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.

The following afternoon, Tom came to see me again.

“My lady Baroness Scarlettford, I hope you are in good spirits.”

“Yes, good day. What brings you here today?”

“Well, the truth is, I tried to purchase some goods made by the people of this town, but they all refused…”

“Oh?”

…Ah, that makes sense. Of course, they would.

There are a few reasons why that is natural.

First, the majority of Scarlettford’s residents are either serfs or prisoners. The only commoners here are those recruited from Clarinton.

Among them, prisoners cannot own property. Their labor is a service to the estate, which means it belongs to me, the lord of the land.

So, the idea that prisoners would sell goods on their own is equivalent to embezzling from the lord. That’s impossible.

Next, the serfs. They are allowed to own property and can even buy their freedom to become commoners. However, they are in a semi-slave status where they must work under the lord’s command.

For them to own anything created by their labor, they must meet certain conditions.

Specifically, the items must be produced solely by their own hands on land where they have been granted usage rights.

However, all the buildings and equipment in Scarlettford belong to me, the Baroness.

It’s not like I’m being petty—this is how things were from the start.

On top of that, I’ve been providing them with materials, tools, and even the skeletons that serve as laborers, all free of charge.

In other words, there is nothing they can claim as their own property.

In exchange, I provide housing, clothing, ample meals (including meat), and education for their children—all free of charge. So far, there have been no complaints.

Lastly, the commoners. They are, of course, free to own property and can move to another town if they wish.

However, even they are in a situation similar to the serfs.

In exchange for free housing, food, and education for their children, they are working in their respective fields of expertise. So, the products of their regular labor belong to me—although, in practice, they feel more like shared property for the village.

Of course, they’re free to do side jobs in their spare time, and I’ve heard that many do buy their own materials to work on side projects.

But the goods produced this way are bought by the only merchant couple in Scarlettford, Simon and Anna, who then sell them in Bitterley.

So, for an outsider merchant to break into that system would be quite difficult.

“I see, it’s only natural.”

“Wh-what do you mean by that…?”

“Well, you see—”

I explained the situation briefly, excluding the part about the prisoners.

“That’s…! If I go back without purchasing anything, what will I tell my master…?”

Indeed, if Tom returns empty-handed after coming all this way, he’ll likely be scolded.

That would be a bit sad for him.

“Very well. I’ll make some concessions for you.”

“R-really!?”

Tom’s face lit up with excitement.

“What would you like to purchase?”

“Then, please grant us the brokerage rights for renting skeletons! If we handle it—”

“What are you talking about? You’re being quite presumptuous, aren’t you?”

“Uh…”

Tom shrank under my gaze, but I had to make my point clear.

“Even if I go through you, what benefit would that bring me? You’re aware I already have a deal with the Howard family, aren’t you?”

“Y-yes…”

“And now you expect me to lend skeletons through a guild, especially one from Bitterley, no less? What do you think you’re suggesting? Are you telling me to smear mud on Lord Edward’s face?”

“Th-that’s… well…”

“Besides, if I did something like that, I would surely be labeled a greedy woman who’s abandoned her noble pride. Is that what you want for me?”

“I-I deeply apologize! Please forgive me!”

Tom immediately prostrated himself, apologizing fervently.

“Very well. But this is your last chance.”

“Y-yes! Thank you!”

“If you wish to purchase something, go see a merchant named Simon. I’m sure you can work out a deal with him.”

“Thank you so much!”

With those words, Tom left the room, bowing repeatedly.

*Sigh.* So that was the plan all along—sending a lower-ranked person to try their luck.

Skeleton rental brokerage, huh… It’s probably profitable, but for a noble to blatantly chase after money would be considered distasteful.

If I ever decide to do it, I’ll have to be careful about how I go about it.

Meanwhile, in the city of Southbury, the capital of the Marquisate of Southbury, a man came to report to the Marquis’ mansion’s study.

At the desk sat a man named Brian, who had handed Olivia the deed of abdication and severance money. He was working on paperwork.

“Lord Brian, I have a report.”

“What is it?”

“Yes. It’s about Lady Olivia, whom the master exiled last year—”

“Lady? She is Baroness Scarlettford now. She no longer has anything to do with our household. Didn’t the master make that clear? If you say something foolish again, you will be dismissed.”

“M-my apologies.”

“Good. Now, what about Baroness Scarlettford?”

“Yes, it seems she appeared in Clarinton last autumn…”

“And?”

“After rejecting a proposal from the Tarclay Merchant Guild, they put pressure on other guilds, leading to a complete trade embargo within the Marquisate of Southbury.”

“I see. And?”

“That’s… well, that’s all…”

“I see. But what does that have to do with us? If the merchant guilds of our household deemed it necessary, then it is fine. I’ve already approved it.”

“But! If we continue with this, Scarlettford will be completely cut off. Even if we’ve severed ties, she is still the daughter of your master. If word of this gets to other territories, especially to the C—”

“Leave.”

“Huh?”

“I said you’re fired. Just now, I warned you about saying foolish things, and yet you repeated yourself. Why would I keep someone who clearly can’t understand that? Oh, and don’t expect a letter of recommendation.”

“Th-that’s unfair! I was only trying to—”

“Someone! Remove this man! He’s a disloyal fool who dared defy the master!”

“Lord Brian!”

The man protested in panic, but soon several burly men appeared to drag him away.

“Good grief. This is what happens when one defies the master’s words. How foolish…”

Brian muttered this as he rang a bell. A servant appeared at once.

“You called for me?”

“Dispose of him.”

“As you wish.”

Without a sound, the servant left, and Brian resumed his paperwork with an unchanged expression.