How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 81: The Convert (2)

They soon exchanged glances and smiled, imagining Drake stammering and apologizing. The two were roughly experiencing the "catharsis" sensation that would exist hundreds of years later.

However.

"Ah... you speak of my shameful and ugly past."

"No, I wasn't trying to point it out. I was just concerned..."

"Aren't you referring to the time when I was ugly, dirty, unscrupulous, and obsessed with the wealth and pleasure that slaughter provides?"

"...What?"

They had underestimated Drake too much.

Drake suddenly bowed his head deeply. And just as actors in the 21st century often do on variety shows, he suddenly dropped a tear.

"I... will go to hell. A sinner like me deserves to die!"

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"Ah, no, that's not what I..."

"Your Majesty, no. No matter how hard I try to do good deeds, it's as useless as mixing honey with poison. I know too. Since the Lord sees everything, I too will someday pay for this sin..."

"D-don't say that. Sin is a matter for later, but for now, aren't you doing righteous deeds?"

"...Now that I hear it, indeed. Since I've brought 353 Africans, I'll only take about 2 kilograms of aluminum."

"..."

"..."

"..."

In that moment, Raleigh and Vicente looked at each other and came to an agreement on one conclusion.

How great a sinner they themselves were... they honestly didn't know.

But the man before them was simply a lump of sin.

==

...What a transparent human.

I gave Drake a few kilograms of aluminum and saw him off. Looking at that innocent smile, he seems like a child, but... uh... what kind of child commits murder and arson as if it's nothing?

Anyway, a person whose trustworthiness had decreased to -255 coming out like this caused an underflow, instead raising his trustworthiness.

To 0.

If they can't be a believer with conviction and strength on my side, maybe it's better to have someone who transparently flies around following money and status like this.

In any case, Drake has been doing a good job here and there, so already 500 slaves have been freed. Of those, about 150 had nowhere to go and stayed in our community.

Not a bad outcome. If I can save hundreds of people with just a bit of crumpled aluminum foil...

'The problem isn't that.'

I wonder if I've been too meddlesome.

I worry that Drake's piracy might become even more rampant, causing Spain to adopt an attitude like "Where is that bastard's base? Virginia? Attack it immediately!"

And although slave trading wasn't a major industry in England, there would still be slave traders, and I wonder if they would oppose Drake's actions.

This might create diplomatic problems, but...

'Still, how can a person just leave this alone?'

And establishing a connection with Drake like this will surely have its uses later. After all, isn't he like the supreme commander of the English navy? His public recognition is considerable.

Anyway, judging from Spain's lack of response for years, they probably won't harm us or react differently...

And in England, they won't abandon a honeypot like me just because a few slave traders are grumbling.

England... well, they'll handle it well.

==

Drake knew exactly what to do with this "pure aluminum" he had obtained.

Indeed, it was befitting of a man who had been raised among pirates since childhood and learned the principles of power in his teens.

He lives in a country of pirates and organized crime. In times like these, one should not be stingy in paying tribute.

That was the difference between him and other insignificant pirate gangs that didn't make it into history. He knew how to catch the eye of the "boss."

And so, having received the tribute, "Boss" Elizabeth decided to continue her political offensive from here.

"Tighten the belt a bit more. I need to show a resolute impression."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon, the political show with Drake begins. Before entering the court, Elizabeth slowly reconsiders the current situation in her mind.

What is the current situation in England?

Originally, it was indescribably bad.

Until the war, they had lived by continuously hitting the money bag called Spain and extorting massive wealth in return... but now Spain says it won't just take it anymore.

Because of that, funds have run out first.

For war, ships are needed, and for ships, timber is needed, but the forests within England have almost been depleted. That means everything is imported.

The treasury is completely emptied by buying timber and ships at expensive prices from Sweden and Denmark, then patching up the empty treasury with piracy, then buying timber and ships lost in piracy again...

The royal budget is in deficit every year, and the entire country wobbles with the success or failure of one or two piracy missions.

In the midst of this... salvation approached.

'Virginia.'

Luxury goods regularly come in from the Virginia colony established in the native emperor's domain, and through those luxury goods, enormous profits are collected from the nobles.

At the same time, since the Virginia colony has started operating shipyards, it seems they will soon escape from timber and ship shortages.

Even the food situation has improved.

This was the moment when various problems making England creak were being washed away.

Of course, does this mean that England's national wealth is being drained by importing luxury goods from Virginia and the native emperor? Not that either.

They buy massive amounts of sugar, spices, and woolen fabrics. Plus... a strange fruit from near Africa.

'Coffee, was it?'

When Raleigh brought it, saying it was the native emperor's request, both Raleigh and the Queen floundered for a long time not knowing what it was.

Only recently were they able to supply it to the Virginia colony, so the gold flowing out to Virginia has been significantly reduced.

So to summarize.

The Virginia colony, and the native emperor beyond it, are the highest priority ally for England, filling the treasury and supplying strategic materials.

Moreover, he is hostile to Spain.

Then the conclusion was clear.

'The emperor's condemnation of slavery is a signal to plunder Spain together!'