Chapter 524: Subsequent Purification
Inside the command center of NERV Headquarters, after a brief, deathly silence, deafening cheers of surviving a catastrophe erupted.
Taut nerves instantly relaxed. Many people slumped into their chairs, their faces a mix of exhaustion and wild joy.
Misato Katsuragi let out a long sigh of relief and leaned back. Only then did she realize that the palms of her tightly clenched fists were covered in cold sweat.
Ritsuko Akagi, however, did not immerse herself in this joy. She immediately leaned over her workstation, her hands flying across the controls to pull up the final combat data, especially the detailed damage report of Unit-00 taking the attack at the last moment.
Looking at the shocking structural damage diagrams displayed on the screen, she frowned slightly, calmly evaluating the workload and time required for repairs.
Meanwhile, at the observation center of the Ninth Research Institute far from Headquarters, Ryo calmly closed the real-time combat feed.
Regarding the disintegration of Ramiel and the subsequent flooding of LCL, his face showed not the slightest trace of surprise, as if this was merely another data point corroborating his theory.
He opened a dedicated recording file and began a voice entry in a steady tone, as if dictating an experimental report: "Target 'Ramiel' confirmed annihilated.
Its death pattern conforms to the predetermined model: after its core was destroyed, the high-energy biomass could not maintain structural stability and instantly disintegrated into basic liquid LCL.
Regrettably, the 'Sword of Cherubim' prototype failed to obtain application data in this actual combat, leaving us unable to verify its practicality under high-pressure combat situations."
He paused for a moment before shifting the topic: "However, the Positron Cannon's peak performance parameters under these extreme conditions, as well as the psychological endurance boundaries and decision-making patterns of the EVA pilots—especially the pilot of Unit-01—under immense pressure, provided valuable observational data.
This data holds reference value for subsequent weapon optimization and the adjustment of pilot training strategies."
His gaze turned outside the observation window. In the distance, that expanding scarlet ocean formed from the Angel's remains reflected an eerie luster under the setting sun.
Such a massive, concentrated release of LCL was an unprecedented pollution event, yet it also constituted an extremely unique experimental environment.
A calculating glint flashed in his eyes as a new experimental concept rapidly took shape.
"A high-concentration LCL settlement of this scale... conventional purification methods would be inefficient and have a lengthy cycle," he muttered to himself, his fingertips tapping lightly on the console. "Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity to test the large-scale, high-load purification efficiency of the 'Seed of Metatron'."
He immediately connected to the communication line of the Technology Development Department, offering his suggestion in his usual calm and professional tone: "Dr. Akagi, regarding the large-scale LCL pollution outside, the Ninth Research Institute is requesting to activate the emergency environmental response protocol.
I propose conducting a targeted deployment test using the newly developed 'Seed of Metatron' to evaluate its actual purification efficacy under wide-area pollution conditions.
This is not only a viable solution to the current crisis but will also accumulate critical data for future environmental restoration."
Inside the heavily guarded decision-making conference room at NERV Headquarters, the debate over Ryo's proposal was deadlocked.
Around the oval conference table, the holographic projection screens continuously updated the simulated pollution range of the LCL left by Ramiel. That glaring red color was like a festering wound, continuously expanding.
"I oppose this plan." A senior, conservative technical bureaucrat rested his hands on the table, his tone severe. "The principles of the 'Seed of Metatron' have yet to be fully deciphered.
Deploying these mysterious particles capable of catalyzing primitive life on a large scale is like opening Pandora's Box.
What if it triggers uncontrollable genetic mutations, or forms new invasive ecological species? Who will bear the consequences?"
His supporters immediately added, "The Angel's LCL composition is complex, and its biological activity far exceeds our understanding. Rashly using this incompletely verified technology will very likely cause consequences more severe than the pollution itself."
A flurry of whispers spread through the conference room as questioning gazes fell upon the proposer.
Right at this moment, Misato Katsuragi stood up and walked to the holographic projection. She pulled up the defense map of Tokyo-3; the red polluted area was already approaching several crucial defense nodes.
"Everyone, we are not discussing an ideal scientific research environment," her voice was clear and forceful. "This polluted zone is encroaching upon our defense depth. If, during the next Angel attack, our EVAs are forced to fight in this sea of blood, who can guarantee that accidents won't happen? Actual combat needs must be placed first."
Ritsuko Akagi pushed up her glasses and pulled up a set of data: "According to simulations, the 'Seed of Metatron' has demonstrated extremely high target specificity in closed-environment tests. Its impact on standard ecosystems is within a controllable range, and its decomposition efficiency of LCL reaches over ninety-seven percent."
She paused for a moment and looked around at everyone present. "In contrast, conventional purification methods would require at least six months to process just one-tenth of the pollution, and they cannot solve the issue of residual biological activity."
Vice Commander Fuyutsuki quietly listened to the arguments from both sides before finally casting his gaze toward the persistently silent Gendo Ikari. The entire conference room subsequently fell quiet.
Gendo Ikari rested his chin on his crossed hands, his orange lenses reflecting cold light under the illumination. His line of sight swept across the pollution zone map, then glanced over the technical proposal submitted by Ryo, before finally locking onto the crowd awaiting his decision.
"Approved for execution."
These four words put a full stop to the debate.
A few days later, Shinji Ikari came to the frontline monitoring station where Ryo was located. He stood on the observation platform, looking down at the previously unsettling scarlet waters.
At this moment, the color of the water was undergoing a miraculous transformation. The deep red was fading and thinning at a visible rate, replaced by an increasingly clear, vibrant azure blue.
The water's surface was no longer dead silent; instead, tiny bubbles faintly rose, as if something underwater was being quietly "awakened."
"Doctor," looking at this near-miraculous change, Shinji couldn't help but speak, his voice filled with a youth's pure curiosity. "What will this place... look like in the future?"
Ryo did not answer immediately. His gaze was similarly fixed on the recovering waters, while positive data for various ecological indicators jumped on the monitoring screen. After a moment, he said calmly, "It will return to its original state. Perhaps not overnight, but the soil will remember, and the water currents will remember. After the pollution is cleared and the foundation is rebuilt..."
He paused and pointed to the extremely tiny green specks beginning to sprout in the damp soil along the shore; those were the most primitive algae and lichens catalyzed by the 'Seed of Metatron'.
"Life will find a way."
These words were very soft, yet carried an unquestionable power stemming from a profound understanding of the laws of nature.
Listening to him, Shinji looked at the deepening blue water and the specks of fresh green before him. A complex expression appeared on his face—it contained surprise, hope, and an even deeper, almost mesmerized touch of emotion.
It was as if he could see a tenacious, unstoppable force of life surging beneath the barren ruins.
This scene and these words quietly smoothed out some of the gloom that had accumulated in his heart from the continuous battles, planting a seed named "future."
For the first time, he felt so genuinely that beyond fighting and destruction, gentle yet powerful forces like "creation" and "resurrection" also existed.