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陰の実力者になりたくて！ [Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute ]（Light Novel） #4
The Eminence in Shadow (Light Novel), Vol. 4
THE DOOR OF DARKNESS IS CAST OPEN—THE WORLD ADVANCES TO A NEW FIELD
The specter of war hangs thick in the air of the Oriana Kingdom, where Princess Rose is expected to wed Duke Perv. This supposed marriage cannot and will not stand, though, as it would throw a major wrench in a certain shadowbroker’s plans. Not one to miss an opportunity for sleuthing, Cid makes his way to the royal capital to put a stop to the ceremony, but are there even bigger schemes at work behind this unholy matrimony?
The specter of war hangs thick in the air of the Oriana Kingdom, where Princess Rose is expected to wed Duke Perv. This supposed marriage cannot and will not stand, though, as it would throw a major wrench in a certain shadowbroker’s plans. Not one to miss an opportunity for sleuthing, Cid makes his way to the royal capital to put a stop to the ceremony, but are there even bigger schemes at work behind this unholy matrimony?
282 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2021
153 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 9, 2022
Compared to webnovel, story has changed quite a bit. I would say the wait for definitely worth it, bringing in other worlds ('realms') into the mix gives author opportunity to continue writing for quite a while now compared to before where it seemed like story should end in only 2-3 volumes more.
As usual it is the chunni and his believer's misundestanding about his actions again in this volume. You would think you'd be bored with this joke by now, but author manages to mold it in a way that it's still funny.
Anyway this was a solid read, even more so considering how different the story is from webnovel and gives it a fresh feel. Definitely recommend, especially with anime in the sight soon.
As usual it is the chunni and his believer's misundestanding about his actions again in this volume. You would think you'd be bored with this joke by now, but author manages to mold it in a way that it's still funny.
Anyway this was a solid read, even more so considering how different the story is from webnovel and gives it a fresh feel. Definitely recommend, especially with anime in the sight soon.
November 20, 2023
How he accidentally solves every problem is amazing, I am rather sad it drifted from the web novel but it is still entertaining all the same.
October 10, 2022
As the characters stumble into a mediocre filler arc, one must pluck and pry, for the first time in a long time, something of substance to pull from this novel series. The novel's bifurcated narrative structure does well to frame Cid's exploits as a dingus master of dark connotations, yet fails to build a compelling story on the whole. THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v4 contrives a decent mid-narrative climax, only to whimper and flail its way through the book's remaining 130 pages.
Cid ducks into the goings-on of the nearby Oriana Kingdom, and he has it in mind to thwart the shenanigans of an upstart duke. It's a wild, curious affair, full of kidnappings, betrayals, secret forest ruins, and a magical ring that doesn't make any sense in the context of the narrative (but is kind of cool, regardless). After all, what more could a kingdom racked by civil strife and urban power struggles wield to even the stakes than a forced political marriage? Well, that and the unveiling of some practitioners of the dark arts, a little bit of demon summoning, and a hilarious non-confession in which Cid and Rose accidentally agree they'll never be together because, evidently, that's exactly what destiny calls for.
The action and drama of the novel's first half is good, if a bit lacking in organizational precision. Cid and the Shadow Garden's involvement in the affairs of the Oriana Kingdom brings peace and stability (in addition to the requisite chaos of a bloody wedding). And while it's fun to see these characters muck up somebody else's kingdom, the story is full of plot holes: the furtive ideations of secret societies, the wayward ambitions of shrewd royals, arcane artifacts of inexplicable origin and power. THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v4 is fun but nonsensical; this time, in a purely literary sense, rather than in a broader, figurative sense.
And the problem worsens in the novel's second half. After Cid defeats a fellow named Sir Mordred, the Knight Beyond Men (the bad guy of the first half), he destroys the interdimensional portal that ferried a massive beast to the local plane. And because Cid's an idiot, he jumps through the portal before it closes up (followed closely by the ever-dutiful Beta).
Where does the portal lead? Apparently, to future-day Japan, not long after Cid left. The world is ravaged by dangerous magical beast creatures and is limply coordinated by rival survivalist factions. Cid and Beta must finagle their way into the good graces of the locals until they can reopen the portal and find their way home.
