Chapter 20

“…So many… jewels…”

John White, his eyes glistening, stroked a ruby crystal with a gloved hand. He held the blood-red gem up to the bright LED light, and it scattered a brilliant crimson flash in every direction.

“What do you think? With this, can we attract more investment for this settlement?”

To ask a question when you already know the answer. Some might call it deceptive, but how can I help it when the thrill is so immense?

John White, his neck craning, shook his head vigorously and said, “O-of, of course, Sir Nemo. This is more than enough to buy the livestock we spoke of, with plenty to spare.”

“Is that so? Then would it be possible to purchase dairy cows?”

“Why, of course! But it would be good to bring in horses and other useful livestock as well. Pack animals for farming, for instance…”

“Yes, but I would like to focus on bringing in dairy cows.”

“Hmm? Ah, if you say so. I will keep that in mind. ‘Focus on bringing in livestock, primarily dairy cows.’ …Yes, I have written it down.”

White set down his notebook and once again became engrossed in admiring the jewels, feeding my dark sense of pleasure.

In any case.

“Oh… good heavens. If only this settlement were connected to England… an enormous amount of wealth would pour in.”

Mr. Brown wiped away a tear, overjoyed.

“Then, if we solve just one more problem, this settlement will be perfect.”

“Well, that’s right.”

Wheat. To grow a long-term storable food source to add to the colony’s stability. And, to export the surplus wheat to add to the colony’s economic self-sufficiency.

When I presented White’s analysis to the others, they all agreed.

“Then, according to Sir Nemo’s words, we should offer gifts of friendship to the surrounding tribes on our way to the Chesapeake Bay.”

“Yes, Mr. Hewitt. That is why I intend to provide Mr. White with various goods.”

1. When I took out a whiteboard, Mr. Hewitt began to write on it with a dry-erase marker. Sentences in the English of Shakespeare’s time were scribbled down.
2. Send various luxury goods with John White to the Chesapeake Bay.
3. There, win the favor of the friendly tribes with those luxury goods and purchase the ownership of the land in the area.
4. Establish a new settlement and hold out until the time is right to plant and harvest wheat.
5. Send the harvested wheat to Croatoan, and when contact is made with England, export the wheat and other goods.

Receive more investment to bring in artisans and livestock and grow the colony.

“…That is the plan.”

“Ah, right! We must also search for the other survivors of our colony who headed for the Chesapeake Bay!”

The last addition was from Eleanor. At her words, Hewitt added ‘3-1. Find the missing English settlers.’ to the board. Everyone nodded in agreement… except for one person, who frowned.

“Find the survivors, you say? Hmph. That may prove difficult.”

“Uh… why is that, Mr. Gonzales?”

“It is not a particularly important fact, but did we not search the Chesapeake Bay in order to kill you all?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“At that time, the Chesapeake Bay was all but empty. It is possible they fled inland upon hearing rumors of our arrival…”

“Then, we must divide our roles,” Hewitt said, splitting the list for the native-English expedition to be led by John White in half. “One party will focus on establishing the settlement and cultivating wheat, while the other will search the area around the Chesapeake Bay. What do you think?”

“We will need an interpreter, so take some of our people with you, John White.”

No one raised any objections.

And… uh…

Shuffle.

Shuuuffle.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Everyone turned to look at me again, their mouths shut, focused, as if waiting for me to say something important.

Why do they always… look at me with such expectant eyes?

“…Mr. White.”

“Y-yes?”

“Congratulations.”

“…”

“Go to the place you were originally meant to go. Go, and obtain what is rightfully yours. I pray that you will be able to fulfill your duty.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

There. That was a decent enough blessing, right? Now let’s wrap this up and get out of here.

“Everyone, you have worked hard. A voyage awaits in a few days, so let us all rest early today.”

And with that, I left the meeting room.

“Sob, sniffle…!”

“Dad… don’t cry…!”

“Waaaaaaah…!”

…What? Did I do something wrong?

***

John White, age 51, December 10, 1590.

Lord of the Chesapeake Bay, acknowledged by the angel of the Lord.

His lifelong dream had just come true…!

White could not sleep a wink that night. But even without sleep, he was full of energy, his body feeling refreshed.

The next day, he selected volunteers to board the Nautilus. Though White was a governor who had already experienced a bitter failure, this time, no one distrusted him. For he was the Lord of the Chesapeake, acknowledged by God…!

