[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 158

I wonder if Nagisa-sama was quite surprised.

Since the Proxy was a temporary position, there was no need for ceremonies like a retirement event. It was just a title the Tea Party gave me to act with full authority.

My role was destined to end, its tenure forcibly extended.

The Tea Party Host—my lord—made a request, not a command. Her fragile voice, so unlike the steadfast leader of Trinity, made it impossible to refuse.

And now the time has come. Arius, once a threat to the Tea Party, is no longer an issue. Kaiser Corporation, stirring trouble in Abydos and beyond, is too busy watching our moves. Our success in the Black Market means fewer worries.

Trinity has escaped its doomed decline and is now at its peak.

Well… that eased my guilt. Since Nagisa-sama no longer needs my help, I can step down. It feels like “normalization.”

I’m not the only administrator at the Tea Party. There’s Hanako, Sayuri-san, Seia-sama, and other students.

Atsuko-san is at Arius, and Ritsuko-chan—now outranking me in economic and diplomatic affairs—is holding strong in the Black Market. I told them to call if they need help, so it should be fine.

They’re all reliable, not the type to crumble in confusion during unexpected crises. They’re capable enough to handle most administrative chaos. Half of them are probably better than me.

Sending the resignation I prepared a week ago felt… draining.

The uniform I wore and the title I was called since the Eden Treaty Incident are gone, and though I feel reluctant, it means fewer tasks. Time for a cup of cocoa.

I’ll leave the Military Administration today, so tomorrow morning, I’ll wake at Checkpoint HQ. What’s it like to return home?

Haha, I’ll think about it when I get there. I need to leave by midnight, and the pile of stuff to pack is a mountain. I’ll drive for hours, so I’ll chug some caffeinated cocoa. Being a Checkpoint member means no Great Forest curfew—nice perk.

I put a cardboard box on the messy desk and stuffed everything in sight. The L85A1, brought due to gun regulations, was a tough call, but I shoved it in the truck’s corner.

Come to think of it, back at Checkpoint HQ, I’ll see Sayuri-san’s Hippo-chan—Ritsuko-chan briefly took the driver’s seat.

Time to go home, Hikari.

50 days since the Eden Treaty Incident, D.U. Standard Time—

Yamatsu Hikari resigned as Proxy.

TIME OF ORIGIN 2330/50

***

Morishita Sayuri was savoring rare freedom.

Post-Eden Treaty, Gehenna relations improved, border disputes nearly vanished, Ritsuko transferred to the Black Market, and Hikari-senpai was working hard in Arius!

With only first-years left at Checkpoint HQ, isn’t this the best time?

Except the cocoa supply for the kids is running low. I need to call senpai soon to learn her magical cocoa recipe—famous in the Tea Party! …Though it’d be better if she came back!

Sayuri recalled playing hanafuda with Yuzuki late last night. Wait, I didn’t oversleep, did I? As a Checkpoint HQ operator, I need to act the part.

“…Gotta get up, but it’s such a hassle.”

But it’s annoying. Sayuri, buried in blankets, burrowed deeper.

As a border checkpoint member, I don’t need classes, and Pater won’t fuss over this. I’m just an ordinary faction member—in Sayuri’s very personal view.

One day like this is fine, right? Yuzuki didn’t wake me either.

Clunk—!

The door opened, but Sayuri didn’t budge. Once decided, not even Yuzuki or Ritsuko from across the city could make her move.

If they want to use my recognized skills, try waking me!

Yuzuki entered silently and gently shook the blanket engulfing her.

“Ughh—no way I’m getting up… leave me alone, Yuzuki…”

Sayuri squirmed to fend off her friend’s touch. Oddly, her friend seemed stronger today. Probably determined to make her do paperwork all day.

“No way—argh, lifting the whole blanket?!”

After futile resistance, the blanket was peeled off, and Sayuri glared at her friend in annoyance.

“…Huh? W-Wait, what?”

“Hey, Sayuri-san. Looks like you didn’t sleep well, huh?”

Where was the best friend to scold her laziness? Instead, Hikari-senpai, whom she was starting to miss, smiled brightly. Poor Sayuri, caught by her superior’s surprise inspection.

Thank you for loving Sayuri until now.

“N-No, why’s Hikari-senpai…?!”

“Calm down, it’s not a big deal. Take these documents. Your senpai needs some sleep.”

Hikari smiled coolly at the flustered junior. Who’d think she crossed 300 miles of the Great Forest at dawn? Speeding ticket or not, it was a record worth praising.

As I said, it’s not that important. After driving for hours on caffeinated cocoa, I’m exhausted and need sleep—long sleep!

“Pass that to Yuzuki-san. Tell the other checkpoints to send telegrams too.”

“G-Got it.”

Sayuri-san’s super capable, so she’ll handle it. I’m going to sleep.

“Oh, and… junior, play hanafuda in moderation.”

As a senpai, I’ve got to warn her.

Closing the door, I left a girl burying her flushed face in her knees.

***

Trinity General Academy’s firearm regulations split two ways: banning certain guns and mandating others.

It’s economic. EM-2 rifles, SA80 assault rifles, and P14s are made in-house, so standardizing one per club keeps costs down. Resistance is fierce, but what can you do?

Of course, it’s not corruption… but technical flaws cause issues. The early SA80s used by the border checkpoint jam and lose magazines, with endless flaws.

Serina-san doesn’t know how to use them—though that’s not her issue.

It’s no coincidence the Tea Party’s policies flipped post-Eden Treaty. It’s a nightmare, but sharing Checkpoint’s complaints en masse was valuable, so let’s call it a learning experience.

My final administrative order was Checkpoint firearm liberalization, and I convinced Nagisa-sama to agree.

Ahh—a total victory!

“As a proud member of Trinity’s Border Checkpoint, I say: Enjoy your freedom!”

Cheers erupted, unheard since my Tea Party speech. At 7:58 PM yesterday, the law mandating early SA80s as standard was repealed.

There’s a 223” ammo restriction, but no big deal—most Trinity guns use it.

“One more announcement: With the Tea Party’s policy change, I’ll list firearms eligible for additional funding. First, all SA80 series except early models—use the A3 if possible.”

Trinity’s armory isn’t incompetent; they made improved models. Why we couldn’t use them until now is a mystery, but it’s great now.

“Sentry posts should use AW series, and—wait, we’re using Bren light machine guns now?”

Cheers from a corner of Checkpoint HQ’s plaza. We nearly lost it without squad support weapons, but now with solid firepower, we can easily fend off any Gehenna friends.

“Also, SCAR series, L7A2, and others… ugh, too much. Check the posted list.”

“Uh… Director, how much funding?”

The expected question and the biggest justification for Checkpoint’s gun reform.

“80 percent.”

I answered with a confident smile.

Welcome, students.

Taste Trinity-capitalism.