Once upon a time there was a greedy snake.

Chapter 341 When Our Roles Are Switched

Having lost his power, Hapisa II naturally couldn't detect the twelve wooden figures chasing him—but even if he did, there was nothing he could do about it at the moment.

It was only after escaping from prison that he realized he seemed to have nowhere to go.

While he was in prison, he thought that as long as he could escape, he could always make a comeback. But when he actually escaped, he realized that he couldn't go anywhere—because every city, and even every village, had a clone left behind by that damned World Tree.

That damned World Tree can make its clones exert power comparable to the original at any time, just like that wooden figure in Tahrir. If he really ran into something like that, then his escape would have been in vain.

"But if we can't even get close to the village..."

It was at this moment that Habisa II truly realized that the path he was about to take might be even more difficult than he had imagined.

Being unable to get close to human settlements means no supplies, which is still acceptable to him; he can always hunt for himself. However, the fact that he can't get close to the locals means that they will continue to be affected by the World Tree.

Under the influence of the World Tree, they will sooner or later betray the land and become the lackeys of that evil tree.

"For the sake of the land, I must do something..."

Almost instinctively, Habisa II wanted to kill them all. If he could get them back to the earth first, the evil tree would have no way to use them.

Moreover, he currently has two capable generals at his disposal. Although these two alien adventurers are not strictly speaking his subordinates, he has what they want, and he can make these two interstellar visitors his vanguard.

However, after a moment's thought, he gave up on the idea.

Simply because the Snake Worship Cult has done similar things.

The Serpent Cult had also kidnapped these locals, but ended up achieving nothing. Even with the World Tree as its backing, it could only eke out a living on the empire's borders. Although the Serpent Cult might be seen as a symbol of terror by the people, Habisa II never truly considered it an adversary.

"If I did something similar to the Snake Worship Cult... I'm afraid I'll end up like them."

Habisa II shook his head.

What he wanted was not to prolong his life, nor was it merely to vent his anger; he wanted to win back, to defeat that evil stake—therefore he had to be on the right path, he had to defeat that evil stake.

So, here comes the problem.

What is the right path?
"This……"

After a moment's thought, Habisa II's face turned ashen.

Yes, he's not stupid, so how could he not see what the right path is? The so-called right path has always been right in front of him, or even right on his face.

That is the path that will defeat him.

Simply put, it was the evil wooden stake method and seven years of asceticism that made him lose without any reason—but even if he couldn't understand it, he still lost. Since he lost, it meant that the method was correct.

If the path is correct, then the inability to understand it can only mean that there is a problem with the approach.

So, does he really have a problem?

"No problem! I'm perfectly fine!"

Habisa II took a deep breath and clenched his fist.

There was still a problem, and it was at this point that Habisa II realized what was truly trapping him.

This has nothing to do with the opponent anymore, nor with the evil stake.

What truly trapped him was his pride. His pride prevented him from lowering himself to learn the methods of that evil wooden stake; his pride prevented him from setting aside his pride to take his opponent as his teacher.

But is dignity really that important?
Compared to the safety of the earth, and compared to all things in this world, what is so-called dignity?
"Done!"

Habisa II casually tore off a metal mask, demonstrating his resolve.

Immediately after signaling to the two alien adventurers that he needed to cultivate, Habisa II found a nearby village and plunged into it.

In his memory, that evil wooden stake did the same thing: first, it gained the trust of these peasants by offering them benefits, and then it continued down that path...

"Seize him! It's the escaped pope!"

Before Habisa II could even speak, the locals began arresting him.

Such an arrest naturally failed to capture Habisa II, but it did make him realize just how advanced the information was – he had only just escaped from prison, less than a night had passed, yet this tiny village, whose name he didn't even know, already knew about it.

The world seems to have indeed changed into something he can't understand at all.

However, this brief interlude made Hapisa II suddenly realize that he seemed to have missed a step compared to the wooden figure.

That is……

"Should we...surrender?"

Habisa II took a deep breath.

Then, he raised his hand and tore off a sheet of metal.

If it were an ordinary person, they would have bled to death on the spot the first time they tore off their mask. But for Habisa II, whose body was as smooth as mercury, it was just a face. He could have as many as he wanted.

That was the genetic inheritance he received from his mother, which allowed his steel-hard body to be flexible in countless ways.

And this is the way of survival that he has come to understand.

In a sense, this could even be called the Way of the Earth.

"To bear all things, to carry everything!"

At that moment, Habisa II had a vague realization!

"No wonder that evil wooden stake gained power... It turns out that this breed of dog's behavior is indeed in harmony with the way of the earth!"

But now...

He found out too.

Thus, in the seventh year in the city of the Earth Church, the first Pope, Hapisa II, voluntarily admitted his senility due to old age and then abdicated, passing the papacy to the most popular, and arguably the most deserving, Woodwalker.

"Since you want all of this, I'll give it all to you."

During the abdication ceremony, Habisa II, watching the wooden figure that had been successfully crowned, actually laughed as he stepped down.

"Now, it's your turn to sit in this position."

"Can you really hold onto this position?"

(End of this chapter)