The Council of the Twelve High Priests is a governing body composed of twelve divine agents known as High Priests, who act as the supreme proxies of authority in the massive subterranean city-state of Shinshi, which had "fallen" beneath the great Azerlisia Mountains.

Alongside them sit chosen Representatives of the Kingdom's Citizens, and Recognized Members, individuals granted the right to participate in discussions of monumental significance — not just for the nation, but for the entire world.

Considering the power and influence wielded by its members, the Council is unquestionably the true hidden authority of this world.

A mere king? An emperor?

Such titles mean nothing here.

If even one of these attendees decided to act seriously, the so-called nations built by the frail "surface races" would not survive a week before being reduced to ash.

This world, after all, is not ruled by virtuous humans.

Many races stronger than mankind exist: beastmen, demi-humans, inhumans, and countless monster races.

But the ones in this council — they stand even above those.

Their power is incomparable, so vast that they do not even view other races as being on the same plane.

Such is the caliber of this institution — a council so elevated that in the 170 years since its founding, only three new members have joined.

Even so, the Council has only convened a handful of times, including the very first gathering at its inception.

And each time it convenes, the issues brought forth are world-shaking.

The unification of a chaos-ridden Shinshi 170 years ago and the drafting of its laws and codes; the eradication of the state founded by the Deserters 150 years ago; the Cycle and Great Invasion of 100 years ago; the emergence of a suspected Player 70 years ago — all of these were enough to upend the balance of this fragile world.

The Twelve High Priests' Council devised responses to each of these crises, employing force, strategy, and all means at their disposal to restore peace to the world.

Though their actions were carried out in the name of their divine King, they were, in every sense, acts of benevolence.

It is for this reason that he was permitted to join as a Member.

"...I see. I understand the gravity of the situation."

A deep, resonant voice echoed in the soft glow of darkness.

In the heart of what appeared to be a massive subterranean temple — not merely a cave — a circular altar rose from the ground, and upon it crouched a towering silhouette, pale blue-white in hue.

The voice had come from that being.

"Then tell Drake I'll make my preparations and join him shortly."

The creature's pale, glistening scales shimmered with a faint internal glow, not glaring, but soft — like moonlight descending through an open ceiling to gently illuminate the altar.

Each scale sparkled like a gemstone.

Beneath that radiance, the majesty of the beast was fully revealed. Towering wings, metallic protrusions like natural armor sprouting across its body, and a regal, draconic head crowned with twin pairs of antler-like horns — it was a figure of awe.

Though many dragons roamed the world, none matched this one in nobility or divine presence.

This was a creature revered above all others, the Platinum Dragon Lord, Tsaindoruks Vaision.

To a few close acquaintances, he was affectionately called Chaa, but to all others, he was the embodiment of might and majesty.

As his gaze shifted, a suit of platinum armor — which had stood motionless like a statue — began to stir.

Bound to his consciousness, the armor served as his proxy to exert influence beyond the bounds of this sanctuary.

Even this avatar contained a fraction of the Platinum Dragon Lord's immense power.

After decades of slumber, a part of the strongest Dragon Lord began to move.

...

Beneath even the deepest chambers of the Azerlisia Mountains, beyond light's reach, where a single passageway tunneled through layers of stone and metal thick as mountains themselves, there existed a hidden, fantastical realm no surface dweller could begin to imagine.

Beyond a glowing citadel of pale blue-white light that sealed the only passage, a single descent led into what could barely be believed to be underground — a city-state crowned with a vast, shifting sky, one that changed with the hour and even experienced its own weather patterns.

A nation beneath the earth, bathed in eternal starlight — the true dominion of the divine.

The nation was built as a single massive city, surrounded by multiple natural fields that reflected various terrains of the great outdoors.

Though technically called a "city," its sheer scale far surpassed anything found on the surface.

Towering skyscrapers pierced the sky, alongside enormous dome-shaped stadiums and colossal open-air coliseums.

These structures were scattered across the vast metropolis like glittering jewels. But it wasn't just those grand buildings — the rest of the city was equally advanced and orderly.

Districts were neatly organized.

Countless residential blocks included multi-story apartment complexes stacked in layers, luxurious mansions with private gardens and ponds, and mysterious buildings whose purposes weren't immediately clear.

The city boasted every convenience imaginable — entertainment facilities, shopping complexes, and even amusement parks.

And it wasn't all steel and stone. Streams wound their way through the city, eventually flowing into a wide river that cut through the capital's heart.

Parks and walking trails dotted the landscape, giving citizens places to breathe and relax.

Beyond the urban sprawl, a wide ring of preserved natural zones embraced the city — sandy deserts, snowy alpine peaks (though not tall, their summits glistened with frost), murky swamps, small lakes fed by large rivers, and towering ancient forests where the trees rivaled buildings in height.

Many demi-humans, beastmen, and non-human races who preferred life close to nature — or simply needed it to survive — chose to live in these outer fields rather than within the urban zones.

This was Shinshi's First Layer, the General Residential District, home to thousands of "Royal Citizens."

And at that very moment, somewhere in the heart of this great city, Monkyspanner, the Primal High Priest, had just returned from the outside world and was beaming with joy.

"Ahhh~ Feels amazing to be back!"

