There was nothing particularly embarrassing about this.
Before transmigrating, Shin had read quite a few manga and novels.
Just like how he had always known that the world he now lived in was that of Magical Girl Witch Trials.
Though, due to being busy with school, his understanding had been limited to the big-headed blue-haired detective girl memes that circulated in QQ groups.
But that didn't mean he was clueless about everything else:
[Moon Princess]: It's that time of year again to welcome a new member. Won't you introduce yourself, little one~
[Moon Princess]: We're all girls here, no need to be shy. For example, I'm the kind of dependable big sister you can confide in~
There was no time to be shocked about having a system and still ending up in a chat group. Up next: the classic group-doxxing subplot!
If Shin wasn't mistaken, this "Moon Princess" was ninety-eight percent likely the shut-in NEET princess from some eternal countryside — Kaguya Houraisan.
As for the ones who had just welcomed him earlier in the chat log…
[Moon Princess]: Eh? The newcomer's not talking? Scared? Or just shy~?
[Moon Princess]: No need to be nervous. You've read storybooks before, haven't you?
[Moon Princess]: This chat group is like a cheat ability — completely beneficial to your life, no downsides~
[Many-Headed Monster](Admin): That's right.
[Many-Headed Monster](Admin): Everyone in this chat group is a good person.
Perhaps worried that Shin would be startled by the text panel appearing in his vision, the group members kindly began explaining.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Lady Marika, let's continue our earlier discussion.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: You mentioned that, for the sake of your grand plan, you locked your child underground… I've done the same as you. What comes next?
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Please, share your experience as both a mother and a leader. It's very important to me.
Clearly, not everyone in the group was particularly interested in the newcomer's arrival.
For example, this ID — which Shin immediately recognized—
[Lord of the Lands Between]: Ah… that was a long time ago. Let me think.
[Lord of the Lands Between]: After that… after that… hm, do what a leader ought to do.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: What should a leader do?
[Lord of the Lands Between]: Strengthen your race. Prosper your kingdom. That is our sole duty as rulers.
[Lord of the Lands Between]: I believe your child will understand you — just as mine did…
Within the Erdtree, sealed by the Impaling Thorns, a woman who had locked herself and her other half within endless darkness recalled the past to a panel only she could see.
If given another chance, perhaps Marika would make the same choice again.
After all, among the children she bore with the First Elden Lord, Godfrey, two of the three were born as ill-omened Omens — destabilizing factors under the Golden Order.
Before being a mother, she was first and foremost a ruler—
Which was why she locked two of her own sons beneath the royal capital, leaving them to fend for themselves.
She had long grown accustomed to such severances. Surely the woman on the other end of the chat — also a "mother" and "leader" — would understand.
But the fact that the other party was asking this… did she face the same dilemma of choosing between child and nation?
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Understood. Strengthening the race is indeed my foremost duty as a leader. Thank you for your guidance, Lady Marika.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Still, I'm worried my child will resist. He may not be as understanding as your children were… sigh.
The ID "Spreading Witch Factors" sent a troubled emoji — modeled after herself.
Even in manga form, the white hat with a white rose and snow-colored hair were unmistakable.
No, hold on — what exactly did you understand???
Watching the chat secretly from his dungeon cell, Shin's eyes widened.
Already convinced that this ID belonged to the Great Witch currently lounging on the sofa above his head, he felt like he was about to lose it.
I knew you'd been acting weird lately! So you secretly unlocked a cheat chat group — and then got led astray by the people inside it?!
As for this "Lord of the Lands Between," of course Shin knew who that was.
Queen Marika the Eternal — the supreme deity from Elden Ring.
But what kind of person was Marika? A bona fide god who treated her own children as tools and threw them into a breeding pit!
Go ahead and learn her parenting methods — one lesson and you won't even make a sound, and before you know it Witch Island — no, the Lands Between — will be a complete mess!
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: @Spreading Witch Factors Is it possible that what this "Lord of the Lands Between" means isn't quite what you think it is?
Shin decided to persuade his "mother" from the neutral standpoint of an outside group member. After all, in family conflicts, one sentence from a stranger often works better than a hundred from a relative.
[Moon Princess]: Oh my, the newcomer speaks~
[Spreading Witch Factors]: ?
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: A child is an independent individual. As parents, one should respect their free will instead of treating them as an accessory.
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: Otherwise, when kids rebel, it's no joke — they'll flip your toilet lid off. Just saying.
[Many-Headed Monster](Admin): Agree.
Ignoring the NEET princess fishing for attention, Shin typed with his mind.
As expected, the administrator immediately supported him — clearly this had to be Wakaba Mutsumi, daughter of the famous actress Morimi Nanami — from the slice-of-life band anime MyGO!!!!!.
Scanning the member list, Shin had to admit that an ordinary girl like Wakaba Mutsumi stood out among this crowd of demons and monsters.
Like a husky that wandered into a pack of wolves.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: I don't have much time left. I gave him a choice, but he refused. I have no other option.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Newcomer, don't comment on others' affairs without understanding the situation.
That's what you call "giving a choice"?!
Reading the chat, Shin felt a stomachache coming on.
If the Great Witch had proposed literally anyone else as a marriage partner — anyone other than Meruru Hikami, whom he had lived with for over a decade and treated like a sister — he would've agreed on the spot!
There were so many witches on the island. Couldn't she just assign one at random? What on earth had gotten into her?
[Queen of Britain]: I reserve judgment on Lady Marika's methods. As a mother, I would rather sacrifice myself before my child.
[Queen of Britain]: @Spreading Witch Factors You're having a conflict with your child? Weren't you always boasting about how handsome, cheerful, and filial he was? How did it come to this?
Just by the ID, it was impossible to tell whether this was the Saber King or someone else.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Sigh. Perhaps it is my fault… Maybe he simply doesn't like the partner I chose for him.
It was clear the message was sent hesitantly.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Does anyone here have a daughter? Why don't we form a marriage alliance? That way he probably won't resist so much.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: [Message withdrawn]
[Spreading Witch Factors]: You can send photos first. I'll screen them on my child's behalf. No ugly ones.
[Queen of Britain]: ?
[Lord of the Lands Between]: ?
[Aspiring to Become a Perfect Human]: ?
[Moon Princess]: Interrupting the synchronized question marks~
No one knew how the people behind the chat reacted to that message.
But Shin's expression was nothing short of spectacular.
Was this marriage really non-negotiable?!
…
To be continued…