Chapter 531: Operation Successful
Inside the underground launch channels, the three EVAs, like arrows released from a bowstring, broke through layers of armored bunkers and stood tall in Tokyo-3, which was currently shrouded by the massive shadow of the Eighth Angel, Sahaquiel.
The battle erupted in an instant.
The Eighth Angel's massive body was not a stationary target. Its surface constantly shifted, extending energy tentacles and localized force fields in an attempt to hinder the EVAs' approach. At the same time, it continued its unstoppable descent, the resulting wind pressure and shockwaves once again reshaping the building ruins on the city's surface.
"Follow the predetermined tactics!" Misato Katsuragi's voice rang out in the communication channel, carrying unquestionable resolve. "Unit-00, Unit-01, neutralize the A.T. Field! Unit-02, prepare to charge!"
Under Rei Ayanami's control, Unit-00 took the lead in deploying its orange A.T. Field, pushing it upward like a shield towards the core area of the descending Angel.
Almost simultaneously, Unit-01, piloted by Shinji Ikari, also pushed its own A.T. Field to the limit, crashing into the Angel from the flank.
The two artificial "Walls of the Heart" fiercely collided with the Angel's Absolute Terror Field, which originated from the realm of gods. An ear-piercing, shrill noise, as if space itself was wailing, echoed through the sky. Blinding ripples of energy frantically flashed and eroded each other at the boundary where the fields intersected.
"Now, Asuka!" Misato shouted.
"You don't need to tell me!" Asuka had been waiting for this moment.
The back thrusters of the red and orange-painted Unit-02 erupted with dazzling blue light. Like a cheetah ready to pounce, the unit aggressively cut in at a breathtakingly precise angle, just before the crack in the A.T. Field that Unit-00 and Unit-01 had barely managed to tear open could close!
The Progressive Knife traced a blazing trajectory in Unit-02's hand, piercing straight into the core that was briefly exposed due to the field's turbulence.
Without hesitation, the instant the Progressive Knife pierced the core and triggered a violent tremor in the Angel's structure, Asuka manipulated Unit-02's other hand to detach the "Cherubim-Type I" grenade hanging from the restraint, seamlessly slamming it into the breached section of the core.
"For me, be completely purified!"
She let out a low shout, and Unit-02 rapidly retreated, utilizing its forward momentum.
The grenade's delayed fuse reached its end.
There was no earth-shattering explosion; only a soft yet exceptionally pure azure sphere of light rapidly expanded and bloomed from within the Angel's core.
Wherever that light passed, the Angel's hard-structured shell, which originally flickered with an ominous glow, began to silently decompose and dissolve from the inside out, like filth cast into a purifying fire.
There was no expected scene of it disintegrating into a sky full of blood rain, nor was there that familiar, nauseating metallic stench of LCL.
Under the disbelieving gazes of all personnel in the NERV Headquarters command center and the surface observers, the massive body of the Eighth Angel thoroughly disintegrated within the azure light, transforming into a torrential downpour.
Clear, unadulterated, ordinary water.
The rainwater fell in sheets, washing away the dust and smoke on the battlefield, pooling into trickling streams among the city's ruins.
The air was no longer filled with the scent of death and pollution, but rather the long-lost freshness of moist earth after a rain.
Inside the command center, a brief, deathly silence fell.
Immediately after, a cheer far more enthusiastic than any previous victory, mixed with shock and ecstasy, erupted.
"It's a success! It's really a success!"
"The Angel has been completely decomposed! No LCL pollution! I repeat, no LCL pollution!"
"Environmental monitoring confirms the precipitation is pure water! All indicators are normal!"
Misato Katsuragi let out a long sigh of relief, leaning against the console as if on the verge of collapse, a smile of immense relief appearing on her face. This time, they had not only protected the city but also the future of this land.
Ritsuko Akagi, on the other hand, stared intently at the energy readings and substance analysis reports of the Angel's disintegration process on the screen, a sharp light flickering behind her glasses. The actual effect of the "Sword of Cherubim" far exceeded the predictions of the theoretical models.
This efficiency in completely converting the Angel's biomass into harmless, ordinary matter was nothing short of a miracle.
On the battlefield, the three EVAs stood tall in the clear rain.
Asuka turned on Unit-02's external speakers, her tone smug but carrying an imperceptible pant: "Did you see that? This is the perfect combat an ace should deliver! We even took care of the cleanup in one go!"
In the communication channel, Shinji responded softly: "Yeah, that was amazing, Soryu."
Rei Ayanami, however, maintained her flat tone: "Mission accomplished."
Meanwhile, in the observation center of the Ninth Research Institute, Ryo calmly watched the real-time footage transmitted by satellite and the environmental data shared within NERV.
He spoke into the recording device, conducting his technical summary with his usual steady tone: "Combat data for 'Cherubim-Type I' confirmed. The application effect on the Eighth Angel met expectations, successfully inducing an 'orderly disintegration' of the target's biological structure. The energy conversion path directed towards a low-energy stable substance (water), producing no anomalously active LCL residue. Actual combat has verified this weapon's significant value in controlling battle damage and averting secondary environmental disasters."
The corners of his mouth curled into an almost imperceptible arc. This successful combat application would undoubtedly vastly elevate his technical authority and strategic position within NERV. This paved the way for his next plans, whether it was deeper technological exchanges or other operations.
Raindrops pelted the institute's observation window, outside of which lay a freshly washed world. Ryo's gaze bypassed this temporary tranquility, looking deep into NERV Headquarters.
The "Key of Nebuchadnezzar" was already in his hands, and the value of the "Sword of Cherubim" had been irrefutably proven. The pieces on the chessboard were moving step by step according to his expectations.
The battle result of the Eighth Angel being successfully purified by the "Sword of Cherubim" grenade, generating zero LCL pollution, triggered a far more positive response than anticipated within NERV and among its backing UN oversight bodies.
This was not just a tactical victory; it was a massive success on a strategic level and in public relations.
It proved that humanity, when fighting the Angels, was no longer forced to merely passively endure disastrous subsequent impacts, but could proactively choose a "cleaner" method of termination.
Following closely was a far greater tilt in resources and political support toward the "Sword of Cherubim" project.
Ryo's authority within NERV's technical system rose with the tide. His project briefings could now directly reach the highest decision-making echelons, and his suggestions were highly regarded.
Shortly after the project's celebratory and milestone summary meeting, Ryo submitted a new technical proposal jointly to the Technology Development Department and the Tactical Operations Department.
This quickly caught the attention of SEELE and NERV's higher-ups, and a technical seminar was convened based on this proposal to discuss the feasibility of the plan.