"The Ten Incarnations are all pretty good, but if we're talking about the most crucial core, it should be the Warrior's Golden Sword, right?"
After pondering for a few seconds, Pandora gave the answer that most people would have given.
The effects of the other incarnations could be achieved by other Authorities, but the god-slaying armament of the Golden Sword was a unique power. If even the Golden Sword couldn't be considered the most crucial core, then what could?
"No."
To this seemingly flawless answer, Su Mo simply shook his head.
"In reality, none of the ten incarnations is the core of this Authority."
He directly overturned his own question.
"What do you mean?"
Pandora blinked, then puffed her cheeks slightly. Is this child deliberately teasing me?
"The power of the Golden Sword is indeed strong, especially in the realm of god-slaying; it can be called a unique killing move. But have you ever thought, why is a trump card with such a powerful effect not formed into a separate Authority, but is on the same level as the other incarnations?" Su Mo asked in return.
"I haven't." Pandora honestly shook her head. She wasn't familiar with this war god.
"The reason is simple. For Verethragna, the Golden Sword, like his other incarnations, is merely a tool to assist him in battle. Perhaps the Golden Sword is a bit sharper, but compared to the other incarnations, there is no distinction of superiority or inferiority," Su Mo patiently explained.
"Verethragna is the war god of Zoroastrianism, not a god who specializes in slaying gods. For a war god, all of his power serves only one goal, and that goal is the essence of Verethragna!"
Speaking to this point, Pandora, who also had considerable knowledge of the Persian pantheon, finally understood.
"You mean... victory?"
That's it!
As a war god, all of Verethragna's power served the same goal. Whether it was the White Stallion or the Warrior, these were all just means to achieve victory!
The power of the Ten Incarnations was too complex and too powerful, so much so that most people were blinded by its flashy surface and forgot the essence of this Authority.
Just as it was named in the original story, the official name of Verethragna's Authority was "The Eastern God of War," not the so-called "Ten Incarnations."
And just as Verethragna had always called out and emphasized in his words of power... his essence was "the strongest, who holds all victory in his hands."
"Correct." Su Mo nodded slightly.
"The moment Melqart unleashed his full power, Verethragna's Authority reminded me of the way to win in the form of an intuition. It was only then that I realized the true nature of his 'true power'!"
This was a power that would, under any circumstances, guide its master towards victory as much as possible.
Thinking back, if Verethragna hadn't descended with the sole purpose of seeking defeat, he might have been able to last a little longer against Su Mo.
However, upon careful consideration, Verethragna's defeat might not have been a complete failure. After all, in his goal of "seeking defeat," he had successfully achieved victory!
The various victories of Kusanagi Godou in the original story were likely not without the influence of being protected by the essence of victory.
"Mmm, that sounds pretty amazing!"
After listening to Su Mo's explanation, Pandora tapped her cheek with her finger, then tilted her head.
"But, my dearest child, what's the use of this 'essence'?"
In the end, don't you still have to use the Ten Incarnations to achieve victory?
"Of course it's useful!" Su Mo said with great certainty.
"The Ten Incarnations are just the Ten Incarnations, but the essence of victory is not limited to them."
"Besides stacking the incarnations, even the power of divinity can be brought under the control of the essence of victory."
Hearing Su Mo's words, Pandora was slightly startled.
"Are you thinking of bringing other Authorities under the grasp of 'victory'? Wouldn't that require rewriting your divinity?"
To interfere with one's own divinity... even an ordinary Earth Mother Goddess wouldn't dare to do such a thing.
"I haven't reached that level yet, but I do have such plans." Su Mo's tone was light and unconcerned.
"Don't you think so? Whether it's God-Slayers or Heretic Gods, the way they use their Authorities is too crude."
"Using various different Authorities completely independently, without any consideration for combining efficiency and power, completely abandoning wisdom and relying on intuition and sheer luck to fight."
"This unsystematic approach is simply too amateurish. Not only does it contribute nothing to productivity, but even in the field of combat, it's nothing more than the work of an outsider."
"..."
Pandora was speechless for a moment. She had never felt that the way other Heretic Gods and God-Slayers used their Authorities was crude. And... did the "Heretic Gods" this child spoke of include her?
After two seconds of existential doubt, Pandora chose to give up thinking.
"Little Su Mo is right! Mommy supports you!" She clapped her hands, unconditionally agreeing with Su Mo's viewpoint.
Although she didn't quite understand what Su Mo was going to do, it didn't matter. Mindlessly agreeing was enough. Anyway, this child was very smart, and his strength was very reassuring. There certainly wouldn't be any danger!
Just as she thought this, she heard Su Mo make a request.
"To weave a divinity-level technique, I need to conduct further research on divinity. So, may I borrow this place of yours?"
As soon as he said this, Pandora became excited.
"No problem! My room is your room, you can stay as long as you want! Mommy can also provide lap pillows and massage services!"
Heaven be praised!
Finally, a child was willing to stay with her and pass the lonely time together. As an empty-nest mother, how could she possibly disagree?
"Thank you. But I'll pass on the lap pillow and massage." Su Mo nodded.
Pandora's place was not only quiet, but there was also an Earth Mother Goddess who would answer any question she could. It was the most suitable place for studying divinity.
"Eh, why? Isn't cuddling with a loli mommy something many humans dream of?" Pandora was slightly disappointed, but seeing that Su Mo really had no intention of accepting, she didn't press the issue.
No matter what, Su Mo was willing to stay here with her, and that was enough to make her happy!