[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 106

The clock read 19:32.

Cutting through the smoke enveloping the High Cathedral, the Hipo self-propelled gun roared with a sleepless engine. Crusader tank units followed close behind.

The cruise missile had erased everything resembling a defense line. The Justina Order of Sanctity had pressed the offensive relentlessly since the war’s start, but the overwhelming firepower clearly made them falter.

Over ten thousand troops were gathered on a front less than four kilometers wide. Four thousand students were mobilized for the assault. The firepower concentrated in this narrow space equaled half of Trinity’s might.

Today, everything would end.

“…”

At the very least, Kawasaki Ritsuko was certain. Even if everything resolved today, she’d end up in a hospital bed.

Leading the vanguard—a title carrying the weight of a commander.

She sat alone in a 40-ton self-propelled gun. Hikari-senpai and her blue-haired friend never left the Tea Party hall. Sure, a fat bonus and a Miracle-5000 were promised, but why am I the only one in the field?!

“…Even if I complain, no one listens! Just because I’m bad at studies doesn’t mean I’m built for this!”

Driving heavy machinery every day made her the best driver in the Border Checkpoint. She was the only student who could handle a Hipo truck solo.

It was something to be proud of, but it also piled on extra duties. The armored corps seniors trailed behind, leaving Ritsuko to face the enemy first.

“Hey, Ritsuko-chan. From now on, you’re in charge here.”

“Huh? Wait, what?!”

“Three million yen bonus. Do well.”

Ugh—money’s great, but this—this isn’t great!

She’d get revenge, break through spectacularly—as senpai said, annihilate—and march into the Tea Party hall triumphantly! She’d snap a photo of senpai’s shocked face and post it on MomoTalk!

She slammed her foot on the accelerator. The engine, receiving the command, surged explosively, doubling the rattling.

Four hundred armored units followed. The enemy numbers visible through the window were sparse—perhaps they hadn’t noticed the assault—but sounds from the rear hinted at fierce combat.

Ghosts emerged from faded debris in the dark. Why were they dressed like that? Kawasaki Ritsuko thought they were a bunch of perverts, then pressed the pedal. A 6.1-inch high-explosive shell left nothing where it hit.

“Vanguard—uh, we’re engaging now! Rear frontline reports offensive. Watch for encirclement and maintain comms.”

“This is the forefront. Is the armored corps right behind?”

“Yes, confirmed. Scholar Army Group operating 290 units. How much of the High Cathedral is left?”

Ritsuko glanced at the navigation. The distance meter was dropping fast. She had to calculate in yards for comms.

“380 yards.”

“Confirmed… Oh, mechanized units are moving in. They’re bringing infantry.”

The command’s decision to deploy a second wave meant they were satisfied with the results. Less than a minute to the objective—early enough to commit without issue. To meet expectations, she had to maintain speed.

The radio buzzed with chatter. The enemy, their front broken, seemed to be scrambling to regroup.

“Uh—forefront comms, large-scale combat reported at the High Cathedral’s main gate. Something about swimsuits… verifying.”

“Reports of spotting Sensei—can’t the rear confirm?”

“Per schedule, they should still be hospitalized. Contact Basis Schola—oh, Tea Party hall broadcast. All non-engaged students, turn on radios. Talks are starting.”

Talks… that’s Hikari-senpai!

Ritsuko tapped the navigation screen. A masterpiece from Millennium’s Engineering Department, a next-gen self-propelled gun with TV service. The screen soon showed senpai.

Wearing a light brown uniform, senpai looked tense. Ritsuko focused on the screen.

“Moments ago, a Trinity missile struck the High Cathedral, inflicting significant enemy damage. The missile carried over 1,000 pounds of TNT equivalent…”

***

Murder… hatred… forcing those as the world’s truth…

Claiming everything is futile, imposing some incomprehensible nonsense…

I hate it!!

I don’t want Azusa-chan to become a murderer.

Those… those gloomy, unpleasant stories with a bitter aftertaste,

Even if they’re right, even if they’re the world’s truth, they’re not to my taste!!

