Last updated: Jan 17, 2026, 11:05 p.m.
View Original Source →My 3D animation RPG, The Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden (or Kagemas, if you’re into the whole brevity thing), officially launches on November 29th!
I’ve been pretty busy behind the scenes. I supervised the entire story for the Seven Shadows Chronicles, which is just packed with lore about the girls' exploits. Plus, for the Main Story where you relive my—I mean, the protagonist's—legendary journey, I even wrote some exclusive new scenarios.
Pre-registration is open right now!
The game is overflowing with stories I never got to tell in the original light novels, so I’d be super happy if you guys gave it a download. It’s free-to-play, so literally anyone can jump in.
Since the game’s original content focuses on the Seven Shadows Chronicles, I figured I’d write a little something about Delta’s past for this occasion. Enjoy!
SHADOW
Delta was in high spirits.
Why wouldn’t she be? We’d just spent the day hunting down a massive mob of bandits. In her world, might was power and strength was the only justice that mattered. Hunting wasn’t just about putting food on the table; it was a stage for her to flex and show off.
"Boss! How was Delta’s hunting today!?"
"Ah—yeah, it was fine, I guess," I said, preoccupied with looting wallets from the pile of bandit corpses. My Jet-black Longcoat fluttered in the wind as I worked.
"I did it! Boss recognized me!"
For Delta, hunting with me was the ultimate peak. To a Beastkin, being acknowledged by a superior being wasn't just an ego boost—it was a necessity for maintaining your rank in the pack. It’s a whole cultural thing.
"Oh, by the way, what should we do with this one?" I asked, pointing at a dead Beastkin.
"Who is that?"
"Your brother. You forgot already?"
Delta tilted her head, searching her memories. Come to think of it, I feel like there was some small fry yapping about something annoying earlier.
"Should we bury him or something? I don't really know how you Beastkin handle these things."
"No need is!"
"Well, if you say so."
I went back to my wallet-fishing.
"Muu..."
Delta stared at the corpse, and for a fleeting second, a flicker of something unpleasant crossed her mind. It was a memory from a lifetime ago, back when she was still just a girl named Sara.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
"It is nothing!"
She’d been having such a good time, too. To shake the feeling, Delta lunged at my back and started "marking" me.
"Hey, get off!"
"I don't want to is!"
"Stop it! I’m going to smell like a dog!"
"I don't smell is!"
As she wrapped herself in my scent, those old, dusty memories finally began to fade. Or at least, that’s what she told herself.
SARA
The hut was dark and cramped.
"Sara... are you awake?"
The second I heard Mother’s voice, I jumped up from my spot on the floor.
"Sara is here!"
Mother was lying in the back of the hut, bedridden and weak.
"Cough... Please, go fetch some water."
She looked like every breath was a struggle.
"Understood! I’ll go get it right now!!"
I sprinted out of the hut for her sake. The morning sun was so bright it made me squint, and the grasslands seemed to go on forever toward the horizon. By the time I reached the spring, my feet were soaked with dew.
The water was beautiful and clear, reflecting the sky. I crouched down to fill up, but then it hit me.
"Oh no! I forgot the bucket!"
I turned around and started running back, but someone stuck their leg out and tripped me.
"Ow!?"
I went tumbling face-first into the dirt.
"Hey, stupid Sara! What, did you forget how to walk?"
"Hahaha! Don't tell me you forgot the water bucket again?"
It was my older brothers, Ral and Ren.
"Brother Ral... Brother Ren..."
My ears went flat against my head.
"You really are useless," Ral sneered. "Can't even handle chores."
"You don't even bother with hunting training. I don't know why you’re even alive," Ren added.
"S-Someone has to take care of Mother! That’s why I can’t go to training!"
"Don't talk back to me!!"
Ral’s fist caught me right in the cheek. Even for a kid, he had the strength of a Beastkin. I bounced across the grass like a skipped stone.
"Ugh... uuh..."
I felt blood trickling from my lip. As I slowly pushed myself up, my brothers actually looked surprised.
"Wait, I hit her pretty hard that time," Ral muttered.
"Maybe I just hit a weird spot?"
They walked over to where I was shivering.
"Listen, Sara," Ral said, his voice cold. "Giving that woman extra care is a waste of time. She can’t hunt. She only gave birth to three kids. She’s a disappointment."
"She’s a burden on the pack. That’s why Father abandoned her."
"How... how can you say that!? She’s your mother! She’s the only mother we have!"
I was shaking all over, but I forced the words out through gritted teeth.
"...You really are an idiot," came the icy reply. "Weaklings have no value. That’s the Rule of the Pack, isn't it?"
"Because she’s weak...? The Rule of the Pack...?"
"You even forgot that? I can't believe you’re our sister."
"But... she’s Mother..."
"Not ours. Not anymore."
"Eh...?"
