CHAPTER 29: BODY SOAP POLITICS & SEWING WORKSHOP REBUILD!

"Last night was quite enjoyable, wasn’t it?"

At noon, Princess Ellis arrived at the mansion with Officer Miya and her entourage, her first words spoken with a delighted murmur.

Where does this princess get her knowledge of such games?

"Well, thanks to you, Princess. I’m grateful for many things," I said, expressing my sincere gratitude. To be precise, the enjoyment had lasted until just moments ago before some people arrived, but I kept that to myself for my own good.

"Your aura... it has changed a lot," the princess said, narrowing her eyes as she looked at me.

"I don’t think it changed that much."

"No, it did. It seems Reina is serving you well, Lord Seiou. That’s a good thing," she said with a satisfied nod. "In our kingdom, we have a saying: ’Heroes are made by women.’ Thanks to Reina’s devotion, you’ve come closer to being a hero, Lord Seiou."

"A hero, huh?"

I had no desire to become a hero, but there was some truth to her words. When a man is admired by women, it gives him confidence, boosts his testosterone, and creates a positive cycle, improving his work and making him even more attractive. Even capable men frequent hostess clubs to feel desired, to stimulate that same hormone rush.

"Is this the ’Body soap’ you created with your magic?" the princess asked, gazing in awe at the mountain of roughly 500 bottles of high-end body soap I had just made.

"Such an impressive number, and what a wonderful fragrance."

"All thanks to Reina raising my level," I replied.

"That’s splendid. How many levels did you gain?"

"Eighteen to be precise."

"That’s remarkable. Reina, well done. Please continue to serve Lord Seiou faithfully," the princess said solemnly, turning to Reina with praise.

"Thank you, Princess," Reina replied, her expression tense but grateful.

"Thanks to Reina, my level and mana have risen more than expected, so I’m thinking of revising the plan," I said.

"Please, tell me more," the princess responded.

"First, Princess, I’d like you to take about ten bottles of body soap back to the castle and use them."

"Just for my own use?" she asked.

"Yes. I want the brand to have the image of being used by the royal family. You can use it for handwashing too, so wash your hands multiple times a day to promote it."

"Hmm... By using it myself, the product’s value will increase. I understand," she agreed.

"I also have a request for Officer Miya," I said.

"Anything you command," Miya replied, standing rigidly at attention.

"I’d like you to deliver 80 bottles of body soap to the merchant Morris. He’ll likely share them with his business associates and spread the word abroad. If possible, I’d like you to go as my representative. Can you handle it?"

"Of course. And please, issue commands, not requests," she said.

"Also, make sure to mention that my level has risen significantly since then."

"Understood. I’ll prepare to go immediately," Miya said, directing a few guards to carry the body soap and leaving the room swiftly.

"Why entrust this to Miya?" the princess asked, curious.

"There are several reasons, but mainly, sending a capable and well positioned officer like her as my envoy signals to Morris that my status in this kingdom has also risen. That will make future dealings easier and flexible."

"I see. You value her highly," the princess noted.

"Well, yes."

Despite her failure to rebuild the sewing workshop, Miya was a competent officer.

"The next time I visit Morris, it’ll likely be to ripp... borrow money again. Having a higher status in his eyes will make negotiations smoother for us," I added.

"Captain Kanon," I continued, turning to the guard captain. "I’m giving 100 bottles of body soap to the royal guard. Take them back to your barracks and use them for yourself."

"For us?" Kanon asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Yes. You all must sweat during training or missions. Use them for your daily need."

"Thank you, Lord Seiou. The guards will be thrilled," Kanon said, saluting with gratitude. Boosting the guards’ morale was a small price to pay.

"Reina, as my envoy, deliver 100 bottles to the sewing workshop’s dormitory. They can use them freely. After that, you can also join the women at the workshop."

"Really? I mean, is that okay, Master?" Reina asked.

"Yes. The cooperation of the women at the sewing workshop is essential. Once you’re done, come to the workshop with them."