Letting out a long, deep breath, he clutched a bulging plastic bag — something that couldn't be found anywhere beyond Shinshi.

The logo on the bag read: 12Z Mart.

He had bought armfuls of canned beer and grilled meat skewers.

With some time to kill before the next Council meeting, Monkyspanner fully intended to indulge in the delights of Shinshi — pleasures he hadn't been able to enjoy for over 20 years.

With a broad grin, he bit into a juicy skewer and chugged his beer.

The refreshing sting down his throat!

The sharp tingle of carbonation that hit his nose just right! And the sweet-spicy glaze coating the meat — it was everything he missed.

Monkyspanner felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

"Kuhh! This! This is the taste! Fwaaaaahhhh~!"

For twenty years, he'd hidden his true self, played a part among weaklings, endured joyless days, bland food, and suffocating tedium.

Now, he was finally drinking and eating in his beloved Shinshi again! Even if it was just cheap food from the general residential area, it was a taste the outside world could never offer.

Emotion welled up inside him. He squeezed his eyes shut — a tear escaped from the corner.

This was bliss. Pure bliss.

He genuinely repented for ever taking this for granted.

Back before his mission, he used to live like this every day and still thought it was boring.

What a fool he'd been. "You must taste hell to appreciate heaven," someone once said — and they were right.

Shinshi was heaven — not on earth, but beneath it. A real paradise built by the gods.

"O gods! O glorious Sovereign! Thank you, truly!"

He raised another can in praise of the divine ruler who governed this utopia, then tossed aside the empty one and cracked open another.

— Pssht!

The moment the next can hissed open, the one he tossed hadn't even hit the ground before it began to float and quietly vanished.

Well — not vanished exactly.

In Shinshi, trash discarded within the city was automatically retrieved and recycled by countless tiny lifeforms that inhabited the environment.

No one really knew what they were or where they came from.

Monkyspanner didn't know, and most of Shinshi's citizens probably didn't either. But then again, what did it matter?

Things that would cause jaws to drop in the outside world were just another ordinary part of daily life here.

And even this — by Shinshi standards — was just average. After all, this was the General Residential District.

"Ahhh~ That hit the spot. Nothing beats my hometown."

Clink!

Draining the last can and polishing off his skewers, Monkyspanner picked his teeth with a stick and decided it was time to get moving.

Though he walked with a carefree bounce in his step, even humming a cheerful tune, he moved with the speed of the wind.

He zipped past a passing magi-car in an instant, leapt effortlessly between buildings, and quickly arrived at his destination.

"Mmm, been a long time since I came here too!"

The building labeled "Elevator Terminal" resembled what the old gods once called a "subway platform." But in Shinshi, it wasn't for regular travel like bikes, motorcycles, magi-cars, hovercars, or flight-vehicles.

Instead, it was a special facility that allowed travel between Shinshi's layers.

By law, all vertical movement between Shinshi's strata had to be conducted via these elevators. Any other means of moving between levels was illegal.

There were, however, a few rare exceptions — namely, the Twelve High Priests and certain top-tier officials.

These individuals held items known as the Zodiac Rings, which allowed them to travel freely across Shinshi, including even to the deepest 5th Layer where the Sanctuary was located.

Even then, unless Shinshi faced a true emergency — say, a direct external assault — not even a High Priest was permitted to teleport directly to the Sanctuary.

And even if one possessed a Zodiac Ring, the law strictly limited which strata one could access based on status.

Violating this rule meant having your ring confiscated, your powers and memories sealed, and being permanently exiled.

But such restrictions didn't apply to someone like Monkyspanner.

Yet, curiously, instead of using his ring, he chose to take the elevator. As he approached, the cat-eared beastfolk receptionist perked up, ears twitching as she quickly bowed her head in panic.

"W-Welcome... H-High Priest?! I thought you were still on a long-term assignment in the outside world… I didn't realize your term wasn't up yet…"

"Ah, yeah. Just needed to visit the Sanctuary. Gotta head down to the 5th Layer. Sorry, but could you depart even if we're not at full capacity?"

"Eh? But, High Priest… don't you have a Zodiac Ring? If so, you could teleport directly to the 5th Layer…"

"True, but it's been a while. Figured I'd take it slow today. Anyway, just get it moving, will ya?"

"Y-Yes! Right away!"

The receptionist, still stiff with nerves, nodded furiously as Monkyspanner grinned.

In all of Shinshi, how many people could actually refuse a High Priest? Within seconds, the elevator began its descent.

The passengers already inside fell silent, stealing awe-filled glances at Monkyspanner, who now sat back in his seat, completely at ease.

The High Priests were revered and respected figures in Shinshi.

As those who received the closest blessings of the divine, they were beings who had surpassed the limits of their own races.

They protected Shinshi with all their strength and wisdom — it was only natural for every citizen to hold them in awe and admiration.

Feeling their stares, Monkyspanner's mind drifted to memories of long ago.

"Two hundred years… so much has changed…"

Back when Shinshi first fell into this world, so many things had happened. Monkyspanner might not look much different than he did two centuries ago, but he knew the truth — both he and Shinshi had changed profoundly since then.

"Yeah… those days were rough…"

Monkyspanner let himself sink into the memory — the moment Shinshi had first descended into this strange world, nearly two centuries ago…