Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

"Honey, could you please give this to my teacher for me?"

Shinji Ikari gently touched the cheek of his seventh girlfriend, Seiki, who was standing next to him. After her face flushed red, he turned and left.

Half an hour later, an armed helicopter landed on the helipad on the roof of the school building and took Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami away from the school.

Accompanied by piercing alarms, the entire Third Tokyo City was transformed back into a specially constructed wartime fortified city. The former skyscrapers rhythmically retracted underground with a series of thuds.

And at the far horizon, a colossal crimson life form appeared in the field of observation.

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P.S.: The appeal for Chapter Thirteen is in progress and should be unblocked today.

Chapter 20: Shamsher, the Angel of Day

In the NERV central command center, a virtual map of Tokyo appeared before their eyes, with dense red lines symbolizing the real mountains, forests, and skyscrapers. Tokyo III truly lived up to its name as a fortress city; as soon as the command was given, the buildings that had been exposed above ground were quickly retracted into the underground Hakone.

The first to seventh districts, located in the center, were the first to be reclaimed from Hakone, followed by the surrounding areas. At the same time, on the other side of the distant sea, the red markers belonging to the apostles appeared on the projected map.

"We have located the enemy's trail," the development team's technicians replied.

At the same moment, the voices of pilots belonging to the air force also rang out in the central command room through the MAGI system: "E-747 has also confirmed the enemy and is carrying out the mission of tracking the target. Please give instructions."

At this moment, the entire NERV headquarters seemed to come alive like a massive machine. Because of the military's failure in repelling the Water Angels, and NERV's resounding success, Gendo Ikari had successfully seized a portion of the military's power, and was even able to mobilize military resources as he was now.

At this moment, Ritsuko Akagi, who was staring at the screen, finally gave her reply.

"The pattern analysis is blue. If nothing unexpected happens, this time we will be facing the Fifth Apostle, the Angel of the Day, Shamshere."

After receiving Ritsuko Akagi's reply, Misato Katsuragi, as the commander, straightened her hat brim and solemnly gave the order, "All personnel, move to Level 1 combat positions."

"Roger! Prepare for ground-to-air interception!"

"Roger! Combat deployment for the Third New Tokyo City is being activated!"

Perhaps because of the great success in repelling the Water Angel, NERV's various departments were in high spirits. However, Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi, who were well aware of the situation, naturally knew that even with the addition of military resources, the combat configuration of Tokyo-3 could only slightly hinder the Angel's advance.

But no matter, they still have an ace up their sleeve that can secure victory early.

"Where is Shinji now?" Ritsuko Akagi asked, glancing sideways at Misato Katsuragi.

"We arrived at the S36 elevator shaft three minutes ago, and Rei is ready for battle," said Misato Katsuragi.

Ritsuko Akagi frowned slightly. "That child's injuries haven't fully healed yet, have they? Can he pilot an EVA?"

"Just in case, whoever has to go to the battlefield when necessary," Misato Katsuragi said coldly. "After all, we are facing the angel of day from mythology. This prince of Eden has already sounded the horn of doom, and the rest is up to us."

Looking at her friend, whose demeanor was so different from her usual self, Ritsuko Akagi wondered if this was her true nature.

—Hakone, launch hatch.

Shinji Ikari, already in the cockpit, was immersed in LCL, which resembled amniotic fluid, and closed his eyes to meditate.

Meanwhile, the technicians' prompts rang rhythmically in his ears.

"Initiate pre-launch insertion plug detection."

"Ionize LCL, release the pressure plate."

"The candidate's physical functions are normal. EVA has been moved to the launch bay and everything is ready."

For some reason, Shinji Ikari didn't know why. Despite being in the cramped cockpit, an unprecedented sense of security welled up within him, as if he were in his mother's arms.

As if struck by a flash of inspiration, Shinji Ikari suddenly realized the truth.

—This must be the Emperor's blessing!

"Your Majesty, with your supreme power, grant me the strength to drive away evil! Let me become the storm, and banish my enemies from my sight!"

A brand-new rose rosary hung around his neck, and after he finished reciting the prayer, Misato Katsuragi's voice was transmitted to his ears through the connection system.

"Shinji, are you ready to launch?"

"Anything is fine."

Hearing Shinji Ikari's incredibly calm voice through her headphones, Misato Katsuragi's initial tension vanished instantly. With the launch command given, the purple ultimate weapon ascended like a rocket from its wide launch bay, while Unit-01 followed the elevator back to the land ravaged by the Angels.

