Ishigami Senki - Ch. 35 - Rampant Malice

[MangaDex]

 

[cryum]

That explains the new cover.

Their revenge messed up the political plot that was going to be quickly crushed by the actual stone agents.

 

[TL-Law]

I think I’ll keep this crash course glossary thing going for the benefit of readers, and those keeping score at home. For now I’ll only cover characters that appeared or were mentioned in the latest chapter. Alright, let’s begin!

Watari: He was Sōdaya’s Former Chief of Transport, and Nazuna’s Father. He was well respected by everyone in Fumine Domain.

Spoiler: Spoilers

He saved Tōshin from the brink of death; he welcomed Tōshin with open arms to Sōdaya, he didn’t care that Tōshin was a Stone Person. While in the middle of a delivery he witnessed the murder of Itoyori’s retainer at the hands of Yuuki’s retainer. Aware of the bad blood between both factions along with the possibility of a bloody feud breaking out, he brought Yuuki’s retainer with him to Kaji’s mansion to discuss the situation, and seek a possible peaceful resolution. Unfortunately for him, Kaji had other plans. Kaji murdered Yuuki’s retainer, and framed Watari for both murders. A thorough investigation was never conducted, and Watari was never allowed to testify. He was beheaded on false charges. Tōshin & Nazuna seemingly avenged his death by killing Kaji.

Nazuna: Sōdaya’s Current Chief of Transport, and Watari’s daughter. She & Tōshin teamed up with Minato, Isaza, and Yachiho to successfully take down bandits (hired by Yuuki’s faction) that were stealing goods, harming civilians + merchants, and kidnapping women in Fumine. Nazuna hired Isaza & Yachiho to help disguise them as they continued their search for Kaji’s murderer, and his stolen key to the Waku Family’s archives on Tamashiro’s behalf.

Spoiler: Spoilers

Nazuna’s father, Watari, was framed for murder, and then executed on false murder charges. Nazuna & Tōshin conducted their own investigation into this case. A year later, she & Tōshin learned the truth from Kaji Waku’s former servant; he revealed that Yuuki’s retainer was the one who killed Itoyori’s retainer, Watari was only a witness to the murder. Watari brought Yuuki’s retainer with him to Kaji Waku’s mansion to discuss the matter, and prevent a possible war between both factions from occurring. But Kaji murdered Yuuki’s retainer, and framed Watari for both murders. The former servant also revealed that Kaji was the one who found the Waku Family’s 2nd Daughter, Tamashiro alive. He urged Nazuna & Tōshin to investigate Tamashiro, and warned them that Kaji was still planning something. Nazuna & Tōshin killed Kaji to seemingly avenge Watari’s death, Tamashiro was the mastermind behind the murder. Nazuna stole Kaji’s key to the archives behind Tamashiro’s back. Tamashiro still doesn’t know that Nazuna & Tōshin have Kaji’s key.

Tōshin: A blind transporter that works for Sōdaya. He & Nazuna teamed up with Minato, Isaza, and Yachiho to successfully take down bandits (hired by Yuuki’s faction) that were stealing goods, harming civilians + merchants, and kidnapping women in Fumine. He’s been helping Isaza & Yachiho with their search for Kaji’s murderer, and his stolen key to the Waku Family archives.

Spoiler: Spoilers

Tōshin is actually a Stone Person. His stone powers are very different from other Stone People. He can only control one small pebble at a time, the small pebble has to be touched by him before it can be controlled. He was once part of a traveling troupe of entertainers; every member was a Stone Person. After losing his sight, Tōshin was abandoned, and left for dead by the traveling troupe. He was rescued by Sōdaya’s former Chief of Transport, Watari. Despite being a Stone Person, Watari welcomed Tōshin to Sōdaya with open arms. After Watari was framed for murder, and executed on false charges, Tōshin & Nazuna conducted their own investigation. A year later, he & Nazuna learned the truth from Kaji Waku’s former servant; he revealed that Yuuki’s retainer was the one who killed Itoyori’s retainer, Watari was only a witness to the murder. Watari brought Yuuki’s retainer with him to Kaji Waku’s mansion to discuss the matter, and prevent a possible war between both factions from occurring. But Kaji murdered Yuuki’s retainer, and framed Watari for both murders. The former servant also revealed that Kaji was the one who found the Waku Family’s 2nd Daughter, Tamashiro alive. He urged Nazuna & Tōshin to investigate Tamashiro, and warned them that Kaji was still planning something. Nazuna & Tōshin killed Kaji to seemingly avenge Watari’s death, Tamashiro was the mastermind behind the murder. Nazuna stole Kaji’s key to the archives behind Tamashiro’s back. Tamashiro still doesn’t know that Nazuna & Tōshin have Kaji’s key.

Kaji Waku: He was the guy that maintained order in Fumine, and kept both factions in check. The main victim of our murder mystery.

Spoiler: Updated Spoiler

Watari consulted him when Yuuki’s retainer murdered Itoyori’s retainer. Kaji killed Yuuki’s retainer, and framed Watari for both murders; he made the tavern’s proprietor make a false testimony to support this narrative. He made sure a thorough investigation was never conducted, and never allowed Watari to testify. As a result, Watari was executed on false charges. Kaji discovered Tamashiro, the Waku Family’s 2nd Daughter; it was initially reported that she died immediately after birth, but was kept away from the Waku Family’s ongoing War of Succession. Kaji’s former servant revealed that he was using Tamashiro for an ulterior motive. Tamashiro had Tōshin assassinate him; Nazuna revealed she was an accomplice to Kaji’s murder. Nazuna & Tōshin likely murdered Kaji to avenge Watari’s death. Kaji was entrusted with a piece of the key to the Waku Family archives, but it was stolen by Nazuna & Tōshin; Tamashiro is unaware of this fact.

