A Certain Magical Index, Vol. 7 by Kazuma Kamachi Read Free Book Online Page B

for their secrecy. They’re Christians in hiding from the motherland, after all. They thoroughly conceal their Crossism using Buddhism and Shinto, and they hide their techniques and spells within greetings, meals, habits, and behaviors—they hide all traces that Amakusa-Style ever even existed. So Amakusa-Style doesn’t use any obvious incantations or magic circles. Their dishes and bowls, their pots and knives, their bathtubs and beds, their whistling and humming…They use seemingly everyday, ubiquitous concepts for their sorcery. I don’t think even professional sorcerers would be able to figure out Amakusa-Style’s spells, even if they saw them. I mean, it wouldn’t look like anything except a normal kitchen or bathroom.”
    Stiyl slowly moved the cigarette in his mouth up and down.
    “Which means they’re essentially idolatry specialists. Hmm. They seem more suited for long-range sniping combat than close-range melee combat. Though we can only pray they’re not part of something like the Gregorian Choir.”
    “No, not at all. Even when Japan is in isolation, they aggressively absorb the cultures of other countries. They possess close-quarters combat techniques as well—original methods fused from all manner of sword arts both from the east and west. They could be swinging around anything from katana to zweihänders.”
    “…They’re warriors and scholars both, huh? What a pain in the ass,” spat Stiyl resentfully. Incidentally, Agnes, who had at some point been driven outside the ring of the conversation, was shyly kicking her toes lightly against the lobby floor. Her short skirt fluttered every time she kicked it. Her feet made clapping sounds, which sounded a little silly.
    The cigarette-smoking priest turned back to Agnes.
    “So how far out does your search go for the
Book of the Law
and Orsola? We probably shouldn’t be standing around, either. Where should we look?”
    “Ah, right. We’re handling the search on our end, so it’s fine.”
    With the conversation now back on track, Agnes straightened up a bit hastily.
    “We practically have a patent on human wave tactics. Even now, we’re doing it with a group of two hundred and fifty people. Nothing will change by adding one or two more, and you’re under different command anyway, so it would actually run the risk of getting confusing.”
    “So then why did you call us out here?”
    Stiyl frowned just a little, while the corners of Agnes’s mouth curled into a smile.
    “It’s simple. We want you to investigate what we cannot.”
    “Like what? There’s no church in Japan directly administrating English Puritanism. In terms of places you couldn’t search if we refused to help, it’s pretty much just the British Embassy.”
    “No, there’s also Academy City.” Agnes waved one hand in the air. “Considering the occasion, it’s not impossible. If Orsola fled into Academy City, Amakusa wouldn’t be able to get to her. Or, rather, it would be more difficult to follow her. So I want you two to get in contact with the city. The Roman Orthodox Church has no connection to it, so it would be a pain for us to do it.”
    “I see…However, you might have told us a little bit earlier. I sort of wish I could make my past self ask you sooner.”
    As could be understood from Index having been entrusted to Academy City, there was a slender thread connecting the city to the English Puritan Church. It was just barely significant enough to say there was diplomatic relations, but that was enough to make it far easier for them to contact the city than it would have been for the Roman Orthodox Church, who had no such connection.
    “…But that would mean she’s fled into quite the troublesome spot.”
    “This is just a possibility. Let’s pray that Lady Orsola at least has that much discretion. Anyway, about how long would it take to get in touch with them and confirm?”
    “Right, it wouldn’t be just a phone call. I would have to contact St.