How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

Let's review the current situation.

England has abolished slavery.

Drake is "liberating" slaves.

So, are England and Drake on the good side?

'...England, on the good side?'

It feels similar to a righteous Nazi or a benevolent Japanese Empire, but I suppose that's what the butterfly effect of history is about.

No, that's not right. After enjoying luxurious camping with cast iron from England, my thinking has become a bit compromised. Perhaps England has been excessively disparaged, and Spain was actually the bad one.

Anyway.

I conducted a brief interview to learn about the situation of the slaves newly liberated by Drake.

But then...

"Is it okay to talk now? My name is Nemo."

"Ah, fortunately! Someone among the Indios who can speak Spanish! Are you perhaps the chief of this region?"

"Hmm? Can't you speak any language other than Spanish?"

"Well, I was born in a Spanish colony. Thank you so much for liberating me! But there's a small problem."

"...What is it?"

"You see, I didn't have a bad relationship with my previous master, I was baptized in the Catholic church, and I had saved up enough property to be freed soon... um..."

"..."

"Um... the master who was going to free me and give me land..."

He died?

"Then, the small plot of land and property that my master was going to give me..."

It's gone?

"Of-of course, I'm really happy to be liberated, but..."

Is this really 'liberation'?

Isn't this essentially kidnapping?

...There were sporadic cases like this, although they were the minority.

"Here, we call the length of this pipe '1 meter.' And a square with sides of 10 meters has an area of 1 are, and 100 ares is 1 hectare.

We'll distribute about 2 hectares of cultivated land per household. Later, we'll increase it to 50 hectares."

"Th-then, 50 hectares means... My goodness!"

Fortunately, the land and property I intended to give were 'naturally' more than what the master had promised, so most issues were resolved without complaints, but, um.

Come to think of it, I heard that before the American Civil War, slaves in the South sometimes ate better than workers in the North.

And Spain's slavery system was more flexible than expected, with cases of slaves who escaped from English colonies in the 17th century being freed after converting to Catholicism in Spanish colonies.

The slavery issue... is so complex...!

Well, still, being suddenly captured, dragged across the Atlantic, and forced into labor is the same regardless, so terms like 'generous,' 'somewhat humane,' or 'flexible' only go so far.

Still, it remains ambiguous.

"Th-th-thank you. I lived near Konkaw when I was suddenly captured by the Safi people and..."

Most people were grateful to me and happy that we could communicate. I comforted myself with this fact as I walked around.

"Excuse me, do you have a moment?"

I turned around to see who it was—it was Vicente.

"Ah... I have all the time in the world. What is it? Is there another problem with the cultivator?"

"No, that's not it... I just wanted to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"..."

"..."

What is it?

Why is he hesitating so much?

Vicente lowered his head briefly, appearing to ponder deeply... and only after some time passed did he ask me.

"It's about how you used the surplus aluminum to free the slaves."

Just when I was already troubled, he's trying to pour more oil on the fire.

...Without showing that sentiment, I nodded to his words with a benevolent and calm smile, back in "wise angel mode."

"Yes, Vicente. Please speak."

"Was what Nemo did... the Lord's will?"

"..."

"..."

"...Of course. All people are equal before the Lord."

Right. If I just say obvious things according to my standards and wrap it up...

"So the Lord disapproves of slavery?"

"...Pardon?"

"But doesn't the Bible repeatedly tell servants to serve their masters well? Although I'm no priest, several passages come to mind..."

That's because the Bible was written in ancient times...!

Of course, I couldn't answer like that, so I found an appropriate skill to use.

"Didn't I tell you? Don't fixate on the literal words of the Bible."

"...Ah!"

Good. That was an appropriate evasive maneuver.

I hardened my expression, closed my mouth, and made a face that said 'I've said all there is to say.' Vicente tilted his head but stepped back. I quickly changed the subject with a cough.

"By the way, it's about time Sir Drake returned..."

"Look! It's Sir Drake!"

"...He really does arrive right on cue."

It was good timing. I could already see Drake running towards us, covered in blood.

"Ha, hahaha! Vicente! Hey! I have good news!"

...What is it? What good news? Is it about how coolly he cut off some Spaniard's head?

Thankfully, it really was good news.

"Your family!"

"You found them?!"

"Kidnapped them from Santa Elena!"

...Is that really good news?

Anyway, upon hearing Drake's words, an excited Vicente rushed to Drake's ship, and I ran after him. Soon, we witnessed a touching family reunion after eight years.

"Ahhh! The-the English have ki-kidnapped us... We'll be sold as slaves...!"

"De-dear! It's me! Get a hold of yourself!"

"I-I-I'm seeing the ghost of my husband who died in a foreign land...! I think I've gone mad, but if I can just die while being mad like this...!"

I glared slightly at Drake. Drake shrugged as if asking what the problem was.

"I clearly told them the story. Your husband is looking for you, and he's alive and well in the Virginia colony."

"..."

"Of course, they didn't believe me at all, so I cut off the head of one of the Santa Elena militia and waved it in front of them to scare them a bit..."

What a crazy bastard.

Whatever the case, Vicente's wife soon regained her senses and began a somewhat touching reunion with Vicente, while Drake approached me and started talking.

"Anyway, as you requested, I rescued the families of the crew from Santa Elena."

"I'm grateful, Sir Drake. So, about the aluminum..."

"You'll need to prepare exactly about 2.78 kilograms."

...Really, he's so precise when it comes to aluminum. Look at how perfectly he's adapted to kilograms.

When I glanced at him sideways, he cleared his throat, perhaps feeling embarrassed.

"Ahem, setting aside the aluminum talk... Our losses were greater than expected when attacking Santa Elena. The rumors that they were expanding their colony and reinforcing its defenses were true."

"...I suppose you have a request."

"Yes, I do, Your Majesty."

Drake said with a meaningful smile.

"Did you know that the Spanish are importing more slaves?"

...What?

Why? Shouldn't imports decrease with such frequent raids?

"It's for reinforcing the northern part of the Nueva España colony. Ultimately, it's because they fear the growth of Virginia."

"...So, what should we do?"

"There's not much we can do. The sea is vast, Spanish ships are numerous, and they will bring in many slaves. Unless we block the sea and destroy all Spanish ships, what can we do?"

"..."

That's true. I bit my lip slightly, and Drake stared at me before adding one more thing.

"However, I know a way to strike a major blow against the Spanish."