How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

"I'm concerned you might be expecting too much. Henri IV is currently trying to reduce the importation of foreign luxury goods to minimize the outflow of national wealth..."

Ah, I've already heard this several times and seen it in the catalog.

Henri IV is the king who ended the Huguenot Wars that spanned decades and inherited a ruined France.

With his trusted advisor Maximilien de Béthune, he implemented reforms and had to frantically raise funds in various sectors to rebuild France.

As such, he was very vigilant about unnecessary expenditures and wouldn't welcome luxury goods from foreign countries.

But that's not important.

"Walter, the specific quantity isn't important."

What matters is only the 'symbolism'.

The symbolism that wine made from grapes I carefully cultivated is now making the French king tremble is what mattered most...! This is the moment American wine finally makes its global debut...!

Of course, I couldn't say such things to Raleigh, so I just vaguely mumbled the rest.

"I see, so it's primarily about letting the French know that we too belong to Christian civilization."

"Also, for now, just making them aware of our wine's existence and characteristics might be enough! Since it's a wine that can be preserved long-term, it would be hard to replace!"

Then, whether it's Raleigh or others, they conveniently invent deep strategic intentions that never existed. I just nod appropriately and smile.

And others also turned their attention elsewhere, as there were more pressing topics than my words at the moment.

"The amount of incoming luxury goods has increased?"

"That's right, Hewett. Thanks to that, we've reduced a lot of effort in building the cathedral."

"The stonemasons told me the quality of marble has improved significantly."

The attitude of French merchants... has somehow changed from before.

They're much more cooperative, you could say. Or perhaps they're trying harder to make a good impression.

I tried to infer what changes might have occurred within France, but the sea of the 17th century was too vast to discover affairs across the Atlantic.

So that's on hold for now.

"Isn't it important that the cathedral is being built well because of that?"

"Well, that's true."

I nodded appropriately at Raleigh's words and looked up at the cathedral building where columns were rising one by one.

Naturally, this cathedral is expected to take decades to complete. But we plan to quickly build spaces that can be used adequately first, so the area won't remain idle in the meantime.

Plus, with the help of excavators and various equipment, the pace will accelerate.

Still, among the apostles here, probably none will see this space completed... Maybe Eleanor has a chance.

...Suddenly my mouth feels a bit bitter.

As I frowned, Raleigh approached to check my expression. I waved my hand casually and made an excuse.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing... Ah, I just realized, aren't we officially Church of England? I wondered if we should invite a priest."

Of course, it's an unnecessary worry. It's not like we're going to spread rumors everywhere about building this. And England, with its many Puritans, wouldn't particularly care either.

But after hearing my words and contemplating briefly, Eleanor made a suggestion.

"Well, since she's nearby, how about inviting Her Majesty the Queen? She is the head of the Church of England..."

"I'm not sure. We don't know how she'll react upon meeting Nemo."

Raleigh replied while stroking his beard and looked at me.

"Ah! Her Majesty has been expressing a desire to meet Nemo. To be precise, she seems to be feeling bored with life on Roanoke..."

"Please explain in detail, Walter."

"She's confined to Roanoke Island without knowing why, isn't she? She seems quite frustrated."

"..."

"...Yes, of course it would be difficult to meet her."

"No. Actually, it's problematic not to meet her as well."

It's troublesome to give the impression that we're detaining Elizabeth. The alliance with England is still important.

Plus, a foreign monarch has entered my territory, and I haven't shown my face at all? This is extremely rude in its own way. Elizabeth is being patient with me.

After thinking for a moment, I asked Raleigh.

"Hmm... How is the Queen these days?"

==

It had been truly a turbulent life.

Born as the daughter of the hated queen Anne Boleyn, and watching her be beheaded.

From being heir to the throne, to falling to a mere prisoner.

Living in fear, experiencing mortal danger several times.

And.

She had triumphed in a lifelong struggle.

Now it was she who lay peacefully, reclining in an armchair.

Not her damned sister Mary, not her sickly brother Edward. It was she who reigned as Queen of England, Ireland, and Scotland.

The irritating Spain was also being tormented to the maximum extent, so it couldn't be more satisfying...

'...or could it.'

Elizabeth frowned at the sudden thought, her delicate brow furrowing as she absently tapped her jeweled fingers against the polished oak of her writing desk. Her attendants, keen observers trained to anticipate her every need and mood, exchanged subtle glances before quietly slipping from the room, the rustle of their silk gowns barely audible as they retreated to the antechamber to await her orders. The heavy door closed with a soft click, leaving her alone with her contemplations.

Some might call it reckless for the head of the church and ruler of the kingdom to be abroad, venturing beyond the protective walls and vigilant guards of her own palace. Especially in a land where an enemy colony was within reach, where Spanish sympathizers might lurk in shadowed corners or behind courteous smiles, their loyalty pledged to a foreign crown that had long contested England's power and prosperity.

But her judgment was clearly rational and cold, honed by years of political maneuvering and the constant threats that surrounded her throne. She analyzed risks with the precision of a master chess player, several moves ahead of her opponents. As long as the Spanish king had a minimum of common sense—and despite their differences, she knew him to be no fool in matters of statecraft—she was in no danger at all. The diplomatic consequences would far outweigh any momentary advantage.