[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 125

Chronos School Irregular Column: Trinity Section

No matter how you dress it up, gunfire abounds…
Military operations, in truth, their war

Mounting casualties and urban ruins raise concerns
Does the Tea Party turn a blind eye to blood-soaked mysteries?

Time to consider Total Academy’s intervention for peace
Even with Father, Son, Spirit’s return, the acting commander persists

Miyamoto Sonomi, Editor-in-Chief

“Human families are like leaves. Some leaves are scattered by the wind and fall to the ground, but when spring comes and buds sprout in the forest, new leaves grow. So it is with human families—some flourish, others wither.”

If you look up the Great Forest in the Trinity Encyclopedia, you’d need to understand Trinity District’s administrative divisions. Even accounting for omissions due to Gehenna District’s administrative shortcomings in the 15th edition, what a holistic notion.

Last night, a group gathered on the path before the Old Capital ruins, checking their firearms or shaking debris from their magazines. Some students, under their club leader’s command, chanted slogans like “Mine breaks, and the Knights fix!”

What stood out was the Tea Party’s atmosphere and efficiency. I received the report around 5 a.m., with only 40 minutes left until the operation’s end. Despite wasting time receiving the call at home, they controlled the vast district in just three hours. The details are unclear, but with a press conference scheduled for 2 p.m., it seems they rushed to wrap up. Crusader tanks lined the roadside, their crews idly passing the time.

A student groveling over the radio climbed onto a tank, shouting, “Orders are in, let’s move!” The students boarded as if they’d been waiting, engines roaring to life. A reporter on the scene described palpable tension. Whether they agreed or not, the air was thick with a desire to end the tedious affair. Most were indifferent to politics. Military academia’s assessment is pending, but I’d wager it mirrors the Eden Treaty Incident—armored units prioritizing maneuver to avoid engagement.

At 7:20 a.m., the press embargo lifted, declassifying numerous documents. The exact scale is unknown, but the Justice Task Force and Relief Knights led the operation, with Border Checkpoint and Security Office involvement. Not declaring martial law over certain ruins likely considered the postwar climate. The thorny issue with Gehenna’s Disciplinary Committee seems to have been resolved in advance. The Tea Party likely employed multiple methods to swiftly contain the conflict.

But was the Tea Party’s choice the best? Handling postwar issues may be fine, but the weak justification for starting the war leaves no room for defense. Calling their “military operation” a war wouldn’t be amiss. As the saying goes, “Those who’ve seen the eyes of a soldier before battle wouldn’t dare call for war.” No student would equate the Border Checkpoint’s riot suppression with this catastrophe. A blood-drenched city center—they call it hell.

Few students would stand by watching all injuries justified without grand cause. My investigation revealed 4,289 casualties, 298 critically injured—a significant toll. The Tea Party must convince or at least placate them. If, as expected, Acting Commander Yamatsu still holds power, it’ll take considerable effort.

(Omitted)

I don’t believe Total Academy’s Administrative Committee will let this slide. This is just my opinion, so it could be wrong, but given Total Academy’s recent moves, they’re surely seeking a chance to restore their tarnished reputation. I believe they’d agree with Chronos News’ prior column: “Whose alma mater is Acting Commander Yamatsu trying to save? Her ‘alma mater’ or ‘hers’?”

The path the Tea Party treads will shape Trinity’s future. The present is a flickering candle, and one wrong step could lead to a crisis like eggs stacked precariously. The unseen power must navigate invisible dangers to fulfill its duty. I dare wish her strength in this struggle.

***

Did you survive the battlefield? Mika-sama’s faction leader dress was drenched in blood.

“Sensei…!! Mika-sama…!! You’re safe!”

Nagisa-sama greeted her friend with a joyful expression. If it meant seeing her lord happy, fetching a table and chairs from the Tea Party Room was no trouble—especially since a 2.5-ton truck could haul them.

