Chapter 20: Betrayal

(Mael's POV)

It was another morning where French soldiers were ready to shed a series of blood for another quest for freedom.

Jeanne d'Arc was standing with her flag high on a hill near a small city name Compiegne.

Moral was high where soldiers could put their lives on the line for the Maiden of Orleans.

However, something was off.

I didn't know why but I was feeling an eerie pain in my stomach and knew that something sinister was waiting for me.

First, we had a fairly small army as usual Charles VII refused to provide proper backing with the same excuse of low resources and political pressure.

Then the army itself looked different than usual since most of Jeanne's loyal retainers didn't join the attack mainly because they were either left behind to guard other cities or transferred to another post.

Gilles de Rais was also missing for several months as his territory was facing some financial difficulties.

If you look at a general point then there was not much difference where Jeanne used to lead this kind of small army and still emerged victorious. She even led a party of merely several people to retake a village without me. It's not like she was always victorious as the tragedy of Paris was still embedded in our minds.

But this time, I was sure that a conspiracy was cooking in the palace that the king was hiding.

Anyway, at the time, I wasn't concerned about victory or failure. My sole task was to protect my wife at all costs.

"What's wrong, Robbie?" I asked one of Jeanne's retainers and also my close friend named Robbie. He was just an average soldier but he was loyal and always abides by my command.

He used to serve Charles VII before the arrival of Jeanne and swearing his loyalty to Jeanne after King.

"N-nothing, Sir Mael. I am just a little nervous." He shook his head with a stutter.

I was about to talk to him further since I immediately found out that something was indeed wrong when Jeanne began her speech before the war.

"Listen brave soldiers of France…" Jeanne, like usual, gave a phenomenal speech. She encouraged the soldiers to fight and put their lives on the line as their families are waiting for them to bring them glorious victory.

Although she was a fairly skilled fighter, she was more of an inspiring leader who encourages the soldiers to move forward.

After the speech, I formalize the army before I came forward beside Jeanne on a horse.

"Jeanne, we should marry after this war." I smiled.

"Definitely. The victory of this city is ensured." She smiled brightly.

I nodded and accepted her prediction at face value.

Then the war began.

We moved like a storm piercing the enemy defense easily.

According to a spy, only a few Burgdandians were stationed outside the city whilst other English troops were on the watchtowers.

Clang* Clang*

Clashes of swords echoed throughout the hill and blood began to change the color of the greenery of the plain.

With the help of Emperor's Eye, I was also earning straight headshots of whoever came even slightly close to Jeanne.

It's not like I was a master in either archery where I could shoot three arrows at once or swordsmanship to cut enemies in slices. I was just good with aiming and since I can kill multiple enemies from one distance without leaving Jeanne's side, I didn't adapt to harness my swordsmanship much.

Anyway, after making our way towards the gate, two soldiers hopped the walls and helped other soldiers to climb the wall before they kill the Burgundians stationed there and opened the door.

"Men! Head straight to the city and clear the enemy!" Jeanne gave the command as clearing enemies inside was more important than fighting outside.

"Jeanne! Let's go!" I called her while also keeping an eye on enemies.

"Not yet! If I go first, they will immediately shut leaving my people outside!"

She was the kind of leader who cares about the lives of her people more than herself. She was always being the one to enter last to ensure the safety of men. If she was to enter first then soldiers protecting the gate won't mind leaving the rest of the army outside to ensure Jeanne's safety.

I nodded and continued to fight alongside her but…

!!!

Just as we were few meters away from the gate, huge troops of Burgdandians suddenly emerged from the forest.

Not good!

"Jeanne!" I yelled her name since the situation was turning against us.

"Right!" We knew that we didn't stand a chance and immediately rushed towards the gate. But…

BOOM

Cannon exploded just 2 meters away in front of us throwing away further from the gate.

"Cough* Cough* Jeanne…!" I called her if she was injured.

"I am here…!" Jeanne answered and except few bruises, she was also fine.

Both of us luckily escaped from the attack but unfortunately, the soldiers running in front of us died.

Without waiting for a second, I held her hand and started running towards the gate.

"What the?!"

However, the only thing we were never had expected happened as men who were guarding the gate shut the door leaving Jeanne and me outside.

"What the hell?! Open the door!"

My danger senses started screaming and what I was fearing turned true. It was betrayal!

"You traitors! Open the gate now!!!" From a minor hole, I looked at the people stationed inside and roared.

My eyes met with Robbie who looked pale, also didn't try to move and instead stand there with guilt on his face and watched me plead for help. Not only him but a lot of soldiers who entered the city before us, had the same expression and also a sneer on their faces.

We had been set up.

'It's no use!'

I picked Jeanne and forcefully set her on a horse.

"Jeanne! Run immediately!" I ordered without even care of her choice.

I also climbed a horse and was about to pull an arrow when I was hit by something and knocked down from the horse. Something heavy, maybe a rock hit my head, as it started bleeding.

"Mael!"

I heard Jeanne's cry who was also flung from her horse surrounded by enemy Burgdandians.

"Jeanne!!!"

I cried her name and fought desperately to somehow run or shake away from the enemy grip but it was of no use. We were already surrounded by enemy soldiers.

"It cant be… happening…"

I gritted my teeth and was thinking of a way out before several enemy soldiers jumped at me and tightly grabbed my limbs.

One of them punched my stomach and face several times breaking my nose and several ribs.

"Mael! Please show mercy to him!! I am willing to serender!!" Jeanne cried her surrender at last.

"Jean-ne… No…" I weakly pleaded and began to lose consciousness as I had lost much blood and my stamina was also running out.

"Look at this boy! He is a lover of that witch!" A Burgdandian commander came and mocked me.

I ignored him as my eyes were glued to Jeanne's expression.

Besides sadness to see me in that state, I saw guilt on her face.

"Mael… I am sorry…" She burst into tears and again started to apologize. Her beautiful face was full of tears and snots as I could only hear words of forgiveness and pleads.

Why didn't I notice this before?

Eliza must have predicted this and so does Jeanne! Then why did she jump in the fire?!!

"Jeannnneee!!!!" I cried the name of my love one last time before the enemy commander knocked me out.

Our dreams, our goals, and our happiness fell victim to traitors of our own country on that day. Everything shattered like glass.

===

Just throw all the stones on my face and help me write exciting content.

Lets set a goal: 1k for the end of this week.

Discord:

https://discord.gg/vfWgNbskJt

For advanced chapters or omakes, visit:

https://www.pat reon.com/J_Titan