[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 141

[School Anthem]

Host Nagisa visited the Arius Military Administration to award medals to those who contributed to resolving the Eden Treaty Incident and to commend their efforts.

Host Nagisa addressed the radical academization of certain ideological factions…

***

Trinity General Academy, Second-Year Student, Hikari Yamatsu.

Head of the Border Checkpoint,

Proxy of Trinity General Academy,

Military Governor of the Arius Military Administration.

I stared at the nameplate listing my titles in exhaustive detail and let out a deep sigh. I gave the 360-degree swivel chair—lucky enough to have won it—a hard spin. The cityscape, vaguely divided into streets and buildings, flashed by my eyes.

The Arius Autonomous District, far removed from the comforting familiarity of the Great Forest, my hometown. It’s not exactly a demotion, but… it’s lonely.

The past few days have been a whirlwind. At the opening ceremony of the Military Administration, I received a few medals. I was also provided an office at the Basilica Relief Center. Since the Arius Autonomous District prioritizes infrastructure reconstruction, a private residence feels like a distant dream.

An administrative order was issued, granting the Arius Military Administration legal status as a sort of branch campus. The Tea Party can interfere with our budget allocation, but our internal policies and administrative reforms are guaranteed independence.

To uphold formalities, the uniform I once wore was designated as the official attire for the Military Governor—a bit humiliating, but life here is bearable.

Under the banner of military governance, I’ve been granted both authority and responsibility. I don’t mind much else, but being so far from the Great Forest is the saddest part. If I’d known it would come to this, I would’ve thrown a fit, screaming that someone like me could never handle such a position.

Nagisa-sama expects me to tame the “mongrel” that is Arius. She is a capable administrator and a figure worthy of leadership. I know better than anyone that I cannot defy her.

“You’ve done well so far. Now focus on other issues,” she said—or at least, that’s the impression I got.

No matter the cost, I will return to the Border Checkpoint. I have no intention of staying here long. Once this damned city regains its former glory, I’ll overhaul the system and resign immediately.

I have a plan in mind. Last night, I dug through the Basilica archives and gathered substantial information. At the very least, I know who to call to restore the Autonomous District and address its overarching issues.

At the very least, I’ll hold a graduation ceremony at the checkpoint, right?

I didn’t bring a single member of the Border Checkpoint team. Sayuri-chan, Ritsuko-chan, Yuzuki-chan, Inori-senpai… and the others. Don’t you think they’re too bright to rot in a place like this?

It’s probably a good idea to get familiar with the new administrators’ faces. The student from the General Student Council who was dispatched for the opening ceremony didn’t exactly look thrilled, so hosting a team dinner to improve our internal image and discuss future relations between our organizations might be a good move.

But more importantly, I need to bring in the “leader” I mentioned earlier. I told you, I don’t plan to stay in this seat for long.

Click.

“Hey, it’s me. You know that friend I mentioned before? Yeah, that one.”

The Justice Task Force member on the other end of the call understood me perfectly. I don’t know what they think of me, but I like my Justice Task Force friends. Seeing those cute underclassmen… honestly, they’re adorable.

“Give me one week. Bring them to me.”

***

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

Arius was born to bear the duty of guardianship. We must be strong and defend our faith from those who worship demons. Before the First Ecumenical Council, the “Arius Branch” was a proud member of Trinity.

When those who once praised us stabbed us in the back, no faction stood by our side.

No matter how strong a student is, they can die. No matter how great a person is, they suffer. Trinity, as an organization, knew better than anyone how to inflict pain. And, of course, we were their target.

What happens when a long iron spike is driven between your fingernails? How about tying someone to a wooden pole and leaving them for hours? Shooting at vital points like the eyes, or hanging someone from a cannon barrel and detonating the charge? Or perhaps, forcing them to inhale pesticides?

It’s a simple “divine fire.” Convert through suffering, or be abandoned in the middle of the Great Forest, barely clinging to life.

The process of Arius being erased from history didn’t take long. Officially, no students died, but no one believed that. Tormented by that injustice, the academy changed and began plotting desperate revenge.

Well, you know what happened next. That damned civil war, that damned student council president’s rise to power, and that damned Arius Incident! The Sensei wasn’t the only problem—they were competent enough.

