Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Volume 8: Fluttering the Panties of Revolution (3)
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In reality, I'd just worried too much. The uproar had blazed hot for a bit before quickly dying down.
The competition over bras was making even more noise in sales.
Or maybe not—perhaps everyone had just gone off to study that naughty bra or whatever it was.
I'd thought those terrifying folks drawing revolution-themed art were some kind of monsters, but nope. They were just your average wizards who loved tinkering with this stuff.
"And new works are starting to pop up again..."
The gallery, plastered with Siwoo posters, was slowly returning to normal.
Sure, I'd desperately rationalized it to myself, but that was just because I could barely hold on. My heart had been uneasy the whole time.
Now, it finally felt like I could relax a bit.
Maybe it was time to start on a sequel to the Avatar series.
My mind had been all over the place, so I'd just been doodling weird sketches instead of drawing proper comics.
Still, the government hadn't slapped any restrictions on me despite all that crazy misunderstanding. That was something.
"Oh? What brings you here?"
"Huff... huff... Whew, you're still here. I was worried you might've left already."
"Pardon?"
What? She wasn't here for some errand today, so why the sudden visit?
Oh no, was it Professor Rondo and Elder Sharon summoning me again?
Talking to them about this mess sounded exhausting. I was getting scared already.
"Why don't you come this way first? They insisted I deliver it in person."
"In person?"
What the heck? Was it another fan letter from some busty half-orc freak like last time?
But if so, these were the kind of people who'd keep my info under wraps. Could be the same half-orc who'd caused that uproar before.
That was pretty scary.
"Huh?"
"Ah, hello."
"Yes? Uh, hello. Have we met...?"
The person waiting for me was a total stranger, which threw me for a loop.
I had no clue what was going on and was seriously flustered.
Sensing my vibe, she straightened up and gave a formal greeting.
"I'm Neo Hu Vitia, captain of the Ativ Knight Order. You're Kali Hu Gladys, disciple of Painter Siu, correct?"
"Uh? Oh, yes, that's me."
I'd heard of the Ativ Knight Order.
My dad had been their captain before handing over the role and becoming honorary captain.
It was one of the few elite orders directly under the imperial family.
Someone who made captain was probably a Sword Master, no doubt.
Sure, Sword Masters were rare, but anyone appointed to lead an imperial knight order was almost always one.
'Why would someone like that come for me?'
Maybe an old acquaintance of Dad's dropping by personally?
But she'd just called me Painter Siu's disciple, so that didn't fit.
No matter how I racked my brain, I couldn't figure it out...
"Please deliver this to Painter Siu."
"Pardon? This is..."
"I'm sorry. Only she can see the contents. It's beyond my authority to explain. My deepest apologies."
She handed over fancy letter paper stamped with the imperial crest, sealed with wax.
So the empire had sent a letter... to 'Siu'.
With all my guilty secrets, my breath caught in my throat.
Even if I meant well with the naughty stuff, from above it might look like I was manipulating public opinion.
One wrong move, and anonymity or not, I was screwed.
I could've ended up a criminal where even child protection laws seemed tame by comparison.
I fought off a panic attack and pocketed the letter.
Fuck, please spare me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In a World Where Naughty Comics Are Legal
"You called for me?"
"Yeah, sit there. Everyone out except Nia."
"Yes, sir!"
Once the ministers filed out, the emperor let out a deep sigh and gazed fondly at Nia sitting before him, asking about recent events.
Nia recited her progress in magic studies and political training in a stiff, mechanical tone.
Watching her, the emperor's eyes filled with profound sadness. He ordered her to undress.
Without a hint of refusal, Nia complied, revealing her chest tightly bound with bandages.
With trembling hands, the emperor unwound the bindings. The breasts that emerged were impressively large, jiggling as they sprang free.
But they weren't pale and beautiful—long-term compression had left them bruised and mottled, a gruesome sight.
"I'm sorry. Your father is so sorry..."
"No, Your Majesty. This is the path I chose."
The emperor wanted to insist it couldn't be her choice after forcing her into it since childhood, but he worried it might wound her resolve. He just sighed heavily instead.
