Chapter 53: A Night
Tuoniao Club, main hall.
Classical lamps hanging from the surrounding walls and ceiling brightly illuminated the ballroom. Graceful music flowed melodiously through the hall like water as pairs of gentlemen in suits and ladies in gowns danced lightly, immersed in this place of entertainment far removed from the smoke of war.
If the club had not been privately booked, and if professional dancers had not been dressed up as dancing guests, Kyle's appearance in the ballroom in a tailcoat would certainly have drawn an enthusiastic crowd and caused a sensation.
Kyle, America's youngest major, was a hero symbolizing America's strength and conquest. After Hydra had been uprooted and annihilated, he had once again become a legendary figure discussed in streets and alleys across Europe and America.
Though calling him a "legend" might have been a little exaggerated, he had single-handedly influenced and altered the entire European battlefield, dealing a devastating blow to Germany, whose military might had been formidable in World War II. In the eyes of American soldiers and certain fanatical young women, Kyle was a true legendary hero, with fame and prestige that even surpassed generals and officers.
Europe was still relatively calm in this regard. But in America now, of every ten domestic recruitment propaganda films shown, six were exclusively about Kyle, while the other four were war documentary clips of Kyle and Captain Steve fighting side by side.
One could well imagine just how powerful Kyle's aura as a War Hero had become.
Hope had dimmed, then been rekindled. That confident young man had returned as promised.
Standing in the center of the ballroom, Carter stared at Kyle as he emerged from the parting crowd of dancers, unable to speak for a moment.
Kyle remained silent as well, not knowing what