The origins of the Sage Council, if one had to say, began as a circle of hobbyists.
It was composed of people deeply involved with the mystic arts—magi, occult scholars, fae doctors, and the like.
Or perhaps, general scholars just a step removed from being specialists, common researchers, priests, monks, shrine officials, artists, capitalists, nobles, and royalty—
It was a circle established by a gathering of motivated individuals who shared aspirations, a thirst for knowledge, and wealth, all for the purpose of exchanging information.
This council gradually accumulated wisdom and its influence grew, eventually establishing its headquarters in Greenwich, London.
This was the origin of today's Sage Council.
A think tank dedicated to promoting and assisting research in occultism and magecraft.
Honestly, judging by its origins, this Sage Council could just as well be called the "Council of Idlers."
But today, this group, formed by a bunch of idle people, was plunged into a state of anxiety.
Of course, as a top-tier organization in the world of God-Slayers, the main business of the Sage Council, which had been built on gossip, was not, in fact, gossip.
The organization's mission was to accumulate intelligence on gods and God-Slayers, an organization established to respond more quickly to the disasters they brought.
And today…
A lot had happened.
This morning, the Heretical Michael, likely having encountered a symbolic artifact of his, descended.
Then, a warrior from an unknown origin engaged the Heretical Michael in battle, and then—
The man, calling himself a "Guardian of Civilization," fought the Heretical Michael at St. Peter's Basilica and, with flames and ice that were in no way inferior to divine might, slew him.
The world's eighth God-Slayer had descended.
This was a terrifying development.
So-called God-Slayers are the mortal enemies of the Heretical Gods that plague the human world.
However, they are only the enemies of gods.
They are not humanity's guardians, but Devil Kings!
Campione—God-Slayer—is an Overlord.For they have slain the gods of heaven and seized their supreme divine power.
Campione—God-Slayer—is a King.For they wield the Authorities usurped from the gods they've slain, and through that power, they dominate the mortals of the earth.
Campione—God-Slayer—is a Devil King.For no mortal living in this world possesses the power to oppose them!
There were already seven of these wantonly reckless Devil Kings in the world.
And now, there was another one.
But—
That was only the beginning.
In the lands of England, the Heretical Lugh had also descended.
It was like a wholesale event for Heretical Gods.
And he, too, was vanquished.
The ninth God-Slayer had also descended.
Looking at the number of God-Slayers alone, this era could truly be said to be experiencing an unprecedented boom.
After all…
There were a full nine God-Slayers!
Nine supreme Devil Kings who, at the slightest provocation, could smash an entire country into pixels!
"Regarding the current situation, what are everyone's thoughts?"
The woman seated at the head of the conference room, her face tense for the first time in a long while, asked the worried crowd below.
She was Alice Louise of Navarre.
Daughter of Duke Goddin. Commonly known as Princess Alice. The former chairwoman of the Greenwich Sage Council, and now its special advisor.
As her words fell, the council, which was fundamentally composed of a group of idlers, instantly erupted into chaos.
Everyone passionately voiced their opinions, trying to make themselves heard over the others.
However, it didn't take long for the idlers present to reach a consensus.
They had to find a way to mediate the relationship between the ninth King and the master of the Far East—King Kusanagi.
The newborn King who had slain the Heretical Lugh in England had made a clear declaration: he would be the King of the Far East.
But—
The Far East already had a master!
About half a month ago, a high school student from the Far East named Kusanagi Godou had used the Prometheus Grimoire to usurp the White Stallion incarnation of the war god Verethragna, becoming the master of the Far East.
A new King wanting to encroach upon the territory of an old King…
If no intermediary force went to mediate, then the newborn King who slew the Heretical Lugh would, sooner or later, head to the Far East, just as his declaration stated.
In that situation, Kusanagi Godou, as the King of the Far East, would surely be forced to retaliate.
A battle between Devil Kings… if it were to truly unfold…
The mere thought of such a scene was enough to send a chill down one's spine.
Regardless of who won or lost, the world's balance of power would be thrown into turmoil, and the order of the hidden world would be utterly shattered.
"Then, who should we entrust to act as the intermediary, to contact both King Kusanagi and the ninth King and have them reconcile?"
Someone's question rang out in the meeting.
And then—
The boisterous Council of Idlers fell completely silent.
Find someone to intervene in a conflict between God-Slayers?
That sounded like a suicide mission.
Unless the intervening party was also a God-Slayer, it was even more absurd than sending a little white rabbit to mediate between two Tyrannosaurus Rexes.
"Should we try to request the assistance of Lord Pluto?"
Then, another idler offered a suggestion.
Among the existing God-Slayers, there was one who could be considered a superhero.
The King of the Lighthouse Country, Lord John Pluto Smith.
If it were him, upon learning that two of his own kind might come to blows, there was a high probability he would go to stop them in order to protect the populace.
"But Lord Pluto seems to be investigating the ritual activities of a group of sorcerers. He may not be able to reach the scene in time," someone with good information pointed out.
And then—
The conference room fell silent once more.
Lord Pluto was, after all, the King of the Lighthouse Country. With crises on two fronts, he would certainly prioritize the one in his own country.
"In that case, should we try to request the assistance of Lord Kaslana?"
Someone, vaguely remembering that the certain powerhouse had called himself a "Guardian of Civilization" after slaying the Heretical Michael, asked tentatively.
Since Kaslana called himself a Guardian of Civilization, he must be a figure on the side of order, not a chaotic evil type like Luo Hao or Marquis Voban, right?
If they requested politely, it should work, right?
"I will attempt to contact both Lord Pluto and Lord Kaslana."
The former chairwoman, completely unaware of what kind of incident she might cause by leading the so-called Lord Kaslana to the Far East, gave her final answer.
"Also, please notify the Far East branch."
"If both Lord Pluto and Lord Kaslana refuse to go to the Far East to prevent the conflict between the ninth King and King Kusanagi…"
She seemed unable to bear it.
Miss former chairwoman closed her eyes and spoke.
"Please begin preparations for large-scale disaster relief as soon as possible."
PS: Regarding the previous discussion about Sea Tiger Destructive Fist, I just want to say...I just wanted to write some Jidaoism-style action and maybe an H-scene. Why are you all thinking so far ahead?