"First Angel, Adam—recovered. Second Angel, Lilith—recovered."
"Earth—conquered. Personnel recruitment—ongoing..."
Inside the starship's command bridge, Setsuna ticked off several targets on the holographic interface.
Among the remaining worlds, the EVA world was by far the weakest. Conquering a pre-spacefaring civilization barely took any effort.
Including the time spent on planetary conquest, Sophon and the Angeloids stabilizing social order, and the establishment of a new administrative system—it had all been completed in just over a week.
After a brief period of chaos, the entire world had entered a new kind of order.
The banners of the Starsea Empire now fluttered across the globe. All national militaries had been disbanded except for minimal security forces—defense operations were now handled entirely by the Angeloids.
Most of the old elites had been purged. Whether they had been tycoons, aristocrats, or high-ranking officials, Sophon saw no difference between them.
Within the Empire's vassal states, all were equal under one rule.
She efficiently developed a detailed plan for the planet's reconstruction and future development based on local conditions.
"Commander, the EVA world's Earth shares a similar structure to most worlds, but it was heavily damaged during the Second Impact."
"Its population is roughly half that of a contemporary Earth, and due to the rising sea levels, much of the coastline is submerged. Arable land is limited."
"After simulation and analysis, I recommend initiating climate restoration—correcting the magnetic field and orbital drift—and accelerating its advancement into the space age to begin cosmic resource extraction."
"Projected material costs and Bulin requirements are as follows..."
In half a day, Sophon compiled a complete and precisely calculated planetary development plan.
Every project had been thoroughly simulated to ensure maximum efficiency for the resources invested.
"Planetary reconstruction, huh... Sounds good."
"I'll notify the Research Division and Bulin later."
Setsuna approved the proposal without hesitation.
The Earth's damage from the Second Impact had lasting effects, and restoring it wasn't just about improving quality of life for its new citizens—it was a necessary step for future development.
He wasn't here to plunder or flee; the Starsea Empire established long-term, stable governance in every world it annexed.
"?"
Asuka once again felt like she was listening to divine myth.
The Earth's axis? Its magnetic field? The global climate? Were those really things you could just decide to change on a whim?!
Truly, she had met a god-tier being.
"Additionally, there's something else to report."
Sophon motioned for several Angeloids to bring forward small containers.
Inside were yellowed, ancient scraps of paper bearing unknown text—some torn, others repaired and sealed within glass panels.
"These are the Dead Sea Scrolls, recovered from SEELE headquarters. They contain prophecies regarding the EVA world."
"Every action SEELE took was guided by these prophecies—they deliberately shaped events to align with them."
"It also foretells the world's end."
"Oh?"
Setsuna picked up a few pages, glancing through them.
The Dead Sea Scrolls held significant value in Christianity—ancient manuscripts discovered in caves along the Dead Sea, containing Old Testament scriptures, commentaries, apocalyptic writings, and more.
The Church regarded them as sacred relics, invaluable historical records of the faith.
—Though, according to modern analysis, most were later fabrications.
But the EVA world was different. Here, "Gods" and "Angels" could actually bring about an apocalypse—and even turn all humanity into orange juice.
"...Lilith left Eden, left Adam, left the White Moon—the holy land of God—and descended upon the infernal Earth."
"...She bore offspring to the demon king—and became the mother of mankind..."
With the help of a translator, he read through the text describing the prophecy.
"...He regretted letting humanity leave Heaven, and so he shall recall the first humans—those who carry His breath..."
"I shall return My people to My kingdom. On that promised day, you shall return to your first form of life, and stand before My throne as the beings you once were."
"..."
"Return to the first form of life? No wonder SEELE's been obsessed with the Human Instrumentality Project."
Setsuna chuckled softly.
Aside from its accounts of the Black Moon and the White Moon, the Dead Sea Scrolls also contained prophecies of the Second and Third Impacts.
In a way, SEELE's actions were simply an attempt to fulfill those prophecies—triggering the Second Impact, and preparing to usher in the Third, where humanity would be 'completed.'
"That organization's insane. A cult like that deserves to be wiped out sooner rather than later."
Gudako's bold remark drew a few chuckles.
"These prophecies don't really hold any value for us anymore. The original timeline's already shattered. Just archive them in the Imperial Library for collection purposes."
Setsuna thought for a moment.
"Lucoa would probably like these."
After all, nowhere in those scrolls did it say anything about aliens arriving in starships to conquer Earth, beating Angels and humanity alike into submission.
Otherwise, SEELE and NERV might've been a bit more prepared.
"What about the Angels, though?" Asuka asked.
"Even if the later prophecies no longer apply, since the Third Angel already appeared, won't the rest keep coming?"
"That's simple."
Setsuna cleared his throat.
"Coincidentally, we're planning to conduct some local research here. So, how about giving you all a chance to pilot some Gundams? Have some fun."
"Oh, and remember to hold back. The Research Division wants a few alive—Angels are full of valuable materials."
...
A few days later—
Tokyo-3.
After Earth's unification, the Angeloids had cleaned up the area, evacuating the remaining civilians.
The city had originally been built as a fortress to resist the Angels, but now that the war was over, no one wanted to live in a place that required frequent emergency shelters.
Soon enough, the entire city was empty.
All that remained were the towering surface defense structures and the NERV research base buried underground.
Vmmm—
[Teleportation Anchor Established]
[Node 25: Evangelion World — Connected to Main Network]
On an open plain, Setsuna placed a teleportation beacon.
Flash—
A surge of white light filled the air as a large fleet emerged from the capital through the rift.
"Commander!"
Kayo Senju hopped off the ship with a flock of enthusiastic young researchers, all chattering excitedly. Alongside them were Akashi and a team of Bulins.
"What's all this?..."
Asuka, Mari, and the others watched in amazement.
"Regarding the research on the EVAs, Lilith, and Adam—some of it needs to be conducted directly in this world."
"While we're at it, we'll be modifying the EVAs and taking care of the Angels."
Setsuna explained casually.
For special-case worlds, the Research Division often established local research facilities to conduct on-site studies.
Many of the Engineering Division girls had taken an interest in the EVAs and the Angels—they wanted to come and see them in person, then rebuild and enhance the machines for live testing.
"For now, you'll cooperate with the engineers. They'll adjust each EVA according to your biological compatibility and perform calibration trials."
Setsuna glanced at Rei, Asuka, and Mari.
"After defeating the Water Angel, you'll need to handle the Fourth through Sixteenth Angels. The Seventeenth and Eighteenth will be handled by the Research Division."
"They'll likely appear soon."
"Don't worry—the battles will be controlled. We'll oversee everything. Focus on collecting data and testing performance."
"A testing mission? Understood."
Rei nodded calmly.
"No problem. Just make sure my EVA looks pretty, Commander~"
Mari flashed him a bright grin and struck a playful pose.
"Alright."
Asuka also nodded obediently, standing quietly behind the others without saying a word.
"Huh, that's unusual—you're being awfully quiet. Doesn't sound like you."
Setsuna tilted his head curiously.
"..."
Asuka hesitated, recalling how Setsuna had subdued the entire planet with overwhelming might just days ago, before muttering a few cautious words:
"I'm afraid you'll throw me into the sea to feed the fish."
"..."
"We usually don't resort to such primitive methods."
Setsuna ruffled her hair gently.
"???"
"Wait—so you do have those methods, right?! Huh?!"
...
Boom—
The Bulins worked quickly, hauling out piles of components from the starship and assembling them on-site at visible speed.
Within just a few days, a massive mecha assembly plant and several research facilities had risen on the empty grounds of Tokyo-3.
The little engineers had set up a temporary base here, beginning their studies on the Water Angel's fragments, along with samples of Lilith and Adam.
Occasionally, they even formed research teams to explore the sites of the First and Second Impacts.
Three EVAs hung from giant cranes inside the assembly plant.
Red, purple, and yellow units stood side by side—an impressive sight.
"Hmm..."
Akashi held a wrench in one hand while Gold Bulin stood beside her, hefting a massive drill. They examined the colossal machines intently.
After studying the confiscated NERV blueprints and climbing up and down to inspect the units firsthand, Akashi presented her modification plan to Setsuna with utmost seriousness:
"Commander, regarding the EVAs—these so-called Evangelions—we have two possible upgrade options, nya."
"First option: modernize the existing units. Replace their outdated weaponry and power systems. If successful, their combat performance should reach around the same level as Strelizia, nya."
"Second option: since EVAs are made from divine bodies—Adam and Lilith themselves—and their power is inherently limited by those sources... I have a bold idea, nya~
"?"
"Go on," Setsuna said, sensing trouble.
"We happen to have a certain Outer God among us whose power far surpasses theirs..."
"!!!"
Nyarlathotep immediately raised her hand, her ahoge curling into a heart shape as she leapt at Setsuna, rubbing against him affectionately.
"I volunteer!!! Please, use my body as you wish! Whether for the EVAs, the lab, or the bedroom—it's all yours!!!~~~"
"Again?!"
Setsuna was stunned.
When Nyarlathotep said such things, he could dismiss them as her usual antics. But hearing the ship's head mechanic propose the same idea with a straight face was... another matter entirely.
"Science must always embrace curiosity, nya! Combining technology from different worlds might produce results beyond imagination, nya!" Akashi declared with grave sincerity.
"..."
Setsuna paused for a long moment, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
"Fine. But promise me one thing—at least make sure the EVAs remain humanoid. No unspeakable horrors, please."
—
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