Exiled Young Girl’s Territory Development Record: The Result of the Villainous Young Lady Who Was Exiled Before the Scenario Began and Did Whatever She Wanted for the People.

We continued the bucket brigade with all our might, and Marie used her spirit magic one more time, pouring all her strength into it. Thanks to our efforts, we were finally able to extinguish the fire.

“Everyone, good job.”

“Miss, but…”

“Yeah, it looks like it’s beyond repair now.”

I looked at the completely charred watermill.

“Still, I wonder why a fire started here? Harold, did you use any fire yesterday?”

“No. I only checked the place, so there was no fire…”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Was there anything unusual after Harold left?”

“No, I didn’t notice anything.”

“Right…”

I examined the partially burned watermill.

Hmm? It seems like more of the interior survived than I expected.

“Hey, if the inside of the building still has some remains, doesn’t that mean the fire started from outside?”

“Eh? So, it was arson?”

“Maybe? Let’s check a bit more.”

I then moved to the side opposite the entrance to inspect it.

Hmm. The wall on this side is completely burned down.

Moreover, the watermill’s wheel has completely burned away the parts that were above the water. However, the axle is intact except for the tip, and the base seems to be unharmed inside the building.

…Wait a minute. Isn’t that strange?

“Marie.”

“Yes, is there something you noticed?”

“Yeah. This definitely looks like someone set the fire.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because the wheel’s part above the water is completely burned away, but the axle is still intact?”

“Could it be that the fire came from the watermill…?”

“But if that were the case, it wouldn’t make sense for this wall to be completely burned. Normally, the fire would spread from the watermill through the axle, right? There was hardly any wind yesterday, so if there was a spreading fire, it would first ignite the wall and roof on the river side.”

“That is…”

“And this side of the wall is completely burned, including the area close to the ground. That means the fire started near the ground on this side, right?”

“If that’s the case, it’s strange that the wheel’s part is so thoroughly burned. Don’t you think?”

“Yes…”

“So, someone must have placed some flammable material on the ground and set it on fire, then transferred the fire to the watermill.”

“!”

“The perpetrator is quite audacious to set fire to something so important to the village!”

“My Lady, could the culprit be…?”

“Will, don’t jump to conclusions. First, let’s question people. Find out if anyone saw anyone after Harold left last night. And Harold, did you talk about the watermill to anyone? If so, find out who they told about it. Investigate everyone.”

“Yes!”

“Just to be sure, does anyone have information on or have seen the culprit?”

But everyone shook their heads.

“Yeah, I thought so. Then let’s get to investigating. Also, close the gate completely. No one is allowed to leave the village without my permission. If anyone needs to leave, they must come and tell me.”

“Yes!”

Thus, we concluded that the fire at the watermill was arson and began the search for the culprit, despite our suspicions.

After sending Will and others to investigate and lock down the village, Marie, Harold, and I continued our investigation at the scene and discovered a potential source of the fire.

“Hey, could this be the source of the fire?”

“This looks like… leftover firewood.”

“Yeah. And it seems like the fire was burning outside the building unnaturally, like a campfire.”

“…”

“There wouldn’t normally be firewood in the watermill. Someone must have brought firewood from somewhere and set it on fire.”

I poked the burned remains with a branch, searching for anything left behind.

Hmm? What’s this hard object…?

When I poked it, a small red stone emerged.

“Hmm? What’s this? It’s a pretty stone.”

“This is!”

“Oh, Marie, do you know something about this?”

“This is a fire-starting magical tool!”

“What? A magical tool!?”

“Yes! There aren’t any fire-starting magical tools in this village! So, it must have been brought in by Volta and his group!”

“Hmmm, I thought so, but since there’s no direct evidence yet, let’s keep this as evidence for now.”

“Yes!”

After a bit more investigation, we finished examining the scene.

When we returned, we found Volta and his group waiting for us.

“Ladyship!”

“Oh, Volta. What’s up? About buying the watermill—”

“Our James is missing! Could you please help us find him!?”

“Eh!? Wait a minute. What do you mean?”

“Well, when we woke up this morning, James was gone!”

“Hmm. What kind of person is James?”

“Yes! He’s a young and hardworking man! He worked diligently yesterday. It’s unlike him to just disappear!”

Volta pleaded desperately.

“Please! He had a daughter born last year! So…”

“…Alright. Everyone, no one is allowed to leave the village without permission. We’ll make sure to search properly.”

“Yes! Please!”

Volta looked relieved as he said that.

Hmm? Disappearing suddenly? I wonder if he knows something?

But, in such a small village, strangers stand out, so he should be found soon.