How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

Chapter 26 - 26: Emperor's Revelation

White should have been experiencing the best feeling of his life right now.

"My, my name is Wi, Wiquash... My family has 4 members. My tribe is..."

"Go to the western farm for now. There, you'll receive tools to build a house, land, and seeds. Oh, and don't forget to get 'the needle.'"

"Ah, understood!"

Thousands of natives were flooding into his territory in Chesapeake Bay, requesting settlement.

Even though they were barely communicating through Manteo's tribespeople, it was a pleasing sight to see countless workers each taking potatoes and wheat grains to start establishing farms.

"Over here! Like this, keep the plow facing downward!"

"Ah... like this?"

"No! Like this!"

And so, thousands of gathered people were plowing fields with around 100 horses and letting some 200 dairy cows graze on grass. White never dreamed he would receive such luxurious support.

Right now, White was a great lord with thousands of subjects. He should naturally have been rejoicing.

If only...

"...In such a short time, you've achieved this much success? Is this even possible? Thomas! What did they say?"

"The natives say someone they call the 'Great Chief' ordered them to migrate here. They were told to follow John White and pay taxes to him."

"Is that true?"

"..."

"..."

If his superior hadn't been standing beside him, White might have been able to rejoice.

How should I explain this?

Have they already found out about 'Him'? No. Judging by the reaction, it seemed they were thinking of 'Him' as some kind of influential local figure.

"...It's true. He has been... helping our settlement a great deal."

Having quickly assessed the situation, White nodded and managed to utter a response. At those words, Raleigh's eyes lit up again.

"So this 'Great Chief,' or rather, the 'Emperor' of this area is your ally? Could it be... those Shine Muscat grapes from before, and the aluminum, they were from Him? Did you acquire them through trade with Him?"

"..."

"Good heavens...!"

Raleigh smiled so widely his mouth nearly reached his ears, and he hopped around excitedly.

"John White! What extraordinary feat did you accomplish to gain the help of the Emperor of this region? Receiving gifts of numerous jewels, precious metals, and sweet grapes! Did you save His life? Did your daughter marry Him? Or has He converted to Christianity...?"

"Ahem."

Did I save His life?

Did He marry my daughter?

Did He 'convert' to Christianity?

Can Christ 'convert' to Christianity? Or can a mere human save the lives of Gabriel and Michael?

All the questions were so absurd that John White couldn't help but cough. Only after coughing for a while did he see Raleigh's expression.

He was half in ecstasy.

And at the same time, he was serious.

"...Tell me. What is the reason? How powerful is his empire that he can command thousands of subjects to cultivate someone else's land? And why is the ruler of such an empire so merciful to you?"

Oh, my foolish superior whose eyes have not yet been opened.

He is not an emperor but a minister, and why do you ask such a thing when the empire He governs covers the entire Earth?

Why do you only see His grace directed at me alone when His mercy extends to all of humanity? Can't you see? That these thousands of people have gathered, trusting in His protection?

White swallowed hard.

There was so much he wanted to say. He wanted to confess in a wailing voice, and he could have talked all day about His overflowing mercy.

But he did not.

Because He had commanded silence.

Instead, John White only said this:

"He is... simply an infinitely merciful being. That's all."

"..."

But some explanation was necessary.

"And, He reveres God."

"...What?"

An explanation that would sound plausible even to those who didn't know Nemo's true identity, with truth and falsehood cunningly mixed.

"I don't know the exact details, but He didn't believe in Catholicism or anything like that. There wasn't a single missionary in His 'empire,' yet He was already serving the Lord in the right way."

"...So, you're saying He helped a fellow Christian, is that it?"

"...Yes."

"Good heavens... It reminds me of those fools who went

"Um... Father said we need more potatoes for managing the farm. I was wondering if we could send more seed potatoes..."

"..."

"...Is that okay?"

Yes.

Walter Raleigh must also look at me with such eyes.

He too must be in awe of me.

He too...

Must think of me as an "angel."

A part of the puzzle I had long postponed in my mind comes together.

A key figure in English politics, the Queen's most beloved lover, the most loved and hated man in London.

I will subjugate him.

And I will have him in my hand.

I will survive.

As an angel.