How prestigious is Captain America in this country?
Facts have proved that as the number one war hero heavily promoted by the government, no one can predict the full extent of Captain America's prestige.
From history textbooks to memorial propaganda in various places, his legend has been cemented. From weakness to strength, from sacrifice to heroism, his story is the epitome of a hero's journey.
Seventy years of peace have allowed Captain America's reputation to soar to its peak.
Then, a movement of unprecedented scale spread across the country.
First, many surviving veterans stood up, some in wheelchairs, others carried on hospital beds, making their presence known on the streets.
Then, more veterans followed their lead.
Next, teachers and students from schools joined in...
More and more people took to the streets, standing before the government with signs, shouting, or silently sitting while singing the national anthem.
A website called "Return the Hero to Us" was established and rapidly gained traction. People uploaded historical photos, documents, and materials, promoting the hero's legacy. More and more individuals joined—not just those familiar with Captain America's story but also new admirers drawn by his legend.
The reason was simple: a hero is someone everyone aspires to be.
Is Tony Stark a hero?
To many, he is merely a billionaire enjoying himself.
But Captain America, who, like a beacon of hope, ignited courage and strength in countless people during dark times, remains the true embodiment of heroism.
[He sacrificed for us once. Now it's our turn to do something for him.]
This statement was prominently displayed on the website, inspiring more people to stand up.
"I wish the Captain could see this."
Coulson stared at the light screen, his eyes shining with emotion.
"He will see…"
Shen He rubbed his sleepy eyes.
The sky had darkened, and he had spent the entire day managing the online narrative. Since J.A.R.V.I.S. wasn't omnipotent, he had to work carefully behind the scenes, ensuring his digital fingerprints remained undetectable.
"Mr. Shen." Coulson hesitated before speaking.
"Just say it."
"I just…" Coulson took a deep breath. "I don't know how long Hydra has been embedded within us or what damage they've done with our own hands. Maybe S.H.I.E.L.D. is a villainous organization in some ways. But many colleagues, including myself, firmly believe that we are protecting people and the world. Many have sacrificed for that belief, so…"
"So, their contributions shouldn't be erased, right?" Shen He finished Coulson's thought, sighed, and paused.
It was a complicated dilemma.
People can act with good intentions but still cause harm.
From a materialist perspective, wrongdoing remains wrongdoing, regardless of intent.
"I'm sorry, Coulson." Shen He shook his head slightly. "I've reviewed some of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s actions. For example, Project T.A.H.I.T.I. and the CH315 drug experiments on deceased agents—do you think that was the right course of action? You brought them back from death with good intentions, but left them with unbearable pain."
"…That should be top-secret information…" Coulson broke into a cold sweat.
He had participated in those experiments. Six deceased agents had been resurrected, only to endure unbearable suffering, their memories forcibly altered.
He had always believed they did the right thing—those people, despite losing their past, could live normal lives again.
"I don't agree with that approach," Shen He said firmly. "You knew they would rather die, yet you forced 'salvation' upon them. If someone imposed such 'goodwill' on you, how would you feel? In my view, wrongdoing remains wrongdoing, no matter how well-intended. Only a god can grant forgiveness for such things."
"Shen He!" A voice suddenly interrupted.
"Hmm?"
Shen He turned to see the two ceremonies staring at him.
Then he noticed Jeanne d'Arc sitting beside him, her head lowered, hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Damn… He had completely forgotten about her.
"Jeanne, I—" Shen He leaned forward awkwardly, "You're completely different. You're a saint who achieved great things. Even Steve can't compare to you. Besides, blood spilled on the battlefield isn't a sin—it's honor."
"Master."
Jeanne suddenly held his hand lightly, her grip almost fragile.
"I'm not a saint. The Master is right. Whether intentions are good or not, wrongdoing remains wrongdoing. Even when I was burned at the stake, I never regretted what I had done."
She hadn't been thinking about herself but about Gilles de Rais—who, in his grief after her death, had committed atrocities. His sins, just like her own, could never be justified.
"But Jeanne… how should I put this…" Shen He struggled for words, looking into her solemn eyes. "To me, you are undoubtedly a saint. Not the Jeanne d'Arc from history—but the Jeanne standing before me."
"T-Thank you, Master."
Jeanne's face turned red as she saw something in Shen He's eyes that she couldn't quite understand.
"What's there to thank me for?" Shen He sighed in relief. "Besides, I—"
He stopped himself, unsure of how to explain.
How could he tell her that he had always admired her character, even when she was just a figure in a story?
And what kind of feeling was that admiration anyway? Shen He himself didn't fully understand.
But Jeanne seemed to misunderstand something, her face flushed, her hands clutching her dress nervously.
"Well, Coulson, let's move on to the next step," Shen He quickly changed the subject. "The hero and the audience are already in place. Now, our villain must make his entrance. I need you to gather some of your colleagues and bring Lelouch to meet them."