How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

I seated Hewett and offered him a coffee cup.

"Of course. But be careful. Only entrust it to reliable people, and make sure to keep records of who modified what and when in Excel."

"I understand. I'll keep that in mind. But when you say reliable people, exactly who..."

"I've prepared for this."

I pulled out a pre-printed table from under the desk and handed it to him.

"Here... Mr. Hewett? I've selected some people from the residents of Croatoan Island who are reasonably literate and trustworthy. Choose a few people from this list."

"Ah, thank you. I'll follow your instructions!"

"You really must be careful. If there are any Spanish spies, our settler list would be what they'd most want to get their hands on."

"I'll keep that in mind. And are there any special instructions before you leave?"

"Ah, yes. Trade with England must be maintained as before. Walter will leave some sailors behind, so have them sail for England around February, May, and September."

"I'll remember that."

"Finally, let's consider trade with the French..."

"Pardon?"

Elizabeth's death date is March 24, 1603.

The day when England's political situation changes is not far off.

"Consider the trading post establishment that the French requested. And, Manteo?"

"Yes, Mr. Nemo."

"Help Mr. Hewett find a suitable island for establishing a trading post in Pamlico Sound."

"I understand."

Good. I can leave the document Excel work and settlement external business management to Hewett.

I slowly turned my gaze from Hewett to White, meeting his eyes. He seemed curious about why he was called.

"Mr. White, how many Agricultural Equipment Knights have been trained to drive tractors now?"

"Ah, about 35 people."

35 people.

We currently have 9 tractors, and thinking about how many more will be produced by the time I return...

"I hope that number will increase to 50 by the time I return."

"50 people..."

This number included reserve personnel and those who would operate the tractors in shifts. As White took out his notebook and started writing down my words, I slowed my speaking pace appropriately.

"Now that we have a sufficient number of tractors, we can slowly start using them for purposes other than clearing wasteland. Do you remember the implements we made last time?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Don't test newly made implements in other fields if possible. They might ruin the crops. For now... let's test them in my potato field."

So I organized the matters I needed to attend to in my head as I spoke to the two.

Trade with Europe.

And clearing wasteland and training Agricultural Equipment Knights.

Managing the population and distributing resources from my mansion.

Since it had been a while since I was absent for an extended period, there was much to discuss.

And... more tasks to delegate...

Ah, right.

There was still a second or third best-selling export item in the trade with England.

"Mr. Hewett, was this season's vineyard keeper at Croatoan Island Ambrose Vikas?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"He should be inspecting House #3 now. Please call him."

"Pardon?"

"I have some advice regarding grape cultivation."

People shouldn't forget their identity.

Shortly after Hewett left, the tablet screen showed two people. When I gestured, White, who was standing nearby, opened the door.

Two people walking from a distance saw the open door and quickened their pace to enter the farm shed used as a meeting room.

"Come in. He is waiting for you."

"...Ah, I, understood."

The vineyard keeper, who seemed quite intimidated, walked up to me.

We usually select vineyard keepers from among those living nearby. Then we provide training related to agricultural equipment and entrust them with managing nearby vineyards.

...I'd like to do it all myself, but since I've become the leader of this community, I can't help it.

"You called for me?"

"Ambrose, are you the one currently managing the vineyard at my farm?"

"Yes. What about..."

"You've been managing it excellently so far. I was particularly pleased to see your consistent water management."

"Th-thank you."

"However, your enthusiasm seems slightly excessive."

"Uh... pardon?"

At my words, the vineyard keeper made a strange expression and looked around at Hewett and others.

Seeing him tense up, I moved closer, offered him a seat, and sat across from him, offering tea. After all, many people get nervous around me.

I knew how to ease this level of tension.

"Don't worry. You're already doing a fine job. I'm quite satisfied from what I've seen."

"I-I'm honored!"

"I'll give you some advice now, so please remember it. If you follow my advice well, you might end up managing all the vineyards on Croatoan Island."

"Ah."

And I quietly continued my explanation.

"First, there seems to have been an improper handover. It's not critical, but... don't fertilize the grapevines yet. The temperature will soon drop, and if the trees are in the middle of growth, they could suffer frost damage."

"...Is that so?"

"Yes. Just yesterday, weren't you lingering in front of the fertilizer bags? That part seemed to confuse you a lot, so ask the person who was the vineyard keeper last season. That will make your work easier."

"Th-thank you..."

"However, it's fine after all the leaves have fallen. And when next year comes and the leaves sprout again, you'll need to stop fertilizing during the growing period."

"I-I'll write it down..."

"Don't worry. I've already written it down for you."

As I handed him a note, the vineyard keeper received it with trembling hands.

It contained a brief summary of his poor farming habits, ways to improve, and how to manage moisture and nutrients until next year.

"Others working with you will tell you more details."

"...Thank you."

"You may go now. Mr. Hewett? Please escort Ambrose back."

"Understood."

At my words, Hewett and vineyard keeper Ambrose Vikas slowly went outside.

Hmm... what else needs to be managed...

Nothing urgent.

I poured tea for White as well and enjoyed a brief rest.

Soon I would need to supervise White's Agricultural Equipment Knights' training process, and also check if Raleigh's sailors were causing any trouble.

I really do live a busy life.

==

"Very good. It seems he highly regards your diligence. You might be entrusted with important tasks for this community later."

"..."

"Amby, what's wrong?"

"That... h-how..."

"Hmm?"

Vineyard keeper Ambrose Vikas trembled for a moment. Then he slowly read again the note he had received earlier.

It detailed habits when applying fertilizer that he himself wasn't aware of, and even considered the amount of water he gave to the grapes.

This raised one question.

"Mr. Hewett? Earlier, how did he know I was at House #3?"

"Well, he told us."

"...Then, how did he know?"

"Hmm?"

"Moreover, h-how did he notice us as soon as we arrived at the meeting room without us making any noise..."

He had never visited the vineyard when Ambrose became the vineyard keeper.

So how did he know that Ambrose hesitated in front of the fertilizer bags, and how did he know that Ambrose tended to give more water when spreading to the left?

Above all... he had already prepared notes summarizing all the questions Ambrose wanted to ask.

As he recalled this fact, his body trembled again.

"What did you say?"

Hewett lightly grasped Ambrose's shoulder and tilted his head.

"How does he know? What do you mean by that?"

"Well, I..."

"Isn't it natural that he knows? It's his farm, isn't it?"

"...Pardon?"

Of course, Hewett didn't know about the security cameras installed throughout the farm.

Nor did he know that Kin Issei being caught by Eleanor while playing DOOM had become the catalyst for him to be thorough with locking doors and closely monitoring security cameras.

But he could say as if it were obvious:

"And he is... well, him, isn't he?"

As Hewett said this and nodded, Ambrose also nodded as if entranced.

"Y-yes, you're right."

Ambrose examined the note again with a dazed feeling.

Ambrose Vikas didn't know that Kin Issei was originally a diligent person by nature.

He didn't know where his calm personality and composure that eased tension came from.

He couldn't know that his businesslike and calm personality developed through experiencing unemployment due to C*VID, the rollercoaster of the Shine Muscat grape boom, and the downfall that came with a mountain of debt.

Like others, Ambrose simply accepted it.

Ah, he's an angel.

Because he's an angel, he can know everything, prepare for everything, and predict everything like that.

As if someone were showing him the future.