How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 65: Growing Pains (1)

This year, the grape harvest has been exceptionally good.

The sugar content of the grapes came out much higher than when I farmed in the 21st century, and their size and flavor were overwhelmingly superior compared to last year.

"..."

"..."

"..."

In addition, thanks to the newly expanded vineyards all yielding abundant harvests, the amount of grapes sent to the surrounding areas has increased accordingly. I can probably acquire that many more furs, pearls, and various luxury items.

"..."

"..."

"..."

But why is the atmosphere here like this right now?

"...Um, Harriot? How many new people have arrived this time?"

Grapes are a crop that gets sweeter and better in quality as the weather gets drier. There's a reason why grape farming is difficult in Japan, where torrential rain pours down right before harvest season.

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freeweɓnøvel.com.

And.

Corn consumes a lot of water.

The main crops of the natives in this area are corn and beans that have undergone almost no selective breeding. They're relatively drought-resistant and different from our crop varieties that have been improved over hundreds of years.

Anyway, naturally, if water becomes scarce, wild animals won't thrive either. The amount of food obtained through hunting and gathering also plummets.

Our record grape harvest means that the surrounding native tribes have experienced an unbelievable crop failure.

So...

"3,200 people."

"..."

"For reference, last month it was 2,500 people. The month before that also exceeded 3,000 people."

It's now November 1594.

In three months, our settlement's population has exceeded 20,000 people.

With the population suddenly jumping to almost double, the administrative system we had carefully built began to totter. Since they arrived during the busy grape harvest season, we haven't even been able to properly distribute land to them yet.

There isn't enough cleared land for thousands of people to farm yet. Projects like phosphate rock mine development and corn farming planned for next year or the year after have been tentatively canceled.

We're not short on food right away.

Potatoes always yield well, and we have plenty of wheat stored in warehouses instead of eating it. We have enough to live on for several years even without farming.

"For now, we're mobilizing all the horses to plow the fields. Though not extensive, we should be able to prepare enough land for about 3,000 people to farm."

"I understand, Mr. Hewet. Now I'm worried about what the remaining 5,000 people will do."

"..."

But we're short on land.

"Eleanor, Vicente, and Mr. White couldn't come today either?"

"Ah... yes. It seems they haven't finished organizing the lists yet. Even with mobilizing our tribe members..."

We're short on administrative capacity.

"We need to urgently procure timber. Right now, we need approximately 600 houses immediately..."

"We'll have to tell the natives to build their own huts for now, and gradually provide houses."

We're short on houses too.

The current meeting situation, with Walter Raleigh gone to England to sell grapes, and Vicente, Eleanor, and White all unable to attend, tells you everything. They're all too busy working to come here.

We're short on everything.

...This is going to drive me crazy.

==

Step.

"My God (Mon Dieu)! Remarkable no matter when I see it. Such vast land."

"Isn't it too much that the English and Spanish try to monopolize such land? I even heard a cure for the plague came from here, how could God bestow such a blessing on those English Protestant bastards..."

"Those English Protestant bastards supported our Majesty, did they not."

François Gravé Du Pont and his nephew Samuel de Champlain carefully looked around while passing through unfamiliar grasses of America.

Melons of mysterious appearance, over-ripened, have fallen to the ground and smashed, and passing wild animals and birds that were pecking at them run away sensing human presence.

"Strictly speaking, they don't monopolize it. Since there are savages."

"Hmm..."

"Be careful. The English said that among the savages here, many are simple and good-natured, but originally those cunning folks often have shameless lies on their lips.

Well, our explorers didn't say anything different."

Saying that, François gestures, and the rest of the expedition members step forward bravely, walking between shallow grass and rough trees.

And.

Swish!

An arrow flies and sticks near François's foot.

As everyone tenses up and raises their guns, François calms them down with an exaggerated gesture.

"Whoa, whoa... be careful. Didn't you see? Didn't an arrow just stick in a place far from my foot? It must be a warning. As long as we don't approach further..."

"#@$#%...!"

"#$#%$...!"

Soon, as an unknown language echoes through the forest, the atmosphere that François had barely calmed becomes tense again. As the brave men raise their arms, nearly naked warriors jump out from between the trees.

As they aim various weapons, François also reluctantly swallows and raises his gun.

Haah... if only they could communicate through language to resolve this situation.

If it's going to be a bad encounter from the start, the only option is to kill before being killed.

Having made that decision, François slightly places his hand on the trigger.

"...Wh...ere."

"...Huh?"

"Where... are... from?"

Someone mutters in a mumbling voice.

For a moment, thinking it might be one of his subordinates, he looked back, but they too were just staring blankly ahead. François, filled with joy, puts down his gun and says:

"France! I come from proud France! Have you learned English? Have the English come here?"

If English works, that's better. It means they've already experienced Europeans.

As François speaks in English, they whisper among themselves again, and then all nod their heads. Especially the man who just spoke English comes forward first.

"I, Massasoit. Here, chief."

"If you're a chief, then you're a king. Wherever we are, we Frenchmen show respect to the rightful monarch established by the Lord. Pleased to meet you."

"..."

"Then, where did you encounter the English? Could you perhaps tell me the location or time..."

"Wait."

Massasoit cuts off François's words and quietly commands something to the other men beside him with a jerk of his chin. The men then briefly disappear into the bushes and return with something.

It was...

"...Oh."

A crown.

A scepter.

Symbols of royalty shining in pure white. Is it made of silver?