How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 78: Aluminum for Souls (1)

Slave trade.

According to what I saw in the "Immortal Order" catalog, the slave trade in this 16th century era was a field dominated by Spain and Portugal.

That was the natural result. They were the only ones with colonies where slaves could be brought to work.

While England, France, the Netherlands, and others would begin expanding overseas in earnest after the 17th century, right now the only colonial empires were those two.

The Spanish and Portuguese used numerous slaves to extract profits from their rapidly expanding new territories.

However, the native population declined rapidly due to smallpox and other epidemics, and later, when the enslavement of natives was prohibited altogether, they turned to slaves from elsewhere who were relatively stronger against diseases and whose supply sources were relatively closer.

These were the slaves from West Africa.

When various kingdoms or tribes invaded and abducted others, the American colonies would purchase those slaves.

And when they transported gold, silver, and various cash crops produced by slave labor back to their homeland, they would use those luxury goods to pay the African "dealers" and "slave producers" to buy more slaves.

This is the infamous "Atlantic Triangular Trade."

And Drake raided ships and colonies engaged in this trade.

He killed people indiscriminately, burned houses and fences, and thoroughly swept away all remaining treasures and property.

"But, well... think about it. Where would we use slaves we capture?"

The Black slaves were what he had acquired in the process.

"...I heard you have previous experience as a slave trader."

"Yes, that's true. But wasn't that before the war with Spain? What should I do with these slaves?

Would I keep them? People who have no particular use, just to feed, house, and clothe them for the sole reason of wanting to look important—wouldn't that be spending more than I earn?

Then do I sell them? Where? English people would refuse to buy slaves for exactly the same reason as me, and what's left are the Spanish..."

You stole them from the Spanish, though.

Moreover, since we're at war, he can't sell them back.

"I'm not running a charity, so I can't take them back to their homes in West Africa and free them, can I? I'd go bankrupt."

In truth, it didn't seem likely that such a conscientious person would choose to make a living as a pirate.

Someone who had just been happily massacring Spaniards and then suddenly says, "Ah! These are slaves! I must liberate them!" would be less kind and more like someone who was broken somewhere.

"But! Like this! Who would have thought an English ally and colony would appear so close to my 'business area'!"

...Did he just call the sea where he pirates his business area?

"Anyway, isn't it fortunate? If Your Majesty would purchase them, though I don't know how many..."

Suppressing a sigh, I said:

"All of them."

"Uh... pardon?"

"I will purchase all of them."

"..."

Drake seemed momentarily stunned, his mouth open and eyes blinking... then his face brightened as he said:

"Ah, hahaha! I guess you needed even more labor than I thought! Impressive! However, the price is quite steep..."

"Would it be acceptable to pay it all in aluminum?"

"..."

"Sir Drake?"

Drake, who had momentarily stiffened, now showed a broad smile and said:

"Of course! Boys! We hit the jackpot! Quickly connect the slaves' shackles and..."

"Remove the shackles."

"Uh... what? What if they run away?"

"..."

When I said nothing, Francis Drake began to observe my reaction.

And when he realized that I noticed him watching my reaction, he began to observe the reactions of those around us.

Then Drake closed his eyes for a moment as if thinking.

"...Aha."

He opened his eyes again and gave me a subtle smile.

"...I, Francis Drake, have honestly not lived my entire life according to the Lord's words, but I roughly understand Your Majesty's intention.

Your Majesty is a true Christian. I too have actually always felt a deep loathing for the institution of slavery, so..."

I haven't said anything yet. And weren't you a slave trader?

That said, your ability to read the room is freakishly good.

"...I feel great! I'll hand them over for half the price I originally intended to charge! How could I sit and calculate profit when doing the right thing! Hahahaha!"

...Wow, I almost thanked him without realizing it.

It seemed odd coming from someone who just said he had no place to sell them and was troubled, but it was so natural that I almost fell for it.

