After entering the cage, Weston quickly started asking Reiya for information about the place.
After all, everyone else looked like extras and were obviously ordinary people. Only Reiya had magical fluctuations, clearly indicating he was a Wizard.
Since he is a Wizard, yet is still trapped here and injured, so it can be inferred that the chief of this tribe is likely also a Wizard, and his strength surpasses Reiya's.[1]
"So, is the chief of this tribe very strong?"
Reiya did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Weston and said, "It's common sense to state your name before asking someone a question, isn't it?"
"Uh, alright then! My name is—"
"That guy is very strong, I can't beat him at all!"
Seriously!
"If you asked for my name, then listen until I finish saying it!!!"
Reiya said with a serious expression, "Young man, I understand you want to show off in front of me, but now is really not the time for your self-introduction."
This guy—
He's really infuriating!
"My name is Weston, and I am the Guild Master of the Magic Guild 'Fairy Tail'!"
Reiya looked quietly at Weston, and the air fell silent again for several seconds.
This guy, he didn't react at all after hearing my name?
Just as Weston was about to speak, Reiya turned his head to Mavis: "This beautiful lady, could you tell me your name?"
"Don't even think about it!!!"
Weston finally couldn't hold back his fist, and with a "bang," he punched Reiya flying!
That body, which was less than 1.5 meters tall, even shorter than Mavis by a head, immediately spun into the air like a kite with a broken string, bounced off the cage's ceiling, and then rebounded back to the ground.
After bouncing several times on the ground, Reiya forcefully adjusted his posture in mid-air.
Then, like a gymnast, he struck several elegant poses in the air with a look of intoxication on his face.
Finally, with his arms forming wings, one knee on the ground and the other leg half-squatting, he landed steadily in a handsome pose.
Poof—
A bump swelled up on Reiya's head, adding a touch of awkwardness to the perfect landing pose.
"Your reaction was pretty good!"
If the time and place weren't inappropriate, Weston would have wanted to hold up scorecards for him.
"The force of your punch was also good. It seems you're not an ordinary person either, young man!"
"I apologize for my disrespect just now!"
Mavis was surprised: "Haven't you heard of Fairy Tail or Weston's name?"
Reiya countered, "Are those very famous names?"
"Seriously?!"
"Weston is the person who assisted the Fiore Royal Family in quelling the civil unrest during the previous war and is known as the Fairy Commander. You haven't heard even a whisper about that?"
Let alone Mavis, even Weston found it unbelievable.
"I'm truly sorry, I genuinely didn't know."
"That's because I've been captured and held here for two years."
"The war you mentioned must have happened during this time, right?"
Reiya's tone was calm, but his words startled both Weston and Mavis.
"What?"
"You said you've been captured and brought here for two years?!"
"That is correct."
Judging by his reaction to the punch just now, Weston could tell that Reiya was quite capable, at least on the level of Ichiya from Blue Pegasus.
Although Ichiya was a comedic character in the original work who often suffered setbacks, he was extremely reliable when it mattered.
For someone of his level to be captured or tricked into coming here isn't too surprising, but being unable to leave for two years forces Weston to take notice. "What special ability does the chief of this tribe possess?"
Reiya shook his head: "Young man, you've got one thing wrong."
"This is not the kind of secluded, ancient tribe you imagine."
"Quite the opposite, in fact. It was built in a very short time."
"When I was first tricked into coming here, there was practically nothing. The tribe you see before you was entirely built by the people who were tricked into coming here."
Something like this happened?!
Weston immediately noted the implied information in his words.
Having overseen the construction of Tenrou Village, he knew how massive a workforce was required to build a tribe of this scale.
Since Reiya said this place was built by people who were tricked into coming, then—
"As I came in, I noticed there weren't many soldiers stationed here."
"If there are truly so many captives here, why don't you unite, launch a revolt, and escape together?"
"No matter how strong the chief is, he still has to eat, bathe, sleep, and use the restroom, there must be times when he lets his guard down, right?"
Hearing Weston's question, Reiya immediately gave him an appreciative look.
"A good question!"
"That's exactly where the problem lies!"
"The guy who controls this place is named Slive. He practices a special kind of magic that makes it impossible for the people here to disobey his orders."
"The soldiers currently guarding outside the cage, and those who tricked you into coming here, were once innocent people just like you, who were deceived into coming here."
"It's only under the chief's command that they have been transformed into what they are now."
"Slive acts like a king, wantonly enslaving everyone who comes here. No matter what command he issues, those people will devote all their effort to completing it."
"This is one of the reasons I cannot leave this place."
"I cannot abandon these poor people to their fate!"
I see—
Ordinary people already struggle to resist the power of magic, and if the chief's magic happens to be very unique, then they stand no chance of resisting at all.
"The ability to command others to submit—"
"Could it be a form of Hypnosis Magic?"
The young man who lured them here used Charm Magic, so Mavis immediately thought along those lines.
"It's not Hypnosis!"
Reiya shook his head and said, "That is a Lost Magic."
"It is said that long ago, it was worthy of being called 'The Ruler's Magic.' Its name is—"
"Human Subordination?!!" x2
Weston and Mavis simultaneously widened their eyes and spoke the name of the same Magic.
This time, it was Reiya's turn to be surprised.
"You two, have you heard of this magic?"
The two nodded, falling into silence.
This Magic had also appeared in the original work, used by Grimoire Heart member Zoldeo.
"Wait!"
Mavis looked at Reiya with confusion.
"I remember that the Magic 'Human Subordination' allows one to summon and control humans as puppets."
"Since that chief can control so many people, why are you the only one not controlled?"
Reiya immediately fell silent.
"Please forgive me, but I cannot answer that question for now."
[1] Reiya = zero night ichiya = one night tatsuya = dragon night