How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 83: Iron and Intentions (1)

"When will Raleigh... arrive?"

"Baron Walter Raleigh of Roanoke arrived in Plymouth a few days ago, so he should reach London within a week."

"...Good. You may leave. I need to think."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Elizabeth slowly dismisses her attendant, looking at the paper on the table.

And then.

"Sigh..."

She falls into deep thought.

Raleigh will arrive soon.

Originally, Raleigh was her "special pleasure," a young lover 19 years her junior and an easily manageable favorite useful in various ways.

But since the Virginia colony began serious development, his position has completely changed.

A bridge between Elizabeth and the native Emperor, a diplomat, the Queen's envoy.

She doesn't know exactly what caused it, but according to information from various sources, it seems Raleigh has earned the "Emperor's" favor.

Therefore, going through Raleigh to contact the "Emperor" made sense. After all, he was also the only person who regularly traveled between Virginia and England.

He completely monopolized trade with Virginia.

'...Abolishing slavery, hmm. The native Emperor is clearly extending his hand to me.'

Since he has gone this far, she will clarify her relationship with him through Raleigh. Having welcomed him into the Christian world with a grand coronation ceremony, it's time to move forward.

When she subtly tested the waters by giving Raleigh the title of Baron of Roanoke, the Emperor accepted it without much resistance.

Judging from that, he had clearly "bestowed" Roanoke Island and some small pieces of land to the English.

The rest of the vast land seemed to be the Emperor's territory where the English were "permitted" to reside, so she would frame it that way.

The English would be allowed to live in his country under his protection, and the Roanoke Island area would be treated like the residence of Raleigh, dispatched as her ambassador.

That's how she'll define the scope of the "Virginia colony" and the relationship between the two countries.

As a firm alliance.

He is like the Netherlands, which is fighting an independence war against Spain, in that he stands against Spain and disrupts Spanish hegemony.

And he is like Sweden or Denmark, Protestant allies in the north, in that he provides strategic resources like timber and ships.

Though she has never even seen the "Emperor's" face, he is now one of her major allies. An ally against Spain, an ally supporting England's economy.

Without Virginia, things would be much harder now.

Even now, her head is pounding.

Despite selling luxury goods from Virginia everywhere and exporting various goods to Virginia, the current trade surplus was just barely being maintained.

In particular, the timber shortage was the biggest issue.

England is an island nation, and what an island nation needs most during war is warships and cannons.

Warships and cannons are made of timber and iron, and iron requires vast amounts of fuel to produce, so ultimately timber supply is crucial.

And England's forests were depleted long ago.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

That's why they had been dependent on foreign imports for timber, iron ingots, and many ships.

Of those, the expenditure on ships would be greatly reduced soon. They were bringing in inexpensive ships from Virginia shipyards.

But iron? Iron used for farming tools, armor and various cold weapons, as well as cannons, chains, and anchors...?

Still insufficient.

The gold coins they earned were flowing back out to northern European countries to fill that shortage. A truly frustrating situation.

Raleigh... needs to come quickly.

The Queen grinds her teeth, thinking. If Lawrence, who thoughtfully prepared gum painkillers and toothpaste for the Queen, could see this, she would be shocked.

'Displaying aversion to slavery is clearly a declaration of war against Spain.'

Judging from Raleigh's attitude when mentioning the "Emperor," the statements of the "Saint" whom he meets every morning, and all other circumstances... he is clearly very knowledgeable about European politics.

So he must have considered England's position, Spain's prosperity, the relationship between the two kingdoms, and so on... before making his proposal to Drake.

Considering that England's slave trade has quieted down while Spain's slave trade is more active than ever.

To build a justification for war against Spain.

What other reason would he have to care about slavery across the ocean?

Because he's a good person?

'He has clearly decided to be hostile toward Spain. And he has resolved to involve England in his war.'

Then she should match his rhythm.

What if England... provides strategic resources to him as he prepares for war?

Simultaneously, a plan to solve England's iron shortage forms in the Queen's mind.

Virginia has abundant timber, so they built shipyards there.

Then, what if they built ironworks in Virginia?

Yes. Sending miners and blacksmiths to jointly develop iron ore with the "Emperor."

Elizabeth slowly reads again the words on the flyers laid out on the table.

'The Virginia Trading Company seeks skilled craftsmen.'

'Blacksmiths, goldsmiths, miners, bricklayers, tanners, farmers, etc. Please contact.'

Blacksmiths... are listed first. In fact, Raleigh recruited many blacksmiths and took them to the New World.

That means iron ore supply must be good in that land!

Virginia can provide the resource England needs most!

Gift artisans and ironworks to the Emperor's territory, and share the harvest from that land.

He will surely welcome it too. He will receive iron for his war against Spain.

The Queen thought this while anxiously waiting for Raleigh.

She couldn't even guess why Raleigh had called for blacksmiths first.

She couldn't even imagine that there was simply unlimited steel spontaneously appearing in Virginia.

It wasn't her fault, of course.

==

As someone who studied world history in Japan, I know a few facts.

England is the country that created the most independence days in the world.

And it was the first country to wage war just to sell drugs.

Though England is our ally, looking at what they do to Spain... uh... I don't have much to say. A country that gives nobility titles for successful piracy.

Originally, when you think of England, you think of imperialism, and when you think of imperialism, you think of England. A remarkable country that massacred enough people in Ireland and India to build several nations.

...That's what I thought.

"Um... so... England abolished slavery?"

"That's what I'm told. Her Majesty the Queen has always... deeply... abhorred slavery..."

"..."

"...Ahem."

See? You're clearing your throat because you have nothing to say either.

You should have a conscience. I saw it in the "Immortal Order" catalog too. Queen Elizabeth herself sponsored slave traders and directly invested in the trade, so stop lying.

Anyway, Raleigh, caught between my suspicious gaze and his loyalty to his lover the Queen, cleared his throat and avoided my eyes.

"Well... isn't it good that it's good?"

"Well, that's... true."

"Anyway, isn't it a beautiful thing?"

Raleigh is right. Good is good.

Life doesn't always go according to principle. Even villains can do good deeds, like when a cow catches a mouse while stepping backward, and actions with evil intentions can produce good results.

Let's just say this is similar.