Chapter 57: The Nation’s Prestige

Led by Fury, Kyle followed him to the command center of the American main base.

“You go on in. I’m just the messenger,” Fury said, stopping at the door and gesturing for Kyle to enter alone.

“Alright, I’ll catch up with you later.”

Kyle nodded, showing no sign of nervousness as he strode directly into the command room.

The room was stark and simple—a massive strategic map hung as a decorative backdrop, flanked by a U.S. flag adorned with stripes and stars. Behind a desk piled high with military documents sat a middle-aged officer.

The officer appeared to be just past forty, with a stern, resolute face. He wore a full officer’s uniform, and on the left breast was the insignia of a general, five stars gleaming on the badge.

A five-star general! The highest military rank during World War II, and the supreme commander of the Allied forces assembled for this campaign.

Kyle stood before the general, snapped his heels together, and offered a textbook salute, raising his voice as he announced, “Major Kyle, reporting for duty!”

General Chester looked up, his sharp gaze sweeping over Kyle, who stood within three meters of his desk. Nodding with a gentle smile, he said, “Major Kyle, I’m glad to finally see you back.”

Kyle replied, “Yes, sir. During the battle in the Alps, I pursued Hydra’s leader, Schmidt. There was an accident—Steve crashed a hijacked plane into the ocean. I parachuted out early and made it back alive.”

“Steve…” General Chester sighed regretfully, then said to Kyle, “I’ve already read Agent Carter’s detailed report. The fact that you returned safely is the greatest victory our forces could hope for. In this crucial hour of the Second World War, we cannot afford to lose our heroes.”

He paused meaningfully before continuing, “In fact, I’ve long wanted to meet you in person. You should know that the super soldier program was initiated on my direct orders. You refused to be the first test subject, passing the opportunity to your fellow soldier, Steve. That is something I remember well.”

Kyle gave a sheepish shrug. “Looking back, I was too proud then. I didn’t appreciate the chance to become a super soldier. Fortunately, luck was with me, and through a twist of fate, I became the second super soldier after all.”

“You had every right to be proud,” Chester said with a slight shake of his head. “After Steve became the sole super soldier, I saw in him the embodiment of American justice and iron will. I even personally taught him combat techniques.”

“That Steve became Captain America, a national hero, was beyond my initial expectations, but not entirely a surprise.”

“But you, Kyle—from a raw recruit to a miracle worker on the battlefield, rising step by step through your own strength to become a leading hero of the war—your journey has far exceeded anything I imagined.”

When General Chester finished, he looked at Kyle with open admiration.

“Just luck, all luck,” Kyle replied modestly. With the general praising him to the skies, he felt it necessary to show some humility.

“If luck is all it takes, then perhaps the goddess has spent all her fortune on you,” Chester quipped. Then, turning serious, he said, “Yesterday, upon learning you’d returned safely to base, I personally consulted with the President regarding your future.”

“Regarding me?” Kyle was momentarily taken aback, waiting for Chester to elaborate.

“I recommended you for an exceptional promotion to brigadier general. The President has approved it,” Chester said gravely.

Brigadier general?

Kyle was utterly stunned. What did that mean? That was a general’s rank!

Though he’d previously vaulted from private to sergeant, then to second lieutenant for his meritorious service, and from lieutenant to major in quick succession, this leap felt astronomical.

Advancing even one rung above major usually required years of service and countless honors, but Kyle had only been a major for less than a month.

“General Chester, I don’t believe I’ve accumulated enough merits for a promotion to brigadier general,” Kyle said hesitantly.

Chester laughed. “If it were merely a matter of merits and achievements, I could toil for fifty years and never rise above four stars. But this is wartime—World War II! Everything is an exception now!”

Indeed. The five-star rank existed only during the war.

Kyle nodded, understanding.

“All those peacetime regulations mean nothing here,” Chester continued. “If it would hasten victory, I’d let you take my own five-star position! Brigadier general is the least we can do.”

“I see no reason to refuse a general’s rank,” Kyle replied confidently, though he added, “It’s just that, on the battlefield, I’m more adept at fighting solo than commanding troops. Isn’t it a bit extravagant to give me such a title?”

“Not at all,” Chester replied with a smile. “Given your reputation as a war hero, this extraordinary promotion will be welcomed by every soldier in our forces.”

“More importantly, the upcoming offensive against Germany will be led by our army within the Allied command. As our nation’s champion, it would be unseemly for you to be outranked by foreign officers if you remained a major.”

At this, Kyle immediately understood. Chester was promoting him not just for his own sake, but for the honor of the nation and the army.

A symbol of national strength and heroism couldn’t be just a major. At least a general’s rank was required to carry that weight.

Chester concluded, “The forces you command can be led by officers you trust. If there are no objections, you are now a brigadier general. The insignia is ready for you, and I’ll handle the paperwork. News of your promotion will spread before our armies unite.”

“Since you’ve arranged everything, General, there’s nothing for me to refuse.” Kyle spread his hands. With such a rank being thrust upon him, what reason did he have to say no?

Five minutes later, Kyle left the command room, a little bemused.

Fury was waiting not far from the door. Seeing Kyle emerge, he hurried over. “Hey, Kyle. What’s with that long face?”

“See for yourself.” Kyle lifted his left shoulder, expressionless.

“Huh? Your major’s insignia… Why is there a single star…?” Fury’s words trailed off as he rubbed his right eye and looked again, disbelief in his voice. “Is something wrong with my other eye, or am I seeing a brigadier general’s badge?”

“You’re seeing it right. I’ve been promoted,” Kyle replied dryly.

A promotion was good news, but to be made a brigadier general so abruptly—there was just no sense of accomplishment in it.