Chapter 220 Resistance Is Futile?



It was six o'clock in the evening, and the sun over the horizon began its descent, casting long shadows that stretched across the war-torn landscape.

General Lafões walked around the City of Elvas to check the aftermath. It was worse than he had expected. The city was leveled, all the buildings were turned into rubble, and casualties were in the thousands, injured or dead. The morale was at an all-time low with the Portuguese troops just sitting there on the floor, shivering, and staring blankly in front of them.

"The troops are shell-shocked, General," his officer said. "I don't think we'll be able to repel the invasion if they are in that state."

General Lafões, nodded grimly, not only the soldiers, but the officers were shocked at the firepower of the French new artillery. It was their first time seeing it.

"The firepower of those French artillery pieces... it's beyond anything we could have imagined," General Lafões replied and continued. "We knew they had advanced weaponry, but this level of destruction..."

As he spoke, a rumble of distant thunder echoed through the air, causing both men to look up. But this was no ordinary thunder; it was the sound of approaching cavalry. General Lafões squinted toward the horizon, where a cloud of dust was rising, accompanied by the rhythmic thumping of hooves.

His officer followed his gaze. "Shit...the French and the Spanish are charging towards us!"

General Lafões strained his eyes, trying to discern the identity of the approaching forces. As the cloud of dust drew nearer, the outlines of riders became clearer, it was the French and Spanish, riding side by side.

They were roaring, their war cries echoing across the field.

General Lafões could feel his heart racing, his palms sweaty, but he couldn't let fear paralyze him.

"Everyone form a line now!" he barked at his officers. "We need to defend this city or Portugal will fall!"

The officer nodded, rushing off to relay the orders. But as General Lafões turned his attention to his troops, a sinking feeling settled in his chest. The soldiers were still sitting there, unmoving, their eyes vacant and haunted. The impact of the artillery barrage had left them in a state of shock, their minds unable to process the horrors they had witnessed.

General Lafões stared at his officer, narrowing his brows. "You want me to wave the white flag? To give up without a fight?"

The officer's voice was steady. "I want you to consider the lives that can still be saved, General. We've already lost so much. If we continue down this path, the casualties will be even greater."

General Lafões clenched his fists, torn between his duty to defend his country and the reality of the situation before him.

"General, they are getting closer. If we don't raise the white flag, they will decimate everyone in the city. They won't hesitate, they have gone so far as to fire those artillery pieces. We can fight another day."

"There will be no another day," General Lafões interjected. "If we were to surrender to the French and the Spanish, the domination of the French Republic in Europe is certain."

"Be that as it may, General," his officer continued, "we are standing on the precipice of annihilation. The lives of the men and women in this city are at stake. We must make a choice that saves the most lives."

General Lafões stared hard at his officer, his mind wrestling with the harsh reality of their situation.

The approaching enemy forces were now almost within sight, their banners fluttering in the wind.

With a heavy heart and a final glance at the troops who had once looked up to him for guidance, General Lafões nodded slowly. "Prepare the emissary to negotiate terms of surrender."

His officer nodded in agreement, and quickly set about making the necessary arrangements. As the white flag was raised above the shattered city of Elvas, a hushed silence fell over the remaining troops. Their shoulders sagged, their weapons lay forgotten at their sides, and defeat hung heavy in the air.

The French and Spanish forces arrived at the city and scanned at the surroundings.

"So this is the damage it caused by those beasts..." Godoy remarked.

"I never imagined it to be destructive...but we have achieved our goal here...Elvas has fallen," Saint-Cyr said. "Now let us go and negotiate with their general."