Chapter 53
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Translator: volt
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Francis Drake
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< Francis Drake >
"Is everyone alright?"
"Yes! It's great to check on the vineyards after so long!"
"Feels like I'm back home! Well, my actual home is across the Atlantic, but still!"
We'd finally returned to Croatoan Island. And not just me, but with the so-called founding members: Huey, Eleanor, Vicente, and Manteo.
It was to manage the post-harvest vineyards and test the new water pumps we'd built.
"Th-this... these water pumps are pretty impressive, aren't they?"
"All thanks to the blacksmiths from the settlement."
Yeah. Guess that forgives them for blowing off my arm while replicating the mower engine last time.
With these makeshift water pumps hooked up to barrel stoves for firewood everywhere, we could quickly drain the wetlands across Croatoan and start clearing the land.
This was the result of countless trials and errors over a long period.
We'd disassembled the farming equipment I had, replicated parts, failed at direct copies, then moved to simpler machines...
Eventually perfecting efficient wood-burning stoves, building ondol underfloors, and connecting pipes to power the pumps...
Without 21st-century steel and materials, we couldn't have done it. But a success is a success.
These water pumps were the fruit of that labor.
After watching the water drain from the wetlands with our hastily made pumps, we pitched tents nearby and chatted.
"Wait... Vicente? You met Sir Drake while sailing on the Nautilus?"
"Yeah. Well, something like that."
"Didn't you say that during your time as governor of Santa Elena, Drake's Englishmen turned the nearby colonies to ruins? That's why you withdrew from Santa Elena, right?"
"Ha, hahaha, hahahaha. Ancient history."
"How ancient exactly?"
"Precisely 9 years, 5 months, and 2 days ago."
"...That's awfully specific for something you brush off so casually."
"Can't help it. That colony was my life's work, destroyed in an instant. Back then, just thinking of the English made my teeth chatter. Who'd have guessed it'd end up like this? Hahaha!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Wasn't this settlement wrecked by Vicente trying the exact same thing to Drake that Drake did to him?
Of course, I didn't say that out loud.
"Anyway, that guy's always raiding Spanish colonies around here, so we crossed paths a few times. Turns out he's more fun than he seems. And good at killing, too."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Better than his first impression. He should be circling back to these parts soon, anyway."
That first night back on Croatoan, we talked like that before bed.
The next day, we properly inspected the vineyards, prepared for next year's crops, and tidied up the settlement.
The 300 folks living here had become like high-ranking officials, constantly shuttling to Chesapeake Bay, leaving the place a mess. We dusted every house.
We spent another two days like that.
Just as I thought it was time to head back to Chesapeake Bay...
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
"...Wh-what is it?"
I jolted awake to pounding on the door. I quickly changed out of my nightclothes and went out to find Manteo and Eleanor.
"What's going on with you two?"
"S-something huge is happening on the coast! The Spanish guards at the outpost spotted several massive warships...!"
"Warships, you say?"
"Yes!"
I rushed to the warehouse, fired up Damas, loaded them up, and sped toward the east coast.
And then...
Kaboom!
"...What was that?"
I heard a massive roar.
Something like an explosion echoed from afar. I floored it to the coast and soon uncovered the source.
"Th-there! Over there!"
Even in the dim early dawn light, we could see several warships clashing nearby.
They flew English and Spanish flags.
As the English fleet moved north, the Spanish pursued their rear, unleashing cannon barrages.
Catching bad wind, the English ships gave up fleeing and began turning one by one.
Once turned, their loaded cannons poured fire into the Spanish vanguard. Flames and smoke bloomed over the water like stars and clouds.
So, we had a perfect view of it all.
"...Th-they're fighting super close!"
Eleanor was right. One wrong move, and the Spanish fleet could land here right after.
"Huey? Manteo? Tell everyone to gather at the coastal batteries. Bring their own guns and powder."
"Got it!"
"Vicente? Any way the Nautilus could slip in there and do something...?"
Kraka-boom!
A sudden explosion cut me off.
"Kyaaak!"
It made Eleanor scream.
Looking out to sea, one Spanish warship was shattering and sinking. Probably hit the magazine and chain-reacted.
Flames and debris erupted over the waves in seconds, flipping the battle.
While nearby allied ships and fire-spread Spanish vessels fell into chaos, English warships maneuvered to advantageous positions.
The massive ships spun around each other, spraying cannonballs and grapples, or boarding for close combat.
