How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 88: Land of Freedom (2)

However, for some reason, they couldn't readily leave the shore. As I was about to ask the reason, curious...

The oldest middle-aged man among them asked in Spanish.

"Why?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you go to such lengths?"

"..."

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"Since being captured as a slave, I've seen many Spanish. Some were kind, others vicious.

Someone would pour cold water on my back when they couldn't bear to see me working under the whip in hot weather, while another would fire bullets at me, urging me to mine silver faster.

But in the eyes of all of them, I was the same—a slave. Even a kind master might try to free me, but that too wasn't without a price."

I see myself reflected in the middle-aged man's eyes. I see an ordinary grape farmer.

"But... what you're doing now has no price. No price at all."

Yet he seemed to see something else in me.

"You cross the sea for something without any return, and you hand food and weapons to people who have nothing to do with you. What you ask in return is next to nothing.

I heard you're soon going to risk your life to fight with others."

"That's right."

"Why on earth? Is it because it's written in your 'scripture'?

But my Spanish master also taught me to obey according to the words of the 'scripture.' Isn't that strange? I... can't understand..."

"Don't try too hard to understand."

After pondering my answer, I look at Vicente and Raleigh standing on either side of me.

I see the many freed slaves lined up behind the middle-aged man, and the Spanish, English, and Algonquin people lined up behind me.

I chose my words carefully.

Because I realized that whatever I said would be eternally remembered in their minds.

"...All those disasters that befell you."

What I was saying wasn't just for the middle-aged man before me, but for all Europeans, Africans, and Americans gathered here.

"Can you understand those disasters and malice? Can you understand why the world is so cruel and terrible? I dare not understand. Can you?"

At my words, the middle-aged man seemed to ponder for a moment, then shook his head.

"I... don't know either. How things came to be this way."

"Then there's no need to understand this either. Because it's not in the realm of understanding."

I told him.

"I didn't do it because our scripture says so, but because it was the right thing to do. My soul commanded it, and so I followed."

"..."

"There's no need for something to follow the right deed.

They often say punishment follows those who do evil, and reward follows those who do right. But even without a reward, a right deed has value in itself."

"..."

"So, I did it. Is your curiosity satisfied now?"

At my words, the middle-aged man blinked his eyes for a moment... then opened his mouth.

"I still don't understand. But I know one thing."

"..."

"You are truly a peculiar being."

With that, the conversation ended.

As the middle-aged man turned around, the others also slowly moved toward the new settlement.

As I too turned to go back to the ship...

"..."

"..."

"..."

Everyone was looking at me.

Raleigh murmured a light prayer toward me.

==

"So, who exactly is 'he'?"

There was nothing in common among the residents of Liberia.

Their tribes, languages, homelands, bloodlines—they shared nothing.

Only one memory bound them together.

"Who on earth is he, to have done such a thing? Didn't you just talk with 'him'? What did he say?"

"..."

The memory of 'liberation.'

Memories of a land called Virginia.

Memories of the peculiar man who ruled there, who could speak all languages.

Who was he, for what reason, and with what purpose did he set them free?

Someone said they were chosen as an army to conquer this land. Couldn't they see from the periodic provision of weapons and food that Liberia was a fortress but also an outpost?

Someone else said they were being deceived. Common sense dictated that no one would provide resources without any return, suggesting they were enchanted by a strange spirit.

Whatever the truth, they remained anchored here without hearing any reason or purpose.

Though they had established a settlement and continued to accept people, they lingered awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

They wondered if they could just remain idle like this, and what 'his' true intention might be.

When word spread that the answer might come today, all the settlement's residents gathered and asked the middle-aged man.

"...An angel."

The middle-aged man uttered only that word, then quietly closed his eyes.

"Oh, amen..."

Converted Christians made the sign of the cross.

The rest of the people tilted their heads, not knowing what it meant.

But those others would soon know the meaning.

No, all people of Africa would.

Someday, all people of the world would.

They would know his will.

==

Having completed our business, we returned to Ndakaaru and hunkered down.

We planned to stay here for a while to gather information, barring any other matters.

What information to gather?

"First... we'll find out if the Spanish are buying 'merchandise' as Drake reported."

Raleigh spoke in a hushed voice.

"We should observe the flow of conversations among merchants in this area."

"Will merchants provide information freely?"

"Of course not. Do you need anything?"

"Hmm..."

And that's how we ended up stocking up on coffee beans.

Wow, buying directly is much cheaper than through England!

After enjoying the aroma of caffeine to my heart's content for several days, Raleigh comes running again.

"Found it! There was talk of a big contract, and upon investigating, there's a contract to purchase about 2,000 slaves at once!

Since such a large contract is unprecedented, everyone's whispering about it! It's definitely about the fleet we've been looking for!"

"When is the departure date set?"

"Three weeks later. Just as we previously found out. Still, we should silently observe the flow of people and goods."

"We've already confirmed the general information, haven't we? Is there a need to take risks by observing further?"

"There is. I've heard that large warships are gathering in Ribeira Grande, and shouldn't we assess their military strength as much as possible?"

Raleigh spoke firmly and nodded.

"I'll go further. I'll have Spanish sailors inquire while minimizing contact with the Spanish in Ribeira Grande."

"Understood."

Time passed again.

Not long after, Raleigh rushed into the cabin for the second time.

"I've confirmed the size of the enemy fleet."

"Don't we already know that? 15 ships..."

"It's 23 ships!"

"...What?"

"It seems they noticed the information leak to Drake from the beginning. Moreover..."

Raleigh hung his head and said.

"They've already departed.

We must track them immediately."