"The Third Pillar of the world is called the Religious State"
From the name alone, everyone could understand why there is a Third Pillar and it revolves around the religion. Some people were glad and happy while others thought that it is only right, especially since magic and mana now exists, all religion might have higher affinity to mana
"You might think why I am the one who's representing the Religious State, it's because I'm a part of the Council of the Octagram as the central council member. My name is currently unknown and no one knows it, even the leader of the Secret Organizations"
Of course, Philip used Scan and Eye of Sai to identify this person in the broadcast
『 Kamijou Tengo 』
"..."
Philip narrowed his eyes at the person's name and analyzed its meaning
"Ah... You're the real deal, huh? No wonder the leader of the Secret Organizations reacted that way because you learned his true identity. Now, you also learned my identity. I would like you to keep quiet about it"
The world was confused once again. They know the reason why their identities should be kept secret, but apparently someone was learning their identities in some mysterious ways. They thought that it was Philip again and crafted theories on how he could have done it
"The Religious State has eight council members in total and they are the top leading religious leaders around the world. I am the leader of the Atheist Council, I don't serve no gods or divine beings. I believe in facts and logic and I can only believe it when I see it! That's where my power lies, the source of my power is myself, that's why I'm the central council member. Why did I get placed at the center? Ask your religious leaders"
A lot of people were neutral towards Kamijou being an atheist and representing the Religious State, but a lot were bitter and probably in denial that a person who doesn't believe in god represents the Religious State. Though, several of them respects his beliefs and don't judge him
"Well, I need to do my quota... As per common sense, Religious State governs all things that deal with religion. We make sure that we can accomodate all spiritual beliefs and connection of every single human to their deities. We also make sure to solidify all religious domains in the world to let the aspect of Faith spread across the world, especially since magic and mana now exists"
Everyone felt chills. They were excited to know what the Religious State has in store for the world
"The Religious State is composed of eight council members, plus me. As the Sci-Tech Division is called Branches, Secret Organizations is called Finger, the Religious State has the Council of the Octagram and they are separated in the four cardinal and ordinal directions. The four cardinal councils consists of the main religion. The North Council is taken by the Holy Catholic Church, represented by the Messenger of God and it's located in Spain"
Kamijou raised his hand and a yellow light formed above his palm with the symbol of the North Council. Everyone that's watching exclaimed in awe after seeing magic for the first time
"The East Council is taken by the Buddhist Temple, represented by the Reverend Head Monk and located in China"
A second yellow light with the symbols of the East Council blinked next to the North Light
"The South Council is taken by the Shinto Shrine, represented by the Mother Shrine Maiden and located in Japan"
The South Light appeared opposite of the North Light. The children's eyes were glimmering after seeing the magical lights
"Finally, the West Council is taken by the Greek Mythological Ruins, represented by the Unawakened Demigod and located in Greece"
The final light, the West Light blinked and formed a yellow square above Kamijou's hand
"These are the Four Cardinal Councils. The next are the Four Ordinal Councils starting from the Northeast Council, taken by the Papal State, represented by the Pontifex Maximus and located in the Vatican City"
A red light that has the symbol of Northeast appeared above Kamijou's palm, in between the North and East Light. Everyone in the world was impressed once again, but they were confused as to why the Papal State is an Ordinal Council, not a Cardinal Council
"The Southeast Council is taken by the Knights Templars, represented by the Knight King Candidate and located in England"
Everyone were surprised because they thought that the Templars were just a conspiracy theory when it was created to slay witches and vampires several hundred years ago. Now, the representative of the Religious State is revealing to the world that it exists
The Southeast Light also blinked in between the East and South Light, forming a red line from Northeast Light
"The Southwest Council is taken by the Roman Orthodox Church, represented by the Son of God located in Italy"
Now, this made everyone confused. They couldn't understand the difference between the Holy Catholic Church and Roman Orthodox Church, especially the Messenger of God and the Son of God since they are the same person. Unless they are missing something and they wanted answers
The Southwest Light appeared above Kamijou's hand and connected a red line to the Southeast Light
"Finally, the Northwest Council is taken by the Demonology Revelation, represented by the Forbidden Antichrist"
*GASP*
This earned everyones gasp after hearing that a part of the council is governed completely opposite from the rest. Not to mention, the Antichrist was also mentioned
"Aren't we doomed if there is an Antichrist?!"
One question created a ripple and made everyone panic and caused chaos in the minds of everyone and in the internet. A war was about to happen only for Kamijou to speak and stop it
"Every being and concept has a Yin and Yang, it is the same for this Council of the Octagram. Don't worry, the Antichrist is powerless against several individuals that you people don't know about. He won't cause chaos or destruction in the world. Also, he promised to be neutral and the other representatives agreed for him to be a part of the Octagram"
The Northwest Light then appeared above his hand and formed a red square, creating an eight pointed star of yellow and red light
But this made people even more confused. There was no way that the Messenger of God nor the Son of God, even the Pontifex Maximus, would approve of the Antichrist being a part of their circle. This made people doubt the Religious State and they started to question their beliefs
"Whether this made you question your beliefs in your own religion, this is your choice. Just know that this Council of the Octagram was made for a reason and you will be hearing it later"
The people held off their decision and trusted Kamijou. They don't want to abandon their religion and keep their faith to their gods
"Moving on... This the Council of the Octagram"
Kamijou raised his hand and the Directional Lights revolved above his hand and spread apart the light then moved and revolved around him, creating dancing lights and ambient light
"Whoaaa..."