Once the crew was assembled, the preparations proceeded at a breakneck pace. Countless treasures poured out of the ‘treasure trove,’ and from the walk-in cooler, even more grapes, packed in mysterious white boxes (the angel had called them ‘Styrofoam’), were loaded onto the ship.

And so, filled with new hope, John White set out to sea once more. This time, there was no psychopathic navigator to obstruct him. There was no patron to insult his failures, and no fear that he might have lost his entire family.

There was only one thing.

“…O, Lord Nemo, protect us.”

A true faith to believe in and follow.

And so, with a send-off from all, the ship slowly… departed for the Chesapeake Bay.

The voyage did not take long. After about two days, a familiar sight began to appear beyond the railings of the Nautilus. He stepped onto the familiar sandbars of the Chesapeake Bay once more. He planted the flag of England and the flag of Croatoan, emblazoned with a grapevine.

Just as everyone was offering a prayer to God and beginning to build the first tents and huts…

“…Huh? There’s a ship coming.”

“Wh-what? What ship? Is it the Spanish?”

“No! It’s an English flag! It must be a ship that has come to help us! Hahaha!”

…Strange. Was he not the last one to have sent a relief expedition? Besides, Sir Raleigh was in dire straits for some time; there was no reason for him to send a fleet all the way here just to rescue one man. Then why…? It would be madness to send a ship all the way here…?

“…Everyone, grab your muskets and assemble. Whatever the identity of that ship, we must be armed before we investigate.”

At his words, the natives and the English all raised their guns. As the dozens of men stood tensed, a not-so-large, fast-moving ship sailed boldly into the Chesapeake Bay.

And then.

“…There, people! It’s people!”

“They’re English!”

With a shout from the ship, a rope ladder was lowered, and dozens of men splashed through the seawater, walking toward White. Among them was a familiar face.

“…Huh?”

“John White! I knew you’d be alive! I believed in you, damn it! In your success! I! Never! For a single moment! Doubted you!”

“Calm yourself, my lord Raleigh! Everyone is watching!”

“Yes! Is everyone watching? Does the Virginia colony still look like a failure? I said, does it look like a failure!”

Ah… that madman is here.

“John! My old friend!”

“…Uh, uh, Lord Raleigh?”

Sir Walter Raleigh, reeking of the sea, ran toward White with the expression of a man on the verge of bankruptcy who has just discovered 150 bitcoins he had bought for fun on a forgotten hard drive.

…In truth, it was only natural that he looked like a madman. Walter Raleigh had been on the verge of a Thames River bungee show.

-“I am certain they are all safe! If they have survived, with our support, they can surely turn this strange continent into the Lord’s land…”

-“…You’re actually terrified, aren’t you?”

-“Very much so.”

-“Do you think they are all alive? What do you estimate the probability to be?”

-“Less than ten percent.”

He was facing a ninety percent chance of bankruptcy.

-“The weather is too poor. If we head for the Chesapeake Bay like this, the mast may break!”

On top of that, there was the foul weather. The rough waves of this region threatened to constantly batter the ship Sir Raleigh had painstakingly prepared. If they were to drift, it would be the end for all of them.

-“I… I will pay for all the ship repairs. I can pay for everything. Hmm?”

-“…”

-“Just head north one time. Please… please, just once…!”

-“…”

-“You all need to get paid, don’t you! If we go on like this, I can’t pay you a single penny! Not a penny!”

But he had stubbornly insisted, ignoring the captains’ opinions. Watching the half-mad Sir Raleigh run around the deck, reciting prayers, they had thought it was all over.

And at this very moment.

“Ah, ahh! Aaaaaah! White! I believed in you!”

Walter Raleigh was happy. John White was alive. Whatever the circumstances, an English flag was flying over there, and a few huts had been built. It was a paltry sight for a colony, but he could be satisfied with the mere fact that they were alive. Raleigh, like a man half-mad, slapped White on the shoulder.

“Did I not tell you? That you have a talent for exploring!”

“…”

Meanwhile.

“You are a genius!”

-‘You are an imbecile!’

In John White’s mind, the verbal abuse he had received from Raleigh last time naturally overlapped with his current voice.

“I never doubted that you would conquer the Chesapeake Bay!”

-‘You son of a bitch! You are a son of a bitch! My money! Where is my money, you swindler!’

“I believed in you, damn it!”

-‘Get out!’

