Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 116: The End of the Campaign

At the Palace of the Dey, two hours after Ahmed confirmed that the Dey would agree to the French terms.

Marshal Davout and his aides arrived at the palace under mounted escort. French infantry lined the outer courtyard in controlled intervals.

The western gate stood open.

Broken stone from earlier bombardment had been cleared from the entrance. Algerian guards stood unarmed along the inner passage, hands visible at their sides.

Davout dismounted from his horse and his foot touched the ground.

Colonel Valence followed, carrying a leather folio under his arm. Two staff officers trailed behind them. Ahmed el-Kebir stepped forward from the stairwell and bowed slightly.

"This way, Marshal," he said.

They crossed the main courtyard. The fountain at its center still ran, though dust floated across the water’s surface. Servants stood back against the colonnade.

Ahmed led them through a set of carved wooden doors into a long corridor lit by narrow windows. Plaster had cracked along one wall from the earlier impacts. A servant held the door open at the end of the hall.

Inside was a rectangular chamber prepared for negotiation.

A long wooden table stood at the center. Maps and inkstands had been cleared away. Three chairs faced three chairs. Guards remained outside.

Hussein Dey stood at the far end of the room. He wore a dark robe, cleaner than the one he had worn during the bombardment. Agha Ibrahim and Mustapha stood behind him but did not sit.

Davout stepped forward and stopped two paces from the table.

The two men looked at each other without speaking.

Ahmed moved to the side of the table.

"Hussein Dey of Algiers," he announced in Arabic, then turned to French. "Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout, commander of the French expeditionary force."

Davout gave a short nod.

"We will proceed," he said.

Valence opened the leather folio and removed the prepared document. It was written entirely in French. The Imperial seal was fixed at the bottom.

He placed it on the table.

Ahmed stepped forward and began to read aloud in Arabic, translating each clause carefully.

"Article One," he said. "The Regency of Algiers transfers authority over the port, fleet, treasury, and all coastal batteries to the French Empire."

He continued.

"Article Two. All Ottoman officials and high-ranking administrators relinquish their offices immediately."

"Article Three. The gates of Algiers remain open to French forces. No destruction of arms, stores, or state property."

"Article Four. Hussein Dey, his household, and departing officials are granted safe passage under French protection."

When he finished, silence filled the room.

Hussein Dey looked at Davout.

"And after we leave?" he asked through Ahmed.

Davout rested both hands on the table.

"Nothing will happen," he said. "There will be a change in administration. That is all."

Ahmed translated.

Davout continued.

"There will be no looting. No pillaging. No burning of mosques or sacred places. No confiscation of private property or land."

Ahmed repeated every word.

"Markets will reopen under supervision. Local workers will remain in their posts. There will be no sudden replacement of men simply because they are not French."

Hussein Dey’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Davout did not raise his voice.

"We are not here to empty the city," he said. "We are here to govern it."

Ahmed translated again.

"The Emperor does not want a ruin," Davout added. "An Empire that destroys what it takes does not last. Order is more useful than fear."

The Dey listened without interruption.

Ibrahim shifted slightly behind him but did not speak.

After a moment, Hussein Dey asked another question.

"And the people?"

"They will be protected," Davout said. "So long as they obey the law. Their trades, their homes, their customs remain."

Ahmed translated.

Hussein Dey looked at the document.

Then he stepped forward.

He took the pen placed beside the inkstand.

Ahmed indicated the line where his seal was to be placed.

The Dey signed.

Valence stepped forward immediately, pressing the French seal beside it.

The treaty was complete.

No one applauded. No one moved for several seconds.

Hussein Dey set the pen down.

"When do we depart?" he asked.

"At first light tomorrow," Davout replied. "Your escort will be ready."

The Dey nodded once.

He turned without another word and walked toward the inner door. Ibrahim and Mustapha followed.

Servants began moving quietly in the background. Chests were brought from adjoining rooms. Women of the household gathered in the courtyard beyond, veiled and waiting.

Davout remained where he stood until the Dey had disappeared from view.

"Secure the palace," he said calmly.

French officers stepped outside and signaled.

Within minutes, a detachment entered the courtyard in formation. No doors were forced. No rooms were ransacked. Guards were posted at each entrance.

A flag bearer climbed the outer stairway leading to the roof.

At the highest point above the palace, the green standard of the Regency was lowered.

In its place, the tricolor of France was raised. It unfurled in the wind above the Casbah.

From the courtyard below, French soldiers stood at attention.

Marshal Davout looked up once at the flag, and then he turned back toward the entrance.

"Inform the Emperor that we have secured Algiers," he said.

One day later. At the Versailles Palace.

Napoleon II stood beside the tall window of his office, hands clasped behind his back.

A knock came at the door.

"Enter."

Charles-Louis stepped inside holding a folded telegram.

"Your Imperial Majesty. A message from Toulon. Relayed from Marshal Davout."

Napoleon did not turn immediately.

"Read it."

Charles-Louis unfolded the paper and cleared his throat.

"Algiers secured. Treaty signed by Hussein Dey. Port, fleet, treasury, and coastal batteries surrendered intact. No destruction of state property. French forces entered without resistance. Tricolor raised over the palace. Dey and officials departed under escort as agreed."

He lowered the paper slightly.

"Administration transfer underway. Harbor operational. Casualties minimal. Awaiting further imperial instruction."

Silence followed.

Napoleon II finally turned toward him.

"Confirm that the fleet remains in position until full control of the harbor is verified," he said. "And instruct Davout to maintain strict discipline among the troops."

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."