How had such a heavy burden fallen on this child?
"Not 'Your Majesty'—call me Father. Can't you do that?"
"...Father."
From Nia's lips came not her usual gruff, low male voice, but a cute, high-pitched feminine one.
Hearing it, the emperor bit his lip hard and gently stroked her hair.
Nia nearly teared up from the emotion but held it back.
"I'm sorry, my beloved daughter..."
"Someone might overhear. Please avoid such talk if possible."
"You're more mature than I am. Well, you're an adult now, after all."
In the end, it was his own failing—not siring children for so long, and when he finally did, not a son.
Dumping that on this young, kind daughter felt unbearably sinful.
"I'm more worried about Your Majesty's well-being. You've been overworking, and your health..."
"At my age, I could go anytime. It's only natural. If I hadn't learned this damned swordplay decently, I'd be dead already."
"Please don't say that. Without Your Majesty, who..."
"Nia. Won't you take over?"
Nia protested she wasn't ready yet, urging him to preserve his health.
But the emperor seemed far more concerned about her health.
The longer her public duties, the worse her chest condition got from the bindings.
"I'll just cut them off. Then..."
"No. Didn't I tell you before? What if a world comes where a female emperor is accepted?"
"Your Majesty, that's not happening anytime soon. How could..."
Even if it never did.
Unlike hair, that part wouldn't grow back once severed.
So the emperor didn't want her making such an extreme choice.
"I know. About you wearing wigs and playing around like a normal girl."
"...Your Majesty."
"So no empty words. And whatever you're worried about, I've handled it already. No need for that."
"Pardon?"
The emperor pulled a box from beside him and handed it to Nia.
She took it with a bewildered expression.
"A birthday gift for your coming-of-age. Happy birthday, Nia."
"A birthday gift..."
"Open it."
Inside was something eerily like the trendy women's undergarment, the 'bra'.
Nia asked what it was.
The emperor smiled faintly and explained.
"You know about these bras making waves lately."
"Yes, undergarments that support women's breasts..."
"This one's made for when you're in disguise. Sharon whipped it up, so the performance should be top-notch."
Perfectly sized—likely measured in advance—it fit her chest snugly and comfortably.
The exterior felt rigid, but the inside was lined with soft, cushioned material.
Unlike the bandages, though, the generous curves were still prominent, just like a regular bra.
"It's a bit different from normal bras, but it's still a bra, right? How does this..."
"Try channeling some mana into it."
"Ah, yes."
The moment she infused mana, the bra reshaped naturally. Her protruding breasts gradually flattened inward.
Not perfectly flat, but close to what the bandages achieved.
"Feels firm to the touch, so even if someone gropes you, they won't notice. How's it feel?"
"There's almost no compression. How...?"
"Space expansion magic to minimize discomfort, or so he said. Magic's not my forte, so tough to explain. A little pressure, but no more bruising."
"Thank you."
Truth be told, he felt a twinge of guilt giving such a modest gift for her birthday. It was the least he should do.
But Nia shook her head, grateful even for the thought.
"I love it. I'll use it well, Father."
"Good. I tried preparing something else too, but time was short... Still no reply."
"Pardon?"
"I commissioned that 'Painter Siu' who made the bra to design new uniforms for Graveda Academy."
"Suddenly?"
Thinking it a bit out of left field, Nia responded with surprise.
The emperor chuckled briefly, downplaying it.
"Her fame's sky-high already without my nudge, but that's mostly among magic enthusiasts. The academy has swordsmanship sprouts too, no?"
"You're deliberately boosting her profile in diverse directions."
"Exactly."
That painter's ambitions were no joke.
In her comics, the world-saving hero was a woman, the love confessor a woman.
She was shattering conventional limits on 'women'.
And if things unfolded as he suspected...
"A world where I can become emperor without hiding my gender. That's what you're hoping for."
"Just a little push from me. Not expecting miracles, mind you."
Saying he didn't expect it, the emperor smiled at his daughter, secretly yearning for that day more than anyone. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