ISEKAI? More like I See Crap!-Chapter 98: Unexpected Guests ( )

In the Beastkin Kingdom...

"Your Majesty," a guard knelt before the throne. "There is an official delegation requesting an audience."

King Lioness III raised an eyebrow, reclining slightly on his throne. His golden hair shimmered faintly under the sunlight pouring from the high windows. "Huh? What do they want this time?"

"They claim to bear an official letter from King Aswand of the Human Kingdom, Your Majesty. The delegation... includes the summoned heroines."

The atmosphere in the grand hall shifted. The nobles murmured, tails twitching, ears perking.

"Summoned heroines, huh..." King Lioness stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That arrogant Aswand must be planning something again. Hmph. Very well."

He waved his hand lazily. "Prepare the audience chamber. Let’s see what this little ’official’ visit is really about."

The summoned heroes—Olivia, Emma, Luna, Mira, and Zenny—along with their escorts Cyprian and Leoric, were seated in the royal palace’s guest receiving hall.

Servants offered them refreshments, but none of the girls touched them—each tense in her own way.

Then, the heavy doors opened with a deep creak. A tall beastkin advisor entered, wearing formal robes trimmed with gold thread. His snow-white fur and calm demeanor gave him an air of practiced diplomacy.

He gave a courteous bow and said,

"His Majesty King Lioness III grants you audience. Please follow me."

Emma glanced toward Olivia, who nodded silently. The group stood and followed the advisor, each step echoing across the polished marble floor.

They stepped into the grand throne room, a vast chamber.

At the far end, seated upon an elevated throne, was the ruler of the Beastkin Kingdom—King Lioness III.

As they approached the throne, all members of the human delegation dropped to one knee in respectful unison.

"We are the delegation sent by His Majesty, King Aswand," Luna said, her head bowed low as she presented the sealed letter with both hands.

King Lioness gave a small nod.

His advisor, standing beside the throne, stepped forward gracefully. With a quiet murmur, he cast a basic curse and poison detection spell—a standard diplomatic procedure. The letter shimmered faintly, indicating it was clean.

"Your Majesty, may I have permission to break the royal seal?" the advisor asked with a respectful tone.

"Proceed," King Lioness said, maintaining his calm and composed royal bearing.

The advisor delicately broke the seal. He checked inside—not the contents, for that would be impolite—but merely to confirm the formality.

"It is safe, Your Majesty."

King Lioness nodded once more, signaling him to read.

The advisor silently scanned the contents. A few moments passed, heavy with quiet tension.

King Lioness turned to the human delegation. His voice was deep and formal:

"You may rise. Please, take your seats."

Luna and the other heroes gracefully took their seats, the rich cushions beneath them a clear mark of royal hospitality. A few moments later, the royal maids entered silently, placing trays of delicately arranged fruit, warm bread, and fragrant tea before each guest.

Meanwhile, the royal advisor leaned in, whispering something quietly to King Lioness.

With a composed yet purposeful motion, King Lioness took the letter from the advisor’s hands and began to read it himself.

A heavy silence lingered in the room as he skimmed through its contents. His sharp eyes scanned the parchment, expression unreadable.

Finally, he looked up at the assembled hero party.

"You shall remain in the palace as honored guests," King Lioness said with a calm but firm tone. "A matter of this nature cannot be answered lightly. A royal decree demands proper deliberation."

He paused, setting the letter down beside him.

"You will be given rooms, attendants, and anything you require during your stay. I expect no less from those bearing a message from King Aswand himself."

Inside King Lioness’s mind:

Foolish humans... Does King Aswand truly believe I would offer my daughter’s hand so easily? He must be ignorant—or worse, blind—to the sacred bond Ellyna already bears. The Pinky Promise Oath is absolute. No one dares lay claim to her, let alone try to touch her without suffering the curse.

Even a forced kiss would doom the man instantly. And this king wishes to propose an engagement? Absurd.

Lioness’s eyes narrowed subtly, though his expression remained composed.

He stood, his robe flowing with a dignified rustle.

"I must now attend to matters of state," he said with regal grace, his voice calm but commanding. "My advisor and the court shall continue to host you in my stead."

With that, he turned to his nobles and gestured faintly—a silent signal.

Several high-ranking figures, including a young nobleman who carried himself like royalty, stood and followed the king as he departed through the grand side hall, leaving the hero party in the company of the remaining courtiers.

Luna took a bite of the roasted meat and sighed in delight. "Girls... this food is so good!"

Emma nodded with stars in her eyes. "Yeah! I love this! It’s ten times better than the bland royal meals back home!"

Zenny swirled her glass and sipped the wine like a noblewoman. "Mmm... it’s been so long since I’ve had real wine~ I missed this."

Mira frowned and glared at her over the rim of her goblet. "Hey~ aren’t you underage? You’re barely eighteen!"

Zenny smirked, sticking out her tongue. "Barely still counts! Besides, we’re in another kingdom now. Maybe their drinking age is different~"

Mira crossed her arms with a sharp huff. "Figures. Even in another world, the laws bend for troublemakers like you."

Luna giggled. "Let her have a sip. It’s not like she’s going to go on a rampage with a crossbow."

While the girls were chatting away, the two escorts—Leoric the tank and Cyprian the berserker—were tearing into the roasted meat like seasoned warriors returning from battle.

"This," Cyprian grunted between bites, "is how meat should taste. Juicy. Bloody. Proper."

Leoric gave a content nod as he reached for his drink. In his relaxed state, he casually set his hand down—unintentionally resting it on Zenny’s shoulder.

Zenny froze. Her eyes widened, cheeks instantly turning a shade redder than the roasted boar on her plate.

"H-Hey," she squeaked, glancing at his hand.

Leoric, completely unaware, chuckled, "Huh? Something wrong with the food?"

Zenny quickly turned away, hiding her flustered face behind her goblet. "N-No! Just—uh—spicy! Yeah! The seasoning is strong!"

Cyprian glanced over, smirking as he tore into another piece of meat. "Heh... seasoning, huh?"

Zenny kicked him under the table.

Emma leaned in and whispered to Mira, "Is it just me, or did Zenny just turn into a tomato?"

Mira smirked. "Must be the wine. Or the hand."

( End of Chapter )