The battle for Cairo began at dawn. The golden hues of sunrise illuminated the battlefield, where French soldiers stood in disciplined formations, their bayonets glinting. Opposite them, the Mamluks charged with a thunderous roar, their cavalry swift and fierce.
Manuel, astride his horse, scanned the battlefield. He had arranged his forces in a crescent formation, artillery positioned on elevated dunes. The enemy was overconfident, charging straight into the trap.
"Fire!" he commanded.
The cannons roared, tearing through the Mamluk ranks. Smoke filled the air, and chaos erupted. As the enemy hesitated, Manuel seized the moment.
"Now! Advance!"
His infantry surged forward, engaging in brutal close combat. Murat's cavalry flanked the enemy from the sides, cutting down the retreating Mamluks. Within hours, the battle was won.
As the dust settled, Manuel gazed over the battlefield. This victory was only the beginning.
Egypt was his. And soon, the world would too.
With Egypt now firmly under his control, Manuel knew the next step was inevitable—his return to France. However, he would not simply abandon his troops as history had dictated. Instead, he devised a careful strategy to maintain French dominance in Egypt while securing his future in Paris.
Over the next few weeks, he reorganized the administration of Cairo, placing trusted officers in key positions. He established new supply routes and fortified strategic locations, ensuring that even in his absence, the French forces would remain strong. He also worked to win over the local population, implementing policies that showed the benefits of French rule rather than simply enforcing it through military might.
When the time came, he boarded a frigate bound for France, knowing that what awaited him was not just a coup—but the foundation of an empire.