Chapter Ninety-Six: Superhero

“General Chester, the congressman’s office has called again to press us. They say the public propaganda is already more than enough, and it is time for Major General Kyle to depart.”

Inside the Supreme Command Office, Chester stood with his back to the door beside the window. After hearing the soldier’s report, he gave a heavy nod. “I understand. Then send Captain Fury with the convoy to pick him up.”

The communications soldier froze, then reminded him hesitantly, “Did you forget, sir? Captain Fury resigned two days ago. You approved it yourself, and he has already left the main base.”

“It was my mistake.” General Chester let out a weary sigh, then steadied himself and said with authority, “Dispatch my armored escort convoy to Hailan Street. Once we have him, head straight for the main base airfield. After arrival, do not report to anyone. The transport fighter must take off within ten minutes. Make sure Major General Kyle reaches Tokyo in Jisan safely.”

“Yes, sir! I’ll arrange it at once!” The communications soldier saluted and hurried out.

The office fell quiet again. After a long silence, Chester’s low murmur finally stirred the air. “A hero made me, and a hero will bring me down…”

Half an hour later.

Five thickly armored, bulletproof vehicles came to a stop outside an ordinary villa. Dozens of elite armed soldiers stood in perfect formation, facing the tightly shut front door of the residence, waiting patiently and respectfully for something to happen.

Squeak.

Before long, the door opened.

A handsome young man stepped out slowly, clad in dark battle gear, a one-handed sword strapped across his back, energy pistols at both hips, his striking blond hair full of sharp, fearless energy.

The moment his tall figure appeared, the soldiers guarding the old Howling Commandos post outside, as well as the convoy troops who obeyed only the orders of the five-star general, all unconsciously straightened their backs. Their gazes sharpened, and in one voice they saluted loudly, “Good day, Major General Kyle!”

In the territory of the United States, this man was a superhero. In the eyes of every soldier, he was a standard, a symbol, and a legend.

Kyle swept them with a cool glance and said nothing. As always, he wore the lone-warrior gear he used on the battlefield, but the marks and insignia of the American military were gone from the integrated suit.

This battle was not for the United States. It was for himself.

“Destination: Tokyo.” Kyle’s expression remained cold as he got into the rear seat of the middle armored vehicle.

Soon, the five armored cars formed a straight line and rolled out in mighty procession from the street onto the road leading quickly toward the military main base’s airfield.

On the second floor of the villa, Lucille lifted the curtain and gazed through the window, reluctant to look away until the entire convoy disappeared around the street corner.

When the armed convoy left Hailan Street and successfully entered New York’s main thoroughfare, the scene on both sides of the road changed in an instant.

Unlike the deserted, empty streets of Hailan Street under lockdown, the bustling avenue was packed with tens of thousands of people, a sea of faces that filled the eye.

Many of them held homemade signs, shouting with fierce emotion at the passing convoy, some pleading for him to stay, some offering support, some praying, each in their own way.

“Major General Kyle!”

Even inside the heavily armored vehicles, with their thick bulletproof shells and soundproofing, the cries from the people outside could still be heard faintly.

“Why do they know I’m leaving today?” Kyle was taken aback. Looking out through the reinforced window, he saw that the road ahead, to the left and right, was crammed with countless people.

It was as though half the city had come out to see him off.

“It’s not today, sir. It’s these past few days.” The driver sounded a little hesitant as he spoke. “Ever since people learned you were going to Jisan alone, and that part of Hailan Street was sealed off by military forces, they’ve been waiting here every morning and evening along the only road from Hailan Street to the main military base.”

“Why go to such lengths...” Kyle fell silent, staring out.

The main road stretched for miles, cutting through several of New York’s busiest districts.

Yet no matter how broad or long the avenue was, the sidewalks were lined with hopeful, grateful citizens. They held up signs and shouted, nearly surging into the roadway itself. Every ten yards or so, police cars and human walls of officers were needed to form a barrier, straining to hold back the extraordinary tide of people.

“Major General Kyle, please come back victorious!”

“Hahaha, the general will definitely go and give those Jisan warriors a proper thrashing!”

“When you return, the world will surely be at peace...”

Countless people shouted from the heart. This time, they no longer blindly begged the military for help. Instead, for the first time, they placed their grand hope for world peace upon one man.

Listening and watching, Kyle suddenly understood something: perhaps this was the unique appeal of a superhero.

A hero stands beyond the rigid framework of reality and law. Whether or not he fits some inflexible rule, as long as what he does is righteous, he is bathed in glory and adoration.

A hero does what others cannot; a hero is able to do what others are not. Every movement of his will alter the world’s balance and inspire the admiration of countless people.

In a sense, in this Marvel world, a superhero truly was a reflection of a god.

And yet neither gods nor the Lord, no matter how fervently prayed to, could answer in the end, while a superhero could act with his own hands and fulfill the people’s hopes.

“Too bad I’m only thinking about myself. I have no desire to be some superhero worshiped by the masses.” Kyle muttered to himself. Shrugging, he closed his eyes and reclined in the soft rear seat of the armored car.

Only after the armed convoy left the main thoroughfare did the cheers of the crowd fade from his ears. The driver, as if unwilling to linger any longer, accelerated and drove the armored vehicle into the military main base.

The troops inside the base were already prepared, with security lines in place so the convoy could pass without hindrance, all the way to the airfield, where it came to a stop and was handed over to the transport fighter waiting for departure.

Rather than arranging for someone to leave on a mission, it felt more like transporting a prisoner.

Kyle kept his face slightly cold the whole time, silently following the itinerary and boarding the rear compartment of the transport fighter under armed guard.

A few minutes later, the newly designed American transport fighter, capable of the greatest range and altitude, lifted off formally from the New York military main base carrying the war hero Kyle Dove.

As the fighter vanished into the high cloud layer, all personnel at the New York military base stopped what they were doing and looked up at the blue sky with a strange hollowness in their hearts.

At the same time, Congressman Ivan, who had received the news near the White House, quietly let out a breath of relief. As long as Kyle left and entered enemy territory in Jisan, it would count as if one foot had already stepped into victory.

As for whether Kyle could come back, he did not worry in the slightest. Did that even need asking? No matter how strong one person was, how could he contend with the power of a nation?

Ivan smiled with satisfaction, locked the office door, took a telegraph machine from the safe, and tapped out the coded message:

“The target aircraft has just departed New York. Immediately relay this intelligence to the homeland of Jisan...”