Editing Toaru Majutsu no Index:GT Volume16 Chapter4 (section)

===Part 1===

The Tower of London was one of England’s most famous tourist destinations. Did people want to see something frightening, or did they want to gawk at a shameful part of the world-famous British Empire? Despite its gloomy image, the number of tourists hoping to experience some history there was so great that entrance restrictions had been put in place to avoid overtourism.

But most of the people listening to the tour guide with their wireless earphones and snapping photos with their phones were shown to the exit without ever learning the truth.

The Tower of London was full of labyrinthine corridors blocked off with “keep out” signs and ropes. …And in the deepest depths, it was still being used for the same purpose it had in its heyday.

That is, as a secret prison for magicians run by the state.



Another location in London could not have been more different.

Within gorgeous Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizard was relaxing.

Specifically, she was wearing a track suit and lying on a fancy sofa.

Knight Leader, standing nearby, was a thoroughly trained warrior, so he did not bring a hand to his forehead. Because his tough mind could drive out any temptation!

“The Anglicans have made some moves and I thought you should know.”

“Right,” said a lazy voice.

For the queen, Buckingham Palace was simply her home. She must have felt free to lie around in whatever outfit she liked.

“You mean about those Asians…the Amakusas, was it? That they’ve disappeared.”

“After their terrible failure in Academy City, they have gone into the mountains to rethink themselves. Their letter came with a paper charm linked to their priestess. In an emergency, we can curse that to inform her.”

“What kind of people do the Japanese think the British royal family are? The world-famous Queen of the United Kingdom will not use any sinister curses.”

Elizard sighed.

That group took everything unnecessarily seriously.

The ''pure'' Anglican magicians like Stiyl and Isabella would be hanging around in a Westminster cafe or something as if nothing had happened.

“The other notable action by the Anglicans would be Dion Fortune. She is still their Archbishop, but she is effectively boycotting her job. She is not responding to any of our calls.”

“They’re starting the ''trial'' without their leader signing off on it. I can understand her annoyance.”

“This is not a slight against Fortune’s own abilities. The suspects include a personal friend of hers. So unfortunately she cannot be considered an impartial judge this time.”

Knight Leader’s calm explanation was well reasoned.

But at the same time, he was aware it was a gentle slope where the path ahead continued to narrow down as ''only'' the least risky options were taken. A shadow hung over the young man’s face.

Elizard also sighed.

(What a pain. The one who tears apart the bonds between people and obstructs their evolution, huh? You’re still going strong even after death, Lola Stuart.)

“So what happens now?”

“Given the severity of the issue, they cannot allow the Archbishop to issue an indulgence and acquit him. In order to eliminate Fortune’s personal influence…''the eleven'' will handle this one.”

Queen Elizard grimaced at Knight Leader’s response.

This was unusual for the queen who would calmly laugh off any international problem and eagerly seek a resolution.

“I don’t like them very much.”

“But they are necessary. This must be done fairly and impartially, with no loopholes. Isn’t that why you still haven’t gotten rid of them?”

That was true, but she didn’t have to like it.

Elizard got up from the fancy sofa.

She glanced outside the window, but she couldn’t see the Tower of London from here.

“Narthex, was it?”

“Yes.”

“And Hamazura Shiage.”

Knight Leader said nothing further.

Because he simply had trouble grasping what the queen was getting at. He was mildly surprised that she even knew the name of a foreigner like Hamazura Shiage.

Her eyes still out the window, Elizard spoke with sorrow in her voice.

“Then today’s ''witch trial'' could be nothing but misfortune and disaster for those two.”