The Enigma of No 666: Unveiling the Shadow's Eminence

Highlights

Number 666, also known as Rose Oriana, is not just a regular member of Shadow Garden, but a princess with a rich heritage.

Rose Oriana became a member of Shadow Garden with the purpose of attaining power and influence, aiming to liberate her kingdom from the grip of the Cult of Diablos. Even though she held the title of princess, Rose possesses remarkable swordsmanship skills and remains resolute in showcasing the artistry of swordplay, simultaneously battling to overthrow the oppressive Cult.

In The Eminence in Shadow, Cid Kagenou reincarnates into a fantasy world and becomes known as the Eminence in Shadow. As the leader of the organization Shadow Garden, Cid operates under the alias of Shadow. Despite his position, he entrusts the organization's affairs to the Seven Shadows. These individuals are responsible for recruiting like-minded individuals who share their beliefs and goals in order to expand the organization.

Fans of The Eminence in Shadow series can discern from the Lawless City arc that Number 666, one of the lower-level members known as the Numbers, possesses hidden depths. According to Beta, she holds a purpose and must survive. However, her true identity and past remain shrouded in mystery.

There Is More To Number 666 Than Meets The Eye

Most of the members in Shadow Garden are women who displayed symptoms of Demon Possession and were successfully cured by either Shadow or the high-ranking members of the organization. It is common for them to be used as experimental subjects or sacrifices by the Cult of Diablos before the intervention of Shadow Garden. One of these members, known as Number 666, was involved in a sinister plot orchestrated by the Cult of Diablos.

However, Number 666 is no ordinary individual; she is the daughter of Raphael Oriana, the deceased king of the Oriana Kingdom, thus giving her the title of princess. Her true name is Rose Oriana, and she is determined to reclaim her homeland which has been infiltrated by hidden members of the Cult. Being a princess grants Rose Oriana a unique status, and even the Beta of Shadow Garden tends to accommodate her "unprofessional" inclinations more than expected.

666's History

Prior to joining Shadow Garden, Number 666 went by the name Rose Oriana. She held the position of Cid's senior in the esteemed Midgar Royal Spellsword Academy, where she also served as the president of the Student Council. Despite hailing from the Oriana Kingdom, renowned for its strong artistic tradition, Rose defied expectations by choosing to focus on swordplay, inspired by the Stylish Bandit Slayer. She viewed swordplay as not simply a form of violence, but as a true art. This decision disappointed many due to the stigma associated with swordplay in her country, but Rose pursued her passion unyieldingly. In her quest to reveal the inherent beauty of swordplay to her homeland, she transferred to the Midgar Spellsword Academy.

The initial encounter between Rose and Cid took place during the preliminary rounds of the Bushin Festival, where they faced off against each other. While Cid put on a show by intentionally losing to Rose and others, she effortlessly dominated their match. Nevertheless, Cid's unwavering determination and resolve, despite his apparent weakness, earned Rose's respect. Shortly thereafter, the school fell victim to a raid orchestrated by Vice Principal Lutheran Barnett, an undercover member of the sinister cult known as Shadow Garden. This group aimed to secure the Eye of Avarice, a powerful ancient artifact. Utilizing the artifact, Barnett stripped the students of their magical abilities, rendering them defenseless. As Rose found herself on the verge of defeat, Cid intervened and made a selfless sacrifice to save her. This act of bravery left a lasting impression on Rose, and he has occupied a special place in her heart ever since.

How Did Rose Oriana Become Number 666?

Rose made a shocking discovery during the Bushin festival - her father and kingdom had been compromised by the Cult of Diablos, who intended to manipulate her. Fleeing from their grasp, Rose sought refuge underground, grappling with the difficult decision of what to do next. It was there that she encountered Shadow, a mysterious figure who not only healed her deteriorating symptoms of demonic possession but also bestowed upon her newfound strength to confront the cult. Driven by this newfound power, Rose bravely confronted the cult and her father, whom they had taken control of, ultimately bringing him to his demise amidst heart-wrenching tears. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, Rose attempted to end her own life, but to her astonishment, Shadow intervened and resolved the situation.

Later on, Rose crossed paths with Alpha, who presented her with a pivotal choice: to face her battles alone or to join forces with Shadow Garden. Opting for the latter, Rose willingly aligned herself with Shadow Garden, where she was instructed to leave behind her past and embrace a new identity as Number 666.

With her royal status as a princess, Rose is compelled to fulfill her duty to her kingdom and her late father by liberating the Oriana Kingdom from the clutches of the dreaded Cult of Diablos. To accomplish this monumental task, she understands that she requires both power and influence, which is precisely why she made the decision to align herself with Shadow Garden. Motivated by these underlying reasons, Rose is driven by a profound sense of purpose and is determined to achieve her goals. Thus, not only does she fight fervently to dismantle the cult, but she also stands resolute in her mission to reclaim her kingdom.

The Eminence in Shadow is available to stream on HIDIVE.