How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 265: Market Expansion (4)

How many people directly belong to the community now? Even combining Virginia and Florida, it would be just slightly over 300,000.

In such a situation, he speaks of "the lives of millions."

Those gathered here could easily guess what thoughts occupied his mind.

He was discussing a future where this political body would become bigger and greater.

And that future wasn’t difficult to envision.

That future seemed very close.

Their trade network is expanding. Along with it, many Americans naturally head directly to Virginia and are incorporated into the community. Thus, their territory expands westward.

At the same time, thousands of immigrants are flooding in from the British Isles across the eastern ocean every year. Those suffering from long wars and population pressure come over dreaming of a wealthy life here.

Probably within 10 years, the population of Virginia and Florida will easily exceed 400,000. Perhaps in the next 10 years, it might exceed 600,000.

And as 10 years, and another 10 years pass...

Eventually, it will exceed 1 million and then 2 million.

Someday, this small political body might become larger than England and France. This entire North America might become their land. A land wider than Europe.

On that day, how will this moment be remembered?

Those whose thoughts reached that far could only look at ’Him’ without even swallowing their saliva.

Then the Nameless One slowly turned the pages of the booklet.

And recited line by line.

"All those under this Covenant are free and equal.

Is there anyone who does not agree with this?"

There was no one.

"Slavery is prohibited in all lands where this Covenant has effect.

Is there anyone who does not agree with this?"

Again, there was no one.

"...All countries under this Covenant maintain freedom, independence, mutual fraternity, cooperation, and peace. They fight together, maintain sovereignty together, trade together, and exist together.

Is there anyone who does not agree with this?"

Silence upon silence continued.

"The Knight Brigade and various organizations and groups described below all pledge allegiance to this Covenant and do not belong to any single country."

And.

"All those under this Covenant enjoy equal rights and freedom of movement in all countries belonging to this Covenant."

The silence gradually added weight.

"All countries under this Covenant will send one representative with a four-year term to form the Continental Assembly and through this create common laws and mediate conflicts."

The lines interlocked like bones, blood vessels, and muscles to give birth to a single living being.

Under these covenants, Virginia and Florida, and the many countries that might join in the future, will cooperate in the fields of joint defense, economy, industry, and more.

They will face common enemies, solve common problems, and move toward common goals.

This is called a "Commonwealth."

Here, an artificial life called a nation was being born, dressed in bones and muscles made of written lines. Blood of mutual consent and trust just began to flow through its veins.

And.

"Is there anyone who does not agree with this continental covenant?"

That life form had just exhaled its first breath.

Kin Issei, for a few seconds, looks around. He carefully examines whether some madman might say "I object!" and cause trouble.

And relieved that no one did such a strange thing, Kin Issei closes the booklet. With all processes successfully completed, only the declaration of the end remained.

"Very well. Then, now..."

"Wait a moment!"

At that time, someone shouted.

Turning toward the sound, Walter Raleigh was standing there. Given that he was the one who had contributed the most to drafting this covenant, Kin Issei stammered in confusion.

"Wh-what is it?"

"Nemo, no, we’ve missed something really important. We’ve missed the most important thing. How did we forget? How is it that among the hundreds here, not one person raised an issue?"

Kin Issei tilted his head at Raleigh’s words.

What on earth had they forgotten?

The rights of each individual belonging to the covenant, the authority of each country, and the authority of the government they would form together... nothing had been omitted.

After all, having thrown in and mixed the Japanese Constitution, the U.S. Constitution, and the covenants of the natives that Kin Issei knew, there should be nothing missing...

"We didn’t decide on a name."

...except for that.

A name.

The most important thing.

As people began to stir, saying things like "Come to think of it..." and "Why didn’t I know that?", the solemn scene instantly became chaotic.

At that moment.

"Then, do we need to rewrite the covenant from the beginning..."

"Stop! Don’t you understand yet?"

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"..."

This time, Thomas Hewett opened his mouth. Although Kin Issei was worried about what strange talk might come out, he listened to his words.

"Nemo, humble before the Lord, refers to himself as the ’Nameless One’."

Though it was taken from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

"Also, our church, continuing Nemo’s will, is called the ’Unnamed Church.’

Haven’t we gathered here to build a political body that exalts only the name of the Lord? To build a truly just, equal, and eternally shining country that will be used as the Lord’s instrument.

Would such a country need a name! What kind of name would it need?

’Adam gave names to all livestock, the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals.’ This is a verse from Genesis 2:20! The Lord gave Adam the right to name, making him the king of the world!

Therefore, we dare not name this political body! Because it will be greater than all of us! Because it will be the greatest community to realize the Lord’s will!"

The representatives of the two countries, who until just now seemed to have no particular thoughts, began to make expressions as if they had just realized something significant, and looked at Kin Issei.

"...Indeed, during all that commotion, the Nameless One remained completely unshaken."

"A-amazing..."

Of course, Kin Issei had maintained this position through misconception and deception for over 20 years.

Displaying acting skills that no ordinary human could match, he made an expression that seemed to say, "Ah, I skipped over it because it was too obvious. Thank you for mentioning it, Hewett."

Everyone was convinced by his remarkable ability to convey emotion. Seeming to gain confidence from Kin Issei’s expression, Hewett continued:

"If there is anyone who could name this community... it would only be the Lord himself!"

"For humanity! To make humanity like angels!"

"Hallelujah!"

People soon applaud and rejoice at Hewett’s passionate speech.

And Kin Issei quietly nods and thinks.

...No.

Still, there should be a name.

Of course, he couldn’t say such a thing in this atmosphere. So he just stood there with a trustworthy, splendid expression and upright posture.

Whatever the case may be.

"Hurrah! For the birth of this continental covenant!"

"Hallelujah! We are now forever the people of the covenant!"

"Long live the covenant! Long live the union!"

History would record this solemn moment as the moment when the "Continental Covenant" was ratified.

As a holy, glorious, and great moment.

In such a moment of exaltation, only Kin Issei continued to sweat and think.

...Surely there should be a name, right?

...How about U.S.A.?

Anyway, the hastily created union agreed to have a joint military, joint laws, and a joint economic zone.

Those provisions immediately began to operate.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel