The Eminence In Shadow In Multiverse

Cid's words often sounded cryptic to the average listener—layered with depth and mystery.

But the Seven Shadows?

They'd grown up alongside him. They knew him.

They understood his quirks, his habits—and most importantly, how his mind worked.

Take Gamma, for instance.

To most people, his earlier speech probably sounded like a somber declaration of burdens he had chosen to bear—an admission of guilt and responsibility.

But to Gamma?

She was smart enough to translate it instantly.

"You don't need to report to me anymore." (I already told you—I'm done playing chuunibyou games.)

"We're not the same anymore. Seize this chance to lead Shadow Garden into the light. Flowers can't bloom in darkness." (It must've been exhausting babysitting me all this time. Thanks for sticking with it—but you won't have to anymore.)

"I'll carry the world's shadows and sins alone. You don't need to, and you shouldn't have to." (I'm heading off to become a real Eminence in Shadow now, so let's face it—you're not going to be much help.)

Yes.

It was time to graduate.

Cid was cutting ties with the Shadow of the past and stepping into the Shadow of the future.

Pretending to be a mysterious savior and spouting riddles had been fun—no doubt about it.

But fake was fake.

There was never a Diabolos Order.

The kingdom wasn't hunting down some shadowy cult—they were hunting him.

Which meant the kingdom had never fallen for his lies.

Looking back…

It was all just a giant black mark on his record. (Cringe.)

But this new world?

It might look peaceful on the surface, but Cid could feel the undercurrents—danger and chaos brewing just beneath.

It was perfect.

If he missed the chance to debut as a real Eminence in Shadow on this stage, he'd regret it for the rest of his life.

He could finally step into the shadows for real.

No more games.

And while part of him had considered bringing Alpha and the others along, he ultimately decided against it.

After all, they'd paid out of pocket to help him set up those chuunibyou scenarios.

Dragging them into actual danger just to live out his dream?

Even he had standards.

It was one thing to fail strangers he'd never met.

But failing friends who had supported his dream from the very beginning?

Unthinkable.

Still…

Maybe he'd gone a little too far earlier.

Judging by the way Gamma had nearly burst out laughing, it was clear his performance had been a bit over-the-top.

Thankfully, he'd managed to recover before it got worse—making a hasty exit while throwing in a few final lines to soften the blow.

"I'll clear the darkness from your path to the light." (Call me if you need backup.)

"And Gamma—think carefully about the things I've told you before." (Please, for the love of God, don't start laughing until I'm out of earshot.)

With that, he'd left.

Now, on his way to class, Cid mulled over his plans.

Shadow Garden's era had come to an end.

But for the Eminence in Shadow?

His story was just beginning.

….

Gamma stared at the door as it closed behind Cid.

A sudden warmth traced down her cheeks.

Tears.

She reached up to wipe them away, startled by her own reaction.

When was the last time she cried?

Probably back in the countryside—when Delta defeated her without breaking a sweat.

Gamma had always known her shortcomings.

She wasn't athletic. She lacked combat talent.

Among the Seven Shadows, she was the weakest.

The Weakest Shadow.

She had heard the whispers before. "Gamma, the weakest." And her repeated defeats only reinforced that truth.

She had been the third person saved by Cid.

Yet those who came after her quickly surpassed her in both strength and skill.

She had offered her life to repay her savior—dedicating herself entirely to his cause—only to discover that her strength amounted to nothing.

It was pathetic, wasn't it?

So pathetic that, for a time, she even thought about ending it all.

But then he called for her.

"Gamma, I'll teach you a different kind of strength."

He called it wisdom.

And for Gamma, it was as if she'd been tossed a lifeline.

Desperate to prove herself, she clung to that knowledge like a drowning person clings to driftwood.

Using what he taught her, she established the Mitsugoshi Trading Company—a lifeline for Shadow Garden.

Even after the world fusion, she rode the wave of chaos, expanding Mitsugoshi's influence by exploiting the World Battlefield economy.

Their products dominated markets with unbeatable quality and pricing, and Mitsugoshi soon became the backbone of the civilian economy.

She thought her accomplishments would finally prove her worth.

She thought she could finally stand before him and say—

"Look, my lord. I am useful. I belong here."

But then—

Two months ago.

Shadow had summoned the entire Shadow Garden.

He declared that the organization—once shrouded in secrecy—would step into the light.

And he?

He would remain alone in the darkness.

In that moment, Gamma understood.

They had been discarded.

Not out of malice.

Not out of disappointment.

But because their master was too kind.

If Shadow Garden was to step into the public eye, this chaotic world was the perfect time.

The post-fusion period left every faction scrambling, resorting to dirty tricks behind the scenes.

No one would bother investigating the sudden rise of a second-rate organization amidst the turmoil.

"Spectators should act like spectators."

Those had been their words—the words they used to mock the people who lived peacefully in the light.

Now, in this new world, their master had thrown those same words back at them.

Not a single member objected.

No one begged him to reconsider.

Because they all knew—they were too weak.

Too weak to help him.

Too weak to even stand beside him.

They had learned that the hard way.

In their old world, Shadow Garden had once dared to challenge their master.

The result?

He shattered them.

Not just physically, but completely.

He had broken them so utterly that even now, the memory still burned.