“…”

“…White?”

“…”

“…We have had some minor disagreements and misunderstandings between us. May I take this opportunity to offer you my apology? And upon your generosity, we can build a new friendship…”

“…”

Thump.

“I am on the verge of bankruptcy.”

“…Pardon?”

“I… uh… I am finished without you. Please, tell me this colony has succeeded. Hmm? Even if it’s just words…”

“…”

“…”

“It has succeeded.”

“Hah… Thank God, I’m saved! By the way, where are your daughter and granddaughter? The other settlers? What is that ship? Is that hut your house?”

“This is still under construction.”

“What?”

“The others are on a nearby island.”

“Another island, not Roanoke? Why?”

“…There were circumstances, and it seems my daughter evacuated the people there. We have regrouped there and have come here to establish a new colony.”

“Is that so? Is that so. Then, can I go and meet the people there?”

At that, White shook his head firmly.

“No?”

“The resistance from the inhabitants would be too strong. There are many reclusive natives.”

“I… see.”

“Yes, thanks to our local collaborators, we have built a rather decent settlement. It would be difficult to let in ‘outsiders’ rashly. That place is not a colony, but… uh, an independent kingdom of the local people.”

“I understand.”

Sir Raleigh was no fool. He could roughly tell that John White was displeased with him. And seeing the state of this place, it seemed the colonial enterprise had only just begun.

However…

“…In any case, is there anything you need for your enterprise?”

…none of that mattered. A business he thought was bankrupt had been revived.

“I will give you everything I can.”

Whether it would actually lead to profit was not important. As long as there was ‘potential,’ the moneylenders of the Steelyard would open their wallets, and if he could secure funding, he could survive somehow.

“Do you need funds? I will give you as much as you want!”

“…We do not need funds at the moment. The natives of this region do not trade in sovereign gold coins[1], after all.”

“Then what do you want? More people? Right. You must be short on manpower. Once news of your success spreads, those who wish to come here will flood in…”

“We do not need a flood of people. A noble ‘collaborator’ is looking after us.”

“Do you need a linguist? What about Thomas Harriot, here?”

“…And my consent?”

“It is fine even if Thomas does not follow. We have a noble collaborator who is fluent in English.”

“Who? Manteo?”

“No. Someone else.”

“Is that so? In any case, what you need is…”

“Two hundred dairy cows. With breeding bulls included, of course. And about one hundred pack horses.”

“…”

“We also need various artisans and technicians. Blacksmiths, bricklayers, masons, carpenters, brewers, tanners, jewelers, and so on. We’ll need dozens.”

“…”

It was an absurd demand. Not only would it cost an enormous amount of money, but the population of Croatoan was just over 300. Unless each person was to raise one horse and one cow, that number was ridiculous. And why would artisans come all the way to this distant America? If one wanted to colonize, there was the closer and safer Ireland. The very reason he had specifically recruited devout Puritans was that no one else would be willing to come to America.

Therefore, Sir Walter Raleigh would refuse this demand. Then, based on this high initial offer, he could slowly, slowly raise the stakes. It was a rational and reasonable judgment. There was no reason for anyone but a madman to choose a different path here.

“Done.”

“Very well. If two hundred dairy cows is not enough… pardon?”

“Done! I’ll give you everything! I’ll sell my entire fortune to get you what you ask for!”

But Sir Raleigh was, indeed, a madman.

“All you have to do is survive and make this colony a success! If so, whether it’s two hundred dairy cows or two thousand, I’ll sell my very soul to provide…”

“You cannot.”

“What is it, Thomas?”

“The moneylenders will not invest.”

“…”

“…”

“Sigh… damned moneylenders.”

“They will surely demand proof that Mr. White’s colony is profitable. Or at least proof that the settlement has succeeded…”

“…W-wait a moment, Thomas.”

“What is it, Mr. White?”

“Lord Raleigh, can you really give me 300 horses and cattle, and the artisans?”

“I stake my honor on it.”

“…”

“I’ll stake my soul as well.”

“Very well. In that case… uh… please wait a moment.”

What did Sir Nemo say to do if I made contact with the English?

-“Be as non-hostile as possible. Minimize the exposure of my existence, and if there is anything you can give, give it.”

-“B-but, it is all Sir Nemo’s property! How could I…!”

-“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. Not being hostile to England is for my own safety as well.”

In that case…!

White rushed back to the Nautilus. A moment later.