The Spanish, former pursuers, now scattered, snared one by one by English lines.
Spanish ships rushing toward our coast spotted our batteries and raised white flags, turning back to the English.
The Spanish squadron was crumbling.
"Woooaaah! We won!"
"We did it!"
The Englishmen onshore cheered, and even Vicente, the Spaniard, clapped happily.
As it seemed over and people started heading inland...
"...Huh?"
"What are you doing, Mr. Huey? Time to head back..."
"No. Something's off."
"What do you mean?"
"Th-the ships... they're getting closer."
"Pardon? What are you... oh."
I turned, and the English ships were slowly approaching us.
Wh-what? Why here?
Panicking, I looked around. Vicente said calmly,
"Battle just ended, right? And there's an English ally right here for resupply."
Ah.
Soon, small boats launched, rowers belting out raucous songs as sailors hit the beach. Wildly excited, they fired muskets skyward.
"Long live Her Majesty the Queen!"
"Death to the Spanish dogs!"
The cheering crowd backed away in fear. I started to retreat too, just in case, but Huey grabbed me.
"Don't worry too much. Sir Ralegh said he only hears your voice in languages he's fluent in, like his native tongue, right? They won't be that proficient in multiple languages."
"..."
"Besides, they'll come to the village for supplies anyway. Better to meet here than awkwardly there."
"...Understood."
Ah, what now? My farm? Hide it? Do I need to?
As I fretted...
"...Ah! Lads! Fuck yeah, we won!"
"Woooaaah!"
"We won!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In the center of the disembarking men stood a guy bellowing loudly. If he weren't on our side, you'd call him a total madman on sight.
"Who's... that guy?"
"That's Sir Francis Drake himse..."
"Hey! Vicente! And the rest of you, hello!"
...Oh.
Francis Drake.
Pirate captain handpicked by Queen Elizabeth, commander of the English navy.
Seems the multiple meetings were real. Drake approached Vicente warmly, greeting him. Vicente shook his offered hand.
"Sir Drake! Long time! What brings you he...?"
"Ah, passing by and thought of you. I asked those guys for a share of their shiny money, but they chased me like maniacs. Came here to rest a bit.
Plus, check out the saint! Aluminum! And the native emperor!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Ah! You're London's saint? Pleased to meet you, I'm Sir Drake."
"E-Eleanor Dare."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Huey."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...So, who's this?"
"...Well."
"I see."
Drake bowed deeply, though I hadn't said a word.
"I pay homage to the great emperor of the natives in these lands."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Sir Drake. Do you speak Spanish or Latin?"
"A bit. Just enough for survival, trade, and pleasantries."
"...Pleased to meet you. I'm Nemo."
Relieved by his words, I spoke up. Drake's eyes widened briefly...
"Hello! Francis Drake here! Pirate of Her Majesty the Queen!"
He replied casually.
...Guess no one masters more than one language fluently. Catalog said middle-class origin, though.
Drake laughed heartily, shaking my hand wildly, then got straight to it.
"Got any spare water and food?"
"...We do."
"How much can you spare?"
"As much as you need."
His face lit up instantly. He shook my arm furiously.
"Perfect, Your Majesty! Absolutely perfect! Thank you!"
"R-right. So..."
"Time to shove off. Vicente? Make sure to 'kidnap' your family nicely when they hit the Florida colony. Rest of you, farewell."
"...Already?"
"Huh? We've seen everything here: saint, emperor, water, food. Gotta go!"
"..."
"I'm a man of the sea! Plus, gotta get these 'borrowed' Spanish assets back to England before others snatch 'em!"
...Is he nuts?
Well, he's the guy who pirated the top naval power for a year's national budget. Nuts is par for the course.
"..."
"Oh, one more thing."
"...What?"
"Spanish are building a colony down in Florida. Feels like they're threatened by Virginia. Might stir trouble south, so watch out."
"Got it..."
"Whoops! Forgot another one! Hold on!"
"..."
Drake dashed off, yelling at his anchored fleet.
Boats launched from each ship, people swarming the beach. Curious, I approached...
"Everyone, gather!"
At the shout, ragged men and women shuffled over. Drake said,
"Raided some Spanish ships and ended up with these. No point taking 'em to England—they'd just die or get me in trouble. Perfect buyers showed up!"
"..."
Those people were...
"Need hands, right? What do you think?"
"Uh... them."
"Yes. All slaves."
Shackled black Africans.