Could be fun. But it isn't. Not really.
THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v4 bends and twists in too many ways to count, attempting to make this post-apocalyptic Japan more interesting than the parallel world the previous three volumes have done well to validate. Characters from Cid's Earthling past? Corrupt science from well-meaning researchers? Tales of bias, greed, and insincerity among humans struggling to survive? The return trip home being owed to convenience rather than to insight? The tropes are well-worn, and their ordinary nature conveys a lack narrative urgency.
On the plus side, Beta plays the ingenue, and spends quality time teaching herself modern Japanese while pulling apart every piece of technology she can find, from laptops to bedside clocks. To this end, Beta's diminished role, in the second half, is the novel's largest oversight. What could have been an extended buddy-adventure instead swerves into the boorish tale of sheltering the Wild Card off-page (only to waste time on much simpler matters). The novel would have been far more engaging had the author made Beta the star of the show.
Altogether, one finds THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v4 a forgettable entry. The events of the novel's second half are tiresome and rote. The conclusion of which is predictable. The events of the novel's first half may bear some consequence on the series' greater story, but little of what occurred on the Oriana Kingdom could not have happened by way of second-hand summary. The only exception would be Mordred's truly fascinating treatise on beast magicology and the viability of parallel realms. The villain provides extraordinary detail on the nature of magical beasts, their biology, and their origin, and in doing so, the character could open the novel series to a new angle of worldbuilding. (Whether the author will actually capitalize upon this revelation is another question entirely.)
Cid ducks into the goings-on of the nearby Oriana Kingdom, and he has it in mind to thwart the shenanigans of an upstart duke. It's a wild, curious affair, full of kidnappings, betrayals, secret forest ruins, and a magical ring that doesn't make any sense in the context of the narrative (but is kind of cool, regardless). After all, what more could a kingdom racked by civil strife and urban power struggles wield to even the stakes than a forced political marriage? Well, that and the unveiling of some practitioners of the dark arts, a little bit of demon summoning, and a hilarious non-confession in which Cid and Rose accidentally agree they'll never be together because, evidently, that's exactly what destiny calls for.
The action and drama of the novel's first half is good, if a bit lacking in organizational precision. Cid and the Shadow Garden's involvement in the affairs of the Oriana Kingdom brings peace and stability (in addition to the requisite chaos of a bloody wedding). And while it's fun to see these characters muck up somebody else's kingdom, the story is full of plot holes: the furtive ideations of secret societies, the wayward ambitions of shrewd royals, arcane artifacts of inexplicable origin and power. THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v4 is fun but nonsensical; this time, in a purely literary sense, rather than in a broader, figurative sense.
And the problem worsens in the novel's second half. After Cid defeats a fellow named Sir Mordred, the Knight Beyond Men (the bad guy of the first half), he destroys the interdimensional portal that ferried a massive beast to the local plane. And because Cid's an idiot, he jumps through the portal before it closes up (followed closely by the ever-dutiful Beta).
Where does the portal lead? Apparently, to future-day Japan, not long after Cid left. The world is ravaged by dangerous magical beast creatures and is limply coordinated by rival survivalist factions. Cid and Beta must finagle their way into the good graces of the locals until they can reopen the portal and find their way home.
Could be fun. But it isn't. Not really.
THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v4 bends and twists in too many ways to count, attempting to make this post-apocalyptic Japan more interesting than the parallel world the previous three volumes have done well to validate. Characters from Cid's Earthling past? Corrupt science from well-meaning researchers? Tales of bias, greed, and insincerity among humans struggling to survive? The return trip home being owed to convenience rather than to insight? The tropes are well-worn, and their ordinary nature conveys a lack narrative urgency.
On the plus side, Beta plays the ingenue, and spends quality time teaching herself modern Japanese while pulling apart every piece of technology she can find, from laptops to bedside clocks. To this end, Beta's diminished role, in the second half, is the novel's largest oversight. What could have been an extended buddy-adventure instead swerves into the boorish tale of sheltering the Wild Card off-page (only to waste time on much simpler matters). The novel would have been far more engaging had the author made Beta the star of the show.
