"Yes, they're reportedly stronger than the Twilight Twins, but that alone doesn't elevate them to godhood. And yes, my snakes have provided me with a more detailed account, and I know exactly who our targets are—but they are not Demigods."
"I'd be more inclined to call them false gods, born from the desperate prayers of those who worship them. But the truth remains: they have not solidified into anything resembling true divinity," snapped Mavislin, tilting her head to the side.
Venom blinked in confusion before mirroring the dragoness's head tilt.
"And how, pray tell, are you so certain of this? The forces behind these so-called Four 'Demigods' are far more dangerous than anything we've previously encountered."
"Not only are they clever enough to erase their tracks, leaving us fumbling in the dark without a proper plan, but not a single soul has ever laid eyes on them. At least with the Twilight Twins, we knew what we were dealing with."
"But anyone foolish enough to dig deeper into the mystery of these Four has either vanished or turned up dead," challenged the dragon man.
"Demigods are the offspring of a Major God and a mortal, imbued with immense power. Even the strongest army of mortal Mages wouldn't stand a chance against a single blow from them, let alone hope to defeat one."
"In fact, Demigods are known to be faster in combat than many of the Major Gods themselves. However, they are still vulnerable, as a single decisive strike from a Major God could annihilate them entirely."
"What I'm getting at is this: if those Four were truly Demigods, the lands they tread would be barren, stripped of life."
"Oh, and what exactly do you think they are, then? And really, "Major Gods"? That's a new one. Since when did we start categorizing gods like some sort of ranking system? Do enlighten me."
To an outside observer, Venom's words might have seemed like a challenge or a dismissal of the dragoness's explanation. However, to Mavislin, it was a sincere inquiry into a realm he found unfamiliar.
While Venom excelled in science and forensics, his grasp of Magecraft was tenuous at best, and the complexities of the gods who birthed it were far beyond his comprehension.
"Well, since you've asked so politely, let me offer a brief overview of the hierarchy of gods. At the top are the Primordial Gods, the very first beings who created the various worlds and birthed Magecraft itself."
"They are forces of unimaginable power; should some unfortunate soul manage to summon one—an event that is definitely impossible—we would all be swiftly removed from the gene pool."
"Fortunately, they are immune to brainwashing, rendering them untouchable by the Legion. Next in line are the Major Gods. While not direct descendants of the Primordials, these deities are associated with specific elements—like the God of Lightning."
"They are the gods that most people recognize, revered by devotees who pray to them and whose tales are passed down through generations. Though formidable, they are susceptible to brainwashing under very specific circumstances."
"In fact, only one instance of this has been recorded, and the affected god promptly eliminated itself before it could cause any damage. Finally, we have the Demigods and Minor Gods."
"Minor Gods are the offspring of Major Gods, born without mortal interference. While they may not enjoy the same fame as their Major counterparts, they are certainly powerful enough to warrant caution."
"Would your Guardian serve as an example of a Minor God, then?"
The dragoness was slightly caught off guard before closing her eyes to ask Medusa.
"Hmm... We would both say that Gorgon would be a Minor fallen Goddess. And that's a whole different can of worms I don't wish to open up today."
"Another thing about Guardians that ties into the Four we are facing, is the fact that they are considered to be Guardians and are therefore dragged out of the Seat of Valour," answered Mavislin, lightly playing with her tail.
"The Seat Of Valour can only record down legends of Ancient Times. These legends do not include any of the Gods I've mentioned earlier, for the entities within the Seat were once mortal and far weaker than a Minor God."
"After all, they need to die to be recorded in it. A God cannot be killed, only defeated. As for Gorgon, she was cursed to be a monster, resulting in her losing her status as a Goddess, and was defeated easily."
"A fallen Goddess is not considered to be a 'God' so that's why she is my Guardian."
The dragoness drew in a deep breath, her gaze fixed on the dragon man before her. He rested his chin on his knuckles, staring at her with an intensity laced with curiosity. It was the same piercing gaze Zenos had whenever she engaged him in conversation.