[Spreading Witch Factors]: What? Is there something inappropriate about that?
[Spreading Witch Factors]: I only want to find my child a good home. No dowry required, zero requirements other than appearance. The bride price is an island several square kilometers in size. I absolutely won't let anyone suffer a loss.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: But I do have one condition. After the bride moves to the island, she must give birth to… hm, at least thirteen children before she can return to her family.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: And for every additional three children, as the Great Witch, I'll grant her any one wish. Interested parties, feel free to contact me~
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: …
Thirteen children. Was she raising pigs? Even a sow didn't give birth to that many in one litter!
Shin felt he had to do something — unless he wanted to end up howling "hoh-oh-oh" in the dungeon every day as some reversed breeding stock!
[Queen of Britain]: Great Witch, your conditions are indeed quite attractive. I must admit I'm tempted.
Tempted my foot!
Shin screamed internally. As a Pillar Man, he might not collapse from overwork — but was her daughter some kind of field that could never be overplowed?!
[Queen of Britain]: The fairies in my territory have grown increasingly restless lately. I, too, wish to secure a fallback refuge for my child and followers.
[Queen of Britain]: But my daughter… How should I put this?
On a certain worldline's Britain, within the bedchamber of the "Winter Queen."
"Mother, look, look! These are the beautiful 'shoes' I just collected~!"
A red-haired fairy girl skipped forward excitedly, presenting a pair of "high heels" — still attached to their original owner's severed ankles — as though offering treasure to Morgan, who sat upon the throne reviewing chat messages.
Morgan: …
Looking at her daughter — who had nothing going for her except her appearance — Morgan suddenly had the illusion that even waiving the bride price entirely might not be enough to send her off.
If a suitable political marriage truly arose, perhaps she herself would be more reliable than her daughter.
[Queen of Britain]: I've reconsidered. Let's forget it.
[Queen of Britain]: Though my daughter's looks are passable, her temperament is utterly incorrigible. I won't burden your son.
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: Yes, exactly. Great Witch, might you be a bit… overconfident about your child?
Seizing the opening, Shin hurried to fight for his future freedom:
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: As leader of the Witch race, your child was born among witches. Logically, he shouldn't lack potential partners.
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: But judging from what you said earlier, you sound worried no one wants him…
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: Your child isn't some ugly, foolish, ill-tempered fellow, is he?
Shin used Self-Deprecation. It was super effective!
[Spreading Witch Factors]: ?
[[Spreading Witch Factors] has consumed one [Boundary-Breaking Talisman] to send you a World Entry Request. Accept?]
Along with the question mark in the chat, a notification window popped up before Shin's eyes, making his eyelid twitch.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Newcomer, you've successfully caught my attention. Dare to open the door and let me visit your world?
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Don't worry. I guarantee I won't harm you. I'll just show you how outstanding my child truly is.
Shin: …
He guiltily glanced around, making sure the Great Witch hadn't teleported down from upstairs to stand behind him before continuing to read.
[Moon Princess]: Oh my, oh my, no need to argue~ It's such a small matter. Great Witch, is it really necessary to use a [Boundary-Breaking Talisman] worth 100 points~?
[Moon Princess]: More importantly, newcomer — the Great Witch never said she was the leader of a 'Witch' race. How did you know?
[Moon Princess]: And maybe it's just my imagination, but since joining, you've seemed to deliberately oppose her~
As expected of a Lunarian who'd lived who-knows-how-many millennia — her instincts were sharp.
With that remark from the Moon Princess, Shin immediately realized the flaw in what he had just said.
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: …Deduction.
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: Since she's called the 'Great Witch' and a leader, it stands to reason her subordinates would be witches.
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: Also, I have no issue with the Great Witch personally. I simply believe there's no need to excessively interfere in a child's life.
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: @Spreading Witch Factors If I've offended you in any way, I sincerely apologize.
Shin felt a trace of melancholy.
Even though the Great Witch had given him a second life, he did not wish to be confined and used as a breeding tool.
As her adopted child, he could accept any of her whims — except this one.
He truly couldn't understand her reasoning. If the witches had been facing extinction like in the original Witch Trials storyline, perhaps it would make sense.
But Witch Island was thriving now. Was this really necessary?
[Lord of the Lands Between]: I do have several daughters scattered abroad — unmarried, and in need of care.
[Lord of the Lands Between]: @Spreading Witch Factors However, I am not in a condition to mediate personally. Why not use your [Boundary-Breaking Talisman] to bring your child here for a look?
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Very well.
The Great Witch, who hadn't responded to Shin's apology for quite some time — making him think she might be angry — replied to someone else almost instantly.
"What are you spacing out about, little Shaya~?"
In the next instant, a gentle yet distinctly magnetic girl's voice sounded right beside Shin's ear, startling him stiff.
Shin: !
To be continued…