How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

"I heard most freed slaves are moved to Virginia. So let's select some freed slaves who reside in our territory, ones whose loyalty has been verified."

"How?"

"We need to throw bait. First, we place spies in some colonies and leave them vacant, then if English pirate groups plunder those places..."

"Then... they'll plant our people in Virginia for us!"

"Excellent idea!"

"Let's make plans right away. How about placing treasures and slaves in a port on Hispaniola Island?"

"Good. I'll spread rumors. I'll spread stories so appealing that those greedy pirates Drake and Raleigh won't be able to resist."

"I'll select the people. Let's gather devout Catholics."

The Spanish colonial authorities moved diligently. The officials carefully selected by Philip II smoothly carried out a series of processes like well-oiled machines.

"Look, Baron Roanoke! Don't you already smell money... I mean, the smell of freedom coming from this place?"

"...It might be better to just plunder it first, Sir Drake."

The English fell for it perfectly.

==

Twenty-year-old Paulo believed he had lived a not-too-bad life.

Although his father and mother longed for their homeland their entire lives, New Spain was a comfortable home to him.

His master wasn't particularly harsh to slaves, and opportunities for freedom weren't particularly closed off.

Even after paying for his own freedom and entering military service, Paulo hadn't particularly felt any inconvenience in his life.

However, after experiencing the 'rise' from slave to free man... ambitions he didn't know he had began to take shape in his heart.

He wanted to be rich.

He wanted to be a landowner.

He wanted to own a nice mansion and estate, receive steady rent, and enjoy a peaceful retirement.

Believing it was a dream he could achieve someday, he sailed the seas for years.

Then the opportunity came.

A high official of the Spanish colonial authorities wanted a spy with black skin. They wanted a loyal Catholic who would infiltrate dangerous enemy territory.

And Paulo wanted to advance in life.

"Now... what do we do?"

"We're already on an English ship, it's too late to be discovered..."

"Shh."

Now, Paulo sees a dozen or so fellow spies before his eyes. Those who were 'liberated' by the English army after waiting together in Hispaniola.

Somehow, Paulo, at 27 years old with the longest military experience, became something like the leader here.

"Just stay quiet and don't try to probe anything. And don't forget to gather at the shore at the appointed time later."

"Ah, understood!"

After giving appropriate advice to the rookies, he waited leisurely.

Despite being in the midst of enemies, he felt no tension. The treatment aboard ship was decent enough to confirm whether it was true that the English freed slaves without compensation.

"Sir Drake, here's your towel."

"Hahaha! Always grateful!"

"Not at all. For a benefactor, this is nothing..."

"Benefactor? I only did what any Christian should do! I've always deeply abhorred slavery..."

Moreover, by subtly ingratiating himself, he was able to get close to Drake and develop quite an intimate relationship.

"Virginia... I've only heard rumors. I wonder how many people live there..."

"Well? I don't know either?"

"..."

Of course.

"Meeting Sir Drake is truly a heavenly fortune."

"Thank the Lord. It's thanks to Him that you've escaped from Spain's cruel rule."

"Of course. By the way, how compassionate the Indian Emperor must be to embrace slaves like us without reason..."

"Shhh! D-don't casually mention 'Him' at sea!"

"...Pardon?"

Sir Drake was a more thorough man than expected.

While appearing to have let his guard down, he didn't reveal any information about Virginia.

'As expected, a fearsome man...'

Anyway, as time passed on the ship.

"Land ho! It's Virginia!"

Finally, they arrived at the long-awaited Virginia.

"Hell yeah! Finally!"

"It's aluminum time!"

As always, the sailors who had completed a tiring voyage shouted joyful exclamations.

'...Finally!'

Paulo smiled with satisfaction.

Sir Drake was a key figure in the English Navy. Having built rapport with him, now he could follow him deep into Virginia, and perhaps even meet the Indian Emperor...

"Now! All freed Africans, board here!"

"Sir Drake! Aren't you coming too?"

"I-I'm not going. The mystery of the sea is... no, it's nothing."

...?

What's this? He said he's not coming, and then muttered something quietly at the end.

Maybe he'll come later?

For now, Paulo disembarked at the port with his companions. When he looked back...

The ship... was leaving.

"..."

...??!?!!?

What is this?

"Now, everyone follow me! I'll guide you to the lodgings where you'll all stay!"

Still in a daze, they followed an English woman.

Right. Now he was a 'free man' here, so once they reached the lodgings, he could gather information without being controlled by anyone...

"Finally, your name?"

"...Paulo. Paulo Ramirez."

"Good. Smile!"

Click.

"..."

"..."

"Oh, it's nothing special, just recording your face, address, name, age, and various other information! For easier management later!"

...Am I already caught?

"Now, you can go back to your lodgings! Everyone here chose to live in Virginia instead of going to Liberia, right?"

...Or not?

Anyway.

So he returned to his lodgings, but when evening came, he slipped away and headed toward the shore.

Somehow, looking for a good place to escape from here...

"..."

"..."

He made eye contact with someone holding a lantern.

It was clearly a Spaniard with curly hair. The stranger asked in Spanish:

"...What are you doing here?"

"Uh... no, just taking a walk..."

"Ah! Be careful! Walking alone on the shore without a lantern, you might be suspected of being a Spanish spy!"

"...What?"

"Everyone is trying to protect 'Him.' No one can set foot on this shore, whether Spanish, English, French, or anyone..."

"English too? I-isn't this English territory?"

The question popped out in surprise. The man, looking slightly flustered, soon smiled and said:

"Ah, hahaha. You're a newcomer. Yes. You might not have seen Him yet... You still don't know anything."

"..."

"No one who enters this settlement can leave again.

Unless they've proven their faith."

"..."

"If you're alone, you'll be suspected, so since we've met, let's walk together. I'm Vicente González."

"Uh... Paulo Ramirez."

"Pleased to meet you."

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Wheeeeeeee!

Boom boom boom boom!

"W-what, what is that?"

"Calm down. It's nothing."

"T-there, t-trees are falling..."

"It's nothing. It's everyday life here."

"..."

"Ah, since you might ask, that was just 'Him' passing by."

"Excuse me? Who is 'Him'?"

"..."

Suddenly, a strange excitement appears on Vicente's face.

He speaks as if dreaming:

"...Our eternal leader."

"..."

Vicente's eyes lose focus.

"..."

Silence.

After a long eerie silence, what broke it was:

Rumble.

Another thunderous sound.

Rumble rumble.

W-what is this?

A bizarre silhouette appears in the growing darkness, far away.

Something like a giant arm rises toward the sky.

It lifts massive trees.

"L-Lord, my goodness, my goodness what is that...!"

"...Do not be afraid."

"Ugh, w-what do you mean don't be afraid! T-there, a giant arm is..."

With still unfocused eyes, Vicente turns to him and smiles.

"It's 'His'... arm."

What is this place?

I'm scared.