I’m not questioning the process. Lack of ability, unavoidable circumstances—fine.

The problem was that the “Princess” disappeared during our defeat! Goddamn it, the student council president died, and the leader who was supposed to plan for the future ran away?

How was Arius supposed to take that?

“I don’t know, so tell me, Princess. What should we—what should I—have done? Fight to the death?”

The Princess, without her mask, wasn’t just beautiful—she was beyond that. But the expression on her face, that helpless confusion, shouldn’t be there. Damn it, it shouldn’t! How could the heir of royal blood be like that?

“That Madame dying was actually a good thing. She ruined the Autonomous District with her constant talk of hatred. It’s only natural we were helplessly swept away by Trinity’s attacks.”

Imashino Misaki—the girl I’d met before—glared at me with her arms spread wide.

“But where did the Princess go?”

“…”

“Who was supposed to lead us, and why was a pitiful girl left behind instead?”

Why is royal blood the object of admiration? Why did we risk our lives to protect that lineage? The title of “Guardian of the Covenant”—how simple a role is that, really? Fight without running, take responsibility, and that’s it.

“…Enough. Joumae Saori, who decided to withdraw the Squad, isn’t here.”

The black-haired girl standing in front of me didn’t hide her hostility. And yet, the reason I’m so angry, the reason my voice trembles despite trying to suppress my emotions, is the situation we’re facing.

The Arius Autonomous District is gone. A few days ago, Trinity established the “Arius Military Administration” with their Proxy at the helm. Were they too conscious of public opinion to outright annex us? Those bastards will exploit us for centuries under the guise of indirect rule.

“Me, my friends—we probably all feel the same. Sure, they’re probably captured by Trinity, but still. I don’t know which way to turn.”

The sniper in the back—who was she again? Our eyes met.

“Whether it’s Joumae Saori or you, Misaki, you have someone to rely on. Arius doesn’t have that. No, Arius doesn’t even have a homeland anymore. Most of my friends don’t know how to survive or why they should even live.”

“…”

“I’m better off. I found work in Abydos. If Arius was just me, I wouldn’t have bothered looking for the Princess.”

How vulgar we are. Do you even know the Princess’s surname? We burden a young girl, fresh into high school, with immense responsibility and then berate her. We tell her that her bloodline comes with duties she must fulfill at her age.

“I know the Arius Squad is in a tough spot… but Princess, remember your bloodline. And make a choice.”

Will you rise for your people, or for yourself?

“You don’t have to do it willingly, but the day will come when you must. And when that day comes, it won’t even be your choice.”

Is the hatred passed down for centuries truly ours? Why did Trinity hate us? Or rather, why do we, across generations, hate them? Why does the Arius Branch still suffer today?

Where is the adult who will stop the pain or share even a fraction of it? Do I need to find that “Sensei” too?

In these difficult times, we need a strong leader. When D.U. was in trouble, the Sensei from Schale appeared. When Trinity was in trouble, the Proxy appeared. Why can’t the storied Arius Academy produce a hero suited for these chaotic times?

We’re lost. Hundreds, thousands of my friends are lost. The Princess may not be able to bear all these hopes. But even so, can’t we have just a sliver of expectation? Is even that too much?

Blocking the Princess’s choice might be wrong. But for my friends, I have to do this, I quietly scream.

“This is a plea as one of your subjects.”

Only then could I find a few words to justify my existence.

So, Imashino Misaki, and the sniper friend—sorry for being rude. The girl who loved her gas mask more than anyone else tried not to miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the Princess. What are the odds of running into her like this?

The girl blocking my path looked at me quietly. Does that mean I didn’t cross the line, or is it pressure to leave?

I was going to choose the latter anyway.

“…I’ve said my piece. Princess, Misaki, and the friend whose name I don’t know. Live well.”

“Friend whose name you don’t know?! I have a name, you know—it’s Hiyori!”

…Right, Hiyori.

“Oh, and if you meet Joumae Saori, pass this on.”

I locked eyes with the Princess. Her beautiful red eyes.

“That scarf from way back? I still have it.”

“…!”

I started walking. Faster and faster, disappearing among the fools chasing money, until the city was cloaked in twilight.