「 Yes... 」
"Is that alternate timeline another Golden Timeline?"
「 Yes, it is a timeline that will coexist with our timeline in the Fate Timeline since you have discovered it 」
"How would it become a Golden Timeline? I travelled to different timelines and neither of them were considered to be Golden Timelines... Just ordinary timelines"
「 It's because the Zombie Apocalypse timeline is an ultimate timeline that should've happened, if not for your intervention 」
"You don't mean..."
「 Four year and a half years ago, you used Sacrificial Fate Control to shift the fate of the world and lead it to the Mystical Age. If you didn't use Fate Control, the world would have descended into any other timelines 」
"Then why did it become a Golden Timeline?"
「 You have directly affected that Nexus Point, which became the Absolute Nexus Point, a point where the timelines would either converge or diverge. Because you used Sacrificial Fate Control in that moment of time to affect the timeline, any other timelines that emerged from that Nexus Point will become a Golden Timeline, as long as you discover it, just like the Zombie Apocalypse timeline 」
"Which is the main one then..."
「 Our timeline, because you are the one capable enough to destroy or create these timelines 」
"Then right now... There are two of me?"
An existential crisis
「 Yes and no. You're smarter than this. Even if both of you are the same, you're both different. How come you're panicking now when True Omega declared that she will eradicate every iteration of you in every universes, timelines, and dimensions back then? You know multiverse exists and there are different timelines. Surely another version of you exists in those places 」
『 ... 』
"A connection of some sorts..."
A resonance
「 You won't be able to do anything to that timeline anyways since the system has permanently locked it away 」
"You're right... But I wonder how that timeline will turn out..."
「 I'm sure that someone out there would be able to learn that story 」
"I guess so... So, speaking of that timeline... How did I avert the fate of the world away from that? Like what happened?"
「 The mysterious vials... 」
"Oh yeah! Justine mentioned that she found it in an abandoned man-made island south of the Pacific Ocean... So, does that mean that the vials was the catalyst that made me discover the alternate timeline?"
「 Yes. It's the key, the zombie virus contained in the vials. The question now is, what are you going to do with it? Destroy it? Leave it to Vanessa? Take it for yourself? Or give it to Tenshi? 」
『 Consequential Choices: What are you going to do with the Zombie Virus Vials? 』
『 A. Destroy 』
『 B. Throw away 』
『 C. Let Vanessa continue to analyze it 』
『 D. Keep it 』
『 E. Allow for Tenshi to absorb the Zombie Catalyst 』
"So, this is the consequential choices... I never got to look closely at it the last time I saw it... It looked like the theme for dating simulator games where it will lead you to specific routes depending on your choice... But there is only one choice here"
Philip was about to tap the fourth choice when he suddenly had a realization
"First of... Emily, are you there?"
「 I'm here 」
"I see... If the Consequential Choices System stops time, does it affect you or the system? Or is it because we're inside the World of Absolute Nothingness where time doesn't exist?"
「 It's because you are inside the World of Absolute Nothingness and yes, me and the Omega System is affected by it. That's why we couldn't do anything, even with the assimilated Omega System into your body. Your anger defied the Consequential Choices System and broke it apart 」
"The Consequential Choices System does affect causality that much, huh?"
「 Yes... You wouldn't know 」
"I think I have an idea and it scares me..."
「 So, what's your choice? 」
"Giving the Zombie Catalyst to Tenshi is a little tempting... But it's so scary. We don't know the true nature of the zombie virus and it might change Tenshi and Amatsuka for the worst and infect them of what we thought of the concept of zombies is true. It would be the destruction of the universe if that would ever happen"
「 ... 」
"I won't leave it to Vanessa because we don't know what she might do, especially that I gave her an Atomic Star version of the Philosopher's Stone. Her mental stability is also unstable and who knows what she might do with the zombie virus, considering that I won't tell her the true nature of the vials"
「 ... 」
"Throwing it away will exponentially increase the possibility of the zombie apocalypse happening now in the Mystical Age. The virus might even affect creatures underground and it will be destructive since we're in the Mystical Age. On the other hand, if we destroyed it, if the method of destruction was sloppy, it might cause something even worse since we don't know the composition of the virus. Little do we know it's like a nuclear bomb that will explode on a planetary scale if the composition was pushed into its supercritical state of diffusion"
「 Choice D it is then? 」
"Yes please. It's safer that way. Wven if I'm a dangerous person myself, I "
「 Affirmed... You are now going to keep it the Vial of Zombie Virus 」
"Hm..."
Philip then wondered why the system would give him the consequential choices. If Emily's explanation of the Consequential Choices System is true, then the supposed timeline of what would have happened if he chose the other choices will now be erased
He doesn't know how the system will do it, but he didn't expect for the system to be extremely powerful to the point that it can erase timelines
"I wonder what I should say to Vanessa? Knowing her, she won't allow me to keep the vials due to her obsession and intense curiosity, similar to Bea and Beatrice"
「 You don't need to worry about that 」
"Huh? Why not?"
「 That's the effects of the Consequential Choices System. Whatever you choose is absolute, nothing can change that 」
"Wait... That subsystem is overpowered then? Vanessa won't be able to question me then?"
「 Yes that's right, the subsystem is overpowered, only if the system will provide the consequential choices, else it's not too useful. Also, yes, Vanessa won't be able to question you at all 」
"That's... Alright, we'll see when we go out here"
「 Is that everything you need to know? 」
"What else could be there..."
