Light Novel

The Eminence in Shadow is a Japanese published Light Novel written by Daisuke Aizawa and illustrated by Touzai (東西). This story is about a boy named Cid Kagenou, a person who has always looked up to the heroes that work in the shadows of society. In an unfortunate accident, he is reborn in a world of magic, so he uses his vast knowledge of martial arts and training discipline to become a power in the shadows. With the members of Shadow Garden, he unwittingly works to stop the Cult of Diablos and their diabolical plans.

The Japanese version of this light novel is published by Kadokawa and the English version by Yen Press LLC.

Synopsis
One big fat lie and a few twisted truths

Even in his past life, Cid's dream wasn't to become a protagonist or a final boss. He'd rather lie low as a minor character until it's prime time to reveal he's a mastermind...or at least, do the next best thing-pretend to be one! And now that he's been reborn into another world, he's ready to set the perfect conditions to live out his dreams to the fullest. Armed with his overactive imagination, Cid jokingly recruits members to his organization and makes up a whole backstory about an evil cult that they need to take down. Well, as luck would have it, these imaginary adversaries turn out to be the real deal-and everyone knows the truth but him!

Trivia

 * The light novel follows the web novel from volume 1 to volume 3, which stops at chapter 142 of the web novel. From volume 4, the story diverges from the web novel to a completely different plot.
 * The reason for the story change in the Light Novel is that the author looked upon the criticisms the readers had against Cid's actions during the Great Trading Company Conflict arc and decided to make necessary changes in Volume 3 of the Light Novel, giving Cid adaptational heroism where he maintains his idiot hero persona and that his actions were the result of obliviousness and not a negative intent.