[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 105

The High Cathedral of Communions can no longer maintain its lofty grandeur. It’s become little more than a splendid barricade.

The debris from the missile strike scattered across several districts. While helpful for building trenches and defenses, it’s turned into an obstacle for the offensive. The remnants of stone walls, not fully collapsed, litter the area.

To turn the tide, we stand at a crossroads. Either prepare to render their relentless assault meaningless or smash through the debris defense line in one blow.

Fortunately, the military can choose the latter. The Ordnance Bureau’s folks have the capability.

“Maybe we have to, senpai.”

“…You’re not threatening me, are you?”

Of course, senpai. Why do you think I’m using honorifics to keep things friendly?

Kotone, the Ordnance Bureau’s captain, looked tense.

“Senpai, you handled Kaiser Corporation’s mess brilliantly. But we need to borrow the Ordnance Bureau’s help again. I’m sorry.”

“You… no, Hikari-sama, no need to say that. We’re still grateful for the budget support.”

Still, being addressed so formally felt weird. After some begging, she promised to call me “Deputy Hikari” or something similar.

Leaving the honorific debate behind, I turned my head.

The cityscape from the Tea Party hall was breathtaking. The ticking of the suburban clocktower echoed, and white sunlight gradually turned crimson. The setting sun was partly obscured by frontline smoke.

The tea tasted fine, but my heart felt uneasy. If only Nagisa-sama were here.

“So, why’d you call me, Deputy… Hikari?”

“I told you. The Tea Party needs the Ordnance Bureau’s help.”

Her expression showed she didn’t get it. I was ready to share enough frontline info for her to understand.

“We need to turn the tables.”

“The tables?”

“The Trinity cabinet is planning to break through the front. One plan involves using the Ordnance Bureau’s assets.”

Most weapons developed in the Ordnance Bureau’s labs are officially adopted. By “club assets,” I mean strategic weapons under their control, and right now, there aren’t many options.

“If Deputy Hikari wants it, we’ve got no choice but to follow. But why?”

“Because ending the front quickly is the most efficient way. Trinity General School can’t sustain this situation long.”

To find answers in an endless war, you need drastic measures. But you must accept the side effects. A mobilization order is a double-edged sword—drag it out, and the academy’s economy collapses.

The Tea Party hall can’t exactly flip off the Total Student Council. The war’s end will decide our economy’s fate.

“So, you need my help, at least?”

“Yes. That’s why we’re meeting today. I figured you’d guessed as much.”

“I won’t deny it. Word of the High Cathedral reached the Ordnance Bureau, and some thought you’d use our developments… Sigh, I should give her a bonus.”

That’s up to you, senpai. My job was to relay the Tea Party’s stance.

“Senpai, I’m planning to escalate the war dramatically.”

“To what level?”

Hmm… maybe to the level of an ancient phrase.

“…Until it becomes total war.”

***

Imashino Misaki was breathing heavily. The past few days’ pain was hard to forget.

It took three days to break through the Great Forest. She barely reached Trinity’s city, but it seemed she was the only squad member left. Her radio, with a fresh battery, picked up only static from the sky.

The Acting Commander was smarter than Saori thought. Misaki now believed assassinating her was impossible.

‘…’ Misaki felt the lack of intel keenly. Power outages near the front had a big impact.

Looking down, she picked up a stray newspaper. “Tea Party Massive Reshuffle”—a student named Yamatsu was taking a different path than expected. She used Arius Branch School’s surprise attack as a stepping stone to the Student Council presidency.

It wasn’t important to her. Were her squadmates alive? Was the front’s impostor doing their job?

Azusa had defied Madam’s wishes. Misaki’s last memory was Saori clashing up close, and Azusa trying to kill the princess for those she called friends.

She couldn’t understand. Why value them more?

“Imashino Misaki! Is that you?!”

“…”

A voice called from beyond the debris. An Arius student, face covered.

“What’s your unit?”

“Eastern Company.”

“The assault team was wiped out. Report on the front.”

“If I had the capacity to know. Scouts reported trenches and defenses, but the rear of the High Cathedral is withdrawing. No clue what they’re planning.”

Building a safer defense line? But the city outskirts aren’t suited for defense. It’s not strategic.

“Keep moving, and you’ll hit ongoing combat near the cathedral. The squad’s waiting.”

“…What about you?”

“I’ll survive, no matter the cost.”

Madam wouldn’t let that slide. But most Arius students shared similar beliefs.

If the war ends, they’ll never meet again. Misaki didn’t need to debate ideology or morale. Ignoring answers, she moved toward her comrade, then glanced at the sky.

A fleeting line stretched across the infinite cosmos. The pale smoke was beautiful—

Smoke?

“…”

“What? What are you looking at…”

The other student followed Misaki’s gaze and fell silent. That was—definitely—a cruise missile.

Launch site and target unknown.

But it wasn’t Arius’s. Misaki had never heard of Arius having such missiles. Meaning—it wasn’t friendly.

As she thought, the rocket flew relentlessly.

“…It’s not ours.”

“What?”

“It’s not from the High Cathedral.”

The student pondered Misaki’s words. The answer was simple: if not Arius, then Trinity.

The bluish engine trail seemed to stretch beyond the High Cathedral. Soon came a deafening blast, surpassing anything Arius could muster. Both girls instinctively covered their ears.

—KABOOOOOM!

“—Damn it!”

Imashino Misaki’s curses were sharp, they say. As her words were drowned out, she ran toward her friend.

***

The term “total war” isn’t used much these days—a junior pointed that out once.

But I like it. It’s kind of cool.

At the ripest hour of sunset, around 7:30 p.m. in summer. When much of Trinity glows red.

A Storm Shadow cruise missile obliterated the High Cathedral’s rear gate. Modified for ground launch, it struck precisely, annihilating dozens of meters of cathedral and city debris.

I heard Sensei and Abydos students—notified via the checkpoint—took positions at the cathedral’s front. Hoshino-senpai wouldn’t be caught in the blast.

With a smirk, I made a call. An administrator at Sanctus’s safehouse picked up.

“High Cathedral.”

“It’s me.”

“Ah, Hikari-sama. What’s up?”

“I’m not interested in nonexistent defeats.”

A slang term from subculture war novels, decided during planning—practically forced on me by administrators. It was “settled” in the Tea Party hall.

They said it was for security, but sometimes it feels like they’re just having fun. It’s obvious.

Whether they knew my slight frustration or not, the administrator—part of the group that pushed it—laughed loudly and said, “Understood! Offensive begins!”

Sure, it’s a seat I’ll step down from in days, so I don’t mind indulging. I put down the receiver.

—KABOOM!

The High Cathedral is far from the Tea Party hall. The missile’s blast reached my ears after a dozen seconds.

“…Sounds nice.”

Reminds me of sipping cocoa with Captain Tsurugi while suppressing protests.