[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 104

Late evening, a call came to the Tea Party’s office. The President, breathing heavily, paid a visit.

“…What the hell is this stunt?”

“A little gift. Seeing as you called, it seems you received it well?”

Having the head of a titan like Kaiser Corporation reach out first isn’t a bad feeling. Oh, Nagisa-sama probably never experienced this. Especially with the other side so tense.

Two hours ago, Trinity General School’s Ordnance Bureau test-fired a missile. Range: 20 miles, piercing black market airspace.

A shareholder meeting was happening in the city center then, but sadly, I didn’t read the notice. To be exact, I was happily rereading it after signing the launch request, musing about our relationship with them.

Remarkably, Kaiser’s President seemed to read my mind. Telepathy or physical delivery, I don’t care. Either way, I’m grinning as I take his call.

“That missile was yours, wasn’t it?”

“If you want confirmation, yes. It’s a model made by Trinity’s Ordnance Bureau.”

“I’d like to throw your words back at you. Do I look like a clown at a shareholder meeting? Answer me straight—what’s this stunt?”

What’s the stunt? Pfft, you’re some robot to ask the culprit directly.

“Trinity General School successfully exercised its right to self-defense against Kaiser Corporation’s nefarious intent,”—let’s go with that.

“Our academy took measures against a minor skirmish a few hours ago. The missile launch was part of it. Don’t worry, it wasn’t armed with a warhead.”

“Then the explosion our observation team recorded was magic?”

…Tch, caught.

“Nominally, yes. A warhead or two is routine.”

“I can’t agree.”

“Do you think I need your agreement?”

Honestly, you don’t think so either, do you?

“…”

I know Kaiser’s playbook. Strong against the weak, weak against the strong—it’s in their memory chips.

With major academy corporations, they strike cooperative deals with due respect. With smaller groups, blatant disdain. The grit from their days as a backwater Abydos workshop, proudly displayed in their corporate museum, never changes.

Of course, the President’s sharp. He reads the timing for moves like a book.

“This is Trinity’s way.”

In a way… it’s why I crafted today’s strategy.

Does the world run on reason alone?

“Kirifuji Nagisa was different.”

“Don’t casually mention Nagisa-sama’s name. Speaking without respect for her—it doesn’t look good, does it? This position wasn’t gained through a coup, as the public thinks.”

“You respect the Student Council President, yet you chose the opposite path. That’s the real contradiction.”

“I’ve never strayed from Nagisa-sama’s diplomatic principles. From my first day at the Border Checkpoint to now, Trinity’s policy hasn’t changed.”

Stray from the path of one who seeks peace? I’d swear it on the river circling the plaza. “Deputy Hikari” isn’t a warmonger or a hardliner like the Pater faction.

“The Tea Party’s diplomatic line shifts only one way: external conflict.”

“Kaiser Corporation hasn’t provoked anything.”

“Then the employer those squads that raided the Ordnance Bureau mentioned—was it Kaiser-Toom Corporation?”

Spouting nonsense. Those armored units using only Kaiser’s sales models—who interrogated them? Tsurugi-senpai doesn’t make mistakes.

“…I’ll admit what’s true. But a missile launch? That’s too much. You should’ve considered my position. If the shareholder building got hit, imagine the damage.”

“You don’t think it’s your fault for pushing me to this?”

Who sent three squads to raid the Ordnance Bureau’s lab? I let most things slide in our relationship, but a shady guy cosplaying as a saint won’t cut it.

“I was only delegated full authority due to Nagisa-sama’s absence. I’m just a deputy.”

“That’s how the public sees it?”

“I don’t care about media interest. Neither should you. Would refined ladies with no political interest even recognize me? What you need to remember is more important.”

Don’t make the Acting Commander meddle externally.

“Don’t make me act. I won’t sit by if there’s an offensive against Trinity.”

“…”

“Tell the other companies too. Will you let the blade that crushed Pater turn outward?”

The President was silent, seemingly weighing my words. Nagisa-sama might’ve offered a conciliatory gesture here, but the situation was too urgent for me.

After a moment, he spoke, tension lacing his mechanical voice.

“…Remember the black market will be wary of you.”

“Let them decide how Trinity treats them.”

I spoke forcefully, but it was also a faithful expression of Trinity’s foreign policy: treat those who treat you well.

“…The defense chief was partly right.”

“Shiranui? What did that guy say?”

The President’s story was unexpected. She’s watching me, sees herself as Trinity’s cornerstone, and wants close ties between the Total Student Council and the Tea Party…

“…Is that guy delusional?”

“Halfway, maybe. Well, work it out together.”

I’ve got no reason to work with a useless defense chief. Maybe as thanks for that meal last time.

“…President, you’re mistaken about something.”

“…?”

I don’t know why, but I think I smirked saying this.

“Do I look like that kind of person?”

***

Trinity General School Security Clubs, 98% Coverage. Total Personnel: 4,871

• 24 units, 11 independent companies
• 421 tanks, 308 4.2-inch guns, 63 6.1-inch guns

Conscripted Personnel: 12,316

• 38 units, 197 independent platoons, 206 independent squads

‘…’

Three days of legwork produced more than satisfactory results. Honestly, beyond expectations.

Justice Task Force, Host’s Guard, Border Checkpoint… I mobilized every possible group. All of Trinity’s paramilitary organizations were sent to the front.

Eclair-senpai must be thrilled. Over 300 artillery squads under her command.

Half the conscripts are delinquents, 20% vigilantes. Delinquents, sure, but they’re operating tanks and Caesar self-propelled guns. Firepower boosted, budget saved—two birds, one stone.

Nearly 17,000 students are deployed to the High Cathedral front. I had them surround the area, blast the city, clear rubble, and set up howitzers in the open. Firepower doubled, literally.

The main offensive has Hipo trucks leading 11 units, about 2,000 strong.

This should be enough.

“We’ll crush them and then some. Senpai, you’ve built the greatest army in history.”

“Feels good to hear. The Total Student Council must be freaking out.”

No clue what D.U.’s refined ladies will say. Whatever, we handle urgent matters first. We’ll slice through the ripples and evaporate the droplets.

To succeed… we need a plan. A massive one.

Luckily, the Tea Party hall is overflowing with administrators. Many are sharp, and I’ve got a wild plan in mind. Once details are set, the offensive starts in days.

Hope Gehenna’s horned punks like the plan. They love firepower, so they should.

“I told an Abydos High School… secretary, I think, something before.”

“Abydos, out of nowhere?”

“No, Sayuri-san, it’s relevant. After the Ordnance Bureau’s big stunt, I got a call. Guess what I said?”

Blank stares all around. Sorry, I’ll just say it.

“I said I want to overturn what people call balance. It aligns with our plan’s purpose.”

Because… what we decided today is nothing short of incredible.

“Before we draft the attack plan, let’s name the operation. Suggestions?”

An administrator raised her hand. Filius’s acting faction leader—Misuzu-chan.

Unexpected.

“Can I suggest?”

“…Of course.”

“Operation British.”

Umm…

Bri… what?

“Operation British. An old term for Trinity.”

“Hmm, if Administrator Misuzu says so.”

Thinking it’s fine, I scrawled the name on the plan.

ブリティッシュ作戦 | Operation British