…………

…………

In the 38C evacuation area of ​​underground Hakone, the students of Class 2A were sitting on the ground.

The television was also showing anime and daily news, offering comfort to the residents in the evacuation camp and encouraging them to relax. There was even a news report about the pilot, Shinji Ikari.

Suzuhara Toji and Aida Kensuke, who had been brutally beaten by Ikari, were also sitting in a corner, having recovered most of their injuries in a month. Initially, Suzuhara Toji harbored considerable anger towards Ikari Shinji, even shouting from his hospital bed that he would kill that arrogant brat.

As more and more patients entered the ward, all of whom were class bullies from various grades who had been brutally beaten by Shinji Ikari, their initial resentment gradually dissipated. It was probably not a matter of scarcity but of inequality; they might be angry if they were the only ones who got beaten up, but seeing that everyone else had been beaten up, and even feeling a strange sense of pride because they were the first ones to be beaten up, gave them a different kind of feeling.

but--

Looking at the news articles praising Shinji Ikari hanging on the wall, Toji Suzuhara, with his head wrapped in gauze, still crossed his arms and snorted coldly. But then he saw his friend, whose injuries had already healed, wink at him, and he immediately understood and followed him toward the restroom.

An hour later, on the summit of Takao Mountain near Neo-Tokyo, Kensuke Aida, holding a camera, squatted excitedly at the best shooting spot, watching the giant crimson apostle approach Tokyo in the distance.

"What? You sent me all this way just to see this?" Suzuhara Toji put his hands in his pockets and looked into the distance. He didn't have a camera, so he could only see a red dot with his naked eye.

Although he didn't complain verbally, his eyes were fixed on the red dot in the distance as it gradually expanded.

"What you see is all what the higher-ups want you to see; it's all news censorship! Only here can you truly see the truth hidden from above!" Kensuke Aida excitedly set up his camera. "Damn! This is amazing! This is a once-in-a-lifetime event!"

From the other side of the mountain, the crimson apostle finally emerged.

The HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system, which had been poised for action, launched automatically. At such a distance, the Apostle's massive size required no aiming; rockets rained down on its surface from all directions.

The enormous, crimson creature suddenly paused, abruptly slowing its advance.

Meanwhile, the command pressed its advantage, and the J-5 radar system automatically connected to the Japanese aerospace defense ground environment network. After locking onto the target, the ground-attack missile and the long-range anti-ship missile, trailing thick white smoke, hit the target one after another.

"Yay! You hit them all!"

Kensuke Aida cheered.

However, when the smoke cleared, a seven-colored barrier appeared around the apostle, while the apostle himself was unharmed.

Faintly, one could almost hear that sharp, mocking laughter, its lingering echo like the buzzing of a mosquito's wings reverberating in everyone's minds. The Fifth Apostle, the Day Angel, twisted its somewhat grotesque, slender body, and white energy could be seen being poured into its forelimbs with the naked eye.

Although the headquarters' self-defense system did not harm him, the enraged angel still lashed out with strange, long, slender whips of light at the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems deployed on both sides of the road.

This time, it was another spectacular display of fire and lightning. However, it was the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher belonging to the Self-Defense Forces that was reduced to dust.

Chapter Twenty-One: The Golden Paradise is Calling You

Misato Katsuragi remained remarkably indifferent to the destruction of the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system, as if she had foreseen this outcome.

"What a waste of taxpayers' money." Ritsuko Akagi took off her glasses, breathed on them, and gently wiped them.

“Some people just have to expend some ammunition, and this is an inevitable loss for everyone.” Misato Katsuragi crossed her arms, her lips curling into a smile that was hard to decipher—whether it was sarcasm or coldness was unclear.

If the goal is simply to intercept the Daytime Apostles, a better approach would be to dispatch Hyuga-class and Izumo-class helicopter destroyers for the interception. In Shin-Nichijuku, UN-aided air and sea elevators are also stationed, especially the Osomi-class landing ships that can accommodate two hovercraft.

This interception only began after the Day Apostles landed, which suggests that some losses were necessary.

But to ordinary people who are unaware of the situation, the scene before them is like the sky falling and the earth cracking.

The Day Angel, resembling a sea cockroach, emerged from its floating flight, its two slender hind legs standing firmly on the surface of Tokyo. The movement of its five pairs of short limbs on its chest emitted visible energy that permeated the entire apostle's body. Just like the Water Apostle Sakir before it, a pure white angelic halo appeared above the Day Angel's head.