"Understood. Thank you, Master. I think everyone will be happy," Reina said, bowing cheerfully before leaving with a few guards to transport the soap.

"Why send Reina herself? Couldn’t a proxy have done it?" the princess asked, intrigued.

"I wanted to strengthen the sewing workshop women’s support for Reina. Returning with such a fine gift after just one night will boost her reputation there," I explained. It was also a reward for her hard work, I wanted to give her a moment to shine.

"A brilliant decision," the princess said.

"The remaining 200 bottles should be sent to the brothel. I’ll explain their use later," I instructed.

"Yes, I’ll have the remaining guards handle it," the princess replied. "But truly, Lord Seiou, you’ve transformed quite a lot in just one day."

"Have I?"

"Yes. Your decisions are precise, and your use of people is also very appropriate."

"I’m just making the most of the leftover body soap. I don’t see it as anything praiseworthy."

"You’re too modest. Please keep leading everyone like this, myself included, Lord Seiou."

"Hmm... In that case, I have one more request for you, Princess Ellis," I said, whispering it so only she could hear.

....

"That’s quite the request," she murmured.

"Perhaps. But it’s something only you can do."

"...Very well. I can’t leave everything to Reina and the others," she agreed easily, despite the request being bold enough to anger Miya or Kanon for its audacity, but my plan being perfect, none of them were nearby now.

"Once preparations are ready, let’s head to the sewing workshop," I said.

"Understood."

---

---

By the time I arrived at the sewing workshop with the princess, the seamstresses were already there.

"Master, we’ve been waiting," Reina greeted me.

The seamstresses’ eyes were bright and full of energy. The body soap I distributed seemed to have boosted morale at the workshop.

"What I want you all to make is this kingdom’s new export industry," I said, unveiling the undergarments I created through item creation sex magic.

Various types of underwear were laid out on a table.

"These are otherworldly undergarments, worn beneath clothing. They’re also outfits women wear during intimate moments with their partners," I explained.

The seamstresses, fascinated by the foreign attire, stared intently at the underwear.

"What are these?"

"Such small pieces of fabric."

"Will these sell?"

They seemed unsure about the thin, almost transparent, unfamiliar undergarments.

"I want to see them worn," one woman said, a natural reaction.

"Then these will do," I said, channeling mana into my right hand and activating wind magic.

[Item Creation: Sex Doll]

Several life-sized female sex dolls appeared.

"What intricate dolls!"

"Amazing!"

"They are so well made!"

The seamstresses gasped in awe at the sex dolls. Mannequins would have sufficed, but my magic made sex dolls easier to create. Naturally, I kept their true purpose a secret.

The women dressed the dolls in the undergarments, examining the designs.

"So this is how they look when worn."

"They’re kind of cute."

"More like sexy, maybe?"

"They’re for intimate moments, so men probably like this style."

"The material is silk. We could also do the embroidery here."

"This stretchy material might be hard to source."

"The tie-up type seems doable."

"This ’bra’ is tricky, so many unfamiliar parts."

"But it makes the chest look nice. I want to make these."

"We could adapt corset techniques, though they’d need help to wear."

"High-end undergarments are for noble ladies or rich men’s mistresses, who’d have maids to assist."

"This ’sports bra’ seems like something we could make with our current skills."

The women shared their thoughts, each comment serious and focused, giving off a hint of their expertise in the field.

"I want you to make three types of undergarments: high-end ones for noblewomen, everyday ones for commoners, and sexy ones for brothel workers or rich men’s mistresses. Can you do it?"

"Yes. With our dress-making skills, we can manage it," said a woman with long, purplish hair tied up, named Jerry, who seemed to be the technical lead.

"How long will it take?"

"At least a week for prototypes," she replied.

"Good. I’ll decide on mass production after seeing the prototypes."

"One question," Jerry said. "Even if we make good products, selling them is a totally different matter. If they don’t sell well, we’re finished."

"That’s a good question," I replied. Making quality goods means nothing if they don’t sell. Believing ’good products will sell themselves’ is a craftsman’s delusion. Promoting their value is as crucial as making them.

