[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 113

“…But I believe Sensei will stay with us until the end.”

He nodded affirmatively at Sakurako-sama’s remark. The cocoa refilling the empty teacup, even after ten minutes, warmed the body. Sensei seems to prefer cocoa over tea.

There was a small incident. It caused a minor misunderstanding between Nagisa-san and me.

Sakurako-sama’s words were like that. She clarified that she didn’t expect a club leader supporting the Host to call her “cold”… but honestly, don’t both of them, and even the person in question, think the same?

How does it make sense for you, who’s endured all sorts of indignities from Host Nagisa, to defend her? That’s the tone she seemed to imply.

Sensei’s awkward smile smoothed things over, but memories don’t vanish. I could feel the sullen gazes directed at Captain Hikari Better than being seen as a half-baked traitor, I suppose.

“…Thank you, Sensei.”

The Tea Party’s discussion gradually normalized. The topic shifted to the location of “Madame,” mentioned in past statements, and the “Arius Autonomous District,” branded with heresy. To find it, we’d need to excavate the catacombs.

Trinity General School was built atop the ruins of an ancient capital. The underground relics still boast an impressive scale.

No official survey has been conducted, but it’s said to dwarf the autonomous district in size. Exploring a lightless urban expanse is like a hippo endlessly devouring a chunk of the budget. There’s no reason to do it.

Sorry to the archaeology enthusiasts, but the Tea Party isn’t a gathering of loan sharks.

“…”

…And then, Arius missiles struck the High Cathedral.

It was unforeseen. A scenario no one had imagined, trampling the worst-case scenarios envisioned by the Eight-Member Committee and tossing them into the trash.

All leaders, including the Host, went missing. Sensei was shot, his fate unknown, and Leader Hina went into seclusion. The “Princess”—Hakari Atsuko—called forth those who marched toward Trinity General School.

Just before the situation was resolved, the Arius Squad vanished into the darkness deep within the catacombs.

Where did they go? They didn’t veer northwest or starve from losing their way. Those four girls surely survived, gazing at the sky, vowing revenge as they fled.

To locate the Arius Autonomous District, we’d either need to scour the entire catacombs or summon a student who knows the way.

“Is that possible?”

“…I don’t know.”

Nagisa-san leaned back in her chair, sighing.

“The leader of the Arius Squad, Jomae Saori, who spearheaded the attack—she definitely knows the way.”

I agreed with Sakurako-sama’s assertion. As someone who interrogated Arius Branch School students and organized the British Operation assault team, I know a field commander must be a significant informant.

The problem is as stated. Those girls probably fled to the autonomous district, living it up.

To find the base, we’d need to attack the base. This isn’t some mythical knot, and Trinity lacks the resources for a blind, large-scale search.

“…Isn’t there one more person?”

Perhaps the Host thought it a casual remark, but unfortunately, it was a jarring counterpoint.

“Misono Mika.”

“…What?!”

Nagisa-san’s white teacup trembled. She hesitated, nearly staining her sleek uniform. Still, she was in better shape than me, who almost spat out half a sip of cocoa.

The sun was high in the sky. For a Tea Party administrator, it was time to roam the city for lunch.

I wondered what the girl suddenly mentioned by the Sisterhood was doing now. Sayuri-san, who was close to her before joining the Checkpoint, might easily answer my question.

As a mere director living at the Checkpoint Headquarters like it was home, I had no way of knowing.

***

Time passed relentlessly, and the Tea Party’s atmosphere, once like a snow-covered land emerging from a tunnel, was gradually thawing.

Faction Leader Kirifuji Nagisa declared her official return to duty. The procession from the Relief Knights’ clubroom to the general hospital, and finally to the Tea Party chamber, concluded. Many administrators breathed sighs of relief at her announcement.

Why… am I still wearing this uniform? Not as “Kirifuji Nagisa’s Proxy” but as “Trinity General School’s Proxy,” I’m being treated to tea in the Tea Party chamber.

Political upheaval swept the region, and the Tea Party transformed.

Misuzu-san will receive due reward for trusting me. Though many positions vacated by the Pater Faction during the reshuffle were restored, I requested Nagisa-san to maintain a portion. I’ve earned my keep, in a way.

