How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 24: Survivors

"F-found them!"

Bang.

We were in the midst of a meeting at the church, which also served as the village hall in the settlement.

It was a regular meeting discussing how to farm next year, whether to accept other native tribes who wanted to come here, and so on.

And the one interrupting this important meeting was... none other than Vicente González. I was wondering why he was so late, but looking at his sweat-covered body, he seemed to have run here urgently.

Seeing him, I was about to ask what he had found that made him run so urgently. But before I could ask, Vicente hastily spoke first.

"I found the missing settlers!"

"What did you say?"

"Yes. I found the 70 missing people! Mrs. Dare! When we mobilized the English and Algonquians, it ended quickly! They all ran inland when we were looking for them."

...Well, that's because you tried to kill them.

Anyway, everyone seemed happy, so I didn't say much.

"Where are they?"

"The Chesapeake tribe has them. You should go right now and bring them back!"

"Ah, good!"

Eleanor also got up and said.

"Father was just saying the Chesapeake colony needed more people to grow wheat. If 70 more people are added, colonization will go much more smoothly!"

"Good. Then let's go get them. Vicente, can you guide us?"

"...Huh? Are you going too, Nemo?"

"Of course. Isn't it a matter of our island's population potentially increasing by 70?"

"...Pardon?"

For a moment, an earthquake occurs in Eleanor's eyes. Before I could raise a question about why, Vicente shouted.

"Nemo is right! Let's go right now! The boat is ready and the weather isn't bad, so we might arrive within today if all goes well."

Phew... We've come a long way.

Originally I had trouble controlling just 30 people and had to act all mysterious, but now we've reached the level of casually accepting 70 people.

Let's set aside issues like how to control them when they didn't even fight against Spain with me. For now, since Mr. White is the governor, he should be able to handle it well.

If they're people who need to be saved anyway, it's better to think after saving them.

More than anything, our colony now has over 300 people. No matter how they move, it's not beyond control.

For now, we save the 70 people and secure the workforce needed for wheat cultivation.

"Well, shall we depart now?"

That's the priority...

"J-just a moment... Nemo!"

"Yes, Eleanor?"

Eleanor, who had been trembling for a while, finally cried out to me.

"J-j-just come outside for a moment? I have something to tell you!"

"You can say it here."

"I-it's something I need to tell you when we're alone."

...What is this? A confession attack?

That can't be it.

"...Alright."

I made everyone wait and went outside with Eleanor. Eleanor led me to the cemetery behind the church and then asked.

"Um... I have something to tell you."

"Yes."

Gulp.

Eleanor seemed to be contemplating for a long time, rolling her eyes from side to side and reciting prayers, then... finally opened her mouth.

"I know your secret."

"I see. ...Pardon?"

"Y-y-yes, I said I know your secret!"

What?

What secret?

...No way.

"I... hmm."

No.

From experience, if I speak first in this situation, I'll definitely be screwed. The one who speaks first always loses.

If I keep my mouth shut, the other person will end it themselves. Adding words to a situation that could end just by keeping quiet invites disaster.

I realized that truth on the day I heard just "Um... senior..." and answered "Sorry, I have a girlfriend," only to receive the response, "No! I was just wondering if you could give me the class notes...".

So I kept my mouth firmly shut and waited.

"Well, it's no secret that you're an angel, Nemo! What I'm trying to say isn't that...!"

My judgment was proven right once again.

...I really almost got screwed.

I almost said "How did you know I'm from the future..." and gotten a "...What? What are you talking about, Nemo?" in return.

Anyway.

"...Yes. That's not a secret."

"Right! We're writing down the Lord's words you deliver every day!"

I'm really screwed.

I had inwardly hoped they would just think of me as some mysterious saint, but it's not at that level.

It's a systematized faith.

I tried to hide my trembling hands by casually putting them behind my back. Yes. Angel, recording an angel's statements...

That's basically scripture, damn it.

