[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 40

The Eden Treaty

Specifically, “The Non-Aggression Treaty between Trinity General Academy and Gehenna Academy.”

The long-standing enmity between Trinity and Gehenna has brought numerous negative consequences to both academies. Despite their historical dominance as the two major academies before the rise of Millennium, their trade relations have been underwhelming compared to their scale, and sporadic provocations at the border have placed significant financial burdens on both.

Of course, there are students who get along well with each other, but the vast majority harbor negative views toward the other side without any clear reason. It’s an everyday occurrence for students from one academy to visit the other, only to be dragged off and subjected to school violence, which places a considerable strain on maintaining public order.

This has inevitably led to a severance in many areas of cooperation and, ultimately, the creation of a demilitarized zone spanning hundreds of miles.

The sight of checkpoints scattered along mountain paths and artillery batteries facing off against each other is far from normal. The tension at the border is akin to a near-wartime state. The scale of the “checkpoints” deployed by both sides continues to grow, and these massive paramilitary organizations could potentially become a catalyst for a coup.

The reason I’m viewed with suspicion by that person likely stems from the sheer size of these border checkpoints. In a way, their suspicion might be justified. One could think, They could stage a coup, but they don’t simply because they respect civilian control.

To some extent, that’s true.

Regardless, the Eden Treaty is a groundbreaking solution to these many issues. If a permanent non-aggression pact is established, along with a treaty organization to enforce it, the relationship between the two academies will naturally improve, and the size of the checkpoints will gradually decrease.

The student council president was deeply invested in both our academies. I can’t count how many times I saw her drive a car into the Tea Party venue.

It was largely thanks to Nagisa-sama’s efforts that the treaty, which nearly fell apart after her disappearance, was brought back on track. Nagisa-sama seems to believe that Eden can sweep away the political issues plaguing Trinity in one fell swoop. To some extent, that’s true.

I’m not sure how Eden will affect me personally, but what matters is that I’m tasked with overseeing security during the treaty’s signing.

The border checkpoints have been granted unconditional authority over security outside the Cathedral of Holy Trinity, where the Eden Treaty will be signed. We can do anything. This was Nagisa-sama’s bold move to prevent anyone from sowing discord between Trinity and Gehenna.

In exchange for this authority, we’ve been burdened with responsibility.

“So, you need to be especially careful not to let things go wrong. Like you said, senpai, we don’t want to end up bald from stress.”

“I know, Ritsuko-chan. Our little junior is saying some smart things today. Is the sun rising in the west?”

“Ahem, I’ll have you know I’m pretty good at social studies. You should be praising me!”

“Alright, alright. Good job, junior. I’ll buy you something later.”

We set up a task force at the checkpoint headquarters.

I gathered a few kids known for playing strategy games at the checkpoint. We’re running a kind of wargame to figure out how to respond if some reckless punks attack the Cathedral. Naturally, our junior brainiacs from the checkpoint were dragged into it too.

“Wouldn’t a computer simulation be enough for a wargame?”

“The data’s outdated—it says the checkpoint only has pure infantry forces. I stayed up all night making this, so cut me some slack.”

“For something made overnight, the quality’s pretty impressive…”

“Turns out I’ve got a knack for this.”

I really do have a knack for it. I even know how to carve a truck model with precision.

For the wargame, I prepared eight pieces: four vehicle models and four artillery models. Each vehicle model represents 50 checkpoint infantry, and each artillery model represents one mobile artillery battalion. The plan is to have eight people play the game with these pieces.

It’s quite different from a typical wargame. The basic strategy involves supporting situations that the Justice Task Force can’t handle, and since the enemy’s characteristics are unclear, we have to assume we’re reacting to an attack that’s already begun.

It’s definitely not because I’m too thick-headed to come up with a strategy. Absolutely not.

Before starting the wargame, we decided to set the scenario. Since the enemy’s concept isn’t clear, we needed to establish one.

With eight students from different factions and former affiliations, all sorts of ideas came pouring out. Some suggested the Prefect Team or Pandemonium Society might stab us in the back just before the treaty signing, while others mentioned a coup by a Tea Party faction opposed to peace. Honestly, they all sounded plausible.

“An attack from the Abydos direction is worth considering, but we’d likely detect it well before it reaches the cathedral.”

“We should also consider a direct drop of forces onto the cathedral. Like through a secret passage via an insider or infiltration by airship. The odds are low, but the impact would be significant.”

“Aren’t you underestimating Trinity’s counterintelligence? Even if it’s not us or the Justice Task Force, the Guard Corps and artillery units will surround the area. Plus, the Prefect Team will come rushing in. I doubt anyone could break through all that.”

“If it were me, I’d do it like this. Say I’m staging a coup. Would it be easier to gather forces externally and break through all those defenses to reach the cathedral, or to gradually infiltrate the cathedral under the guise of security and then strike all at once? I’d definitely go with the latter.”

