How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

Spanish Florida.

Numerous mission bases and military fortresses were scattered along the coast, with hundreds of Spanish settlements and their allied tribes dotted around.

"...How can this be allowed? Let's plow it all up."

"What do you mean by 'plow it up'?"

"Florida is the gateway from the so-called 'Virginia' above to the Caribbean Sea. If we strengthen its defenses and station a fleet there, it would be much better for guarding against enemies."

But that alone was insufficient.

If they hastily withdrew from Florida out of fear of English attacks as before, it would more likely increase the tyranny of the English pirates centered around Virginia.

Rather, they needed to broadly strengthen the defenses of the Florida colony to monitor the southward movement of English pirates and, furthermore, to prevent the growth of Virginia.

Above all...

"Does this 'native Emperor' really exist?"

"Definitely, I saw it clearly with my own eyes! A physically imposing native massacring our soldiers like a madman!"

As the reality of the 'native Emperor,' thought to be mere propaganda, was revealed through the painful recent defeat, Florida now became the frontline against not only England but also the mysterious Emperor.

In the end, abandoning Florida was no different from giving up control over the southeastern coast of North America and amounted to turning a blind eye to England's infiltration into the Caribbean coastal areas.

And so.

"Let us report to His Majesty the King about strengthening the Florida colony."

"How do we know if the report will be approved or not after submission?"

"...In this situation, His Majesty cannot but give his approval."

A decree bearing Philip II's seal was soon handed down to the colonial government committee.

Spanish Florida thus began to be thoroughly developed.

Large-scale slave labor was invested to develop Florida.

Immigrants were brought in large numbers from Spain and the Mexican colonies.

Florida was made into a solid Spanish territory to check enemies.

Such plans were made and implemented, but...

"Prepare the friendship gifts to send to the influential local tribes first!"

"There are no volunteers right now! How should we..."

"From the mainland?"

"Sa-same situation."

The plan encountered obstacles after just a few steps.

Send out immigrants in large numbers?

'Who' would immigrate?

'Who' would want to immigrate to a land full of barbarians, and one where English people might invade from anywhere at any time?

"...Aren't black slaves already enough? Besides, we can bring in hundreds to thousands each year!"

"Well... that's true."

"So what are you suggesting?"

"We give out slaves for free to those who volunteer to immigrate to Florida. Ten slaves per immigrant, that way anyone can become a landowner in Florida!"

"Ten slaves per person? That's financially..."

"2,000 immigrants. No more, no less—just 2,000 people would be enough to defend Florida. If we give out 20,000 slaves for free, we can maintain naval hegemony in the Caribbean, can't we?"

Soon the answer was decided.

Those who wanted to become 'landowners.'

Commoners who wanted to become nobles of the New World flocked from mainland Spain and Mexico to head for Florida.

Although the number of slaves given out was cut by 30% or even half, the immigration boom didn't subside.

Anyone could become a plantation owner.

Anyone could become a slave owner.

Anyone could become rich.

With such dreams, many headed for Florida.

And so the colony was rapidly pioneered.

"Phew... is, is this Florida? There are more wetlands than I expected..."

"Don't worry. You won't be pioneering it, the slaves will. However, pioneering will occur after this area is fortified."

The Spanish authorities needed quick results. Slaves were overworked to fortify Florida.

"Hu-hurry up! I spent my entire fortune just on the ship fare to get here!"

Similarly, commoners who suddenly became 'nobles' were also filled with dreams of building mansions and managing vast plantations.

Under the whips wielded by the colonial authorities and new 'nobles,' the slaves...

"are pioneering the Florida colony."

"..."

"Then what happens to our missionary work? Even if we try to evangelize the dark-skinned Moorish slaves, their masters don't send them to church."

"..."

"Bi-Bishop Las Casas also said in his later years, didn't he? Slavery is a sin.

That's why the Holy Pope also liberated the natives from their enslaved state, isn't it? Eventually, those Moors should also be liberated..."

"Shh."

"..."

"Alonso García, quiet. Slavery being a sin... about that statement... as much as I care for you, I'll restrain my words."

Bishop Sebastian of the newly established Diocese of San Agustín admonished his young disciple whose head was heated from reading the books of radicals.

"Your job is... not that. Didn't the Apostle Peter, the rock of the holy Catholic Church, say that the chief virtue of a slave is to serve his master as he would serve the Lord?

If slaves serve their masters well and don't fall into evil ways, they will naturally go to heaven. What are you so worried about?"

"How can they go to heaven when they don't know the Lord?"

"Then make them know the Lord, won't you?"

"Th-then... so they can come to church on Sundays..."

"No. If you try to force rest for Florida's slaves, you'll face backlash from the slave owners."

"..."

Alonso felt deep regret in Sebastian's words.

"...Yes. We cannot force slave rest upon them. It might be possible someday, but not now. His Majesty the King and his ministers are enthusiastic about pioneering Florida.

To pursue ideals, one must first understand reality. Look. What can you do?"

"...Nothing, I can do nothing."

"That's not true. You can persuade those slave owners. If the master follows the Lord, the slaves will naturally come to know the Lord and reach heaven.

Your job is not to wash the feet of tired slaves and feed them, but to wash and feed their souls.

Realize the difference between those two things. The words of Bishop Las Casas and others... forget them for a while. Do what you can do."

"..."

Thump.

"...Alonso, where are you going?"

"Just feeling stuffy, so I'll take a look around for a bit."

Sebastian's immensely kind eyes and thoughtful voice...

evoked sadness in Alonso.

As Alonso left the cathedral building and walked for a while, he soon came upon a vast spread of fields.

Alonso suddenly noticed a scarecrow protruding from between the fields... and his legs gave out, causing him to sit down.

The Spanish authorities extolled these 'immigrants' as true crusaders fighting against England's Protestants. And they provided all sorts of conveniences to them.

For example, they would even supply two or three new slaves if a slave was injured or died in an accident.

"..."

To that extent, a slave's life in Florida was worth less than elsewhere. Rather than being precious labor as in other places, they became consumables.

For instance.

To the point of using the bodies of escaped slaves as scarecrows.

The appearance of the corpse, eaten by rats and crows, was too difficult to look at straight on.

But Alonso couldn't bring himself to turn away.

"Cru...saders... Crusaders..."

The world is going mad.

And there was nothing he could do.

==

"Most of the newly supplied slaves go to Florida... and the defenses there have significantly strengthened recently."

"Yes. You said such work had been going on from before."

At my words, Raleigh firmly shook his head and told me:

"These days, the scale is different. Even when passing through nearby waters, if we're not careful, we might be the ones getting hit instead."

"..."

Raleigh circled areas on the printed map in front of me and said:

"Here, this area especially. They've concentrated immigrants in one place and completely fortified the surroundings, making it not easy to attack... it's become ambiguous.

Sir Drake keeps suggesting we target Cuba, but I suddenly thought we might not be able to keep this up for long."

To summarize, now the place where slave trade is most actively conducted in Spanish America is Florida.

But since Florida has strong defenses, Drake targets Cuba or other colonies.

Until here, there might not be much of a problem. It's a pity that the number and frequency of slaves being liberated is decreasing, but at least it's not completely cut off.