Episode 4

Sadism's Rewards (加虐への報酬) is the fourth episode of the The Eminence in Shadow anime adaptation.

Synopsis
The mistake those with power always make is believing that they are the ones in control.
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拉致されたアレクシアを救うため、王国最強の魔剣士と呼ばれるアイリスが陣頭指揮を執るが、手掛かりはなし. 一方でシドは、“シャドウガーデン”の盟主シャドウとして、敵のアジトを急襲する.

Summary
Alexia wakes up chained in a cell. She sees a humanoid monster in the next cell. A man then shows up, excited to get "royal blood". She wonders why her blood and the man states its demon blood and he will resurrect the demon.

Meanwhile, Cid is being beaten and interrogated about the princess location. He gets excited as he finds this such a classic minor character interrogation and decided to act properly, so they don't outshine him, and starts yelling and crying that he doesn't know anything.

Zenon meets with Iris and states he feels responsible for Alexia's kidnapping. Iris wonders if Cid could have really kidnapped her. Zenon states there are evidence, but with his skill level, he shouldn't have been able to kidnap Alexia and he believes him. Since its been five days, Iris decides to release him, but orders that they keep track of him.

Outside the building Claire wants to speak with the knights and explain that Cid couldn't have kidnapped anyone, but she is stopped by other students to not complicate the situation. As Claire refuses to listen, Rose is forced to use force to stop her.

After Cid is released, he goes home. Alpha shows up as well and explains that their organization is growing and they have been gaining more information on the Cult. Cid notes to himself that the girls are visiting him time to time and is sure that they are living normal lives, but is happy that they still play his game and visit him. Alpha explains that Alexia was kidnapped by the Cult due to her blood and they are investigating it. She asks him if he wants her to dispose of those that interrogated him, but Cid explains they were just doing their job. Before leaving, Alpha also tells him that Delta is here and she has been missing him.

Claire is angry and wants to punish the knights who hurt Cid, but Rose once again stops her and forces her to return to her room.

Cid sets his Eminence in Shadow room, where he takes out an expensive wine, masterpiece paintings, antique lamp, etc. and then drinks wine while waiting. A bit later, Beta shows up, he tells her the time has come. Beta gets excited and explains that they are ready and under Alpha's orders, they have gathered all available personal in the capital, 114 people, a number which surprises Cid. Beta explains that they plan to launch simultaneous attacks on all sect hideouts. As she explains the girl roles, Cid stops her, giving her a letter and stating that he will be taking Delta's spot.

Cid leaves his place and the two knights that interrogated him, wait for him and throw him Alexia's boot to frame him and kill him. Cid then drops the bodies of the two men that were following him and then proceeds and kills the two knights. The Shadow Garden then start their attack. The doctor rushes to Alexia, stating that they are coming. Alexia tries to tell him that the knights don't kill without a reason, but the man isn't afraid of the knights. He notes that he made a prototype and it should work even on a failed result as the one next to Alexia's room. As he injects the disfigured creature, it becomes much larger and stronger and kills the man. To Alexia's surprise, the monster then cuts her chains and frees her.

While Alexia looks for an exit, he encounters Zenon, who explains that this is his facility and he was funding the doctor. She gets happy as she always felt he isn't right in the head. Zenon explains that with her blood and his research, he will be guaranteed the twelfth seat in the Knights of the Rounds, the highest ranking knights in the Order. Alexia attacks him, but she is no match for Zenon, who easily disarms her. Cid then comes and introduces himself as Shadow.