「 I guess the next thing is Vanessa's fate now? 」
"Yeah... After this, her power level will increase in this mansion"
「 ... 」
"Let's go back..."
「 Alright... 」
Philip closed his eyes and his consciousness was pulled out of the ⟨⟨ World of Absolute Nothingness ⟩⟩
~~~
Philip opened his eyes and he could see Vanessa looking at him with worried eyes. Tenshi was only looking at him with dumbfounded and fearful eyes
"Are you okay, Philip? What did you see?"
Vanessa asked with curiosity
"..."
Philip paused to think of a way to deceive Vanessa. He also took the effects of the Consequential Choices System in consideration
"I don't know... I can't see anything. Can I keep it for now and analyze it for myself?"
"Hm... I wanted to analyze it myself since Justine tasked me to do it... But sure, knowing you, you'll be able to do it, unlike me who became insane... Though, if you managed to analyze it could you please tell me what it is?"
"Yes, definitely"
Philip was surprised. He didn't expect that Vanessa would simply let go of the vials like that, considering that she became insane when she tried to analyze the viald over and over
Vanessa's demeanor drastically changed when Philip gave her the Atomic Star version of the Philosopher's Stone, because of that, her insanity was removed and she became mentally stable
The Atomic Star on her hands pulsed gently and her eyes glowed with a mix of green and red light. Philip observed her closely since he thinks that his job is not yet over
Tenshi stood still beside Philip as she tried to not disturb him at all, even though she's feeling a little agitated
"Vanessa... Why do you pursue alchemy? What's your goal?"
Philip asked a crucial question to Vanessa. Depending on her answer, he will or will not empower her
"..."
Vanessa was silent as she gazed towards Philip's eyes. She was expecting that Philip should know the answer to his question because of her memories accidentally transferring to Philip
Though, she thought that Philip wanted to hear her answer straight from her, so she just answered him
"I pursue alchemy to learn and discover the secret of the universe... Not all secrets within the universe, but the secret of the universe itself. I tried everything to achieve that goal and this Philosopher's Stone has put me a step closer to my goal... Thank you"
"The secret of the universe... I once desired to learn that since I was a child, but in this day and age, it should now be possible... I wanted to take a shot at it in the future, but I think you're the most suitable person to see it..."
"Thank you..."
"And with that... Your fate is leading to another direction. I will control your fate for you to achieve your goal, and in turn, help me achieve my own goal"
"Your goal?"
"Probably something bigger than the secret of the universe itself"
"That is?"
"It's a secret... Let me control your fate first"
"How will you control my fate?"
Vanessa seemed to be wary
"The hidden arts that all alchemists in the history of the universe has sought out but never obtained nor received it, even the God of Alchemy or the Legendary Alchemist..."
"Hm? And what is that?"
"Give me the Atomic Star first..."
Vanessa stretched her arms and she seemed holding herself back to let go of the Atomic Star
"C'mon, I won't take it away from you"
"..."
Philip grabbed on to the Atomic Star and tried to take it, but Vanessa seemed to be holding on to it tightly
Philip narrowed his eyes and he began to have second thoughts on trusting or empowering Vanessa. She is already showing signs of hunger for power. Her eyes began to slightly swirl and her insanity looked like it's coming back
Because of this, Philip forcefully pulled the Atomic Star away from Vanessa's grasp. This is possible because he is loved by mana and the Atomic Star will follow Philip rather than Vanessa
He lifted his right hand above his head and the Atomic Star hovered above his palm. Vanessa immediately dashed forward and tried to get a hold of the Atomic Star, but she ended up latching onto Philip's body
"Give me back the stone!!"
Vanessa begged for Philip to return the Atomic Star and he just looked at her with pitiful eyes. Her insanity came back as her eyes swirled violently and her claws almost digged into his skin
Philip was disappointed, so he decided that he'll change Vanessa's fate in a way that she'll drastically change, but not her entire personality and being
His right hand formed different gestures in quick succession as a tiny amount of a part of the Atomic Star has been chipped off. A long red glowing needle formed beside the Atomic Star
'Atomic Needle'
Vanessa didn't notice the Atomic Needle forming beside the Atomic Star since her vision is tunneling towards the Atomic Star
Philip swiped his hand to the side and the Atomic Needle followed as it hovered
"Alchemists, beings who are capable of changing the very aspects of the universe... Limited by the rulers and gods of their own fields, a concept mostly hidden by the underlying truth behind the reality and fantasy created by imagination... An art that only the chosen alchemist could possess, or forced upon their being..."
Philip's eyes glowed with golden light. Vanessa didn't see the change in his eyes nor heard his words, she's just focused on getting the Atomic Star. The Atomic Needle glowed brightly as it released red sparks and hovered next to Vanessa's head. The tip of the Atomic Needle pointed at the side of her neck
"A power that can turn thoughts into a reality by alchemy... Limitations, as long as the conditions has been met and resources are being expended... A power that has the potential to reach the level of the universe"
The Atomic Needle suddenly ignited and the needle exerted a bright red aura that blazed outwards. Red glitters and sparks hovered around the needle, as if it wasn't affected by wind pressure, force, or gravity
"Ars Magna! Also known as, Greatest Art!!"
Philip snapped his left hand and an audible sound reverberated throughout the Alchemical Room and his right hand flinched and the Atomic Needle instantly stabbed Vanessa's neck, cleanly pierced through, and stayed in her neck like a skewer
Vanessa's eyes dilated and her vision instantly darkened and surprisingly, the entire Alchemical Room
「 !!! 」
『 !!! 』