“Even if it’s a stretch?”

“Exactly. I dug through some Intelligence Department documents, and while the area around the Tea Party president is tight, peripheral areas like the cathedral or checkpoint headquarters don’t have much counterintelligence activity. Someone might think, Is it worth taking a gamble? and give it a shot.”

“Hmm… that makes sense, senpai. But why were you looking at Intelligence Department documents? Those are classified. If you get caught, it’s not just a slap on the wrist!”

“What can I do when the Intelligence Department head made me handle their grunt work?”

“Oh.” Sayuri-san had no choice but to nod in understanding.

After some time, we reached a compromise on the wargame’s scenario. Through a majority vote, we settled on the most likely situation.

It was none other than Pandemonium Society simultaneously backstabbing both Trinity General Academy and the Prefect Team in a surprise attack. According to Ritsuko-chan, who loves setting up scenarios, Makoto apparently had no intention of even reaching out to Eden.

It sounded so plausible that I let it slide. Even the member from the Pater faction, who I heard worships Gehenna Academy by hanging their flag in their dorm, nodded in agreement without a word. If even that junior found it convincing, it really made sense.

With the scenario set, it was time to devise countermeasures. Since I’ll naturally be the head of the border checkpoint during the treaty signing, I need to take the lead in strategizing.

For now, let’s start by hiding the artillery deep in the mountains. 

“Curved-fire artillery must not be allowed within 20 miles of the cathedral. If they get taken out, the checkpoint is left with just infantry.”

“The border defense force should detach about 50 troops as a company to enter the cathedral grounds, while the rest set up positions around the perimeter. As you said, captain, if the enemy emerges from inside the cathedral, we need to suppress them quickly.”

“Good idea. I’ll bring that up with Nagisa-sama.”

According to regulations, club leaders must compile and submit a white paper after conducting internal wargames.

This applies to the Justice Task Force, artillery units, and Guard Corps as well. Once this brief game is over, I’ll have to work my butt off again. Since I usually do most of my reports verbally, I might get away with something rough, but just in case, I’ll have Sayuri-san handle it.

Once the force deployment was settled, the conversation naturally shifted to contingency plans.

“The artillery units should maintain a near-wartime state. Deploying takes a long time, doesn’t it?”

“Near-wartime might not cut it. Even after a radio call, it takes a few minutes to act.”

“Then do you have a better idea?”

“You bet.” Better than a near-wartime state is a full wartime state.

We call that a state of war.

“Point the cannons at the cathedral, and when I give the signal, load the shells immediately.”

“…That’s probably illegal under academy law. Opening gun ports in peacetime?”

“We’ll just ask our friends here. Alright, esteemed eight-member delegation, let’s take a vote.”

I raised my hand first. Starting with our Gehenna-obsessed junior, everyone except Sayuri-san quickly raised their hands in favor. Ritsuko-chan, grinning ear to ear, raised hers with extra enthusiasm.

Sayuri-san, exasperated by this “efficient” approach, let out a sigh.

“You’re all insane.”

“Hmph. You don’t think so, Sayuri-san?”

“…I can’t deny it.” Sayuri-san casually raised her hand too.

Truly a democratic process.

***

“…Thus, the border checkpoint has determined that it should focus more on guarding against internal threats rather than external ones.”

“I understand the wargame’s progression. Good work, Hikari-san.”

“Thank you. By the way, you don’t seem as wary of me as you were last time.”

“I’ve decided to be a bit more lenient, as Hikari-san’s loyalty to Trinity seems certain.”

Nagisa-sama was far more amicable than during our last meeting. That’s a good thing.

The strategy white paper was largely filled with the wargame’s content. After running several simulations, we concluded that external enemies could be dealt with by turning the cannons on them before they reach the cathedral, but internal threats are harder to handle. Countermeasures for this were included as is.

I thought I’d get some pushback, but Nagisa-sama seemed quite satisfied, whether she overlooked something or not.

“However, I have some concerns about the content. The scenarios assumed in the wargame are far more dire than I expected. Especially the scenario where all the Tea Party’s leadership is wiped out—it was, how should I put it… a bit shocking.”

“We have to consider even those cases, or we’ll struggle to respond if something actually happens. I came up with it while looking into the designated survivor system. The last person in the line of succession was… some department head, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, I’m aware after reading the report. That’s why I’m curious. Couldn’t we make it a bit more optimistic?”

Hmm. I understand what she means, but I don’t think I can agree.

Snorting would be too rude, so I set down my teacup instead.

“Nagisa-sama, we’re more than just a paramilitary shell—we’re practically a military now.”

“Indeed.”

“Yes, a military organization. And a military must always prepare for the worst.” My eyes must have looked like they were gleaming to Nagisa-sama.

“…We must assume the darkest hour.”