Published: September 10, 2025
I am Satou. Just as the modern industrial revolution brought rapid changes, sudden shifts in social life greatly impact people. We must be careful that these distortions of change don’t crush the socially vulnerable.
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"Satou, aren’t you tired?"
The one who spoke to me was Lady Aze, the High Elf of the Forest of Boruenan, my beloved.
Since my companions had gone off to clear the tower and no one except the house brownies remained at the Isolated Island Palace, I had come to visit the treehouse in the Forest of Boruenan.
"You were off stopping a war in a faraway country yesterday too, right?"
"I didn’t do anything major."
I had only divided the battlefield with a vast wall of flames to prevent the war from continuing, and restrained the flying units with the original pseudo-spirits I summoned—the Griffin Riders.
It’s frustrating that several villages were burned down and there were quite a few casualties before I arrived.
Villages and fields can be easily restored with magic, but human lives cannot.
Thinking about that probably made Aze worried.
"Besides, just having tea with you like this gives me a hundred times the energy."
"Satou."
Aze gave me a gentle smile.
Lady Lua, sitting a little distance away, looked like she wanted to say something but didn’t seem to have anything important, so I ignored her.
Enjoying time alone with Aze, the sound of a teleportation gate opening rang out—buon.
"Talarima~"
"We’re back!"
Arisa and the others, who had gone to the tower for training, returned led by Tama and Pochi.
"Master, look, look~!"
"Pochi and the others have reached level 99!"
"Wow, everyone did really well."
Following Liza and Hikaru, who had reached level 99 earlier, it seemed everyone except Mia had now reached level 99.
"Satou."
Mia, the only one at level 97, hugged me and pressed her forehead against mine.
Since Elven Mia needs nearly twice the experience points to level up compared to the others, she was sulking because she hadn’t reached level 99 like the others.
"Master."
Arisa tugged at my sleeve lightly.
"Look at Pochi and the others’ titles."
"—Titles?"
Arisa whispered.
I checked to see if any dangerous titles had been added, but just like Liza and Hikaru who reached level 99 earlier, they had gained the title "One Who Has Reached Human Limits."
"Next, mine."
I looked at Arisa’s titles as she said, but there were no new additions (……) at all (……).
"Looks like nothing has changed?"
"That’s why (…), it’s a problem (……)."
Arisa lowered her voice even more.
"What is—"
As I asked, I realized what she meant.
Arisa had no title.
The locals like Liza and the summoned hero Hikaru had received the title "One Who Has Reached Human Limits" when they hit level 99, but Arisa did not.
At first I thought reincarnators might not have a level 99 cap, but I quickly remembered that wasn’t the case.
Yuka, the imp princess in the lower labyrinth and a reincarnator like Arisa, also had the same title as Liza and the others.
If there was a reason—
"Because I am your vassal?"
Though I am of the human tribe, I have surpassed level 99.
"Pochi wants to become a vassal too!"
"Tama too~"
Tama and Pochi, who had been listening to our conversation, suddenly leapt up at me with the speed of instant movement.
"Pochi wants to become stronger and help Master more!"
"Tama too!"
Both of them raised their hands as if jumping.
"Master, if there’s a way to surpass the limit, please let me too."
"Master, I seek further enhancement."
Liza and Nana also asked to become vassals, following behind Tama and Pochi.
"I-I share the same feelings as Arisa and everyone else."
"Hmm, I don’t really want fighting power, but I want to be Satou’s vassal too."
"Same."
Even Lulu, Hikaru, and Mia, though hesitant, seemed to want to become vassals.
"Everyone, wait. It’s not decided that there’s no level limit because of becoming a vassal."
Arisa stood before me and admonished the others.
"There are other reasons why I’m different from everyone else."
At Arisa’s words, everyone except Tama and Pochi seemed to understand.