How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

James VI, King of Scotland.

A man who would have been crowned as "James I of England," the first unified monarch of the British Isles, if events had followed their original course.

The various sectors of England were already gradually preparing for him to be the next king.

Though Elizabeth was ominously healthy, he had no doubt that the Kingdom of England would become his in a few years.

"I have one proposal to make, James."

"..."

"From now on, I want to make you co-monarch of England. I will also divide the resources coming from the New World in half."

"...Are you not considering the fact that you have abandoned England to traitors and fled? Are you still indeed the rightful monarch of England?"

"I didn't flee. I made the best decision to protect England."

This seems like a refreshingly nonsensical statement. But for now, James blinks and reviews the situation in England as relayed by his informants.

Traitors have overthrown London. The Queen was missing for several months (or so they thought... but here she is).

Since she was such a popular queen, the traitors fabricated all sorts of stories to avoid being torn apart by citizens.

They had no choice but to make a "patriotic decision" because the Queen was being deceived by Robert Cecil and Walter Raleigh's faction.

It was because Robert Cecil, Walter Raleigh, and others were colluding with Spain to plunge England into ruin.

Et cetera.

Naturally, it didn't work, and the rebels' regime is precarious. They don't know whether Elizabeth is alive or dead, and due to public opinion, it's also awkward to establish another monarch.

"...But where were you and what were you doing for the past few months?"

"I was briefly in seclusion in Ireland."

Ireland.

"And I joined with Lord Robert Cecil, who was dispatched there, and... briefly toured various parts of your kingdom."

...Why didn't I know?

"Many nobles welcomed me grandly. It seems they all granted my request to keep it a secret especially from you."

Oh, goodness gracious.

James VI lamented the worthless royal authority of Scotland, as insignificant as a rag. The misery where each local lord is essentially a king of their region, and the King of Scotland is merely their representative.

Anyway, the Queen's words were significant.

Elizabeth had already been meddling throughout Scotland.

"What will you do? Didn't I say I'd give half the throne of England to you? I am old, and you are young, so you will soon be the sole monarch. You won't lose anything..."

"..."

That sounds reasonable at first glance.

But James knew. He too was an insightful monarch.

Elizabeth.

That person never does anything for the benefit of others.

Never.

If he accepts this proposal now, the rebels will automatically erase James from the "list of potential monarchs to crown."

Then James would have to labor for years, leading Scotland's army alongside his "co-monarch" Elizabeth to reclaim her throne.

...Why should I bother doing that?

I could secretly kill Elizabeth and wait, and when those rebels crown me, England will become mine anyway, as I am the rightful successor...

"Many nobles welcomed me grandly. It seems they all granted my request to keep it a secret especially from you."

...Ah.

The plan has failed before it even began.

"..."

"You weren't thinking anything strange, were you?"

"...I-I don't know what thoughts you're referring to."

"Then that's fine."

"..."

...It's okay.

Receiving the rightful throne of England and enjoying half of the enormous wealth coming from the New World... it would be profitable.

Feeling somewhat uneasy, James VI shook hands with Elizabeth.

Thus, the contract was sealed.

"Report to me in detail every gesture, every step of the Queen! Anything! The people the Queen meets must be limited to those I approve!"

Of course, James VI was not an easy person either.

He was not someone who would be satisfied with a mere "co-throne."

Since the Queen was unexpectedly robust, he thought he could gradually weaken her vigor by discreetly adding small amounts of poison to her food or slowly restricting her activities. But...

"Your Majesty! The co-Queen of England has left Edinburgh, saying she is going on a tour!"

"What?"

The Queen lightly slips from his grasp, as if she had anticipated even this.

"Where on earth did she say she was going! Where could a monarch who has lost her country possibly go...!"

"Well..."

Upon hearing the Queen's destination, James was utterly astonished.

That, mentally disturbed individual...

That was all he could think.

==

To summarize.

The last time we received proper news from England was around November or December of last year, 1601.

Anyway, it was when our merchants in England hurriedly returned and reported the sudden "rebellion" that had erupted.

The Queen was missing, and rebels had taken control of London.

What happened after that...

The rebels controlled London, but that was it. Nobles and citizens across the country were all loyal to Elizabeth.

Everyone was confused when they heard that the Queen had flown to Scotland and that James of Scotland had become their co-monarch... but the situation didn't change.

In any case, everyone was relieved to learn that the Queen was alive, and everyone was outraged by the tyranny of the traitors.

Of course, there were those who sympathized with the rebels because of the Queen's attempt to organize a standing army, but still, 60 to 70 percent of England remained loyal.

Everyone thought civil war was imminent.

It was believed that if Scotland's military forces moved south to join the loyalists, and then joined with the Irish expedition army returning from across the sea, the loyalists could easily achieve victory.

There was even internal confusion among the rebels.

The outcome was predictable, given that groups of different natures had gathered for the purpose of kidnapping or eliminating the Queen. They even failed to achieve that goal.

Moreover, they opened the treasury expecting enormous wealth remaining in the royal coffers...

...but there was nothing.

The Queen had squandered it all. Without leaving a single penny.

Only then did they realize that the standing army construction had been a bluff, and they were furious, but it was too late.