[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 100

Who is she, clad in a boxy field cap?

Chronos School Irregular Column: Trinity Section

Uneasy Memories from Nationwide Martial Law Expansion

Pater Passed Over, Filius and Santus Factions Solidify Dual Cabinet

Tea Party Not Free from Acting Commander’s Influence

Negotiations on Gehenna Issue, Excluding Major Factions, Are Risky

Attention Must Be Paid to Yamatsu Acting Commander’s Subtle Strategy

Post-Authority Delegation, Unpredictable Moves Signal Red Flags

By Mineyuki Yotsune, Reporter

The Border Checkpoint aims to fulfill its defense duties by assisting Trinity General School’s Student Council President—such is inscribed on the plaque at the former 13th Checkpoint, known as “Checkpoint HQ.” This legally justifies their use of force.

Yamatsu Hikari, Border Checkpoint Deputy Commander and Trinity Acting Commander, emphasized this in her press conference. Called a major cabinet reshuffle or political breakthrough, it’s essentially a purge of the Pater Faction. No student doubts something happened at the Tea Party. The gunfire and cannon blasts of their battle fueled Chronos reporters’ imaginations for hours.

What happened? Was it a clash between internal factions, with today’s reshuffle merely the result of a broken balance? Some editorials link it to Yamatsu’s appointment as Acting Commander, but I don’t rate those theories highly. With Student Council President Kirifuji Nagisa and others injured, the most senior official inherited authority per established procedures.

However, we must focus on her actions post-appointment—what did she do? Maybe nothing major. Just expanded martial law nationwide and seized both civilian and military command.

The public calls this a dictator. It’s a politically valid view. With even the Total Student Council avoiding direct elections, the only “free democratic” academy might be Red Winter Federal Academy, where snowflakes dance in a Soviet breeze.

But Yamatsu’s case might need a different lens. The Tea Party’s administrative system splits into Pater, Sanctus, and Filius. Before rising to Acting Commander during Trinity’s emergency, she showed little public activity. What are her thoughts? Could her swift dismissal of Pater administrators aim to restructure the Tea Party hall?

Consider possibilities we haven’t uncovered. Unlike Host Kirifuji Nagisa, who wielded immense power without hesitation, Yamatsu was seen as a figurehead rubber-stamping the Tea Party’s decisions over the past week. The delegated role was thought to lack real influence.

But after her successful reshuffle, that analysis seems wrong. The new cabinet, dominated by anti-radical factions, is heavily shaped to her liking. Like it or not, she’s seized power.

(Omitted)

All we can do is watch her future policies warily. She now controls all of Trinity, yet we know little about her. Someone with no political experience became Student Council President.

This isn’t to say she’s floundering without direction. She moves with clear intent and motive. The Tea Party isn’t just a gathering of dainty ladies, so their support for her must have a reason. Purging Pater seems aimed at securing Sanctus and Filius’s backing.

But I must ask: Can we accept the stated reasons for this unscheduled reshuffle? Whose Trinity is Yamatsu trying to save? Her “Trinity” or hers?

***

An old saying from the Classics of Mountains and Seas goes, “Are kings, nobles, generals, and ministers born destined?” I didn’t think it’d apply to Trinity.

Trinity General School’s Host is universally revered, but the Acting Commander? Nagisa-sama’s charisma once held everyone in sway, but harsh reality demands too much of a mere club deputy.

Is it a relief that the biggest obstacle is gone? The remaining Pater administrators, not handed over to the Justice Task Force, accepted the minimal justification for their inclusion in the reshuffle.

Nominally, they failed to uphold the constitution, defend the academy, or promote students’ freedom and welfare.

…Yeah, the column’s right.

Kicking them out was my choice.

But wasn’t it inevitable? Setsune-chan seemed well aware of the price of a failed uprising. It’s like Sayuri warned when the Border Checkpoint mobilized—she and I were competing.

For what? I don’t want to think about it. Nagisa-sama or Hanako would’ve answered instantly—“absolute power.”

