The scales of war, tipped completely in the Allies' favor by Lynn Morris's unseen hand.
The combined efforts of Soldier Boy and Human Torch destroyed Hydra's last War Machine, Fenrir Giant Wolf, and crushed Red Skull's last hope.
The " Perfect Beings " legion lost its core factory located in the heart of the territory, becoming like water without a source.
They continue to wreak havoc on the battlefield, but every loss is irreplaceable.
Meanwhile, the repulsion field grenades and Sentry exoskeleton armor produced by the Foresight Company flooded the front lines.
Allies soldiers, who were once overwhelmed by the " Perfect Beings," have now been upgraded with new weapons.
Wearing exoskeleton armor, their individual strength increased dramatically.
Faced with the suicide attack of the " Perfect Beings," they were no longer afraid; all they needed to do was calmly throw a repulsive field grenade when the opponent lit up.
The soldiers even had the leisure to whistle at the void after the explosion.
The battle had transformed from a bloody meat grinder into a one-sided Carnage.
The Hydra's lines collapsed at a visible speed.
The dawn of victory was clearer than ever before.
The Pentagon generals, looking at the battle reports on the sand table showing successive victories, couldn't muster a smile.
They won, but they won in a frustrating way.
This war, from beginning to end, became a one-man show for Lynn Morris.
He defined heroes, he created weapons, he even defined the price of victory.
These so-called war commanders became a group of spectators sitting in the audience, applauding the performers on stage.
Now, the director is preparing to unveil his final grand finale – The Return of the Hero.
An order jointly issued by the Department of Defense, the Strategic Scientific Reserve, and the Congressional Military Committee was delivered to Steve Rogers.
" Steve, congratulations on your recovery."
The Department of Defense personally chaired the video conference, his tone carrying a deliberate enthusiasm.
"The nation needs you, the world needs you. We will hold a grand return ceremony for you, where you will personally present the flag and lead the first legion fully armed with Sentry Armor to launch a general offensive against the Red Skull!"
"You are the clarion call of our counterattack, the embodiment of victory! The whole world will witness your return!"
The generals sat around the conference table, their faces bearing official smiles.
They are trying to bring this out-of-control "totem" back onto the track they have set.
However, Steve Rogers on the other side of the screen simply listened quietly.
He wore a simple white shirt, and his deep blue eyes held no excitement or gratitude the generals had expected, only a calm, still lake.
"Sir."
Steve spoke, his voice steady and powerful.
"My brothers are still on the front lines, in muddy trenches, paving the way to victory with their flesh and blood. I will not stand in the spotlight and receive cheers."
"I want to go back to the Howling Commandos and fight alongside them until the very last moment of the war."
"This... this is an order!"
A general slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
"While I was unconscious, your orders failed to protect my comrades."
"Now, I choose to protect them in my own way."
The video call was unilaterally disconnected.
Steve pushed open the door to Lynn's office.
"They made you the victory mascot?"
"Yes."
Steve walked over to him, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.
This is where the entire war was turned around.
"I refused."
"I guessed it."
"I want to go back to my unit."
Steve's tone was firm.
Lynn finally turned around and looked at him.
Steve expected to see disappointment, persuasion, or even orders.
But he only caught a fleeting glimpse of something akin to admiration in Lynn's unfathomable eyes.
"Sure."
Lynn's answer surprised Steve.
Did he agree?
Is it really that simple?
Lynn walked to the desk and pressed a button.
The wall on one side slowly slid open, revealing a weapons display rack.
In the very center of the shelf lay the captain's shield, lying quietly.
It still features the classic circular design, and the striking red, white, and blue colors along with the five-pointed star.
Lynn took the shield off and handed it to Steve.
"Why?" Steve looked up and asked, puzzled.
"Why did you agree to let me go back? I thought you would want me to follow their plan and become a more perfect ' Captain America '."
Lynn smiled, a smile that Steve couldn't decipher.
"What I need is a Steve Rogers who can get angry, question, and disobey orders for his beliefs."
Lynn looked directly into his eyes.
"A perfect god, high above and worshipped, will ultimately be relegated to a shelf. But a hero, flesh and blood, capable of making mistakes and experiencing pain, is the one who truly enters people's hearts and gains the most steadfast followers."
Lynn put his hand on Steve's shoulder, his tone sincere.
" Steve, do what you want to do. Fight alongside your brothers and win the victory that belongs to you."
"I'll handle those generals and the media. You just need to... be yourself."
Steve looked at Lynn, the man who once again saw through all his thoughts and paved the way for him.
What else could he say?
Thank you, Lynn.
Steve's voice was a little hoarse.
We are partners.
Lynn smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
Steve, shield in hand, turned and left.
His back was more upright than ever.
The office door slowly closed.
Lynn sat back down at her desk and closed her eyes.
Lord of War
[Condition: The company's annual profit exceeds $10 million through providing superhuman strength services to Allies (or either side)]
[Comment: War is a human tragedy, but it is also the fastest way to amass wealth. You completed your primitive accumulation of capital amidst blood and fire.]
[Reward: One chance to draw]