How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 70: Growing Pains (6)
"What more is there to see? Native slaves in chains?"
"No! Have you ever seen potatoes like these, Captain? They're much tastier than those known in Europe, and the tubers are larger! And the chickens are so fat and big..."
Samuel spoke excitedly.
"The agricultural technology of these savages, I mean natives, seems to have developed amazingly! Their tool called a 'homi' and everything else is remarkable!"
"..."
François, holding his head at Samuel's foolish remarks, said:
"My boy."
"Yes, Captain. What do you think about these amazing things..."
"Think about it."
It's a question even a child could answer.
"Why would tribes with advanced agricultural technology not farm but wander around relying on hunting and gathering?"
"...Pardon?"
"If their agricultural technology is so great, why can't they settle somewhere instead of continuing their nomadic lifestyle?"
"Well, that's..."
"Yes. Their chickens might be larger and potatoes tastier. But there might be issues like poor yields."
"But the food seems too abundant for that!"
"They probably imported it from England. Are you saying only the potatoes here in America are delicious, and only the chickens here are big and fat? Were chickens even native to the New World in the first place?
It would be more realistic to say they fell from the sky."
"..."
After perfectly refuting his foolish nephew's opinion, François rose again.
"The savages here are just savages. Pitiful savages exploited by England at that. Now, let's prepare to leave..."
"But what about the emperor's authority? All the people here seemed to hold great reverence for the emperor!"
"..."
"Everyone was saying they owe their livelihood to the 'Great Chief.' If the emperor has secured this level of authority and loyalty, it implies there's an organized government..."
"You're saying the emperor has such great authority? The chiefs here can fall from power at the slightest issue."
"Huh?"
"And isn't saying they owe their livelihood to the emperor a kind of primitive religious notion? Even ignorant peasants believe in the king's healing touch."
"..."
"Think about it, my boy. They owe their livelihood to the emperor?
Unless the emperor descended from heaven and threw down potatoes and whatnot, how does that make sense? Unless the emperor personally plows hundreds of acres of land, how does that make sense?"
It's all ridiculous superstition.
"Above all, if they were so civilized, they wouldn't have been so helplessly dominated by the English..."
"They don't seem to be dominated as such. And if their agricultural technology isn't advanced, how do you explain those sweet grapes?"
"They were naturally sweet."
"If they're being unilaterally and helplessly exploited, why are they giving gifts and pledging allegiance?"
"The English must have threatened them with force, or enticed them with food during the famine. There's a drought, isn't there?
If not that, then perhaps food is so abundant that they're just giving gifts to neighbors. But how could food be abundant in a newly established colony?"
"..."
"..."
It seemed there would be no end to this argument.
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As they glared at each other and continued their debate... they realized the other two people weren't with them and looked around.
The other two were pressed against the window of the lodging, looking outside.
"What are you two doing?"
"Hm? Watching the native emperor."
"...What?"
The emperor.
A being they had never been properly shown.
"How do you know what you're seeing is the emperor?"
"It's obvious when you see him! Would you like to look?"
As soon as they heard those words, François and Samuel rushed to the window to watch the crowd visible as dots in the distance.
A group of mixed English and local savages surrounded one man.
And that man... was easily noticeable because he was a head taller than everyone else.
Everyone was kneeling before him or carefully bowing their heads.
Even the English.
Among them, Baron Raleigh was assisting him like a courtier.
"..."
"..."
The two men fell silent.
"Ah, ah! You shouldn't be looking outside right now!"
Soon, the English who were monitoring them approached from outside and closed the window.
But the scene they had just witnessed was unforgettable.
Even though they saw it from a great distance... they could sense that the gaze of people looking at him was extraordinary.
"Captain? I, I think I need to revise what I said earlier. What we just saw wasn't reverence but rather..."
"...'Love'."
He was loved.
François and Samuel quickly pulled out notebooks and pens from their pockets and began scribbling various notes.
It was a report they would write for His Majesty the King.
The day after writing that report, they left the English colony.
It was the most bizarre experience of their lives.
==
'To the Great King who rules the great France with God's blessing.
I hereby declare that there shall be not a single falsehood in what I am about to report, and that all of this content is not information heard from others, but what I have directly seen and heard.
...
...
...
Reviewing the above, the English colony seems to be operated in a completely different way from their propaganda, clearly in an inhumane and immoral manner.
Also, the reality of their colony and the so-called 'Native Empire' was very shabby and not worth paying attention to.
...
...
...
However.
If there is one thing that deserves careful observation, it is the identity of that 'Native Emperor' the English presented.
The loyalty and respect of the residents (including even the English) toward him seemed deeper than any love I know that a good monarch receives from his people. Also, their faith in him appeared like that of a devout Christian serving his savior.
From this, I infer that the identity of the so-called 'Emperor' is likely the spiritual pillar of the natives, or a symbolic monarch.
While he may not have substantive ruling power, it was clear that his presence and leadership were strongly captivating the natives and the English settlers.
Considering these factors, if France were to establish colonies there, evangelize the natives, and obtain American resources, Your Majesty's greatness would be further enhanced.
Your faithful servant, François Gravé.'
