[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 107

Saori Joumae believed that everything was coming to an end.

Artillery rained down from beyond the horizon, relentless and overwhelming. The Mimetic forces of the Justina Order of Saints had vanished without a trace, caught off guard and scattered. The offensive from the traitors and heretics was unrelenting.

The rear lines had already collapsed. It was said that Trinity’s main assault, spearheaded by their armored forces, had split the Arius forces in two and slaughtered them before the branch school’s students could even respond. Not a single member of the branch school had been reached through communication.

Perhaps they were captured, unable to escape, or had gone into hiding deep within Trinity’s territory.

Saori didn’t resent her comrades who had fled. Though they were cowards who didn’t fight to the death—as Madame had always taught—they were no different from her. After all, she too had joined the procession of retreat, thinly veiled as an escape.

Everything had been undone by the Trinity Proxy—the girl residing in the Tea Party’s chambers.

While everyone would acknowledge Sensei’s contributions in thwarting Arius’s ambitions, Saori—and especially Misaki within the squad—recognized Hikari Yamatsu as someone who could not be overlooked. She was the one who had dismantled Madame’s plans.

Silent enim leges inter arma—when war breaks out, the law falls silent. Arius had ignited the war, and Trinity’s canon law remained mute in the face of the club’s actions. The club’s leader seized power, escalating the conflict further. At this point, the plan had unraveled. What began as a surprise attack escalated into localized skirmishes, then into a full-scale war, and finally into total war.

Who could have foreseen that a general mobilization order would be declared just thirty minutes after the outbreak? Saori Joumae couldn’t have. Even now, a significant number of students remained at the branch school. Even if she were to take Madame’s place, squeezing the branch school dry was a path fraught with difficulty.

And yet, the Trinity Proxy made her choice after a moment’s deliberation. She was determined to annihilate the Arius Branch School, even if it meant Trinity’s own downfall. From the look of things, she had nearly succeeded.

The Arius Branch School was destined to fail in its quest for vengeance against its predecessors. The squad’s mission had failed. Its units were scattered, either fleeing in defeat or imprisoned. Available manpower had long since been depleted.

[“It’s over. It’s all over, damn it! I was with the Eastern Company, and if any squads are listening, you’d better escape now. Don’t even think about returning to the branch school. Madame abandoned us long ago. Just… go somewhere, anywhere, now.”]

[“…”]

A transmission crackled through. Misaki stared at the radio, listening to the exhausted voice of a girl. Saori, sensing something amiss, approached her.

“Misaki, is something coming through the radio?”

“No, it’s just… that voice. I heard it when we were retreating earlier. I thought she’d already escaped and disappeared, but she’s still out there on the front lines. It’s just… unexpected.”

“I see. We need to move. Trinity’s forces are likely pursuing us.”

The squad’s failure wasn’t limited to a single mission. Hifumi had failed to maintain the contract, Hiyori had failed to neutralize the Prefect Team Leader, and Misaki had failed to assassinate the Trinity Proxy. Even Saori herself was fleeing after being defeated by Azusa.

The four girls were still trapped in the Catacombs of Ambazeth. They had a map and knew the way, but time was desperately short. The Trinity Proxy, who had declared vengeance at the negotiations, was hunting Saori like a rat. A moment’s delay would mean being caught in Trinity’s grasp.

…Did she even have the luxury to think like this? Every firefight with the enemy now felt like an overwhelming burden.

“Hifumi, I’m sorry, but there’s no time to rest.”

“…”

“Thank you. Just… a little more effort, and we’ll make it.”

The Arius Squad began moving again. Even a brief moment of rest was enough to replenish their stamina. Their swift figures soon vanished between the stalactites.

Saori, guarding the rear and watching for enemies, paused to glance back before stomping her foot.

***

Morning, 10:00 AM: Armistice Signed

Morning, 11:00 AM: Trinity Proxy’s Address: “Refrain from reckless actions until the sovereignty of the High Cathedral is secured.”

Sensei’s Assassination Suspects: Nationwide Manhunt Ordered

Tomorrow: Emergency Martial Law to be Lifted by Decree—Mobilization to be Maintained

Federal Academy Requests Talks with Trinity

Investigation Club Torture Case: Hospital Discharge Press Conference—“We Support Academy Autonomy”

***

The following day, the Tea Party Leader declared the situation resolved. I had to face another address, enduring a barrage of camera flashes from reporters.

