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Second Apology Chapter!

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Chapter 53: The Stronghold

Makoto exited his capsule with a yawn.

He had about 3 hours before dawn would appear inside Azalon, that was enough time to cook up something decent and also take care of a few other things like laundry and the dishes that had been piling up for some time now.

In the end he decided to warm up a pot of frozen curry and made some rice to go with it.

The actual meal only took about half an hour to prepare and eat so the rest of the time he finished up the work inside his apartment.

Still having more than an hour of time left after cleaning up, Makoto turned on the TV and made himself comfortable on his leather couch.

"-edible just how much things have changed after realizing the possible options that Virtual Reality can offer us.

Many companies have already bought the rights to use this technology from Ouroboros in other ways, imagine if you could use the time difference of 1 hour Real Life being 3 hours in Virtual Reality for research or work purposes, the possibilities to expand are endless in that matter!"

"So you are saying that not only is Virtual Reality a new form of enjoyment but that all of us could possibly work even more in a shorter time frame? Wouldn't that mean that we would also earn more money in reality?"

"That is indeed what I am saying, I mean imagine being able to work twice as long and earn double your Salary but in reality you are actually working less time than you did before!

Naturally there will be a few regulations to compensate for these things but consider just how much time we could save to spend with our friends or being able to come to work a lot later because we can still get everything done in time, it is mind blowing if you ask me."

"Very true indeed, I agree and also think that there is going to be a lot of change, especially if the smartest scientists in the world are able to triple the time they have to research something.

Thank you Doctor Martinson!

Next up, are our Universities going to buy Virtual Reality Capsules simply so their students can spend more time on studying and reviewing? Find out after this short commercial break!"

Makoto was unwilling to watch an entire 5 minutes of mindless Commercials and instead zapped through the channels, only to find similar talk shows or programs talking about the same thing.

The hottest topic right now for America and the world was Virtual Reality and even Makoto had to agree that the possibility to use the time difference to your advantage was a big plus once again for Azalon and the game's sales.

Until now he had never thought about studying inside the game but it was quite a logical thing to do considering you even had internet access in the game.

Finally after switching to a Channel for kids he was able to find the normal television programs again.

It was simple cartoons but that was what he had been looking for, even previously popular shows had been put on hold so that they could have more discussions and programs about Azalon, only Channels that focused on younger children still played the usual things.

The world had gone completely insane as far as Makoto could see.

Looking at the time once again he still had half an hour to go so he switched Channels until reaching a rather interesting show.

A beautiful woman in a red dress was sitting on a couch and spoke into her microphone with a firm and bright smile.

"Hello ladies and gentleman and welcome back to Azalon 101!

A show about the game that we all love from the bottom of our hearts.

With me I have a very special guest today, he is known as the player with the highest level and has kept that same spot for 3 weeks.

He has agreed on this exclusive interview so please all welcome Malcolm Karnisson, also known as Giro!"

Right away the crowd that was present during the live talk show exploded into cheers and whistling, the clapping was so loud that it drowned out everything else as a skinny and dark skinned man appeared on the stage.

After showing a blinding smile to the camera and the people in the room he quickly sat down on the seat next to the woman during which he exchanged a short but firm handshake with her.

"Well then Giro, tell us about yourself please if you would, I am sure many fans are dying to hear more about you."

The man showed another smile to the camera and complied with a steady and deep voice.

"Well there is not really much to talk about.

I am attending a University, quit my part time job and am currently single."

After the last part the female part of the crowd instantly cheered and screamed as if he was some kind of rock star that promised that he would accept the loudest screaming fan as his bride.

Just from Makoto's standpoint he could very well understand in calling the guy handsome, definitely better looking than him but what he did not understand was the fuss about his person or why having the highest level inside Azalon meant that he was an instant celebrity now.

"As you can see your achievements and especially being the first ranked player for such a long time have made you very popular with a lot of female fans and I have to say that even I count myself as one of them."

Showing Giro a little wink, the crowd went along with the whole thing and once again exploded into howling and whistling.

"Tell me Giro, what have you gained in your life after playing Azalon, not including the rather obvious popularity."

"Well that is a very easy question to answer, the first thing that I have gained is that I know how it feels to actually fight for your life.

But Azalon has not only shown me those life and death battles but also the beauty of a world that does not exist in reality.

There are many different areas and cities in the game and each and every one of them is an absolute masterpiece.

I started in the Human Kingdom of Lomar so I have seen the Twin Tower City of Ulzhan, the Fields of Havoc and finally the Capital of Lomar, the City in the Clouds, King's Peak.

Each and every one of these places goes above and beyond any imagination and is an incredible sight to see.

This experience in both good and bad is probably the most important thing that I have gained after entering this new world."

Makoto had no time to listen to any more and quickly turned off the flat screen TV.

It was due for him to return to the same world that Giro was so fascinated with, Azalon.

…..

Arriving in a blinding ray of light, Makoto nearly walked right into Farabello first things first as he was back inside the game.

"Welcome back Makoto, the others are already here and waiting for you and the Commander is about to order the Soldiers to continue with the Journey so you are incredibly lucky in making it on time."

Nodding once as thanks for the explanation he stepped out of the way to let the little Mage pass by him.

Makoto then quickly turned around and saw his beautiful angel waiting for him with a bright smile.

Following a sudden instinct he stepped closer and kissed the surprised Sharon without any warning but she soon enough wrapped her hands around him and melted in his arms while also pressing her body with short and fast breaths against him.

Hearing a disappointed moan from her as he backed away a bit againit took her a while to get her usual composure back.

"Don't do something like that and then not follow through you sadist..."

