you at such an important moment, but I have a word of advice for you two 'Your Excellencies'."

The sound was deafening.

Lu Kang and Jeanne snapped out of their daze as they looked at each other, and simultaneously turned to look at the person who had spoken.

This caused the man to pause, instinctively shrinking back.

His aged face remained unchanged, but there was a hint of embarrassment in his eyes.

"Archbishop Chartres of Reims Cathedral?"

In just a second, Jeanne recognized the newcomer's name—or rather, recognized the purple robe that only an archbishop could wear.

There is only one archbishop at Reims Cathedral.

That is Chartres, who presides over the religious duties of this place.

“Charles Charles, greetings to you both.”

The old man stepped down the stairs, bowed slightly, and adopted an extremely humble attitude.

Jeanne quickly said, "Your Excellency the Archbishop, there's no need for that..."

She always held such a respected elder in high esteem.

“Yes, it is.” After bowing respectfully, the old man straightened up again and said, “You saved lost France, and this is what I, as a Frenchman, should do.”

"Besides -"

“Those who receive revelation from the Lord are of a status and identity far superior to me in the secular world.”

Jeanne opened her mouth, but couldn't find the words to refute that statement.

Since being 'bound' to the girl.

Lu Kang shared his honor and disgrace, life and death, and their status was naturally equal.

He didn't seem to mind the old man's attitude at all; in fact, he seemed quite at ease with it. He knew that the girl would one day become a saint recognized by the church—so it was only natural for her to receive respect.

He went even further to the point:

“Archbishop Chartres, what was the proverb you just spoke of?”

"Unless it's something very important... I think I'll pursue the matter of you disturbing us."

"Nature is very important."

Shuttle paused.

Seeing Lu Kang's serious expression and the girl's face flushed again at Lu Kang's words about "our affairs," yet she tried hard to maintain a serious demeanor.

The old man twitched his beard.

He said, "This proverb was left behind a thousand years ago by the sage Louis I, who founded the kingdom of Gaul."

"He was baptized and crowned here at that time."

"He left behind a sentence at that time."

“From this point onward, a thousand years from now, another saintly king will be crowned here.”

"And since then, the sun and moon have continued to revolve to this day."

"It has been exactly a thousand years."

...

They are saints in the secular world, and also the 'kings' of faith.

—A History of the Development of Indigenous Religion in France

Chapter Seventy: Pushing Towards the Northern Border, the Uncrowned King of the Mystic Side

Archbishop Chartres' words remind you of the popular rumors you've been hearing lately in France, comparing you to the ancient saintly King Clovis I.

Some also say that you will eventually become kings.

[But before this, neither you nor Jeanne cared about this, nor did you ever think you could become king—you, with your memories of the future, don't care about bloodlines, but you understand the objective factors created by the differences in the world and the times. At least, in the middle of this century in Europe, most kings and top nobles in the world are related by marriage. Commoners might be able to become lower-ranking nobles and continue their family line through temporary achievements, but it would be extremely difficult for them to become great nobles with vast territories—unless through marriage.]

And you, too, do not wish to form marriage alliances with those great noble families.

[In this situation, it will be even more difficult for you to gain the support of the legitimate people, the 'hearts of the people'... or perhaps it should be called the support of the great nobles.]

In this era, even ordinary people have no political rights whatsoever.

They were merely pawns and interests in the power struggle among the nobility.

However, at this moment, when these words are spoken by Archbishop Chartres Charles of Reims, they carry a completely different meaning.

This means that even without bloodline, you still possess the title of 'legitimate'.

This means that even without the basic political status of a crown prince,

You still possess equal, or even greater, leverage.

You have received legitimacy bestowed upon you by 'God'.

[This period saw a slight decline in the Church's power compared to its heyday, yet it remained strong; this was a time when a king's coronation required a church-sponsored ceremony.]

This legitimacy is beyond question.

You know, this could be an opportunity—or it could be a crisis.

But you're still not worried.

Seize opportunities, and defeat crises.

The so-called choice is always incredibly simple.

...

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