"Oh, right. We didn't tell you. Our strength was recognized. We’ve been adopted into the family of the pack’s Number Three."
"That’s right," Ren bragged. "Now we’re Lord Ral and Lord Ren of the Pit Family."
"That can't be... but Mother is..."
"I don't know any woman that weak," Ral said. "The next time we meet, don't you dare call us 'brother.' If you act familiar with us, I’ll kill you. Remember that."
They laughed as they walked away. I just stood there, dazed.
"That's right... the bucket..."
I wiped my tears and trudged back to the hut.
I forced a smile as I pushed open the door.
"Mother! I forgot the water bucket!"
"Goodness, you’re such a handful..."
Mother was waiting for me with a gentle smile.
"Te-he-he...!"
"Look, it's right over there."
"Got it!"
I grabbed the bucket from the corner.
"Sara... what happened to your face?"
"Eh?"
My cheek was burning, red and swollen from the punch.
"I... I tripped! Te-he-he!"
Mother didn't buy it. She stared at me, her eyes seeing right through my fake laugh.
"...Did Ral and Ren do this?"
"Ugh... no!"
"I see. Honestly, those two..."
"No! They didn't...!"
"You’re such a kind girl. Come here, Sara."
With my tail drooping between my legs, I shuffled over to her bedside. She smiled and stroked my hair.
"Uuu... Mother is too smart. You always catch Sara’s lies."
"Your lies are very easy to read, dear."
"Sara is stupid. 'Stupid Sara,' that's what they call me. How can I be smart like you, Mother?"
"Hmm, that’s a tough one. You take after your father so much..."
"But I wanted to be like you."
"You mustn't say that," Mother said, her voice suddenly stern. "Especially not outside this hut."
"...Okay."
"Good girl." She went back to stroking my head. "I know. Maybe you should try speaking more politely."
"Politely?"
"Yes. If you speak with proper manners, you might look smart... perhaps."
"Sara will become smart!?"
"You might... look smart."
"I get it! How do I do it!?"
"Well, politely... right. Try adding 'desu' or 'na no desu' to the end of everything you say."
"Like this is!?"
"E-Eh, that's not quite—"
"Like this it is!?"
"Y-Yes... that’ll work."
"Does this make me look smart it is!?"
"Hmm... well, more than before... maybe."
"From now on, Sara will talk polite just like Mother it is!!"
"Come here, Sara."
Mother pulled me into a hug.
"You are such a precious child. My sweet, sweet girl."
"Mother...?"
"I hate that you have to suffer because of me."
"Sara isn't suffering it is!"
Mother shook her head and touched my swollen cheek. Her fingers were so thin they felt like twigs.
"Sara... listen to me. Why don't you go as an adoptee?"
"A-Adoptee...?"
"I’ve already made arrangements with the Dober Family. You couldn't get into the Pit Family with your brothers, but the Dobers are a big, strong house."
"Wait... did you arrange things for Brother Ral and Brother Ren, too?"
"It’s a secret. If they knew I was the one who pulled the strings, their pride would be hurt."
"But why...?"
"I have a few favors to call in with the Pits and the Dobers. Your mother used to be quite a big deal, you know," she said with a proud little smile.
"That's wrong it is! Why... we’re family! We’re supposed to be together!!"
"Sara..."
"Brother Ral and Brother Ren are mean it is!! They say such bad things to you! You’re sick and you’re hurting, and they won't even come home it is!!" I screamed, my voice breaking.
"Sara, listen. This is just how it has to be."
"No it isn't it is!!"
"It is the Rule of the Pack. I can’t hunt anymore. And you, Ral, and Ren are still just children. You’d only be a burden on the hunting parties."
"What about Father...?"
"He’s the Pack Leader. He has many other families to provide for. If I could still have children, he would support us, but I can’t anymore. This house has no one to bring home meat. We’re living on charity from other houses, and that can’t last forever."
"But Sara is... Sara is Mother's child it is."
"You will always be my child. But... please, think about it."
"I don't want to it is..."
I clung to her as hard as I could.
"Sara is Mother's child it is. My brothers are just mean it is."
"Thank you, Sara. But please, don't hate them."
"Why not...?"
"Because they’re my precious children, too."
"Are they more precious than Sara it is?"
"No. You’re the best of them."
Mother gave a weak laugh.
"I did it it is!"
"Ral and Ren are young. They have no standing yet. Having a weak parent is a source of shame for them in the pack."
"Is that why they're mean to you...?"
"They’re desperate, too. Besides, they’re already stronger than I am."
"Is it okay as long as you’re strong?"
"That is the Rule of the Pack."
"Is that how it works it is...?"
"So please, Sara. Don't speak ill of them. If you all grow up healthy and get along, that’s all the happiness I need."
"Everyone getting along... I understand it is."
"Good girl."
Mother wiped my tears with her bony fingers.
"Mother... what should I do it is?"