Now the truth I've been avoiding is revealed. The puzzles I refused to match are suddenly fitting together, and all the discomfort I felt starts getting explained.

An angel.

An additional supplement to the Bible (1591 edition).

Cold sweat runs down my back. I barely maintain a detached attitude, but inside I'm burning up.

I clench my jaw to stop my teeth from chattering and quickly wipe the sweat forming on my hands on my clothes.

"Anyway, um, I was wondering if it's okay for you, an angel, to leave your home."

Eleanor, who couldn't know what I was thinking, cried out with a serious expression.

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"..."

"...Pardon?"

Silence follows.

What's that supposed to mean now?

I sort of understand(?) that I'm an angel, and I get that you're writing a new Bible (included as a bonus Chapter for Roanoke crowdfunding participants).

But why does it matter if I leave my home?

"Phew. So you are worried about 'that.'"

Of course, my strategy remained the same this time too. Don't unnecessarily reveal ignorance.

"Y-you even know what I'm going to say... As expected of Nemo."

And my strategy was effective this time as well.

No.

I don't know, so just speak up quickly.

"I, I know about your sacrifice...! My father knows too! What you do every night!"

"Indeed, there are no eternal secrets."

"You're stopping demons from rising from hell every night!"

"What the f... I mean, no."

"Pardon? A-anyway, my father and I promised to keep your secret that day. We had no idea that such evil power would stretch out so vilely from a place we thought was just sacred."

I roughly understood. Your situation.

I was so embarrassed I wanted to die.

So I was caught. Playing Doom.

I felt like I should show a melancholic face at this point.

So I did, and Eleanor teared up.

"...It's not, easy, is it?"

"I know! I remember the curses you spat while slaughtering demons, and that evil hymn the demon's minions were singing still echoes in my head! The lyrics were..."

"Stop."

I stopped her because I felt like I might burst out laughing.

Somehow that evil hymn... feels like it might be ranked 200th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums list, 2012 edition.

"...Anyway, you mean you're worried that if I leave my post where I need to block the devil's forces, something terrible might happen."

"Y-yes, that's right!"

"You underestimate my authority too much."

"...!"

"Darkness can only retreat when light approaches. Satan's authority can never suppress the Lord's authority."

"Ah, ahhh...!"

"So don't worry from now on."

"...Yes!"

"Tell Mr. White the same thing."

"Yes!"

"And... please keep the secret."

"O-of course!"

With those words, Eleanor went back into the church, shedding tears of emotion.

I... should soon go into the church and go to Chesapeake Bay with Vicente, but...

For now, I closed my eyes.

Phewww... seriously.

Living is too hard.

Too, too hard.

What do I do about this...

"Nemo! We're departing!"

Phew.

Let's go to Chesapeake Bay for now.

Let's think after we get there.

==

"I, I'm going to have a word with you."

"..."

"Our friend Roger says your land and food are very, very necessary!"

"Woaaaaaah!"

"So your tribe members must either give us territory and grain, or prepare for war with us!"

"Th-this is outrageous oppression! Our federation will not stand by!"

"If you won't stand by? What will you do?"

"..."

"Get out. Come back with the will to surrender... or come back with weapons!"

"Woaaaaaah! Get out!"

The tribe's warriors fell into a frenzy of excitement, each pounding their spears on the ground or throwing their bows into the air.

"...Y-you'll regret this! Our federation will surely make you regret the decision the chief made today!"

"Try if you can! By the way, if you don't leave right now, I'll skin you alive. I'll start counting now. One, two..."

"Ugh, aaargh!"

The chief laughed at the Powhatan messenger who ran away hastily. Then he turned to Roger and said.

"What do you think, Roger? Once our war preparations are complete, we'll enter their territory immediately and plunder their food!"

"W-will that be okay? You said the Powhatans have over a thousand warriors, right? And their population is several times larger than yours!"

"It's fine! Even if they have thousands, they'll flee in terror at your 'guns'! And in the end, I've only declared war on one tribe of them!"

