User blog comment:Bato of the Heavy Iron Rock Hammer/Status of the Ten Wizard Saints in Alvarez Empire arc/@comment-85.94.152.69-20170120153223/@comment-1776824-20170121215027

Makarov had the title even after the 7 years. He also still had it after the 1 year, as that's why the Magic Council was looking for him. However, now that he is dead, technically the seat is vacant until stated otherwise.