May 2nd.
Jeanne inspected the front lines and adjusted troop deployments for the coming battle.
...
May 4th.
The armies clashed.
The fighting continued over the following days.
...
Early morning, May 7th.
Jeanne rose before dawn, went to the church for confession and Mass, and emerged with unshakable resolve in her eyes. Nothing could sway her.
If anything troubled her during these otherwise smooth days, it was that Laurent still hadn't written to her—not even once!
She'd sent back so many things to the village, yet Laurent hadn't so much as replied with a letter.
Touching the cross around her neck, she smiled softly. Perhaps it was this faith that had carried her to victory again and again.
I wish we could win right now.
"Holy Maiden, it's time to depart," Gilles de Rais reminded her politely.
In the past few days, he had finally learned who Laurent was—the Holy Maiden's childhood friend.
To Gilles, Jeanne was faith itself. As her follower, he felt no resentment toward Laurent—only envy. That man must be the happiest person alive.
Jeanne, through her courage and victories, had earned everyone's complete trust. Command was now fully in her hands—a sign of absolute confidence.
And Jeanne did not betray that trust.
"Let's move out."
Everything proceeded perfectly.
On the battlefield, Jeanne commanded with calm assurance.
"This is our final battle! With victory here, Orléans will be completely free!"
Her presence shone like a brilliant star amid the chaos.
"It's the Maiden from Lorraine!"
Lacking proper intelligence, the English could only call her that, after the path she had taken through Lorraine.
"All archers, ready—kill that woman!"
At the order, the English drew and loosed their bows.
Jeanne turned, seeing the arrows streaking toward her.
She raised her banner, ready to sweep them aside—but before she could move, another volley cut through the air, deflecting every arrow aimed at her.
From more than a thousand meters away, Laurent exhaled softly.
In his right hand gleamed a blood-red bow.
"She really does look good in that outfit."
He could see her clearly even from this distance—her grace in motion, her power—and a faint smile crept to his lips.
Though, truthfully, Jeanne would have handled it fine on her own.
Suppressing the complex feelings that welled up, Laurent sighed again.
He hadn't wanted to come here at all—but in the end, he couldn't help himself.
All right, I've seen enough. Time to go. Clearing her path is what matters most now.
Earlier, he had already ordered his men to start building ships and opening sea routes. The project was just beginning; he still needed to personally handle the logistics and teach these fools how to run things properly.
Not that he was an expert—but he was still far better than this lot of idiots.
After Laurent left, Jeanne suddenly felt something strange. She glanced instinctively toward that direction.
Why did that feel… so familiar?
She paused for a moment, then turned her focus back to the battlefield.
...
May 8th.
The 210-day Siege of Orléans ended at last. Bells and hymns filled the city as everyone shouted the Holy Maiden's name.
Joy swept through Orléans, yet this was only the beginning.
Jeanne did not stop there—her courage only grew stronger.
...
June 12th.
Jargeau fell.
...
June 15th.
Meung-sur-Loire followed.
...
June 17th.
Beaugency surrendered.
...
Victory after victory rekindled hope across France.
Soon, Duke Alençon, Duke Dunois, and many others pledged themselves fully to Jeanne.
On every battlefield, her supporters grew, and Jeanne never once betrayed their faith.
...
June 18th.
Laurent cut off all supplies originally meant for the English.
...
He withdrew every resource intended for their frontlines and turned his focus completely toward overseas expansion.
When other dukes heard, they cursed him—a coward, a deserter.
Laurent ignored them.
Call Évigi a traitor if you like. What's that got to do with Laurent?
As for the letter sent by the late Duke, Laurent still hadn't received any response. He sometimes wondered what had been written in it.
But it didn't matter.
Overseas trade had begun—that was what truly mattered. Once it succeeded, everything else would fall into place.
...
June 29th.
Jeanne marched from Meung-sur-Loire toward Reims.
...
July 3rd.
Auxerre declared neutrality, letting her army pass unchallenged.
...
July 16th.
Reims opened its gates. The next morning, the coronation was held.
...
Under Jeanne's guidance, the Dauphin Charles was crowned King Charles VII.
Amid the cheers, Jeanne seemed to glimpse the future.
Victory had become routine, and the people's smiles were finally genuine.
Gilles de Rais watched Jeanne from nearby, deeply moved.
Jeanne, you are an angel sent from Heaven. You have saved not only France—but me as well.
Dear God, what a sacred being she is.
The war raged on.
...
September 8th.
Jeanne advanced on Paris.
Later, she fought at La Charité-sur-Loire.
...
Meanwhile, Laurent continued issuing orders, paving the way for her.
He won several smaller battles elsewhere, keeping the English royal family from acting against him—after all, accusations from a dead Duke carried no weight, and the king could not touch him.
For nearly half a year, France knew peace.
Through those six months, Jeanne thought of Laurent countless times, though she always pushed the thoughts aside.
Once it's all over, we'll be together forever.
---
A/N: I've got plenty of chapters saved up—already finished Hundred Years of Evil Dragon! But now I've hit a tough choice:
In Fate/Zero, should I save Sakura or not?
For Fate/Stay Night, should we follow the Heaven's Feel or UBW route? Maybe even go full heroine conquest?
So, simple vote—deadline's tomorrow night. I won't spoil how Sakura's saved; just comment your pick ("Save her," "Go UBW," "Conquest") and I'll tally them.
(Of course, we could just have Zouken lose in the Fourth War and keep the Matou family's butterfly magic—no tragedy at all.)
Relax, I know you'll say "Write whatever you want," but seriously, just vote for your favorite.
I only really care about Fate/Apocrypha anyway—Jeanne's still the best!
T/N: hmmmmmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm