The enormous diamond-shaped object was the Apostle NERV had always guarded against—the enemy of the entire world. It had the form of a regular octahedron and looked like a massive airborne fortress.
The Apostle's appearance brought the battle between the Federation and the Victory Fleet to a halt. Under these unclear circumstances, the Federation also ceased its movements and began withdrawing to the rear on its own initiative. NERV naturally had the most experience dealing with Apostles in this world, but the Federal Army's Far East Army, which had likewise assisted in fighting them, clearly understood that Apostles were not foes they could confront head-on.
Thus, under the Far East Army's influence, the G Hound Squad, which knew even less about Apostles, also chose to temporarily withdraw. On the Victory Fleet's side, every scattered unit turned toward the Apostle. They had to guard against another Federal Army attack while also preventing the even more powerful Apostle from approaching the true core of Third Tokyo City.
After descending, the enormous Apostle fell silent. It merely floated in midair, slowly rotating, without immediately displaying any intention to attack. Yet the more it behaved like this, the more wary everyone present became of it.
"Tch." Ryoma Nagare gritted his teeth and made an irritated sound. "It had to choose a time like this. Looks like those Apostles aren't completely brainless."
"This is a real headache. We have to deal with Apostles while fighting the Federation." Gido rubbed his head in frustration. Looking at the many Federal Army units in the distance, then at the massive Apostle currently wedged between them and the Victory Fleet, he felt utterly miserable. He was even more furious that the Federation had inexplicably attacked NERV and turned the situation into something so complicated.
As the current battle commander,