English Dub Review: The Eminence in Shadow “The Key”

Overview

On the way to the Kingdom of Oriana, Cid is also on a journey of self-discovery and reflection. He feels like something’s missing Is he imagining it?


Our Take

After Cid departs for unknown lands, long after the filler episode, Cid lodges at an inn owned by Marie, a former prostitute from Lawless City. Shadow Agents 666, 665, and 664 join 559 to surveil supporters of “Perv Ass-hat” (yes, that’s his actual name). They witness Queen Reina, Rose/Agent 666’s mother, employing her royal blood to unveil the Ring of Succession, seized by cult officer Kouadoi. In an attempt to assassinate Reina, 559 is thwarted by 666, who is then branded a traitor. 559 attacks Kouadoi, and 666 returns to Oriana with Reina, resuming her former princess life as Rose. Cid, misunderstanding Rose’s intentions, believes she plotted to become queen after her father’s murder, anticipating her tyranny for a heroic confrontation.

When Perv’s soldiers extort Marie for fake taxes, Cid covertly eliminates them, claiming their gold as Shadow, which he then gives to Marie. Grateful, Marie is relieved to escape prostitution. Meanwhile, after three days of combat, Cid rescues Agents 665, 664, and 559, resulting in Kouadoi’s demise. 559 reports Rose’s perceived treason and the loss of the ring. Cid, distracted, notices a newspaper announcing Rose’s engagement to Perv. Infuriated, as this deviates from the tyrant queen scenario he envisioned, Cid flies directly to Oriana, intending to influence Rose to embrace a “tyrant queen” persona.

Overall, a new story-arch has begun. It’s clear that the Oriana kingdom was already in a terrible state since the time the king and Rose herself fled away, but to think the goons under Mister Perv Asshat would go as far as to involve Rose’s mother, in the kind of schemes the cult is known for in this series, might have been a bit too much of a sight for Rose to mentally process. In response to a later decision Rose makes, Cid decides to confront her about the motive behind her decision. To do so, he infiltrates the Oriana palace. At this point, It’s easy to assume that this arc this time around, will revolve around Rose’s wedding, serving as a conclusion to her character arc. It’s frustrating that she remains unaware that Shadow is Cid still. Perhaps, in this arc, she might unravel the truth. Only time will tell…