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 arrived at the fork in the road leading to Scarletford. The sky was already bright, and we could clearly see the faces of everyone we had rescued.

…Hmm. They really are all beautiful. This has to be intentional.

“Well then, everyone. Let’s start with introductions. I’m Baroness Olivia Ainsley of Scarletford. Technically, I’m the daughter of Marquis Adolf Ainsley of Southberry, but I’m estranged from the Marquis, so I don’t have any connections to him anymore. For those who don’t know about Scarletford, it’s a settlement in the midst of the Demon Forest.”

The women started murmuring among themselves.

“So, if you go to Scarletford, you probably won’t be able to leave on your own,” I said.

The women looked at each other, considering.

“That said, if anyone wants to opt out of coming along, we can drop you off here. You could walk back to Clarinton and maybe make it to another town on your own.”

I gave them a final reminder, but no one spoke up to leave.

“Alright, understood. We’ll head to Scarletford now. The carriage is quite cramped, but since there are monsters in the forest, try not to stick your heads out during breaks.”

The women nodded solemnly.

“Okay then, let’s go. Anna, let’s depart.”

“Yes,” Anna, the coachwoman, responded as the carriage began to move slowly.

“Now, let’s introduce ourselves. First, let me introduce the people from my side. This is Marie. Marie Percival, from the Percival family of the Lagrone Barony, and she’s my wet nurse. She can use water spirit magic, so if you need clean water, just ask Marie.”

As I introduced her, Marie gave a small wave.

“Next, the young man outside keeping watch is Patrick. He’s a member of Scarletford’s local militia and a combat specialist. Also, walking with the cows are Tony and Harold. The one with the messy hair is Tony, and the older man is Harold. They’re craftsmen, so they’re not very good at fighting.”

Claire raised her hand.

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Is there only one guard for protection?”

“Well, technically one person, but since I’ll be fighting too, it’s like two.”

“…Baroness, you fight as well?”

“Yes, I can use dark holy magic. I’ll show you later, but rather than fighting directly, I summon skeletons to fight for me.”

“???”

Claire and the others exchanged confused looks.

Just then, a beautiful woman with hazel eyes and brown hair raised her hand. She was also a mother with a baby.

“Um…”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I’m Delia. Delia Porter. Thank you for saving me and my daughter, Lily.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Um, I hope it’s not too forward to ask, but…”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Is my husband, James Porter, safe?”

“Huh? Your husband? I don’t know who that is.”

“My husband, James, went to Scarletford with Bolta a while ago. But I heard he committed a terrible crime there…”

“Oh! Could he be the James we’re talking about?”

“Is it…?”

“Well, if he’s the James who came with Bolta, then I’ve never met him, so I don’t know, and whether he’s a criminal or not hasn’t been decided yet. He’s missing, so there’s no trial without him.”

“What?!”

Delia looked shocked.

“More importantly, how is this possible? Isn’t Scarletford controlled by Bolta’s organization? Why would a Turclay Trading Company associate be there?”

“…My husband committed a grave crime and was told by the Baroness to pay five hundred Shelangs in damages. If he doesn’t, he’ll be executed… so…”

“Wow…”

That’s terrible. I hadn’t heard anything about this, and I bet the money from selling him was meant to line someone’s pockets.

“Anyway, as I said earlier, I haven’t passed such a verdict.”

“So, my husband… James…?”

“Well, I don’t know. But, at least, he’s not in Scarletford. It’s a small village, and everyone knows each other, so hiding is impossible. Especially since the Turclay Trading Company is suspected of burning down our water mill. If James is anywhere, Bolta might know.”

“What? They burned down the water mill!?”

“Yeah. There’s no proof that Bolta did it, but the mill was set on fire when they arrived, with no fire source nearby. It seems they were trying to push high-priced water mills on us. So if anyone knows James’s whereabouts, it might be Bolta.”

“That’s awful…”

“What will you do? If you want to, we can still turn back and reach the town. You might make it just in time.”

“…No. My husband is probably already…”

Yes, considering their methods, he’s probably been killed already, just like the families of those here.

“Alright, I understand. Next person, please introduce yourself.”

“Yes, I am—”

As the introductions continued, the carriage rattled along the rough path, slowly making its way to Scarletford.