[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 121

Oki Aoi, the head of the Finance Office, stormed into the General Affairs Office, visibly brimming with frustration.

“Thirty minutes ago, Trinity Autonomous District notified us of military action. At the same time, a large-scale provocation was detected at the Trinity border.”

A report was slapped onto the desk.

The region between Trinity and Gehenna, commonly called the Great Forest. Aerial reconnaissance photos of armored units marching side by side through the forest’s heart revealed a conflict involving thousands.

“I know it’s an extension of the Eden Treaty incident. What’s so special about that Arius Branch School? But…”

“…”

“Chief Administrator. You knew about this in advance. You said you were personally notified by the Absolute Proxy. So why didn’t you tell me? Why stand by while a near-full-scale war unfolds?”

She was right. Strictly speaking, Trinity was invading a single branch school.

Though it’s an unauthorized branch and the main culprit behind the Eden Treaty incident, Trinity is brazenly conducting military action that should’ve been coordinated with the Federal Student Council. To Aoi, it’s as if Trinity is blatantly disregarding the Council’s authority.

The problem is, even if that’s true, the Federal Student Council has few ways to respond. The Administrative Committee lacks military forces.

“Trinity’s actions are too reckless to ignore. The Finance Office determined they’ve initiated partial mobilization. Given the Eden Treaty incident, they likely have over 6,000 troops.”

That aligns with the General Affairs Office’s estimates. Aoi continued her barrage.

“The Absolute Proxy might’ve smiled and made promises to you… but neither you nor I believe Trinity will demobilize.”

It was undeniable.

“If the Federal Student Council President hadn’t gone missing, she wouldn’t have stood by—she’d have called an emergency committee.”

“…”

Words failed. Again, undeniable.

“The Acting President can’t become the true President. Especially not when you’re acting under the title of Chief Administrator of the General Affairs Office. You need to make rational judgments.”

Aoi crossed her arms, staring. Having worked with her for so long, her true intentions were clear.

“You didn’t think the Finance Office would blindly support your decision, did you? They’ve crossed a line no one can accept. If the Federal Student Council doesn’t act, what’s the point of our existence?”

“Schale”—the mysterious investigation club—has diminished the Council’s authority, leaving it trembling.

It’s not about fearing administrative collapse. The advisor teacher is reliable, but paradoxically, their presence has eroded trust in the leaderless Council. The loss of Sanctum Tower’s authority has left it powerless to address external district issues.

No doubt, the Arius Branch School will be annexed. But Trinity won’t miss the chance to project its influence. The expanded army shows no signs of scaling back, and the Federal Student Council—perhaps Gehenna and Abydos too—is scrambling to avoid the worst outcome.

The Absolute Proxy is determined to seize peace at any cost. A war fought for peace.

“…Aoi.”

But now isn’t the time. As Acting President, even if it was an impromptu, barely justified decision, I’ve already agreed to non-interference. Whether it was just a phone call doesn’t matter.

“Let’s wait a bit. I know you don’t like it, but I’ve already promised her.”

“…That’s awfully unilateral.”

“When this is over, we’ll demand another meeting. Protesting diplomatically at dawn isn’t wise.”

Whether the Tea Party accepts that demand is another matter. They might even ignore the Council’s request outright. The Council is an administrative body, not a militarized district. At best, we have Valkyrie’s police.

Sanctum Tower’s authority could disable Trinity’s administrative systems… but how would they react?

“…Are you even sleeping properly these days?”

Sensing her opinion was acknowledged, Aoi shifted to casual talk. She only calls me “Senpai” in moments like this.

“Your skin’s looking worse than before, Senpai. Keep that in mind.”

“I’ll try.”

***

Tch.

A girl racing through the city clicked her tongue. She regretted not bringing her friend.

Triumphantly borrowing a Justice Task Force motorcycle, she’s too busy gripping the handlebars to photograph the passing scenery. Let alone reaching the Basilica, she’s struggling to dodge combat near the front lines.

The Border Checkpoint suppression mission was better—at least she could shoot photos! With no clear front line, just chaotic skirmishes, it’s tough. Trinity and Arius are fighting floor by floor in every building, making it hard to settle anywhere!

