If you’ve been keeping up with the sequel to The Seven Deadly Sins, you know the vibe is different. It’s younger, maybe a bit more hopeful, but also weirdly more brutal. But let’s be real: we all just wanted to see the old guard. Specifically, we wanted to know what happened to the "Executioner" himself. Zeldris in Four Knights of the Apocalypse isn't just a cameo; he’s basically the emotional anchor for a whole section of the new world.
Honestly, Zeldris was always the more "together" brother. While Meliodas was busy running a pub and groping princesses, Zeldris was carrying the weight of an entire race on his shoulders. Fast forward sixteen years to the current timeline of the sequel, and he’s finally living the life he actually wanted. He’s the Demon King now—not the possessed puppet version, but the actual ruler of the Demon Realm.
The New Look of the Demon King
The first time we see Zeldris in the sequel, specifically around Chapter 103, the glow-up is real. He looks older. He’s taller. Nakaba Suzuki finally gave the man a few extra inches of height, which is hilarious considering Meliodas is still basically a toddler in a vest. Zeldris has this massive, imposing aura now. He sits on a throne made of darkness, looking like someone you definitely don't want to mess with.
But he’s not the villain anymore.
He’s living in the Demon Realm with Gelda, and their relationship is genuinely the most wholesome thing in the series. They’ve basically turned the Demon Realm into a sanctuary. When Percival and his crew show up, we see a side of Zeldris that just didn't exist in the original series. He’s patient. He’s even... kind? Sorta.
Why the "Uncle Zel" Meme is Actually Canon
One of the best parts of the sequel is the dynamic between Zeldris and Tristan. Tristan is Meliodas and Elizabeth’s son, which makes Zeldris his uncle. Seeing Zeldris interact with a kid who has his brother’s face but his mother’s personality is comedy gold.
Tristan is a mess of light and dark powers. He’s constantly struggling with his demon side, and who better to teach him than the guy who mastered the Ominous Nebula? Zeldris doesn't coddle him. He’s a strict mentor, but you can tell he actually cares. It’s a massive shift from the guy who was ready to execute his own brother for treason 3,000 years ago.
How Strong is He Now?
People love to power-scale. It's what we do.
In Four Knights of the Apocalypse, Zeldris is arguably top-tier, even if he doesn't fight as often as he used to. He doesn't have the Commandment of Piety anymore, and he doesn't have the "God" ability lent to him by his father. You might think that makes him weaker. You’d be wrong.
- Natural Growth: He's had sixteen years of peace to actually train and refine his own magic.
- Demon Mark Mastery: His demon mark has evolved. It’s more intricate, covering more of his face, which usually indicates a higher level of "Assault Mode" control.
- The King's Authority: Even without the old hacks, his raw combat class is likely well over 100,000 at this point.
There’s a scene where he basically just stares down some of Arthur’s "Chaos Knights" and they practically melt. He doesn't need the flashy moves. His presence alone is enough to keep the Demon Realm safe from Arthur Pendragon's encroaching madness.
The Percival Connection
This is where things get interesting. For a long time, fans theorized that Percival might be Zeldris’s son. They both have that weirdly specific hair shape and a natural affinity for the Demon language.
Turns out, that’s not the case. Percival’s backstory is way weirder (life spirits and corpses, it's a whole thing), but the bond they form is still special. Zeldris and Gelda basically adopt the Percival Platoon for a while. It’s the first time we see Zeldris acting as a protector for someone who isn't a demon. He’s protecting the future of the world, not just his own kind.
It shows that Zeldris has finally moved past the "Demon Clan First" mentality that defined him for centuries.
Life in the Demon Realm
The Demon Realm itself has changed under his rule. It’s no longer just a desolate wasteland of fire and brimstone. It has its own ecosystem, and Zeldris rules it with a mix of fairness and absolute strength. He’s not a tyrant, but he’s not a pushover either.
If a demon steps out of line, he handles it. If Arthur’s forces try to sneak in, he crushes them. He’s found a balance that Meliodas never could, probably because Meliodas was always too busy trying to escape his heritage, while Zeldris embraced it and fixed it from the inside.
What's Next for the Executioner?
Arthur is the big bad of this series, and he hates non-humans. That means a direct confrontation between the Eternal Kingdom of Camelot and the Demon Realm is inevitable. Zeldris isn't going to sit on his throne while his people get wiped out.
We’ve seen hints of a massive war brewing. Meliodas is the King of Liones, but Zeldris is the King of an entire dimension. When the two brothers eventually team up to take on Arthur, it’s going to be legendary.
If you want to understand the full weight of Zeldris's journey, go back and watch his final moments in Seven Deadly Sins. He was a man who lost everything and was forced to serve a father he hated. In Four Knights of the Apocalypse, he is finally his own man. He has the girl, he has the kingdom, and he has the respect of his former enemies.
Key takeaways for fans following his journey:
- Stop looking for the Commandment: He’s stronger without it because he’s relying on his own soul, not a borrowed curse.
- Watch his relationship with Tristan: This is where the most character development happens. It’s subtle, but it’s there.
- The Demon Realm is the new front line: Keep an eye on the manga chapters set here; they provide the most lore about the world outside Britannia.
The sequel might be about the new kids, but Zeldris proves that the old guard still has plenty of teeth. He’s no longer the "little brother"—he’s a king in his own right.
If you're catching up on the manga, dive into the Demon Realm Arc starting around Chapter 93. It’s the best stretch of the sequel so far, mostly because it lets us see Zeldris finally being the leader he was always meant to be. He’s matured, he’s settled, and he’s still the coolest demon in the franchise.