The chief laughed and patted his shoulder. But his voice was serious.

"War is inevitable anyway. We're already tight on food for this year. For 'us' to survive, we must raid other tribes."

"..."

"Your coming to this land is a blessing from the spirits. Or it could be the blessing of Jesus whom you believe in and follow. Whatever the case, we must survive. I believe you would agree with that fact."

"...I understand."

Roger finally realized the reality and nodded.

White had left, and England's rescue hadn't come. When the Spanish came here, weren't these people the ones who hid and protected them? In the end, there's no choice but to follow their words.

Then the chief finally reveals a full smile.

"Ha, hahaha... Finally, the day comes when I can get rid of them from my sight."

The Powhatan Federation has ruled as the hegemon in this area for quite some time. How bitter it has been under their coercive demands and intimidation?

But everything changed when these people from across the sea joined.

Their guns drop even flying birds and make thunder-like sounds. Even the most brave and well-trained warrior dies at the gesture of a child.

That's how the reversal of power occurred. For the first time, the chief who had only been piling bitterness in his heart was given the power to resolve that bitterness!

The chief's desire for conquest and achievement burns in his heart. Now he pictures himself making them kneel and expanding the tribe's domain far to the north.

With just these 'English' people from across the sea, he can achieve it! It's no longer an impossible dream!

Anyway, they have nowhere to go back to, right? Most of them were men, so if they marry suitable beautiful women here and live, they'll naturally become members of the tribe and warriors.

If that happens...

"Huhu, huhuhuhuh..."

The Powhatan Federation and the like...!

"...Chief! Guests have arrived!"

"Haha, why so hurried? I've just made an important tribal decision, so guests can wait a bit..."

"It's... people from across the sea! Saying he's John White..."

...Huh?

Instantly, Roger's face brightens.

And the chief's face turns ashen.

"J-John White!"

"The governor has come! The governor has come!"

"Th-thank you for everything, Chief! Now that my countrymen have come, I must go back!"

Uh... uhh?

"I'll connect with the homeland later and bring you various gifts!"

"Finally! After a million years, I can eat roast beef!"

Uh... uhhh?

"...Y-you'll regret this! Our federation will surely make you regret the decision the chief made today!"

The messenger's words come to mind.

"W-will that be okay? You said the Powhatans have over a thousand warriors, right? And their population is several times larger than yours!"

Roger's words just now also come to mind.

Thousands of warriors, facing a population several times larger... uh...

With 'guns.'

Now those gunmen are leaving.

Should he stop them from leaving?

Is that even possible?

"Uhhh... uhh...?"

"Chief, then goodbye..."

"W-wait a moment."

"..."

"..."

"..."

The chief swallowed and said to Roger.

"Let me meet this J-John White."

At those words, Roger realized that he and his countrymen had gained the upper hand, and said with a grin.

"...Alright."

Soon after, four people entered the chief's house. Three of them had faces Roger knew.

John White, Eleanor Dare, Manteo.

And the other person...

'...Who is that?'

A savage guide?

While Roger tilted his head in confusion, the three sat opposite the chief. The chief spoke to the person sitting in the middle.

"...Are you John White? You look more similar to our people than other people from across the sea. Quite unexpected."

"I am John White. This is Nemo."

"...Huh? But why are you sitting there?"

"What's wrong with where I'm sitting?"

Oops. For White who wasn't familiar with the savage culture, Roger quickly approached and said.

"Governor, the seat where that savage is sitting is the chief's seat. As our representative, you should sit in the middle."

"...What?"

"So, Governor..."

"I'm not the representative."

"What do you mean..."

"And if you call 'him' a savage one more time... I won't stay quiet."

Immediately, White's eyes change. He wasn't the usually indecisive and gentle-eyed man.

"Not just me, God won't stay quiet either."

"...Pardon?"

"Nemo...? Ne... mo? Uhhh?"

