Toaru Majutsu no Index II Episode 15

"Queen's Fleet" (女王艦隊) is the fifteenth episode of the second season of the Toaru Majutsu no Index anime adaption. It was first broadcasted on January 21, 2011.

Synopsis
Meanwhile, the rumbling sound of cannons fired reached the place where Agnese entered. Also, a voice that emerges from the cross worn by a man in front of him began to report about a destroyed ship, one which he shrugs aside. The man wearing the clothes of a high-ranking clergy, identified as Bishop Biagio, comments on the irony of Agnese's compatibility with the Rosary of the Appointed Time despite being tagged as a heretic.

Then, Biagio suddenly receives another message: the ship recently destroyed is being salvaged by a large construct directly beneath it. Meanwhile, at the ruins of the ship bombarded by The Queen's Fleet, Touma sinks to the ocean floor, thinking that he is in severe peril, before he loses consciousness...

When he comes to, he sees Index and Tatemiya Saiji. A certain Amakusa girl hands out a rolled towel for Touma to use.

Then, it hit him: "Why are you here?!"

Saiji assures Touma and tells him that they have managed to rescue everyone, with the others being interrogated. Touma then asks about where they currently are. Saiji describes their whereabouts as "a ship that can float or sink" and tells Touma that naval combat is their specialty.

Soon Touma wonders if Sisters Lucia and Angelene are alright, causing Index to feel insecure. What makes things worse is when the two nuns are taken to him with Orsola. Saiji tells him that they used his right hand to destroy the spell that binds the two nuns' clothing - causing them to suffer a fate same as Index's - and this causes Index to bite Touma in retaliation.

As Touma is chased by Index, Angelene tries to remind everyone of their current mission. However, she is overwhelmed by the mess Touma is attracting, especially knocking over Itsuwa and being the center of attention by everyone.

Because of this, Angelene is forced do something she has not done to Lucia in public: lifting her skirt.

At a nearby port, the Amakusa prepare a hearty dinner for Touma and the others. Touma receives yet another towel from Itsuwa (which appears to be part of the Amakusa's plan to put her close to Touma), and he begins to ask the Roman Catholic nuns about the La Regina del Mare Adriatico spell.

According to Orsola, the name is derived from one of the nicknames of Venice, and at a time when the churches of Venice and Rome are at a conflict, the spell is designed to annihilate Venice in one strike, including its history and culture. Angelene is surprised about what the spell can do, and is alarmed by her inability to act immediately. Saiji sees the need to interrupt the spell's activation as soon as possible; however he admits that it is not an easy task.

Lucia and Angelene reveals their eagerness to save Agnese, however, they are warned by Saiji for their naivete for thinking of simple solutions to a difficult challenge ahead. Touma thinks that Saiji's laxity in handling the situation is unacceptable, but Saiji assures him that he just wants to see if Touma has the resolve to proceed. He also tells him that a plan has already been prepared.

As they sail forth again, everyone prepares, with Index handing Agnese's Lotus Wand to Orsola. Saiji then initiates his attack to The Queen's Fleet by summoning a fleet of wooden boats. Meanwhile, Saiji's attack is detected by the enemy and is countered by enemy cannon fire.

However, the boats are not attacking, and instead, are designed to explode on impact. This slightly impairs the fleet while the Amakusa also activate underwater attacks on the ship's hull. Meanwhile, the Amakusa, Orsola, Touma, Lucia and Angelene board one of the ships of The Queen's Fleet while fending off the enemy forces.

Facing fellow Roman Catholics is a challenge for Lucia and Angelene, but soon, the ships around them began to fire indiscriminately, causing even the enemy to be alarmed of being killed alongside the intruders. Lucia and Angelene decide to help their fellow sisters, using their magic to protect them.

However, Angelene is forced to put her lives at risk, and in her attempt to deflect incoming debris, she becomes hurt in the process.

Adapted From
Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 11

Major events

 * The Queen of the Adriatic Sea and it's fleet continue their mobilization.
 * Amakusa begin their attack on the the Queen's Fleet.

Characters
By order of appearance
 * Kamijou Touma
 * Agnese Sanctis
 * Orsola Aquinas
 * Lucia
 * Angelene
 * Roman Catholic Church
 * Index Librorum Prohibitorum
 * Tatemiya Saiji
 * Itsuwa
 * Amakusa-Style Remix of Church
 * Kanzaki Kaori (referenced only)
 * Agnese Forces

New Characters

 * Biagio Busoni
 * Agata

Abilities

 * Imagine Breaker - Kamijou Touma, level 0
 * St. Catherine's Wheel - Lucia
 * Unnamed magic revolving around bags that can be used as projectiles - Angelene

New Abilities

 * Ice golem - Roman Catholic Church
 * Water portal - Lucia and Angelene
 * Restrictive robes - Roman Catholic Church, applied on Agnese Sanctis
 * Forbidden colored robe - Roman Catholic Church, applied on Lucia and Angelene
 * Rosary of the Appointed Time - Roman Catholic Church (referenced only)
 * Cross-related magic - Biagio Busoni
 * Magic boats - Amakusa-Style Remix of Church
 * Magic bridges - Amakusa-Style Remix of Church
 * Saint Barbara's Holy Cannon - Roman Catholic Church, Ships of The Queen's Fleet

Locations

 * Adriatic Sea
 * Chioggia, Venice

New Locations

 * La Regina del Mare Adriatico
 * Roman Catholic Church Orphanage (flashback only)

Trivia

 * This episode would mark the fourth time Touma destroyed girls' clothes using the Imagine Breaker. The first time would be that of Index in the first episode of the first season and Agnese, Lucia and Angelene during this episode. As the result of Touma destroying their restrictive robes, Lucia and Angelene are forced to use pins to hold their clothes together, similar to that of Index.

Referbacks

 * The incident where Touma confront Agnese and her forces alone, is referenced by Agnese herself during the episode.

Cultural References

 * Just like it's fleet, the La Regina del Mare Adriatico is a barque-type sailing vessel although much larger and features two gun decks and a figurehead.
 * The Amakusa's sailing vessel resembles that of a simple cog ship, with only one mast and using a single square-rigged sail.
 * The age-old strategy of using fire ships or ships to attack other vessels is featured in this episode, used by the Amakusas.
 * St. Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen and military engineers, is referenced during this episode and is fittingly named after a cannon.
 * Venice being an enemy of the Roman Catholic Church is referenced during this episode.

Animation Trivia

 * Like the ice ships, the magic boats created by Saiji are CG rendered.

Unanswered Questions

 * Why would the Roman Catholic Church want to destroy Venice with the La Regina del Mare Adriatico?
 * How exactly would Agnese be used for Rosary of the Appointed Time?

Quotes

 * Tatemiya:"I just wanted to see whether you are really had the resolve or not." -said to Touma regarding rescuing Agnese Sanctis.
 * Amakusa Christians:"To reach out those in need!" -the Amakusa's battle cry.