Altogether, one finds THE EMINENCE IN SHADOW v4 a forgettable entry. The events of the novel's second half are tiresome and rote. The conclusion of which is predictable. The events of the novel's first half may bear some consequence on the series' greater story, but little of what occurred on the Oriana Kingdom could not have happened by way of second-hand summary. The only exception would be Mordred's truly fascinating treatise on beast magicology and the viability of parallel realms. The villain provides extraordinary detail on the nature of magical beasts, their biology, and their origin, and in doing so, the character could open the novel series to a new angle of worldbuilding. (Whether the author will actually capitalize upon this revelation is another question entirely.)
October 29, 2022
If you read the author's message at the end, they mention how they weren't certain how to progress the story, and I think that's always a huge issue in works that don't have a clear plan or started as a web novel (and the light novel catches up with the bulk of the WN's ideas/plots).
I did feel this volume was weaker overall. The comedy of the MC's chuunibyou aspects wasn't as strong because in the latter half, he and Beta go to the real world fantasy Japan, and the plot points there are just not interesting to me. Yes, there's some evil Alliance and evil beasts, but the beasts can't think or interact with the MCs, so you don't get the same humorous reactions that the Cult of Diablos members gave. Then the Alliance is not fleshed out as to who they are and why they sent a spy in/their goals/etc. The MC being OP is also not as exciting or cool because relative to these weak humans, even a regular knight from the isekai world would be a threat anyway.
The first half with Rose's moments and the Cult are indeed fun though, and I did enjoy some aspects like Beta stealing human technology and even being wowed by things like a mechanical pencil. Her attempts to use her broken Japanese language and becoming an internet troll were relatively funny too.
But overall, this volume wasn't as good as previous ones. I really didn't need a whole 'nother world for the MC to interact with again when this isekai world still hasn't been fleshed out, and he didn't need yet another member of his harem when there's so many characters that just don't get spotlights (for example, Alexis/Iris were not in the volume at all as far as I could tell). The author just needed to focus on the characters he already has rather than keep introducing new ones, and the series is at its best when doing silly comedic things rather than try to be dark or action-based with riffraff weak beasts and filler enemies.
I'll likely continue with volume 5, but this volume was a disappointment, and if it continues in this way, I'll probably drop it. Overall not terrible volume but not as fun as beginning few. I hope the author comes up with better ideas and a more directed, better planned plot for the future. Since he brought the outside girl into the isekai world, I hope he actually plans to do something interesting with the character and so on.
I did feel this volume was weaker overall. The comedy of the MC's chuunibyou aspects wasn't as strong because in the latter half, he and Beta go to the real world fantasy Japan, and the plot points there are just not interesting to me. Yes, there's some evil Alliance and evil beasts, but the beasts can't think or interact with the MCs, so you don't get the same humorous reactions that the Cult of Diablos members gave. Then the Alliance is not fleshed out as to who they are and why they sent a spy in/their goals/etc. The MC being OP is also not as exciting or cool because relative to these weak humans, even a regular knight from the isekai world would be a threat anyway.
The first half with Rose's moments and the Cult are indeed fun though, and I did enjoy some aspects like Beta stealing human technology and even being wowed by things like a mechanical pencil. Her attempts to use her broken Japanese language and becoming an internet troll were relatively funny too.
But overall, this volume wasn't as good as previous ones. I really didn't need a whole 'nother world for the MC to interact with again when this isekai world still hasn't been fleshed out, and he didn't need yet another member of his harem when there's so many characters that just don't get spotlights (for example, Alexis/Iris were not in the volume at all as far as I could tell). The author just needed to focus on the characters he already has rather than keep introducing new ones, and the series is at its best when doing silly comedic things rather than try to be dark or action-based with riffraff weak beasts and filler enemies.
I'll likely continue with volume 5, but this volume was a disappointment, and if it continues in this way, I'll probably drop it. Overall not terrible volume but not as fun as beginning few. I hope the author comes up with better ideas and a more directed, better planned plot for the future. Since he brought the outside girl into the isekai world, I hope he actually plans to do something interesting with the character and so on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2023
When Cid heard Rose was getting married to Duke Perv, he decides to step in. Mostly because he's convinced it won't end well. But there are deeper conspiracies afoot, and Cid's obliviousness may be just the key to crack open ancient mysteries once again.
