[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 147

Returning to Arius after leaving it for just a few days wasn’t ideal, but does the world ever go as people want?

The news that came late at night was both eagerly awaited and slightly puzzling. I had an unexpected Tea Party meeting with Nagisa-sama. We need to discuss countermeasures and return to Arius urgently.

“National security guarantees must not lead to the creation of a puppet state. We must convey Nagisa-sama’s intentions directly.”

Trinity nominally guarantees the security of the Arius Military Administration, its autonomous district. But contrary to public perception, the military administration is “temporary,” and the Tea Party hasn’t decided Arius Branch’s fate.

Why? It’s not about delaying decisions but that the debate over decision-making rights has derailed the process. Voices argue that Arius, as an external entity, deserves self-determination, while others demand punishment for heretics.

How dreadful. Ever heard of political chaos?

This will end today. The Justice Task Force reported securing the identity of a key figure, and finally, the executives gathered, halting the debate.

The trust in a Host is immense. With the person who can most freely assert their will in Trinity backing me, the fact that I can push plans forward seamlessly is highly motivating. Thanks to the Strategy Office’s support, a more concrete plan was established.

Some Tea Party executives wanted Trinity to annex the so-called “Arius Border Zone,” including the Great Forest, for strategic stability during the new regime’s establishment.

It made sense, but opposition arose over expelling Arius and external branch personnel.

According to canon law, the Tea Party cannot decide a student’s sovereignty. If Nagisa-sama wished, it could be done through canon law revision, but her lukewarm response weighed heavily on the feasibility of such a radical plan.

Would the General Student Council stand by and watch? They’ve already clashed with us once. Collective expulsion could provoke significant backlash from their executives.

“I don’t think they’ll stay quiet.”

Nagisa-sama wanted a compromise with additional dormitory support for their faction. As many think, those friends aren’t exactly moderates. But they respect Nagisa-sama’s authority enough.

With all resistance gone, the executive meeting’s resolution was reached swiftly. In conclusion, Trinity General Academy will relinquish territorial claims over the Arius Branch area and dissolve the Military Administration. Through the formal election of a semi-independent committee, we’ll restore the old regime.

“We should be grateful she came willingly. Pardon my impertinence, but Hikari-san, you must persuade her one last time.”

Before leaving the Tea Party, Nagisa-sama gave me a small gift and a request.

I don’t understand why she’s reaching out now, after evading the Justice Task Force’s relentless pursuit. Moreover, isn’t the Arius Squad wanted by the General Student Council?

Though we need them, what fear drives them to accept us?

I’ve had no way of knowing. I lack the ability or capacity to uncover the truth. I just smile for Nagisa-sama.

“…I’ll obey.”

Yamatsu Hikari, Military Governor of Arius, left the Tea Party with those words.

***

“I have all three waiting in the first-floor reception room. They’re calmer than expected… except for one.”

I thought it’d be a while before we met again, but seeing the Senior Administrator after just a few days, she looked exhausted.

“Good work. I heard you went through a lot to bring them here without being noticed. As a reward, I’ll take over work for a few days, so rest at home.”

“No way. You said yourself you’re terrible at paperwork, Governor.”

After five or six minutes of bickering, I raised my hands in surrender. I promised more bonuses and additional investment in Trinity’s dedicated zones. To think someone prioritizes the academy over themselves—a saint unimaginable to a worldly person like me.

Alright, alright. I’m back at the Military Administration, which I didn’t exactly miss. A city rising from ruins, taking on a rural charm. Looking at this sluggish cityscape, I resolved once more.

Today will mark the start of change.

The “Arius Monarchy” regime is an archaeological relic, gone for centuries. But just as the student council president who ended the civil war brought back the “Princess,” bloodlines don’t play a small role in Arius.

They still have something worth venerating. Something grand, perhaps even greater than the Tea Party Host.

Just as Trinity General Academy unified under religious significance, the exiled Arius Branch rallied around bloodlines. They built a city where the crown’s owner pointed, creating a unique cultural identity.

The old records intrigue me. A culture similar to Trinity’s but never quite the same—starting with the monarchy—is woven throughout Arius.

Hakari Atsuko… Can the little princess’s authority make Arius thrive again? Is it possible?

“Administrator, if that girl doesn’t accept the throne, what happens? Do you think this military administration will last? I think the Tea Party… they won’t let ongoing deficits slide.”

“We’ll have to try.”

The girl’s answer was concise yet allowed for further conviction.

“If she’s competent enough. Would she let the chance to save Arius from Trinity’s grasp and restore the old regime pass? It’s a great opportunity to reclaim her power. Duty plays a part, but this reason must weigh heavily too.”

Saving Arius from Trinity’s grasp… a novel phrase I hadn’t heard before. Come to think of it, she vividly witnessed Arius’s collapse, so it makes sense.

“Then let me ask, do you want her to come?”

“Don’t you think it’s obvious? I’m your subordinate, Governor, but before that, I’m the Senior Administrator handling Arius Branch’s major affairs. I can’t help but welcome the coronation of a legitimate bloodline monarch.”

Is that so? The Administrator patted her chest, displaying pride in her affiliation.

If her perspective is widely shared, I can’t help but welcome it too. Maintaining a military administration in resource-scarce Arius is harder than fostering autonomy or close cooperation with an independent force.

A means to win the majority of branch students’ support. It could increase the likelihood of former students returning. Reconstruction projects like the Basilica could boost legitimacy.

And a coronation… a concept I hadn’t considered. Trinity never had one.

It’ll be a symbolic event. Ideally, it’d draw attention not just from scattered Arius students but from our alma mater, Gehenna, Millennium, and even the General Student Council.

Assigning more work for this isn’t ideal, but it might not be so bad.

“We need to push the plan further. Administrator, let’s talk again later. Bring her in.”

“…Do your best. It’s all on you.”

I agree. The Senior Administrator sighed and left the room.

***

How long had I waited in this ornate reception room—where I’d been once or twice when the Madam still ruled Arius?

A familiar-faced girl announced my summons in formal tones. Meeting all three at once felt premature, so she was to bring only me first. Misaki protested, but her objections were curtly dismissed.

I followed the girl up the stairs. One, two, one, two. Neither of us spoke.

The Trinity senior who stained Arius with blood and dragged out the Madam—technically, Sensei did the latter—what kind of person is she? Maybe someone with a personality Atsuko has never encountered?

I couldn’t be sure, but I’d find out in a few minutes, whether I wanted to or not. The one who crushed Sa-chan’s and the Squad’s dreams, restoring the old balance, as Misaki called “normalization.” She succeeded. She might be terrifyingly formidable, heh.

Soon, the girl stopped in front of an office.

“Here. The Proxy… no, I should use the official title. The Military Governor is inside.”

“Thanks. Haven’t we met before?”

It was simple curiosity. But the girl looked at Atsuko with a hint of sadness.

“Just know this. I’ve been watching you, Princess, for a very long time. And now, I’m so happy you’re back. The one to lead Arius has returned, hasn’t she?”

“…”

“Just saying. Have a good meeting.”

Click. She descended the stairs, and I took a deep breath before opening the door.

A blue-and-white uniform.

A white-haired girl.

“…”

A jet-black nameplate bore eight characters:

Arius Military Governor

アリウス軍政長官

And below, ten more:

Trinity Proxy

トリニティ全権代理人

Her red eyes gazed at me quietly, ever so quietly.