How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 260: Government Ruled (3)

"..."

"..."

I broke into a cold sweat after hearing Raleigh’s words.

No, uh, so right now...

"You’re saying we should establish people who suit our taste as heads of government."

"Yes."

"..."

"..."

"But don’t we lack justification for that?"

On the surface an independent country, but with government positions filled by people chosen to suit the ’mother country’s’ taste.

We call that a puppet state.

As a citizen of a country that experienced both becoming a puppet state and then annexation, I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. I cautiously raised the issue with Raleigh.

"They achieved liberation from Spain through an uprising for freedom. No matter how much they desire to join our community, we can’t just do as we please with such people. There would be strong resistance."

"That depends on the justification."

Indeed, is it because he’s British? His way of thinking is slightly different from mine.

"And don’t worry. If you’re concerned that we might treat them like a vassal state, that we might ignore their sovereignty as we please, that won’t happen."

...Really?

"I’m not sure why you harbor such doubts, but no. That will never happen. Aren’t they our brothers and sisters?"

"...Then please explain."

The United Kingdom I know consists of England with its fiery hooligans, Scotland with its clear water and flowing whisky, (Northern) Ireland with its abundant soil potatoes, and Wales with its air-like lack of presence. These four.

Thus, when these four regions controlling the four elements of fire, water, earth, and air come together, it’s like summoning Exodia - the great demon king of world history appears. That’s what I understand.

And didn’t the Union of Crowns between Scotland and England form recently?

That’s right.

The current Raleigh is the father of imperialism who left terrifying quotes like "For whosoever commands the sea commands the trade; whosoever commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world, and consequently the world itself."

Unbelievable!

Let’s see what kind of proper proposal he brings. As someone from a post-colonial country, I’m about to fact-bomb the father of colonialism and imperialism...!

"Establish a Bishopric."

"What?"

"Yes."

"..."

What?

That’s not a strange proposal. I expected something like an evil underground secret government, or control through brainwashing via a cult religion.

"Exactly... what is a Bishopric?"

Though I’m not quite sure what it is.

I pretended to be an "angel ignorant of the murky institutions and knowledge of the human world" for the first time in a while, widening my eyes and tilting my head. This way, people tend to forgive my ignorance.

"Haha, it’s exactly as it sounds. Land ruled by a bishop."

As expected, Raleigh began his explanation with a hearty laugh.

"When a king appoints a bishop as lord over land he rules, that land becomes a bishopric. Isn’t it simple?" freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"...So, it’s land where a bishop acts as a feudal lord."

"Correct."

Hmm... uh...

I am a person from the 21st century.

Although the proportion of time I’ve lived in the 16th and 17th centuries is becoming comparable to my time in the 21st, Japan of the 21st century remains my spiritual homeland, my point of reference.

And when I, as such a person, look at this from a 21st century perspective...

"Would... such a country function properly?"

"Of course."

I’m worried.

Surely a strange theocratic state won’t be established in Florida.

A country ruled by religious leaders sounds completely like ISIS... wait.

The Vatican is like that too, isn’t it?

The Vatican of the 21st century, or the Papal States, may be a mini-state, but it still functions outwardly as an independent country.

And now it’s the 17th century, about 400 years before that. Far from being problematic, Raleigh’s tone suggests there are abundant examples.

Appointing a bishop as a feudal lord, land ruled by a bishop.

Moreover, in our Unnamed Church, whether bishop or priest, they are elected by vote, so it could be considered somewhat democratic.

Hmm, not bad?

Since it sounded quite good initially, I folded my arms and began to listen more attentively to Raleigh’s words. Raleigh, seeming to understand my silent signal, continued his explanation.

"Look. Even now, just looking at the Holy Roman Empire, numerous territories are under the rule of Prince-Bishops (Fürstbischof). I haven’t heard any news of something going significantly wrong in such domains. Moreover, don’t we have term limits for our bishops? If something goes wrong, wouldn’t the priests under them vote for a different bishop in the next election?"

"That’s... true."

"And it’s just that a bishop is at the top; the government doesn’t need to be integrated with the church organization. So you can rest assured."

The separation of church and state is maintained to some extent, Florida’s sovereignty is respected, and only those who have accepted us as "Unnamed" followers will be ordained as bishops to become Florida’s leaders...

For now, it’s perfect.

Seeing my expression completely relaxed, Raleigh appeared relieved and sat down, taking the tension out of his shoulders. Good. It seems like we’ll proceed with this...

"Look. Even the Habsburg dynasty ruling the Holy Roman Empire now is mediating conflicts well through these Prince-Bishops, isn’t it?"

"..."

"..."

"...What did you say?"

"I was saying that the Habsburgs of the Holy Roman Empire are managing religious and ethnic conflicts well through bishoprics."

"..."

"For example, their relationship with the Protestant regions..."

Managing religious and ethnic conflicts well?

...When did the Thirty Years’ War start again?

Anyway.

A sinister feeling suddenly began to creep up, but I dispelled it with the power of reason. No. The American land is fundamentally different from the Holy Roman Empire.

Right.

Since we have tens of thousands of believers living there, and with the natives included, hundreds of thousands, there can’t be just one bishop. We need to elect several more.

And among them, we need to elect a representative... uh... I guess we can elect an archbishop. Then it would be an Archbishopric rather than a Bishopric.

Good. The process ahead is roughly taking shape in my mind. I nodded and said to Raleigh:

"Then, first we should gather the priests of that region for a formal vote and elect bishops and an archbishop."

"Yes, and then appoint him as the lord of the ’Archbishopric of Florida.’ After that, the Florida people will handle things themselves."

So if we do that...

...

...

...

Wait.

"...Raleigh?"

"Yes."

’Appoint as lord’?

"In the Holy Roman Empire, who typically invests bishops as lords?"

I asked a question that seemed too obvious.

"Why, the emperor of the empire, of course."

Raleigh answered with an expression suggesting he wondered why I would ask such a thing.

’Emperor’.

Uh... right.

"Then, I’ll prepare for the lord’s investiture ceremony. Let’s submit a proposal to the Council of Six."

"..."

I’m playing the role of emperor.

==

Alonso recalls his conversation with the "bishop."

"I won’t stand at the forefront."

"But, Bishop. Without your organization, so many slaves wouldn’t have gained freedom. Besides you, there’s no suitable candidate..."

"It’s not my organization."

At that time, the bishop spoke with a face that somehow seemed both sad and relieved.

"It’s ’His’ organization."

"..."

"I came here looking for my wife. And recently, I found where she was buried and laid flowers. That’s enough for me."

"But."

"Priests who share my vision will also remain without revealing their identities. A secretive and systematic organization has many uses. That’s how we must serve the community. Many Spaniards have joined too."

"Didn’t you endure unnecessary slave life for over a decade? There should be compensation..."

"That position shouldn’t be compensation for my life. That position is created by the collective will of Florida’s free people."

He wanted to protest more, but the will of the "bishop" leading the secret society was clear.

"It seems our organization members will vote for you. Even without me specifically instructing them. Congratulations. You are the first Archbishop."

"What? What did I do during the uprising to..."

"Accept it."

The "bishop," as always, spoke while melting into the darkness, concealing himself. As if that was more familiar to him.

"The people... have chosen you."

R𝑒ad lat𝒆st chapt𝒆rs at f(r)eew𝒆bnov𝒆l.com Only