[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 150

Having run a company for a long time, I’ve become adept at reading people’s moods, so I could sense her unusual atmosphere.

I understood Trinity to have no significant foreign policy. But the documents she handed over and her statements carried clear intent. Demanding information, anytime, anywhere, isn’t something easily explained.

It’s an incomprehensible proposal. What on earth are they planning?

Have they forgotten the Eden Treaty Incident? It’s embarrassing to call it a bygone era, given how recent that war was. It’s hard to say her academy emerged with minimal damage.

I’m not one of those idiots clinging to Kaiser Corporation. Who do you think has led this company for the past half-century? In the small world filling Kivotos—the tiny city called the Black Market—lives by its own laws.

Balance—the law of preserving the total amount of capital that never disappears—is the driving force of the city. The so-called invisible hand, I suppose.

I guarantee, if that bastard from Kazeyama decides to pursue aggressive expansion, I’d collaborate with Kaiser Corporation to keep him in check. But if they start to crumble, I’d have to offer cheap loans.

When a giant falls, how many remain in its shadow? If a company goes bankrupt, its subcontractors collapse. When their subcontractors start failing, the cycle of inevitable insolvency is complete.

The Black Market is a collection of giants too weak to withstand that disaster. We’re afraid, so we don’t want destabilizing factors.

Does it change for individuals? Even if you disguise the anxiety of a collapsing domino as the stock market, those fools in the finance office can’t imagine the reality. That’s how the world works, isn’t it?

“…What’s the compensation?”

Even so, this rat chases the profit in front of it. Is the cheese before me poisoned?

The girl gave no answer. But vividly recalling the wrath that tried to burn down the Tea Party, I think she’s calmly planning something grand to topple the city.

This decision would drag the company into the flames of conflict. So why join in?

Of course, I don’t want to be quietly crushed under the gaze of Trinity General Academy’s gang, and the trust shown by that girl, Hikari, through the howitzer deal has silenced my objections. But…

…I can’t deny the inner voice suggesting I could take down those bastards without bloodshed. I feel like I’d miss out if I ignored that devil’s whisper.

“Director Hikari, as I’ve said, I’m good at reading people.”

So let’s scratch at it gently. I don’t want to bear the responsibility for the fire that’ll burn this city.

I want her to show trust again. The silver-haired girl’s actions have been more than intriguing, but her schemes hitting my homeland are another matter. I want better trust—at least a guarantee of our company’s safety.

“The Eden Treaty Incident twisted the world. Now you’re shaking the city, and I’m afraid.”

Trinity can save us, but we can’t save Trinity. If we become a thorn in their side through these deals, we’ll be discarded, and I’ll clearly end up wandering the city aimlessly.

“…”

The girl gave a faint, yet somewhat frightening smile. I forced my creaking lips to smile back.

“You don’t need to worry, President. Just hand over the information, and the Tea Party will take all responsibility. Sit quietly, sip your tea, and watch TV. Safety guarantee? Of course, we’ll provide it.”

I couldn’t help but smile sincerely at her fluent response. My lips moved naturally.

But… I couldn’t shake the unease, enough to make me speak in tongues. Our company is sizable, but if that girl decided, half our revenue could vanish.

And Trinity gave the answer we craved.

“Walk the path you want, President. We’ll protect you. Never forget I’m by your side.”

***

The train passed through the long tunnel at the border, and it was a snow country.

A long shadow races along the railway crossing the towering mountains. The scenery at 1,800 meters above sea level isn’t immune to seasons, but who could resist the sight of a blizzard sketching a magpie’s game across the heavens?

The Black Market express train, even briefly, lets you feel the aura of being above ten thousand others.

It feels like just yesterday I planned to rest at my snowy retreat, but the return journey is long and heavy. Steiner—my proud treasure—needs me to keep it alive, but shouldn’t I, more than a tin can needing oil, get some rest?

I’ve lived nurturing Gehenna’s top defense industry. I’d never shy away from any task to reach higher. I even weathered the Eden Treaty Incident’s upheaval.

The sight of those shareholder bastards, shocked as I crushed Trinity’s forces, was spectacular.

Thanks to that, I solidified my authority as CEO, so shouldn’t I thank the Proxy—that silver-haired girl? Though we stabbed Trinity in the back, we didn’t get caught, so market expansion has been smooth.

Styria will prosper for eternity.

Having secured trillions of yen, it’s time to overturn our policy of focusing solely on firearms sales. The new rifle we’re developing got good reviews, so we’re safe for now.

I have a direction in mind, but it’s a big decision. Defense companies producing heavy equipment like howitzers and tanks are rare in the Black Market. Masterpieces combining technological advancement and cost reduction sell for hundreds of millions of yen each.

Let’s acknowledge the truth—truly, isn’t this a remarkable legacy? I’m not a hypocritical robot.

Trinity’s Crusader and Gehenna’s Tiger tanks are stars of the defense industry. Both are standard equipment developed by their academies, and their operation of thousands makes them symbolic.

Most academies lack the ability to develop tanks. They cling to faint hopes, churning out defective products, or use capital to choose the “smart way.” We love the latter.

And howitzers? What’s more fearsome than mobile artillery?

Trinity’s artillery is split into two: the Tea Party’s artillery, crushing Gehenna’s Pandemonium Society with astonishing rapid fire and accuracy, and the Border Checkpoint, elevated to VIP status after adopting the French CAESAR.

The former symbolizes the threat of skilled gunners, the latter the necessity of large-caliber cannons.

I’m sorry to liken it to backstabbing friends, but Styria’s contribution to winning the Eden Treaty Incident was significant, so I hope the generous Tea Party overlooks it.

“…Hey, it’s me. It’ll be evening when I arrive, so prepare some food. I’m craving steak today.”

I don’t know how delicious juicy wagyu is. As my loyal secretary took the order and spoke to the chef, I wanted to hear trivial stories I missed during my vacation.

“The development process is going smoothly. The research team says mass production is possible in a month or two. Two days ago, we consulted Millennium’s Engineering Department. They reported the gas ejector’s position could cause hand burns.”

“Those guys. Let the research director handle the issue. How’s the Black Market? Any problems or annoyances?”

There’s a reason this is my first vacation in decades. Those damn competitors can’t stand me taking a day off. It’s routine for them to throw baseless accusations and demand audits.

“There were no internal issues, but external sources reported something.”

…Something? If my secretary calls it “something,” it’s an incident, at least something we must address.

“That Trinity administrator, they say she met with the French company president a few days ago. It’s supposedly just a contract matter, and the Border Checkpoint plans to acquire more CAESARs.”

“No big deal. Visiting headquarters for contracts isn’t common?”

“That’s what I thought too.”

The secretary reported in a trembling voice.

“Until I heard the Proxy visited. Something… feels off.”

“What?”

“The atmosphere.”

“…”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t have the energy.

“…You’re right.”

Silence followed.

“…You’re right.”