I like ordinary things!

Even if I’m plain and unremarkable, I won’t compromise on my tastes!

Overcoming hardship with friendship,

Effort not being belittled,

Even if it’s childish, a story where everyone ends up smiling!

And ultimately, a story where everyone is happy!

I love those ordinary HAPPY ENDING stories!!

No one can force anything on us!!

We decide the stories we’ll create!!

So, let’s start now!

Our story!

The story of our academy and youth—BLUE ARCHIVE!

“…The story of our academy and youth.”

Hifumi-san, the epitome of a positive student, became a saint performing miracles before Sensei.

I remember her as a great person. The swimsuit masked group—basically Abydos High School’s Task Force with a rebrand—is infamous, but my view of her hasn’t changed.

The sky cleared. Under the vast heavens, Sensei shouted—a new covenant.

What should I make of not being in the spotlight? We just do our duties. With Hanako gone, the lone student in the Tea Party hall knows what must be done.

Schale’s Sensei changes the war’s tide,

And Trinity General School ends it.

As one entrusted with the student council’s full authority, it’s time to act. Solidify what’s been overturned. Arius will never exact their predecessors’ revenge.

“The enemy’s in disarray! Report now!”

“The Tea Party hall is already watching. Scholar Army Group, maintain the offensive.”

“Adjusting bombardment coordinates. 70 feet east, 38 feet north from reference.”

“Confirmed.”

Ah—Inori-senpai’s welcome voice! Rejoicing at our reunion after days, I grabbed the receiver.

“Good to see you. Yamatsu Hikari here.”

“All squads, prepare for independent combat upon attack orders… Huh? Oh, l-loyalty!”

The flustered student was amusing. Back when I was checkpoint chief, I recalled getting Nagisa-sama’s call when alone. She’s probably feeling the same.

“W-What’s the matter—”

“Let’s begin. That girl’s serializing her story too.”

“…!”

“All forces, attention—resume offensive as of now. This order holds until the enemy is annihilated.”

For a moment, the comms went silent. But as my words sank in—or for the quick-witted—administrators’ attack orders spread like waves.

Here we go—reused words, but the destined hour has struck your academy.

Let’s see who wins.

You damn bastards.

***

Sorasaki Hina, though drained of motivation, felt she was adapting quickly.

The chaotic Prefect Team stabilized right after her return. Ako, seeing her back in uniform, rushed over in tears. Despite their strength difference, it took time to peel her off.

Hina focused on two things: Arius Branch School and the Acting Commander.

The situation’s balance tipped after her return. Arius failed to neutralize both academies quickly, while Trinity mobilized faster. An insurmountable wall had formed.

At the center stood Yamatsu Hikari. Known only through media during her brief retirement, Deputy Hikari showed remarkable skill. She captured the rebellion’s ringleader—if innocent—secured the Tea Party’s support, and built a solid foundation.

The Arius crisis ends today. Two flags will fly over the High Cathedral’s ruins. As a capable administrator, Hina was certain.

But—what’s next?

Kirifuji Nagisa still hadn’t regained consciousness, perhaps never would.

The three factions lacked cohesion. Filius and Sanctus lost their leaders. Pater, after two rebellions, lost all momentum. Trinity could drift aimlessly.

Yet, she turned it all to her advantage. She seized the helm and steered hard.

Trinity finally returned to its place. The branch school collective stabilized politically in just 17 hours.

That’s where Hina’s doubts lay. What’s next?

She couldn’t tell where Deputy Hikari was headed. When she assaulted a Manma-jeon councilor at the checkpoint, Ako called her a lunatic. Makoto’s agreement aside.

Still, Hikari clearly influenced Hina’s return. Curious, intriguing… strange.

Ako might be right. “The captain’s addicted to her cocoa.”

…She didn’t actually spike it with drugs, right? Who knows.

Now was Hina’s time to work. Gehenna’s Prefect Team leader could set aside personal thoughts for duty. Lifting “Destroyer of the End,” she resolved:

After this, she’d visit the Tea Party hall.