Reincarnated as a random race, of course I got goblin.

Chapter 77 - A Grand Visit?

Border of Millibelles Domain, near the village
As witnessed by the Divine

The Grand Priestess gives and elated sigh as the village of Sern'in comes into view. Finally, after two weeks of travel, they're getting close to that strange phenomenon. Her breath catches in her throat though, as she happens to glance to the south, beyond the village. 

A massive tree towers into the sky. Its size is such that she has a hard time understanding how she hadn't noticed it until now. Even though it's cold enough to make her breath visible as she peeks out through the open window of her stagecoach and it's well into the beginning of winter, it still retains its leaves.

"You don't need a sense for the Divine to know that's what we've come to see." Her Trusted retainer remarks as they join her in looking at the formidable tree.

"We'll spend the night in Sern'in, collecting information and hiring a guide before heading out tomorrow." The Grand Priestess instructs. Although her entourage is small, her standing prevents her from going completely incognito. For what kind of Grand Priestess would she be if she hid her identity?

As such, her stagecoach is pulled by specially bred Hornhests, their leucism seeking to imitate the regal appearance of the Unicorn without all the hassle that keeping a monster as skittish and shy as the Unicorn entails. 

It's dusk by the time they reach the village, but it is still lively, particularly the Guild Hall of the Hunters Guild, where the hubbub of the merriment within spills out into the streets. 

"We'll need a few Hunters, I think." The Trusted advises as the carriage passes the Hall by on its way towards the local Church. The Grand Priestess nods in agreement. It would be folly to travel into the wilds without protection.

A shiver suddenly runs down her back, and she glances outside the window to see the silhouette of something glaring at her from the shadows between two buildings. She blinks once, and whatever it was is gone. The intense feeling of being watched lingers though. 

"Are you alright, milady? You've gone quite pale." The worried voice of her retainer snaps her out of it. The Priestess shakes her head and mumbles "It's nothing, I'm fine."

Did she imagine it? It must have been a Fenhound or a Cat that got startled by the Hornhests, but why did it feel like it was specifically looking at her? 

Once they arrive at the Church, the Priestess excuses herself to the visitors quarters. She's tired and is more than anything looking forward to a nice long bath. The things needing to be taken care of before tomorrow can be handled by her retainer.

Before long, she's fast asleep in her bed, completely unaware of the slithering shadow that's crept into her room and under her pillow.

The next day
Millibelle's POV

"That should be everything that happened. I'll be sending a monster to you, to allow you to contact me once you've arranged things. It might appear quite suddenly, so beware." The slightly blurry image of King Dervix nods, and the transmission is cut.

Myra nervously glances at the strange monster standing beside me, just out of view of the crystal. Its body resembles that of a small child, but with three toes and fingers instead of five. Small bat-like wings sprout from its back, and an odd tail that ends in a clawed hand gently sways back and forth as the monster looks back at her.

Its most startling feature, however, is the fact that instead of a head, a nebulous void filled with unblinking crimson eyes slowly undulates in its place. It looks like a hole in the fabric of Space, and peeking through it is innumerable eyes, all curious about the sights of this World.