No answer?
As expected, something fishy is going on here.
I remember the taboo of "Humanity Subordination" is that it mustn't be used on any life-form except humans.
Slave locked Zero Ye here yet didn't press him into service—could it be that—
"Boy, the way you're looking at me is downright rude!"
"Since you know this magic, I can pretty much guess what's on your mind right now, so let me state one thing very clearly."
"I am human!!"
Zero Ye had clearly seen through Weston's thoughts.
Weston cocked an eyebrow and swept his gaze up and down the boy.
"Really?"
"I find that claim highly dubious—"
Zero Ye simply turned his head away, dodging the topic.
"Rather than question whether I'm human, you'd better worry about your own situation."
"Before long, Slave will come to 'subdue' you."
At that, he glanced at Joey, who sat outside the cage.
The giant's frame was too big to fit inside, so he now sat outside, "guarded" by a ring of soldiers.
"If that giant kid who came with you is successfully enslaved by Slave, the tribe's combat power will skyrocket!"
"Add the two of you on top—"
"If your strength really is enough to help end the kingdom's war, I absolutely can't let Slave control you!"
"Otherwise, helping the people here escape later will be even more impossible!"
Right then, several sets of footsteps approached.
"Trying to recruit the newcomers again?"
"After so many failures, haven't you learned? The command of 'Humanity Subordination' is absolute; no one can break free!"
"I advise you to drop your rebellious ideas and resign yourself to staying here."
Following the arrogant, gloomy voice, a middle-aged man with a sleazy little mustache, shifty eyes, and a lewd gaze appeared at the cage door.
Slave was dressed in ostentatious finery: a crown on his head, a robe across his shoulders, a scepter in hand, and ten different gold rings on his fingers.
Overall he looked like some upstart mountain-bandit doing his utmost to impersonate royalty.
Yet he possessed none of the bearing nobility requires.
To Weston he was the very picture of "a monkey in a crown."
"You're Slave, chieftain of this tribe?"
"Wrong, wrong—"
Slave gave Weston a once-over and shook his head. "This isn't a tribe, and I'm no chieftain!!"
"The correct term is: I am king of this kingdom!!"
"A king who hides deep in the mountains, tricks innocent folk inside, then enslaves them by magic? Hilarious—"
Weston felt no awe toward the man before him.
Anyone who builds his "kingdom" inside a mountain and enslaves commoners can't be very strong.
At the very least he doesn't dare defy the Council and the Fiore Kingdom openly.
Imagine: if even the Council has to fear someone, how powerful could that person really be?
Slave swept a cold glance at Weston and sneered, "You've only got now left to wag your tongue."
With that he turned aside, and when his gaze landed on Joey it turned greedy.
"A Giant—never seen one before."
"Not bad, not bad, truly excellent!"
"Still a child, yet already worth more than a hundred ordinary men combined; once I control him he'll make the perfect 'Great General'!"
"With someone like that my kingdom will grow ever more secure!!"
Slave even licked the corner of his mouth, utterly lost in the beautiful fantasy he'd spun.
At that instant Weston shouted.
"Joey—now!"
"Do it!"
"Got it!!"
The instant the word left his lips Joey struck.
His right palm swept in a mighty circle, delivering a thunderous blow.
With a boom, a tempest tore across the ground.
Under the giant's slap the cage imprisoning Weston, Mavis, Zero Ye and the villagers collapsed at once.
Villagers scrambled out, hoping to flee in the chaos.
Alas they stopped after only two steps; the stationed soldiers stood in a tight ring, sealing off the entire "Third Camp" to prevent escapes.
Faced with such overwhelming numbers they couldn't break out;
even if they beat the soldiers they still couldn't handle the mages;
and even if the Mages let them go they could never cross the perilous valley.
At that realization the villagers sank to their knees, tears streaming uncontrollably.
"N-no good—"
"We can't get out—"
"Waaah—"
Weston, Mavis and Zero Ye stepped from the wreckage of the cage.
They ignored the wailing; it wouldn't solve the root problem.
The three, plus Joey off to the side, squared up against Slave, every nerve taut for battle.
"You lot dare challenge this king's authority?"
"Interesting!"
"Then play with them for a bit!"
As he spoke, a dark magic welled from the hand gripping his royal scepter.
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh—
Seven or eight figures flashed in front of him, including the youth who had escorted Weston and the others here.
They moved as one, lunging toward Weston's group.
"This is—"
Zero Ye's face paled and he yelled, "Watch out! These are Mages he's enslaved—every one of them's tough!"
Yet before he finished, Weston had already shot forward, fists raised.
"Strike first!!"
His voice was fast, his punch even faster.
As he charged, Word Magic activated: a black array flashed, condensing into the character "Explode" that clung to his fist.
Thud—!
The punch landed like a mountain, instantly smashing the nearest Mage's face out of shape.
Yet Weston's momentum never faltered; he roared, feet pounding.
Riding the charge, he slammed the first Mage into several behind him, thud after thud.
"Fairy's Exploding Fist!!"
Boom—!!!
A violent blast of energy erupted from his fist, swallowing every enemy ahead!!!