How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

He handed me a document. I read the lines on it.

It was a plan for a fleet's voyage.

Not an ordinary plan. This was...

"I snatched it through a spy. It's a massive scale.

It seems they're planning to move hundreds to thousands of slaves soon. Not just slaves, but various ivories and treasures from Africa too. A treasure fleet is setting sail for the New World."

"The treasure... isn't important."

"Of course, that's understandable. Your Majesty is wealthy enough. Well, just know that slave trading will happen on a large scale. And here."

Tap tap.

Below were detailed dates and plans.

Departing from Portugal on a certain month and day, when they would reach African colonies, how many slaves they would buy, when they would depart for the Caribbean and arrive.

Very detailed.

"We will ambush them when they approach Trinidad Island."

"I see."

"But would it be possible for the people here to participate in the battle?"

"...What did you say?"

When I showed my surprise, Drake continued with an unusually cautious tone.

"It's a huge trading fleet. If we raid them, the slave trade in this region will be weakened for a while."

"Hmm..."

"But our fleet alone seems insufficient. We've lost quite a few soldiers and ships in various battles, and as you can see from the plan, the enemy has 15 ships. It's a challenging opponent even for our fleet of 20 ships."

"..."

"I ask just this once. Even if it means reducing the amount of aluminum I receive..."

Aluminum, that's of no consequence. It's a precious metal to them, but it flows abundantly for me. What concerns me isn't something like aluminum.

At first glance, participating doesn't seem like a bad idea.

If we put England's navy in our debt and leave a record of fighting together as allies? The importance of our community to England would be elevated, and it wouldn't be bad to jointly respond to Spanish threats in the future.

The benefits of improved relations with England don't end there. Our community of just tens of thousands can't be completely self-sufficient from Europe.

We need a strong rope like England connecting us to the European world to better import external goods.

But going into battle?

Taking the locals with us?

"Hmm... Just a moment."

What if there are casualties?

Thinking this, I sought advice from Raleigh and others.

"Piracy? How exciting!"

...Getting advice from Raleigh is clearly a failure. After all, he's the man who led several privateers and burned Spanish colonies.

I thought that after being called a saint in London, his behavior should have improved a bit...

"...Don't you agree, Eleanor?"

"What? About what?"

"No, even so, human lives could be in danger..."

"People are half-dead when they go to sea anyway! Wouldn't the Lord forgive us for killing a few seamen?"

"...What?"

...But you're a 'saint.'

How can you say so innocently, "Hehe... We won't go to hell for killing a few Spaniards!" Don't you know the Ten Commandments?

Feeling an inexplicable chill, I asked others. More specifically:

"...Mr. Hewett?"

"Of course I agree!"

"Mr. White?"

"If only I were a bit younger, I could have joined you..."

"Mr. Bacon?"

"The glory of England is thus enhanced!"

"..."

"...Why do you ask?"

I only asked the 'English.'

These... pirate scoundrels.

Anyway, the natives, who didn't particularly care whether England fought Spain or aliens, showed a 'whatever works' reaction and agreed with the English.

Vicente was... even more ridiculous.

"Excellent! Let's drive away the forces threatening this holy community!"

"..."

"Why, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Don't you feel any hesitation?"

"Um... I'm not Spanish anymore, am I?"

...And so it was decided.

We would also participate.

I took Raleigh and Vicente to a nearby hut for a meeting. Since both had experience as seamen and commanders, they could adequately assist me, who knew little about ships and naval battles.

The first conclusion from the meeting:

"I'm going too."

"What? But your life could be in danger..."

"Vicente, do you think I would be in a 'life-threatening' situation?"

I'm going too.

Being immortal was particularly good at times like this. I could dive in without considering the risks.

I had to go. How would Virginia community soldiers think of me if the angel wasn't involved in a 'holy war' freeing slaves?

Though I gave up going to Europe during the Black Death because it was too dangerous, this is different.

Moreover, my presence would make it easier to claim our share from England later.

For the morale of the soldiers, for my position, for the community, I had to go.

Above all, these English pirates...

Who knows what they might do without me.

And the next conclusion:

"Drake, we will sail separately."

"What?"

We'll go separately from Drake's fleet.

There are many problems with going together with Drake's fleet.

First, clipper ships become incredibly fast when catching favorable winds and currents, but conversely, become turtles when facing headwinds. Plus, they're transport ships, not warships, so their combat power is low.

If we chose the wrong route and position, instead of showcasing the might of 19th-century vessels, we'd likely become floating wooden planks.

"For now, Sir Drake, please wait near Trinidad Island, going against the current. We will secretly track the route of those merchant ships from Africa, staying outside their firing range.

"Uh... What did you say..."

"Then, right after combat begins, we'll attack the enemies from behind."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Drake's face contorted at my words.

To Drake, it would sound like nonsense.

It might sound like cowardice since I'm saying we won't confront the enemies head-on.

Of course, I devised this strategy because I didn't want to face the enemy directly with ships not designed for combat, so it's half true that we're avoiding direct confrontation.

Originally designed for cargo transport, these ships are just oversized by this era's standards with only about 10 cannons equipped, making them weak vessels. Under normal circumstances, they would be difficult to use effectively in naval battles. However...

At least it's not nonsense.

Of course, for this plan to work, several assumptions are necessary.

First, we need to be able to accurately determine our position at sea. From this point, Drake would consider it hopeless.

Following them while maintaining a distance where the enemy won't notice, then suddenly accelerating to catch up? That's also nonsense. If I can see the enemy, the enemy can see me, so how could I tail them?

And maintaining a distance where we can't be seen, then suddenly accelerating at the end to attack from behind? Are there ships that fast?

Drake looked perplexed, alternating his gaze between me, Raleigh, and Vicente, then said:

"Um... This is an impossible strategy?

Baron of Roanoke? Haven't you explained properly to His Majesty?"

And Raleigh replied:

"It's an entirely possible strategy."

"...What?"

"It's difficult to explain the exact circumstances, but just know that it's possible."

Drake doesn't have a watch.

Similarly, Drake doesn't have a telescope.

Lastly, Drake doesn't have a 19th-century clipper ship.

From his perspective, it's as if he heard during the strategy meeting, 'We'll teleport, identify the enemy with clairvoyance, then catch the enemy from behind using telekinesis. Just know it's possible and don't ask questions.'

However, seeing Raleigh's firm expression, he subtly... nodded.

"Um... Just make sure it doesn't disrupt the overall plan."

As the meeting was wrapping up, Vicente said, clasping his hands:

"Lord, grant us the ability to become righteous pirates."

"Amen."

"Amen."

Um... that sounded familiar, but I just bowed my head deeply.

"Amen."

That's how our plan was formulated.

Soon, two clippers headed towards Ndakaaru, a port city in West Africa.

To load the liberated slaves and track the Spanish.