How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 77: Warships on the Horizon (2)

"...They're fighting incredibly close by!"

Eleanor was right. Close enough that the Spanish fleet could land right here after the battle ended.

"Hewett? Manteo? Tell everyone to gather at the coastal battery. Tell them to bring whatever guns and gunpowder they have."

"Understood!"

"Vicente? Is there any way you could intervene with the Nautilus and accomplish anything—"

KABOOM!

A sudden explosion swallowed my words.

"Kyaaah!"

And made Eleanor scream.

Looking toward the sea, a Spanish warship was sinking in pieces. It seemed to have been hit by a shell in the gunpowder storage, causing an explosion.

In an instant, flames and ship debris surged over the water surface, and with that, the tide of battle reversed.

While the Spanish ships nearby were thrown into confusion as fire spread from the friendly vessel, English warships were each moving to advantageous positions.

Massive ships circled around each other, scattering shells and ropes, or dropping troops onto enemy ships to attempt close combat.

The Spanish warships, which had been in the position of pursuers until just moments ago, now broke their formation and were being ensnared one by one by English ropes.

Spanish vessels that were hurriedly approaching the shore saw our coastal battery, immediately raised white flags, and returned toward the English ships.

The Spanish fleet was disintegrating one by one.

"Wooooah! We won!"

"We won!"

The English who were standing here cheered, and Vicente, despite being of Spanish origin, also clapped happily.

Just as everything seemed to be ending and people were about to return inland...

"...Huh?"

"What are you doing, Mr. Hewett? We should start heading back..."

"No. Something seems strange."

"What do you mean?"

"The ships seem to be getting closer."

"What? What are you saying—oh."

When I turned around, the English ships were slowly approaching us.

W-what? Why are they coming here?

As I looked around at others in confusion, Vicente calmly said:

"The battle just ended, didn't it? And right here there's an English ally where they can resupply."

Ah.

Soon, small boats were lowered from the ships, and sailors began landing on the shore with rough, hoarse songs. They seemed quite excited, firing muskets wildly into the sky.

"Long live Her Majesty the Queen!"

"Death to the Spanish!"

As the cheering people gradually backed away in fear, I too tried to step back just in case. Then Hewett grabbed me.

"Don't worry too much. As Lord Raleigh mentioned, doesn't everyone hear Nemo's voice in the language they're most fluent in, as if it were their mother tongue? It would be difficult for them to be so proficient in more than one language."

"..."

"And since they'll come to the village for supplies anyway, it's better to meet them here than awkwardly there."

"...Alright."

Oh, what should I do? My farm? Should I hide it? No, is there a need to hide it?

While I was pondering these things...

"...Ah! Gentlemen! Fucking hell, we won!"

"Woooooah!"

"We won!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In the middle of the men who had disembarked from the boats, I could see one man shouting vigorously. If he weren't on our side, he would have given the impression of a complete madman at first glance.

"Who is... that man?"

"That man is Sir Francis Drake—"

"Hey! You there, Vicente! And hello to the rest of you!"

...Oh.

Francis Drake.

The pirate captain and English naval commander appointed by Queen Elizabeth.

It seemed true that they had met several times before; Drake approached Vicente with a friendly greeting, and Vicente likewise grabbed his outstretched hand and said:

"Sir Drake! It's been a while! What brings you here..."

"Well, I was passing by and thought of this place. No, I was passing by and saw those fellows with lots of money, so I asked them to share a bit, but they chased after me like madmen? I came here to rest along the way.

And to see the Saint! To see aluminum! To see the Native Emperor!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Ah! Is this the Saint of London? Pleased to meet you, I am Sir Drake."

"I-I'm Eleanor Dare."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Hewett."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Then, who is this?"

"...That."

"I think I know."

Drake suddenly begins to bow even though I haven't said anything yet.

"I pay my respects to the Great Emperor of the natives in this area."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Excuse me, Sir Drake. Did you know how to speak Spanish or Latin?"

"A little. Just enough for survival, trade, and formalities."

"...Nice to meet you, I'm Nemo."

Reassured by Drake's answer, I quickly spoke up, and when Drake heard my response, his eyes widened momentarily, and then...

"Hello! I am Francis Drake! The Queen's pirate!"

He responded as if nothing was unusual.

...Indeed, it seems he can't be fluent in more than one language. The catalog said he came from a middle-class background.

Drake shook my hand vigorously with a hearty laugh and then asked me directly:

"Do you happen to have any spare water and food?"

"...We do."

"How much could you provide?"

"We can give you as much as you need."

At my words, Drake's face brightened rapidly, and he shook my arm vigorously, saying:

"Very good, Your Majesty! Very good! Thank you!"

"I-I see. Then..."

"Now, let's prepare to leave. Vicente? I'll make sure to kidnap your family properly when we stop by the Florida colony. The rest of you, farewell."

"...You're leaving already?"

"What? Haven't I seen everything there is to see in this settlement? I've seen the Saint, the Emperor, water and food, so I must return!"

"..."

"I am a man of the sea, you see! Besides, I have assets 'borrowed' from the Spanish piled up now, so I must return to England before others extort them!"

...Is he insane?

Well, he's a man who funds a year of the national budget by pirating from the strongest country of the time. It would be stranger if he weren't a madman.

"..."

"Ah, there's one more thing I should tell you."

"...What is it?"

R𝑒ad lat𝒆st chapt𝒆rs at free𝑤ebnovel.com Only.

"The Spanish are growing their Florida colony down there. They seem to feel threatened by the Virginia colony. So be careful, as there might be trouble from the south."

"I understand—"

"Oh my! I forgot yet another thing! Wait a moment!"

"..."

Drake rushed out hastily and soon shouted something toward his fleet, which was docking one by one at the shore.

Boats were lowered from each ship, and people came ashore in various places. As the area became noisy, I too approached closer, wondering what was happening...

"Everyone, gather around!"

At someone's shout, naked men and women slowly moved their bodies. Watching them, Drake said:

"I accidentally took them on while plundering several Spanish ships. There's no one to buy them if I take them to England, and I might even be criticized, so I was worried, but fortunately, a buyer has appeared!"

"..."

Those people were...

"You probably need a lot of labor, how about it?"

"Um... they are..."

"Yes, that's right. They're all slaves."

They were all Black people in chains.