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

Chapter 70 - Monarchs' Lady-In-Waiting

As Witnessed By The Divine

The somber tune that has carried from the cave beneath the Elder Oak at the center of the Great Monarchs' Domain dies down, the singers throat finally giving out under the stress it's been put under for the last five days.

Hacking into the palm of her hand, the Huldr winces as she see specks of blood upon it as she lowers it from her mouth. Weakly, she tries to once again start her tune, but all that comes out is a crowing wheeze and a searing pain. 

Tears well up in her eyes. What good is she, if she can't soothe Master's pain through her song? She could feel it, the pain radiating off of the sleeping form before her. It would die down a little when she sang, so she kept doing it, only stopping when Not-Quite-Master or one of the Jotun or Gyger came into the cave to tend to the Master or give her food. 

None were allowed to get close to Master. Not-Quite-Master ordered it. She's afraid that the pain Master is in might affect them. Even Not-Quite-Master dare not go close. 

Huldr weeps silently, her throat too ragged to make noise at all. All at once, her worries and fears, previously kept at bay by the constant effort of song hits her like a deluge. 

What if Not-Quite-Master fails? What if she can't make a Divine Spring? What if even if it is made, it doesn't work?

What if someone attacked now that Master's not here to defend us, as she always does? 

Huldr had learnt of the Divine through conversation with the two human women. Learnt that not-monsters would "pray" to them to have their wishes granted. Huldr hadn't really understood the point. If there was something you wanted, you just went and got it.

But now she understood. With tears still streaming down her face, she clasps her hands in front of her chest, as she'd seen the Oracle-Human do. For perhaps the first time in history, a monster prayed to the Divine.

"Please, grant me the strength to protect Master, and everyone else! Please let Master survive this!"

*Servant's Bond has reached its Maximum Strength*
*Title: Monarchs' Lady-In-Waiting gained*
*Title: Second In Command gained*
*Evolution is now available, please find a secure location before starting the process.*

Startled at the voice from nowhere, Huldr manages a less than elegant croak of surprise as she looks around for the source of it. E-Evolution? D-Did the Divine grant her wish?

Wasting no time, Huldr considers her options. One. 'Vir'ava'. Just the name causes her to shudder. Instincts tell her that it is an incredibly powerful monster. Slumber quickly overtakes the exhausted Huldr as the process begins.

Several Hours Later
Near the Forest's Edge

Finally, the leader of the large group of Aurellium hunters thought, as they shake the muck from their boots. Finally through that wet, soggy, mired, well, mire. 

"It's the fastest route that has the fewest monsters along it" The Boss had said. So it might have been, but the leader would be damned if he hadn't preferred a slower or even more dangerous route towards the center of the Monarchs' Domain than the slog he and his men had just completed. 

Performing a quick headcount, made more difficult by how each and every member was under the effect of Invisibility, courtesy of a herd of mages taking turns keeping the Spell active. Counting the depressions on the ground, he reaches twenty-two. Good. All accounted for. 

"If you are spotted by any monster, and I emphasize, any monster, the Monarch will become aware of your presence. Consider the mission failed at that point and resign to your fate."