Once upon a time there was a greedy snake.

Chapter 93 The Three of Us

The Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage had actually foreseen the problems facing the Ignivas.

Even the Hennu, as outsiders, could see the oppressive state of the Ignivas. How could the Thirty-Sixth Akakage not know this? After all, whether it was the tunnel excavation in the Great Snow Mountain or the supply of materials from the rear, it all had to pass through his hands. How could he not sense the state of those Ignivas?

Slacking off, suddenly going insane, giving up, and even committing suicide due to excessive pressure... During the tunnel excavation, in the days when the quality of food was declining, with no hope and no future in sight, the Ignivas people have been able to survive until now almost entirely thanks to their faith in the serpent god.

Yes, it's the belief in the snake god.

This has always been the way the Ignivas relieve stress.

During that long excavation process, the Ignivas saw no hope and no future—but they still had one last belief: the One God whom their ancestors had worshipped for generations.

Whether you call it the Supreme God, the Ancestor of the Dao, or the Serpent God, for the Ignivas, the ancient serpent that dwells on this land has long been a part of their lives through generations of sacrifices and worship. Not to mention anything else, the harvest festival that has been passed down to the present day is the happiest time of the year for the people.

"But... that's not enough."

Recalling those insane days before the minotaurs left, the 36th Akakage already understood.

A mere harvest festival is not enough to truly satisfy the people of Ignivas; they remain suppressed and constantly on the verge of collapse.

"Fortunately, our good brothers on the other side of the snowy mountain brought the Ignivas a path to joy."

Recalling what he had realized, the Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage felt that he had understood everything.

In his view, this complete path to pleasure could perfectly compensate for the excessive stress of the Ignivas people—after all, their faith in the serpent god was only a temporary solution; only by finding their own source of happiness could the Ignivas people achieve true wholeness.

Therefore, the 36th Akakage vigorously promoted this system.

At first, the Ignivas were not very clear about the purpose of the Thirty-Sixth Akakage in promoting this system. After all, they had never heard of such a thing as finding one's own hero. But since it was something promoted by the Akakage, they followed the Thirty-Sixth Akakage's ideas and continued to do so.

Of course, while it's being promoted, it can no longer be called the Path of Pleasure, as that's the Minotaur's way. What the Thirty-Sixth Akakage has figured out himself is a new path.

"But this path is not one I must walk alone; everyone must participate... If it can lead everyone to a path of peace and happiness, then let's call it the Path of the People."

After giving this new path such a new name, the Thirty-Sixth Akakage began to miss his Minotaur brothers who were far away on the other side of the Great Snow Mountain.

"Good brother, if you saw me go to such lengths, bringing joy to the Ignis people on this path, you would be very happy, wouldn't you?"

At this moment, the Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage was unaware that on the other side of the Great Snow Mountain, his good brother with a bull's head was plotting to kill him, and even all the Ignis people.

……

On the west side of the Great Snow Mountain, in a grand hall adorned with jewels and gold, stands a huge, lifelike golden bull statue in the center.

A group of minotaurs, clad in long robes, were chanting ancient scriptures around the golden bull statue. These were hymns praising the sacred bull god Dehennu. Only the most outstanding among the Dehennu were qualified to come before this sacred bull statue and pray for its blessings.

However, under normal circumstances, one seeks blessings by wearing a holy white robe.

But right now, these minotaurs are wearing black robes.

The black robe signifies Dehennu's wrath; the great god of the bull will send His messengers to annihilate all evil in darkness.

Just like it is now.

After the scriptures were recited thirty times, the sky had already darkened.

What blocked the sun was not clouds, but giant wings spread out high in the sky.

The scriptures were recited fifty times, and the earth began to tremble.

What made the earth tremble was not the rumble of the earth, but the giant hooves that strode out from the deep mountains.

The scriptures were recited eighty times, and a foul stench filled the air. What corrupted the wind was not filth, but a slowly opening, blood-red maw.

Until the scriptures were recited a hundred times in unison.

That gaping maw, exuding an endless stench, finally finished its long yawn.

"What's the noise?"

After the yawn subsided, what came out of his gaping maw was the language of the Hennu.

“I remember telling you last time that if you keep arguing, I’ll eat you all alive… It seems you’ve forgotten that agreement.”

"Even if they eat us, how much meat would they get?"

The minotaurs present all took off their robes, revealing their emaciated, skeletal bodies.

Clearly, they all came prepared.

“Even if they devour us alive, it won’t make any difference… But to the east of this land, on the other side of the great snow-capped mountains, lies a land flowing with milk and honey, a fertile land far superior to the land of Hennu…”

"Is it only fertile soil?"

The earth trembled more violently as the giant hooves drew ever closer.

"Did you forget to mention what's on this fertile land?"

"On this fertile land lies ancient evil."

The minotaurs were silent for a moment, but then continued speaking in unison.

"An evil ancient serpent has taken over that land..."

"To put it bluntly, it just means we have to fight that ancient serpent."

High in the sky, a loud voice rang out from the air.

"So, what's the price? What do we gain?"

"All."

The minotaurs all opened their arms wide.

"Everything on that land—the mountains, the trees, the streams, the lakes, all things, all living beings—what you see is what you get."

……

After a moment of silence.

The blue lion with its gaping maw was the first to nod.

Immediately afterwards, the six-tusked white elephant, as large as a mountain, also began to stride forward.

After that, the gloomy sky cleared up again.

The sunlight shone on the minotaurs again, but it did not bring them any warmth—if anyone were to touch their bodies at this time, they would find that their bodies had long since become cold and stiff.

Communicating with an overly powerful being comes at a price; a frail mortal body may not be able to withstand that terrifying pressure.

But, it's all worth it.

With these three fierce gods on the field, how could a mere ancient serpent possibly withstand them?
(End of this chapter)