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.

I took the collected gold dust and headed to Walter’s smithy. He had just finished some task, and was gazing up at the sky with a satisfied expression.
“Walter.”
“……”
“Hey! Walter!”
“Huh? Oh! My lord! When did you get here?”
“I just arrived.”
“I-I see. What can I help you with today?”
“Yeah, can you take a look at this?”
I handed Walter the gold dust I had collected.
“Oh? … Is this gold dust?”
“Yeah, it seems like you can collect gold dust from that nearby stream.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Isn’t it common to find gold dust in rivers?”
“Is it?”
“Yes. Even in Clarinton, we sometimes found gold dust in the rivers that flow nearby. So, I always thought it was normal.”
“Huh, I see.”
“Yes, there were times when those struggling to survive would search for gold dust in the river.”
“Hmm. Does that mean Clarinton is a gold-producing region?”
“Oh no, not at all.”
“Why not?”
“Because the yield is extremely low. If you happen to find some, it’s just a stroke of luck.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You’d be better off becoming an apprentice somewhere than relying on that.”
“Hmm, but wouldn’t gold fetch a high price?”
“That’s true, but the rivers are outside the town. When you consider the risk of being attacked by monsters, most people are hesitant to go.”
“I see. Monsters, huh?”
“Yes. And even if they manage to find gold dust, it’s originally the property of the lord. If someone tries to sell it in secret, they’d be executed.”
“Oh, right…”
Now that I think about it, since all the land belongs to the lord, anything produced from that land belongs to them. Stealing it would naturally be a crime.
“Wait, then why do people still collect gold dust?”
“That’s because, if they report it properly, they receive a reward.”
“I see. Based on the weight?”
“Yes, but it’s based on the weight after refining the dust.”
“Hmm. I see, that’s how it works.”
With that, a question suddenly came to mind, and I asked.
“Wait, does that mean there’s a gold refining workshop in Clarinton?”
“No, there isn’t a specific refining workshop, but most blacksmith shops would handle it. They could take a commission from the reward, so it was a good, steady business.”
“Then can you do it, Walter?”
“Yes, I can use the cupellation method.”
“Please do it! I’ll pay you the same amount they used to offer in Clarington!”
“Huh? Yes, I can, but… I don’t have the necessary materials here…”
“What do you need? Tell me! I’ll send someone to buy them right away!”
“O-okay…”
After learning what materials were needed from Walter, I immediately asked Simon to go buy them.
Meanwhile, a caravan of carriages from the Tarclay Trading Company was making its way along the road from Southbury to Clarinton. In one of the particularly luxurious carriages sat Volta and another young man with slicked-back red hair.
The young man’s name was Tim Steiner. He was an auditor from the main office of the Tarclay Trading Company, tasked with inspecting various branches across the land.
As the carriages drew closer to Clarinton, Tim suddenly noticed something and spoke up.
“Mr. Volta, could you stop for a moment?”
“Yes! Hey! Stop!”
The caravan gradually came to a halt, and Volta, looking a bit nervous, spoke.
“Is something the matter…?”
However, Tim did not respond, instead staring out the window intently.
Ahead, there was a river, where several poorly dressed men were wading, desperately searching for something.
“Is it those people, Auditor?”
“Yes. What are they doing? This is near the Demon Forest, isn’t it?”
“Those men are panning for gold.”
“Gold?”
“Yes. It’s been known for ages that Clarinton sometimes yields a small amount of gold dust.”
“This is the first I’m hearing of it.”
“Indeed, the quantity is so insignificant that it could never sustain an industry. However, the marquess grants rewards for the gold, so the desperate search for it despite the danger of monsters.”
While Volta explained, Tim’s expression remained stern.
“…Auditor?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Let’s continue to Clarinton.”
“Yes! Move out!”
And so, the carriages resumed their journey toward Clarington.
Rather than heading to the Tarclay Trading Company branch, Volta and the others went straight to the mayor’s mansion. A man, overweight and middle-aged with a rather sinister look, welcomed them with a broad smile.
This man was the mayor of Clarinton.
“Tim, welcome! I’ve been expecting you.”
“Yes, Mayor. It’s been a while.”
Tim and the mayor exchanged a friendly handshake.
“What brings you here? I didn’t expect you to come in person.”
“Well, I saw something rather interesting on my way here.”
“Something interesting?”
“Yes. It seems gold dust can be found here. A large group of poor men was wading into the river despite the danger of monsters.”
“Ah, yes, that’s a common sight here. Especially after heavy rain, gold dust becomes a bit easier to find. Not that it yields much, but after a week or so, people stop going into the river.”
“…But if gold dust is easier to find after rain, doesn’t that suggest there’s a gold vein somewhere upstream?”
“That may be true, but the upstream area is deep within the Demon Forest. It’s not somewhere anyone can access.”
“I see… Oh, by the way, isn’t there a settlement upstream? What was it called…?”
“Are you referring to Scarlettford?”
“Oh, yes. Wasn’t there a trade ban across the entire territory against Scarlettford?”
“Yes, that’s right. There was trouble with the Tarclay Trading Company, and they even meddled underground, so we imposed the ban.”
“Ah, I see. I was wondering why such a wide-reaching ban had been imposed, but that explains it.”
“Yes, that’s the situation.”
Tim and the mayor nodded to each other, speaking without any hint of guilt.
“But if you’ve blocked trade to that village in the Demon Forest, isn’t it likely they’ve perished by now?”
“Indeed. The roads have been closed, so by now, the village may have completely returned to the forest.”
In response to Tim’s question, the mayor answered casually.
“And besides, we’ve already squeezed all the money we could from that village, haven’t we, Volta?”
“Yes, that’s true. We couldn’t drain the new baron’s brat of his wealth or title, though…”
Volta grimaced as he spoke.
“Well, nothing can be done about that. Besides, didn’t that kid only have a small amount of money? I heard he was shopping in a rundown ox-cart.”
“I see. But isn’t she related to the Marquess?”
“Ah, there’s no problem there. When the trade ban was issued, our president personally checked with the Marquess’s estate, and they assured us it was fine.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. So—”
“Excuse me!”
Suddenly, the door opened, and a young man in formal attire entered.
“What is it? No need for such commotion.”
“My apologies! But we have an unexpected situation.”
“Unexpected? What is it?”
The man glanced at Tim and the others.
“These gentlemen are not an issue. They are with the Tarclay Trading Company.”
“Ah, I see. In that case, this is perfect timing.”
“What do you mean? Speak up.”
“Yes. We are seeing an unprecedented amount of gold dust being collected. As a result, we’ve exhausted the reward budget for the entire year.”
“What? Didn’t we secure more than enough funds?”
“Yes, but we’ve already used up the entire reserve.”
Hearing this news, Tim and the others exchanged glances.
“I see. I’ll speak with the president. If the Demon Forest is involved, we’ll need help from the Marquess of Southbury.”
“Indeed. Mayor, I’ll also reach out to offer my assistance.”
“Yes, Tim. Thank you.”