Riding a motorcycle near the front isn’t smart. The war correspondent armband isn’t easily visible, raising the risk of friendly fire.

Arius’s urban areas split into two types: makeshift barricades and building windows fortified with anti-tank guns—how they got the Guard’s OQF 17-pounder is a mystery—or zones where the front has collapsed into ruins.

[Uh—this is near the Eastern Outpost on the map! Heavy engagement detected, requesting support!]

Rat-tat-tat—!

Gunfire rang sharply through the radio. Grabbing her ears—the earpiece has no noise cancellation—she pulled out a tattered map. The Eastern Outpost is close. Could be good material.

But this isn’t enough. There might be better spots. She fiddled with the radio channels.

110.80.

[Huh? Who’s calling at this hour? Who are you?]

[It’s me, Hikari-san.]

[…Mitsuki-san? What the—aren’t you supposed to be at the Tea Party press room? …Wait, how’d you get this channel? You didn’t steal a Checkpoint radio, did you, Mitsuki-san?]

Haha, no way. The radio’s clearly stamped with the Tea Party crest, not the Checkpoint’s.

A radio from a student she started calling by name. Where’d she get it? Two months ago, during the uproar over an Arius student’s death by torture at the Checkpoint HQ—commonly called the “Arius Scandal.”

[It’s not Checkpoint property, so don’t worry. It’s yours… wait, does that make it Checkpoint property?]

[…My radio? Hold on—hiyaa?!]

Hikari rummaged through her bag, then yelped.

[M-Mitsuki-san, when did you take it?! It was safely in my bag, and I freaked when it was gone! …You didn’t sneak into my office at night, right? I trust you’re not that much of a stalker.]

[Come on, why would I? I just swiped it while chatting with you. Been using it well for two months.]

[Oh… wait, two months?]

Hikari half-doubted her. Just in case, Mitsuki swore on Kronos’s honor—though, is there any honor left at Kronos School? Problem solved, the conversation turned more productive.

[This war… er, operation, as you insist—anyway, I’m gonna snap some killer photos. So help me out.]

[Didn’t you say you’re the editorial club head? You’re capable, figure it out.]

The Absolute Proxy of Trinity Autonomous District wasn’t keen on the idea. Mitsuki got that Hikari’s swamped with work and watching Kirifuji Nagisa’s reactions, but come on, she’s desperate too.

Time to pull out the trump card. Ugh, Hikari brought this on herself.

[I hear you called the Acting President? They accepted your demands, but… Hikari-san, do you really think the Council’s old fogies will keep that promise?]

[…]

[Hikari-san. Do you actually believe that?]

Aha, gotcha.

[Get to the point, Mitsuki-san. I’m busy.]

[Here’s the deal—I need you to tell me where the intense combat zones or iconic buildings are. I’ll quietly snap photos and be done.]

Kronos School students, even with a war correspondent armband, can’t access military networks. Considering security risks during war, it’s a reasonable measure, adopted by Trinity and many academies.

A “special permit” is needed for that info… we call it treasure. And I’m here to dig for it.

[Send a few coordinates to my phone, and I’ll handle the rest. I’ll write a juicy article with stunning photos. The Kronos editorial chief’s articles have some cred. It’ll help, even a little.]

[Mitsuki-san, I get it, but… is this okay? Won’t people cry collusion?]

Pfft, who’s gonna care in this world? Even the Federal Student Council’s Administrative Committee has plenty of media ties. Maybe Red Winter, with its student bans, would.

[I gotta eat too. The editorial budget’s so tight, I can’t do this without info.]

[…Don’t get caught.]

Hikari sighed heavily and cut the radio. Moments later, a text arrived. One file.

Opening it revealed an Arius Branch School map, last updated fifteen minutes ago—strategic data. Dots clustered between urban zones.

This must be the Eastern Outpost coordinates, and this…

“…Huh.”

A highlighted dot nearby, marked “Urgent Support.” Must be a major battle.

Arius Basilica

Magna facilitas, scopum oppugnant

Subitis auxilium Request

The Arius Basilica… definitely a key building. Looks like the destination’s set.

“…Let’s go.”

Shiga Mitsuki raced through the city once more.