[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 116

What exactly is an “Absolute Proxy” in the context of the Federal Student Council? There could be many answers, but if we were to pinpoint a common thread:

“An Irregular”—an unpredictable student.

Kirifuji Nagisa is an administrator with undeniable charisma. This is a fact acknowledged by many at Trinity General School and even members of the Federal Student Council. Her résumé, though rough around the edges, is nothing short of overwhelming, detailing her rise from the underbelly of the political sphere to the head of the Pater Faction.

When a missile struck the Cathedral of Tongues and several Tea Party administrators, including the Host, went missing, Rin thought to herself: it wouldn’t be long before the Trinity Autonomous District descended into chaos, and as the Acting President of the Federal Student Council, she would have no choice but to intervene.

But all those thoughts were rendered moot with the arrival of the Absolute Proxy. After an intense localized conflict, the Trinity Autonomous District regained its peace.

One can’t help but ask—how, exactly?

The answer is simple: she bulldozed through everything. The coup by the Pater Faction—officially described as such—the internal dissent during the cabinet reshuffle, and even the Arius holdouts barricaded in the Cathedral of Tongues.

She quelled the unrest with firepower and solidified her position with political maneuvering. Shouting about constitutional governance, she laid the foundation for her authority. For some reason, the Tea Party supports her, almost as if their master had ordered them to do so.

The Federal Student Council’s Administrative Committee agrees on one clear fact: the true power in the Trinity Autonomous District lies with a single girl.

And so, Nanagami Rin couldn’t help but feel flustered. While having her early morning break—unfortunately—interrupted was no small matter, the real shock was receiving a personal call from the head of the autonomous district, something she could never have anticipated.

[This is Yamatsu Hikari, Absolute Proxy of Trinity General School. I hope you’re doing well?]

Why, of all times, was she calling now?

The relationship between Sanctum Tower and the Tea Party isn’t exactly warm. It’s certainly better than the Trinity-Gehenna dynamic, but it’s closer to a state of NCND—neither confirm nor deny.

It’s not quite businesslike, but it’s far from friendly. In this ambiguous tug-of-war, both administrations prioritize their own interests, biting into each other’s potentially poisoned apples with smiles.

[It’s a pleasure. As I’ve already stated, I’m Nanagami Rin, Acting President of the Federal Student Council.]

Having worked in Sanctum Tower for a long time, Rin wasn’t one to let such a call rattle her. A capable administrator doesn’t show their unease so easily. Hiding her doubts, Rin injected a smile into her voice over the receiver.

Just enough for the Absolute Proxy to notice, but not so much that it seemed artificial. Finding the right balance was key.

[I sincerely apologize for calling so late at night. However, there’s an urgent matter that must be addressed—concerning the relationship between the Federal Student Council and Trinity, not Gehenna Academy or Schale.]

[It would help if you could explain what you mean. Hasn’t the Trinity Autonomous District declared the Arius incident resolved?]

[That’s true. Unfortunately…]

Even Rin, busy as she was, had enough free time to watch TV. She had seen the Absolute Proxy’s declaration from the Tea Party, yet the harsh reality lingered. The Trinity Autonomous District was once again on the verge of rekindling the scent of gunpowder.

[The Federal Student Council firmly opposes any actions that escalate tensions. Please keep that in mind.]

[I’m well aware. The Absolute Proxy has no desire to see the Trinity Autonomous District burn as a spark of war. However, we act because it’s necessary. …This is getting lengthy. Let me get to the point.]

She declared boldly, and Rin could hardly believe her ears.

[Trinity General School’s Tea Party will execute an unofficial military operation. The operation will commence in 48 minutes, with a force of approximately 7,000 students. Now that I think about it, that’s not that many.]

A force rivaling several divisions, and she calls it not that many? Reports indicated that the previous large-scale Arius offensive involved over 10,000 students. Nanagami Rin couldn’t help but feel alarmed. It seemed Trinity was preparing to ignite another full-scale war.

[That’s hardly a small number. Absolute Proxy, what exactly does the Tea Party want?]

The Absolute Proxy scoffed before responding.

[We seek the end of a long-standing conflict.]

***

The early morning at the Tea Party is quiet, but that very stillness carries a sense of loneliness. With Nagisa-sama asleep, the feeling is even stronger. Making a call from an office devoid of even a single waiting administrator feels… not exactly serene.

