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. - Chapter 41: The Exiled Young Girl Negotiates

“By the way, Lord Edward, would it be alright to use this bird skeleton for future communication?”

“Eh? Oh, yes.”

Lord Edward finally seemed to come to his senses as I addressed him.

“If you’d like, I can lend you several.”

“Hmm… Well, I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“What kind of skeletons do you need? A lesser beast, perhaps? Or a bird?”

“Let’s start with the lesser beast, I suppose.”

“How many do you need?”

“Well, let’s see… I would need something that can pull a wagon.”

“A wild boar skeleton would have the strength of several horses. How many would you require?”

“Er, then, let’s start with just one.”

“Very well. I’ll arrange it once I return to Scarletford. How much will you pay per month?”

“What!? Are you really charging money between nobles!?”

Lord Edward was surprised and asked, but this was a value common among the nobles of this country.

That value held that nobles should work for honor, and working for money was considered a base act.

Of course, they live in luxury by extracting taxes from the common people…

“Yes, of course. After all, Scarletford is a frontier village in the Forest of Demons. Besides, I’m no longer connected to my family. I need to earn money to support my people.”

“But…”

“Oh, are you suggesting that Lord Edward expects my people to starve for the sake of my honor?”

“Hmm…”

“Moreover, I’m not working to earn money for myself. The skeletons are like serfs on my estate. If serfs work in another territory, it is only natural for a noble to receive a corresponding tax.”

“…You have a point.”

“In that case, as a trial, I’ll rent out a wild boar skeleton for just one gold coin for the first month.”

By the way, one gold coin is equivalent to fifty silver coins.

“Hmm… That seems too low. For that price, one could buy a horse suitable for a knight within six months.”

Lord Edward made a troubled expression.

“Oh, the price is not unreasonable. Isn’t that right, Simon?”

“Yes, as the Baroness says. Skeletons do not need food or rest. Furthermore, a wild boar skeleton is stronger than a horse, can be commanded with words, and will not run amok due to surprise. Many merchants would be willing to pay not just a gold coin but a large amount to rent such an excellent beast.”

“Hmm…”

“Even if it’s just for the first month, being able to rent it for just one gold coin is a bargain. Merchants would consider it a steal.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Moreover, as we are building a road to Bitterley, trade will accelerate. The gold coin you pay will eventually be used to purchase goods from Bitterley, which will make Bitterley prosper even more.”

“Indeed. And the gold coin received will also be used to eliminate monsters from the Forest of Demons, contributing to the safety of Bitterley, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right. In that case, I would like to rent one wild boar skeleton.”

“Very well, with pleasure.”

Thus, I secured my first customer for the skeleton rental business.

That day, I was well taken care of at Lord Edward’s place. I was introduced to his wife, Gloria, and his four children: David, the fourth son, and Muriel, the second daughter. They hosted a delightful dinner.

Lord Edward’s family seemed to be a happy one… It was a bit enviable.

Well, I have Marie, so I’m fine.

By the way, Lord Edward’s eldest and third sons serve as knights at the main house, and his eldest daughter is already married and has left home. Unfortunately, his second son passed away prematurely.

The next morning, Muriel took me from the town hall to show me around the town.

“Come, Baroness. Let’s start with the central square.”

“Alright.”

“Then, please let’s go.”

The carriage slowly began to move.

Muriel, who is five years older than me, resembles her mother Gloria with her striking features. Her hair is a fiery red like Gloria’s, and she has a slender figure.

“By the way, Baroness.”

“What is it, Lady Knight?”

“If you don’t mind, may I call you by your name?”

“…Is that alright? I have black hair and eyes, you know?”

“Yes, that’s true. However, the priest says that no one is born carrying sin, but rather sins are accumulated through bad deeds. Therefore, Baroness, you might not be forsaken by the gods just because of your black hair and eyes.”

“…I hope that’s the case.”

“Then! Please be my friend!”

Hmm, being asked to be friends so suddenly feels a bit suspicious… or am I just being overly cautious?

“I don’t have any friends in Bitterley. The only people around me are those who approach because I am a daughter of the Hallowes family. So…”

Muriel said, her face showing signs of loneliness.

Well, maybe there’s something going on with Lord Edward asking her to do this, but… oh well. I’ll just see how things go.

“Alright. From now on, let’s be friends, Muriel. You can call me Olivia, and feel free to talk to me more casually.”

“Oh my! Is that really alright!? Thank you very much!”

Muriel smiled happily.

Thus, I made my first friend.