"It's over! It's over!"

Kensuke Aida, holding a camera, mumbled unconsciously.

The energy of the Day Angel surged towards the two whips of light, releasing blazing red beams—the light of the sun as described in the Bible, and the burning red mercury in the Book of Isaiah. With each swing of the whips, the world was transformed into purgatory. The Day Angel, with godlike power, indiscriminately destroyed everything around it; its whips of light were like red lightning.

At this moment, even the military and some high-ranking members of NERV, who had intentionally inflicted reasonable losses, couldn't help but feel apprehensive. Were they really doing the right thing? Or should they have intercepted it at sea and destroyed this world-destroying angel descended from mythology with the strongest firepower?

Rows of missiles emerged from the concealed silos, but to no avail, as they were all defended by the seven-colored absolute domain. The Day Angel merely advanced forward, continuously lashing out its light whips at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye. In the distance, the cores of the anti-aircraft guns bombarded the area, spinning rapidly and emitting a rumbling sound like a train.

Until the sirens that blared throughout Tokyo ushered in a new chapter.

A deafening roar followed, and heavy, steel-like footsteps echoed behind the Day Apostle. The Day Apostle turned alertly, sensing a familiar, oppressive force—the strange change brought about by the apostle's descent to Earth. In Christian terminology, this is called spiritual pressure, describing the powerful impact of an angel's descent directly on the human soul in the material world.

A purple life form suddenly descended from the cracked road, without uttering a word. A magnificent orange light flashed deep within its eye sockets, and the skyscrapers of the steel forest emitted a deafening roar, with man-made alarms blaring throughout the city—this was merely the sonic wave created by the purple EVA's forward charge.

The purple figure was unstoppable, like a dragon flowing into the sea, Unit-01 wielding a roaring chainsaw sword. With irresistible violence, it fiercely slashed at the Angel's barrier! In just a few seconds, the Day Angel felt the same fear that the Water Angel had once felt.

"So this is Shinji Ikari...!"

Suzuhara Toji, whose head was wrapped in bandages, stared wide-eyed at that moment.

The seven-colored absolute domain that was strong enough to withstand a barrage of bombs was instantly destroyed, and the street, which was thirty-two meters long, was now filled with smoke and dust, simply because the weight of the two flying figures was enough to destroy everything in their way.

The apostle, who roared like an oregano cockroach, rose from the ruins. The seven-colored absolute domain ultimately saved the day apostle's life.

The Absolute Territory is essentially a phase-transition space. When the Absolute Territory is affected by external factors, the soul matter within it will undergo a certain movement. The Day Angel's Absolute Territory, like layers of springs, allowed him to escape being beheaded with a single sword strike at the last moment by using the reaction force from Unit-01.

But his fate of death was not over. The moment he raised his head, the sound of the chainsaw sword still echoed in his ears, making his soul tremble.

"Cry! Shout! Confess your sins to the Emperor!"

Amidst the roar of the chainsaws came Shinji Ikari's ferocious, maniacal laughter.

The terrifying chainsaw sword flashed in a graceful arc, instantly slicing through the rampaging light whip. The Apostle of Day instinctively flew upwards into the sky, but its absolute domain was ultimately insufficient. Amidst the blood and gore, its lower body was slashed in half by the chainsaw sword.

Inside the central command center, the high-ranking officials watching the battle exchanged bewildered glances.

"Is this the chainsaw sword that Lieutenant Commander Ikari had the equipment department manufacture? Hmm, a chainsaw sword... It's quite useful, but isn't it a bit too violent?" Kazuya Tsurumaki, representing the military, stood in front of the large screen and asked Misato Katsuragi.

"Maybe a little," Ritsuko Akagi said, her tone somewhat uncertain. "But she's young, after all, and quite energetic. Yes, energetic!"

Kazuya Tsurumaki had no command authority; he was merely an observer, supposedly watching the battle footage of the heroic pilots who saved Tokyo.

While he admired the violent, dragon-like aggression and the destructive battle scenes were aesthetically pleasing, they also affected another part of his plan.

“This probably can’t be used for publicity or promotion,” said Kazuya Tsurumaki, though it was a question, his tone was one of certainty.

“I will arrange for the technical department to handle the editing; you don’t need to worry about that,” Misato Katsuragi said coldly.

Kazuya Tsurumaki nodded slightly, offering no rebuttal, but his gaze returned to the large screen. He stared intently at the battle scene of Unit-01.