[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 41

“Regarding the use of the grounds, it would be best to inform the Cathedral of Holy Trinity in advance.”

“I was already planning to send an official letter to Sakurako-sama. She’s quite conservative, after all.”

“Yes, then… let’s meet again next time, Hikari-san. It’s not particularly relevant, but just so you know, an official letter will be sent in a few days. It’s highly confidential, so I can’t share the details, but it’s likely something quite important.”

Nagisa-sama seemed satisfied with the border checkpoint’s defense strategy. The host, smoothing back her hair and sipping her tea, almost hummed as she cheerfully stamped her approval on the strategy white paper.

Things going smoothly lifted my mood as well. The tea tasted good.

I had to make Nagisa-sama fully understand that, despite the checkpoint’s significant expansion, our forces were still insufficient. A few hundred students is no small number, but it’s quite challenging to pursue an aggressive strategy with this scale.

Since we’d have to assume a defensive stance in nearly every scenario, our strategy was quite passive.

In the event of an engagement, establishing a temporary cooperative relationship with Gehenna’s Prefect Team and Pandemonium Society would be crucial. If something happens internally, the Justice Department and Guard Corps, responsible for internal security, are likely to be decimated.

Before the treaty is enacted, we’ll need to establish a hotline with the Prefect Team leader or the senior administrator. The big-hearted senior administrator would probably be better than the Prefect Team leader. As for Pandemonium Society, I have Iroha-chan’s number, so that’s not an issue.

We’re also considering the possibility of contacting the artillery units stationed in the suburbs or mountainous outskirts if something goes wrong. I’ve arranged to visit them in a few days to observe artillery fire and discuss strategies while setting up the necessary communication network.

We’ve also placed emphasis on suspicious rumors leaking from Chronos School. Those damn reporters never stay quiet.

I’ve thought of plenty of ways to deal with our dear friends. Blackmail and restricting access are a given, and if they go crazy for a scoop and leak classified information, we could even detain them. The more unfavorable the content is to us, the harsher the measures we’ll take.

Of course, if it’s unfavorable to Gehenna, I couldn’t care less.

I stepped out the main gate. The clear sky was quite warm. Summer’s creeping in, isn’t it?

Ritsuko-chan was waiting in the parking lot.

“Ugh, you’re super late and just strolling out! Selfish senpai!”

“Running hurts my back.”

“That’s something Hoshino-senpai would say!”

Caught red-handed.

Back at the checkpoint.

The eight-member delegation gathered.

“We’ll need legal procedures for this.”

“A department head’s approval should suffice. Since disaster alerts fall under the Weather Office’s jurisdiction, we just need the Weather Office head’s permission.”

“What if the Tea Party doesn’t approve?”

“The faction leaders will be at the Cathedral of Holy Trinity anyway, so we just ignore them, right?”

The discussion sounds intense, but we’re definitely working on countermeasures.

A defense plan doesn’t end with strategizing. Even if the plan is approved by the host, whether the Tea Party will tolerate its execution is another matter. They’re always suspicious of us and question our opinions.

In the end, being legally valid means the Tea Party has approved it. We follow academy law, but above academy law stands the Clock Tower. All our responses could be completely blocked by their slightest dissatisfaction.

Even though Nagisa-sama cheerfully approved the strategy white paper, I’m not entirely convinced she’s on my side, so I can’t fully trust the Tea Party either. If Pater or Sanctus seizes power while Filius is neutralized, it’s all for nothing.

So, what do we do?

Fortunately, I myself can serve as a decent level of backing. A club leader’s authority isn’t something even the haughty Tea Party administrators can dismiss lightly. To exaggerate a bit, if I put my mind to it, I could throw those punks in jail.

Using the looming pressure to secure the legitimacy of our political cause is crucial. The most moderate approach would be best, but as my Sanctus junior said, we should also consider ignoring their objections—or even threatening them.

They’re neither progressive nor conservative. They just… follow their own interests.

To pull these self-interested rationalists to our side, we’ll need a careful balance of carrots and sticks. We’ll have to dig up the notorious traditions of the venerable Trinity General Academy.

We commonly call it politicking, and fortunately, I seem to have a knack for it. The slight problem is doing it physically, but since Sayuri-san’s staying quiet, what’s the issue?

“Senpai, someone’s calling you from outside.”

“Open the door. It’s probably Ritsuko-chan.”

Clunk.

Instead of the expected rowdy junior, Ichika-san popped in. What’s this about?

“Man, it took a while to verify my identity. Probably ten minutes or so.”

“The kids aren’t used to seeing your face, Ichika-san. What’s up?”

