Chapter 535 The Seven Sages Council

“N…I asked first, Armen.”

“Ah, right… Wait, no! Wait, what was I going to say?!”

Catching sight of someone so unexpected left Armen completely flustered.

Hulim Heyerar studied her long-lost fourth brother carefully.

“Armen, where have you been all these years? Did you know how worried we were?”

“Ugh… I’ve been through a lot too. Anyway, I’m now a disciple of the Sword Saint, training under Master.”

“Arant?”

Hulim Heyerar sounded slightly surprised.

“I see. You’ve been training under Arant all this time? His island is truly isolated.”

“Ahaha, yeah… Huh?!”

Something felt off.

“But, Armen!”

Hulim Heyerar’s tone shifted, turning a little stern.

“You can’t just leave home like that! Zieg and Reid are here too—you have to go see them soon, especially Reid! He said he’ll beat you up when you meet. Be ready.”

“Huh? Big Brother Zieg and Reid are here too… Wait, did you just say something dangerous?!”

“Sigh…”

Hulim Heyerar sighed.

“Armen, I have a lot to talk about, but I woke up late and I’m already late. Let me finish my business first, then I’ll lecture you.”

With that, Hulim Heyerar walked toward the Seven Sages Tower behind Armen.

Armen grabbed her in a panic.

“Wait, Hulim! What are you doing——!”

“?”

Hulim Heyerar looked at Armen in confusion.

Armen quickly pulled her aside.

“Do you know what’s going on in there?!”

“? Inside? Is something wrong?”

Hulim Heyerar was baffled. It was just a meeting—what could happen?

“That’s the world’s highest-level meeting going on inside——!”

“…”

“The Seven Sages and all the Heroes are in there! We can’t go in now!”

“Armen, I——”

“Look, whatever you have to do, barging in now is disrespectful! Luckily Master told me, so I can warn you.”

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“…Wait, Armen, I’m actually——”

“Just wait outside with me! Maybe we can see everyone when they come out! Oh, tell me what you’ve been up to—I only got back to civilization yesterday!”

“…”

Bang——!

At that moment, the door was roughly yanked open a crack.

Arant stuck his head out, looking furious.

“Armen! Why are you yelling out here? Even the sound-dampening magic can’t block your noise! Stand back and… Hm?”

“Sorry Master, we’ll——”

“Hulim? You’re here.”

“Eh…?”

Creak~!

Arant swung the door all the way open.

“You’re the last one. Hurry inside.”

“Yes, I’m coming.”

Hulim Heyerar nodded.

Meanwhile, Armen’s brain short-circuited completely from their exchange.

Huh?

What… what did they just say?

That’s weird. Did Master just tell Hulim to go in?

Wait… why?

Just then, Hulim Heyerar walked past Armen and looked up into his eyes.

“Armen…

I’ve been trying to tell you—I am one of the Seven Sages.”

“Sorry. Wait for me outside, okay? I’ll be right out after the meeting.”

“…”

Bang.

The Seven Sages Tower door closed again.

Armen stood frozen like a statue.

After a long while:

“Wha——?!!”

……

Inside the Seven Sages Tower.

With Hulim Heyerar and Arant taking their seats,

the highest-stakes meeting in the world—with the fewest attendees—officially began.

“I now declare the supreme command structure of the Great War: the High Council of Seven Sages is officially established!”

Irus announced from the head seat.

To her left sat the six current S-Rank experts; to her right, the six Heroes, with Alice seated at the end of the Heroes’ row as a special member.

This was the age-old tradition in wars against the Demon Lord Army: a supreme governing body made up of Heroes and all S-Rank experts.

Since the Heroes were the main combat force, their focus was on self-improvement and frontline battles—not administration.

Administrative duties fell to the S-Rank experts.

Thus, the supreme council deciding the Allied Forces’ path became known as a “Council of Sages,” with the number matching the S-Rank holding voting power.

This term, seven S-Rank held final authority—so it was the High Council of Seven Sages.

“Attendees of this council: seven S-Rank including myself, six Heroes, and Alice as a special member—14 total. Any objections?”

“No objections.”

“No objections.”

“…”

“Good. All in favor.”

“Now for the first official agenda: Coastal Defense Reconstruction and Demon Continent Intelligence Reconnaissance…”

And so, in total secrecy,

the meeting that would decide the world’s fate began.

……

……

New Divine Calendar, October 29, 792.

The Hymlier Allied Forces crushed the Demon Vanguard in the river valley of the Witch Hills.

The surprise offensive by the Demon Lord Army ended in near-total annihilation.

New Divine Calendar, November 12, 792.

The Hymlier Allied Forces marched east from Windrock City to reclaim the Eastern Lands.

Over two months, they wiped out all remaining Demon Vanguard forces in the east, ending the chaos.

New Divine Calendar, November 25, 792.

The Hymlier Allied Forces reached Old Bongisto and re-established it as the Allied Frontline Headquarters, launching initial reconstruction of Bongisto.

New Divine Calendar, December 13, 792.

The High Council of Seven Sages—the supreme command of the Allied Forces—was officially established.

Reconstruction of the Eastern Coastal Defenses began shortly after.

The war between the Hymlier Allied Forces and the Demon Lord Army entered its next phase.

……

“Pay no mind to manpower. The High Council of Seven Sages has ordered priority reconstruction of the Coastal Defenses—preventing another Demon Lord Army attack is key.”

“Understood! But, Your Highness… won this leave too few men for the Cleanup Operations?”

“The Heroes are handling that. Even with fewer regular soldiers, it won’t matter.”

“I understand…”

“Your Highness Drehack, the defense construction unit reports a resource shortage.”

“What resources, and how large is the gap?”

“Primarily Mana Crystals. A shortage of roughly one-third.”

“I’ll handle this. Send for Alicia.”

“At once…”

“Who’s in charge of Bongisto’s reconstruction plan? It’s half a day behind schedule. Have him submit an explanation.”

“No good. The current plan can’t hold our army. Have the Think Tank draft a new one.”

“This involves the Church—coordinate with them first. Send someone over.”

When Alicia entered Drehack’s office,

she found a scene of utter chaos.

Officers rushed in and out nonstop.

This was the new normal after the High Council of Seven Sages was formed.

“Big Brother…”

Alicia greeted him reluctantly.

“What did you call me for?”