It took me far too long to get around to this, but the anime reminded me I'd completely missed the fourth volume was out. Cid is, as ever, blissfully ignorant, both of the workings of his own Shadow Garden as well as the workings of the Cult. And of course, his vague conversations set off not only his own minions, but also Rose, who has been desperately trying to fix her kingdom.
Rose is the kind of tragic character that somehow also manages to be funny. She's so obsessed with her own love for Cid that she'll redefine everything about him so that his actions reflect a similar obsession with her. And that gives her the strength to face a terrible situation head-on.
And then, when everything is building to a climax for the first arc, the series throws yet another massive curveball that brings Cid's previous life to the forefront in a major way.
It also gives Cid the opportunity to expand his legend even farther.
This volume marks a major break from the web novel, as the plot is entirely new, and I feel it's for the better. This continues the absurdity of the previous volumes and pushes it to new heights. Now Cid and Shadow Garden are on a global stage. I can't wait to see what happens next. I rate this book Highly Recommended.
It took me far too long to get around to this, but the anime reminded me I'd completely missed the fourth volume was out. Cid is, as ever, blissfully ignorant, both of the workings of his own Shadow Garden as well as the workings of the Cult. And of course, his vague conversations set off not only his own minions, but also Rose, who has been desperately trying to fix her kingdom.
Rose is the kind of tragic character that somehow also manages to be funny. She's so obsessed with her own love for Cid that she'll redefine everything about him so that his actions reflect a similar obsession with her. And that gives her the strength to face a terrible situation head-on.
And then, when everything is building to a climax for the first arc, the series throws yet another massive curveball that brings Cid's previous life to the forefront in a major way.
It also gives Cid the opportunity to expand his legend even farther.
This volume marks a major break from the web novel, as the plot is entirely new, and I feel it's for the better. This continues the absurdity of the previous volumes and pushes it to new heights. Now Cid and Shadow Garden are on a global stage. I can't wait to see what happens next. I rate this book Highly Recommended.
February 26, 2023
I know the author had a bit of a writers block on this novel but in so glad that he was able to overcome it. With that said, while I did like the interactions while in the kingdom, where they go next is a little underwhelming. I’m sure it’s needed to further the plot and reinforce some of the revelations found in the first half of the book, but I felt like it gave me more questions than answers and now I’m not sure what their next adventures will be in book 5. Still love all the characters, even the annoyingly aloof cid who thinks so highly of himself. He got a good dose of reality this book though so that was a little satisfying at least. Either way I can’t wait for the next book 🙂
June 13, 2022
And all links together at the end.
A great volume full of action, with a great plot and characters. Once again, the author does a great work linking together all the "misunderstandings" and creating a cool story. This volumes actually brings two plots in one volume, which was nicely done. Hopefully the next volume won't take as long to get out as this one.
A great volume full of action, with a great plot and characters. Once again, the author does a great work linking together all the "misunderstandings" and creating a cool story. This volumes actually brings two plots in one volume, which was nicely done. Hopefully the next volume won't take as long to get out as this one.
June 15, 2022
Holly Hand Grenades! That Was An Amazing Addition To The Series!
This book picks up almost exactly where the last leaves off and progressed with a passion. Each moment is riveting and keeps you reading to see what ridiculous things will come next. Now all I can do is await the next volume with great anticipation and a fair amount of impatience.
This book picks up almost exactly where the last leaves off and progressed with a passion. Each moment is riveting and keeps you reading to see what ridiculous things will come next. Now all I can do is await the next volume with great anticipation and a fair amount of impatience.
July 6, 2023
I'm torn on this one. Still has its funny moments, though they have become somewhat predictable.
Although, the ideas and plot lines were refreshing here, and a nice contrast to the other volumes, they were not handled very well. It seems like the author has some grand idea for a setting, but can't wrap the plot around it to reach the destination.
Although, the ideas and plot lines were refreshing here, and a nice contrast to the other volumes, they were not handled very well. It seems like the author has some grand idea for a setting, but can't wrap the plot around it to reach the destination.
