[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 127

“Planning to start a war?”

Sayuri-san frowned.

If asked to name the Tea Party’s most trusted students, Nagisa-sama would be first, Sayuri-san second. We were discussing the interim Tea Party meeting set to convene after the daily papers, but my junior was livid.

Her anger was understandable. To put it metaphorically, it’s like pouring gochujang on perfectly good ochazuke.

Sayuri-san was knocked out by a missile in the Cathedral of Communions. Who’d calmly accept interference when they’re out for revenge? Not my junior, that’s for sure. Only a saint would.

“How can they treat the Tea Party like this, breaking promises like it’s nothing? Senior, if this is true, we need a hardline response.”

“Should we…?”

I’m not just sitting back, but only two students know the full situation—me and Nagisa-sama. Without knowing Rin’s vague response, it’s natural to think the Federal Student Council’s acting out of spite.

It’s not like our D.U. friends handled it well. If they’re upset about misunderstandings, they shouldn’t have caused them!

“Sayuri-san.”

Let’s make an interesting story. Let’s stage a dramatic scene.

“I’m stepping back.”

“…What?”

“Let the Tea Party handle it.”

Trinity General School’s peculiar bureaucracy guarantees the Tea Party host’s absolute power while not restricting the Tea Party assembly’s authority. It’s a delicate balance, like a seesaw.

When a motion passes with a majority of eligible voters and a majority of votes, overturning it is burdensome.

Why? It’s the majority opinion, plain and simple. Vetoing it takes one signature, but handling the ensuing chaos? Better to quietly sign off.

So, what I’m doing with Sayuri-san is tossing a spark onto the fuse.

“Uh… is that okay? Really?”

“Soon, the Federal Student Council will hold a press conference. The Pater folks will be furious. Rather than preaching restraint and inviting disaster, isn’t it better to let it explode?”

“You’re right, but… is it really fine? What about Nagisa-sama?”

A Pater deputy leader worrying about the Filius leader—what a scene amid the clatter. My junior’s gentle nature—Gehenna aside—defies expectations, so what can you do?

If desk theorizing won’t solve it, better to escalate. Anyway, Nagisa-sama’s not an issue.

“Don’t worry about her.”

Maybe before the rain on bamboo shoots, but now? Nagisa-sama wouldn’t doubt me. She keeps promises meticulously, doesn’t break deals, and isn’t secretive.

I must take responsibility for the proposal to Nagisa-sama. Negotiate or flip the board.

Hmm…

The latter’s easier, isn’t it?

“Do what you want, Sayuri-san.”

Expectation glinted in her dark blue eyes. I can’t betray that.

“I’ve got your back.”

***

The Federal Student Council’s agenda press conference was at noon; the interim Tea Party convened twenty minutes later. Fairly swift.

The long-overdue Tea Party was filled with the furious voices of officers denouncing the situation. Filius, Sanctus, Pater—no distinction. Such unity, outside Gehenna issues, is rare.

The core conflict is Arius Branch’s interpretation. The Federal Student Council sees it as an independent branch, while to us, it’s a subordinate faction. Excommunicated as heretics at the Council of Nicaea, it’s still our territory.

The argument: the Federal Student Council committed a grave diplomatic breach.

I’m unbothered, having finalized backdoor talks, but D.U.’s authority is less than a checkpoint chief’s. Declaring and lifting martial law isn’t trivial.

Arius Branch is a regional campus, not a school. Just as the Federal Student Council can’t discipline Millennium’s Engineering Department for an incident, they can’t interfere with Trinity General School’s branch—from our perspective.

Filius demands harsh diplomatic retaliation, Sanctus wants to negotiate a reversal. Nagisa-sama, who hates shelling, would love that. Pater, as always, suggests a show of force if needed.

I get their point, but do they know fuel costs? Rapidly deploying to the Federal Student Council building and withdrawing requires tanks, which guzzle fuel, especially with rising prices.

And would those lofty officers even listen? Would it be worth the cost?

The choice narrows to one.

With backdoor talks done, no need to heed Sanctus. The goal is to show “resolve” publicly. Typically, you’d lie flat, saying, “We won’t listen!”—like debtors do.

Trinity General School, with no debts but diplomatically bruised, already knows what to do.

“The Arius District issue isn’t just Trinity’s? Tell them to cut the nonsense! We can’t kill those who harmed Nagisa-sama and disrupted peace ourselves? That’s absurd!”

Sayuri-san’s sharp voice echoed through the hall, joined by students raising their voices. Why only us? Tax us less!—not sure if it’s all the Federal Student Council’s fault.

Normally, the Tea Party strictly moderates speech. Swearing’s a pipe dream.

But with the meeting’s cause being “Trinity General School’s sovereignty dispute” and clear responsibility, any officer with a clue can’t defend the Federal Student Council. Even Acting President Rin isn’t.

Students, displeased, back Sayuri-san’s claims. Some factions, heedless of others, wave “One Trinity” banners, while others tear Federal Student Council flags in a performance.

That looks fun.

The “Acting Commander of Trinity General School” doesn’t enter the Tea Party hall. As mentioned before, it’s an attempt to wield paradoxical authority. Observing the chaos, I make overarching decisions to assert power.

If Nagisa-sama entered the hall, students would think, Oh, dissolution.

Political scholars call it a restoration. What did Chronos School’s bespectacled professors say about my Eden Treaty moves? Balancing dictatorship and constitutionalism… ridiculous labels.

But today—today’s different. I won’t brandish a sword or turn it on the Tea Party.

Just a small play.

Clunk. The hall’s sturdy door opened, and a girl entered. Yamatsu Hikari, Acting Commander—better known as Checkpoint Chief—faced the attentive crowd.

“…Greetings, everyone.”

I quietly stepped to the podium. Students seemed to gauge my—or Nagisa-sama’s—intent.

My eyes met Sayuri-san’s, who’d been leading the hall. My junior trusts me, absolutely. As she yielded the podium, she asked, What’s going on? Not dissolution, right?

Pfft, as if. I’d have brought the guard unit first.

“Don’t worry.”

Sayuri-san pondered my words as she stepped down. Turning to the assembly, I saw confusion. Students recalling the Eden Treaty tragedy? Those remembering Pater’s upheaval wouldn’t smile.

The murmuring crowd feared me. Sure, I’m in a checkpoint chief uniform, not the acting commander’s, but who cares?

“…Hmph.”

I thrashed Pater in this outfit a few weeks ago, didn’t I?

So, I wondered if I had to come down here. But after agreeing with Acting President Rin and sealing it, not showing up while only voicing the student council’s stance felt impolite.

“Honored common students of Trinity General School. In this catastrophic moment, the Border Checkpoint Chief dares to stand here.”

Why bear the acting commander title’s burden? Yamatsu Hikari is still the checkpoint chief, favoring a white uniform and field cap. This way, I avoid flak for overstepping as host.

“Since the Federal Student Council’s press conference, the Tea Party must condemn this grave overreach.”

Right, right!

“This clearly violates federal regulations. I have no intention of idly observing this sovereignty violation.”

—Hoo, deep breath.

“This is a matter of Trinity’s fate!”

The crowd fell silent in an instant.

The girl in the white chief uniform seized control.