A Conversation with the Reader

Every drop of innocent blood spilled in war is a cry of anguish, a voice of righteous indignation—questioning the one who sharpens the swords and brings ruin to living souls. — Shakespeare

This is a story that abandons the common clichés of typical online fiction—no system blessings, no overpowered abilities, and none of those excessive gimmicks or wild twists designed merely to grab attention.

It revolves solely around one protagonist, an utterly ordinary and unremarkable individual.

He knew nothing of history at first. Yet, through the capricious hand of fate, he was swept into the great tidal wave of history.

Naively involved, he unwittingly became a pivotal force altering the course of history.

The Hundred Years’ War between England and France holds incomparable significance for historians and history enthusiasts alike.

For England, its defeat marked its withdrawal from continental Europe, leaving unresolved issues that eventually sparked the Wars of the Roses.

For France, the war spurred the rise of the Estates-General and aided the royal house in achieving national unification.

During this era, the European battlefield transitioned from predominately cold weapons to the dominance of firearms, while nascent nationalism began to take root in both England and France.

This growing sense of identity further propelled the formation of national and ethnic consciousness, steering both nations toward the emergence of modern nation-states.

Meanwhile, the war’s influence extended far beyond England and France, engulfing much of Central and Western Europe.

Whether monarchs, nobles, or commoners, all were swept up by the currents of their age, each ensnared in the conflict according to their own circumstances.

For the masses, life in those times was a bitter struggle amid the rise and fall of fortunes.

War is inherently merciless; wherever the flames of battle spread, once fertile lands along the roadsides turned barren; villages, countryside, and towns alike suffered the ravages of fire and sword.

Moreover, the periods of truce were no less terrifying than fierce battles. Disbanded troops, unpaid and resentful, unleashed their fury upon the civilians around them.

Yet, from a long-term perspective, these brutal acts ultimately strengthened internal cohesion within the nations.

The reborn France and England remained powerful and formidable, continuing to play crucial roles in the unfolding history of Europe and the world.

Such a complex and grand narrative undoubtedly tests an author’s skill to its limits.

Every step is fraught with difficulty. Fortunately, I chose to tell this story through the eyes of an ordinary man, revealing the joys and sorrows of those small figures often overlooked by the flow of history.

I strive to breathe living flesh and blood into many historical characters, transforming them from cold names in dusty tomes into vivid souls full of dreams and struggles.

Thankfully, I have narrated this tale from the perspective of humble individuals, fleshing out many historical figures with life and emotion.

At some point, the world of online fiction began to grow restless. The so-called “golden three chapters” or “golden first chapter,” gimmicks, and wild plot twists became the norm, as if without them, a web novel could not survive or even be called one.

Increasingly, authors, eager to cater to the market, sacrificed the essence of their stories, unwilling to let the narrative unfold naturally.

Reasonable plot development, foreshadowing, and coherence were simplified or even reduced to mere system mechanics.

Such commercialized tendencies have gradually made online fiction modular and formulaic, much like television dramas, robbing it of its original spirit and charm.

But online fiction should not be limited to this.

I am determined to write this epic story well.

Now, that vast and turbulent era slowly unfolds. I invite readers to join me in experiencing the passion and tragedy of that time.