[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 152

There’s an old saying: Trinity never forgets kindness or grudges.

The notion of never forgetting kindness or grudges likely stems from ancient texts like the Shanhaijing. If you receive kindness, you repay it; if you bear a grudge, you settle it. It’s a simple yet primitive law from an ancient era.

This is a fundamental diplomatic norm for all academies, not just Trinity. It’s a matter of courtesy toward others.

“You, who’ve devoted half a century to running this company, wouldn’t be unaware of this, right, President? Even among students, it’s basic etiquette. At the very least, if you club someone in the back with a rifle, shouldn’t you apologize?”

The Black Market, trapped in its own society, isn’t the focus of public attention. Even in this incident, which could be called a betrayal, Trinity’s students are engrossed in the Arius debate… quite blatantly.

“I came in person on behalf of the busy President, so you should at least thank me. Let’s settle this nicely, with words.”

I was rude at the end of the conversation, but the embattled Krab President couldn’t respond. To exaggerate a bit, it’s as if a mere company supplied weapons to rebels and waged a proxy war, and now they’re caught—so how could he not be furious?

But you lot should be grateful the Tea Party didn’t break the story. The “Rapallo Treaty” documents secured by Trinity prove that hundreds, thousands of companies colluded with the Arius Branch.

It was the key to expanding influence… until the giant called Styria fell.

With the insolvency deferral agreement falling apart, what can they do now? Sell worthless stocks and delist?

It’s just a matter of days. In days, countless companies will be crushed under the shadow of the fallen giant—at least, that’s what Sayuri-san said, her face pale. We need to act swiftly.

The fortunate part, if you can call it that, is that I’ve been working on a makeshift plan since securing those documents. We must move without hesitation to protect Trinity’s interests… no, to safeguard the free market economy.

“…How much?”

The President’s curt response.

Pfft—Pffthaha! My mocking laughter followed. Half was a hollow chuckle, half sincere.

“How much? Pfft—President, did you just say ‘how much’? The one who boldly challenged the mighty Trinity General Academy is now backing off at my short words, trying to negotiate with money?”

“…”

I laughed more, probing his defenses. The President chose silence over responding and being insulted.

But it’s amusing, isn’t it? The mastermind who grew a small forge into a leading steel corporation couldn’t understand a simple phrase and caused this mess. What a delightful contradiction.

“President, unfortunately, it seems your company doesn’t know what Trinity wants.”

We don’t want you to collapse. Castrating all influence and nationalizing is tempting, but with Arius-related administrative capacity stretched thin, it could backfire. Rather than swallowing you whole and getting indigestion…

…Now that I think about it, there was a proposal in the Tea Party to limit the Arius Branch to a nominal monarchy while stifling freedom through administrative relocation. Hmm, what about a company?

I gazed into his turquoise eyes, reminiscent of Ritsuko-chan.

And I scribbled a number on the paper.

“21 percent.”

The minimum share to dominate as Krab’s largest shareholder.

“Hand over 21 percent of your shares. The Tea Party is willing to participate in management and provide financial support. And, of course, not entirely, but… pfft, we’ll guarantee a degree of management rights.”

As I delivered the final terms, I thought: Don’t I sound like the devil’s whisper?

Damn businessman,

Take the devil’s hand.

“Isn’t that too much? Handing over half my shares means giving up 70 percent of my stake. Even if you hold us accountable, isn’t that excessive?”

“Didn’t I already say? We’ll maintain management, employees, and executives. No restructuring.”

I’d feel guilty swallowing you whole.

“Styria is dying. The 150 billion yen in promissory notes Krab holds are nearing maturity, aren’t they? The financial support I mentioned won’t be a small amount, I assure you.”

He knows. The massive sums invested in the Eden Treaty Incident, expecting Trinity’s defeat, are long gone. The profits from eroding our academy’s economy have vanished, and now they face the storm of accounting fraud, worrying about bankruptcy.

Krab has built its reputation in steel and cannon manufacturing for ages. We plan to license-produce the L118 howitzer, which their production line can’t keep up with, so we won’t let them die.

“…It’s a promise.”

Scritch, scritch—the satisfying sound of signing.

The Tea Party’s goal is achieved.

“A wise decision.”

The President could only muster a bitter smile.

***

Three days later, Trinity announced the acquisition of shares and debts from 48 companies.

Styria Arms Insolvency—Total Debt 490 Billion

That day, the giant that forged a defense industry myth finally fell. As a multinational wielding influence, not just a defense firm, its corpse began to rot.

The stock market is one organism. Everyone shares subcontractors to survive.

When one falls, it spreads to others.

The economy is a pyramid. Without money flowing from above, promissory notes can’t be paid.

Styria’s collapse left nearly 500 billion yen in debt to subcontractors.

Sadly, they were in dire straits.

Styria’s subcontractors fell one by one, and the chaos spread sideways, endlessly. The situation worsened.

The board, adhering to free market logic, didn’t act.

Until part of it collapsed.

—BBC Newsdesk: Cardina Shipbuilding, plagued by severe financial distress, collapsed into insolvency today. Its accumulated debt exceeds 400 billion.

When Kivotos’s iconic shipbuilding firm went bankrupt, no one soothed the panicked board.

One, two, promissory notes matured, and lifelines snapped.

Large conglomerates sold assets, desperately hoarding capital.

—Diahouse has finally been declared bankrupt by the court. Despite the social fallout, the court deemed it unsalvageable.

Starting with Styria, the ripple seemed endless.

Prices soared, and the crisis showed no signs of abating.

With vast funds secured from Abydos, two above-ten-thousand figures avoided insolvency, but their condition was poor.

“…”

The President entering the board meeting didn’t hide his unease.

It wasn’t a position or situation to conceal.

“Creditorte collapsed yesterday due to a cash shortage. The first financial institution to fall. BBC’s making a fuss about the ‘too big to fail’ myth crumbling. Our bank’s in chaos—any solutions?”

It was practically an emergency meeting. Kaiser, heavily indebted, was taking significant losses.

Executives, usually intimidating employees, reported in fear.

“Styria’s stock plummeted over 90%. Cardina, already collapsed, closed yesterday down 71.3%. The business division says we should propose a financial aid package through the administrative committee.”

It’s dire. This morning, Kaiser Industry’s stock fell over 11%.

With Creditorte, the Black Market’s largest bank, gone, Kaiser Bank was inevitably affected.

Withdrawals reached tens of billions of yen. Financial indicators were plummeting.

“The Management Support Office believes the group’s survival isn’t at risk. Though the ripple from Styria spreads faster than expected, it won’t become a ‘panic.’”

The Black Market has seen panics, but none earned the “Great Depression” label. We’ve prospered since founding.

Can we, truly, overcome this today?

The President wasn’t sure. He had to call his loyal robot.

“General.”

At the conference table’s center, next to him, a rugged military uniform stirred.

The new Kaiser PMC head, proven capable.

“What do you think of this situation, General? Will it end with Styria?”

“…I’m not with the Management Support Office.”

“But you majored in economics. I heard you boasted about it.”

The General, staring at the President in surprise, gazed at the bleak stock market, lost in thought.

I can wait. He’s competent.

“…It won’t stop.”

He placed his hat on the table and continued.

“Creditorte lent to many Black Market firms. I recall it was the largest in the banking sector. It couldn’t collect debts and failed to pay its own.”

He stood, pointing to a financial indicator.

“More companies will go bankrupt. This bank’s collapse isn’t just insolvency—it might be the start.”

“How many?”

“No idea. Without data, I can’t predict. But—”

The executives listened silently.

“—I can say it’s on a scale we’ve never seen.”

Everyone in the room groaned.