How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 80: The Convert (1)

"Beautiful. Perfect weather for setting off to Africa!"

Walter Raleigh, who had returned before we knew it, said while stroking the hull of the newly completed Voyager. In response, Vicente González, who had been selected as the captain of the Voyager, smiled and said:

"The Voyager is a bit larger and sturdier than the Enterprise. Perhaps because the craftsmen have become accustomed to building this type of ship, it's superior in every aspect."

"Still, somehow I prefer the Enterprise over the Voyager. Don't you like the name better? Enterprise!

America! The final frontier! Our mission is to explore new worlds, discover new life and civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before. Doesn't the name Enterprise fit perfectly with that?

But the name Voyager lacks... power."

"But the Voyager can carry more cargo and more cannons, can't it?"

"That's different. It's a matter of... feeling. It somehow feels like it will be stranded somewhere, wander around, as if the name is covered with ominousness."

"...Please don't say such things about someone else's ship."

"Half joking."

The two were soon to cross the Atlantic to Africa with the slaves Nemo had purchased from Drake.

The estimated time was about 3 months.

A time shortened thanks to the clipper ship's miraculous sailing speed.

They watched as the Africans, who had fully regained their health, boarded the ship one by one, and said:

"...By the way, 'He' seems to be against slavery."

Although Raleigh only said 'He,' Vicente could easily understand. There was only one person in this settlement whom people referred to as 'He' without any context.

"That's right. When He unhesitatingly purchased the slaves from Sir Drake, I thought He was being practical, but I didn't expect Him to free all of them..."

The first thing He did after purchasing the slaves was to talk with the newly freed slaves.

He asked them where their homeland was, if they wanted to return, and if they could return.

Based on their answers, He divided the freed Africans into several categories.

Those who would newly settle in Virginia.

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And those who would return to their homeland.

Not a single person remained a slave.

Raleigh, having returned and heard the news, carefully phrased a question he had been holding:

"You've also traded slaves before, haven't you?"

"Me? Of course. I bought commodities like slaves and ivory from various African tribes and sold them to Spanish colonies. I had a few in my colony too. Haven't you done the same, Baron?"

"Me? I led a privateering fleet. Of course I have."

"..."

"...If He abhors employing slaves, then the Lord must feel the same."

"..."

"I fear how we must appear in the eyes of the Lord, and in His eyes."

"Who among us is not a sinner in His eyes? Can't we atone for the rest of our lives?"

"..."

"Doesn't everyone have a second chance as long as they're alive?"

The atmosphere had suddenly become somber, and serious conversation was exchanged.

The two quietly recited the Lord's Prayer, made the sign of the cross, and disembarked from the ship to make a final check if the voyage preparations were complete...

"Virginia! I have arrived!"

"..."

"..."

...in the midst of which they turned around to see a fleet docking at the coast of Chesapeake. The man with a gallant impression rowing a boat toward them was a very familiar face to both of them.

"...Sir Drake?"

"Ah, Baron Raleigh! It's been a while! Quite some time since we've met!"

"..."

"You there! Vicente? You're right there too! Come help me!"

"Ah, you've come to transport new slaves—"

"Tsk!"

"...What? If not slaves, then..."

"Ssssst!"

"...?"

Vicente turned to Raleigh in confusion as Drake suddenly became enraged at his words. But Raleigh was equally puzzled.

Drake approached Vicente, seething, and spoke with 'sincerity':

"Slaves? Do you become a slave when captured by the hands of vicious pirates and slave traders in Africa? Would the Lord watch such evil deeds and do nothing?"

"...What?"

The words 'But you are that vicious pirate and slave trader' rose to their throats, but Vicente barely swallowed them.

"Call them 'liberated freemen from Africa' instead."

"...Understood."

"Sir Drake, I see your piracy this time had a good harv—"

"Baron Raleigh! You too! Piracy? Piracy is taking what belongs to others. But I have only moved according to the holy cause of restoring freedom to those who have had it stolen. I have accomplished a great mission."

Raleigh sensed something strange and glanced back.

Then he saw Nemo watching them from a distance. He appeared as tiny as a dot, and it was unclear how Drake had noticed.

"...I see your 'great mission' had a good harvest?"

As soon as he corrected his expression according to Drake's opinion, Drake's seemingly enraged expression instantly softened.

"Oh, of course. The newly liberated slaves alone number over 300. And I also 'reclaimed' evil property extorted by the Spanish from slaves and Indians."

Why is Drake receiving what was extorted from slaves and Indians?

Like Vicente, various questions arose in Raleigh's mind, but he barely suppressed them. Looking back again, he saw that He had already come to their side.

"Sir Drake, you've come. The wound on your cheek..."

"Ah, Your Majesty! While waging war against the wicked Spanish, I couldn't contain my indignation and stepped forward, getting slightly cut by a sword... But it's fine. What would such a small scar matter to this Drake?"

"That's... fortunate."

"Indeed. Had I fallen and died there, who would have saved the hundreds, thousands of Africans suffering under Spanish rule in America? The Lord clearly saved me from death."

"..."

'He's definitely confused.'

'He's confused.'

Raleigh and Vicente could easily sense the bewilderment on Nemo's face. After seeming to ponder for a moment... Nemo finally couldn't hold back and opened his mouth:

"Um... hasn't Sir Drake also engaged in slave trading? You've even directly captured slaves in alliance with local African tribes."

At that moment, Raleigh and Vicente felt as if their insides had been cleared out.

That was it! That's what they wanted to say, their mouths had been itching to say it!

They had just been talking about whether they were sinners or not, and then this villain of a different caliber comes along and speaks so boldly, it was nauseating!