Nebuchadnezzar's Key

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Nebuchadnezzar's Key is an item smuggled out of Bethany Base by Ryoji Kaji during the attempted escape of the Third Angel. The key resembles a miniature human nervous system with the neck attached to a stylized key-like device. "Nebuchadnezzar" is written on the shaft of the key in cuneiform (?). The portable safe-box containing the key bears other writing in mysterious characters that resemble a simplified version of the symbols on the Angel-sealing hex pillars.

Kaji delivers the item to Gendo Ikari, upon which the following interchange ensues:

Kaji: Now, as I promised... The stored Lost Number, kept as a backup. The guidepost towards the unification of all souls unto God.

Gendo: Yes, used to open the door to Human Instrumentality... The Key of Nebuchadnezzar.

The true nature of Nebuchadnezzar's Key remains unknown. Due to the fact that it replaces the role of Adam's embryo from the original series, there is some speculation that the Key is simply the equivalent of a reduced Adam in this continuity, but this is currently unprovable.

The key was designed by Ikuto Yamashita

References

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