"It's time for us to separate our paths," Azekiel declared, stunning all the Lords who had just thought that they were going to climb the tower together with Azekiel.
Everyone looked back at Azekiel in confusion, wondering if he was saying that he wanted to break the team? If that was the case, why did he even accept them in the first place? Some even felt as if he just used them. But even then, it made no sense.
Why would he not choose to climb the tower anymore? And why break the team now? If he really wanted to use them, why not do it for longer? It wasn't as if he lost anything because of having them on his team. On the contrary, his reach only increased with them in his team.
"You'll have to explain more than just that," Layim turned, looking quite unhappy with the sudden revelation.
"It is as I said," Azekiel answered. "I won't be going to the next Floor. That's why it's useless for you all to be in my team."
He was going to leave the tower, and he couldn't take them with him, as he understood more about this new quest now. Since it was a private quest, it couldn't be shared with his team, and even if it could, he would've hesitated in it.
The Quest allowed him to be able to leave the tower, but the others couldn't. He believed that he was going to finish the quest when he was out of the tower, which could take him straight to the eleventh Floor without him having to go through other floors.
If the others were on his team, they could get access to the eleventh Floor as well, but they couldn't get there, unlike him. The quest was only going to lead him there directly. But for the lords, this access was going to be useless since they needed to get to the tenth floor first.
There was no benefit of having this team anymore if he was going to be on the eleventh Floor and his team on the lower floors for years.
He even wondered if these Lords could even get through to the sixth floor without his help. They needed a King's help to get to the higher floors. On their own, none of them was strong enough to achieve that without spending years.
If they were in his team, they couldn't join the teams of other Kings. They were going to be alone in case they stayed in this team, which was like holding them back for no reason. So breaking this team was good for both sides. At least that's what he believed.
"Alioth doesn't know that you all were part of my team. After I release you, go to the next floor and join his team. He should help you climb further. Because with me, you'll never be able to get higher."
Azekiel explained his thoughts as he opened another screen before him. He clicked on one of the options to dissolve the team.
All the Lords received a notification that the team had been dissolved. Some of them felt confused, while some felt angry. It was as if they were abandoned after being shown great dreams.
Unfortunately, even if they were angry, they couldn't do anything. They had to be crazy if they wanted to fight Azekiel in their anger, especially after seeing his battle skills against the Demons.
"Will you really not come to the fifth floor? Are you really stopping your climb forever," Azekiel earnestly stated while subtly ignoring the next question.
There was no way for him to get to the fifth Floor. He was either going to clear the Quest in the outside world, or he was going to die trying. In both cases, he couldn't get to the fifth floor unless he wanted to waste his time.
"So you won't kill any other Kings?" Layim asked. "Is this the end of the Kingslayer"
"I doubt I'll kill any more kings, but I do hope that I'll meet one again... I really want to meet," Azekiel answered. "Now, enough questions. It's time to get going."
"If we want to meet you, where can we find you? Will you stay on Floor Zero?" Another Lord asked.
"Possibly," Azekiel answered, slightly vague. To leave the tower, he needed to go to Floor Zero, so this certainly made sense.
He brought an Escape Orb out of his pocket since he had gathered quite a few of them.
He used the Escape Orb. His figure started disappearing before he was gone. The escape orb could take him to any of the floors that he controls.
At the moment, he controlled all the floors up to the fourth floor, so it was impossible to find out where he could've gone, but the meh had a feeling that he went through to the next floor.
The Lords could only guess that he went to the first floor since that was the fastest way to get to Floor Zero.
"That was disappointing. And here I thought we had found a cheat to the top of the tower."
"Why would he give up on climbing the Tower? After being so successful, why give up now? Does he really not want the strength and freedom that comes with getting to the top floor?"
"Who knows. He's a guy who waited three years before he suddenly started climbing the Tower. His late entry was as bizarre as his sudden exit. Who knows just what he is planning? Maybe he will make an appearance after another three years and catch up to us?"
"Possible. Not as if we can force that man. It seems we have no choice but to join another King."
All the Lords discussed amongst themselves, even after Azekiel left, trying to make sense of the situation.
As the Lords tried to understand things, Azekiel had actually arrived at the Library of Sin on the First Floor.
It was the place where he had first killed a King. It was where he killed Michael.
"It's been three years since I entered this tower. I wonder just how the world outside looks... It must be overrun by monsters at this point. Will my house even be standing?"
Azekiel had many questions in his head as he was so close to leaving the tower. When he left the world, he was a weak youngster who wasn't even an adult. He had to run as his mother was killed, but now... Within three years, he had become someone much different.
He had become someone powerful, all thanks to the tower. He now had the strength to fight back if he wanted.
