How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

Just as Raleigh had tracked them, the Spanish were also on high alert after suffering successive pirate attacks.

And then, a piece of news reached their ears.

"There are... English people coming and going in Ndakaaru."

It might have been nothing significant. Originally, French or English people frequently visited this place.

"Go-good heavens, isn't Ndakaaru right under our noses?"

"Stay calm. There's no mention of seeing that fellow Drake, just some English people. Probably just merchants."

"Why would 'just merchants' come here? Didn't they ban the slave trade? Besides, English and 'just merchants'? There's no such thing! They're just pirates with merchant side jobs!"

"...That's true too."

But the Spanish staying in Ribeira Grande were divided in opinion after hearing the news.

"We need to leave Ribeira Grande quickly. Ndakaaru is just a stone's throw away."

"How many ships do we have in our fleet? Are we going to flee just because a few English have appeared?"

"You never know! They might just be scouts, and the 'real ones' might be lurking behind them..."

"..."

"..."

It was a chilling possibility.

Even those who were complaining about the loss if they left now without fully loading cargo on their ships.

Even those who were concerned about losing the trust of local merchants in Ribeira Grande if they didn't respect the contracts they were obliged to fulfill.

Faced with the threat of 'English pirates,' everyone fell silent.

"...Well then, let's hurry with the departure."

"Our fleet will need some time to prepare..."

"Drake's fleet is targeting the American colonies. It's imperative that we move these ships to the New World."

"Even so, three weeks is too drastic, so let's move the plan forward by about two weeks."

Two weeks should be enough.

It should be sufficient to shake off any enemies following from behind.

Thinking this, the Spanish suppressed an ominous feeling that was somehow creeping up.

==

"They departed two weeks earlier than planned?"

"Yes... It was my oversight. I'm sorry."

"No, Walter. Let's quickly track them for now. Vicente? How long do you think it will take to catch up with them?"

"Hmm, since their route is obvious anyway, if we navigate well..."

"..."

"..."

"Well, shall we depart first? I think we'll catch them soon?"

Anyway, they had watches, telescopes, and 21st-century maps.

And the routes taken by those who lacked these three things were predictable.

==

Drake had been patiently waiting for news on the South American coast for days, repeating the routine of eating and sleeping.

To reach Trinidad Island, they would surely pass near this coast, and then they would inevitably be spotted by those guarding in this vicinity.

Then, he would strike the faces of the complacent Spanish, bombard them with cannon fire, and when they reached their limit, engage in hand-to-hand combat with superior numbers to completely crush them.

Battle concluded, a vast amount of treasure and countless aluminum... no, liberated African freemen would be obtained.

Thinking this, Drake endured weeks of tedious living. His obsession with treasure made his eyes gleam, and his anticipation of carnage sharpened his senses.

But his subordinates were different.

"Hey... what's the menu today?"

"Why worry about a menu? Just eat anything and stand guard."

"Guard? The enemy won't arrive for another three weeks, what guard?"

Naturally, the sailors became lazy after spending a long time on land. They would go to nearby native villages to barter, gamble, and have fun.

In such a situation with discipline completely relaxed...

"Th-there! Spanish warships are in sight!"

"What? There are still two weeks left?"

The prey had arrived.

Hearing that the Spanish had arrived, Drake hastily drew his sword and boarded. The half-drunk sailors also hurriedly climbed aboard, pulling ropes and preparing to set sail.

And so, as they headed to the shore, loaded the cannons, and observed the enemy's movements...

Observed their movements...

"What the... Why are there so many..."

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

There were more enemies than expected.

Cold sweat ran down Drake's spine.

Clearly, the enemy escort fleet, which was about 15 ships in the obtained documents, had increased to 23 ships. That meant there were 23 ships surrounding the large flat-bottomed vessels.

Even a large ship like a galleon had increased by one.

"Oh, Lord f***... Maintain formation! We have the advantage since we're striking first!"

And then.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Cannonballs began to fly parallel to the water's surface again.

Having approached while preparing to load first, the English side could deliver several powerful attacks. Meanwhile, the Spanish could only scramble around, unable to form a proper formation.

As several small enemy ships already became inoperable with their masts broken, the English cheered.

However, Drake himself bit his lip and thought.

'It's not enough.'

In battle, the first factor is numbers, the second is numbers, and the third is numbers.

And in all three, the Spanish seemed to be ahead. It was premature to rejoice just because a few small ships were thrown into confusion.

Their advantage was only in morale gained from taking a long rest and in tactical superiority as surprise attackers.

Therefore, if they didn't decisively break the momentum in the first attack, the battle would gradually become more disadvantageous...

"Fire!"

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Allied cannon fire continued, and soon the sight of panicking Spanish on the deck came into view. But that was short-lived.

THUD THUD THUD!

Water sprayed up right in front of where Drake was watching.

The enemy cannons had started loading. This meant that from now on, the allies would only become more disadvantaged.

'Where are Virginia's ships?'

...As expected, not in sight.

Damn it. Somehow I thought it was a strange strategy, and it seems it didn't work out after all. It was a strategy that was too much even for a fleet commanded by the 'Mystery of the Sea.'

"The, the enemy is approaching!"

"Continue firing and wait! Hold position!"

The enemy ships began to close the distance, entering within range of allied fire. Having confirmed their numerical advantage, they were trying to utilize it.

They were planning to gradually surround and cook the allies. Their intention to gradually bombard, close the distance, and then through hand-to-hand combat, conquer the allied ships one by one was evident.

What surprised Drake wasn't the enemy commander's judgment.

A fleet isn't a single body, but a confederation of small, isolated islands floating on the sea.

As such, the formation in naval battles can only be firmly established if it's meticulously coordinated and prepared. That's why the surprise attacker has an advantage in naval battles.

However, now the enemies, without any sign of urgency, were making a long clockwise turn to disrupt the allied formation.

And when all the enemy ships simultaneously turned their port sides toward them.

"Fire (Fuego)!"

Dozens, hundreds of cannonballs began to fly in.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

The hull rocked back and forth, and several sailors fell. They had clearly been hit by cannonballs somewhere.

But it wasn't important. Hardly any ships sink from being hit by cannons anyway. As long as the mast doesn't break, it's fine.