"To establish a new fashion culture, we need fashion leaders, what we call ’influencers.’"

In any country, influencers are women: young, mobile women and prominent figures, or celebrities.

"First, the sexy undergarments will be worn by the brothel workers," I said. The brothel housed the kingdom’s youngest, most dynamic women, who wouldn’t hesitate to wear revealing clothing.

"The high-end undergarments will be promoted by Princess Ellis."

"What?!" the seamstresses exclaimed, shocked.

"Princess, please," I said.

"Yes," Ellis replied, removing the shawl over her dress, revealing a glimpse of the bra I created for her.

"Doesn’t it matter if the bra shows? It’s meant to be worn under clothes, right?" one seamstress asked.

"This is a ’show bra,’ a fashion meant to be seen," I explained.

Thanks to the bra’s shaping effect, even the princess’s modest chest formed a beautiful cleavage.

"...Lord Seiou, were you just thinking something rude?" the princess asked, smiling but probing.

"Not at all, Princess Ellis.... (I was)," I lied.

"The high-end undergarments will be spread by the princess at social events," I continued. Despite her kingdom’s decline, she was still a princess of a nation, a celebrity with influence.

"Lastly, the everyday undergarments will be worn by the most stylish and beautiful women here. So who is willing to volunteer for it?"

"I think Reina would be perfect, Lord Seiou," said a cheerful, red-haired woman about Reina’s age, raising her hand. "She’s cute and always fashionable."

I agreed. Reina was clearly a fashion leader here.

"Reina, can you do it?" I asked.

"Sure, but I’d be shy alone. Ran and the others should join me," Reina said.

"Me? No, I’m not as cute as you," Ran protested.

"That’s not true. Let’s just do it together. It’s less embarrassing with everyone," Reina insisted.

In the end, Reina, Ran, and a few other close-knit women their age agreed to be fashion leaders.

"Just wearing undergarments won’t promote them, will it?" Reina asked.

"No, you’ll also wear these," I said, showing them a photo of a woman in a miniskirt on my smartphone.

"Such a short skirt!"

"Isn’t that a bit risky? It could flip up in the wind."

"But if you’re wearing undergarments, it might not be much revealing," one of the fashion leaders said.

"Yes, exactly," I said. "Just live in them and the miniskirts. That’s enough to spread the new fashion."

"It’s embarrassing to show so much leg, but a knee-length skirt might be fine," Ran said.

"They’re cute."

"They look easy to move in."

Being young, they were open-minded and agreed readily.

"Can you make the skirts?" I asked.

"It’s just like shortening a long skirt. It’s easy for us," one said.

"Then let’s do it. Reina, please bring a prototype tonight."

"Yes, Master," Reina said, excited about wearing otherworldly clothing.

"Finally, let’s name the undergarment brands," I suggested.

"Great idea! Let’s think of names," Reina and the others agreed enthusiastically.

After discussion, the luxurious, lace-heavy undergarments were named "Body Tiara," symbolizing a crown for the body. The simple, mass-producible commoner undergarments were called "Body Flora," after a wildflower in the kingdom. The skimpy, sexy undergarments were named "Body Inmu," after a seductive fairy.

The Tiara and Inmu brands would be crafted by skilled seamstresses, while the general seamstresses would handle the Flora model.

They began working on prototypes immediately.

"Are you wearing the undergarments now, Reina?" one seamstress asked.

"Yup," Reina replied.

"Can you show us in private?"

"Sure."

"And try these on too?"

"And these?"

"Okay, one at a time," Reina agreed cheerfully. They preferred seeing a real person wear them over the dolls.

"Reina, I’m heading to the brothel now. I’ll leave this to you," I said.

"Okay, Master," she replied.

"I’d like you back by dinner if possible."

"Alright. I’ll send word if I’m late," I promised.

I felt a twinge of guilt heading to the brothel to "instruct" the women there, but Reina sent me off with a bright, carefree smile.