From the perspective of Trinity General School—or the Trinity Autonomous District, as the Federal Student Council calls it—the academy is about to make its move. I had to inform them.

Kozeki Ui, the head of the Library Committee, wasn’t it? I met her long ago in the old library. Hanako had gone to her with an ancient text detailing the path to Arius, requesting its restoration. While wearing a swimsuit, no less.

No matter how you look at it, that was a violation of school regulations, but I let it slide. You can’t lock up a capable administrator in a cell, after all… and it’s not like our friend’s breaches of decorum are anything new.

[The Tea Party has already approved the order. I have a couple of requests for the Federal Student Council.]

Securing the Arius Autonomous District won’t happen officially. It’s merely the decision of Nagisa-sama, Sayuri-san,  and Arisa, the head of operations. I feel bad for the students shouting about convening the Tea Party, but that’s how it is.

The chief administrator seemed to be mulling it over. She must be wondering what conditions I’d impose.

[Tell me.]

[Please refrain from making any public comments about the events unfolding today. That is the Tea Party’s wish.]

A florid appeal wrapped in diplomatic rhetoric. The public might question such a conciliatory stance, but conversations among the higher-ups sometimes require sugarcoating the dirtier truths. If you read between the lines, my true intent is:

We don’t like what you’re doing. The Federal Student Council should stay quiet.

…Something like that. The polite tone isn’t meaningless; it’s a way of showing my stance.

[…]

The chief administrator fell silent. Not knowing how deeply she was deliberating, I decided to wait quietly. After a minute or so, I finally heard her response.

[If I said that was inappropriate, would the Absolute Proxy take offense?]

Ha—I let out a dry laugh.

[Trinity General School respects the authority of the Federal Student Council. Whatever decision the Acting President makes, we won’t interfere. I’m merely… conveying the Tea Party’s wishes. Think of me as a messenger of sorts.]

I know the gazes from D.U. aren’t kind. They fear the blade of rebellion might turn on them. In the brutal arena of diplomacy, using my image isn’t a sin.

[The Kaiser Corporation’s President… no, the Defense Office reported that Trinity carried out a missile provocation.]

[That’s not true. It was merely a response. …What does that have to do with anything?]

[Can you, Absolute Proxy Hikari, truly trust the Federal Student Council? Consider it from our perspective. It’s hard to believe the Tea Party has acted in a way that earns the trust of me or the other students on the Administrative Committee.]

Haha… Is the damned Kaiser Corporation interfering again? The Defense Office’s Shiranui is a capable student, but I’ve heard she occasionally meddles in others’ affairs… just like now!

[So, is the Federal Student Council saying it won’t tolerate the Tea Party’s military actions?]

[I won’t deny it.]

…So she’s taking a hardline stance, is she? It seems she’s not planning to let this slide easily. She doesn’t trust me.

But she should know: I’m extending her considerable courtesy. Unlike the Kaiser Corporation, which recklessly tears through Abydos, why do I bother contacting her personally? To uphold the legitimacy of constitutional governance.

The Federal Student Council is, nominally, the overarching body governing the autonomous districts’ student councils. It oversees all central administrative facilities in Kivotos, mediating disputes and politics between academies. It is, in essence, the student council of the academy city “Kivotos.”

Since the Federal Student Council President went missing and Sanctum Tower’s authority waned, the autonomous districts have increasingly disregarded the Federal Student Council.

What I’m trying to say is: isn’t the Tea Party, at the very least, respecting the proper procedures?

[But a large-scale localized conflict will inevitably escalate external tensions—]

[That’s for the Tea Party to handle. This is a matter of our school’s sovereignty. Trinity General School is considering all options. You’d do well to think carefully, you and the other directors.]

The chief administrator fell silent once more. It’s a tricky situation. I drove the point home.

[As much as I respect the Acting President’s position, the Federal Student Council should respect Trinity General School in return. Have a good day.]

Click.

As I hung up, a heavy silence settled over the office. In the distance, the sound of armored units rumbled.

I dialed again.

Ring, ring.

[Hello.]

[This is the Absolute Proxy. Is this Director Tsurugi?]

[…Yes.]

[I’m giving the go-ahead. Do what needs to be done.]

[Understood.]

Click.