“N-Nagi-chan…? H-How are you here…?”

Let’s leave the tale of the two—no, three—friends to themselves. I have no place in their bond, so I’d better focus on what’s left. Thinking so, I looked at Sensei.

He didn’t look like a pristine adult. His pale Shalle uniform was stained with patches of crimson. His limping gait hinted at his ordeal. Had they fought their own battle within the “Arius Restoration Operation”?

Not knowing the details, I gave a sheepish grin.

“Safe and sound, I see. Looks like you’ve been through a pilgrimage of suffering… but you’re safe now, so don’t worry.”

“Thanks, Hikari. Your timing’s perfect.”

The situation was settling, and a high-speed tunnel to the district had been found. Since Nagisa-sama wanted to find her friend, how could I not join? Thanks to the Tea Party’s limousine, we covered hundreds of miles in just over an hour—a miracle.

Small-scale firefights over the Basilica’s control were ongoing. Seventeen minutes ago, the senior administrative officer’s surrender wasn’t heeded by many. It’s not yet safe to call it secure.

“We should leave. Honestly, it’s dangerous here. I’ve got a vehicle ready.”

Sensei, more pragmatic than a typical office worker, nodded quietly. In the Basilica district—beyond the cathedral, pockets of intense fighting remained—I was loading Sensei onto Hippo-chan’s vehicle when Nagisa-sama called.

“Hikari-san, how long to the Tea Party? Mika-sama’s hearing is soon.”

“…Let me calculate.”

The hearing. Right, I forgot about Mika-sama’s situation. A hearing on the Eden Treaty Incident was scheduled for noon.

I knocked on the armored vehicle’s door. After a moment, Ritsuko-chan popped out. Having driven thousands of miles, my junior should be good at distance calculations… though, honestly, this was closer to passing the buck.

“Got a question. If we leave now, two hours to the city center? Rough estimate.”

“Full throttle, about 40 minutes.”

Back when I was checkpoint chief, that was tea-time length. With Mika-sama’s hearing prep ongoing until her sudden departure, no need to agonize for hours. Of course, I’d stay to wrap up the operation.

Adjusting my cravat, I turned confidently. Nagisa-sama smiled, confirming “Ritsugator’s” travel time.

“You four go ahead. I’ll handle the rest.”

“You should come to the hearing, Hikari-san. It’ll help with… recent rumors. Honestly, it’d be reassuring to have you at the Tea Party.”

When Nagisa-sama speaks cryptically, it’s one of two things: shady political moves or something tied to me. Unfortunately, this time it’s both. I’ve heard and seen things too.

“We’ll arrive before noon. Don’t worry, just go.”

As if echoing my thoughts, gunfire rang out from the suburbs. Not L85s—more like M1 Garands. Probably the Guard clashing with remnants. The four powerhouses flinched.

As guests piled in, my junior panicked. Sorry, take this chance to cozy up to power.

“…Come back quick.”

“What could stop me? See you at the hearing.”

Thud-thud-thud.

Alright, alright!

***

At 9:28 a.m., the final resistance raised the white flag. Four hours after the operation began.

[Celebrating Arius’ Liberation]

A provisional military government will oversee Arius District until its fate is decided. That’s Nagisa-sama’s call, but the “Military Governor Appointment” hasn’t been discussed.

They’ll be split between the Justice Task Force office and Checkpoint HQ for detention, though if things go south, the Tea Party’s prison might hold them. Unless a major uprising happens, they’ll likely be left alone. What, a massive rebellion?

Mitsuki-chan was busy flaunting photos on MomoTalk. They were well-shot, but… a bit much.

[…That’s what I think, Mitsuki-chan.]

[Now’s not the time to worry about me.]

What’s that supposed to mean? She’s always barging in and snatching radios, so don’t worry?

[No. Total Academy just sent a press release. They’re coming for you.]

[Oh, right… wait, what?]

…That acting commander bastard broke their promise?