How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

Long ago, we planted an underground organization inside Florida.

Initially, dozens of Africans infiltrated disguised as slaves, and subsequently, numerous Africans and Europeans were additionally dispatched and recruited locally.

Many "dioceses" were established, and likewise, many "priests" and "deacons" were selected, and I was recently informed that they are now spread throughout Spanish Florida.

Of course, since the secret escape of slaves and intelligence gathering are the most important roles, I'm told the organization is structured in a way that makes detection difficult.

They maintain the organization by identifying and contacting each other through complex yet easily overlooked codes, secret passwords, and symbols, I've heard.

"...as reported," "...I'm told," "...I've heard."

Yes. Even I don't know much about this organization.

I've only been briefed and confirmed about the most important aspects, but as an organization that needs to operate with utmost secrecy, beyond the occasional reports and support, the organization itself remains obscure.

That's the fate of a cell organization.

Moreover, it's already been 6 years since the underground organization began.

It's an organization almost isolated in enemy territory. Furthermore, most members must remain constrained in unfree statuses such as slaves.

In such a situation, while the organization has matured and certainly follows my orders and serves me... it's difficult to say it's entirely under my control.

However, all uncontrolled things have their own explosive power and vitality.

"Nameless One, a report from Florida."

"...Leave it."

A 'report' from those who infiltrated throughout Florida.

It usually contained information about the movements of various Spanish ships around Florida, the Spanish colonial government's attitude toward Florida, and the progress of Florida's expansion project.

If I had tried to bring this organization completely under my control, it wouldn't have reached such deep areas that would otherwise be unreachable.

I removed the seal attached to this report and examined its contents.

As expected, reading while decoding the cipher, the content is digested one sentence at a time.

With each page turned, the image of the Florida colony, which I've never visited, begins to appear through a distorted lens.

Unfortunately, it's progressing smoothly. Those newly migrating to the colony are increasing day by day, and the number of slaves being moved there is also growing.

But since our underground organization is also expanding rapidly in proportion, not all the news was bad. I took comfort in that fact and turned another page of the report.

"Spanish colonial government's movement... regarding Virginia?"

My eyes were fixed on that phrase.

==

The Viceroy of New Spain, Juan de Mendoza y Luna, was a diligent nobleman.

Having secured the position of Viceroy of New Spain, moving on to become Viceroy of Peru would be no challenge at all.

And once settled as Viceroy of Peru, silver would flow in on its own, and based on that enormous silver, he could vigorously ascend in central politics.

Such thoughts were embedded in the mind of the youngest Viceroy of New Spain.

"The Council of the Indies... has sent down orders to check Virginia."

In this situation, the Council of the Indies sent an order.

Clearly, in one part, there was a royal command to "capture Queen Elizabeth, who is in exile on Roanoke Island." But...

Through all the context before and after, the Council was screaming, begging not to do that.

Yes. This meant that even the Council of the Indies, which should act as the representative of royal authority to check the local viceroy, was struggling.

Normally in such a situation, this Council of the Indies would soon be replaced by those close to the Duke of Lerma, the king's favorite, but until then, even the Council had no choice but to rely on him.

Various checks and yokes given to the Viceroy of New Spain were momentarily released. He knew well what he needed to do to avoid bloodshed while staying on his path to promotion.

First, he needed to give an indication that he had adequately, diligently, and properly carried out the king's orders.

At the same time, to avoid being evaluated as incompetent, he needed to establish appropriate merits.

...Juan de Mendoza began to devise a plan as carefully as possible, in a way that wouldn't create any self-inflicted wounds.

"According to recent records from exploratory parties sent from France, Denmark, etc., the domain of that 'Emperor' is very wide and vast. However, it seems their control is not high."

Meaning their defense and surveillance networks are inevitably spread wide and thin.

"Then, we can proceed a bit more radically. Virginia is currently making huge profits by trading with England and France. To wither them, we must cut off that trade route."

No matter how incompetent and irresponsible the king might be, no matter how corrupt his favorite might be.

The bureaucratic organization built by Philip II throughout his lifetime had not yet collapsed.

The sophisticated state system he had created with blood and sweat was still rolling, guiding the state of Spain to move on a rational path.

The Council of the Indies and the Viceroyalty moved in that way.

The reason, wealth, and system of the great empire operated that way, interlocking like gears.

Even if the king's irrationality loosened the tightening of those gears and inserted foreign matter into the seams, that huge machine didn't break down immediately.

Deliberately shoddy privateering licenses were issued in large numbers.

The shipowners who bought them immediately led fleets toward the Caribbean, the eastern coast of North America, and as far as Greenland and Ireland, beginning to plunder English merchant ships.

Additionally, even French ships with which they had signed peace treaties.

Thus, the Atlantic trade networks of England, Scotland, and France began to be disrupted and collapsed.

Among them, the young Viceroy of New Spain particularly dispatched colonial government warships to the waters near Virginia and several points.

"Remember. Their colony is self-sufficient. To pose a definite threat to them..."

"I understand, Your Excellency."

With a 'special purpose.'

==

'Widespread attacks and looting of English and French vessels from Spain in progress. Aim to contract trade with Virginia.'

'And mentioned 'the next stage.' Pay attention.'

"..."

The most important conclusion of this letter, ships near Virginia are being attacked regardless of nationality.

As a result, French merchants coming to Virginia have greatly decreased.