【Fazhen】Empty Heaven

Towards the end of May, the king and the Privy Council received word of Joan's capture at Compiègne.

Francis naturally knew it too.He broke into the king's chambers regardless of obstruction, pressed his hands on his desk and asked him what he would do.At this time, the king was not as wavering as he was a year ago, and he gave Francis a clear answer.

"I'm very sorry……"

Francis stared at him as if in disbelief that he could say such a thing.

But the king remained calm: "I understand how you feel, Francis. But there is nothing we can do. The Burgundians have captured her, and the duke demands a ransom of ten thousand livres, which anyone who can afford it will get." Joan. But we can't afford it."

"Can't afford it?" Francis' face contorted with rage. "Are you lying to France?—you don't want to save her at all! Do you think I didn't notice? Since the coronation of Lance, you and your The Privy Council is already tired of her, isn't it? You think she's not obedient enough, she's too impulsive and doesn't respect you enough—you even hired another woman to replace her! Other 'saints'!"

The king's face turned gray.Francis was right, Joan of Arc was not an obedient pawn to the Privy Council, they used her to win some victories, and the king was crowned in Reims because of her.But she was becoming more and more difficult to control when it came to retaking Paris, and they had no shortage of other "saints," more docile women, who could take her place.

"And so you desert her—you, Charles VII of France, you desert the woman who brought the crown to you!"

Francis shouted at the king, which frightened him, for he had never seen such agitation and anger in France, who was always indifferent to everything.

"How could you... how could you speak to your king like this!" He also became angry, stood up from the table, and looked at Francis dissatisfiedly, "Guards! Guards! Take this man down!"

Soon someone rushed in, holding Francis from left to right.He didn't struggle, but looked at his king coldly.

"You are a perfidious villain, Charles de Vallois!"

"You have changed, Francis. You have not been like this in all the years I have known you," the king sighed. "You have not been like yourself since she appeared."

Francis was stunned, and the king had already waved his hand: "Take him down. From today on, he is not allowed to leave his room without my permission."

Francis was placed under house arrest by the king.He was shut up in his room, and surrounded by soldiers as the king moved from one place to another.The wish to recapture Paris remained unfulfilled, but the king was in no hurry.Unlike Joan of Arc, he is used to taking his time.

As time passed, Francis got some scattered news from various people. He knew that England was putting pressure on the Duke of Burgundy, and they did not want Joan of Arc to be redeemed by Charles.

The days of waiting are like torture.He thought about running away, but he didn't know what else he could do if he left here.To rescue her?That's just nonsense.

Maybe Charlie was ungrateful, Francis thought, but he was right.Francis Bonofoire had changed since the girl appeared in Chinon, and the growing emotions clouded his eyes and made him unable to see clearly everything around him.

Would the Dukes of Burgundy really release Joan if they paid the ransom?Unless he's a stupid fool.

But he wasn't, and on the contrary, he was shrewd.

That price tag is for England.They will no doubt be willing to spend the money.They had had enough of Joan of Arc, she had let them lose battles, she was a witch in the hands of the devil in their eyes.

The scholars of the University of Paris are still calling for the trial of the girl. To judge her is to judge Charles VII, whom she is loyal to.Come to think of it, if they could prove that Joan of Arc was a heretic, a witch, it would be declaring that Charles VII was put on the throne by a witch, which would eclipse his crown!

But what about Joan—it's ridiculous, you just want her to die at the stake.The wail of the women you burnt has echoed through the lands of France for centuries.

And now you build a new pyre for her.

Francis lay in bed thinking with disgust.

Nobody is a fool.You want to burn her to death, and no one can stop it.

So is that parting, Zhen?You really didn't make it back.

—Remember our agreement, France?If I die, please bury me in the place closest to you.

He suddenly closed his eyes, as if he could forget her last words before leaving.

Francis thought he had calmed down.He accepted this reality, telling himself that this was her inescapable fate, the martyrdom her God had prepared for her.

But in November, news came that the English had finally got Joan of Arc as they wished, and he suddenly couldn't control his emotions.

That night he escaped from Charles' captivity, stole a strong sorrel stallion, and left France under cover of darkness.

He wanted to find someone who was now his enemy, but at this moment he could only ask for his help.

They were friends once, and Francis taught him many things, but now the little boy has grown up, and his sword is on Francis' neck.

The man's name is Arthur Kirkland.

The English escorted Joan to Rouen.She was imprisoned as a felon in a small tower under close surveillance.She was interrogated here and was also allowed to receive visitors.But when she saw the young man with thick eyebrows, she didn't know what category he should be classified into.

"Hello, sir." She nodded to him politely.She still wears men's clothing, which is crude but keeps her safe.She refused to wear women's clothing under the guard of a group of soldiers.

"Arthur Kirkland," the young man sat down opposite her and announced his name.

Joan raised her eyebrows: "Is this your name, Mr. England? - Oh, you look surprised. It's not difficult to guess, you and France have many similarities."

Arthur sighed.Of course she should have known about Francis - she fought for France, didn't she?

"So, Mr. England, are you here to interrogate me?" Joan of Arc didn't seem nervous, her tone was light and natural.

"I'm here to save you. I heard that you didn't cooperate with those who came to interrogate, which is not good for you."

Joan suddenly laughed: "Oh, oh—my God! You didn't come to save me, you wanted me to submit to England! But it's impossible."

"If you promise not to use force against us, I may really be able to save you." Arthur said eagerly.He felt an indescribable sense of unease in front of this girl.He didn't even dare to look her in the eyes, there was a deep distaste for England in it.

"You are making fun of me, monsieur. I know you have neither the right nor the desire. You will not believe my promises, and I will never make them." Joan sneered, looking The face of the person on the other side turned ugly, "You think you can take France by killing me, but I tell you, sir, even if there are 10 more people, you will not get the Golden Lily Kingdom. The land of France belongs to the French , England is the place you should go back to."

Arthur couldn't help frowning: "Is this what the voices you heard taught you? St. Catherine and St. Margaret?"

Joan shook her head: "My voice tells me many things, but these words are what I want to say. Stop trying in vain, you know I will not yield, I swear to the coat of arms of the golden lily and France, I will fight until the last moment."

"Even if the last thing waiting for you is the stake?"

"If death is God's final mission for me," she looked into Arthur's eyes, "I will accept it devoutly."

Arthur found himself unable to communicate with the girl.Her heart was filled with distaste for England and allegiance to France.She was so pure and sincere that she gave him a sense of self-loathing.

He had no choice but to leave the small tower with anxiety, ride back to his residence, and suddenly found a person standing in front of the door who should never be here.

With a livid face, Francis watched him dismount coldly.

"haven't seen you for a long time."

"How will you be here……"

"You should know why I'm here." Francis' tone was blunt and not friendly.

Arthur shook his head. "There is nothing I can do about that woman. She is an enemy of England and refuses to cooperate. I have received orders to execute her."

"I don't expect you to let her go. I just came to see her."

"Are you begging me?" He narrowed his eyes, as if he wanted to threaten the other party.But Francis didn't answer, just looked at him, the coldness in his eyes made him uneasy.

He had to wave his hand: "Make no mistake, Francis. I am your enemy and her enemy. Why should I help you? Letting her see you will only make her more uncooperative. And you really want Did she see you? France abandoned his 'saint' and you didn't come to save her but just to watch her go to the stake. That's the only thing you can do for her, isn't it? You do her So cruel."

"You—" Francis wanted to refute, but fell silent in frustration.He was right.What face do I have to meet her?She may still be expecting to be saved, but France has given up on her.

Charles VII renounced Joan, the King's Privy Council renounced Joan, France renounced Joan.

But... had Francis Bonofova also given up on the girl he loved?

"Let me see her, even if she can't see me, even if all I can do is watch her walk up the woodpile." Francis trembled, "Yes, Arthur Kirkland, I beg you."