The NERV Headquarters Command Center, after a brief moment of stunned silence, erupted in deafening cheers of survival and relief.
The immense tension instantly broke, and many personnel slumped into their chairs, their faces a mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration.
Misato Katsuragi let out a long sigh, leaning back in her seat. Only then did she realize that the palms of her tightly clenched fists were slick with cold sweat.
Ritsuko Akagi did not indulge in the collective joy. She immediately hunched over her workstation, her hands flying across the controls to pull up the final battle data, especially the detailed damage report for Unit-00 after it sustained the final attack.
Looking at the shocking structural damage displayed on the screen, her brow furrowed slightly as she coolly assessed the required workload and time for repairs.
Meanwhile, at the Ninth Institute Observation Center, far removed from Headquarters, Osiris calmly closed the real-time battle feed.
He showed no surprise at the disintegration of the Angel Ramiel and the subsequent LCL flooding, treating it as simply another data point confirming his theory.
He opened a dedicated recording file and began a voice log in his usual steady tone, as though writing a laboratory report: "Target Angel Ramiel confirmed eliminated."
"Its destruction mode aligns with the preset model: high-energy biomass, unable to maintain structural stability after core destruction, instantly breaks down into fundamental liquid LCL."
"Regrettably, the 'Cherub's Sword' prototype did not acquire application data in this live combat scenario, preventing verification of its practicality under high-pressure conditions."
He paused, then shifted focus: "However, valuable observation data was obtained regarding the Positron Cannon's extreme performance parameters under these conditions, as well as the psychological threshold and decision-making model of the EVA pilots, particularly Unit-01's. This data holds significant reference value for subsequent weapon optimization and pilot training strategy adjustments."
His gaze drifted to the observation window. The vast, spreading crimson ocean formed by the Angel's remnants reflected an eerie sheen in the setting sun.
Such a massive, concentrated discharge of LCL was an unprecedented pollution event, yet it also formed an extremely unique experimental environment.
A calculative light flashed in his eyes, and a new experimental concept quickly took shape.
"LCL sediment on this scale and concentration—conventional purification methods are inefficient and protracted." He murmured softly, tapping his fingers gently on the control panel. "This might be the perfect opportunity to test the large-scale, high-load purification efficiency of the 'Metatron's Seed.'"
He immediately connected the communication line to the Technical Development Department and, in his usual calm and professional manner, offered a suggestion: "Doctor Akagi, regarding the large-area external LCL contamination, the Ninth Institute requests activation of the Emergency Environmental Response Protocol."
"We recommend deploying the newly developed 'Metatron's Seed' for point-source testing, to evaluate its actual purification efficacy under extensive contamination. This is both a feasible solution to the current crisis and a way to accumulate critical data for future environmental restoration."
In the heavily guarded decision-making conference room at NERV HQ, the debate over Osiris' proposal was deadlocked.
Around the elliptical conference table, holographic projections continuously updated a simulation map of the contamination zone left by the Angel Ramiel. The glaring red area continued to spread like a festering wound.
"I oppose this plan." A senior conservative technocrat braced his hands on the table, his tone severe. "The mechanism of 'Metatron's Seed' is still not fully understood."
"Deploying a massive quantity of this mysterious particle, which catalyzes primordial life, is like opening Pandora's box. If it triggers uncontrollable gene mutation or creates a new ecological invasive species, who will bear the consequences?"
His supporter immediately added: "The LCL of the Angel is complex, and its biological activity far exceeds our understanding. Rushing to use this unverified technology could easily cause consequences far more severe than the contamination itself."
A wave of murmuring swept through the conference room, and questioning gazes were cast toward the proposal's supporters.
At that moment, Misato Katsuragi stood up and walked to the holographic projection. She pulled up the defense map for Tokyo-3, showing the red contamination zone already encroaching on several critical defense nodes.
"Gentlemen, we are not debating in an ideal research environment," her voice was clear and forceful. "This contaminated area is eroding our defensive depth. If the next Angel attacks and our EVAs are forced to fight in this sea of blood, who can guarantee there won't be an accident? Practical operational needs must come first."
Ritsuko Akagi pushed up her glasses and pulled up a data set: "According to simulation, the 'Metatron's Seed' exhibited extremely high target specificity in closed-environment tests. Its impact on the standard ecosystem is controllable, and its decomposition efficiency for LCL reached over 97 percent."
She paused, surveying the room. "In comparison, traditional purification methods would require at least six months to process even a tenth of the contamination, and they cannot address the residual biological activity."
Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki listened quietly to both sides of the argument, finally directing his gaze toward Gendo Ikari, who had remained silent throughout. The entire room fell silent along with him.
Gendo Ikari sat with his hands crossed beneath his chin, his orange spectacles reflecting cold light from the lamps. His eyes scanned the contamination map, glanced over Osiris' technical proposal, and finally settled on the people awaiting his decision.
"Approval granted. Execute."
Four short words ended the debate.
Several days later, Shinji Ikari visited Osiris' forward monitoring station. He stood on the observation platform, looking down at the body of water that had once been an unsettling crimson.
Now, the water's color was undergoing a miraculous transformation. The intense red was visibly receding and fading, being replaced by a vibrant, life-affirming azure.
The water surface was no longer dead; tiny bubbles vaguely surfaced, as if something was being quietly "awakened" beneath the water.
"Doctor," Shinji began, looking at the near-miraculous change, his voice filled with a boy's pure curiosity. "What—what will this place become?"
Osiris did not answer immediately. His gaze was also fixed on the recovering water, and the monitoring screens displayed active, positive data for various ecological indicators. After a moment, he said calmly: "It will return to what it originally was. Perhaps not immediately, but the soil will remember, and the water flow will remember. Once the contamination is cleared and the foundation is rebuilt—"
He paused, pointing toward the extremely small green specks beginning to emerge in the damp soil near the shore—the most primitive algae and lichens catalyzed by the "Metatron's Seed."
"Life will find a way."
The statement was soft, yet it carried an undeniable power, stemming from a profound understanding of the laws of nature.
Listening to this, and watching the deepening blue of the water and those scattered specks of new green, Shinji's face showed a complex expression—surprise, hope, and a deep, almost spiritual sense of wonder.
He felt as if he saw the tenacious, unstoppable force of life welling up beneath the barren ruins.
This sight and these words quietly soothed the lingering shadow accumulated in his heart from the continuous battles, planting a seed named "Future."
For the first time, he truly felt that beyond battle and destruction, there existed the gentle yet powerful forces of "creation" and "restoration."