"First of all, the chickens were extrely small. And even those, they could only afford to feed people once a week or so—it was such a poor country."
"I see, Oitotan. You didn't blurt out that impression..."
"I didn't speak first. They asked, so I answered."
"...Pardon?"
"...What?"
What on earth happened in Paris...?
Anyway.
Based on what Oitotan said after returning from Paris, the negotiations in France seed to have proceeded successfully. Additionally, he received a considerable amount of gold and silver as gifts from the French king.
"They're very favorable to us! Such unexpected gifts!"
"Indeed! The King of France must truly consider Virginia important!"
When Hewett and Eleanor said that, Raleigh responded with a bitter smile.
"Well. Perhaps it's just for show."
"For show? What do you an by that, Baron?"
"It ans France can't directly intervene here right now. Henri IV's situation is precarious, we're across the Atlantic, and the opponent is Spain, isn't it?"
"...Well, that's true."
Raleigh approached as I was examining the gifts Oitotan had brought, bowed his head, and reported.
"For now, it appears Henri IV cannot provide direct assistance. If that weren't the case, he would have responded with warships and cannons instead of these gifts. Of course, French assistance will continue, but it seems difficult to expect imdiate effects."
"...I understand."
Still, we had secured friendly relations with France.
Even if it wasn't a mutual alliance with automatic participation in war, we promised each other various benefits equivalent to that. The treaty contained clauses for military consultation, intelligence sharing, and preferential treatnt in matters of trade and diplomacy—benefits that would serve both nations well in the uncertain political landscape.
Above all, giving Henri the trade monopoly was significant. For us, it was a no-loss deal since we would have had to implent procedures to prevent just any rchant from entering anyway. The monopoly granted his rchants exclusive rights to our ports and marketplaces, eliminating competition while allowing us to concentrate our security asures and customs protocols on a single, trusted partner rather than dozens of unknown vessels from various origins.
Indeed, as ti passed, French rchant ships began returning to the port one or two at a ti, their holds laden with goods from across the continent. The white sails dotting the horizon brought not just comrce but a sense of normalcy that had been absent during the tensions. It was clear that our efforts with France were having an effect, both economically and in the renewed confidence evident in the faces of our citizens as they watched the ships dock.
Thus, Virginia soon regained peace, and we were able to normalize the supply of luxury goods with peace of mind. The markets once again bustled with activity, filled with exotic fabrics, fine wines, and intricate craftsmanship that had been sorely missed during the embargo.
Pillars were raised again in the cathedral, their towering stone forms a testant to our renewed prosperity and faith in the future. The construction crews worked from dawn until dusk, the rhythmic sounds of their tools becoming a comforting backdrop to city life. Spices returned to people's tables, transforming simple als into aromatic feasts that reminded everyone of better days. And I was able to enjoy coffee again during camping—that rich, dark brew that cleared the mind and ward the soul on cool mornings in the wilderness.
It was around the ti when such daily life had returned and I was about to invite people over with my camping gear—a celebration of sorts, to mark our successful navigation through troubled waters. I had selected a picturesque spot by the lake, where the trees provided shade and the view of the mountains reminded us all of the grandeur that surrounded our humble settlent.
"Huh?"
"What's wrong, Eleanor?"
"Ah, no, it's just, strange. Don't you see sothing on that horizon?"
"...I see it. It looks like a ship."
"There shouldn't be any ships coming to Croatoan at this ti, so why suddenly there..."
"Eleanor?"
"Yes? What is it?"
"Get away from the coast imdiately with Virginia. It's dangerous."
"What?"
"And notify the nearby outpost. Ah... no. I'll do it."
"Wh-what's happening? I can't see clearly... Whoa!"
I pushed Eleanor toward the inside of the beach and started running toward the nearby outpost. And I shouted.
"That ship has a Spanish flag on it!"
Moreover, according to what I learned from Raleigh, judging by its shape, it was definitely not a rchant ship.
A Spanish warship had arrived right near Croatoan.
==
"That's Chesapeake Bay! According to our explorations, it appears to be one of the main strongholds of the English faction!"
"...Gradually, others besides us would have reached near Croatoan Island or Roanoke Island."
The captain had a habit of talking to himself during the tedious sea life. The adjutant stood stiffly when the captain asked a question in a proper voice.
"Adjutant, where are their battery positions?"
"Watchtower! Where are the enemy batteries!"
"That... Good heavens, they seem to be spread all over the coast!"
"...They're mad."
The captain clicked his tongue at the sound coming from the high watchtower and looked out at the sprawling Chesapeake Bay. As he frowned, the image beca clearer, and he began to see black shapes moving around the coast.
'Black shapes.' Those notorious English-made cast iron cannons.
Several tis cheaper than bronze cannons while still of decent quality, these cannons had been a headache for Spain.
Not only the English but also the Dutch imported and used them, causing significant difficulties for Spanish soldiers on land and sea.
However, now the captain whistled lightly upon seeing those cast iron cannons.
That's right.
They wouldn't have installed expensive bronze cannons all the way to this distant colony.
The only reason cast iron cannons could annoy the Spanish forces was simple: quantity.
Because materials were easy to obtain and prices were cheap, the English had threatened Spanish forces with nurous ships and armies ard with cast iron cannons.
But now they were the attackers, and the others were the defenders. They could move freely on the sea, while the others stood fixed on the island.
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