Biting her lip in a very alluring way it took Makoto an extreme amount of willpower to resist the temptation to simply rip away her clothes and drag her behind one of the nearby bushes.

Finally turning to the rest of his party he could see a frowning Lilliana and blushing Sanja, both took the sudden display of affection that he showed differently and Makoto was unable to distinguish which reaction was the better.

Wrapping his arm around Sharon's waist and unconsciously declaring her as his that way, he motioned the rest to follow him.

Beside him he could see his girlfriend with the happiest smile in the world leaning her head against him while soon enough Lilliana whispered a snide comment behind his back.

"Talk about showing off.

Are you going to whip your dick out next to prove that it really is bigger than 4 inches?"

Greatly surprised about the out of nowhere attitude he turned his head and showed a dirty smile.

"Why don't you check for me if you are so unsure about my manhood down there?"

Everyone was clearly shocked about his reply and he soon enough felt a hard pinch in his side from Sharon but ignored it and instead looked into Lilliana's eyes.

"What's wrong? Scared it is going to bite you?"

Turning his head around with a wide grin on his face he was able to faintly hear her reply, once again whispered.

"Fucking Asshole..."

A bit unsure why exactly he even made the comment to begin with, he finally looked at the girl that he had his arm around and his blood ran cold after seeing the way she looked at him.

Swallowing once to calm himself, Makoto showed a weak smile and spoke, accompanied by a trembling voice.

"Y-You know that I was kidding right?"

"Sure I do, did you not hear me laugh?"

Sharon once again leaned her head against his arm but at the same time he could also feel her nails digging into his wrist and he couldn't help but curse his own stupid actions.

Was there any need to play with Lilliana's feelings like this now, or with Sharon's?

The rest of his party kept a dead silence after his earlier faux pas and they continued to walk like this.

It was beyond stupid but the damage was done so he could only sigh and follow the endless rows of NPCs as they journeyed towards the Stronghold.

…..

After hours and traveling many miles on the gravel road, the scenery around them suddenly changed.

Instead of fields of grass and the occasional tree or bush the amount of rocks increased to the point that any sort of vegetation was gone.

Soon enough the ground next to the road rose until the entire platoon of soldiers had to walk behind one another.

Surrounded by high stone walls and only able to walk on a gravel road that was about 10 feet wide, a feeling of unease went through each and every one of them.

After another hour they could finally hear it, distant screams and sounds of battle that got louder with every step.

The narrow road drastically increased in width and soon enough the walls around them disappeared allowing Makoto and the rest of his party a clear view of the gigantic Stone fortress that seemed to be made out of pitch black stone.

The voice of the Platoon commander echoed through the ranks and reached Makoto and his party.

"We have reached the Obsidian Stronghold of Kernum!

Everyone, prepare for battle!

The situation is unclear but it seems that there is still people fighting for the freedom of our lands so show them that they are not alone!"

With the man's roar, 5 thousand Soldiers and even the Mages fell in with it and an incredibly loud cry for battle echoed around, drowning out even the now clearly audible screams from beyond the Stronghold.

"Ready your weapons and follow my lead!"

All around the sound of swords and other weapons being unsheathed could be heard while a lone man made his way through the ranks and started to run towards the Stronghold.

Accompanied with the roar of thousands of men, Makoto and his party also got ready for battle and ran after the courageous Commander.

He could feel an incredible rush of adrenaline and together with the rest also roared to the heavens with his heart beating faster and faster.

The gate before them opened up and Soldiers wearing Asurian armor welcomed them together with a man that was sitting atop a horse.

"Bharfas you crazy old fool, are you driving your men battle crazy before the fight has even started? Sheath your weapons, this Stronghold is far from falling!"

Right away the entire Platoon felt like they just ran against a low hanging tree branch and everyone put their weapons back into the respective sheath, clearly stunned about the harsh words.

"Don't be so rough with them Falknir and in what way do you think you are talking with the Commander of the 5th Platoon anyways?!"

Their Commander bellowed while Falknir only showed a wry smile as he lead his horse closer.

"I speak with you however I want, you have only been elected as a Commander because we are in a time of crisis, otherwise you would be a Knight Captain just like me so stop whining or do you want me to close those gates before you again?"

"You dare to possibly sacrifice Asuria and let this Stronghold get demolished just because you want to be in charge?!"

"If you don't want to explain to the King why exactly I couldn't do my duty then yes, I dare to do that.

We don't need your kind of help Bharfas, or the help of any of your men but the King sent you so I can not object on his order without any reason so please, give me a reason old friend."

Unable to respond to that, Makoto could clearly see how their Commander lowered his head with a grimace and Falknir once again showed a wry smile.

"That's better, now follow me.

It is true that we do not need your help but to be honest it is highly appreciated, we are facing nearly 15 thousand Sarachec Soldiers and that is only a rough estimation as it is impossible to see each and every single one in these mountains."

Turning his horse around, Falknir lead the way while Bharfas and the 5 thousand strong Platoon followed.

Soon enough they all passed through the gate and it was closed behind them once again.

They ascended a gigantic set of stairs until reaching a plateau, now able to look at the black walls beneath them.

"This is the first defense line and I welcome you all to your first real war."

Falknir said with a snort and Makoto had to swallow as he watched thousands of enemy Soldiers trying to climb over the walls of the Obsidian Stronghold.

Each Stone wall was nearly 50 feet high but a few still made it up with either ladders or extremely bizarre and dexterous movements.

They were too far away to clearly see what was happening but just looking at the mass of bodies that clustered before the gates of the Stronghold and comparing them to the tiny number of defenders was enough to paint a very nasty picture.

"So, who wants to die today?"

Falknir said with a grim face and stared at the 5 thousand men beneath him...

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