After discussing various options with the boss, we finally decided on a way to make her appear more mature.

“Make it look natural. Understand?” she emphasized.

“Yes, Boss.”

“Well, then, I’ll leave it to you—I have preparations to make for this hearing…”

With those words, she left the lab, leaving only the faint scent of orange lingering where she’d been. Closing my eyes, I let that refreshing scent fill my mind, and as I inhaled, an idea for her growth method came to me naturally.

‘Make it look like she grew naturally…’

In truth, there were countless ways to make the boss appear older. I could create a hologram to mask her appearance, or even remotely control a robot that looked like her adult form. Alternatively, she could wear an adult-sized robot suit and move around in that, or I could use a method to physically make her body mature.

I had plenty of options, but the key was to find one that would suit the boss best.

The first option I eliminated was irreversible growth—surgery that would make it impossible for her to revert to her child form.

‘Even if she becomes an adult, she should be able to return to her original self whenever she wants.’

Making someone an adult was simple in theory; just stimulate cell division to increase cell count. Back in the days of clone slaves, they’d supposedly mass-produced workers overnight in this manner.

But such a straightforward approach came with severe risks. Forcing the body to grow would not only shorten the lifespan but also lead to various complications.

I couldn’t risk putting the boss through such dangerous procedures. She was more than just our leader; she was our mascot.

‘So, the options left are holograms, robots, or a reversible transformation…’

Considering possible accidents or superpowered beings, holograms and robots also seemed risky. What if there was a power capable of seeing through disguises or showing one’s true appearance?

Ultimately, I needed to create something akin to a de-aging potion straight out of a comic—an age-shifting drug that would allow her to switch between child and adult forms at will.

I vaguely recalled watching a video about how to make something like this on YouTube when I was young. Back then, I didn’t have the money to buy the ingredients, so I’d just skimmed the instructions and looked at the result.

I never thought I’d end up making it myself in another world. Relying on those childhood memories, I started brewing the potion to transform the boss into an adult.

On the day of the hearing, Regalia sat in a waiting room, growing increasingly anxious.

“…Not here yet?”

“No news yet, ma’am…”

“At this rate, I’ll be late…”

The scientist’s promised potion hadn’t arrived. If this went on, she’d have to show up in front of the cameras looking like this, revealing to the public that a ten-year-old was running Iblis Corporation.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a problem within E City. Regalia’s rule wasn’t based on mere inheritance but on her supernatural power, the “Majesty of the King.”

But outside E City? No one would invest in a company run by a ten-year-old. Anyone who would trust such a company was either a scammer or delusional. Even if she had proven her abilities and carried the bloodline of the former chairman, the markets would plummet, investments would dry up, and Iblis Corporation would wither.

And today’s hearing, orchestrated by rival companies to tear Iblis apart, would become even harder to withstand.

‘Please… hurry…’

Time ticked on, and the scheduled hearing time approached. Regalia began pacing, her guard gently reminding her that such behavior didn’t suit a lady of her standing. Just then, Vira came running in, slightly out of breath.

“Miss! I have it!”

“You’re late!”

“M-my apologies! There was some sort of anti-teleportation barrier around this area…”

Regalia gave Vira a slight smile, indicating she wasn’t genuinely angry. Vira, realizing she hadn’t actually offended her boss, handed her the pill the scientist had prepared. Without hesitation, Regalia swallowed it, feeling it dissolve in her stomach.

Then a wave of heat and tightness enveloped her body.

“Ugh—!?”

Her body expanded, limbs lengthening, shoulders broadening, chest and hips filling out. Her hair grew down to her back, and her skin stretched taut to match her newly developed muscles and bones.

With a tearing sound, her child-sized dress couldn’t withstand the transformation and ripped. Glancing down, Regalia saw a mature figure she hadn’t known before—her chest so large she couldn’t even see the floor, to the point that Vira and Kitty looked on in envy.

“Kitty. The outfit?”

“…It’s prepared.”

“Let’s get changed immediately.”

After slipping into the outfit, however, Regalia faced one last problem. None of the clothes they had fit her new body properly.

While they technically fit, the dress accentuated her chest and hips far too much. It looked less like attire for a hearing and more like something one would wear to seduce.

“I-I’ll get a new outfit immediately—”

“No, it’s already too late. I’ll go as is.”

“Miss?”

“Why does it matter? Even if some impertinent fool feels excitement seeing my body…”

Regalia replied with a light laugh.

“It’s only because my body is too perfect.”

“Miss…?”

Her two bodyguards sensed a change in her.

It wasn’t just that her body had grown; it seemed like Regalia’s very nature had shifted. They felt it distinctly.

“When does the chairperson of Iblis Corporation plan to join us?”

“Right, we don’t have all day. Dragging this out benefits no one…”

The officials presiding over the hearing started muttering, eager to finally meet the elusive chair of Iblis Corporation in person.

Rumors about the chair were rampant—some claimed the figure was a robot, others whispered of a deal with the devil for good fortune, and still others insisted it was a mere ten-year-old child. None of these tales held much credibility, yet they only fueled the curiosity surrounding the mysterious head of a city-ruling corporation.

“Iblis Corporation Chairperson Regalia is present,” announced a guard at the entrance, and all eyes turned to the doorway, filled with anticipation over what kind of figure would emerge.

As the doors opened, the gathered officials held their breath. A stunning woman, dressed in an outfit stretched tight across her body, heels clicking with each step, entered the room.

“What the…?”

“Good lord…”

“That outfit seems… a bit…”

Vulgar.

That was the immediate reaction from the officials and assembly members upon seeing Regalia for the first time. The snug dress and short skirt length made it look as though she’d squeezed into an outfit far too small, better suited for a bar than a hearing room.

Yet, as they looked past the outfit and gazed at her face, or rather the aura of regal majesty emanating from her entire being, they found themselves unable to feel any sense of lust toward her.

All they felt was reverence for a figure standing above them, an awe reserved for royalty, a respect for someone just below divinity.

“I am Regalia, Chair of Iblis Corporation.”

Her casual tone was underscored with natural authority. Not a single assembly member thought to protest or question it. Had she spoken in honorifics, they might have been the ones to feel unsettled.

Her tone of informal command was as natural as fish in water.

“So, I hear you have questions for me.”

With one sweeping gaze over the officials and cameras, Regalia spoke down to them.

“Let’s see if you can ask them.”

Even with her permission, not a single person could bring themselves to meet her gaze.

All they could manage was to lower their heads and muster the strength to speak, their voices faint and trembling.