"About what?"
"What do I have to do so we can live like we used to it is? How do I make them stop making fun of me? How do I make it so you don't have to be sad it is?"
"Sara... I’m sorry."
"Why are you saying sorry it is?"
"I... I don't know the answer. But if you three grow up and become able to hunt prey with your own hands..."
"I just have to hunt prey it is?"
"Yes. And if you become very, very strong."
"I just have to be strong. Then will my brothers come back it is?"
"That... it would be nice if they did..." Her voice was barely a whisper.
"And will your sickness get better it is?"
"Maybe... maybe it would." She smiled, but it was the saddest look I’d ever seen.
"I get it it is! Sara is going to get strong and hunt lots of prey it is!"
"Don't be in such a rush... when you’re older... cough... hack!"
"Mother!?"
"I-I’m okay...!"
I desperately rubbed her back. I could feel every single rib poking through her skin, and it made my heart race with panic.
I have to hurry.
"...Sara?"
"I-It’s nothing it is! Are you okay now it is?"
"Yes, I’m fine. Thank you."
"That’s good it is! Well, Sara has to go now it is!"
I turned and bolted for the door.
"Wait, Sara!"
Mother called out, stopping me in my tracks.
"W-What is it it is?"
"...Where are you going?"
I looked down, my ears drooping.
"...To get water it is."
"You’re forgetting the bucket again."
"Ugh... I was just being clumsy it is!"
I grabbed the bucket and ran.
"T-Then, I’m really going to get water now it is!"
"Be careful, Sara."
I could feel Mother’s worried gaze on my back the whole way out.
Night fell.
I waited until Mother was fast asleep before sneaking out of the hut. The grasslands were usually endless, but now they were swallowed by a pitch-black void.
Still, my eyes could see everything.
"They’re over there it is."
I twitched my nose, sniffing the air.
"Over there, too. And there. There are tons of them it is."
My eyes, my nose, my ears—I was sharper than anyone in my family.
"I just have to hunt prey it is."
I was too young to be allowed on the official hunts. Usually, girls weren't allowed to go until way after the boys. But if I waited, it would be too late.
I stepped out into the dark grass. My legs were shaking. I was way more scared right now than when my brothers hit me. They’d had training, but I’d never had a single lesson. I didn't know the first thing about hunting.
"I have to be strong it is..."
I forced my shaking legs forward. Every few steps, I’d stop to scout with all my senses. Then I’d move again. Repeat. I traveled way further than our settlement ever went.
When a pack of beasts passed nearby, I just stayed still and let them go.
"I’m the best at hide-and-seek it is."
None of the kids back home could ever find me. Even the adults struggled. It turned out those skills worked on monsters, too.
Eventually, the shaking stopped. I realized nothing in these woods could find me if I didn't want them to. That realization gave me a strange sense of calm.
"Too many is bad it is."
I sifted through the sounds and smells to pick a target. I strained my eyes until I could see through the dark; I twitched my nose until the wind delivered every secret; I focused my ears until I could hear every heartbeat.
I understood everything. I don't know why, but I just knew.
"There it is."
A Great Leopard was lurking in the tall grass. It was a predator of the plains—something so dangerous that most hunters wouldn't even dream of soloing it.
But I could tell. That leopard was failing. It was a weakling.
I crept up from downwind. As I got closer, the scent of death got stronger. I was right.
This thing—it smelled just like Mother.
My concentration snapped. I realized what I was thinking, and the horror of it hit me like a physical blow.
"N-No it is!"
But it was true. I had compared Mother’s death to this leopard’s death. I had looked down on them both as weaklings.
"It's wrong it is!!" I screamed, losing control of myself.
"GRRRRRRRRR—"
The Great Leopard was right in front of me.
"Ah..."
Its massive jaws and razor-sharp fangs lunged for my throat.
"Aaaaaah..."
I had a single thought as it came for me.
Wow... you really are weak.
I stood in the grassland just before dawn.
The rising sun was beginning to bleed into the sky. At my feet, the Great Leopard lay dead.
"Ah..."
I was crying. I stood there, covered in blood, sobbing quietly. There wasn't a single scratch on me. Every drop of red on my skin belonged to the leopard.
"Uaaaaaaah..."
I finally understood. I couldn't un-understand it.
In these grasslands, being weak wasn't just a misfortune. It was a sin.
【TO BE CONTINUED IN THE SECOND HALF!?】
So, that was the first half of Delta’s backstory! Did you guys enjoy it?
The game actually has hundreds of times more content than this, so you really should check it out!
I’m planning to drop the second half of Delta’s past around the time Volume 5 of the Light Novel hits shelves on December 28th.
If you thought "That was awesome!" or "I need the next part!" or even just "I’m hyped for the game!", hit those stars below and show some love! Your feedback keeps me going!
Generate a new translation to compare different AI outputs and check consistency.