[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 111

War is a violent act to impose one nation’s will on another, a continuation of politics by other means.

—Excerpt from the Trinity Defense White Paper

***

War is paradoxical. It is a continuation of politics, but the military conducting it is expected to remain neutral, and violence is never tolerated outside the battlefield. It is just for those who need it, but nothing is more unfair to those on the front lines.

Conquest for colonial exploitation impoverishes economies. Troops advancing deep into enemy lines require ever-greater supplies, and the funds for such campaigns are never infinite. War inevitably ends.

I don’t know how to interpret the prophecy spoken by the faction leader.

Comrades—the battle is over. The High Cathedral is bustling with students clearing debris, and the despicable Arius Branch School is trapped in the Great Forest—I’ve yet to find a way to deal with them. The tangible military threat is gone, for now.

Trinity General School and its General Student Council have issued a wanted order for the “Arius Squad.” They have nowhere to flee, and soon they’ll pay dearly for attacking Trinity.

I can’t help but ask Seia-san: What war are you talking about?

“Surely you’re not saying the Pater Faction’s dreams will come true. We won’t be pointing guns at Gehenna.”

“…”

“Seia-san, even if what you say is true, it’s hard to believe outright. Martial law was lifted just yesterday evening. What am I supposed to do with such words?”

The faction leader said nothing. She seemed to be searching for an appropriate response to my words.

“…But I saw it. In a world where a great tower rises and the sky turns red… a war greater than any Trinity has ever waged… and one girl at its center. Yamatsu Hikari was alive and breathing.”

How grand a fate had she foreseen? I couldn’t fathom it, and the doubts in my heart lingered.

“Then why tell me this? To someone who might become a war criminal?”

“Because I thought it was necessary.”

A simpler reason than expected. Regardless, I’m considering reporting this to Nagisa-san. No administrator worth their salt would dismiss the Sanctus Faction leader’s words lightly.

Does the Host know this side of Seia-san? I’ve heard the three of them have known each other for a long time, so I assume she does. My focus should be on what lies beyond a total war.

Let’s assume Trinity will soon be swept into war, with me at its forefront—a kind of wargame.

After missiles struck the High Cathedral, Trinity General School was in a state of emergency. With martial law and full mobilization declared, economic indicators must have plummeted—except for the arms industry. Recovery will take time.

Can we endure? Even conscripting just 20% of our forces has the economy teetering. A second war would be irreversible.

“…War must not happen.”

“But it’s been decided, Hikari—may I call you that?” I nodded. “To borrow your words, unfortunately.”

Seia-san was certain her prophecy would come true. Time flows endlessly, but I lacked the confidence to persuade her—her conviction was too overwhelming.

At the very least, I could respond with measures to cope.

“…Seia-san, you’ve foreseen a war. You say it’s inevitable, so it’s not my place to interfere, but I swear, Trinity will not lose.”

“Can you be so sure? I’ve only glimpsed fragments of the future…”

“There have already been multiple catastrophes. When Mika-san caused chaos, when the Arius Branch School waged its bloody battle—our alma mater faced its most dire moments.”

The cheers for peace in our era drowned out the screams. The medical corps, Relief Knights’ clubroom, and Central Hospital—Trinity’s medical facilities were filled with those crying out in pain. I waded through the crowds, witnessing it all.

God, it was horrific. The sight of citizens caught in explosions, consumed by madness—

I never want to relive that memory. The instinct to avoid the pain of responsibility kicks in. But if we must press forward… I’ll draw on the Tea Party’s old adage:

“Win as Pater, lose as Pater—be the victorious Pater.” A saying from the Pater Faction’s online café. Our friends became the defeated Pater, but I won’t tolerate remaining a defeated member of Trinity.

“I don’t want my juniors to be Trinity General School’s final generation. Sayuri-san, Director Arisa… all of them.”

“…I see.”

“Yes. And I’ll say it again: just watch.”

I refilled Seia-san’s teacup. Despite two hours of conversation, the ceramic teapot still steamed. The hot tea—or should I call it hongtang?—was effective at calming the mind.

“We have a sword. Well-crafted, sharp. But over time, it dulls. Seia-san, do you know how to keep a drawn blade sharp?”

“By using it.”

I couldn’t meet Seia-san’s gaze. She answered indifferently, turning away, so I continued the metaphor.

“Our honorable alma mater will wield the sword once drawn from its sheath. More fiercely than anything…”

If necessary.

“Until doom comes for us all?”

“Until doom strikes them all.”

If Seia-san’s prophecy is true, I’m prepared to do whatever it takes for Trinity General School’s survival.

And we will—

“Advance toward a glorious victory.”

I stood, raising my teacup. She looked at me for a moment, then quietly lifted her cup to match mine.

“We can proclaim it boldly: Long live Trinity.”

“…Long live… Trinity…”

***

“Seia-san said she wants to summon Sensei. Well… it’s not my jurisdiction, so I’m just reporting it.”

“Thank you.”

Nagisa-san seemed deep in thought upon hearing my words. Understandable. She hadn’t heard about Seia-san summoning me, so she’s probably wondering, What’s my friend up to, calling my subordinate?

I spoke confidently in the hospital room, but facing the Host now, I’m more than a little worried. If war really breaks out, we might need to extend mobilization for days.

The economy will crash through the floor; families and society will collapse.

“I’ll think about that matter. I’m sorry, Hikari-san, but you have a lot on your plate. I only wish I could be discharged sooner. Any other issues to discuss?”

“Oh, yes. The hospital director said your discharge date could be moved up. Your condition is improving faster than expected, which is a relief… Now that I think about it, that should ease your earlier regrets.”

Ha-ha. Nagisa-san responded with a brief laugh. I’m not sure if it was genuine.

The Tea Party is pouring its efforts into resolving the Arius Branch School issue. The seven hundred or so students detained at the Great Forest Checkpoint Headquarters—classified as terrorists under canon law—are a headache demanding proper treatment.

Students clash, each raising their own opinions. Some argue to keep feeding and housing them until the political situation stabilizes, while others insist they’re Trinity’s enemies and should be expelled immediately.

Let’s gloss over the few administrators disciplined for suggesting execution.

Whatever choice we make, the side effects will be significant. Even a simple tally shows that a group of this size, regardless of their will, wields political influence beyond the Border Checkpoint.

“I support maintaining the status quo at the Checkpoint, but that could change if the situation shifts rapidly. The Tea Party might need to make a tough call.”

“What kind of call are you implying?”

“…You know what I mean.”

Expel all several hundred of them, or accept them with a dishonor worse than death. Though they sparked the conflict and violated multiple canon laws, Trinity is being forced to play the role of a cruel goddess of fate.

What’s certain is that the Arius Branch School has been excommunicated, and reintegrating them would unleash a political storm of staggering proportions. Even more certain is that choosing the former would enrage Sensei.

Mika-san’s proposal was the most optimistic: reconcile with them and resolve centuries of animosity.

But the Arius Branch School shattered that possibility in the most oppressive way. The High Cathedral, which could have been a stage for reconciliation between Trinity, Gehenna, and even Arius, lies in ruins.

“I don’t know what my choice will unleash. That’s what scares me. It’s… cruel.”

“If you’re afraid, Hikari-san, why discuss this with me?”

Nagisa-san’s question was sharp.

But I could answer lightly. In a way… it ties to why I’ve stayed at the Tea Party, agreeing to Nagisa-san’s request to continue as Proxy a little longer.

“Pfft… Nagisa-san, running away doesn’t make the threat disappear.”

I looked into her tawny eyes.

“If not me, then who?”