[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 119

There’s an old saying that the population of Gehenna’s Disciplinary Committee office rivals that of most urban districts.

Unlike the bustling Tea Party of Trinity, the nights at the “Horned Academy” are quiet. Even in a situation far from peacetime, the administrators clock out promptly, leaving only a handful in the vast office, visibly worn down by exhaustion.

Sorasaki Hina is one of them. As the head of Gehenna’s Disciplinary Committee, she can’t just toss aside paperwork. After all, no task moves forward without the Committee Head’s approval. Staying late into the night is, in her view, an efficient choice.

In the top-floor office, a lone girl sat, waiting for news. Soon, the phone rang.

Ring—Click.

[Hey, it’s me.]

[Just as you said! Uh—we couldn’t observe clearly, but significant military activity has been detected from Trinity’s direction. It doesn’t seem to be heading toward Gehenna’s border.]

[Thanks. Sorry, but could you keep an eye on them a bit longer? It’s unlikely, but… just in case.]

The sentinel’s voice faded with an acknowledgment. Hina wavered between relief and caution at the confirmation that the troublesome academy was on the move. In the end, relief seemed the logical choice.

Was it a few days ago? The “Absolute Proxy”—Yamatsu Hikari—requested a meeting. In a small alley yakitori joint, she spoke of breaking a small peace for the sake of a greater one. Hina initially had doubts, but the explanation left her stunned.

Unlike the past heretic branch school incident, the Tea Party was now the one grasping the sword. It was war.

The silver-haired, red-eyed girl was ready to pour everything into it. Trinity, demonstrating its might by mobilizing enough to obliterate the front lines, lacked the justification for a preemptive war. Thus, Sorasaki Hina couldn’t condone the conflict.

Hikari. I know Nagisa trusts you, and you’re the master of the Tea Party. But I’m not one of them.

That’s right.

Exactly. So I’m asking—why start a war? Why tell me about this plan?

The public naturally yearns for peace. After a season of business in D.U., one would want to unwind at a hot spring with a view of Mount Hinnom. This applies not just to working adults but to students roaming the campus, and Yamatsu Hikari was part of that public.

Since the Cathedral of Tongues turned to rubble, more eyes have turned to the Trinity Autonomous District. By crushing Arius, they showed they could wage total war.

When asked by a Tea Party administrator: Which way will you turn your sword? Or will you sheath it?

For a girl who’s lived her life as a demon of Gehenna, it was an enigma. Natsume Iroha, acting chair of the Pandemonium Society, advised choosing the latter, but it was mere speculation. The best course was to ask the person herself.

The girl smirked, perhaps choking on her tea, coughing repeatedly before casually adding to the question.

First, I should ask you, Head Hina. Why do you think I’m consulting you instead of just notifying?

I don’t know. I thought you wanted peace, Hikari, but now… I know you’re not trying to start a war with Gehenna. Still, something feels off. I need your explanation.

I’m sorry to say, Head Hina, but the Tea Party still champions peace.

The sharp response left no room for questions. The “Absolute Proxy” didn’t just counter—she began justifying her stance.

“Those who desire peace prepare for war”—their age-old mantra began. Her argument traced to Sensei and Misono Mika heading to the Arius Branch School before concluding. She seemed to have shared everything she knew.

She wanted Gehenna’s non-interference. She’d already coordinated with Iroha, asking for cooperation.

Even a simple warning would provoke a sensitive reaction. Hikari mentioned that Kaiser Corporation—unimaginably tied to a major conglomerate—had agreed, and a similar request would soon reach the Federal Student Council.

She couldn’t abandon the extreme measure of war. Her intent was to act with resolve, securing maximum assurances to minimize risks. Given her somewhat friendly stance toward Gehenna, she might desperately want their cooperation.

Head Hina, nothing will happen. The mobilization will be called off.

Can I trust that?

I’d be grateful if you did.

The “Head of Gehenna’s Disciplinary Committee” made her choice. “Sorasaki Hina” decided, just this once, to trust her friend.

Keep your promise, Hikari.

…Thank you, Senpai.

Hina thought she heard Hikari hesitate at the end.

…I mean it.

***

[GPS signal acquired! Please respond if you’re Commander Éclair. Sending coordinates: 163 miles east, 97 miles north from the Tea Party. Artillery units, prepare to support immediately upon receipt.]

[Coordinates confirmed. We’ve deployed in the Great Forest and will fire in about ten minutes, so hold on.]

Trinity General School’s secure communication network buzzed with hundreds of students coordinating. The main force had broken through, nearing success, and the primary infantry, mounted on mechanized units, was preparing to advance.

A convoy of hundreds of mechanized vehicles mixed with two-quarter trucks. Mechanics were sweating bullets.

“…Phew, they’re working hard, huh?”

Shiga Mitsuki held a camera the size of her head, snapping photos relentlessly. Few would make tomorrow’s paper, but as the editorial club’s head, she could slip some in. With luck, maybe she’d earn ten thousand yen.

If someone called her a coward, she’d toss them into the ruthless social meat grinder—Bitrex. A student attending Kronos School should have at least this much ambition.

To Arius for the scoop of a lifetime!

Shiga Mitsuki, a dedicated Checkpoint reporter, might pale compared to the Tea Party’s press room students, but she liked it. After all, hasn’t the club head devoured all of Trinity? Time for a drink!

“Hey, start the engine. We’re moving out soon. Gotta secure our spot.”

“Knew you’d say that, so I started it already. Man, our editor-in-chief’s made it big. Half a year ago, you’d hide out for days chasing a scoop.”

“That’s what happens when you climb the ranks, kid. Getting a car’s just tradition.”

The girl in the driver’s seat smirked. Not as seasoned as Mitsuki, but she’d gotten photos on the front page before. Hearing the plan, she contacted and sweet-talked her way in. Totally starstruck, huh?

Why would someone as big as the Absolute Proxy tip me off? It’s not just about past deals. Hmm—probably to salt the media before conspiracy theories flood in after the chaos.

She knows her image isn’t great, so she’s asking me to pave the way. Hikari’s always been like that.

She’s slowly asking for image rehab. Using the influence of Kivotos’s biggest media—credibility questionable—is a weak move, though.

Collusion with the press? Maybe. But it’s not against school rules, right? Tons of people do worse, and getting a heads-up hardly counts as collusion.

Let’s keep things friendly.

“Mitsuki, is it safe hiding here? We don’t even have press passes. We can sneak around now, but if we get caught, it won’t just be a scolding. We’re talking pay cuts.”

“We’ve been ready for this since the food stall. If we die, we die together.”

Suspicious glances? Brush ’em off. You can’t do anything anyway, pal. Mitsuki winked, and the girl sighed, raising her hands in surrender, sensing her resolve. The rebellion’s over!

Not that I don’t have regrets. If they’d made me an official war correspondent, I wouldn’t need to hide. Did Trinity skip correspondents to claim this is just a military op?

“Maybe. The Checkpoint Head… rumor is she’s a master at political maneuvering.”

“Nah, rumors are just rumors. She’s not a bad student. Trust me, I’ve met her tons of times and lived. Worst case, you get a sip of water in the Checkpoint’s basement.”

The girl laughed, amused. Laughter spreads, and soon both were giggling.

Beep—

[This is Command. As of now, the Tea Party has authorized the operation. Command has been handed to each club, so proceed. May God watch over us.]

The radio broadcast sparked a cacophony of engines starting.

Alright, now—

It’s scoop time.

Joining the moving convoy, I asked Mitsuki.

“So, you drink water with your mouth, right?”

“…”

“…Right?”

“…”