Sanza Waku: She’s the current Domain Lord of Fumine Domain, and the Matriarch to the Waku Family. Her 2nd daughter (Tamashiro), and granddaughter (Mayu) were chosen as candidates to succeed her position as Domain Lord.


2nd Son’s Faction/King’s Younger Brother Faction Members:

Itoyori Waku: He's the leader of the King’s Younger Brother Faction. He’s also Sanza’s 2nd Son. He’s backing his sister, Tamashiro, as a candidate for Domain Lord. His faction supports Tōgi, and Mizuho+Enami.

Spoiler: Updated Spoilers

His retainer was murdered by Yuuki’s retainer, and Yuuki’s was murdered by Kaji. Thanks to Kaji’s actions he falsely believes that Watari, Sōdaya’s Former Chief of Transport, killed both his & Yuuki’s retainers. Like Kaji, he was also entrusted with a piece of the key to the Waku family archives, but it was stolen during the fire. He recently survived a fire, and “an assassination attempt”. He’s accusing the Prince’s Faction as being the ones behind the attack & burglary at his mansion.

Tamashiro Waku: Sanza’s 2nd Daughter, and she’s a candidate for Domain Lord, backed by her brother, Itoyori. She acts as an intermediary between both factions (Kind of like Kaji did before her).

Spoiler: Updated Spoilers

It was initially reported that she died immediately after birth, but she was kept away from the Waku Family’s ongoing War of Succession. She was discovered alive by Kaji Waku, for an ulterior motive. Tamashiro’s actually a Hornless, was born as a Stone Person. She’s also the mastermind behind Kaji’s assassination (using Tōshin & possibly Nazuna), 2 of the 3 burglaries, and the murders & fire at Itoyori’s mansion. She currently holds 2 keys to the Waku Family archives (Yuuki & Itoyori’s keys). She doesn’t know that Nazuna’s the one who stole Kaji’s key, and currently has it in her possession. She had letters scattered all over Fusō threatening to kill a resident on every passing night until the key is recovered.

Eldest Son’s Faction/Prince’s Faction Members

Yuuki Waku: He’s the leader of the Prince’s Faction, and Sanza’s Eldest Son. He’s backing his daughter, Mayu, as a candidate for Domain Lord. His faction supports the Capital, and Maaya the Crown Empress.

Spoiler: Updated Spoilers

His retainer murdered Itoyori’s retainer, and his retainer was murdered by Kaji. Thanks to Kaji’s actions he falsely believes that Watari, Sōdaya’s Former Chief of Transport, killed both his & Itoyori’s retainers. He rightfully accused his sister, Tamashiro, for murdering Kaji. Like Kaji, he was also entrusted with a piece of the key to the Waku Family archives, but it was stolen by hired bandits. He used bandits to steal, and reroute shipments meant for the 2nd Son’s Faction; this also caused a lot of trouble for Fumine’s merchants and citizens. There are rumors that Yuuki wants to start a civil war.

That’s all for now!

 

[Ldark]

Not sure why, but there's always that left me unsatisfied with how some chapters end, maybe it's because it's the backstory behind the ongoing problem, so no resolve on what's happening, it feels too long for the next chapter and does not gives a good advance in the story for me

 

[TL-Law]

Not sure why, but there's always that left me unsatisfied with how some chapters end, maybe it's because it's the backstory behind the ongoing problem, so no resolve on what's happening, it feels too long for the next chapter and does not gives a good advance in the story for me

Chapter 35 took so long to release due to a few factors:

1.) Half chapters are published in Japan about every two weeks; I feel the story’s more digestible when chapters are released in full. Half chapter releases sometimes causes unnecessary confusion & misunderstandings about characters, and certain plot elements; this has happened a few times throughout this manga.

2.) Not only was there a break that allowed work to be done on Volume 7 (which just released in Japan a day before Chapter 35.2 was published), but there was another one for Golden Week immediately after Chapter 35.1 was published. Golden Week typically causes massive delays for Bi-Weekly + Monthly manga.

3.) On rare occasions a Bangaihen or bonus chapters are published in between main story half chapter releases. This wasn’t a factor this time.

Though, I do agree with you that some chapter endings for this series do feel abrupt, like a half chapter. While some feel like proper endings to close out a volume like Chapter 34 (Ch. 34 is indeed Volume 7’s final main story chapter). Maybe they’re handled in this manner to help build hype & interest for future chapters.

 

[Ldark]

Chapter 35 took so long to release due to a few factors:

1.) Half chapters are published in Japan about every two weeks; I feel the story’s more digestible when chapters are released in full. Half chapter releases sometimes causes unnecessary confusion & misunderstandings about characters, and certain plot elements; this has happened a few times throughout this manga.

2.) Not only was there a break to allow for work to be done on Volume 7 (which just released in Japan a day before Chapter 35.2 was published), but there was another one for Golden Week immediately after Chapter 35.1 was published. Golden Week typically causes massive delays for Bi-Weekly + Monthly manga.

3.) On rare occasions a Bangaihen or bonus chapters are published in between main story half chapter releases. This wasn’t a factor this time.

Though, I do agree with you that some chapter endings for this series do feel abrupt, like a half chapter. While some feel like proper endings to close out a volume like Chapter 34 (Ch. 34 is indeed Volume 7’s final main story chapter). Maybe they’re handled in this manner to help build hype & interest for future chapters.

Yeah that's why it felt so long after the last chapter, but yeah I get the feeling with chapters like that, but I guess this is how the author wants to keep the intrigue, but it's not working for me, makes me lose the edge, like right now, we gotta wait a lot to see what's gonna happen if it gonna advance the story or not, or just be some more flashback.

 

[BanzaiYuri]

Why do I feel a death flag coming up for Nacchan?