CLUNK!

CLATTER!

THUD!

Several crates began to be piled up in front of Sir Raleigh.

“H-here it is. The proof that we have succeeded. The proof that we are profitable!”

“…”

“…”

Walter Raleigh, unconsciously swallowing, opened the boxes.

And in the next moment, his legs gave out from under him, and he collapsed on the spot.

***

“I hear Mr. White has made contact with the English.”

“Really? Then…”

“He gave away about half the goods we were going to share with the friendly tribes, but it doesn’t matter. It was only about ten percent of the warehouse anyway. We can just give Mr. White more.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“What is important is what we were promised in return.”

Honestly, I was surprised too. Very surprised.

“…Three hundred horses and cattle, and he’s sending technicians?”

“Isn’t he just saying that?”

“Impossible. Did you not hear that Sir Walter Raleigh was overjoyed when he heard the Chesapeake colony had succeeded?” Manteo retorted to Mr. Hewitt.

Indeed… there’s no reason for him to risk his life crossing the Atlantic just to make an empty promise.

“That’s right. According to Mr. White, Sir Raleigh needs to show his investors that the colony is a success, so he will provide support.”

“…?”

“…?”

“…?”

“…Why are you all looking at me like that?”

What is it? Why does everyone have a question mark floating above their head?

In my confusion, Eleanor cautiously raised her hand and spoke.

“The Chesapeake Bay… why is it Sir Raleigh’s colony?”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s Sir Nemo’s colony, isn’t it…? If Sir Raleigh provides support later, he might be able to claim a stake, but fundamentally, isn’t it a place that Sir Nemo founded?”

Uh… is… is that how it works?

I just assumed it was an English colony. If not, what’s the plan for later?

As I was thinking this, I heard Eleanor’s shout.

“Let’s just tell the English government later! That this is the holy land of the Lord, an independent territory!”

“That’s right! Can the King of England collect taxes from the Lord?”

“And I am a Spaniard! You can’t even call it an English colony!”

“…Just a moment.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

They quieted down instantly.

Guys, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

If it were me… I don’t think I’d just leave alone a land flowing with milk, honey, and aluminum, with enormous potential. And it’s not just England; Spain is right next door. Do you think they’ll just leave this place be?

…How could I summarize that in a few words?

“The Lord… would not wish for us to shed blood.”

“…Ah.”

“…”

“…”

“Let’s think about this problem later.”

Only then did the assembly quiet down. I leaned back in my chair and became lost in thought.

Later, later. I keep putting it off… but it’s a problem that will have to be faced someday. I know that. And I feel it. The time to provide an answer to that problem is drawing near.

***

“…Have you heard, my friend?”

“Heard what?”

“What John White demanded of me!”

“He demanded 300 horses and cattle, and artisans.”

There were many men in the queen’s bed. From the former Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley, who had died a few years ago, to the Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, and so on. They had tempted the queen with countless love poems, gifts, bouquets, and sweet nothings, and through her, they had tried to get closer to the heart of wealth and power.

Walter Raleigh was the most humble of them. The youngest son of a fallen gentry family, he was different from his rivals, who had been promised grand manors and titles from birth. But Walter Raleigh had surpassed them all. To become the queen’s most beloved lover, he had honed his keen senses.

“…Tell me in more detail. What kind of artisans did he demand?”

“Masons… blacksmiths… bricklayers… uh?”

“Jewelers, and brewers.”

Raleigh’s eyes were shining brighter than ever.

“So many jewels that they need a jeweler? So much grain and fruit that they need a separate brewer? Ha, haha… whoever that noble local collaborator is, he must be some kind of Indian emperor. A very wealthy man must have taken a liking to White.”

White’s colony hadn’t just ‘succeeded.’ It was a ‘great success.’

“Now, I will present to Her Majesty the things that came in that white box, that stylo-foam or whatever it’s called. And when I present the rest of the precious jewels and furs, what will she think of me?”

What goes around comes around. His great lover was never stingy with her rewards.

“A toast to John White. For his great success.”

“…A toast.”

Sir Raleigh wanted to tell her about the new colony at once. He had to go faster, faster. No matter how dangerous, he could not miss the opportunity to make a dramatic entrance before her.

“Hey! I don’t care if the ship gets damaged, pick up the speed! We cannot waste a single moment! We must be in London before the Christmas feast is over!”

What will she say when she sees those beautiful grapes?