To stabilize security in the High Cathedral, I deployed troops—a bold move. Some in the Sisterhood protested, claiming it violated their autonomy, but Hanako, acting as Sakurako-sama’s proxy, sided with me and quashed the dissent.

What Sensei encountered underground remains a mystery. Rumors speak of a silent monster.

Shirasu likely knows its true nature, but… now isn’t the time to pry. She’s just fought a bloody battle with those she called friends, so her mental state can’t be good. It’s better to find another way.

A political storm has swept through Gehenna Academy. I don’t know all the details, but word came through the Prefect Team Leader.

A confidential document was uncovered. Makoto Hanuma, head of the Pandemonium Society, had dealings with the Arius Branch School—every detail laid bare. She supplied weapons and secured their support.

An attempt to purge the student council’s armed faction—what did they call it? They stabbed the Prefect Team in the back and planned to declare war on Trinity General School. It seems Setsune wasn’t the only one with grand dreams.

I contacted Administrator Amau, and she was furious.

“Is this supposed to make sense?! That crazy woman, that lunatic! She should’ve been dealt with long ago!”

“Is that so?”

“You’ve seen it too, haven’t you? We’ve been serving under someone worse than the Pater Faction!”

It took several minutes for the Senior Administrator’s rage to subside.

On the brighter side, after the storm swept through the Pandemonium Assembly, Iroha-chan regained her senses. She’s taken up the role of the student council’s action leader, calming public sentiment and assuring there will be no political upheaval.

Whether Chairwoman Makoto will keep her promises is questionable, but she’s a student who tends to follow through, so she’ll likely do something.

Trinity General School is managing, somehow. Thanks to the administrative officers working tirelessly, even at their own expense, we were able to hold the Tea Party—three times in a single week, an unprecedented event.

I lifted martial law and deferred action on the Pater Faction. Naturally, opposition followed.

[“Enough! Stop it! Did we hold the Tea Party to sort things out or to start a huge fight? Should I bring Mika-san in to talk some sense into you?”]

[“…”]

Thank you, Sayuri-san. But I think Mika-san might be a bit upset.

After heated debates, we managed to move the Tea Party’s agenda forward. As the Proxy, I could only intervene in proposing items, not enter the meeting room—Arisa-san broadcasted it on TV—so Sayuri-san spoke on my behalf.

[“They plucked the whiskers of a sleeping lion! Its claws will tear everything apart…”]

Our proud junior from the Border Checkpoint received thunderous applause as she stepped down from the podium. Ten minutes later, the agenda reached the Tea Party chamber. Enjoying tea—and cocoa—with Hanako made approving the documents a breeze.

I was surprised that the mobilization maintenance agenda passed at the Tea Party. I expected significant opposition, but the administrators who experienced Arius’s surprise attack firsthand threw their weight behind the approval.

Trinity General School will maintain 21% of its total personnel as military forces. That’s no small number—nearly double the usual conscription rate, which will undoubtedly strain the economy. The students opposing my decision raised similar concerns.

But twenty-one days is manageable. The High Cathedral campaign ended far faster than anticipated, and Trinity still has the resources to sustain mobilization. There’s no world line where bankruptcy or a total student council takeover occurs.

What I fear is a second war. We’ve repelled Arius, but their branch school still stands somewhere in that desolate world. Remnants—or perhaps their main force. I don’t know what their student council president is thinking. I can only stay vigilant.

For now, though, there are other matters to attend to. The Prefect Team Leader sent over a dozen documents via fax—quite a read. It seems the Arius Branch School was also dabbling in the black market’s mercenary business.

The chairman of Kaiser Corporation will love these documents. But I’m thinking deeper. How can I use this to maximize Trinity General School’s advantage? Demobilizing an overexpanded military isn’t difficult. Shouldn’t I seize this opportunity to catch both birds?

“…At the very least, I’ll break even. Heh.”

The Tea Party chamber is quiet in the early morning. The top floor, where the meeting room sits, is even more so. No sign of the administrators.

I was working through documents, pondering those files.

—Clunk!

“What’s the matter? Even if it’s urgent, a knock would—”

“There’s… a call… from the hospital… huff, huff…”

…

“Nagisa-san, you say? What’s the news?”

The girl, catching her breath, delivered the message, and I bolted out the door.

“…She’s awake.”

***

…Azusa. That story you told me about the flower…

I think I finally understand what it meant.

Let’s never meet again.

And, at last, be happy.