Damn it, is this why I happily accepted Nagisa-sama’s promotion? The road ahead looks brutal. I’ll probably eat enough curses to last a lifetime, so it’s hardly a good deal.

—Clunk.

Entering the meeting room, once crawling with Pater’s schemes just days ago, I let out a hollow laugh.

“Good morning, everyone.”

“It’s already noon.”

Aha, so you’re not thrilled to see me. The speaker was a Filius faction administrator. She answered my recruitment call, genuinely hoping for the academy’s normalization, but that didn’t mean support.

“I’d appreciate it if the administrator could let that slide, given the state of things.”

“Fine. But let me say this first: We sincerely thank you for stopping Pater’s rebellion, but my colleagues and I don’t fully know your intentions, Hikari-sama.”

“…Mind explaining what that means?”

“It means Filius’s full support depends on you. We want not just the academy’s restoration but the constitution’s.”

The constitution. Nice words. Once the High Cathedral issue is resolved, there’ll be no justification for continuing nationwide martial law, so they’re watching how I, who essentially established a military regime, will act.

Her question actually reassured me. I was worried they’d scheme for influence like Pater.

“No need to worry. Do you think I’m some kind of Host? No way. I’m just… filling the gap left by Nagisa-sama’s absence. An Acting Commander, that’s all.”

“There’s no precedent for an Acting Commander in Trinity’s history. Misuzu-chan is Filius’s senior leader and suspects you. Even if I don’t, convincing all of Filius will be tough.”

“Sounds like I need to confess my sins at the Tea Party hall’s entrance on a rainy day.”

“I’m saying this because I’m worried about you. Who knows how long this cabinet will last?”

…I can give a firm answer to that.

No matter what the public says, the student council’s survival depends on its members. With competent administrators, it can endure regardless of public opinion.

What am I trying to say?

Well, do I really need to spell it out when everyone in this room knows?

“…Right, Urawa-san?”

—Flinch.

Hanako trembled at the unfamiliar address.

Oh, come on—aside from Sayuri, Ritsuko-chan, and Inori-senpai, she’s one of the few students I’d call a close friend. For better or worse, we’ve built all sorts of connections.

I didn’t expect Hanako to respond. I thought she’d ignore me outright, but the shock when this perverted plaintiff entered the Tea Party hall! Honestly, Arisa’s face was pure horror.

The most competent administrator in Trinity General School—though that’s inaccurate since she already left the Tea Party hall.

Let’s put it this way:

“Honorable Tea Party administrators, meet the academy’s sharpest mind and the Sisterhood’s proxy—Urawa Hanako.”

“…”

“Let’s give her a round of applause. She came all the way from the High Cathedral, so we should thank her for her efforts.”

I don’t know what the pervert, entrusted with Sakurako-sama’s authority, thought, but I was sincere. I’d gone through hell to reduce Pater’s influence, which held a third of the Tea Party hall.

In that sense, Hanako was the core of our cabinet. Sharp enough to silence everyone and with considerable connections.

Though much of her “connections” relied on Hifumi—why does the esteemed Momo Friends fan club giant have Nagisa-sama’s contact? But who cares! More contacts, more power.

Hanako’s network had its strengths. She was tied to both the Tea Party and the Sisterhood, with more past acquaintances than expected. Her connection to Sensei was also worth noting.

…If only it wasn’t as a pervert.

Oh, whatever. What’s the point of saying it now?

“Come to think of it… I haven’t heard much explanation from you, Hikari-san. Why did you call me?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You’re a big-name administrator, and you’re still representing the Sisterhood.”

“That’s true, but… I didn’t think you’d call me.”

I didn’t think you’d show up, you nutcase.

“You can think of yourself as this cabinet’s second-in-command. I won’t interfere with your decisions on things I don’t know. I’m serious about that.”

“…Second-in-command? Why would you place me so high, Hikari-san?”

“Because I trust you, Hanako.”

Hanako froze, dumbfounded.

“…What?”

“I trust you.”

A brief silence. Then she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the meeting room.

“…Follow me. We need to talk. Just the two of us.”

“…”

Without a word, I followed her.