How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

The Virginians were much more generous in their offerings.

Of course, this was possible because they were on the same continent and had Clippers that reduced distribution costs, but the natives didn't need to know that.

What mattered was whether it was worth trading exclusively with Virginia, setting aside all trade with Europeans.

"Good. I am now a subject of this Nemo. We will serve him as our Great Chief, and may he in turn look after us."

"Thank you, Great Chief! Thank you!"

The answer was 'yes.'

But it's not always just the answer to an important question that people become curious about.

"...But how wealthy is your Great Chief to possess all these things?"

"Ah, that..."

"Where does all this wealth come from?"

The leader of a peculiar group commanding both Europeans from across the sea and coastal residents.

A being clutching endless, overflowing wealth.

Moreover, a Great Chief is not normally such an impressive figure. But to the natives, Vicente and Raleigh seemed to worship their Great Chief.

All these aspects aroused the curiosity of the natives.

After much deliberation, Vicente and Raleigh finally agreed to coordinate their stories and decided to say:

"He is... a kind of powerful spirit. He serves the most powerful god in the world."

"Uh... huh?"

"He... uh... wields a howling blade to defeat enemies and drives steel machines to cultivate the land."

"..."

"Does that explain it?"

"Uh... No. Tell me more."

When briefly asked, more questions they couldn't resist came up.

Thus, this chief heard rumors about the 'Undying One.'

==

And he proceeded to another tribe to introduce the innovative distribution method he had been given.

"What brings you here?"

"Haven't you heard the rumors? About Nemo!"

"Ne...mo?"

"Oh, it's pitiful that you remain ignorant. Our tribe is already at Ruby level, so I must help raise your rank first."

"Ruby? Rank? What's all this suddenly... explain."

"..."

"..."

"...That's basically it."

"So by serving this Great Chief Nemo, spreading his story to other tribes, and exchanging gifts, you receive special items?"

"Yes! Like this..."

CRACK!

"This axe that I obtained."

"My goodness."

"Impressive, isn't it? Rumor has it that all the tribes in this area, no, along the entire eastern coast, are already participating in the gathering. You should join quickly..."

"No, how does this Great Chief distribute wealth to so many tribes? I should hear more..."

"They say he's a spirit."

"What? That doesn't make any..."

"Wielding a howling blade with sharp teeth embedded all around, defeating countless enemies. Doesn't that make sense? He must have conquered many tribes and seized their wealth."

"..."

This newly joined chief remembered the 'Undying One,' the 'One Who Wields the Howling Blade.'

==

Anyway, the newly joined chief headed to the lands of another tribe and repeated the same process.

"How... what's left after giving away so much? How wealthy is this Nemo? Where do these axes come from? Surely this isn't a lie?"

"What? Are you doubting me?"

"Well, it is suspicious, isn't it? I'm just asking..."

"They say he's a spirit!"

"Are you mad?"

"No, wielding a howling blade..."

"Is it similar to this sharp axe? Still, it's not very convincing."

"He, he is said to be immortal! As a spirit, he lives eternally!"

"Well, that makes sense."

"And that howling blade... did they say it had iron teeth? Or was it that his own teeth grew?"

"Huh?"

Thus, the 'Undying One,' the 'One Who Wields the Howling Blade' acquired a new nickname: the 'One with Steel Teeth.'

==

"How can a person have such teeth!"

"I'm telling you, he's not a person! He must be a mighty spirit! Probably the size of a house-sized beast!"

==

"A house-sized beast as Great Chief? You should say something that makes sense..."

"Then can you otherwise explain how one person can be so wealthy?"

"Well..."

"..."

"...That's true?"

==

"They say he's a spirit who conquered numerous tribes and slaughtered countless lives, creating rivers with blood. So..."

==

"...wielding the howling blade, when he waves the light in his hand, lives perish instantly..."

==

"...This axe is made by grinding down his house-sized teeth. That's why they're endlessly available."

"Then do his teeth continue to grow?"

"Perhaps? I guess so? That's what I heard."

And so the rumors continued to grow.

==

"Believe in Mr. Nemo. He will give you many gifts..."

"You... your name was Raleigh, right? I've already heard rumors about him."

"Is that so? That's fortunate. Then..."

"Does he really have hundreds of teeth?"

"...Pardon?"

The rumor returns to Raleigh.

==

Not long after the rumors returned to Raleigh, trading posts and cathedrals were built throughout the area.

"What's this?"

"Ah, this is... something like your sacred place."

"Sacred place? So is this Nemo spirit worshipped here too?"

"Uh... we don't worship him. We can honor him somewhat... where are you going?"

After briefly leaving and returning, the natives were covered in blood, carrying something.

"What is that?"

The priest pointed at the blood-covered man who had blood, meat, and entrails stuck all over his body. Anyone could see that he had just been in a fierce battle.

"Deer meat and blood."

"Uh... pardon?"

"Step aside now. We must also offer sacrifices to the spirit named Nemo."

"Uh, uhh...!"

And so a fire broke out.

The priest fainted.

==

"I'm not sure exactly what went wrong, but strange rumors have spread that Mr. Nemo is some kind of monster."

"..."

"The natives believing that in itself isn't much of an issue, but later when we built trading posts and cathedrals, people gathered in front saying, 'Let's offer sacrifices to the great spirit!' Skilled pastors might have handled it appropriately, but most of the priest candidates selected this time were too surprised to know what to do. I'm not sure if I should be glad they came without us specifically doing missionary work."

"..."

"Uh, I'm just purely curious, but have you actually sent prophecies through native shamans saying 'I will eat you if you don't offer sacrifices'?"

"Of course not."

"Ah... I see."

"..."

"..."

Now I understand why Raleigh is so alarmed.

It's idol worship.

"No, well, anyway, that's why many people want to meet 'Mr. Nemo, the great monster and great spirit.'"

"..."

"Mr. Nemo?"

Uh, well, okay.

This is disconcerting.

"Is that so? It's nothing serious then."

I answered, trying not to show my confusion.

Though it may not seem like it, our Raleigh is a very devout person. Although he does engage in various un-Christian activities as the Queen's bedchamber partner, he's still a devout Christian.

To someone like him, the issue of idol worship might have seemed serious. I get it.

Hmm...

"Mr. Nemo? I think it would be best to consider what to do first. For now..."

"What would you think if I went to see them?"

"Pardon?"

"Isn't it something we'll have to do eventually? It would be good to solidify our influence by traveling to each region. And clear up misunderstandings too."

"Hmm..."

Raleigh nodded as if he would consider it, and I turned my head to look at the camper I had built.

I didn't expect to start using it in earnest so soon.