[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 159

The first to visit upon my resignation was, unexpectedly, Schale’s Sensei.

Seems he felt lingering guilt over the Arius matter. Hah—Kazusa said if anyone took Sensei, they’d get what they deserve, and I half-agree.

I met this junior, famed from middle school, over the Bren submachine gun issue.

He said it’s decent, per our delinquent legend. Most took the fully funded mid-to-late SA80s, though some ventured to the Black Market for new guns, shouting freedom. The squad support version’s notoriety is high.

Ammo compatibility’s a concern, but not a big one. The Checkpoint’s armory has over 300 million rounds for Lee-Enfield and Vickers guns.

Gun companies offer free caliber compatibility, so what a deal!

Since Sensei came from near the Tea Party to Checkpoint HQ, we should treat him right. I found a nice lakeside during my dawn Great Forest drive, so I prepared an event he’s likely never experienced.

“Duck hunting by the lake? Isn’t that an old-fashioned hobby, Hikari?”

“Isn’t it the best gift? Nagisa-sama’s only trusted adult is here, so we treat you with adult hobbies. I’ve enjoyed it a few times before.”

Itsuka-senpai was amazing at catching wild ducks—dozens a day. Sanctus even sent someone—Eclaire-senpai, but still—to scold us for harming nature.

Sayuri-san and members prepared the boat. Everyone was excited about Sensei’s rare visit.

“This lake’s second to none in the Great Forest for scenery. Deep inside, it opens up—you’ll love it, Sensei. Isn’t this new for you, Hikari-senpai?”

“Yeah… wait, Sayuri-san, you knew? You didn’t memorize the Great Forest map, did you?”

“Didn’t I join Pater’s brain trust for nothing? I memorized it in a week at Checkpoint. Terrain maps are simpler than Tea Party etiquette—you didn’t know?”

Sayuri got excited when her expertise came up. Balancing on the rowboat, Sensei seemed to enjoy her stories. While members fetched ammo, I sat near Sensei.

“The world’s wide when you live in it, Sensei. Your advice to forgive was right.”

Days later, I’ll attend Atsuko-san’s… or rather, Her Highness’s coronation. It’s more practical than ethnic reconciliation talk.

Swallowing Arius yields little, so we let it be an independent kingdom. Unexpectedly, the Styria Crisis made us Kaiser Construction’s major shareholder—perfect story.

“That day’s talk was 100% sincere. Sorry if it made you uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s fine. It was good to hear a student’s perspective.”

“Come to think of it, Valkyrie Police Academy requested support. Seems D.U. had an incident… Pfft, I’ll deliver cocoa to Schale’s clubroom too. Did you enjoy it?”

When did that contract start? I think it was for joint training.

“It’s delicious. Not just me—other students on duty, like Yuuka, Kazusa, and Hoshino, loved your cocoa and asked who made it.”

Other students… familiar names. It’s nice that Millennium and Abydos kids like it.

The boat was loaded with ammo and four double-barreled shotguns—Purdey 12-gauge, Trinity’s pride. Wanting to talk more, I waved the members back. They fiddled with their phones, distracted.

At the rustic wooden dock, just the two of us, Sensei looked at me with curious eyes. I nodded back, gazed at the lake’s fog, and opened the topic.

“Can we talk, Sensei? It’s serious, so please listen.”

“Of course. Say everything you want.”

Haha—I gave a small smile in return. They say Sensei treats all students equally, from Trinity to Gehenna. It sounded grandiose, but it’s true.

“…I don’t think you know what being a director means, Sensei.”

“I’m Schale’s advisor.”

“Right. Even meeting Tea Party, Pandemonium Society, Prefect Team, and Seminar students…”

A student who’s never taken a shell on the battlefield can’t talk military investment—harsh, but partly true. Titles and roles are the same. You don’t know without experiencing.

Even within a club, it’s true. I don’t know how Serina-san heals Sensei—seriously, how?—and Justice Task Force members aren’t versed in checkpoint procedures.

“Titles in Trinity aren’t just jobs.”

“Hm?”

“The Tea Party Host, Nagisa-sama. She is my job. She’s the core of my duty.”

Millennium’s Seminar moves for its president, and Pandemonium Society’s council serves Chair Makoto. …It’s not just duty behind this answer.

“Serving her, protecting her. Defending Trinity means defending her.”

Despite controversies over the Tea Party Host’s doctrinal role—especially Mika-sama’s actions during the first Arius incident—Kirifuji Nagisa is undeniably Trinity’s symbolic figure. She’s the sole Host.

Most students are politically apathetic, but the legal student council president is clear. Citing ancient records, isn’t her subtle presence a wise ruler’s reign?

“I gave up my career for her. Proxy… honestly, it was too heavy.”

A vassal serving the queen standing equal—what a contradiction?

I wanted to declare resignation right after the Eden Treaty’s latter half, when Nagisa-sama woke. I wanted to ditch duties and quietly work at Checkpoint HQ.

Again, Nagisa-sama’s request was that significant.

“So serving her—serving Trinity—is the greatest patriotism I could imagine.”

“…You worked hard, Hikari.”

Sensei, listening, looked at me and offered comfort. Oh, I was so anxious when he was shot and collapsed. War with Gehenna felt inevitable.

His calloused, work-worn hand patted my head, saying I did well.

…It wasn’t bad.

“Just as I serve Nagisa-sama, you serve Kivotos’s students. Many storms await, but remember: Nagisa-sama and I are by your side.”

Trinity doesn’t forget debts. Who’d forget Sensei’s dedication during the Eden Treaty? This old-fashioned academy would crush the General Student Council for him, razing Sanctum Tower to dust.

“Cocoa’s too good for Hikari.”

“I can make ten more bags in a couple hours. Drink it when you’re sleepy.”

A brief, warm chat.

Sweeping away lingering dust in my heart, I called the members enjoying MomoTalk at the forest-lake edge. The talk was done—time to enjoy the day’s reward.

“Shall we hunt some ducks? You’ll eat till you burst tonight.”

The man in a white uniform laughed happily. I raised my lips in response.

“Three cheers for Sensei!”

Sayuri-san shouted boldly.

“Hooray!”

“Hooray, hooray!”

“Hooray!”

“Hooray, hooray!”

“Hooray!”

“Hooray, hooray!”

The small rowboat advanced to the lake’s center. Aiming at ducks hidden in the rushes, I took a loaded shotgun.

With vigor, into the deep fog.

Trinity fired into the dark era it seemed drawn toward. Gunpowder’s acrid smell swept away in the lake breeze.

A duck fell, blood spraying—probably Sensei’s. I gave him a thumbs-up for a job well done.

Patting Sayuri-san’s shoulder as she busily loaded shells, Ignoring the law that rollercoasters plummet steeply after climbing, Trying to shake off the damn fear deep in my heart, unmatched by dust or darkness,

I fired the shotgun, again and again.

The rowboat pressed endlessly forward.

Into that deep, dark fog.