Well, it doesn't matter anyway.

"Y-you're giving me this much? I clearly said I would only take half..."

"Why are you so surprised? You're doing a good deed, so I should help."

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

It's just aluminum foil and clips pressed together, and he'll be overjoyed when I give it to him.

Drake now bows to me with his mouth stretched in a grin.

"Your Majesty! May you have longevity and good health! I hope the friendship between England and Your Majesty lasts forever! Now then..."

"Wait."

"...Yes?"

"What are you going to do now?"

"Umm... well, originally I was planning to return to England. Having successfully completed piracy... no, I mean the redistribution of resources, now I should return to my homeland to enjoy that joy with Her Majesty the Queen, shouldn't I?"

"And after that?"

"Hmm? Don't you know? I am a pirate."

Drake claps his hands once and tells me with gleaming eyes:

"Piracy begins again. Hehehe, I love doing this."

Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal.

He's already proudly declaring he'll break two of the Ten Commandments, yet just a few seconds ago he was talking about being a Christian.

"Then... as you pirate, remember one thing."

"Ah, of course. As long as it doesn't conflict with my oath of loyalty to my sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, I will fulfill any request."

"It's not a request. Rather, it's a proposal that will benefit you."

"What is it, Your Majesty? My interest is piqued."

"..."

Can I trust this person? His impression is perfectly optimized for fraud and extortion.

...Ah. No, wait. He's already leading an armed robbery gang roaming around everywhere. What could be more ridiculous than asking if such a person can be trusted?

This... is the Queen's favorite?

What kind of country is England, anyway?

In any case.

Now that I've confirmed slaves are being captured, there's something I must do as a matter of principle.

"...In the future, when you raid the Spanish."

"When I 'battle' with the Spanish."

"...When you battle with them and discover detained slaves, bring them here. I will compensate you as I did this time."

At my words, Drake's eyes widened again.

After seeming to ponder for a moment... he nodded vigorously and said:

"Of course, Emperor. For you, and for the cause of our Lord who abhors slavery, I will do so."

Our Lord probably abhors piracy too.

...Not that it's any of my business.

==

Francis Drake.

He is known as a fine friend and colleague of John Hawkins, England's first slave trader.

Following his cousin John Hawkins, he began in his early twenties traveling between the West Indies and West Africa, either capturing slaves directly or capturing Portuguese ships that had captured slaves.

His successful career thus begun continued onward, and after 1569, he became Queen Elizabeth's reliable money bag, enjoying tremendous honor.

This is what sets him apart from other pirate rabble.

With his innate gangster disposition, he knew whose "territory" he was in. His nose sensitively smelled power, and he knew who was the most absolute "big boss" in this area.

So instead of reveling in the enormous profits equivalent to several years of the national budget, he offered most of it to the Queen.

He had a good sense of awareness.

A remarkable survival instinct always flickered in his eyes and ears.

This is a proposal from an important ally who dramatically improved England's trade balance.

A major customer who fills the English royal treasury with luxury goods and buys all sorts of luxuries and necessities from England, such as sugar, spices, and woolen fabrics.

He offered a deal in exchange for freeing slaves.

Moreover...

He knew well what his relative and prominent slave trader Sir John Hawkins had done to meet his demise recently.

He went to the "Saint's" clinic, caused trouble demanding medicine, and died from divine punishment.

He probably died from some poison, but since people generally spread such rumors, it was easier to accept that as the truth.

In other words.

The time for "cutting ties" had come.

'How long has it been since I directly engaged in the slave trade?'

Not like this time, where slaves came along as a side branch during battle with Spain, but the work of directly purchasing and exporting slaves—it had been over 10, no, over 20 years.

John Hawkins, who worked in the slave trade and even put a shackled Moorish slave on his family crest, died from divine punishment.

And.

A sponsor who would pay money for freeing slaves appeared.

'...What is this? A spirit of the sea?'