Chapter 543

"Right, while we're all here today, let me introduce a new member of the Ten Holy Mages."

"With this member joining us, I believe the other kingdoms will gain a far deeper awareness of the existence of the Pingyi Society."

"Councilor Leiji, if you please."

Hyiberion stood up, cleared his throat twice, and his expression grew rather solemn.

The moment this news was announced, the uninformed Ten Holy Mages and Pingyi Society members present all stiffened slightly.

This was news none of them had ever heard before.

Then, the instant the great doors swung open, every gaze in the room fixed on the doorway.

A man walked in — black hair, red leather coat, not tall at all, even somewhat short.

But the expression on his face was very mature and stern, and his features even struck Makarov as somewhat familiar.

"This is a matter that, after careful deliberation, the Pingyi Society has decided upon."

"Although it may be sudden, Councilor Leiji's strength is absolutely beyond question."

"I fear that not a single one of us here would be a match for Councilor Leiji."

Hyiberion bowed respectfully, like a medieval knight.

Only after Leiji had taken his seat did he slowly sit down himself.

"Hyiberion, you should have told us about this person's background in advance."

"This guy looks especially like Meliodas, the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins of the Kingdom of Fiore!"

Jura Reizis shot to his feet — during his time in the Kingdom of Fiore, that powerful otherworlder Meliodas had left a particularly deep impression on him.

And now the newly appeared First of the Ten Holy Mages bore a seven-part resemblance to Meliodas in appearance.

Apart from the color and style of his hair and his expression, his features were nearly identical.

But in the next instant a gleaming blade was pressed right against Jura Reizis's neck.

Feeling the sharpness of the blade at his throat, Jura Reizis's face went deathly pale in an instant.

"—You bastard, what do you think you're doing!"

Makarov rose to his feet, his expression already twisted with fury.

He clapped his palms together, and his magic began surging without pause.

But Leiji didn't so much as glance at Makarov.

"You said Meliodas? Do you know him?"

A cold glint flashed through Leiji's eyes; what lay in his pupils was not only a sharp killing intent, but even more a kind of hatred toward Meliodas.

"That's right, Meliodas is the captain of the knightly order of the Kingdom of Fiore."

"His strength is extremely powerful, and you share such a similar appearance with him."

Although a blade hung at his neck that could reap his life at any moment,

Jura Reizis was not particularly afraid — he, whose chest had always brimmed with a sense of justice, would not yield to Leiji's blade at this moment even if it meant perishing together.

"Meliodas is my elder brother — but that was only in the past."

"My appearance here is for revenge — to exact vengeance upon that traitor, Meliodas."

The corners of Leiji's mouth lifted slightly, and within those pitch-black pupils a faint trace of excitement even glimmered.

At this moment, hearing news of Meliodas actually made him somewhat pleased.