Chapter Fifty-Six: Hero of War

The coastal regions of England in Europe, where the American military had established their temporary main base.

Following the decisive meeting between the leaders of America, Britain, and the Soviet Union to form an allied army and launch a massive invasion of Germany, the American temporary base here had expanded its territory more than fivefold in less than a month. Countless military tents had been densely erected within its confines.

All American forces once scattered across the various European front lines had been ordered by the five-star general to converge here. An endless flow of weapons and ammunition was transported day and night to this location.

And this was merely the preparatory phase for the American fleet. Aside from the majority of soldiers crossing the channel by ship to land directly opposite the German coast from England, thousands of air force fighters were also busy preparing at other bases.

It was the eve of a colossal campaign! Over a hundred thousand American soldiers, serving as the main force, were temporarily camped within the main base, awaiting the moment to gather and launch their attack.

At this moment, inside the American temporary base, squads of bare-chested soldiers exercised in the vast open grounds, the midday sun beating down, filling the air with a testosterone-fueled aura of iron and blood.

“Major Kyle’s plane will be arriving soon!”

“The hero symbolizing America’s strength and conquest is coming to our main base...”

No one knew who first spread the news, but it quickly grew into a whirlwind of excitement, sweeping through the entire American base.

“Kyle is coming!”

The phrase that could instantly silence German children’s mischief and cries, when heard by Americans and soldiers, worked as a collective rallying cry, bordering on fanaticism.

In less than half a minute, nearly every idle American soldier hurried towards the base’s airstrip, creating clouds of dust that rose from the roads throughout half the base.

Joseph, also at the base, opened the windows of the officers’ conference room. Watching the feverish soldiers sprinting outside, he couldn’t help but remark, “That Kyle kid is truly remarkable! Whenever he arrives, the morale of the whole base soars—such is the charm of a war hero.”

Bryant sat gloomily at his desk, staring dazedly at the suddenly lively base, lips pressed together in silence.

Joseph blinked and said, “Bryant, are you still brooding over past grievances? I’m sure Kyle has long forgotten that little incident.”

“He certainly has,” Bryant replied with a shake of his head, his tone disgruntled. “I’m still just a lieutenant, and he’s already a major—the American hero, no less. To have once competed in marksmanship with him is an honor.”

Joseph sighed quietly, knowing Bryant still couldn’t let go of what happened during their training days. It was understandable; a rookie he hadn’t thought much of had made half the world remember his name in under a year—a blow to any drill instructor’s pride.

But who could he blame?

“Well, I’ll go take a look. The dust outside is thick; you’d best stay in here,” Joseph said, donning his hat and stepping out, closing the doors and windows behind him.

Bryant was left alone at his desk, the words he wished to speak dissolving into a single sigh.

He had hoped that two American heroes could have emerged at the same time from the recruits he’d trained...

At the base’s airstrip:

The transport plane landed with a rumbling roar, coming to a stop at the far end of the runway. Four armed soldiers jumped down first, set up the boarding ladder, and took up positions facing each other on the tarmac in front of the aircraft door.

Kyle descended the ladder from the transport plane.

He wore his signature black, cold-blooded combat attire, two compact energy pistols strapped to his thighs, a sodium-carbon steel sword in a leather scabbard slung across his back. The cross symbol of the “Devil” adorned his chest, with the insignia of an American major on his left shoulder.

The sunlight outside was glaring. Kyle thought to shield his eyes, but as he stepped off the plane and looked ahead, he was momentarily stunned.

Tens of thousands of American soldiers in combat uniforms filled the vast tarmac beside the transport plane, stretching so far he could not see the end.

Seeing Kyle, they did not cheer or whistle in disrespect. Instead, their faces were filled with admiration and smiles as they quickly raised their hands to applaud.

The wave of applause gathered into a thunderous roar, echoing over the base.

“Kyle, you’re finally back.” From within the crowd of soldiers, a black officer with a patch over his left eye squeezed through, walking toward Kyle with excitement.

“You always call me a war maniac—how could a major campaign happen without me?” Kyle shrugged, embracing Fury, slapping each other’s backs.

“Damn, your strength keeps growing. Ease up a bit,” Fury gasped, stepping back half a pace.

“Just average,” Kyle replied with a smile. The super soldier’s physique had plateaued; it couldn’t be improved merely by training. Fury sensed the increase in strength thanks to the continual augmentation from the venom suit Kyle wore.

“Kyle!” A booming voice called out. Joseph had struggled his way through the crowd to reach them.

“Coach Joseph, you’re here too,” Kyle nodded to him, then asked, “You often go back to New York. How’s Lucy these days?”

“She’s doing well. I’ve already spoken to the local precinct—don’t worry,” Joseph replied with a smile.

“Thanks. Next time you return, could you bring something back for her?” Kyle said, never forgetting the girl living in his home, though the ongoing European campaign left him little chance to return to New York.

“No problem,” Joseph agreed readily.

Fury urged, “Kyle, I’m not just here to greet you. I’ve also got orders from General Chesters. He wants you to report to the command room as soon as you arrive at the base.”

“General Chesters, the Allied commander for this campaign,” Kyle nodded, immediately following Fury’s lead.

As Kyle walked forward, the crowded ranks of soldiers parted to form a clear path.

Aside from those from the original training base, the 102nd Regiment, and the Roaring Assault Squad, most of the other frontline troops and new recruits had never seen Kyle in person. The excitement they felt upon seeing the war hero was palpable.

Their fervor was conveyed through enthusiastic applause, which only subsided once Kyle’s figure disappeared into the crowd.