A New Era

There were living planets beyond Earth, and aliens were far more powerful than humanity!

It sounded sensational, but coming from Kyle, the Symbol of Peace, it was undoubtedly a highly credible truth.

After Kyle answered the first few questions, the representatives from the various agencies had gone pale. They sat restlessly, desperate to leave at once, return to their departments, and convene an emergency meeting for discussion.

As if seeing through their thoughts, Kyle spread his hands. "That will be all for tonight. I should head back and rest as well."

"Mr. Kyle, please visit the CIA when you have some free time. We will receive you with the highest honors," the CIA representative said hurriedly, rising to his feet with a fawning expression.

"The FBI as well. Mr. Kyle, you are welcome to come offer us some guidance," the FBI representative immediately added, unwilling to be outdone.

"Our military—" Rhodes opened his mouth, but Natasha cut him off before he could finish.

"Enough. Don’t push it." Natasha snorted and said bluntly, "Don’t forget that Mr. Kyle is S.H.I.E.L.D.’s chief consultant. If you have anything to discuss, contact S.H.I.E.L.D. and have us relay it."

The representatives of the various factions were left speechless. More than sixty years ago, Kyle, the Symbol of Peace, had accepted an honorary position as chief consultant for the newly established S.H.I.E.L.D. It was a fact recorded in the archives.

"When you leave, take that terrorist who is still alive with you. And send someone to clean up the site."

"We will investigate this matter as quickly as possible and give you an explanation!"

"Anyone who dares lay a hand on the Symbol of Peace must be tired of living!"

Several representatives readily agreed, their malicious gazes converging on the man tied to the chair. The terrorist leader was still unconscious, yet he suddenly shuddered as though sensing something.

If he knew that several high-level agencies had set their sights on him at once, he would surely lose all will to live and wish his neck had been snapped sooner.

After the representatives from the various departments left, Ellie could no longer restrain her urge to return to the news company.

Kyle looked at her and reminded her meaningfully, "You should know very well what can be printed in the papers and what cannot be made public. I need not say more."

"I understand." Ellie nodded rapidly like a pecking chick.

She knew perfectly well that the Symbol of Peace’s return, the existence of living planets beyond Earth, and the talk of a new era of alien war could all be published. As for the mysterious force the Card Disciples belonged to, it was best kept buried in her heart.

After Ellie left, Kyle turned his gaze to Tony, who still looked somewhat dazed, and said calmly, "Tony, you heard it just now. There are many living planets beyond Earth. There is a good chance that your father, Howard, is alive on one of them!"

"One day, I will venture into outer space again and bring them back. If you share that resolve, then strengthen yourself properly. At the very least, you must have enough ability to protect yourself."

Kyle’s words carried a deeper meaning, striking directly at Tony’s heart.

Clenching his fists, Tony rose from his seat and looked straight at Kyle. Somewhat lost, he said, "Godfather, I don’t know whether what I do from now on will be seen as right by others."

"Why care what others think?" Kyle smiled, raised his left hand, and lightly tapped two fingers against the steel core in Tony’s chest. "Go ahead and do it boldly. Never mind society’s standards of right and wrong—so long as you believe it is right! Besides, only the strong will have choices in the future. The weak will have none!"

"I understand." Tony nodded, his gaze steadily hardening. "Godfather, I still have things to do. I’ll be going first."

"Go on." Kyle patted his shoulder. Tony immediately strode out of the ballroom without looking back.

Watching his retreating figure, Kyle vaguely saw a trace of Howard in him.

An iron-scrap will would eventually be forged into unyielding steel!

"Iron Man has been born…" Kyle murmured softly. He turned around to find Fury and Natasha already approaching.

Fury looked at him in surprise and asked curiously, "Kyle, why make those remarks about aliens? Once the news spreads, the whole world will probably be in an uproar tomorrow. People will panic, and society may descend into chaos."

"Because it is the truth." Kyle gave a light laugh. "Only ostriches, when faced with danger about to arrive, willingly bury their heads in the sand and deceive themselves—I am no ostrich."

He paused, then continued, "Rather than letting the world learn its lesson only after alien war arrives, after it has endured despair and pain, I would rather shatter the world’s outdated understanding and make people prepare themselves and stay vigilant in advance."

Fury and Natasha both nodded as though they understood, their respect and admiration for the man before them growing even stronger.

If Kyle had once been an eagle in the sky, flying beyond the confines of Earth’s well and looking down from the heavens upon the stars and sea,

then now, Kyle was like a soaring dragon. With a casual swipe at the ground, he had shattered the mouth of the well, allowing those inside to glimpse the stars and sea ahead of time.

The next morning.

In the bustling city, countless people followed their dull routines, leaving early in formal attire, buying breakfast by the roadside, and stopping by newsstands for a newspaper.

But when they arrived at the newsstands, they were surprised to find many office workers gathered at the entrances, three or four people seriously reading a single paper together.

"Boss, give me a copy of the New York Times!" Scott Lang, one of the countless office workers, called into the newsstand as usual, briefcase in hand.

"The New York Times? We’re out. A thousand copies, all sold out just now!" the owner replied.

"Sold out?" Scott was stunned.

"You don’t know yet? Something huge happened! Today’s New York Times is basically sold out everywhere!" The owner sighed. Even though all his newspapers were gone, he showed no joy. Instead, his face was grim.

"What happened…" Scott asked in surprise. He moved closer to a young man holding a copy of the New York Times, and when his eyes fell upon the page, his heart trembled.

"Symbol of Peace Kyle returns, still in the prime of youth, as young as yesterday!"

That was merely a subheading, yet it was already shocking enough. But even more unsettling headlines followed.

"The first man in Earth’s history to leave the planet and journey into the stars!"

"The Symbol of Peace’s alien remarks—beyond Earth, there are advanced extraterrestrial beings!"

"The legendary hero speaks bluntly: humanity’s future formidable enemies will come from outer space!"

Every headline was printed in bold black letters, striking the eye with stunning force.

"My God, what is going on?!" Scott’s eyes widened. He wanted nothing more than to snatch the New York Times away and study it carefully.

The New York Times was an authority in the news industry. It would naturally not publish fabricated information at random.

If the news in it was true…

"The times are changing!" Scott gasped, unable to conceal his shock.