However, as the saying goes, it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. To be honest, I've had plenty of experience asking for forgiveness by this point. I am pretty sure as long as I don't mix the powers again anything else can be forgiven.

That isn't as easy as it sounds, mixing the powers so far has had awesome results. It makes me really curious what else I can do by mixing them, which is hard to resist. I really want to do some experimenting, especially with enchanting weapons.

If I could make more weapons like the naginata that would give us a huge advantage against the demons. Unfortunately, I already promised not to do that kind of experimenting, and I need to keep my promise. Until the goddesses give me permission, experimenting is not allowed.

Which means I just have to live with my curiosity eating at me all the time. I was curious in my last life, I liked learning things, but it was never this bad. It must have something to do with being a cat race, it seems the sayings had some truth to them.

It is just something that I need to learn to live with, it isn't going to go away. Besides, my curiosity has led to some good things, it hasn't all been bad. Even if it was all bad, it isn't like I can somehow remove my curiosity, it is a part of me.

It feels weird to be thinking this much, I normally don't have this kind of time for thinking. The last time I remember thinking this much was in the prison in the captain's test. Even then there was a lot of stuff going on outside so that was mostly all I thought about.

This slow journey where I can trust Lizzy to watch for danger is a new experience for me. Not being in a rush or worried about danger, it is the first time I can remember feeling like this. Since I was summoned at least, my old life was pretty much nothing but this feeling.

Right up until the car wreck that killed me, my old life was completely peaceful. Thinking of it now, my two lives have been almost complete opposites. I have done things since being summoned here that would have never even crossed my mind in my old life.

In truth, I probably went crazy when I was in the pit and never came back. I don't want to think about it too closely, it might affect my ability to move forward. The way this world is, you kind of have to be crazy to be able to do anything.

Which would mean all the adventurers are crazy and the ones I have met fit that description. Who knows, maybe everyone is crazy, just some are better at hiding it than others. I certainly can't hide it at all, that is probably why everyone is always telling me to be careful or stay safe.

It would also explain why everyone fears my plans, even though they mostly work out in the end. If everyone is crazy, yet I still scare them, what does that say about me? That is something I probably shouldn't think too much about, the answer would be something I won't like.

To distract myself from that train of thought I turn my attention to Ekard and start playing with him. His utter cuteness is the perfect remedy for my dark thoughts and he deserves my attention. Not that he lacks attention, even while I was distracted Lizzy and Windy were taking turns playing with him.

If anything he is spoiled for attention and it will only get worse once we return to Illium. Although, I am really looking forward to introducing him to his big sisters. Asuna and Kechara are probably going to love him just as much as everyone else does.

My only worry is that they might get jealous of him because I have spent more time with him. I will just have to cross that bridge when I come to it, for now there is nothing I can do about it. I do miss the two of them a lot, I wish I could bring them traveling with me as well.

Unfortunately, anywhere there are humans the both of them will be viewed as monsters. That is something that I would like to avoid, not for the humans sake, but for their sake. I don't want the two of them to be attacked, either physically or mentally.

Ekard can just hide in the shadow pocket, but it isn't big enough for Asuna or Kechara. Maybe I should ask the goddesses for something that can carry them for the reward of the next temple. Or maybe items that would shrink them to Ekard's size, that could work too.

However, I can't ask until I am done healing, even though now that I've had the thought I can't shake it. The idea of having Kechara and Asuna as small and cute as when they were babies is very appealing. That would also make them far less scary so I could take them to see human cities.

Also, if they are in control of their size, then they can join in when we get into a fight. They already proved how capable they are against the driders, especially Kechara. Asuna has probably improved by now as well, her rank should have increased by now.

As soon as I am healed up I will talk to the goddesses, the more I think about the idea the more I like it. Being able to travel around with my adopted family sounds really nice. I might even think about getting a wagon that Lizzy can pull so everyone can come.

That will depend on the girls and how they are acting, Ruby especially. At some point I am going to have to take her with me to the fire temple, there is no other choice. However, I don't want to do that until we have a good long talk and she comes to terms with how things have to be.

Isabella is going to be the key to that, at least that is what I am hoping for. In fact, hopefully, Isabella has already had a chance to talk to Ruby and calm her down. Until Ruby is willing to sit and actually try to work things out there isn't much I can do.

From what I have seen, the more I am around the more intense Ruby gets. If I am being honest, not wanting to deal with Ruby is a big part of why I have been traveling so much. It may be cowardly, but avoiding her is much easier than fighting with her.

All these thoughts occupy my mind for the two days it takes us to come within sight of the forest of fangs. Once I can see the forest I am able to push all those thoughts to the back of my mind and focus on the task at hand. Which is a good thing, being distracted when dealing with something powerful is a bad idea.

Entering the forest of fangs this time is completely different, my senses have improved a lot. All the little tigers watching us are detected by me, whereas before I was clueless. Even when Brother Tiger approaches I can sense him, but seeing him is just as scary as it was before.