While Roger was confused by White's words, the chief muttered that unfamiliar name as if trying to recall something, then widened his eyes as if realizing something.

He remembered who the person with that name was.

Then correcting his arrogant posture, he carefully asked.

"A-are you... the Great Chief of Croatoan Island?"

==

"...Pardon?"

"I apologize for never visiting you. The uncivilized Powhatan Federation in the north has been confronting us, so I haven't had the proper opportunity to visit."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Um... Nemo? What's wrong?"

What is this.

I've heard of a Korean plant breeder who became a chief in Nigeria after developing pest-resistant cassava, but...

Why am I your Great Chief?

Confused without knowing, I glanced at Eleanor, who looked at John White, who looked at Manteo.

Then Manteo asks me as if bewildered.

"Is there, something strange?"

"No... This person just called me Great Chief?"

"Yes. What's strange about that?"

"Pardon?"

What's going on. Why are you acting like this too.

After a long silence and seeing my eyes full of various questions, Manteo finally clapped his hands and said.

"Ah... I thought you would naturally know this. Since you're so fluent in our language."

"What are you talking about?"

"A chief is the wealthiest person. Isn't that right?"

"...Usually, I guess?"

"And the wealthiest person is the one who gives the most. Sharing his wealth with others, so that other people respect and recognize him as chief, right?"

"Uh, uhhh...?"

"In this region, who is the wealthiest and most giving person?"

"..."

It's me.

I recall all the pearls, coral, and furs piled up in our farm warehouse and feel cold sweat running down my back.

All this time I thought I was bartering, that I was giving grapes and receiving various gifts in return.

But that was, um, tribute?

Huh?

"Great Chief, is there something uncomfortable?"

What is this? Like 'Japanese Shine Muscat spreading worldwide! Americans establish Japanese Great Chief after falling for grape taste!' or something?

Thanks to Manteo speaking all of this in English, the opposing chief only understood my words and tilted his head in confusion, knowing nothing. He probably wondered why these guys were suddenly whispering among themselves.

"You mean I'm, uh, that person's king?"

"That's right. But rather than a powerful and binding king like England's monarch, it's closer to someone slightly higher up. A person worthy of respect, not a ruler."

"..."

I roughly understand.

Like a "sir" in the village who receives deep bows from elders... a "landowner since Japanese colonial times" (suspiciously wealthy during colonial rule) kind of position.

I put some strength in my eyes and spoke as majestically as possible.

"...I have no discomfort."

"Well, that's really fortunate."

"Except for one thing."

"Yes, yes? You have a discomfort, what on earth..."

I quietly turned my gaze to a white man standing next to the chief. And asked him in English.

"What is your name?"

"Uh... pardon?"

"Yes. Weren't you a member of the Roanoke colony?"

"M-my name is Roger. Roger Pratt."

"Roger Pratt."

I turned my head back to the chief and said.

"What is your name?"

"...Oitotan."

"Oitotan, I want Roger Pratt to return to his countrymen. All of his colleagues too."

"..."

"Can you help with that?"

Good. Appropriately authoritative.

He seems to have eaten my grapes that somehow flowed here. Then he should pay the price for the Shine Muscat.

Thinking so, I watched his expression with a smile.

"Uh... th-th-that..."

"..."

What's this?

Suddenly Oitotan's face turns pale. Seeing his seriously tense expression made me feel uncomfortable and anxious.

"Well, that is..."

"..."

"P-please spare my life."

"...Pardon?"

"P-p-please help our tribe members keep their lives... If you just help us, I'll do anything to repay the favor."

Looking back at Manteo, he too seemed bewildered with question marks all over his face. Wondering if something was wrong, I looked at Roger...

He was quietly sighing with his face buried in both hands.

"Please help us! At this rate, our tribe is finished in war!"

"Please... explain."

"Ah, so..."

...

...

...

I see.

I happened to arrive at a strange timing.

So I answered.

"No."

Sssup...

Bear the burden of going all-in.