That should make my first few experiments a little bit safer, at least I hope so. Even if that doesn’t work, I can at least tell my wives that I was trying to be careful. I am not really worried about getting hurt if an experiment doesn’t go well, I heal quickly.

  The damage I took from the explosion and the subsequent crash has already healed. That is just from my regeneration, I didn’t even need to use one of my healing spells. In fact, the explosion didn’t really do any damage to me, it just pushed me into crashing.

  If it hadn’t been such a surprise I probably could have avoided crashing all together. My new wings not only improved my speed, they also greatly improved my maneuverability. At least, they do now that I have gotten used to having two pairs of wings.

  I was actually fairly proud of myself for being able to train myself on using them without crashing. I don’t feel so proud now, even though there was an explosion, I still crashed. I was so focused on using my new knowledge that I didn’t even think about what was going to happen.

  If I had thought first, I would have just flown down and killed the demons myself. That way I would have gotten the full dozen demon cores, but as usual I didn’t stop to think. That is by far my biggest flaw and the one I have the most trouble controlling.

  Then again, it would also be a problem if I go too far the other way, thinking too much can lead to indecision. Freezing in a fight is about the worst thing you can do and will lead to death. I guess it is a good thing for me that I have become so hard to kill, because I can’t seem to stop making mistakes.

  Instead of heading back home, since I am already here, I continue moving towards the southern empire. I keep placing more platforms as I go and only stop once I reach the empire’s border. I don’t want to risk attracting the attention of the southern empire’s pantheon again.

  I already know that just me crossing the border is enough to get their attention. While I don’t think it would be a problem at this point, I would still rather not have to deal with it. So, after placing a platform just outside the border, I gate back to the castle.

  I get back just in time to join the others for dinner, even though I have already eaten. Since they are almost all here, I hand out the keys to everyone and explain how to use them. Then, while they are talking about them, I make a special key and hand it to Lin.

  Lin says “Thank you, but I don’t really need this. I can cast gate myself.”

  “This one is a bit more special. The platforms and the network have a reserve of mana, as long as people aren’t gating around too much. This key will allow you to access that reserve. In an emergency, it should provide you with enough mana for several big spells. That reserve will get bigger as more obelisks are added.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Lin says “Oh, that is a good idea! Thank you!”

  “Here, this one is for Myria. I probably won’t be around when she comes out of her trial. That is probably going to piss her off.”

  Lin says “There is no probably about it, but I will explain it to her.”

  “Thank you. I would say she can join me once she comes out, but beastmen aren’t well treated in that part of the world.”

  Lin says “I’m sure she could handle it.”

  “Yes, but what I would do would probably start a few wars.”

  Lin says “That is a good point. I will also explain that to her, but you are going to have to make it up to her when you get back.”

  “That’s no problem.”

  While I am at it, I decide to make a key for Sarah, she has been really helpful in the past. Against my better judgement, I also make one for Muyaun, she is going to need it. To maintain a spy network, she is going to need to travel around a lot to keep any eye on her people.

  Once we are done eating, I leave and gate around to deliver the keys to everyone who is getting one. When I am done, I return to the castle and spend some time with my family. After the kids are asleep, I spend some time with Lin and Brightfire before opening a soulscape.

  I spend a few hours training and playing around with everyone and then sleep for a few hours. As soon as I wake up I head down to my workshop and go back to making platforms. Amn should either already be on the road or just getting ready to set out.

  That means I have today to finish things up and I should leave sometime tomorrow. I want to make sure to catch up to Amn before anything can happen to him or his people. I’m sure his guards can handle things, but I don’t want to miss out on any of the fun.

  Luckily, I’ve already dealt with most of the things that I needed to do before leaving. There are plenty more things that I need to do, but they are mostly things that can wait. Just as I have that thought, as if he was waiting for it, Stillwater contacts me.

  “What’s up, Stillwater? Last night you said everything was fine?”

  Stillwater says “Some guests just arrived and you will need to be the one to meet with them.”

  “Oh? Who are they?”

  Stillwater says “There are three tribal chiefs here asking to meet you. I know it is early, but they just arrived.”

  “Alright, I will be there in a minute. Which tribes are they from?”

  Stillwater says “They are from the Wolf, Bear, and Coyote tribes.”

  “Perfect! If they join us, then the only ones left are the five cat tribes. That has been my plan for a while, I just keep getting distracted.”

  I quickly finish the platform in front of me and then head up to the bedroom to inform Lin. She doesn’t appreciate being woken up, but she would be more upset if I didn’t tell her. Three more tribes potentially joining us is a big deal and something she needs to know as my queen.

  She insists on joining me and the commotion of her getting out of bed wakes Brightfire. After explaining it to her, she also gets up and insists on coming along with us. A few minutes later, the three of us use the gate in the bedroom to go to the capital.

  I drop shapeshift and return to my normal form before entering the throne room. I don’t want the chiefs to see me in any other form the first time they meet me. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings about who and what I am, especially if they join us.