ISEKAI? More like I See Crap!

Days later.

Hazuki walked lazily along the dusty main road, finally out from the deeper forest trail. The open space made him squint against the sunlight. His boots kicked at small stones as he reached the side of the road and crouched down.

"Hey, Ridan."

"What?" the spirit responded, circling slowly in the air.

"You think we should wait for Girem?"

"Why ask me?" Ridan floated lower, staring blankly at him. "If you want to wait, then wait."

"Hmm… I don't know, man." Hazuki scratched his butt , then reached into his side pouch. He pulled out the last life fruit he had, the glowing pear-like fruit shimmering faintly in his hand.

Ridan floated silently, staring as Hazuki took a bite.

Crunch.

Juice ran down Hazuki's fingers.

Another bite.

Ridan said nothing.

Because he couldn't.

He didn't have permission to talk about it.

Not the fruit.

Not the tree.

Not that.

So he just floated there, hands folded behind his back like a silent, twitching balloon.

Hazuki chewed and looked off toward the horizon.

A faint rumble echoed through the quiet morning road—wheels grinding over stone and wood creaking under weight. A wagon was approaching.

Hazuki perked up. "I think I should start hitchhiking."

Ridan narrowed his eyes at him. "There's no way you can, man. Even if they let you ride, they'll ask for payment."

"Well, I don't mind anyway." Hazuki shrugged, casually munching another bite of the life fruit like it was a roadside apple. "After I give the Hidun Grass to the guild, I'm thinking of resting for two or three days before we pick up the next herb from the quest list."

"Rest? No way. That's boring," Ridan huffed, crossing his arms mid-air.

"What? Rest is important."

"Huh? It's not like you're doing hard labor or lifting heavy weights."

"Still, I need a rest."

"No way! I don't want to float around doing nothing while you snore and drool again. You forgot your dream already? Sightseeing the whole world!"

Hazuki leaned back and laid flat on the roadside grass, arms folded behind his head.

"Yeah, and sightseeing includes knowing when to chill."

Ridan groaned. "Lazy bastard…"

Hazuki grinned. "Thanks."

Hazuki squinted, eyes narrowing as he peered down the road. The wagon coming closer wasn't pulled by a horse—it was that peculiar, muscled beast with the stubby snout and tusks.

"Ah… it's Girem."

The dwarf coachman spotted him and raised a hand. "Yo, lad! Lookin' good, eh? Thought ye were probably worm food by now!"

Hazuki stood up and dusted himself off. "Hmm? Still alive."

"Heh! Can't believe ye actually survived that place without proper prep." Girem chuckled as the wagon came to a stop.

"Err… I just did what I felt like doing."

"Yea, yea. Carefree human type." Girem scratched his beard and jerked a thumb toward the wagon. "So? Ye want a ride back, or ye feel like walkin' all the way to town again?"

"Of course I'll ride. Thanks, old man."

"Yea, yea…" Girem smirked and held out his thick hand. "Now cough it up."

"Huh?" Hazuki blinked. "What?"

"Payment, lad."

"Ugh! Didn't I already pay you before?"

"Aye, aye… ye did. But that noble brat's ride to the next town cut into yer balance. And this stop's a special one—ain't nobody stoppin' 'ere for free. Pay, or keep walkin'."

"Ugh… fine." Hazuki grumbled, fishing out ten silver coins from his pouch and slapping them into Girem's hand.

The dwarf grinned wide, coins jingling into his pocket. "Aye, that's more like it! Alright, let's get movin'!"

As the wagon rumbled along the uneven road, Hazuki lay back with both hands behind his head, staring at the wooden ceiling above.

"Old man?"

"What now?" Girem grunted, steering the beast with one hand.

"I'm gonna sleep. Wake me up when we reach the town."

"Aye, aye… go on, lad. Catch some shuteye." Girem muttered, reaching into his side pouch. He pulled out a stubby roll of herb cigar, bit the end, and lit it with a practiced spark from his tinder kit. The faint smell of earthy smoke drifted through the wagon.

Hazuki turned his head slightly, catching a whiff.

"Old man."

"Eh?" Girem looked over his shoulder.

"Give me one." Hazuki tossed a small clink of coins forward—five copper sliding across the wood.

Girem caught them midair and grinned, puffing smoke out of his nose. "Now we talkin' business!"

He passed Hazuki a fresh roll. Hazuki sat up halfway, channeling a flicker of flame from his fingertip to light it.

"Fuuuuhhh…" he exhaled, eyes half-lidded. "Yeah… that's the good stuff."

"Aye. Harvested in the stone mist valley. Strong enough to make a troll cry and relax enough to make an orc sing love songs."