“It’s about the telegram you sent last night. Vice-leader Hasumi asked for details on the exact measures.”

Oh, that.

It must be the message Sayuri-san sent. The Justice Task Force and the checkpoint are obligated to notify each other when taking legal action.

I had asked Nagisa-sama if we could just send an emergency alert across Trinity, but apparently, this obligation stems from a couple of unnotified martial law declarations that led to coup attempts. What the hell were our seniors up to?

What was in that telegram again? I told Sayuri-san to send something along the lines of “Legal action may be taken depending on the severity of the situation during the treaty signing,” but I was too busy to check the exact wording. She said it wasn’t too extreme.

“But I’m curious too. What’s this about declaring martial law?”

“Wait, hold on. What did you say? What was in the telegram?”

“It said, ‘Declare martial law in case of emergency,’ short and sweet. Vice-leader Hasumi was shocked.”

Damn, Sayuri-san, that’s way too extreme. Are you trying to sabotage me?

I spaced out for a moment before snapping back and inviting Ichika-san in. She seemed a bit intimidated, probably because of the telegram, and the room full of maps with red lines crisscrossing the Cathedral of Holy Trinity and its surroundings didn’t help.

Let’s clear up the misunderstanding with a detailed explanation.

“So, the Eden Treaty is coming up soon, right? The checkpoint has been delegated some authority from the Tea Party’s strategy office, allowing us to devise strategies for how to respond to major political or military crises.”

“I get that. The Justice Task Force has similar plans.”

“Right. But since we’re a bit more independent from the Tea Party than the Justice Task Force, unlike the strategy office, which only plans troop movements, we need to devise strategies that are, in some ways, more radical.”

“What exactly do you mean?”

“Like pre-designating bombardment coordinates… and, of course, legal measures.”

I sat Ichika-san down at the desk and showed her the map.

It was a map outlining strategies for the scenario Nagisa-sama mentioned: “A severe situation involving significant casualties, including the host and faction leaders.” It detailed forming a defensive front with thousands of troops by subordinating the remaining Justice Task Force and Guard Corps.

Ichika-san’s face turned pale, overwhelmed by the sheer scale.

“In most scenarios, the checkpoint will consider military deployment. This isn’t just martial law—it’s martial law plus extra measures. We can mobilize forces conscripted from other clubs, hold military tribunals, and even dissolve clubs. The task force and artillery units are all prepared. A curfew might be imposed too.”

“You’re talking about the worst-case scenario, right?”

“Pretty much. We’re considering coordinating with the Prefect Team or even Pandemonium Society. I’ve got everything planned for Eden, so don’t worry. That telegram was a joke, so don’t stress. Pass my regards to the vice-leader.”

“…I should get going.” Ichika-san bolted out of the task force office like she was in a hurry.

Her dramatic exit left some students so distracted they forgot what they were doing and started messaging their Justice Task Force friends about meeting her. A quick bonk on the head snapped them back to focus.

There’s still a lot to do. We need to discuss securing the legitimacy of legal actions. If things escalate, it’s likely that neither the host nor the faction leaders will be at the Tea Party to manage the factions. Faction leaders and factions need to be handled differently.

Leading the masses might require some authority.

“Alright, everyone. Ichika-san’s gone, so let’s get back to it. And Sayuri-san, come see me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

My junior clearly knew her mistake and followed quietly.

***

Hanekawa Hasumi was reading Ichika’s report.

She said the martial law thing was a joke, but I’m a bit uneasy.

Is something really going to happen? I’m worried.

—Nakamasa Ichika

Most reports were delivered in person, and written reports were more like postscripts.

Hasumi thought, Is this a problem?

Of course, as Ichika suggested, there could be hidden meanings, but Hasumi didn’t think the checkpoint captain was that kind of person.

She hadn’t met her since she was promoted to checkpoint captain, but according to Tsurugi-san, “She has some odd tastes, but her commitment to maintaining public order seems clear.” If she’s extreme but competent, isn’t that good enough?

Honestly, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between Tsurugi-san flattening students and the checkpoint blowing things up with artillery.

Hasumi folded the report and tucked it neatly into her drawer.

It’s probably fine. The chances of something happening during the Eden Treaty are low. Aside from some suspicious movements from external factions lately, the only major internal threat in Trinity is the Pater faction.

Even if there’s an external attack, the Justice Task Force has Tsurugi-san, and though it’s not ideal, Gehenna’s Prefect Team leader will side with us. With the Tea Party’s artillery and Guard Corps, what’s there to fear? We can definitely stop it.

Surely, we can stop it.