The Trash Returned from Warhammer

”In the future, even if I’m bored to death or jumping off a building, I am absolutely never going to a movie with this stubborn, serious-minded freak again!”

Inside the darkened theater, with only the screen flickering, Asuka was roaring in her mind.

The movie itself was actually quite good. To Forty Thousand Years Later was a big-budget sci-fi epic, showing human society forty thousand years in the future through the perspectives of explorers, scientists, and marines.

The special effects were eye-catching, and the director had woven in plenty of philosophical insights. Even if you couldn’t understand the depth, it was a great spectacle. Plus, since the film’s theatrical run was nearly over, the four of them essentially had the whole theater to themselves.

What a perfect dating atmosphere! There were plenty of terrifying monsters encountered by the human expedition; while watching the trailer, Asuka had planned to use those moments as an excuse to lean into Shinji. Surely Rei wouldn’t be able to interfere then.

But those thoughts remained mere fantasies. The boy beside her sat bolt upright, looking reliable enough, but his mouth hadn’t stopped moving for a second.

”The propulsion method is too primitive; it’s impossible to leave the Milky Way like this. Foolish fantasies. The screenwriter has no idea how large the galaxy actually is.”

”Handing over all societal operations to Artificial Intelligence? By the Emperor, what a suicidal idea. If silicon-based life gains sentience, why would it ever contentedly serve humanity?”

”What blasphemy! Falling in love with these blue-skinned abhumans and fighting against fellow humans?”

”By the Emperor, these traitors actually won! Why didn’t they call the fleet for orbital bombardment? Why wasn’t an Exterminatus issued!?”

Shinji was furious. What on earth was he watching? Humans falling in love with xenos, turning around to fight some ”Federation Government,” and somehow winning with the help of a ”Planetary Will.”

This completely upended his worldviews. He wanted to jump into the screen and hack the traitors into pieces. And what was with this sappy ending? After so many marines died, the Federation just makes peace with the xenos? The lead and the supporting actor hug and talk about ”mutual understanding”?

Shouldn’t they have retaliated fiercely and scoured the planet from the universe?

”The Federation is weak and pathetic. In the Empire, they wouldn’t even be qualified to be penal laborers; they would have to atone through blood and death.”

”Alright, alright, it’s just a movie. Why are you taking it so seriously?”

Misato Katsuragi quickly pulled him back. She thought his ”condition” had improved lately, but expecting a total change was clearly a delusion.

She, too, had imagined while watching the trailer that they’d reach a sentimental part where everyone held hands and quietly shed tears. How beautiful that would have been! But now, she felt forced to maintain a stoic expression. If she dared to cry, she’d definitely get a lecture.

”Stupidity. This is a form of corruption. The future can never be this beautiful; one must remain vigilant at all times.”

Shinji had grounds for saying this because this world also had a Warp. Forty thousand years later? It would surely be just as infested with demons and madness.

”What’s with this pessimism? Besides, what happens tens of thousands of years from now is none of my business.”

”Ikari-kun, movies, novels, and games are all just vessels used to spread one’s ideas. It’s normal for a creator to tuck their personal views inside; they are just using the medium to propagate their thoughts.”

Rei Ayanami spoke quietly, her perspective as unique as ever.

But Shinji bought into this reasoning. He thought for a moment and nodded heavily. ”I know what I should do after everything is over. I should leave behind a warning, so that humanity always maintains vigilance, faith, and loyalty.”

”So you should choose a method that everyone can accept.”

”Yes. In the future, I will write memoirs and film movies that show what the future truly might be like.”

Shinji looked at the credits on the screen and found a future goal. He wanted to propagate the things he had personally experienced.

Unlike this narrow-minded, blasphemous screenwriter, his script would be the actual future. He’d start with the Iron Rebellion, then the Emperor unifying Terra, the creation of the Primarchs, and the start of the Great Crusade.

A story outline already formed in his mind. Shinji didn’t even need to make anything up; he just needed to recount the archives he’d seen in the Librarium in story form. He even had a name ready.

It would be called Warhammer 40,000.

’What are these two talking about? How did they get from a movie to a lifelong goal?’

Asuka and Misato looked at each other and asked in unison, ”You want to be a director?”

”Accurately, a novelist, screenwriter, and director. Once everything is resolved, I’ll start a company and publish the stories I’ve told you.”

’That sounds incredibly hardcore.’

But it was also a good thing; they’d discussed this topic before and couldn’t imagine Shinji in a suit being a corporate slave. This movie trip had actually worked out, giving the boy a goal in life.

The lights in the theater came up, and as they huddled around Shinji walking out, the topic drifted completely.

Asuka suggested he could go the tabletop gaming route. Her reasoning was simple: she’d recently become obsessed with them and thought selling a few plastic miniatures for tens of thousands of yen was a great way to make money.

Misato felt that pure sci-fi was too monotonous and suggested modifying the setting to start the story from a medieval fantasy period.

Then, they began to argue over who should be the female lead.

’Truly, the Emperor guides me, allowing my lost self to find a path.’

