Highlord

The Highlord is the highest rank a member of the Order of the Eight can attain, and it is this role that leads the entire organization. Advised by the three leaders of the branches (Inheritor, High Curator, and Knight-Vigilant), the Highlord approves or denies dangerous mission requests, and has the final say on the logistics involved therein.
The Highlord is elected to the position by a vote of all members of the Order. Any member of any rank can be nominated, but must survive several rounds of voting in which the nominee with the fewest vote is eliminated. Despite the lack of rank restriction for nominees, to date no member of lower rank than High Relic Hunter has been elected to the position.

The Highlord sits in judgement of those who break the laws of the Order or shirk from their duties. They are also the only member of the Order who can release from their oath any member who wishes to leave the Order. This act is not frowned upon, as members are not discouraged from marrying or having children, and life in the Order is often fraught with danger.
A Highlord holds their position until their death, or they decide to abdicate and retire. The Highlord is unique in this regard, as they are the only member who can decide to leave whenever they want, rather than having to ask to be released from their oath. Highlords who abdicate do so with the understanding that they may never hold the position again, nor may they hold any role in the Order save for those that hold no position of authority. Because of this, abdication is rare, but those who do are often elderly and prefer to act only as sources of wisdom and knowledge to their fellow order members, and many retire to become Order librarians or counselors.