The Pater Faction’s situation is holding steady. Though the former sub-faction leader returned, Sayuri-san still has to work.

Oh, it couldn’t be helped. With Setsune-san and many Pater hardliners considering political retirement, their departments faced a general slowdown. My junior will likely keep working in the Tea Party chamber.

The acting Border Checkpoint Leader role fell to Yuzuki-san. Ritsuko-chan celebrated her liberation with a commotion.

Since the topic came up, let’s add more. The seven hundred or so Arius Branch School students detained at the Checkpoint Headquarters are quiet. There’s talk that “Madame” abandoned them, though its truth is uncertain.

The wanted order across Trinity continues to expand.

Jomae Saori—that damned “Arius Squad”—has been branded traitors by all nations. The General Student Council seems unwilling to forgive those who tried to judge Sensei. The wanted order will sweep Kivotos until they’re all caught.

Nagisa-san issued an amnesty to the Royal Guard. The leader, having served the Host loyally for so long, was beyond suspicion, and stepping back upon realizing she was deceived during the uprising played a big role.

However, relinquishing some authority and implementing club purges meant she couldn’t fully escape responsibility.

“…”

Trinity General School is shaking. Politics is said to be a continuation of war, but this… is too massive. Public sentiment toward Mika-san has plummeted, birthing a “witch.” The masses seek to capture and burn her.

The faction leader’s hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. She’ll likely be expelled from the Tea Party.

With the previous upheaval barely resolved, the Pater Faction caused trouble. Even if she harshly rejected Setsune-san’s proposal, reinstatement seems unlikely. It’s not great for a proud part of the student council to collapse… Sigh, it’s maddening.

The Justice Task Force can’t handle the situation. Anywhere linked to Mika-san—how they found her safehouse, I don’t know—is swarmed with protesters. A corner of Trinity is engulfed in chaos.

Protests erupt at the Tea Party chamber’s front gate, with students hurling Molotov cocktails and tear gas, shouting: Fall!

“…”

Is this… Trinity General School’s true face? A school driven by personal vendettas rather than constitutional measures?

I don’t know if the faction leader will enter the hearing. Nagisa-san worries her friend might give up everything and accept the stigma. If that fear becomes reality… will the hearing opt for expulsion?

Damn it. How do we navigate this? It feels like standing in the middle of endless waves.

“The Sisterhood will declare neutrality at Misono Mika’s hearing. The Cathedral is overwhelmed with the Arius situation. Hikari-san, there’s significant debate internally.”

“Is that Sakurako-sama’s stance, or just your opinion?”

I questioned the bold nun. It’s admirable that she rushed to relay Sakurako-sama’s words this early, but as a Tea Party administrator—when will this Proxy label come off?—I see no reason to respect it.

It doesn’t sit right. It’s not about staying neutral but siding with whoever benefits them.

“Both.”

…The Sisterhood’s political involvement isn’t exactly subtle, is it?

“Let’s talk about the Arius Branch School. As Border Checkpoint Leader, I don’t support expelling the students at the headquarters. It’s too dangerous.”

“But they’re clearly heretics. We can’t just stand by and let them stay.”

“You backed off from the Pater Faction leader’s case, but feeding homeless students is too much? I don’t think the General Student Council will stay out if we expel hundreds.”

The General Student Council’s meeting request should be taken as a warning.

Expelling one or two students is an internal matter. Expelling hundreds is a political issue. As I said, the Arius Branch School students have become a political entity. We can’t just cast them out.

If most call them the masterminds of the “Eden Treaty incident,” I’d note that those at the Checkpoint Headquarters didn’t join the attack on our alma mater.

The contract is already made. We got information from them, so we must protect them.

“The Tea Party respects social norms, but today’s an exception, so I’ll say it. Nagisa-san stands with the Pater Faction leader. I hope Sakurako-sama remembers that.”

“Are you saying the Sisterhood should support her? That’ll be difficult.”

“Just think about it, no pressure. As you know, social unrest is extreme. In the Tea Party and the Cathedral. No student wants this to drag on.”

The girl seemed to ponder my meaning.

“…I’ll pass it along. But I don’t know if Sakurako-sama will agree.”

“Thank you. Have a good day.”

***

The next day.

Mika-san went missing.