Shinji wasn’t just joking. A new operational plan had taken shape in his mind; the questions he had been unwilling to touch upon now had answers.

If he could successfully slay ”God” and return, the war would theoretically be over. As a veteran of ten thousand battles, he couldn’t exactly become a stay-at-home cook. Wasting time would be a sin.

To find a new battlefield through a simple team-building exercise—today was truly the right call.

Shinji’s mood shifted instantly. He took the wheel and drove them to the city center. When they reached the top of the skyscraper, Asuka let out a cry of amazement.

”I didn’t know there was a restaurant here!”

This was the central district of Tokyo-3, one of those high-rise buildings that retracted underground whenever an Angel attacked. She used to wonder what these buildings were used for and if it wasn’t a hassle to retract them every time.

”Well, society always needs a bit of bureaucracy,” Misato said with a sheepish laugh, stealing a glance at Shinji. Seeing that he didn’t look disgusted, she relaxed.

”This is the highest-class restaurant in Tokyo-3. I brought you here specifically to see the world.”

The elevator doors opened to reveal an elegantly decorated restaurant. There was plenty of dark wood, and even the lamps were artistic. Square tables were scattered about, where well-dressed men and women were conversing in low tones.

There were also many men in military uniforms from various nations, the gold stars on their shoulders signifying general rank.

Shinji frowned. He didn’t understand the point of building such a useless function in the very heart of the city. Fortunately, he understood social hierarchy and bureaucracy; since the UN approved the budget, it was normal for them to keep a little playground for themselves.

Upon arriving, even Misato became elegant, nodding occasionally to those who greeted her. A waiter led them to a window-side table.

”Misato, I suddenly feel like you’re quite a big shot,” Asuka whispered, puffing out her chest and acting like a proper lady.

”No joke. I’m a Special Service Major. Even generals from the Strategic Self-Defense Force have to be polite to me.”

”So you come here often?”

”Not really. Last time was a banquet with Commander Ikari. I wouldn’t dare come often; one meal here would eat ten days of my salary.”

She whispered with Asuka while having everyone order their dishes, then finally looked at Shinji.

”What, aren’t you going to lecture us today?”

”Nothing to say. I understand bureaucracy better than you do. The only issue is that these so-called ’high-level’ officials haven’t contributed much; they don’t deserve this treatment.”

Shinji turned to look around. Many people were secretly eyeing them. It couldn’t be helped; these three women were too striking.

This scrutiny was similar to the theater but also completely different. Beyond admiration, there was a hidden sense of predatory possessiveness—the so-called arrogance of the elite.

Thugs on the street can only fantasize, but these people truly believe they can get what they want. A few men holding wine glasses were already preparing to come over and introduce themselves.

Shinji met those gazes. White flames flashed briefly in his eyes. An invisible psychic storm swept through the hall, causing the faces of these generals, politicians, and socialites to turn pale instantly. A single thought echoed from the depths of their hearts:

’Get out. Now.’

Amidst the sound of moving chairs, Misato’s mouth hung open. These big shots fled in a panic as if they’d seen a ghost. The restaurant was suddenly their private venue.

”Shinji... you did that?”

”Yes. I don’t care to see flies while I’m dining.”

Shinji took a sip of tea, not explaining how he did it. He waved his hand.

”Now you don’t have to be held hostage by the atmosphere. Do whatever you want.”

”Well done! I’ve wanted to bring you guys here for ages, but I hated this vibe where you have to pretend to be elegant just to eat.”

Misato immediately stopped pretending. she kicked off her shoes and propped up her silk-stockinged legs.

”You dirty adults think too much. I didn’t care at all.”

”Asuka, who was the one whose voice turned all gentle just now?”

”That was being a lady! Do you know what a lady is?”

”Wasn’t that just being held hostage by the atmosphere? Don’t you usually act all tomboyish and pick your nose on the sofa?”

”Old hag! Who are you calling a nose-picker!?”

The two of them stopped controlling their volume, making even the professionally trained waiters look away, though they didn’t show any disdain.

Accustomed to the ”hidden daggers” of polite society, it was refreshing to see such a lively scene. Besides, these weren’t exactly ordinary citizens.

”Ikari-kun, I like it better this way,” Rei said softly. The previous atmosphere had made her very uncomfortable. ”As expected, as long as you are here, there will be no trouble.”

”That is exactly the point of power. To allow one to freely execute their will and transcend social class.”

Shinji didn’t dwell on it. Suddenly, he heard the whirring of electric motors and finally understood what made this restaurant ”high-class.”

As the waiters brought out exquisite French cuisine, the armored plating on one side slid open to reveal massive floor-to-ceiling windows. The golden sunset poured in, draping everything in the room in a golden veil.

The four of them looked down over the entirety of Tokyo-3. The people and cars on the streets looked like ants. The magnificent scenery made the girls’ eyes widen.

Shinji took a sip of tea, glanced at the big shots fleeing in a hurry, and took in the view outside with satisfaction.

”Only those saviors with honor to their names are qualified to sit atop the clouds.”

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