December 13, 2022
Seems like this time around the author runs out of ideas and decides to go reverse isekai. The plot that follows has been done hundred of times before and this stands out in no way. All the gimmicks this series was using have grown thin as well.
September 10, 2024
Fantastic installment
Had all the things we've come to love about the eminence in shadow books, misunderstandings, violence and a world with two very different perspectives. On to volume 5
Had all the things we've come to love about the eminence in shadow books, misunderstandings, violence and a world with two very different perspectives. On to volume 5
July 13, 2022
This is really good !!, the writer used multiverse concept in the story. the story and writing style is also quite different than vol 1,2 &3 but it worth to read 👍🏻.
November 7, 2022
5/10 at the beginning. 6/10 later on.
March 7, 2023
Mom's review
Very enjoyable story. The main character is completely delusional and clueless. The supporting characters love him and he is completely oblivious to it. It's hilarious.
Very enjoyable story. The main character is completely delusional and clueless. The supporting characters love him and he is completely oblivious to it. It's hilarious.
May 3, 2023
The first arc was good. The second arc felt a bit underwhelming. Hope good things come in future.
March 1, 2024
Me sorprendió muchísimo como se desenvolvió todo... Simplemente la mejor novela de todas
April 11, 2024
Lovely read
I wish the MC would reveal himself more but fun and thrilling
Definitely recommend the read though I wish things progressed a bit faster.
.
I wish the MC would reveal himself more but fun and thrilling
Definitely recommend the read though I wish things progressed a bit faster.
.
February 5, 2025
4 stars, as this is less cringe than normal
August 31, 2025
32 - 2025
November 21, 2025
read to continue anime
Fun. I quite enjoyed this outing with Beta, Shadow and Akane in post cataclysm Japan. Give it a good read.
Fun. I quite enjoyed this outing with Beta, Shadow and Akane in post cataclysm Japan. Give it a good read.
November 8, 2023
A true rerturn to all that makes this series amazing. We're back with the girls (who are just increasing their insane skills and are undoubtedly actually better than Shadow except for his magic skills, but even that is becoming debatable which is. Actually hilarious. Responsible for easily 80% of the humour), our protagonist is back to his amazing plans as the true Eminence in the Shadow, there's great fights and amazing secret knowledge and organisations, parallel worlds... What a ride.
Arc 1 is us returning to Oriana kingdom to re-install Rose as the rightful ruler, and in arc 2 we literally, unironically end up in Japan. Except now magical and post-apocalyptic. Beta learns Japanese in some 3 days, steals a human, and Cid is being absolutely hilarious by continuing to be clueless and accidentally getting everything completely right. I love it, and second time reading has not decreased my joy even a single bit.
Arc 1 is us returning to Oriana kingdom to re-install Rose as the rightful ruler, and in arc 2 we literally, unironically end up in Japan. Except now magical and post-apocalyptic. Beta learns Japanese in some 3 days, steals a human, and Cid is being absolutely hilarious by continuing to be clueless and accidentally getting everything completely right. I love it, and second time reading has not decreased my joy even a single bit.
October 18, 2021
WOW muy buenos los dos arcos eh de decir, la primera mitad desarrollo más a la personaje de Rose (cosa que se agradece) y además estuvo concentrado mucho más en la comedia lo cual fue genial, fue hilarante ver cómo los demás malinterpretaban lo que decía Shadow XD
La segunda parte fue la más interesante, mostrándonos que una situación distinta a lo habitual y dejando la comedia un poco de lado.
En esta novela normalmente se tarda en desarrollar las cosas que presenta así que estoy emocionado por ver qué pasará próximamente y en el próximo volumen (que a saber cuándo sale xd)
La segunda parte fue la más interesante, mostrándonos que una situación distinta a lo habitual y dejando la comedia un poco de lado.
En esta novela normalmente se tarda en desarrollar las cosas que presenta así que estoy emocionado por ver qué pasará próximamente y en el próximo volumen (que a saber cuándo sale xd)
November 10, 2024
Time - 02:09:03 [approx.]
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews