Chapter Ten: The Banner of Victory

Page 1/3

Laying out all her abilities at once? Chen Xuan chuckled silently; there was no need to be so straightforward, was there? He looked up at Joan of Arc and noticed her expression had changed. Her eyes now shone like stars, filled with profound devotion.

“All that I have comes from God’s grace, and my sole mission is to save my homeland… Therefore, I am willing to give everything for victory.”

Joan spoke each word deliberately, “Divine Envoy, please help me overcome the enemy!”

Hearing this, the soldiers began whispering among themselves.

“What did the commander just say?”

“He said she’s a messenger of the Lord…”

“Are you sure you heard that right?”

“You saw the effects of that medicine…”

Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow but didn’t correct their address; after all, it wouldn’t hurt the deal.

His attention was now fully captured by the abilities she displayed—not just a mix of white and green abilities, but even a golden one!

“Liberty Leading the People” Level 1.

—Liberty requires no registration, but leading people does; otherwise, how can the people call out your name? You are usually the darling of your era, trusted by the masses no matter what you do. If water can support a boat, then you are the wave crest.

The golden mark was defined in the manual as “Hero Level,” second only to legendary in rarity—a truly rare ability!

If it were Liu Shuyue, she certainly wouldn’t have revealed such a power.

The other three were closely tied to Joan’s own experiences.

They were “Marksmanship,” “Holy Banner,” and “Blessed Maid.” The last two were green-level abilities: raising the banner could soothe wounds and boost morale, and though susceptible to fire, the Blessed Maid was immune to darkness and curses, and the bearer was locked as female…

Chen Xuan could have taken all of them, but he chose not to.

Not because of a pang of conscience.

If he took everything at once, Joan would be left a blank slate—no marksmanship, no command skills—and could she still win?

He wasn’t about to kill the golden goose for a little success.

“Any others? Let me see them all,” Chen Xuan said.

Joan closed her eyes, perhaps contemplating how to display more abilities, and soon the three boxes changed to “Strategist,” “Voice of Trust,” and “Pure Faith.”

Page 2/3

Sure enough, she possessed more than just four abilities.

“Voice of Trust” Level 5.

—You can discern whether the other party approaches with goodwill or malice by voice alone. Note: This does not detect lies; a well-intentioned lie is still a lie, but you like it.

“Pure Faith” Level 3.

—In a narrow sense, faith is a shackle binding oneself; broadly, it is a shield of the soul. Ironically, no matter which it is, lives are spilled like rivers in its name.

As for the white-level Strategist, Chen Xuan simply ignored it.

After a brief consideration, he ultimately chose “Liberty Leading the People” and “Voice of Trust.” The former needed no explanation—a golden ability was not to be missed, and with Joan’s current high reputation, losing it wouldn’t shake her command. The latter was likely why people trusted her voice so readily; even if it couldn’t detect lies, judging goodwill at first meeting still held substantial value.

The rest, all closely tied to battlefield command, he left to her.

Joan naturally had no objections.

The deal was smoothly concluded.

At that moment, a cavalryman brought tense news. “Report, Commander! The Burgundians are closing in! Their vanguard is less than ten miles behind us. I just skirmished with their sentries.”

“Their speed is faster than I expected…” Joan murmured. “They’re all well-trained warriors.”

“Looks like it’s time to part ways,” Chen Xuan comforted her. “Night tracking depends on sentries; as long as you quietly eliminate them, the enemy’s main force can’t find you in the dark. With your Sword Spirit Technique, this should be easy…”

“No, Divine Envoy, we’re going nowhere,” she shook her head. “If I am destined to win, why not start here?”

“What do you intend to do?”

“Thank you for clearing my doubts…” Joan placed her hand over her heart. “I was indeed once confused, but now I see that suspicion is irrelevant. Pursuing greater power relentlessly makes all obstacles mere illusions, vanishing in the light of our Lord. I ask you to witness what comes next on His behalf.”

She then turned to her soldiers, drawing her sword from her side. “Comrades! For years I have heeded God’s voice, fought by His will—from Orleans to Reims, we have never been defeated, and the enemy fled in terror!”

“For a long time afterward, in attempts to reclaim Paris, I lost God’s favor. I will not hide it—the defeat today made me doubt if I was abandoned. But I was wrong; God has blessed me once more, and this sword is proof!”

She raised her sword high, and a bright white light burst from its blade, shooting straight into the sky! In that instant, the darkness of night receded slightly, and the clouds above parted, illuminated by the sword’s radiance!

Chen Xuan was stunned.

Is this the Sword Spirit Technique? When I use it, it’s nothing like this.

You could say this is a trillion-watt laser sword, and I would believe it!

The light even illuminated the earth, casting the shadows of hundreds of men and horses and trees far and wide.

Page 3/3

The girl bathed in light seemed like a sacred statue, holy and untouchable.

The enemy’s pursuers drew closer.

Chen Xuan could not see them but heard the rumbling hooves—sounds from all directions, as if the hills were alive, the ground trembling slightly.

“Bring me my banner!” Joan shouted.

A soldier immediately handed her a battle standard embroidered with a crown and fleur-de-lis. She took it in her left hand and pointed it toward the rear of their formation. “Tonight, victory will be ours! Charge with me—Long live France!”

Again, a green light radiated outward from her.

Chen Xuan was swept by the glow, instantly feeling his spirit lift and strength surge beyond normal.

So this is the effect of the “Holy Banner”?

He had assumed it only bolstered morale mentally… never expected it to have physical effects too!

Under the green light, everyone was inspired. The chaotic torches quickly aligned, forming an arrow-like formation. The once dispirited army was reborn; soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, eyes fixed on their commander’s back, and shouted in unison:

“Long live France!”

“Long live Joan of Arc!”

As the enemy’s battle cries thundered, Joan swung her sword down and led the charge against the enemy troops! The two forces collided fiercely, like torrents of light formed by countless torches intertwining and dissolving in the night stars!

…

In some dark room, a red warning light suddenly flashed nonstop. Below, a computer screen lit up as an email popped open automatically.

“Warning: Detection of C-Class abnormal historical contamination!”

“Searching for intrusion location…”

“Recommendation: Immediate correction advised.”