"...That happen?"

"Once. Don't ask." Girem snorted and took another puff.

Hazuki chuckled, letting the motion of the wagon lull him. "Wake me up when we get there."

"You got it, lad."

In the capital city of the Beastkin Kingdom—Pawston.

Inside the grand palace, deep within the luxurious chamber where no guards nor maid dare to disturb without permission…

Ellyna lay sideways on her massive bed, her long golden hair sprawled across the soft silk pillow.

She wasn't in her child form.

One arm rested under her cheek, the other gently holding a necklace with faint magical glow, fingers slowly tracing it.

Her eyes half-lidded with boredom.

And in her arms—

A shirt.

Not just any shirt.

Hazuki's.

The one she quietly took and "forgot" to return back then.

She buried her nose into it.

"Mou~ Uncle's scent... it's fading... almost gone now..." she mumbled.

Her tail flicked slightly as her golden eyes looked toward the large window. The sun still high. A slow breeze swayed the curtains.

"I wonder what Uncle is doing right now..." she said with a smile, soft and full of longing.

The necklace on her chest gave a soft pulse.

A voice echoed inside her mind.

"Ridan..."

It was calm. Mature. Gentle.

The voice of Syaria—the ancient spirit sealed in the necklace Hazuki gave her.

Syaria had been quiet for most days. Only murmuring softly. But lately, the name "Ridan" kept coming up.

"Ridan~ I want to see you again... I still don't understand... why did you leave me like that... without a word... after everything..."

"Syaria!" Ellyna frowned.

"Hmm?"

"I'm daydreaming about Hazuki and you kept muttering another man's name again..."

"Ah... sorry..." Syaria's voice faded slightly.

Ellyna pouted and hugged the shirt tighter.

"Geez... even the spirit inside my necklace is lovesick..."

"You're lucky, Ellyna… you got your man bound with pinky promise. I'm not."

"Hmm?" Ellyna blinked. "It's not like Ridan can anyway… he's a spirit."

Syaria chuckled softly. "Yes…"

"I really want to meet Hazuki again… maybe go on date like before~ using his money~" Ellyna giggled, stretching on the bed while her eyes wandered toward the corner.

There, neatly placed on a mannequin—

A pure white, elegant wedding gown.

The one she forced Hazuki to buy.

"Preparation for our future marriage," she had said that time with a bright face.

And Hazuki… just gave up and paid for it.

Ellyna smiled happily. "Tehe~ Uncle is mine."

Knock knock

A soft knock on the door interrupted her.

"Come in," Ellyna said lazily.

The door opened.

Mrs. Faria entered with her usual calm expression and hands folded neatly in front of her.

"Princess… your father is calling."

"Eeeeehh? Why? I don't want to!" Ellyna flailed slightly, face buried in Hazuki's shirt again.

"Princess… it's official duty," Faria said with a small sigh. "He waits at the throne room. And please dress in official attire."

"And princess…" Faria raised an eyebrow. "Try not to show your weird side… sniffing Mister Hazuki's shirt that you stole."

"Wha!? No I didn't!" Ellyna turned red, hugging the shirt closer.

Faria sighed again. "Anyway, princess… I will wait outside until you're ready. Please do not take too long."

The door closed gently.

Ellyna pouted.

"Hmph… boring royal stuff again…" she grumbled, rolling around on her bed like a spoiled cat.

Ellyna sat up and placed the necklace gently beside the pillow.

Then with a soft glow in her golden eyes—

She activated her Absolute Eye skill.

A shimmer of light wrapped around her body.

Poof!

Her figure shrunk slightly.

Ellyna became Ellyn.

"Tehe~"

She skipped barefoot to her large wardrobe, humming a light tune, and picked out her official royal attire—specifically tailored for her childlike form.

A smooth cream-white dress with light golden ribbons and delicate embroidery.

She spun once while holding it up.

"Perfect!"

After quickly slipping into it, she grabbed the small ceremonial tiara and carefully placed it on her head. Her fluffy tail lazily swayed behind her as she admired herself in the tall mirror.

"I wonder where uncle is now… I really miss him…" she said softly, pressing a finger to her lips.

"If it wasn't for royal duties… I'd already be sightseeing with him…"

From behind the door, Faria's voice came through in a deadpan tone.

"No can do, Princess. You know how dangerous it is out there. Remember the day you were kidnapped?"

Ellyn froze.

Faria continued, "If it hadn't been for Mister Hazuki coming to save you, you'd probably still be held by that unknown force."

Ellyn's ears drooped slightly.

"…I know…"

( End Of Chapter )