Chapter 1707
A Miracle That Turned Fate Around?
Chapter 1707 A Miracle That Turned Fate Around?
"The Fourth Apostle turned to look at the Federation's black mech?"
Fuyutsuki Kosuke's pupils contracted slightly, and he subconsciously looked at Gendo Ikari sitting in front of him, only to find that the man had sat up straight at some point and was watching the scene on the screen without saying a word.
If nothing unexpected happens next, it seems likely that Colonel Ming will actually be able to prevent the Fourth Apostle from reaching the Third Tokyo metropolitan area.
But why would the Fourth Angel abandon its journey to the Third Tokyo metropolitan area and instead turn to face the Banshee Gundam?
Fuyutsuki Kosuke subconsciously began to think, trying his best to recall any information he might have missed.
"It's about spirit."
At this moment, Gendo Ikari slowly spoke.
"Spirit?"
Fuyutsuki Yukizo repeated it.
"Yes. Spirit. The apostles who devoured the fruit of life, their purpose is to destroy us, humanity, who have devoured the fruit of wisdom."
Gendo Ikari looked at the standoff on the main screen and pondered.
"Wisdom is a general term. It refers to a high level of creative thinking possessed by life, based on physiological and psychological organs. Language, writing, art, and technology are all forms of wisdom. However, on a certain dimension, wisdom may also exist in another form." (This is not a dialogue from the original work; it is a slightly modified setting by Wheel to integrate the worldview.)
"Some dimension? Commander, are you referring to a god? Or perhaps, does this black machine of the Punishment Squad possess some quality that exists within a god?"
Fuyutsuki Yukizo hesitated for a moment before asking.
"Gods? No."
Gendo Ikari shook his head and continued.
"Spirit. This black machine can transform the human spirit from intangible energy into tangible energy in some form, and can intervene in reality in some way, which is enough to trigger a power called 'miracle'."
Gendo Ikari's lips curled up slightly before settling back down.
"Just watch! This world brings us the unknown, but it also brings us new opportunities."
The giant black apostle
After unfolding its psychoframe, the Banshee Gundam, standing 20 meters tall, appears like a child before a Titan compared to the Fourth Angel.
The two, one on the left and one on the right, stood facing each other on opposite sides of the town.
When the two sides began to confront each other, the MS forces' attack had already stopped, waiting for the standoff to end.
However, as spectators present at the scene, Amuro, Hasavi, Rosamiya, and Murasame, among others, couldn't help but feel a bit nervous for He Ming.
Putting everything else aside, the sheer height of the Fourth Apostle is enough to terrify ordinary people.
However, He Ming's expression remained calm, and his mental state seemed to show no abnormalities.
"Adino, keep collecting data!"
"learn! 』
Moved!
Banshee Gundam was the first to move.
The moment it took a step and stomped on the ground, the propulsion engine on its back suddenly pushed the power to the maximum, making the Banshee Gundam transform into a golden light with a dark streak as it rushed straight towards the Fourth Angel.
"Boom!!!"
Suddenly, a powerful shockwave erupted from in front of the Fourth Apostle, who was standing still. It blew everything around him away and caused the flying platforms hovering around him to retreat and move to a safer area.
Only Gaplan, who remained above the Fourth Apostle at an altitude of about a thousand meters, continued to monitor the battle situation below.
"The shockwave from just one contact has such terrifying power?!" Hasavi exclaimed in surprise after stabilizing his flight attitude on the flight pedals beneath his feet.
At this moment, Banshee Gundam's left hand, transformed into claws, was already pressed against the Fourth Angel's AT field.
The colorful, mysterious force field became increasingly apparent as the Banshee Gundam's claws penetrated deeper, and the constantly flashing light seemed like a needle, deeply piercing the hearts of everyone in the NERV command center.
"It really did affect the AT field?"
A hint of horror flashed in Fuyutsuki Yukizo's eyes.
Gendo Ikari tightened his grip slightly, his fingers visibly curling, but he didn't speak. He simply looked once more at Ritsuko Akagi to his lower right.
"The unknown force field unleashed by that black machine can indeed affect the AT field, but it's not yet possible to determine whether it can penetrate the AT field. Commander!"
After quickly giving a brief report, Ritsuko Akagi called out to Gendo Ikari.
The latter hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded, turning her gaze to Misato Katsuragi, who was standing on the lower left, waiting for her turn.
"Let Unit-01 sortie! The Punishment Squad's diversionary operation has been successful. Now, it's our turn to take care of the final step."
"Yes!"
Katsuragi Misato responded.
"Shinji Ikari. You heard everything just now, right? The Punishment Squad has successfully held back the Fourth Angel. Now, it's your turn to pilot Unit-01 and deliver the final blow to the Fourth Angel. Understand?"
"Yes! I understand!"
Thanks to the involvement of Heming and the Punishment Unit, Shinji Ikari had much more time to prepare than his counterpart in the original timeline. During his training at the military base, Shinji underwent initial changes in his mindset and personality, and developed a certain obsession.
The man who wants to bring about change, to regain his confidence, and to start daring to face the world should take a good look at himself now.
"Captain Katsuragi, I am ready to deploy at any time!"
Shinji Ikari's resounding request caused a slight fluctuation in Gendo Ikari's gaze.
But this slight change went unnoticed by anyone.
Because at this moment, everyone's attention is focused on Unit-01 and Shinji Ikari.
Seeing Shinji Ikari's performance, most people felt a sense of reassurance.
Although he is still a child, Shinji Ikari has already developed a bit of the iron-blooded temperament that belongs to soldiers through his training at the military base.
"Alright! Launch!!"
Unit-01, which had already been moved to the launch port, was launched from the underground headquarters towards the ground as a cannonball under Misato Katsuragi's orders.
The powerful overload force instantly changed Shinji Ikari's expression, but he gritted his teeth and persevered, waiting for the moment when Unit-01 would reach the ground.
For some reason, Shinji Ikari, who has always been cowardly, afraid to argue with others, and letting others control his fate, is now eagerly anticipating the moment he reaches the ground.
He now yearns to participate in the battle, to pilot this Unit-01 across the battlefield.
Everything he had experienced and trained at the military base became clear the moment he boarded Unit-01.
He existed for this very moment!
(End of this chapter)