The people wete mesmerized once again after seeing real magic, not just CGI or special effect. They wanted to believe that anyways
"And I am the Central Council, representing the Atheist Association"
The camera feed then cut off and the broadcast paused
~~~
"So, it's the Fourth Pillar left..."
Philip sighed. In all honesty, he's tired, even though he slept for six months. He at least wanted think inside his head and not overwhelm himself with everything about the past, present, and the future, especially since he has the Omega System now
"Do you know what the Fourth Pillar is?"
Sai asked
"The Mystical Academy"
"Oh? How'd you know?"
"As I have said, I predicted and kinda made this... Also, First Pillar is centered around Science, Second Pillar is secrecy and mysteriousness, Third Pillar is Religion, and Fourth Pillar should be magic, the four pillars of the world. So, what's best represented magic in this world? It's not Atlantis since it's an ancient civilization in the past, not any religion either, but the Mystical Academy that the Headmaster created more than a year ago, centered around magic research and nurturing ability users around the world"
"Ah, so you know that much, huh?"
Sai was surprised, it was the same for everyone else
"Around eight months ago, the Headmaster said that the Mystical Academy is under its project stage. Did it change now?"
"Yes, after your research reached him, they have devised ways to improve the academy astronomically. They have gathered billions of Spirit Stone stones to use as currency and create several more institutions within the academy"
"I see... I'm glad at least"
"Is that place special to you?"
Sai genuinely asked. Justine and the others were also curious
"Yes, even though I was just there for less than a week, it felt like I was at home. I would have been happy if I lived there and lived my desires... But fate led me otherwise"
Everyone had warm smiles but they had solemn eyes
"Ah! Don't get me wrong, being here in the mansion now makes me happy. I couldn't have asked for a better family, unlike my old one"
Philip felt everyone's emotions and tried to lighten up the mood
"Likewise, Philip"
The Old Man spoke, satisfied that he picked Philip and made everyone's lives different, in a good way
Everyone was also happy, except for Justine, who was looking at him with confused and scared eyes. Sai and the others looked at her with worry
"What's wrong?"
Philip asked
"Happy? How could you remember them?"
"Ah..."
Philip made a blunder. He shouldn't have revealed that he remembers some of his happy memories to Justine or Sheena because it might reveal the existence of the Omega System
Now that Justine also mentioned it, Sheena caught up and he was shocked
"What's wrong, Justine?"
"I didn't mentioned this to anyone this past six months because it doesn't matter and I want to respect Philip's choices, but... The reason the world was saved six months ago wasn't just because he used Fate Control, he used a sacrifice for his Fate Control to steer the fate of the world away from destruction for the second time"
Everyone was alarmed. They looked at Philip troubled eyes and with mixed emotions that they couldn't show. Even the emotionless Alucard showed signs of his expressions changing, Natsu had her eyes widened in complete surprise, Jude was also genuinely surprised, Tenshi looked down while being hurt, Clara covered her mouth in surprise, Corleona only gazed at Philip, and the Old Man and Sai looked at Philip with glaring eyes
"What did he sacrifice?!"
Sai asked with seriousness
"All of his happy memories"
"!!!"
"What?!"
"Philip?!"
Philip was only looking forwards with an empty expressjon
"What? I had what I had to do... That is to save the world from the destruction and preserve Earth, my home"
"That's not the problem here! Why did you sacrifice your happy memories? Your precious memories that made you what you are now?"
Sai asked in extreme worry
"You also mentioned earlier that you change the fate of the world four and a half years ago, away from destruction and steered it to this Mysticism Age... Did you also sacrificed something?"
The Old Man asked with urgency in his voice
Philip looked straight at the Old Man's eyes and then towards everyone's eyes. He was debating if he should tell the truth or not
"I did"
In the end, he decided to tell the truth since they are family at this point
"I sacrificed 20 years of my lifetime. So, in average human life, I should have at least 50-60 years in total, so... I have at least 30 years left in total"
"What?!! Are you crazy?"
Sai exclaimed. She is aware of the average human lifespan and she treasures Philip's life because he's special in this universe. It was the same for others, they don't know why Philip was willing to make these sacrifices and beating himself down for the sake of everyone on Earth
They felt bad for Philip and they are developing a sense of guilt because they felt powerless when they couldn't avoid destruction. Without Philip, they might have died without knowing it. It was different for the three otherworlders though, but Clara cam empathize
"Tell me..."
Braudain suddenly spoke. His voice was deep enough for everyone to hear clearly and there is raspiness
"When you were trying to save our world, Saykrandae, did you also sacrificed something?"
"!!!"
"Wait what?"
Justine exclaimed. The Old Man and the residents of the mansion were also surprised. Sai, on the other hand, was shocked and feeling guilt at the same time
"Sai?"
The Old Man called out
"Yes... I lied... I didn't take Corleona, Clara, and Braudain from my world because I chose to... It was because Philip chose them when he agreed to save my world that one night..."
"!!!"